Patent Publication Number: US-11395937-B2

Title: Foot and leg stretching device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Many individuals desire to stretch parts of one or more of their feet and/or legs for general wellness purposes or to treat injuries (e.g., plantar fasciitis). However, many individuals find difficulty in achieving effective stretching ranges. For example, geriatrics, injured persons, and/or others may experience difficulty or inability in positioning their feet and/or legs relative to conventional structures (e.g., stairs, flooring, stools, etc.) and/or devices to facilitate stretching. For example, it may be difficult for multiple persons to use the same stretching device due to lack in size adaptability or other constraints. 
     For at least the foregoing reasons, there is an ongoing need and desire for improved foot and leg stretching devices. 
     The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Implementations of the present disclosure extend to devices for facilitating foot and leg stretching. 
     Some embodiments provide a stretching device that includes a heel platform sized and shaped to support a heel of a foot of a person thereon. The stretching device also includes a ball platform sized and shaped to support a ball of a foot of a person thereon. The ball platform may be angularly offset relative to the heel platform. 
     The stretching device may also include one or more connection members connecting the heel platform to the ball platform. Furthermore, the stretching device may also include an extension slot connected to the ball platform. In addition, the stretching device may include a stretching device extension. The stretching device extension may include an extension platform. The stretching device extension may include an extension insert arranged within and selectively removable from the extension slot. The extension platform of the stretching device extension may be arranged coplanar with the ball platform when the extension slot receives the extension insert of the stretching device extension. 
     In some embodiments, the stretching device may include an inner connection member extending between the heel platform and the ball platform. The inner connection member may define a foot gap between the heel platform and the ball platform. Furthermore, the stretching device may include an outer connection member extending between the heel platform and the ball platform. The stretching device may also include a plurality of connection member supports that extend from the inner connection member to the outer connection member. The plurality of connection member supports may include a plurality of surfaces that curve toward the ball platform. Also, the stretching device may include an additional support extending from the ball platform to the outer connection member. The additional support may also curve toward the ball platform. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the teachings herein. Features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a stretching device that includes a stretching device extension affixed thereto; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of the stretching device with the stretching device extension selectively removed therefrom; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a right side view of the stretching device with the stretching device extension attached thereto; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of the stretching device with the stretching device extension attached thereto; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom plan view of the stretching device with the stretching device extension attached thereto; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front elevational view of the stretching device with the stretching device extension attached thereto. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Implementations of the present disclosure extend to devices for facilitating foot and leg stretching. 
     In some implementations, a stretching device includes a heel platform sized and shaped to support a heel of a foot of a person thereon. The stretching device also includes a ball platform sized and shaped to support a ball of a foot of a person thereon. The ball platform may be angularly offset relative to the heel platform. The stretching device may also include one or more connection members connecting the heel platform to the ball platform. Furthermore, the stretching device may also include an extension slot connected to the ball platform. In addition, the stretching device may include a stretching device extension. The stretching device extension may include an extension platform arranged coplanar with the ball platform. The stretching device extension may include an extension insert arranged within and selectively removable from the extension slot. 
     In some implementations, a stretching device includes a heel platform sized and shaped to support a heel of a foot of a person thereon. The stretching device may also include a ball platform sized and shaped to support a ball of a foot of a person thereon. The ball platform may be angularly offset relative to the heel platform. The stretching device may include an inner connection member extending between the heel platform and the ball platform. The inner connection member may define a foot gap between the heel platform and the ball platform. Furthermore, the stretching device may include an outer connection member extending between the heel platform and the ball platform. The stretching device may also include a plurality of connection member supports that extend from the inner connection member to the outer connection member. The plurality of connection member supports may include a plurality of surfaces that curve toward the ball platform. Also, the stretching device may include an additional support extending from the ball platform to the outer connection member. The additional support may also curve toward the ball platform. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize, in view of the present disclosure, that at least some of the disclosed embodiments may be implemented to address various difficulties associated with facilitating foot or leg stretching. 
     For example, a stretching device according to the present disclosure may include an arrangement of angularly offset plates with a foot gap intervening therebetween for providing ideal foot arrangement when a foot is positioned on the plates. Furthermore, a stretching device of the present disclosure provides stable rocking functionality (e.g., via a bottom grip material) to allow users to achieve foot or leg positions that stretch the users&#39; feet, Achilles tendon, calf muscles, and/or other portions of the leg. In addition, in some instances, the rocking functionality of a stretching device of the present disclosure may enable users to achieve foot and/or leg stretching from a sitting or standing position. A stretching device of the present disclosure may assist users recovering from plantar fasciitis and/or other injuries or conditions. 
     In some implementations, a stretching device of the present disclosure includes a heel plate extending from a back portion thereof to allow users to easily maintain proper foot placement on the device during use. Furthermore, in some instances, one or more of the platforms of a stretching device of the present disclosure include ridges/treads to prevent a user&#39;s foot or footwear from slipping from placement on the stretching device during use. In addition, a stretching device of the present disclosure may include a non-slip element (e.g., a rubber pad) to prevent slipping of the stretching device during use for stretching (e.g., during rocking motions). 
     A stretching device of the present disclosure may be configured to fit a broad range of foot/footwear sizes, such as up to a men&#39;s size 15. Furthermore, in at least some implementations, a stretching device of the present disclosure includes a selectively removable stretching device extension to allow the stretching device to accommodate even larger foot/footwear sizes (e.g., greater than a men&#39;s size 15). 
     Having described some of the various high-level features and benefits of the disclosed embodiments, attention will now be directed to  FIGS. 1 through 6 . These Figures illustrate various supporting illustrations related to the disclosed embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a stretching device  100 , according to implementations of the present disclosure As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stretching device  100  includes a heel platform  102 , a ball platform  104 , and connection members  106  connecting the heel platform  102  to the ball platform  104  and extending from the heel platform  102  to the ball platform  104 . Additional details relating to the connection members  106  will be provided hereinafter. 
     In some implementations, the heel platform  102  is sized and shaped to support a heel of a foot of a person. Furthermore, in some implementations, the ball platform  104  is sized and shaped to support a ball of a foot of a person. Furthermore, as is evident in  FIG. 1 , the ball platform  104  may be angularly offset relative to the heel platform  102 . In this way, the heel platform  102  and the ball platform  104  may be regarded as being arranged non-coplanar to one another. In some instances, the angularly offset arrangement of the heel platform  102  and the ball platform  104  enables the stretching device  100  to facilitate an ideal foot arrangement for achieving stretching ranges for users. 
     The stretching device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  also includes an extension slot  108  connected to the ball platform  104 . As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the extension slot  108  receives a stretching device extension  110 , and the stretching device extension  110  includes an extension platform  112 . The extension platform  112  may operate as an extension of the ball platform  104 . For example, the extension platform  112  may become arranged parallel to the ball platform  104  when the stretching device extension  110  is connected to the stretching device  100  via the extension slot  108 . When so arranged, the extension platform  112  may be configured to support the ball or toes of a foot of a person using the stretching device  100 , even for persons with large foot sizes (e.g., above men&#39;s size 15). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of the stretching device  100  with the stretching device extension  110  selectively removed therefrom. Providing a stretching device  100  with a selectively removable stretching device extension  110  may allow the stretching device  100  to selectively accommodate users with large foot sizes while also realizing other benefits such as portability (e.g., for travel), versatility (e.g., extensions of different sizes may be used with the stretching device  100 ), and/or others. 
     In some implementations, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the extension slot  108  is connected to an underside of the ball platform  104 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates that, in some instances, the extension slot  108  includes a substantially rectangular opening. However, the arrangement and/or form of the extension slot  108  relative to the ball platform  104  shown in  FIG. 2  is non-limiting. For instance, in other implementations, the extension slot  108  is integrated into the ball platform  104 , such that the ball platform  104  at least partially defines the extension slot  108 . As another example, the extension slot  108  may comprise an opening of any shape, such as a triangular, pentagonal, or other polygonal shape, or an at least partially curved shape. 
       FIG. 2  furthermore illustrates that, in some implementations, the stretching device extension  110  includes extension supports  202 , which may be disposed, in some instances, under the extension platform  112 .  FIG. 6 , which illustrates a front elevational view of the stretching device  100  and stretching device extension  110 , also provides an additional view of the extension supports  202 .  FIGS. 2 and 6  show that, in some implementations, the extension supports  202  form planar members that extend substantially orthogonally downward from the underside of the extension platform  112 . 
     In the specific example shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , three of the extension supports  202  are disposed under the extension platform  112  in a linear arrangement, such that the three of the extension supports  202  are arranged parallel to one another in a front-to-back direction relative to the stretching device extension  110 . The example of  FIGS. 2 and 6  also illustrates an additional pair of extension supports  202  that are arranged nonparallel to the three linearly arranged extension supports  202 . The extension supports  202  of the additional pair of extension supports  202  are also arranged nonparallel to one another. Each of the extension supports  202  of the additional pair of extension supports  202  extend from a lateral side of a respective one of the three linearly arranged extension supports  202  toward a respective side of the stretching device extension  110 . Furthermore,  FIGS. 2 and 6  show an example in which the extension supports  202  of the additional pair of extension supports  202  comprise a different height relative to the three linearly arranged extension supports  202 . 
     The extension supports  202  may provide structural support to the extension platform  112  to enable the extension platform  112  to stably support toes or a portion of a ball of a foot of a user to enable the user to achieve desired foot and/or leg stretching ranges using the stretching device  100  in conjunction with the stretching device extension  110 . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that the particular form and/or arrangement of the extension supports  202  of the stretching device extension  110  may be varied in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure. 
     For example, the various extension supports may have different shapes and/or sizes relative to one another (e.g., the additional pair of extension supports  202  have a different size than the three linearly arranged extension supports  202  of  FIGS. 2 and 6 ). Furthermore, in some instances, the extension supports  202  may take on other shapes than the substantially planar shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , such as cylindrical (e.g., rod-like) or other shapes. In addition, although  FIGS. 2 and 6  illustrates five continuous extension supports  202  arranged under the extension platform  112 , a stretching device extension  110  may include any number of extension supports  202 , which may or may not be continuous, with any number of arrangement schemes (e.g., linear arrangement vs nonparallel arrangement). 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates that the stretching device extension  110  may include an extension insert  204  attached thereto. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the extension insert  204  is affixed to and extends from at least some of the extension supports  202 , such as to the three linearly arranged extension supports  202  described hereinabove.  FIG. 2  illustrates the extension insert  204  as including extension insert interface members  206  that extend from the extension supports  202  and/or extension platform  112 . In some instances, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the extension insert interface members  206  of the extension insert  204  form planar members and are arranged substantially parallel to the extension platform  112  and substantially perpendicular relative to the extension supports  202 . 
     The extension insert  204  may be configured (e.g., via the extension insert interface members  206 ) for insertion into the extension slot  108  of the stretching device  100 . For example, in some instances, the extension slot  108  includes extension slot interface members  210 , which may be configured to interface with the extension insert interface members  206  to removably secure the stretching device extension  110  to the stretching device  100 . A user may insert the extension insert  204  into the extension slot  108  such that surfaces of the extension insert interface members  206  abut surfaces of the extension slot interface members  210 , thereby creating static frictional force that removably secures the stretching device extension  110  to the stretching device  100 . 
     It will be appreciated, in view of the present disclosure, that although  FIG. 2  illustrates the extension insert  204  with a particular arrangement of extension insert interface members  206  and illustrates the extension slot  108  with a particular arrangement of extension slot interface members  210 , an extension insert  204  and an extension slot  108  may comprise any number of interfacing or interconnecting/interlocking members (e.g., whether planar or non-planar) for removably securing the stretching device extension  110  to the stretching device  100 . 
     Furthermore, although the present disclosure focuses, in at least some respects, on implementations in which the extension slot  108  is disposed on the stretching device  100  and the extension insert  204  is disposed on the stretching device extension  110 , one or more slots may be arranged on the stretching device extension  110  and/or one or more inserts may be arranged on the stretching device  100  to facilitate removable attachment of the stretching device extension  110  to the stretching device  100 , in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a right side view of the stretching device  100  with the stretching device extension  110  attached thereto (e.g., via the extension insert interface members  206  and the extension slot interface members  210 ).  FIG. 3  shows that, in some instances, when the stretching device extension  110  is removably affixed to the stretching device  100 , the extension platform  112  becomes arranged substantially coplanar with the ball platform  104 . When arranged as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the stretching device extension  110  and the stretching device  100  may operate in conjunction to provide desirable stretching functionality and stretching ranges to users who have large foot sizes (e.g., above a men&#39;s size 15). 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 3  illustrates that, in some instances, the heel platform  102  includes a heel plate  302  extending vertically about a rear portion of the heel platform  102 . The heel plate  302  may allow users to easily maintain proper foot placement on the stretching device  100  during use. 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates that, in some implementations, the extension slot  108  of the stretching device  100  comprises a substantially trapezoidal profile and may be affixed to one of the connection members  106  (e.g., outer connection member  308 , as will be described in more detail hereafter) in addition to being affixed to the underside of the ball platform  104 . 
     Additional details related to the connection members  106  that connect the heel platform  102  to the ball platform  104  will now be provided.  FIG. 3  demonstrates that, in some implementations, the connection members  106  include an inner connection member  304 . The inner connection member  304  of  FIG. 3  forms a curved surface that extends from an end of the heel platform  102  to an end of the ball platform  104 . The curved surface of the inner connection member  304  forms a foot gap  306  that intervenes between heel platform  102  and the ball platform  104 . In some instances, the foot gap  306  enables the stretching device  100  to provide ideal foot arrangement when a foot is positioned on the heel platform  102  and the ball platform  104 , advantageously enabling users to achieve desired stretching positions and/or ranges. 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates that, in some implementations, the connection members  106  include an outer connection member  308  extending from the heel platform  102  to the ball platform  104 . As indicated hereinabove, the extension slot  108  may be connected to the outer connection member  308 , in some instances. In addition to connecting the heel platform  102  to the ball platform  104 , the outer connection member  106  may comprise a curved surface that enables the rocking functionality described hereinabove for enabling users to achieve desired stretching ranges and/or positions. 
     The connection members  106  may also include a plurality of connection member supports  310 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows that, in some instances, the connection member supports  310  extend from the inner connection member  304  to the outer connection member  308 . For example, the connection member supports  310  may comprise a plurality of surfaces arranged within a space defined by the heel platform  102 , the ball platform  104 , the inner connection member  304 , and the outer connection member  308 . 
     In some implementations, as shown in  FIG. 3 , at least some of the plurality of surfaces of the connection member supports  310  are curved toward the ball platform  104 . For example, the various surfaces of the connection member supports  310  may be regarded as extending outward from the inner connection member  304  and following one or more radii of curvature that cause the various surfaces to bend or curve toward the ball platform  104  or toward the front of the stretching device  100  or toward the extension slot  108 . 
     In addition to the connection member supports  310 , the connection members  106  may include, in some instances, an additional support  312 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The additional support  312  of  FIG. 3  extends from the ball platform  104  to the outer connection member  308 . Similar to the connection member supports  310 , the additional support  312  is illustrated as curving toward the ball platform (or toward the front of the stretching device  100  or toward the extension slot  108 ). 
     As demonstrated in  FIG. 3 , the connection members  106 , including the connection member supports  310  and the additional support  312 , may be regarded as forming a vortex shape in view of their being curved toward the ball platform  104 . The vortex shape of the connection members  106  may provide structural support to the stretching device  100  in a manner that reduces material use/cost (e.g., as compared to forming the stretching device  100  as a solid block of material). Furthermore, in some instances, the connection members  106  may be formed of an elastic material selected to enable the stretching device  100  to flex in response to pressure applied to the heel platform  102  and the ball platform  104  by a foot of a user to allow the stretching device  100  to allow the user to achieve ideal stretching positions/ranges. 
     Although the present disclosure focuses, in at least some respects, on a stretching device  100  that includes a particular arrangement of connection members  106  (e.g., four connection member supports  310  extending from the inner connection member  304  to the outer connection member  308  and a single additional support  312  extending from the ball platform  104  toward the outer connection member  308 ), those skilled in the art will understand, in view of the present disclosure, that the connection members  106  can be implemented in various ways in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, a stretching device  100  may include fewer or more than four connection member supports  310  and/or may include fewer or more than one additional support  312 . Furthermore, the positioning and/shape (e.g., degree of curvature) of the various connection members  106  may be varied according to the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of the stretching device  100  with the stretching device extension  110  attached thereto.  FIG. 4  illustrates an implementation in which the heel platform  102 , the ball platform  104 , and the extension platform  112  include treads  402  disposed thereon. The treads  402  may, in some instances, facilitate non-slip contact between a user&#39;s foot or footwear and the stretching device, thereby substantially preventing the user&#39;s foot or footwear from slipping from placement on the stretching device  100  during use. 
     Although  FIG. 4  focuses on implementations in which the stretching device  100  includes treads  402  on all platforms thereof (e.g., the heel platform  102  and the ball platform  104 ) and in which the stretching device extension  110  includes treads on the extension platform  112 , it will be appreciated, in view of the present disclosure, that any number of the platforms of a stretching device  100  and/or a stretching device extension  110  may include or omit treads, in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom plan view of the stretching device  100  with the stretching device extension  110  attached thereto.  FIG. 5  illustrates that, in some implementations, the outer connection member  308  of the connection members  106  described hereinabove with reference to  FIG. 3  includes recessed grooves  502  on the outer surface of the outer connection member  308 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an example in which the recessed grooves  502  are parallel to one another and extend longitudinally across the outer surface of the outer connection member  308 , with the two recessed grooves  502  being arranged on opposite transverse sides of the outer surface of the outer connection member  308 . The recessed grooves  502  may be configured to receive a grip material (e.g., rubber pads) by any suitable affixation method (e.g., adhesive liquids or strips, etc.). The grip material may, in some instances, prevent slipping of the stretching device  100  during use for stretching (e.g., during rocking motions facilitated by a user). 
     Additionally,  FIG. 5  shows that, in some instances, the outer connection member  308  of the connection members  106  defines an opening  504  across a middle longitudinal section of the outer connection member.  FIG. 5  illustrates an example in which the opening  504  is arranged between the recessed grooves  502  described hereinabove. In some implementations, the opening  504  allows the outer connection member  308  to be formed with less material/cost (e.g., as compared with implementations in which the outer connection member  308  omits an opening  504 ). 
     The particular configuration of the recessed grooves  502  and the opening  504  is illustrative only and non-limiting. For example, in some instances, a stretching device includes fewer or more than two recessed grooves  502  and/or fewer or more than one opening  504 , and the recessed groove(s)  502  and/or opening(s)  504  (if any) may comprise substantially any shape. By way of non-limiting example, a stretching device  100  may omit any opening  504  and may instead include a linear arrangement of recessed grooves  502  that extend in a transvers direction across the outer surface of the outer connection member  308 . In yet another example, a stretching device  100  may include a plurality of openings  504  and may omit recessed grooves  502  and may optionally include a grip material adhered to the outer surface of the outer connection member  308  in the absence of the recessed grooves  502 . Other examples are also within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Various alterations and/or modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims, and are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. While a number of methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice embodiments of the present disclosure, only certain components and methods are described herein. 
     It will also be appreciated that systems, devices, products, kits, methods, and/or processes, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties, features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments disclosed and/or described herein. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein. 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. While certain embodiments and details have been included herein and in the attached disclosure for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods, products, devices, and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.