Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method

• US 7,101,330 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apos Medical Assets Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Amit Mor, Avi Elbaz
• Inventors: Elbaz, Avi, Mor, Amit
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/397,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20040033864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 482/148, 36/61, 361/34, 361/29, 36/67.R, 36/67.D, 361/27, 36/28, 36/36, 36/15, 36/25, 36/42, 12/70, 12/17.R, 12/795, 12/85
• US Class Current: 482/148
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/145 Convex portions, e.g. with a bump or projection, e.g. 'Masai' type shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/18 Attachable overshoes for sporting purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1445 situated under the midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0028 the movement path being non-parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane, e.g. support elements moving at an angle to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0038 One foot moving independently from the other, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0641 enabling a lateral movement of the exercising apparatus, e.g. for simulating movement on a bicycle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/067 with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/185 specially adapted for using with a single foot or hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/062 by pulling on a cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/14 Platforms for reciprocating rotating motion about a vertical axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/16 Platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform; Balancing drums; Balancing boards or the like exercising apparatus with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0056; other exercising apparatus for improving balance A63B26/003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/18 with elements, i.e. platforms, having a circulating, nutating or rotating movement, generated by oscillating movement of the user, e.g. platforms wobbling on a centrally arranged spherical supporthoop exercising apparatus A63B19/00; eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user A63B21/0608; pots rotating or rocking by moving the whole body A63G23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/201 for moving a support element in reciprocating translation, i.e. for sliding back and forth on a guide track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0209 : on a single foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 : specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 : Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 : for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/08 : for ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 : for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 : for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 : for handicapped persons

Abstract

Proprioceptive or kinesthetic exercise methods and apparatus are described. In one embodiment, a proprioceptive treadmill is described that comprises a foot-contact running surface that rotates about a pair of spaced pulleys, the running surface comprising at least one protuberance protruding upwards from the running surface. Proprioceptive exercise surfaces, exercise bicycles, steppers, ski machines, rowing machines and elliptic exercise machines are also described.

Claims

1. A method for performing exercises and training for developing and improving neuromuscular control including proprioceptive and kinesthetic ability, comprising:

providing footwear comprising a support member, said support member having an upper surface and a lower surface,

attaching said upper surface of said support member to a users foot,

said support member comprising two bulbous protuberances that protrude from a lower surface of said support member, each protuberance having a curved outer contour, one of said protuberances being positioned more posteriorly than the other of said protuberances, and wherein at least one of said protuberances is movingly mounted on said support member,

placing a users foot within the footwear, and

maneuvering a users foot and performing exercises and training for developing and improving neuromuscular control while the user'"'"'s foot is supported by at least one of said protuberances.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising moving at least one of said protuberances to a different mounting position on said support member.

3. A method for performing exercises and training for developing and improving neuromuscular control including proprioceptive and kinesthetic ability, said method comprising the steps of:

providing footwear comprising a support member, said support member having an upper surface and a lower surface;

attaching said upper surface of said support member to a user'"'"'s foot, said support member comprising two bulbous protuberances protruding from said lower surface of said support member where each protuberance having a curved outer contour, and one of said protuberances being positioned more posteriorly than the other of said protuberances, and wherein said protuberances are attached to a centerline of said support member, said centerline extending from a calcaneus support portion of said support member to at least one of a metatarsals support portion and phalanges support portion of said support member and wherein said protuberances are attached to said support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline of said support member, said latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of said support member; and

maneuvering a user'"'"'s foot and performing exercises and training for developing and improving neuromuscular control while the user'"'"'s foot is supported by at least one of said protuberances.