US2104927A

US2104927A - Exerciser

Info

Publication number: US2104927A
Application number: US136328A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry L Hussmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-04-12
Filing date: 1937-04-12
Publication date: 1938-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1955-01-11

Description

Jan. 11, 19 38. H HUSSMANN 2,104,927

EXERCISER Filed April 12, 1957 Far?" L/fiasmann ATTORNEY at O Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFricE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an implement for exercising the human foot, both as a means for strengthening the muscles of'the foot and for the purpose of correcting certain foot deformities or abnormal conditions.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a simplified less expensive foot exerciser, and one that will be very durable and easy to use. Also to provide a single article which will be adapted simultaneously to exercise both feet of the user, and which will be constructed in such a manner as to aid the user in keeping his feet out of contact with each other while he is making use of the device to exercise them.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved article for massaging the soles of the feet while it is being used to exercise the foot muscles.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved massaging and exercising artiole, which may be used by an operator on a patient of the human body.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention may hereinafter appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates what is at present deemed to be a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the footexerciser implement shown consists of an approximately fusiform body l0 surrounded at each end with a rounded ridge II .and desirably having through it an axial bore or passage l2.

The body portion In of the implement is shown having, throughout its mid-length portion, a cylindrical exterior surface l3, and from each end of this surface a frusto-conical area l4 extends to'the inner side of the ridge II at that end of the implement. The surface l4, however need not be truly frusto-conical, but could, for example, be of a longitudinally concaved or convexed character without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

The hole l2 through the implement serves to roll the exerciser upon .a mandrel, and to lighten its weight, and is partially desirable when a cast metal or other heavy material is used. The implement may, however, be made of wood, or of formed sheet metal.

In using the implement as a foot exerciser the subject, while occupying a chair or other seat, will place the implement upon the portion of the floor underlying his feet and, while pressing upon the implement with the soles of his feet will roll the implement back and forth upon the floor. In doing this he will place a foot upon each frusto-conical surface it. The outward taper of each of said surfaces it will tend to keep the feet out of contact with each other, while the ridges Ii will keep the feet from sliding off from the ends of the implement. Owing to the transversely rounded character of said ridges they form smooth, comfortable abutments engageable by the outer sides of the feet of the user.

Owing to the fact that the ridges II are preferably of a somewhat greater diameter than the intermediate portion of the implement said intermediate portion is kept out of contact with the floor and hence, during the exercise of the feet, does not pick up dust or germs from the floor and transfer the same to the soles of the feet. Furthermore, the circular ridges Ii travel upon the floor and therefore exercise the leg muscles to a greater extent, by necessitating longer leg movements than take place in devices where the roller does not bodily move back and forth when used as an exerciser.

I claim:

1. A foot exerciser consisting solely of an elongated symmetrical body having a central portion of a substantially uniform diameter, there being a uniform decrease in the diameter of said body at each side of said central portion, said decreasing diameter being terminated by a circular ridge portion at each end of said body, the diameter of each of said ridge portions being greater than the diameter of said central portion.

2. A foot exerciser consisting of an elongated body having a substantially cylindrical central portion and outwardly tapering frusto-conical end portions, and having around each end a circular ridge, said body being adapted for being rolled back and forth upon a floor under pressure simultaneously from the soles of both feet of a person in a seated posture, said end ridges being of a greater diameter than the intermediate portion of the implement in order to keep said intermediate portion thereof out of contact with a plane surface upon which the implement a is supportable.

HARRY L. HUSSMANN.