PADDED FOOT SUPPORT FOR PILATES REFORMER AND PILATES REFORMER USING THE SAME

An example foot support configured to be mounted to a Pilates reformer includes a base having a generally flat front surface, a back surface, and at least one fastener mounted to the back surface. The at least one fastener is configured to couple to a foot bar of the Pilates reformer.

BACKGROUND

Physical exercises invented by Joseph Pilates can be performed using a stationary machine called a reformer. Reformer Pilates is similar to mat-based Pilates. However, reformer Pilates is done using the Pilates reformer machine and can be more intense and more dynamic than mat-based Pilates as it adds resistance to the Pilates exercises via the use of the springs which form part of the machine. Reformer Pilates can be performed for rehab purposes too as it allows the client to exercise in a horizontal plane of motion and not be vertically loaded and weight bearing through their legs. For example, if a client has had knee surgery or a knee injury, the horizontal plane of the reformer enables the user to strengthen the muscles of the leg through a larger range of motion using a lighter resistance than their body weight, speeding up their recovery through controlled movement.

To use the reformer, a user pushes a foot support bar, which is located at the foot end of the frame, in the state of sitting or lying on a horizontal back support such that the back support is moved away from the foot end of the frame or is moved toward the foot end of the frame. However, the support bar can be uncomfortable for some users and presents several problems associated therewith.

Thus, users and manufacturers of reformer Pilates machines continue to seek new and improved devices, systems, and methods to improve the comfort and accessibility to users.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein include a foot support that attaches to a Pilates reformer for persons with neuropathy and foot pain and a Pilates reformer that employs such foot support. In some embodiments, the foot support can include a base having a generally flat front surface and a back surface having at least one fastener for coupling to a foot bar of the Pilates reformer. The foot support can further include a strap configured to secure the base to the Pilates reformer.

In some embodiments, a foot support that attaches to a Pilates reformer can include a platform having a front surface and a back surface. The foot support can include a cushion disposed on the front surface of the platform and a securement system attached to the back surface of the platform. In some examples the securement system can include fasteners including two hooks configured to couple with a foot bar of the Pilates reformer. A first strap can be disposed over each hook and configured to secure the platform to the foot bar. A second strap can be included, the second strap configured to secure the platform to a frame of the Pilates reformer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein are related to assemblies, systems, and methods of using a padded foot support for a Pilates reformer machine. In some examples, users can have neuropathy and/or foot pain making the Pilates exercises uncomfortable and painful to perform, and also may cause further injury. The assemblies, systems, and methods of using a foot support for a Pilates reformer include a platform having a flat front surface and a back surface having at least one fastener for coupling the platform to a foot bar of the Pilates reformer. In some embodiments, the platform can include a cushion for foot comfort and also a strap coupled to the fastener and/or the platform to secure the platform to a portion of the frame of a Pilates reformer.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1A-4B. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, as used herein, a system, a method, an article, a component, a feature, or a sub-feature including at least one of a first option, a second option, or a third option should be understood as referring to a system, a method, an article, a component, a feature, or a sub-feature that can include one of each listed option (e.g., only one of the first option, only one of the second option, or only one of the third option), multiple of a single listed option (e.g., two or more of the first option), two options simultaneously (e.g., one of the first option and one of the second option), or combination thereof (e.g., two of the first option and one of the second option).

FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a Pilates reformer machine 100 that may be used with any of the padded foot supports disclosed herein. The Pilates reformer is a traditional piece of Pilates equipment, which appears as a frame 101 including a bed to support a sliding carriage 102. The sliding carriage 102 is a generally flat and often cushioned bed section, which a user can lie, kneel, sit, lunge or stand on. The carriage 102 can smoothly glide up and down rails horizontally, upon which the carriage slides. The carriage 102 moves as part of Pilates exercises that can engage muscles in a controlled manner. The Pilates reformer machine 100 further can include ropes and pulleys 103. Hands or feet can be placed inside loops or handles connected to the ropes and pulleys 103 and can be used to perform exercises in multiple directions. Springs 104 connected to the sliding carriage 102 that provides an adjustable and variable resistance for performing Pilates exercises. The origins of the Pilates reformer date back to the original Pilates studio in New York in the 1920′s and was designed by Joseph Pilates. The springs that provide much of the resistance from the reformer are generally quite strong. Most reformers have up to 5 springs and when combined can add up to a considerable resistance. Conversely, as there are five springs, using only one or two of them can provide a gentler resistance depending on the exercise and the muscle being worked. Therefore, the intensity can be varied considerably from one person to the next, making it an incredibly versatile piece of equipment to use as a workout or rehab tool. Some Pilates reformers can include a wooden frame, and others can include a steel frame. Some reformers can sit on the floor while others are raised. Variations can depend on the brand of reformer, and the style can change slightly. Of note, the Pilates reformer machine 100 can include a foot bar 105.

The foot bar 105 can be used by the user to rest hands or feet against and stabilize themselves as they perform the Pilates exercises. The foot bar 105 can include padded portions or not. However, performing exercises on a Pilates reformer can causes a variety of discomforts related to the foot bar 105. In some examples, the discomfort can be temporary or permanent and in other situations the discomfort or pain can be exacerbated by the exercises. Foot problems can cause a range of symptoms including pain, swelling, and/or limping. Further the pain can extend from the user's toes, ankles, calves, knees and even the back in some cases. In some examples, users of the Pilates reformer can suffer from peripheral neuropathy. To alleviate any numbness or tingling in the feet or pain and/or muscle weakness, the Pilates reformer can be modified to include a foot support that is configured to improve balance and coordination for the user, while relieving the discomforts in the body that can occur using a traditional Pilates reformer. In some examples, the foot bar 105 can be configured to pivot. In other words, the foot bar 105 can adjust so that the foot bar 105 is lower and/or closer to the horizontal plane of the carriage 102 or higher and/or farther from the horizontal plane of the carriage 102.

The FIG. 1B is an isometric view of a foot support 110 for a Pilates reformer machine, according to an embodiment. The foot support 110 is an example of a foot support for providing comfort and balance to a user of the Pilates reformer. The foot support 110 can be configured as a board, a pad, a bar, or series of bars in some examples, and is further configured to transfer the user's energy into the foot bar 105 by distributing the weight of the user across the foot bar 105 and the frame 101. The foot support 110 includes a base 115 that has a generally flat front surface 120 and a back surface 125. In some examples, the base 115 can include a rectangular platform. In other embodiments, however, the base 115 may have any suitable size and/or shape. For example, the base 115 may be circular, elliptical, oblong, etc. The base 115 can include a length that extends the width of the Pilates reformer 100 and/or at least extends the length of the foot bar 105. In some examples, the base 115 can have a width that is at least wider than the foot bar 105. In some examples, the width of the base 115 can be between about 8 inches and about 16 inches. In some examples, the width of the base 115 can be about 12 inches.

In some examples, the base 115 can be made of wood or plastic, but the material of the base 115 is not intended to be limiting in this disclosure. The base 115 may be formed of any suitable material(s), such as a polymer (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, a polycarbonate, etc.), a metal, another suitable material, or combinations thereof. As such, the base 115 substantially provides adequate support to the user while training with the Pilates reformer. In an at least one embodiment, the foot support 110 can further include a pad 130 or cushion disposed on the front surface. The pad 130 or cushion may be formed from a foam material. In some examples, the pad 130 can be composed of a flexible foam type material such as polyvinylchloride, urethane and olefinic polymers, such as polyethylene and can have a thickness of about 0.5 to 1.5 inches. In some examples, the pad 130 can be connected to the front surface 120 of the base 115. The pad 130 can be attached with an adhesive, a staple, or other suitable attachment method. In some examples, the foot support 110 includes a cover 135. The pad 130 can be disposed between the cover 135 and the flat front surface 120 of the base 115, securing the pad 130 to the base 115.

In some examples, the cover 135 can include a soft and/or smooth material, thereby making the foot support easy to clean. In some examples, the cover 135 can be a leather, a vinyl, a synthetic leather material, a polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polyurethane. In some examples, the cover 135 can be a fabric material. The cover 135 can be connected to the back surface 125 of the base 115. In some examples, the cover 135 can be connected by an adhesive and/or staples. In some examples, the cover 135 can include ridges or other features configured to provide a gripping surface. For example, the cover 135 can include a silicon dotted surface with silicon material arranged in a pattern to reduce or prevent slippage.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, the foot support 110 is configured to be removably coupled to the foot bar 105. The back surface 125 of the base 115 can include at least one fastener 140 for coupling to the foot bar 105 of the Pilates reformer. Generally, the fastener 140 can be configured to removably hook onto or otherwise couple to the foot bar 105.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a back surface 125 of a padded foot support 110 for a Pilates reformer machine 100, according to an embodiment. In some examples, the fastener 140 can include a first hook 145a and a second hook 145b configured to couple with the foot bar 105. The fastener 140 can include other types of fasteners as well. In some examples, the fastener 140 can include a strap, a clamp, a chain, a rope, a bracket, a clasp, or any other suitable fastener. In some embodiments, the fastener 140 can be made of metal, wood, plastic, or other suitable material.

The foot support 110 can also include a strap 150. In some examples, the strap 150 can be configured to secure the base 115 to the Pilates reformer. The strap 150 can include bungee strap as shown in FIG. 2A. The strap 150 can connect to a portion of a frame of the Pilates reformer or can wrap around the frame and connect to the base 115, the fastener 140, and/or another strap. In some examples, the bungee strap can have a first end coupled to the base and a second end can include a carabiner clip 155. The carabiner clip 155 can be included to have a quick release of the strap 150 from the frame or for ease of connecting a first strap to a second strap to secure the base 115 to the frame of the Pilates reformer. In some examples, the strap 150 can include a belt. The belt can be configured to secure the base 115 to the foot bar 105.

FIG. 2B is a side view of a back surface 125 of a padded foot support 110 for a Pilates reformer machine, according to an embodiment. The hooks 145a, 145b and/or fastener 140 can include a plastisol grip to protect the foot bar 105 of the Pilates reformer. The hooks 145a, 145b can be connected to the back surface 125 horizontally parallel with each other such that the foot support 110 is parallel with the foot bar 105.

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a back surface 125 of a foot support 110 for a Pilates reformer machine and FIG. 3B is a side view of a back surface 125 of a foot support 110, respectively, according to an embodiment. In some examples, the strap 150 can include a first strap 150a and a second strap 150b. The first and second straps 150a, 150b can include hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO®) and be configured to secure the foot support 110 to the frame of the Pilates reformer 100 and then secure to the strap itself about, for example, the foot bar 105. In some examples, the strap 150 can include a tab 160 to make the strap easier to secure and release. In some examples the strap 150 can include a third strap 150c and a fourth strap 150d. In some embodiments, a third strap 150c and a fourth strap 150d can be located over the fastener 140 and can further secure the fastener 140 to the foot bar 105. The third strap 150c and fourth strap 150d can include a tab 160 to make the strap easier to secure and release. The strap(s) 150 can be secured to the back surface 125 of the foot support 110 with any suitable nail, screw, or adhesive.

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a back surface 125 of a foot support 110 for a Pilates reformer machine and FIG. 4B is a side view showing a back surface 125 of a foot support 110, respectively, according to an embodiment. In some examples, the strap 150 can include a first strap 150a and a second strap 150b. Similar to that shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first and second straps 150a, 150b can include hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®) and be configured to secure the foot support 110 to the frame of the Pilates reformer 100 and then secure to the strap itself about, for example, the foot bar 105. The strap 150 can include a tab 160 to make the strap easier to secure and release. In some examples, the fastener 140 can include a clamp. The clamp can be configured to releaseably couple to the foot bar 105. In some examples, the fastener can include a first, second, third or more clamps as required to secure the foot support 110 to the foot bar 105. Further, the strap 150 can include a third strap 150c and a fourth strap 150d. In some embodiments, the third strap 150c and a fourth strap 150d can be located over any and each of the fasteners 140 and can further secure the fastener 140 to the foot bar 105. In some examples, the third strap 150c and a fourth strap 150d can include a tab 160 to make the strap easier to secure and release the strap(s) 150 can be secured to the back surface 125 of the foot support 110 with any suitable nail, screw, or adhesive.

Terms of degree (e.g., “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” etc.) indicate structurally or functionally insignificant variations. In an example, when the term of degree is included with a term indicating quantity, the term of degree is interpreted to mean ±10%, ±5%, or ±2% of the term indicating quantity. In an example, when the term of degree is used to modify a shape, the term of degree indicates that the shape being modified by the term of degree has the appearance of the disclosed shape. For instance, the term of degree may be used to indicate that the shape may have rounded corners instead of sharp corners, curved edges instead of straight edges, one or more protrusions extending therefrom, is oblong, is the same as the disclosed shape, etc.