Body position feedback apparatus

• US 9,211,463 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2011
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Giveans M. Russell
• Original Assignee: Giveans M. Russell
• Inventors: Giveans, M. Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Ginsberg, Oren
• Application Number:
  US13/304,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20130127623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,483 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0072 Limiting the applied force, torque, movement or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0223 Squatting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0059 worn by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0062 Leg restraining devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A body positioning feedback apparatus is securable to a foot or other body part for which it is beneficial to ensure proper alignment between body parts. The body positioning feedback apparatus may be implemented as a mechanical device or as an electronic device that provides visual, audio, and/or tactile feedback when the user is employing improper form. As a particular non-limiting example, the body positioning feedback apparatus can be used to assist users in performing stationary or walking lunges and single-legged and two-legged squats.

Claims

1. A body position feedback apparatus comprising:

a flexible vertical member having a first end portion and a second end portion;

a cup-like structure secured to the first end portion of the vertical member the cup-like structure defining a circumferential wall defining a central aperture configured to engage a toe region of a shoe of a user, and the circumferential wall extending proximally toward the shoe such that a majority of the shoe protrudes proximally from the cup-like structure to permit a bottom surface of the shoe to contact a ground surface when the user performs either a squat or a lunge movement; and

a strap secured to the cup-like structure and arranged to extend proximally from the circumferential wall to engage a portion of the shoe that protrudes proximally from the cup-like structure.

2. The body position feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical member has a fixed vertical length.

3. The body position feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical member has an adjustable vertical length.

4. The body position feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cup-like structure is formed from a flexible material.

5. The body position feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cup-like structure is formed integrally with the vertical member.

6. The body position feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap has an adjustable length.

7. The body position feedback apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap is elastic.

8. The body position feedback apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second strap configured to be located over a top of the foot or shoe of the user.

9. A body position feedback apparatus comprising:

a singular body comprising a vertical member portion and a toe engagement portion, the toe engagement portion defining a recess to secure a toe portion of a shoe of a user, the toe engagement portion including a forward wall portion to prevent the toe portion of the shoe of the user from extending horizontally forward of any portion of the vertical member portion and a base portion extending rearwardly from the forward wall portion, the base portion extending rearward such that a majority of a shoe of a user protrudes proximally from the toe engagement portion to permit a bottom surface of the shoe to contact a ground surface when the user performs either a squat or a lunge movement.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vertical member portion extends straight vertically upward from the toe engagement portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vertical member portion is flexible forwardly of the toe engagement portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a shoe retaining strap secured to the toe engagement portion and arranged to extend proximally therefrom to engage a portion of the shoe of the user that protrudes rearwardly from the toe engagement portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vertical member portion has a fixed vertical height.