Patent Publication Number: US-2021161747-A1

Title: Calf stretching apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to leg muscle stretching devices, and, more particularly, relates to a calf muscle stretching apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Whether it is in anticipation of or post physical activity, stretching is an important exercise for a person to employ. Generally, stretching includes intentionally or deliberately flexing or extending a joint and lengthening a specific muscle or tendon (or muscle group) in order to improve a muscle&#39;s felt elasticity, length, or tension relationship and/or achieve comfortable muscle tone. The result is a restoration of appropriate muscle length, leading to a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility, and range of motion. Stretching is also used therapeutically to alleviate cramps and chronically shortened, dysfunctional muscles due to maladaptive joint positions such as high heel shoes and prolonged desk sitting. In its most basic form, stretching is a natural and instinctive activity; thus, it is performed by humans. Increasing flexibility through stretching is one of the basic tenets of physical fitness. Stretching is also common for athletes to stretch before (for warming up) and after various exercises to reduce risk of injury and increase performance. In sports medicine, it has been found that limitations in normal ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) from tight calf muscles is directly linked to pathologies such as Achilles tendonitis, calf tears and plantar fasciitis (Muir, Chemsworth, Vandervoort 1999). Stretching can also be dangerous when performed incorrectly. There are many techniques for stretching in general, but depending on which muscle group is being stretched, some techniques may be ineffective or detrimental, even to the point of causing hypermobility, instability, or permanent damage to the tendons, ligaments, and muscle fiber. 
     Stretching a muscle in a user&#39;s lower extremity, e.g., the calf or ankle area near the Achilles tendon, can be particularly problematic for many users based on the location of the muscle, the passive resistance of the muscle and the very nature of the lever system the calf muscle is exerting force upon. Specifically, the calf is the back portion of the lower leg and muscles within the calf correspond to the posterior compartment of the leg. The two largest muscles within this compartment are known together as the calf muscle and attach to the heel via the Achilles tendon. These muscles exert force upon the heel bone which in turn drives the ball of the foot (metatarsal heads) into the ground with mechanical advantage due to force being driven through a type 2 lever system (there are Type 1, 2 and 3 lever systems in the human body). In order to drive this lever system in reverse, thus driving the ball of the foot away from the ground via the heel bone fulcrum and in turn exerting a lengthening force upon the calf complex, the heel bone must be held tightly to avoid translation and allow leveraged force to be exerted upon the calf; much like a beer bottle opener must be fixed firmly on the lip of the bottle neck to allow the cap to be levered upward. For this reason, the heel bone must be held firmly at or above the Achilles insertion for true leveraged force to be applied through both the ball of the foot and heel bone simultaneously. Although other stretching devices may provide body weight force to the ball of the foot, no other device fixes the heel above its fulcrum point to allow the body to drive over the heel and provide true mechanical advantage and maximal torque to overcome passive calf muscle resistance. 
     Several known lower extremity stretching devices are part of larger stretching devices that are aimed to stretch a variety of different muscle groups of a user&#39;s body. As such, theses devices are large and cumbersome, in addition to being time- and cost-intensive in regard to the device&#39;s installation, disassembly, and maintenance. Therefore, these larger devices are commercially impracticable for most consumers. Further, these known devices also fail to provide effective retention of a user&#39;s heel or foot when engaged in the calf stretching exercises. 
     Other known lower extremity stretching or exercising devices may be portable and/or aimed specifically at stretching a user&#39;s calf, but these devices also suffer from several disadvantages. Specifically, these devices generally include a body supported on a round surface, wherein the body includes an inclined platform surface where a user will place his or her foot before engaging in a stretching activity. These are roller-type calf stretchers, where the foot is locked into a half moon shaped shoe holder. The user leans forward and the calf muscles stretch under body weight only, similar to dropping the heel from a step. This method provides some stretch to the calf, but does not allow a deeper leveraged stretch by retaining the heel above the fulcrum point. Furthermore, it does not allow the user to lever over the top of the heel on a fixed base as these devices rock forward which does not allow any further stretch beyond body weight. It is not easy to balance while using this stretching device. This can be extremely dangerous for the elderly and/or anyone who lacks good coordination. Moreover, the foot is not in an optimal position to get the best stretch, and the user tends to bend their knee to maintain balance rather than hyperextending it when stretching the calf. This can be very awkward to use and even difficult for elderly individuals and those with lower extremity arthritis or other painful conditions. Thus, compliance with recommended stretching is diminished significantly and therefore individuals may not improve their condition. 
     Other known lower extremity stretching or exercising devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,360,940 (Kole et al.), include an inclined or angled foot platform with a lower heel retention portion. However, these devices are designed to accomplish multiple stretching techniques of a user&#39;s lower leg or foot. To that end, the device is intentionally designed to make the heel portion translate or adjust leading to failure when significant weight is subjected thereon. Additionally, these devices include other exercising components that prevents the user to stretch effectively. Further, these devices also do not provide an effective and comfortable means to retain a user&#39;s heel firmly above the fulcrum point which would otherwise fix the heel during the stretching process and prevents the device from shifting when in use and subject to the weight of a user. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a calf stretching apparatus that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that effectively, safely, and comfortably permits a user to stretch his or her calf and other muscles in a user&#39;s lower extremity. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a calf stretching apparatus. The calf stretching apparatus includes a handheld body with a base having a lower surface defining a lower surface plane, a front end, a rear end opposing the front end of the base. The handheld body includes a foot placement platform with a front end, a rear end opposing the front end of the foot placement platform, a platform surface spanning in an upward direction with respect to the base from the front end of the foot placement platform to the rear end of the foot placement platform and with a portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane, and a platform sidewall positioned upright with respect to the platform surface and including an upper edge and an arcuate heel sidewall portion having a heel pad member disposed proximal to the front end of the foot placement platform and having two opposing heel placement sidewalls spanning upwardly away from the platform surface toward the upper edge and converging to an internal heel placement support wall, wherein the two opposing heel placement sidewalls and the internal heel placement support wall define a heel placement recess disposed above the platform surface. 
     In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the platform surface having a first platform surface disposed adjacent to the arcuate heel sidewall portion and of a parallel orientation with respect to the lower surface plane and a second platform surface disposed at the acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane, wherein the first platform surface is interposed between the arcuate heel sidewall portion and the second platform surface and is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first platform surface. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the heel placement recess is disposed above the first platform surface. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the heel pad member is selectively removably coupled to the foot placement platform with a tongue-and-groove configuration. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the heel placement recess tapers in diameter separating the two opposing heel placement sidewalls. 
     In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the platform surface having a first platform surface disposed adjacent to the arcuate heel sidewall portion and having the heel placement recess disposed above the first platform surface and a second platform surface disposed at the acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane, the second platform surface and disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first platform surface. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the two opposing heel placement sidewalls are directly adjacent to the first platform surface. 
     In accordance with an exemplary feature of the present invention, the heel pad member is of a polymeric foam material. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the platform sidewall surrounds the platform surface on three sides thereof and the arcuate heel sidewall portion is interposed thereon. 
     In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the rear end of the base includes a rear edge defining a recessed base through opening and the rear end of the foot placement platform includes a rear edge defining a recessed platform through opening aligned with the recessed base through opening. Further, the recessed base through opening and the recessed platform through opening substantially correspond in shape to one another. Moreover, a rear edge on the base has two opposing lateral sidewalls and a middle sidewall oriented in an orthogonal orientation with respect to the lower surface plane and defining the recessed base through opening. 
     In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a rear support member having a first terminal end selectively removably coupled to a lower surface of the foot placement platform with a lockable latch that is movable by the user and configured to engage a portion of the foot placement platform, wherein the lower surface of the foot placement platform pivotably coupled to the base. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a handheld body includes a base having a lower surface defining a lower surface plane, a front end, a rear end opposing the front end of the base. Further, a foot placement platform on the assembly includes a front end, a rear end opposing the front end of the foot placement platform, a platform surface, and a platform sidewall positioned upright with respect to the platform surface and including an upper edge and an arcuate heel sidewall portion having a heel pad member defining a heel placement recess. Further, the assembly includes a rear support member having a first terminal end selectively removably coupled to a lower surface of the foot placement platform, wherein the lower surface of the foot placement platform, opposing the platform surface, is pivotably coupled to the base. The handheld body includes an operational configuration along a platform translation path with the platform surface spanning in an upward direction with respect to the base from the front end of the foot placement platform to the rear end of the foot placement platform and with a portion of the platform surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane. Further, a retracted configuration along the platform translation path includes the portion of the platform surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane in the operational configuration disposed at a parallel orientation with respect to the lower surface plane. 
     In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the platform surface having a first platform surface disposed adjacent to the arcuate heel sidewall portion and of a parallel orientation with respect to the lower surface plane when the handheld body is disposed in the operational configuration along the platform translation path, wherein the heel placement recess is disposed above the first platform surface, and a second platform surface disposed at the acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane when the handheld body is disposed in the operational configuration along the platform translation path. The first platform surface is interposed between the arcuate heel sidewall portion and the second platform surface and disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first platform surface. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a calf stretching apparatus, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the platform of the apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective downward-looking front view of a calf stretching apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective downward-looking rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevational front view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective downward-looking front view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is another perspective downward-looking front view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are elevational side views of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view along section line  3 - 3  of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective downward-looking rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view (the right and left sides are identical) of a calf stretching apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a process flow diagram depicting a method of installing and using a calf stretching device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an elevational rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective downward-looking front view of a calf stretching apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary close-up rear view of a foot placement platform of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a fragmentary elevational rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a fragmentary elevational rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 15  in a partially retracted configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 15  in a retracted configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a fragmentary close-up rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 15  with a heal retention member removed therefrom in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a fragmentary close-up rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 15  with the heal retention member partially removed therefrom in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 23  is a fragmentary close-up rear view of the calf stretching apparatus of  FIG. 15  with the heal retention member removed therefrom in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. 
     The present invention provides a novel and efficient calf stretching apparatus that enables users to safely, comfortably, and effectively stretch their calf muscle or other muscle, tendon, and/or tissue located in the user&#39;s lower extremity, e.g., Achilles tendon. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective view.  FIG. 1  shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a calf stretching apparatus  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a calf stretching body  102  with a base  104  and a foot placement platform  106 . The apparatus  100  beneficially includes an inclined ramp or platform surface  108  where a user places his or her foot in the stretching exercise, along with an arcuate heel sidewall  110 . The apparatus  100  also beneficially includes a recessed base through opening  112  and a recessed platform through opening  114  which are shaped and sized to receive a door stop  1004  disposed on a door jamb  1002  or a door frame  1000 . 
     Beneficially, the apparatus  100 , or body  102 , is handheld, or capable of being carried by a single user. Said another way, the apparatus is also easily portable and movable to a desired exercise or application position with little effort by the user. To effectuate the same, the body  102  may be unitary, or a single molded or assembled piece of material that is light in weight, e.g., less than 5-10 lbs. In one embodiment, the body  102  is of a rigid polymeric material, e.g., PVC or HDPE having a hardness of approximately 30 Shore D or greater. In other embodiments, the body  102  may be of a rigid metallic material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 and 7 , the base  104  includes a lower surface  400  defining a lower surface plane  700 , a front end  702 , a rear end  704  opposing the rear end of the base  104 . Similarly, the foot placement platform  106  has a front end  706 , a rear end  708  opposing the front end  706  of the foot placement platform  106 . In one embodiment, the front ends  702 ,  706  of the base  104  and platform  106 , respectively, may meet at a joint where the platform  106  begins to extend upwardly from the front ends  702 ,  706 . Beneficially, the rear ends  704 ,  708  of the base  104  and platform  106  have rear edges  116 ,  118  defining the recessed base and platform through openings  112 ,  114 , respectively. The openings  112 ,  114  are “through” openings in that they permit the door jamb  1002 , door stop  1004 , or other structure to be inserted therein without inhibition, thereby preventing lateral movement of the apparatus  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the openings  112 ,  114  are shaped and sized to receive and/or contour a convention door stop cross-section or width. The openings  112 ,  114  may be rectangular, an oblong shape, or another shape to receive door structures. In one embodiment, the width  402  of the openings  112 ,  114  are approximately 1-3 inches, but is preferably approximately 1.85 inches. Further, the width of the base  104  and/or platform  106  may be approximately 5-7 inches but is preferably approximately 6 inches. The platform  106  may have a front portion with a height  306  extending from the lower surface  400  of approximately 1.8 inches. Other dimensions, however, may be given based on design constraints and application of the device  100 . The openings  112 ,  114  are also disposed at the distal or terminal end of the base  104  and platform  106 . In preferred embodiments, the openings  112 ,  114  may be aligned with one another and correspond in shape and size to one another to permit the apparatus to fit flush to the door stop. 
     The rear edges  116 ,  118  may also define two sub-bored recesses  300 ,  302  defined thereon for accommodating a door stop and/or facilitating in the removal of the apparatus from the door stop. Each of the sub-bored recesses  300 ,  302  may also be disposed in a symmetric configuration with respect to one another about a median axis  304  spanning through a centroid defined by the platform surface  108 . The rear ends  704 ,  708  of the base  104  and platform  106  also may have two opposing lateral sidewalls and a middle sidewall  404   a - c ,  406   a - c , respectively. The sidewalls  404   a - c ,  406  may be oriented in an orthogonal orientation with respect to the lower surface plane  700  and can be seen defining the respective recessed base and platform through openings  112 ,  114 . As such, the orientation of the sidewalls  404   a - c ,  406   a - c  provides a more stable device when in use and force is applied to platform surface  108 . To that end and to effectuate a more stable apparatus, the platform  106  and/or the base  104  may also be symmetrically configured with respect to the median axis  304 . 
     The apparatus  100 , namely the base  104  and platform  106 , also include a left side  120 , a right side  200  opposing the left side  120 . Along the rear base or platform width, defined by the rear edges  116 ,  118  of the base  106  and platform  108 , respectively, and separating the left and right sides  120 ,  200 , the recessed base and platform through openings  112 ,  114  may be centrally disposed thereon. For example, if the width of the rear end  704  be approximately 6 inches, the recessed base through opening  112  would be approximately disposed, preferably symmetrically, 3 inches along the rear edge  116 . In one embodiment, the platform  106  includes sidewalls  110  that surrounds the platform surface  108  on three sides. The sidewalls  110  flanking the platform surface  108  may taper in height and lateral width between one another as the platform  106  extends upwardly toward the distal end  708  to more effectively contour a user&#39;s foot. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-4, 7, and 9 , the platform surface  108  can be beneficially seen spanning in an upward direction with respect to the base  104  from the front end  706  of the foot placement platform  106  to the rear end  708  of the foot placement platform  106  and disposed at an acute angle, θ, with respect to the lower surface plane  700 . In one embodiment, the angle is approximately 45° (+/−10°) and continually spans upwardly at said angle until the distal terminal end  708 . In some embodiments, the platform surface  108  is substantially planar and terminates at the rear end of the foot placement platform  106 . The platform surface  108  may also include a friction-inducing material substantially covering the platform surface  108  to reduce the likelihood of a user&#39;s foot slipping. In one embodiment, the friction-inducing material may be natural rubber, or another friction-inducing material. The lower surface  400  of the base  104  may also include a plurality of legs  308   a - b ,  408   a - b  coupled thereto, wherein each leg may be of an adjustable or set length that is uniform with one another. The legs  308   a - b ,  408   a - b  may include the friction-inducing material disposed at the bottom thereof to reduce the likelihood of the device shifting while in use. 
     To effectuate the optimal stretching configuration of a user&#39;s foot, the platform surface  108  includes a first platform surface  900  disposed adjacent to the arcuate heel sidewall  110  and is disposed in a parallel orientation with respect to the lower surface plane  700 . As used herein, “parallel” shall be defined as “substantially parallel.” The first platform surface  900  may span approximately 2-3 inches and may also be substantially planar. The platform surface  108  may also include a second platform surface  902  that is disposed at the acute angle, θ, with respect to the lower surface plane  700  and may also be substantially planar, like the lower surface  400  of the base. The is interposed between the arcuate heel sidewall  110  and the second platform surface  902 . The length of the second platform surface  902  may be a length  904  of approximately 11-12 inches. The length of the base  104  may be a length  906  of approximately 12-13 inches. As such, the user&#39;s foot, when placed in a stretching position on the platform surface  108 , is angled in an orientation conducive for stretching muscles in the user&#39;s lower extremity. 
     The platform surface  108  may span linearly in the first platform surface  900  upward direction, away from an upper surface  910  of the base, from the front end of the foot placement platform to the rear end of the foot placement platform. In one embodiment, the first platform surface  900  proximal to the arcuate sidewall  110  may have a cover disposed over a portion thereof for the heel of the user to seat and conform therein. To provide comfort and grip to the user&#39;s bare foot, the arcuate sidewall  110  and first platform surface  900  may also include a friction-inducing material and/or a deformably resilient material, e.g., an elastomer, superimposed thereon. As such, the platform surface  108  acts as a ramp that allows a user to stretch his or her calf muscle or other muscles of a user&#39;s lower extremity. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the apparatus  100  may include a main brace  600  defining an aperture in the back or rear portion that may also act as a handle to easily carry the apparatus effectively. In other embodiments, the apparatus  100  may include one or more handle(s) located in other portions to carry around the apparatus  100 . 
       FIGS. 1 and 10  will be described in conjunction with the process flow chart of  FIG. 12 . Although  FIG. 12  shows a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted in  FIG. 12  for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps included in  FIG. 12  can be combined into a single process. 
     The process begins at step  1200  and immediately proceeds to step  1202  of providing a calf stretching body/apparatus with many of the features and components disrobed above. In particularly, the apparatus  100  is employed in combination with a door frame  1000  defining a door opening  1006  and having a door jamb  1002  including a door stop  1004  protruding therefrom. Next, step  1204  includes the user placing the calf-stretching body  102  within the door opening  1006  for placement against the door jamb  1002 . Next, step  1206  includes moving the calf stretching body  102  toward the door jamb  1002  until the door stop  1004  is inserted within the recessed base and platform through openings  112 ,  114 . Once the apparatus  100  reaches the door jamb  1002 , the apparatus  100  is placed in the installed position along a body translation path, represented with arrow  1008 . with the calf stretching body disposed within the door opening and the door stop  1004  disposed within the openings  112 ,  114 . 
     When the door stop  1004  is inserted within the openings  112 ,  114 , and the user applies a compressive force on top of the platform surface  108 , the sidewalls  404   a - c ,  406   a - c , prevent lateral or side-to-side movement of the apparatus and the door jamb  1002  prevents longitudinal movement of the apparatus  100  toward the application direction of force generated by the user&#39;s foot. To that end, step  1208  includes the user placing his or her foot on the platform surface  108  or ramp and apply the compression force thereon, thereby stretching of the user&#39;s muscles within the user&#39;s calf and/or other areas of the user. 
     More specifically, step  1208  may include placing the user&#39;s foot on the ramp  108  and allow it to slide down until a rear portion of a user&#39;s heel is placed adjacent to the heel sidewall  110  and a bottom portion of the user&#39;s heal is supported and placed adjacent to the first platform surface  900 . Beneficially, the heel sidewall  110  and the first platform surface  900  may contour and/or hold the user&#39;s heel tightly in place. The heel sidewall  110  and first platform surface  900  may also define a heel placement zone  914  shaped and sized to receive the user&#39;s heel. In some embodiments, the heel placement zone  914  may be shaped and sized to be less than the shape and size of an adult user&#39;s heel, e.g., a spherical or curved shape that is 1-3 inches in width and length and 1-3 inches in height. 
     In one embodiment, the sidewall  110  and/or first platform surface  902  may include the elastically deformably resilient material disposed thereon to facilitate in said snug configuration between the apparatus  100  and the user&#39;s heel. In some embodiments, the apparatus may also include hood or cover  912  that also facilitates in keeping the user&#39;s heel in the snug configuration with the apparatus  100 . The arch, instep, and sole of the user&#39;s foot may be placed adjacent to and/or be supported on the second platform surface  904 . 
     After placement on the apparatus  100 , the user&#39;s body and straight leg are then driven over the secured heel toward the door jamb, thereby applying a lengthening force to stretch the user&#39;s calf muscle. Specifically, for true leveraged force to be applied through both the ball of the foot and heel bone simultaneously, the heel sidewall  110  and first platform surface  900 , or other portions of the apparatus  100 , fixes the heel above the fulcrum point to allow the body to drive over the heel and provide true mechanical advantage and maximal torque to overcome passive calf muscle resistance. To facilitate in said foot orientation/configuration, the first and second platform surface  900 ,  902  may also be disposed at an obtuse angle σ with respect to one another, e.g., 100-150°. 
     The process may terminate at step  1210 . As such, a calf stretching apparatus is disclosed that enables users to safely, comfortably, and effectively stretch their calf muscle or other muscle, tendon, and/or tissue located in the user&#39;s lower extremity. 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 11 and 13-14 , another embodiment of a calf stretching apparatus is shown with the rear support/handle portion  1100  is of an arcuate shape. In one embodiment the rear support may be static. In another embodiment, the rear support  1100  may be of telescopic sections operably configured to lock and set, e.g., using an aperture/spring-loaded nodule configuration, at a desired angle of the platform surface. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 15-22 , another embodiment of a calf stretching apparatus  1500  is shown. As depicted in the figures, the calf stretching apparatus  1500  has many of the same features, functionality, and components as the aforementioned calf stretching apparatus  100 , but beneficially includes a heel pad member  1520  disposed proximal to the front end  1512  of the foot placement platform  1506  for more effectively retaining a user&#39;s heel and for stabilizing a user&#39;s calf. Moreover, the calf stretching apparatus  1500  includes an enhanced collapsible feature that enables to the handheld body  1502  to be more effectively stored and transported, while enabling structural stability of the calf stretching apparatus  1500  when in an operational configuration (exemplified in  FIG. 15 ). 
     More specifically (with reference to  FIGS. 15-18 ), the calf stretching apparatus  1500  includes a handheld body  1502  with a base  1504  having a lower surface  1800  defining a lower surface plane  1532 , a front end  1508 , a rear end  1510  opposing the front end  1508  of the base  1504 . The calf stretching apparatus  1500  includes a foot placement platform  1506  with a front end  1512 , a rear end  1514  opposing the front end  1512  of the foot placement platform  1506 , and a platform surface  1516  spanning in an upward direction with respect to the base from the front end  1512  of the foot placement platform  1506  to the rear end  1514  of the foot placement platform  1506  and with a portion (namely the entire platform surface  1516  and the rear platform surface  1802 ) disposed at an acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane  1532 . 
     The foot placement platform  1506  also includes a platform sidewall  1518  positioned upright with respect to the platform surface  1516  and includes an upper edge  1522 . The platform sidewall  1518  may surround the platform surface  1516  on at least three sides and may include (as one of those sides) an arcuate heel sidewall portion  1526  interposed between two opposing platform sidewalls  1538 ,  1540 . The two opposing sidewalls  1538 ,  1540  may extend from the front end  1512  to the rear end  1514  (as depicted in the figures) to provide lateral stability for a user&#39;s foot. In another embodiment, the foot placement platform  1506  only includes the arcuate heel sidewall portion  1526  that beneficially includes a heel pad member  1520  disposed proximal (i.e., at or near, within 15% of the overall length of the foot placement platform  1506 ) to the front end  1512  of the foot placement platform  1506 . The sidewalls  1538 ,  1540   1526  may be preferably oriented at a 90° angle with respect to the platform surface  1516  and are continuously connected. The heel sidewall portion  1526 , which may include the heel pad  1520 , may be arcuate or another shape, but is preferably arcuate to contour a user&#39;s heel. 
     Beneficially, the heel pad member  1520  includes two opposing platform sidewalls  1600 ,  1602  that can be seen spanning upwardly away from the platform surface  1516  toward the upper edge  1522  of the platform sidewall  1518  and converging to an internal heel placement support wall  1604 . The two opposing heel placement sidewalls  1600 ,  1602  and the internal heel placement support wall  1604  define a heel placement recess  1524  disposed above the platform surface  1506  for receiving the user&#39;s heel. The sidewalls  1600 ,  1602  and internal heel placement support wall  1604  are continuously connected to one another and preferably include chamfered or rounded edges for comfort to the user. The recess  1524  thickness or depth is defined by the thickness of the heel pad member  1520  and may range from approximately 0.25-2 inches. 
     The heel placement recess  1524  is preferably disposed above the platform surface  1516 . In preferred embodiments, as discussed above, the platform surface  1516  includes both a first platform surface  1528  and second platform surface  1530 , wherein the heel placement recess  1524  is preferably disposed above the first platform surface  1528 . With reference to  FIG. 15  and  FIGS. 21-23 , the heel pad member  1520  may also be selectively removably coupled to the foot placement platform  1506  with a tongue-and-groove configuration  2100 . The tongue-and-groove configuration  2100  may be defined by a t-shaped member disposed on the arcuate heel sidewall portion  1526 . A t-shaped recess or channel, e.g., recess/channel  2300 , may be defined on the heel pad member  1520  and slidably couple thereto, thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the heel pad member  1520 . As best seen in  FIG. 21 , the first platform surface  1528  can be seen forming a circular shape for the bottom of a user&#39;s heel. 
     The heel placement recess  1524  can be seen tapering in diameter  1606  separating the two opposing heel placement sidewalls  1600 ,  1602 . As the heel pad member  1520  may be made of a deformable closed-cell polymeric foam material, the tapering diameter (e.g., from 2.5 in to 1 in) provides a comfortable, contouring, and compressible area for a user&#39;s heel. The two opposing heel placement sidewalls  1600 ,  1602  may be directly adjacent to the first platform surface  1528 , thereby causing the user&#39;s heel, when desired for use, to move upwardly from the first platform surface  1528  and into the heel placement recess  1524 . When the heel moves upwardly, the heel placement sidewalls  1600 ,  1602 ,  1604  compresses the sides of the user&#39;s heel, thereby effectively and safely maximizing extension of a user&#39;s calf or ankle muscle(s). In one embodiment, the heel pad member  1520  includes both an outer pad member  1546  that includes the tongue-and-groove configuration  2100  and an inner pad member  1548  that defines the heel placement recess  1524 . The heel placement recess  1524  may be formed in a U-shaped or V-shaped configuration. 
     As discussed above, the platform surface  1506  includes a first platform surface  1528  disposed adjacent to the arcuate heel sidewall portion  1526  and of a parallel orientation with respect to the lower surface plane  1532  (when in an operational configuration along the platform translation path  1536  as best shown in  FIG. 15 ). A retracted configuration along the platform translation path  1536  that can be seen exemplified in  FIG. 20  includes the portion of the platform surface  1516  disposed at an acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane in the operational configuration disposed at a parallel orientation with respect to the lower surface plane  1532 . Said another way, when a user collapses the handheld body  1502 , the foot placement platform  1506  is placeable in an abutting relationship with respect to the base  1504  so that surfaces are parallel with one another (as shown in  FIG. 20 ). The platform translation path  1536  may be circular or curvilinear. 
     Further, the platform surface  1516  includes a second platform surface  1530  disposed at the acute angle with respect to the lower surface plane  1532  (when in the operational configuration), wherein the first platform surface  1528  is interposed between the arcuate heel sidewall portion  1526  and the second platform surface  1530  and disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first platform surface  1528 . 
     As discussed above, the calf stretching apparatus  1500  also includes the rear end  1510  of the base  1504  including a rear edge defining a recessed base through opening  1542 . Further, the rear end  1514  of the foot placement platform  1506  includes a rear edge defining a recessed platform through opening  1544  aligned with the recessed base through opening  1542 . The recessed base through opening  1542  and the recessed platform through opening  1544  substantially correspond in shape to one another. The edges of the base  1504  and the foot placement platform  1506  that define the recessed base through opening  1542  and the recessed platform through opening  1544  may also include a deformable material to protect the door jamb  1002  or a door frame  1000  when inserted within the openings  1542 ,  1544 . The rear edge on the base  1504  or platform  1506  may also include two opposing lateral sidewalls and a middle sidewall oriented in an orthogonal orientation with respect to the lower surface plane  1532  that define the openings  1542 ,  1544 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 15  and  FIGS. 18-20 , the assembly  1500  includes a rear support member  1534  having a first terminal end  1900  selectively removably coupled to a lower surface  1902  of the foot placement platform  1506  with a lockable latch  2000  configured to engage a portion of the foot placement platform  1506 . The lower surface  1902  of the foot placement platform  1506  and the base  1504  are pivotably coupled together using, for example, a hinge member  1904 . An opposing end  1906  of the rear support member  1534  is pivotably coupled to the base  1504  and configured extend outwardly away from the end  1510  of the base  1504  in placed in a retracted configuration.