Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
  • A63B22/16—Platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis, e.g. axis through the middle of the platform; Balancing drums; Balancing boards or the like
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/10—Leg
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2209/00—Devices for avoiding blood stagnation, e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT] devices

Definitions

• This invention relates to devices for exercising the human body, and the legs in particular.
• Certain exercise devices for the legs are produced that may be operated whilst seated for the relief of DVT.
• these devices need setting up and may not always fully exercise the calf muscles due to imprecise action through not being operated correctly.
• the present invention sets out to provide improvements in these respects .
• a simple and highly effective exercise device may be provided in the form of a rigid body comprising a foot-contacting surface and a floor-contacting surface which are configured so that rolling the floor-contacting surface over a floor surface will cause the foot-contacting surface to rise above the floor surface.
• the action of lifting the foot causes the calf muscles to contract in a way which helps to pump blood through the veins in the leg.
• Repeated operation of the device in a rocking, oscillating or rolling motion causes a repeated contraction and relaxing of the calf muscles and can help resist the formation of clots and deep vein thrombosis .
• the present invention provides an exercise device comprising a solid body having a first surface for contacting the in- step of the foot of a user and a second surface for contacting a floor surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are configured so that rolling the second surface over a floor surface causes at least a part of the first surface to rise with respect to the floor surface.
• an oblong length of material is shaped to act as a support and fulcrum for the foot whilst seated.
• the oscillator is located under the instep, just forward of the ankle, so that it can be rocked, or oscillated, backwards and forwards by the foot which, primarily, requires the effort of the calf muscles, thus increasing blood flow in the leg concerned.
• the second surface is a smoothly curving surface or a surface defined by a plurality of small stepped surface segments whose edges lie on a smooth curve.
• each surface segment is no wider than 2cm, preferably no wider than 1.5 cm and preferably no wider than .8 cm.
• the first surface is also curved, being defined by a smooth curve or a series of stepped surface segments in a similar way to the second curved surface.
• the first and second surfaces define a closed body.
• the necessary rising action may be achieved if the first and second surfaces together define a body which, when seen in cross section, is generally non-circular.
• the body may be elliptical, ovoid, oblong or polygonal with a rounded edges or even a irregular non-circular figure.
• the first and second curved surfaces may have substantially the same form so that the device can be used with either surface in contact with the floor or with the foot.
• the device may comprise a section of a cylinder or prism whose cross section has the shape described above .
• it may be a section of a conoid, a pair of conoids meeting at their bases, or a cylindroid, having outwardly bowed side walls in a manner of a barrel, or inwardly bowed side walls.
• the body may even be in a form of a distorted ball.
• the body may be formed of any suitable material, for example, metal, synthetic material such as thermoplastic or composite material, wood, paper, papier mache or any other suitable material.
• a suitable material is polystyrene.
• the device may be formed by any suitable technique, such as moulding. It may be formed as a solid body or it may comprise a hollow body.
• the body is in form of a hollow body, it may be open at at least one end, so that items may be stored inside the body.
• Removable closure means may be provided for at least one end of the body.
• the body may be symmetrical about at least one and preferably two planes of symmetry, suitably, the planes of symmetry intersect one another at right angles .
• the device comprises a symmetrical body, it can be placed any way round or anyway up and will still function.
• the shape of the body may be further defined by defining the shape of the cross section of a foot-contacting zone of the device.
• a cross section, extending between a foot contacting portion and ground contacting portion will have a greatest dimension and a least dimension. For example, if the shape were elliptical, these would be the distance along the minor axis and the distance along the major axis.
• the greatest dimension is in the range 50-150mm more preferably 50-100 mm.
• the least dimension is in the range 20-10mm, more preferably 25-60 mm.
• the ratio between the least and the greatest dimension is in the range 1.0: 1.05 to 1.0: 2.0, preferably 1.0:1.15 to 1.0:2.0 more preferably 1.0:1.2 to 1.0:1.9 most preferably around 1.0: 1.5 to 1.0: 1.8.
• the first and second surfaces may be textured to improve grip.
• they may be roughened, matt, ridged, stepped or grooved to improve contact and friction.
• the shape may be defined with reference to a plane dissecting a circular section cylinder at an angle.
• the angle between the plane and a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder is referred to.
• the shape of the foot-contacting portion is suitably defined by a 20-60° ellipse or ellipsoid, preferably a 35 - 40° ellipse or ellipsoid.
• a lift in the range 10-25mm is obtained when rolling the device over a distance of about 5cm.
• the device becomes difficult to operate. Further, if the difference is too small, the object will tend to approximate too much to a smooth cylinder and may roll around floor in an uncontrolled fashion, providing a hazard to other people.
• the body may comprise at least two parts which fit together for use.
• the parts may define between them a space for enclosing objects.
• the shape must be constructed in a way, known to the person skilled in the art, so that it can bear the weight of at least the leg of a fully grown adult .
• the body may comprise two geometrically similar parts, one of which is slidably mounted in the other, so that the device may be opened like a telescope.
• the present invention further provides a method of exercising the foot, comprising placing an exercise device according to the invention between the instep of the foot and a floor surface and rocking, oscillating or rolling the foot and the device backward and forwards .
• the present invention may be used while the user is in a seated position. For example, it may be used by a passenger in an aircraft or other vehicle whilst at their seat, allowing for use with minimal interference. It employs a natural foot action.
• the device may be used substantially silently, as it does not require hinges or other moving parts .
• the device may
• the device is formed of material, thickness and size which allow its weight way to be small.
• the weight is in the range 50-250gms more preferably 100-150 gms .
• Optional feature of the invention may include a timer device for setting off a warning, for example a flashing light, buzzer or other device for alerting a user that it is time to exercise.
• a timer device for setting off a warning, for example a flashing light, buzzer or other device for alerting a user that it is time to exercise.
• the lifting motion imparted to the leg may be taken up by movement of the foot or movement of the whole leg, according to the preference of the user.
• Figure 1 shows in perspective, the general configuration of the oscillator.
• Figure 2 shows in perspective, the oscillator in position under the in step.
• Figure 3 illustrates in end view, the alternating positions of the oscillator.
• Figure 4 illustrates the top and underside details of the oscillator.
• Figure 5 shows the oscillator in two parts.
• an oblong, oval—shaped oscillator 7 which may be of solid or hollow construction, is designed to function under and across the instep of the foot whilst supporting the full weight of the leg and foot on its upper surface, as indicated by the arrows, and
• the oscillator and foot may then be rocked backwards and forwards on the spot by applying alternate pressure with the ball of the foot and heel, with shoes on or off.
• the oscillator 7 is symmetrical in design so that either surface may provide the floor-contacting surface or the foot-contacting surface.
• the oscillator 7 is shown in position with the leg near vertical and arrows indicating the rocking motion of the foot.
• the central principle employed in the oscillator is that the dual cam effect of the rocking ellipsoid, reacting with the floor, lifts either the front or back of the foot as it is progressively rotated so that the following occurs.
• Diagram A shows the oscillator rocked forwards by pressure on the ball of the foot so that the rear lobe of the ellipse has risen, giving an increase in height shown at C which is lifting the heel and increasing the angle of the foot to the horizontal plane so as to fully flex the calf muscles.
• Diagram B shows the oscillator rocked backwards by downward pressure of the heel which is lifting the front of the foot and also increasing its angle to the horizontal plane so as to fully flex the calf muscles in reverse.
• the 'pumping' effect of the calf muscles can thus be controlled and varied depending on the degree of effort applied to the rocking action, affecting the angle of the foot.
• the oscillator may also have an asymmetrical, or egg—shaped, outer profile which provides a variation in lift characteristics, if required .
• the plan view of the upper and lower surfaces of the oscillator shows lateral ridges 9 which improve grip and control slippage at the foot and floor interfaces when in use. If the oscillator is of hollow construction, end cap(s) 10 may be removable to access items that may be kept within.
• the oscillator may be constructed of two separate halves with the horizontal join surfaces shown at 11.
• the oscillator may function as a single unit if the halves are joined together, or it may be separated to provide two units that may be used with the flat surfaces uppermost in contact with the feet.
• the oscillator 7 shown in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings comprises an elliptical sectioned prism.
• the width along the major axis is 57mm and the depth along the minor axis is 33mm, corresponding to a 36° ellipse.
• the prism section is preferably of length of 106mm.
• the device is formed of thermoplastic material and weighs 120gms.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Cardiology (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
• Massaging Devices (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
• Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
• Undergarments, Swaddling Clothes, Handkerchiefs Or Underwear Materials (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Citations (4)

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• 2001
  • 2001-10-31 GB GBGB0126063.7A patent/GB0126063D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2002
  • 2002-10-31 EP EP02777458A patent/EP1439889B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-10-31 CA CA2468491A patent/CA2468491C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2002-10-31 ES ES02777458T patent/ES2320982T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-10-31 AU AU2002339079A patent/AU2002339079B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2002-10-31 US US10/494,118 patent/US20050043149A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-10-31 JP JP2003539785A patent/JP2005507292A/ja active Pending
  • 2002-10-31 CN CNA028236149A patent/CN1596143A/zh active Pending
  • 2002-10-31 WO PCT/GB2002/004944 patent/WO2003037446A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2002-10-31 AT AT02777458T patent/ATE420701T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-10-31 DE DE60230897T patent/DE60230897D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2010
  • 2010-12-07 US US12/962,073 patent/US20110098614A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (4)

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