Patent Publication Number: US-6709368-B1

Title: Foot exercise device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to exercise equipment and, in particular, to an inexpensive stepping machine that requires no assembly, no batteries, and no cords. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The marketplace overflows with exerciser inventions, such as steppers that provide exercises for leg, calf and/or ankle muscles. To the user of these devices will inure fitness as well as the expense of the exercise device. Strenuous and beneficial exertions in using these other devices are usually mitigated by the user abandoning the effort. Lack of portability is a key reason that exercisers do not use the device. One of the prime reasons that people give for not exercising is that they have no time. 
     In today&#39;s fast moving times, people are always on the move. Finding time to exercise is just another of the time consuming activities that busy people cannot always fit into their schedules. 
     What people need is a simple, portable device, they can stick under their desk or chair, and which they can use when they are talking on the phone, reading, surfing the Internet or any of other myriad business, personal and social activities. By always being available, such a device makes it possible for today&#39;s 21 st  century active person to engage in his normal hectic schedule, but still be able to regularly engage in a systematic regimented exercise routine. 
     Fulfilling a need for exercising leg, calf and/or ankle muscles, the instant invention provides simplicity and facility in operation. An inexpensive invention that impels those who have difficulty walking or who are recovering from certain injuries to want to use it enhances their well being physically. 
     Numerous advantages accrue to the user. The invention improves the circulation and helps relieve pain and swollen ankles. Edema follows tissue injury or trauma, resulting in pain as the liquid is pressed against the nerves. By simulating the walking action, leg muscles are stimulated to contract, the effect of which is to enhance venous and arterial blood flow removing some of the liquid. Exercising by stretching the calf and ankle muscles improves their strength, increases their range of motion and reduces the pain, providing a much sought after benefit. 
     Being portable and lightweight, the device may be used just about any place your feet are resting. At home while watching TV or reading, your feet are kept nimble. Outdoors on the patio or at the beach, your ankles feel invigorated without the strain of jogging. In hotels, buses, trains, or planes, not only adults, but also your children, will never make excuses of being bored by inactivity. 
     A multitude of users will benefit from the walking action. The device is perfect for office workers, teachers, students, expectant moms, travelers, and athletes. People can do the exercise walk while working at their desks. Students can exercise while doing their homework. Expectant moms will be thrilled to be able to exercise without overexerting themselves or without fear of injury. Travelers should be able to avoid sores from stagnation before reaching their destination. Athletes can specifically strengthen their ankle muscles without strain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of this invention is to provide for the benefits of walking while sitting. Individuals who sit down for extended periods of time succumb to the ill effects of prolonged stagnation, poor circulation, and swollen ankles. To the user of the device are conferred the benefits of the action of walking, including enhanced flexibility of ankles and diminished edema of swollen ankles. Availing those who have difficulty walking, the device promotes calf, ankle and foot movements that bring about greater fitness and relief. 
     Constructed with rugged materials, the device features two movable levers that rotate on the same axis in opposite direction with respect to one another, rising and falling so that as one foot presses down on one lever, the other lever pushes the other foot up. There are two transverse axles, a front axle and a rear axle, connected by a longitudinal housing that characterize the frame of the assembly. Providing an axis for rotation for the levers, the rear axle also has two feet at the ends for support. The curved front axle with its two feet serves not only as support but also as a barrier to further downward motion by each lever. Besides support, the role of the longitudinal housing is to unite the two transverse axles together into a single body. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the foot exercise device; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the foot exercise device; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the foot exercise device; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the foot exercise device; 
     FIG. 5 is a right view of the foot exercise device; 
     FIG. 6 is a left side view of the foot exercise device; 
     FIG. 7 is a rear view of the foot exercise device; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the foot exercise device; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged bottom view of the foot exercise device with the cover of the housing removed; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the housing with the side panel of the housing removed; and 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view, showing the action of the pedal. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in the preferred embodiment, the herein Foot Exercise Device has two steps  4  (i.e. pedals or levers), as the exerciser is of the stair or step variety. First one foot presses down on one step, as the other step rises. Then, the other foot pushes down on the other step, and the stepping motion is reversed. Variable resistance in the form of minilevers is provided. 
     The present invention is shown in the preferred embodiment in which the rise and fall of the levers or steps  4  is accomplished by rotation about a rear transverse axis  6 . Each lever or step is of generally rectangular configuration and is designed to conform to the size of the user&#39;s foot. It needs to be wider than the average foot, as well as longer than the average foot. In this way, the foot will be retained securely on the surface of the step, and will not fall off during exercise. Similarly, the steps cannot be too big or they will be awkward to use and may offer too much resistance to exercise. 
     Each step  4  has a top surface  8  on which the feet press. Then, there are also front, side and rear panels  10 ,  12  and  14  to define the completed step. They are made together in one integral unit, preferably of plastic, but any sturdy material may be used. At the rear end of the side panels  12 , two support ears  16  are defined. In each of the ears, an opening  18  is made. The axle  6  fits snugly through these openings, so that the axle will rotate as the step moves up and down. Setscrews  20  may optionally be provided in the axle to prevent lateral movement of the step or lever. Further, the two steps are set at different angles on the axle, so that as one step moves up or down, the other step (due to its fixation on the axle) moves in the opposite direction. Ridges or protrusions  21  may be made on the top surface  8  of the pedals, so the feet do not slip during exercise. Alternatively, a non-slip material may be coated on the pedal. 
     On an undersurface  22  of each step  4 , a bearing abutment  24  is provided for engagement with the resistance mechanism, as hereinafter described. The resistance mechanism bears directly on the bearing abutment  24  on the undersurface of each step, so as to provide a variable resistance load to vary the exercise. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the resistance mechanism is implemented by two curved minilevers  26 —one for each step. Each minlever is wing-shaped and is fixedly mounted on an axle  28 , so that the axle moves with the mini-levers. Centrally located along the axle  28  is a brake housing  30 . The brake housing itself may be made of any material, such as rubber, but within its central opening  32  there is a ring or band  34  of resistive material. A spring  36  acts against brake housing  30 . As the spring is compressed, it exerts more pressure on the brake housing and causes the ring of resistive material to bear more heavily against the axle, thereby requiring more force to move the axle and minilevers, thereby effectively increasing the resistance for the pedals. 
     To adjust the tension of the spring  36 , a threaded screw  38  is provided. The distal end  40  of the screw passes through an opening in the top surface  43  of the brake housing  30 , and threads into a nut plate  41  to provide a locking engagement. At the other end of the screw is an enlarged head  42  to facilitate turning the screw. If the screw is turned clockwise, the screw is threaded into the brake housing, compressing the spring and increasing the effective tension. Rotation in a counter-clockwise fashion causes the screw to recede and decompresses the spring, reducing thereby the friction and resistance. 
     The axle  28  itself passes through the longitudinal axis of the device and is preferably about ¾ of the distance from the front of the unit. 
     This movement of the levers simulates walking action in which the user raises and lowers his feet. Each foot steps onto a lever, while the user is sitting down. Movement is initiated by pushing down with either foot. Only one foot can lower or rise at a time. In an alternative embodiment, as long as the assembly provides for a rotating motion of feet about ankles while sitting down, it simulates the walking action that is within the scope of the same invention. 
     A central housing  44  is preferably provided and it includes a box-like structure with a top  46 , front  48 , rear  50  and side  52  panels. Near the rear panel  50 , the two side panels  52  have aligned openings  54  for passage of the axle  6  on which the pedals are mounted. Closer to the middle of the central housing, the side panels  52  have a second set of aligned openings  56  for passage of the axle  28 . A removable cover  58  may be fitted over the bottom of the housing. 
     The aforementioned resistance structure with the axle  28 , brake housing  30  and spring  36  are positioned within the interior of the housing  44 . An opening  60  in the top surface  46  of the housing provided a means for the end of the screw  38  to extend out of the housing. The enlarged head  42  for the screw resides on the outside of the housing, so it can be conveniently turned by the user. 
     Any sturdy lightweight metal may be used for the two axles. Fabricated with strong durable plastic, the levers rotate as arms swing about their shoulder joint. The housing is produced from a strong durable plastic; and, the housing connects the rear transverse axis of the shoulder with the front transverse axis. 
     At the distal ends  62  of the axle  6 , feet  64  may be provided to offer stability for the exercise device. For front stability, a front axle  66  may pass through aligned openings  68  in the housing. This axle  66  may be bent so that its ends  70  define feet on which the device is supported. In a preferred embodiment, the axle is curved or bowed and has a threaded opening in a central portion. A locking screw  74  passes through a hole  72  in the top of the housing and into the axle to hold the axle firmly in place. By rotation of the screw, the screw becomes disengaged from the axle and the axle can be laterally turned. This allows the axle to rotate to a storage position, so the unit can lay flatter. 
     To prevent the pedals from flipping over as they rise, the central housing also bears two knoblike protrusions  76 . To prevent the pedals from sinking into the ground, the front axle stops the pedals from lowering any further, keeping it at the same elevation as the central housing when lowered. In the preferred embodiment, the knoblike protrusions and the front axle serve as barriers to define the range of stretching motion for the arch and ankle of the foot. 
     The invention is described in detail with reference to a particular embodiment, but it should be understood that various other modifications can be effected and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention.