GB2375307A

GB2375307A - A podiatry apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2375307A
Application number: GB0204990A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Shannon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-02
Filing date: 2002-03-04
Publication date: 2002-11-13
Also published as: GB0105220D0; GB0204990D0

Abstract

The podiatry apparatus comprises a platform (101), a foot rest (102), a carrying handle (103) and a roller (104) removably supported in slots (105) by axle (106). A user places one foot on the footrest (102) and moves their other foot over the roller (104).

Description

A PODIATRY APPARATUS The present invention relates to a podiatry apparatus and more particularly to a podiatry apparatus for treating and alleviating the problem of a fallen arch.

The term podiatry can also be referred to as chiropody.

The condition known as fallen arch is a foot condition which causes a great deal of pain and discomfort. The condition can limit a person's ability to walk or stand for long periods of time.

Arch braces have been used to relieve the pain of fallen arches. An arch brace is located around a user's foot and physically supports the arch. For the arch brace to be effective in supporting the arch it must be tightly attached to the user's foot. The tight attachment of the arch brace can cause discomfort and can only provide limited relief to the problem.

An arch support is another device used to relieve the pain of a fallen arch. The arch support is a mould of a resilient material which is positioned in a user's shoe and directly supports a user's arch. The arch support is usually held in position using an adhesive backing. Sticking the arch support into a shoe prevents a user moving the arch support to other shoes. If the arch support is not held in position in the shoe, it will move within the shoe causing problems for a user.

Another way of treating a fallen arch is to excerise them to strengthen the muscles supporting the arch of the foot."THAT FOOT THINGTM"is a'foot log'which a user rolls their foot over. The rolling action strengthens the muscles supporting the arch and as a consequence reduces the discomfort of the fallen arch. However, the foot log is difficult to control and tends to slip away from a user.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a podiatry apparatus which will alleviate these problems.

Accordingly, there is provided an apparatus for use in podiatry, the apparatus including a platform for maintaining the apparatus in position, a roller over which a user moves their foot and a roller support to retain the roller over the platform.

Preferably, the platform has a non-slip surface on its underside to prevent the apparatus moving during use. By maintaining the platform in position the roller stays in the same position making the apparatus easier to use. In the case of the prior art, the foot log tends to roll away from a user making it more difficult to use.

Preferably, the roller support allows for the interchange of rollers. A user can insert rollers of different sizes and types to suit their requirements. The rollers can be of different diameters and can be angled towards the arch of the foot.

Preferably, the roller comprises an axle and a barrel. The axle extends beyond the ends of the barrel and locates into the roller supports. Conveniently, the barrel is rotable about the axle.

In one embodiment, the barrel is in two pieces and independently rotable about the axle, thereby allowing a user to excerise both feet at once.

In a further embodiment, the barrel is tapered from the middle to the edge forming a bi-frusto conical shape which accommodates a natural shape of the foot.

Preferably, the barrel is formed to have a raised contoured surface to massage a user's foot as it passes over the barrel. The raised surface can massage a user's foot giving relief to muscle ache and spasms. The action can also increase blood circulation in the foot.

In one embodiment, the contoured surface on the barrel is a plurality of raised ribs which are aligned parallel to the axle of the roller and extend along the length of the barrel.

In a further embodiment, the contoured surface on the barrel has raised ribs running perpendicular to the axle of the roller.

In yet a further embodiment, the contoured surface of the roller has one half of its surface formed with raised ribs aligned parallel to the axle and the other half formed with raised ribs running perpendicular to the axle of the roller.

In another embodiment, the contoured surface of the roller is formed with raised nodules which cover the surface of the barrel.

In a further embodiment, one half of the surface of the barrel is covered with raised ribs and the other half with nodules.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will illustrate by way of example only, two embodiments of a podiatry apparatus and ten alternative rollers for use with the apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a podiatry apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the podiatry apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevation of the first alternative roller according to the invention having a cylindrical shape; Figure 4 is an elevation of the second alternative roller according to the invention having a bi-frusto conical shape;

Figure 5 is an elevation of the third alternative roller according to the invention having two cylindrical barrels; Figure 6 is an elevation of the fourth alternative roller according to the invention having two frusto conical barrels; Figure 7 is an elevation of the fifth alternative roller according to the invention having ribs about the circumference of a cylindrical barrel; Figure 8 is an elevation of the sixth alternative roller according to the invention having ribs about the circumference of a bi-frusto conical barrel; Figure 9 is an elevation of the seventh alternative cylindrical roller according to the invention having ribs running perpendicular to each other; Figure 10 is an elevation of the eight alternative bi-frusto conical roller according to the invention having ribs running perpendicular to each other; Figure 11 is an elevation of the ninth alternative roller according to the invention having two cylindrical barrels with ribs running along each barrel ; Figure 12 is an elevation of the tenth alternative roller according to the invention having two frusto conical barrels with ribs running along each barrel; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of podiatry apparatus according to the invention; Figure 14 is a plan view of the podiatry apparatus of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an end view of the podiatry apparatus from the bottom end as shown in Figure 13; Figure 16 is a left side view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 13; and Figure 17 is a right side view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 13.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is shown a podiatry apparatus generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. The podiatry apparatus 10 includes a platform 1, a roller 6 and a roller support 2 all of which will be described in more detail below.

The platform 1 is a rigid structure upon which the roller supports 2 are mounted. On the underside of the platform 1 is a non-slip surface 3 which prevents the platform 1 from moving once placed on a surface for use.

There are two roller supports 2 which are mounted on opposing sides of the platform 1. The roller supports 2 retain the roller 6 in position. The roller supports 2 are formed to define a channel 4 into which the roller 6 slots. The channel 4 supports the roller 6 and allows the roller 6 to be changed.

The roller 6 which slots into the roller support 2 includes an axle 5 and a barrel 7 which is rotatable on the axle 5. The axle 5 extends beyond each end of the barrel 7 and slots into the channel 4 defined in the roller support 2.

Figure 3 illustrates a roller 16 with a one-piece barrel 17 which rotates freely about an axle 15.

The barrel 17 has a cylindrical shape and a smooth surface. Figure 4 shows an alternative roller 26 with a one-piece barrel 27 which rotates freely about an axle 25. The barrel 27 has a bi-frusto conical shape and a smooth surface. Figure 5 is another alternative roller 36 which has a pair of barrels 37A and 37B which independently and freely rotate about an axle 35. The barrels 37A and 37B have a cylindrical shape and a smooth surface. Figure 6 illustrates a

further alternative of a roller 46 which has a pair of barrels 47A and 47B which independently and freely rotate about an axle 45. The barrels 47A and 47B have a frusto conical shape and a smooth surface. Figure 7 is yet another alternative of a roller 66 which has a single barrel 67 which rotates freely about an axle 65. The barrel 67 has a cylindrical shape with a contoured surface of ribs 18 formed around the circumference of the barrel 67. Figure 8 is another alternative roller 56 which has a single barrel 57 which rotates freely about an axle 55. The barrel 57 has a bi-frusto conical shape with a contoured surface of ribs 58 which are formed around the circumference of the barrel 57. Figure 9 is a further alternative of a roller 86 which has a single barrel 87 which freely rotates around an axle 85. The barrel 87 has a cylindrical shape with a contoured surface of raised ribs 38A and 38B. The ribs 38A cover half of the barrel 87 and run parallel to the axle 85. The other ribs 38B cover the other half of the barrel 87 and run perpendicular to the axle 85. Figure 10 illustrates yet another alternative roller 76 which has a single barrel 77 which freely rotates around an axle 75. The barrel 77 has a bi-frusto conical shape with a contoured surface of ribs 28A and 28B. The ribs 38A cover half of the barrel 77 and run parallel to the axle 75. The other ribs 38B cover the other half of the barrel 77 and run perpendicular to the axle 75. Figure 11 is another alternative roller 96 which has a pair of barrels 97A and 97B which independently and freely rotate about an axle 95. The barrels 97A and 97B have a frusto conical shape and a contoured surface of ribs 48A and 48B formed along the length of the barrels 97A and 97B. Figure 12 illustrates a

further alternative of a roller 106 which has a pair of barrels 107A and 107B which . tl.-. er-alitemaLl 1 11 IV I 1 0 1 independently and freely rotate about an axle 105. The barrels 107A and 107B have a frusto conical shape and a contoured surface of ribs 58A and 58B formed along the length of the barrels 107A and 107B.

The frusto conical shape of the barrels 27,47A, 47B, 57,77, 97A, 97B, 107A and 107B are angled towards the centre of the barrel to accommodate the natural shape of a user's arch. A set of nodules can be formed on any of the barrels to cover all or half of the barrel with the other half being covered in ribs 8 (not shown). These variations give a user a greater range of options for treating their feet.

In use the platform is placed on the ground and a roller 6 is inserted into the roller support 2. A user then places their foot or feet onto the barrel 7 of the roller 6 and moves their feet forwards and backwards over the roller 6. The user may insert a one or two piece barreled roller 6 depending on a user's requirements. With a one-piece roller 6 the user may move one or two feet over the roller 6 at the same time. If a user has a two barreled roller 6 one or two feet can be moved over the roller 6 in the same direction or in the case with both feet in opposing directions.

The movement of the foot massages the underside of a user's foot and helps to relief sore feet by easing cramps and spasms and increasing blood circulation.

The embodiment 100 shown in Figures 13 to 17 comprises a platform 101, a foot rest 102, a carrying handle 103 and a roller 104 removably supported in slots 105 by axle 106. In use, a person places one foot on the foot rest 102 and moves their other foot over the roller 104.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details as herein described, which are given by way of example only, and that various alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for use in podiatry, the apparatus including a platform for maintaining the apparatus in position, a roller over which a user moves their foot and a roller support to retain the roller over the platform.
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the platform has a non-slip surface on its underside to prevent the apparatus moving during use.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the roller support allows for the interchange of rollers.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the roller comprises an axle and a barrel with the axle extending beyond the ends of the barrel and being locatable in the roller supports and with the barrel being rotable about the axle.
5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, in which the barrel is in two pieces and each is independently rotatable about the axle, thereby allowing a user to excerise both feet at once.
6. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the barrel is tapered from the I in %-I %-I middle to the edge forming a bi-frusto conical shape which accommodates a natural shape of the foot.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6, in which the barrel is formed to have a raised contoured surface to massage a user's foot as it passes over the barrel.
8. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, in which the contoured surface on the barrel is a plurality of raised ribs which are aligned parallel to the axle of the roller and extend along the length of the barrel.

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9. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, in which the contoured surface on the barrel has raised ribs running perpendicular to the axle of the roller.
10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, in which the contoured surface of the roller has one half of its surface formed with raised ribs aligned parallel to the axle and the other half formed with raised ribs running perpendicular to the axle of the roller.
11. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, in which the contoured surface of the roller is formed with raised nodules which cover the surface of the barrel.
12. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, in which one half of the surface of the barrel is covered with raised ribs and the other half with nodules.
13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the platform includes a foot rest region to rest one foot while the other is being exercised.
14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a carrying handle.
15. An apparatus for use in podiatry substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.