Abstract:
The invention comprises a product of and a method of using a raised platform which preferably has two pairs of sides. One pair of sides converge to define a protrusion and to accommodate feet which are turned inwardly; the other pair of sides recede to define an opening and to accommodate feet which are turned outwardly. Each side in a pair of sides is separately configured so the user can place his foot on the platform when the foot is turned inwardly or outwardly. The platform is supported above a lower surface by legs.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention is directed to an apparatus and method for exercising the leg. The device aids specifically in the exercise of the calf muscle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bodybuilders comprise an array of people, ranging from those who are maintaining fitness to those who compete in bodybuilding contests. To develop the muscles through exercise, some muscles require more exercise than others. This often depends on the location of the type of muscle targeted for development. Leg muscles are more difficult to strengthen than other muscle groups because the legs are typically already well developed through everyday usage, such as walking. The lower leg muscle, specifically the calf muscle, generally indicated as 8 in FIG. 1, requires more intense, concentrated exercise to strengthen. 
     A conventional way of exercising the lower leg is by performing what is commonly called calf raises or toe raises. This exercise involves standing on a floor or surface and elevating the heels off the ground to the highest extension while maintaining the forefeet on the floor. The feet are then relaxed, allowing the heels to descend to the floor. The exercise is repeated to achieve a desired level of muscle fatigue. 
     While performing the calf-raise exercise, the floor prevents the feet from realizing the full range of motion during descent. A conventional, raised platform 10 shown in FIGS. 1-8 is often used to facilitate a full range of foot motion while performing the calf-raise exercise. A straight-sided, raised platform 10 of the prior art simply comprises a bar 10a raised off the ground 12 by support legs 10b, 10c. The side 10d of the bar 10a which faces the user is straight. 
     The straight-sided, raised platform 10 is typically used as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The user 14 mounts his feet 16a, 16b on the platform 10a by placing his forefeet 18a, 18b up onto the raised platform 10a but leaves his heels 20a, 20b off the platform 10a, unsupported as shown in FIG. 2. The feet are typically situated perpendicular to the straight side 10d of the platform 10. The user 14 then lowers his heels 20a, 20b down below the bar 10a to a low point as shown in FIG. 3 and then extends his feet 16a, 16b, so that the heels 20a, 20b are elevated to a point above the platform 10. The forefeet 18a, 18b are maintained on the platform 10 while the rest of the feet enjoys the full range of motion. This exercise is repeated in several iterations until the user 14 is satisfied with the amount of muscle exertion. 
     A user can perform this exercise with the straight-sided, raised platform in several different foot postures. The conventional posture entails the user standing on the platform to perform the exercise. In this posture, the user can perform the exercise with just his body weight. Alternatively, the user can place a weight on his shoulders or hold it in his hands while performing the exercise, for additional muscle exertion. 
     A user can also use the straight sided raised platform while seated. In this posture, which is not illustrated, the user sits down on a stool or chair and the straight sided raised platform is stationed squarely on the floor in front of the user. The forefeet are placed on the raised platform to commence the exercise. This method does not involve lifting the user&#39;s bodyweight because the user is seated. Often the user will place an additional weight on his knees when performing the exercise in the sitting posture. 
     Another seated posture makes use of a machine which is not illustrated. The user is seated but the straight-sided, raised platform on which the feet rest is stationed not on the floor but is vertically suspended or supported above the floor. In this posture, the platform actually resembles pedals more than a platform. The user sits with his legs parallel to the floor, his forefeet on or against the platform pedal, and the user pushes the platform pedal forward by extending his feet. He then relaxes his feet allowing the pedal to return to the original position and the exercise is repeated in a like fashion. 
     As noted, these foregoing postures generally involve the user placing his feet perpendicular to the straight side of the raised platform to perform the exercise. However, many bodybuilders seek to develop the inner and outer ridges of the calf muscles to obtain a fuller muscle definition. 
     To concentrate the exercise on the inner ridge 8a of the calf muscle 8 while performing calf raises, one can turn his feet 16a, 16b inwardly as show in FIGS. 4-6. By positioning the forefeet 18a, 18b closer together than the heels 20a, 20b, pressure is predominantly applied to the inner ridge 8a of the calf muscle 8, exerting the inner ridge 8a of the calf muscle 8 more during the exercise. 
     The opposite effect is obtained by turning the feet 16a, 16b outwardly as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. By positioning the heels 20a, 20b closer together than the forefeet 18a, 18b, pressure is predominantly applied to the outer ridge 8b of the calf muscle 8 during the exercise. These two variations are used by bodybuilders to fully develop the calf muscles 8. 
     These variations cause some problems when a straight sided, raised platform 10 is used to provide a full range of foot motion. The problem arises when the feet 16a, 16b are turned inwardly or outwardly, so they are not positioned perpendicular with the straight side 10d of the raised platform 10a. When the feet 16a, 16b are perpendicular to the straight side 10d, the forefeet 18a, 18b are squarely on the bar 10a to provide stable support as shown in FIG. 2. However, when the feet 16a, 16b are turned inwardly as shown in FIG. 6 or outwardly as shown in FIG. 8 the forefeet 18a, 18b are not squarely on the bar 10a, impairing the stability of the user 14. 
     Two things can happen with the loss of stability. First, the user runs the unsafe risk of loosing his balance and slipping off the platform, which is especially dangerous when the user is burdened with heavy weight. Second, the user&#39;s capability of exerting his muscles to the fullest extent is diminished when the feet are unstable. When performing calf raises, the feet are the points from which the exertion of force is concentrated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a stable platform for exercising the leg even when the user turns his feet inwardly or outwardly. 
     The invention corrects the stability problem inherent in the straight-sided, raised platform. The invention comprises an apparatus for exercising the leg comprising a flat platform with a top surface and a plurality of sides. Two of the sides converge at an angle with respect to each other. Legs brace the platform above a base surface. Preferably, the platform has two pairs of converging sides. One pair of converging sides protrude to accommodate feet which are turned inwardly. Another pair of converging sides recede to accommodate feet which are turned outwardly. 
     To use the platform one places a first forefoot on a first surface adjacent a first converging side and a second forefoot on a second surface adjacent a second converging side of the pair of converging sides. The user extends the heels of each foot in a direction longitudinally away from the legs of the user while maintaining both forefeet on the surfaces. The user then withdraws the heels of each foot in a direction longitudinally toward the legs of the user while maintaining both forefeet on the surfaces of the platform. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention is described with the aid of the following figures. 
     FIG. 1 shows the user on a straight-sided, raised platform of the prior art. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the feet positioning on a straight-sided, raised platform of the prior art. 
     FIG. 3 shows a rear view of FIG. 1 with heel of the user at a descent. 
     FIG. 4 shows a front view of the feet positioning on a straight-sided, raised platform device of the prior art with the feet turned inwardly. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 7 shows a front view of the feet positioning on a straight-sided, raised platform device of the prior art when the feet are turned outwardly. 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 7. 
     FIG. 9 shows a perspective of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 shows a side elevated view of the invention in FIG. 9. 
     FIG. 11 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 12 shows a top view of the feet positioning on the preferred embodiment with the feet turned inwardly. 
     FIG. 13 shows a top view of the feet positioning on the preferred embodiment with the feet turned outwardly. 
     FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the feet positioning on the preferred embodiment with the feet are turned inwardly. 
     FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the feet positioning on the preferred embodiment with the feet turned outwardly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a flat platform 30 with a top surface 32 and plurality of sides which circumference the top 32. Two of the sides 38a, 38b converge to extend the top of the platform into a angled protrusion 40. The protrusion 40 is coplanar with the top surface 32 of the platform 30. Two other sides 42a, 42b of the platform 30 converge to recede the top 32 of the platform 30 to define a triangular opening 44. The opening 44 is also coplanar with the top surface 32 of the platform 30. 
     The platform 30 preferably comprises two elongated beams 52a, 52b, each which has the outer sides 38a, 38b and the inner sides 42a, 42b, joined ends 54a, 54b and a free ends 56a, 56b. The beams 52a, 52b can be made of any strong material including wood, metal or plastic. The two beams 52a, 52b are adjoined at their joined ends 54a, 54b at an angled junction 56. The outer sides 38a, 38b of the two beams 52a, 52b converge at the junction 56 to define the angled protrusion 40. The inner sides 42a, 42b of the two beams 52a, 52b converge at the junction 56 to define the angled opening 44. 
     The beams 52a, 52b are supported or suspended above the floor or ground by use of a plurality of legs, by braces or by its own height. In the preferred embodiment, the platform is supported above the ground by three legs 48a, 48b, 48c. One leg 48c is located at the junction 56 of the two beams 52a, 52b. The other two legs 48a, 48b are located underneath the beams 52a, 52b at each free end 56a, 56b, respectively. A pad or base 50a, 50b, 50c is preferably placed under each leg 48a, 48b, 48c, respectively, to add stability. The legs and the base may be made of any strong material including metal, wood or plastic. The platform must be more than amply sturdy to support the body weight of the user and any additional weight the user may want to hold to increase muscle exertion. The components of the platform 30 are fastened together by any suitable means. 
     The angled opening 44 is designed to facilitate exercise of the outer ridge 8b of the calf muscle. Calf-raise exercises are most effective on the outer ridge 8b when performed while the feet 16a, 16b are turned outwardly, with the heels 20a, 20b closer together than the forefeet 18a, 18b as show in FIGS. 13 and 15. To exercise the outer ridge 8b with the aid of the platform 30, the angled protrusion 40 is pointed away from the user 14. The user 14 turns his feet 16a, 16b outwardly and places each forefoot 18a, 18b on the respective beam 52b, 52a comprising the angled opening 44. The calf-raise exercise is performed with the heels 20a, 20b of the feet passing through the triangular opening 44 which is coplanar with the top 32 of the platform 30. 
     The sides 42a, 42b of the beams 52a, 52b which define the angled opening 44 must be sufficiently long and wide to enable the user to stabilize his balance on the top surface 32 of the platform 30. Moreover, the angle α defined by the angled opening 44 must be sufficiently large to permit the user&#39;s feet 14a, 14b which are turned outwardly and positioned perpendicularly with respect to sides 42a, 42b to pass through the opening 44 without the heels 20a, 20b of each foot 14a, 14b contacting the other. The preferred angle α is believed to be 90 degrees. 
     The angled protrusion 40 is designed to facilitate exercise of the inner ridge 8b of the calf muscle 8. Calf-raise exercises are most effective on the inner ridge 8b when the feet 14a, 14b are turned inwardly, with the heels 20a, 20b farther apart than the forefeet 18a, 18b. To exercise the inner ridge 8b of the calves 8 with the aid of the platform 30, the angled protrusion 40 is pointed toward the user 14. The user turns his forefeet 18a, 18b inwardly and places each foot 14a, 14b on the opposing side of the angled protrusion 40 on the beams 52b, 52a, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14. The calf-raise exercise is performed with the heels 20a, 20b of the feet 14a, 14b passing through an imaginary plane that is coplanar with the top 32 of the platform 30. 
     The sides 38a, 38b of the beams which define the angled protrusion 40 must be sufficiently long and the top surface must be sufficiently wide to enable the user to stabilize his balance. However, the angle Θ defined by the angled protrusion 40 must be sufficiently small to permit the user&#39;s feet 14a, 14b which are turned inwardly to pass through the imaginary plane coplanar with the top surface 32, while allowing the user&#39;s feet 14a, 14b to remain substantially perpendicular with the beams 52b, 52a, respectively. It is believed that the preferred angle Θ defined by the angled protrusion is 270°. The angles α and Θ defined by the angled opening 44 and the angled protrusion 40, respectively, can be modified by adjusting angular relationship between the inner sides 42a, 42b and outer sides 38a, 38b of the beams 52a, 52b. 
     Although a preferred embodiment is described and claimed the invention encompasses all variations which fall within the spirit or scope of the appended claims. For example, the platform can be supported or suspended parallel or perpendicular above the ground. In the latter case the platform may be incorporated into a machine. It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.