Method and apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements
First Claim
1. A method for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising the steps of:
- providing a pedal member mounted for coupled bi-directional pivotal movement about two perpendicular axes;
positioning a user'"'"'s foot on the pedal member for doing prescribed ankle exercise movements;
restraining the user'"'"'s foot and ankle from undisciplined movement with respect to the pedal member;
coupling ankle inversion movement with plantarflexion through pivotal movement of the pedal member;
coupling ankle eversion movement with dorsiflexion through pivotal movement of the pedal member; and
resisting such movements with a selected force.
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Abstract
Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements has a main-frame with a seat and upwardly extending columns at either side to support a “U” shaped sub-frame, mounted so that it pivots about a horizontal axis passing very nearly through the ankles of a seated user and interconnecting linkages simultaneously enforcing ankle inversion, with plantarflexion and then ankle eversion, with dorsiflexion, about perpendicularly intersecting axes, while resisting such movements, so as to provide bidirectional ankle exercises according to a progressive resistance program, thus strengthening the ankle muscle groups for enhanced balance and dynamic stability.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising the steps of:
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providing a pedal member mounted for coupled bi-directional pivotal movement about two perpendicular axes; positioning a user'"'"'s foot on the pedal member for doing prescribed ankle exercise movements; restraining the user'"'"'s foot and ankle from undisciplined movement with respect to the pedal member; coupling ankle inversion movement with plantarflexion through pivotal movement of the pedal member; coupling ankle eversion movement with dorsiflexion through pivotal movement of the pedal member; and resisting such movements with a selected force.
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2. Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising:
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a main-frame including a base and upwardly extending columns at either side thereof; a support for positioning a user; a sub-frame mounted so that a cross member thereof pivots parallelly about a horizontal first axis passing transversely at or near the ankles of the user; right and left pedal members mounted to the sub-frame cross member for pivotal movement about right and left second axes, perpendicular to and intersecting the horizontal first axis, and having an interconnected linkage, so that the right and left pedal members are caused to pivot in opposite directions; a motion transfer linkage whereby pivotal movement of the pedal members about the first axis will simultaneously force pivotal movement of the pedal members about their respective second axes. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising:
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a main-frame including a generally symmetrical base, with a centrally mounted seat for supporting a user and columns extending upwardly at each side thereof to provide for a horizontal first axis passing therethrough at the approximate location of a user'"'"'s ankles; a “
U”
shaped first sub-frame, with a cross-bar located forward of the horizontal first axis and essentially horizontal sides, mounted to pivot up and down about the horizontal first axis;right and left pedal members mounted to the sub-frame cross bar on right and left second axes respectively, so as to pivot in symmetrical user inversion and eversion movements, the second axes being perpendicular to and intersecting the first axis; and a motion transfer linkage whereby pivotal movement of the cross-bar about the horizontal axis simultaneously forces pivotal movement of the pedal members about their respective second axes. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification