Abstract:
An exercise apparatus is described which when used can improve the muscle tone and/or strengthen the calve muscles of a user. The exercise apparatus comprises a riser extension attached to the bottom end portion of a foot plate in which the user may exercise the calve muscles by rocking the foot plate up and down while maintaining contact with a floor surface with the riser extension. The exercise apparatus also comprises a means for securing the users foot onto the foot plate. A thigh harness is connected to the foot plate with at least one tension member which provides resistance to the users efforts in rocking the foot plate up and down.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to exercise apparatus and more particularly to an exercise apparatus for conditioning and strengthening calve muscles of a user. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     In the hectic modern day life style, experience by many people, it is often difficult to find either the time or the motivation to exercise. Of course exercise is yields great physical and mental benefits to those that do exercise. However, under the constraints of modern day life styles, exercise regimens are usually avoided due to the expense and hassle of joining a gym. In an effort to avoid the expense and hassle of gyms many people opt to exercise at home. However, home exercise regimens are limited by the space available and the expense of purchasing individual pieces of equipment. Due to this dilemma many people either do not exercise at all or only perform a few isometric exercises which isolate certain muscle groups. One of the most popular muscle groups to isolate and exercise, for aesthetic reasons among others, are calf muscles. Unfortunately, calf muscles do not respond well to isometric exercises as they do with resistance exercising. Therefore, it would be a benefit to have an exercise device which is light weight and easy to use at home. It would be a further benefit to have an exercise device which is inexpensive. It would be a further benefit to have an exercise device which allows for resistance training of the calf muscles. 
     A number of arrangements have been suggested in the prior art for providing exercise devices to overcome the objectional features of identifying a convenient and effective exerciser device for toning and strengthening calve muscles. Among these are the exercise device described by Mikell in U.S. Pat. No. 2,467,943 discloses a pair of rigid foot engaging rod member in which the members are disposed beneath the toes and immediately back of the ball of the user&#39;s foot. Attached to the rod members are a spring and a spacer unit connected to a knee harness. However, the Mikell disclosure is silent with regards to a riser extension unit attached to the bottom rear portion of a foot plate so that the user may be able to rock the foot plate up and down while maintaining contact with a floor surface with the bottom of the riser extension unit. Other disclosures including: the ankle and foot exercise apparatus disclosed by Williams in U.S. Pat No. 4,371,161; the night splint for a foot described by Miller in U.S. Pat. No. D434,504; the calf exerciser described by Scott in U.S. Pat. No. D320,825; the exercise device disclosed by Robles in 5,489,251; the exercising device for the fingers, wrist and forearm disclosed by Kauffman in U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,154; and the passive exercising device disclosed by Hajianpour in U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,595 all suffer the same disadvantages and limitations as noted above. 
     While all of the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a riser extension unit attached to the bottom rear portion of a foot plate so that the user may be able to rock the foot plate up and down while maintaining contact with a floor surface with the bottom of the riser extension unit that would specifically match the user&#39;s particular individual needs. The above-described patents make no provision for a riser extension unit attached to the bottom rear portion of a foot plate so that the user may be able to rock the foot plate up and down while maintaining contact with a floor surface with the bottom of the riser extension unit. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved exercise apparatus that can be used for improving muscle tone and strength in a user&#39;s calve muscles. In this respect, the exercise apparatus according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed having a riser extension unit attached to the bottom rear portion of a foot plate so that the user may be able to rock the foot plate up and down while maintaining contact with a floor surface and the bottom of the riser extension unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An exercise apparatus is described which when used can improve the muscle tone and/or strengthen the calve muscles of a user. The exercise apparatus comprises a riser extension attached to the bottom end portion of a foot plate in which the user may exercise the calve muscles by rocking the foot plate up and down while maintaining contact with a floor surface with the riser extension. The exercise apparatus also comprises a means for securing the users foot onto the foot plate. A thigh harness is connected to the foot plate with at least one tension member which provides resistance to the users efforts in rocking the foot plate up and down. 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known type exercise devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved exercise apparatus, which will be described subsequently in great detail, is to provide a new and improved exercise apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a riser extension attached to the bottom rear portion of a foot plate. The foot plate having a means for securing the users foot onto the foot plate. Resistive force is provided by at least one tension member attached between the foot plate and a thigh harness. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution of the art may be better appreciated. 
     The invention may also include a U-shaped brace attached to the bottom front portion of the foot plate, a pair of pivot plates attached to the U-shaped brace, a pair of straps for securing a desired tension between the thigh harness and the foot plate. There are of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved exercise apparatus that has all the advantages of the prior art exercise apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved exercise apparatus that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved exercise apparatus that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such multipurpose storage unit and system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new exercise apparatus that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thererof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a exercise apparatus having a riser extension attached at the bottom rear portion of a foot plate. This makes it possible to allow a user to tone or strengthen the user&#39;s calve muscles by rocking the foot plate up and down while maintaining contact with a floor surface with the riser extension. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a thigh harness connected to the foot plate with at least one tension member. This makes it possible to allow apply a resistive force, i.e., the tension member, while rocking the foot plate up and down which allows a user to tone or strengthen the user&#39;s calve muscles while rocking the foot plate up and down. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
    
    
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompany drawings and description matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the exercise apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exercise apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the optional strap element of the exercise apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the tension members of the exercise apparatus of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of another preferred embodiment of the exercise apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1 to  5  thereof, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The exercise apparatus  10  comprises: a riser extension  12 ; a foot plate  14  attached to the riser extension  12 , in which the riser extension  12  is attached to the bottom rear portion of the foot plate  14 ; a means for securing a users foot  28  onto the foot plate  14 ; left and right tension members  16  attached at the bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16  to the corresponding left and right front portions of the foot plate  14 , respectively; and a thigh harness  18  attached at the left and right sides of the thigh harness  18  to the corresponding top ends of the left and right tension members  16 , respectively. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention of the exercise apparatus  10  for conditioning and strengthening calve muscles comprises: a riser extension  12 ; a foot plate  14  attached to the riser extension  12 , wherein the riser extension  12  is attached to the bottom rear portion of the foot plate  14 ; a means for securing a users foot  28  onto the foot plate  14 ; a tension member  16  attached at the middle portion of the tension members  16  to the bottom front portion of the foot plate  14 ; a thigh harness  18  attached at the left and right sides of the thigh harness  18  to the corresponding two ends of the tension member, respectively. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention of the exercise apparatus  10  for conditioning and strengthening calve muscles comprises: a riser extension  12 ; a foot plate  14  attached to the riser extension  12 , wherein the riser extension  12  is attached to the bottom rear portion of the foot plate  14 ; an ankle strap  26  attached at the ends of the ankle strap  26  to the left and right rear portions of the foot plate  14 ; left and right tension members  16  attached at the bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16  to the corresponding left and right front portions of the foot plate  14 , respectively; left and right straps  20  attached at the bottom ends of the left and right straps  20  to the corresponding left and right rear portions of the foot plate  14 , respectively; a lower thigh harness  18   a  attached at the left and right sides of the lower thigh harness  18   a  to the top ends of the corresponding left and right tension members  16 , respectively; an upper thigh harness  18   b  attached at the left and right sides of the middle thigh harness  18  to the top ends of the corresponding left and right straps  20 , respectively; left and right upper support bars  32  attached at the proximate end of the left and right upper support bars  32  to the corresponding left and right sides of the upper thigh harness  18   b , respectively, wherein the middle portions of the left and right upper support bars  32  are attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the lower thigh harness  18   a , respectively; left and right lower support bars  34  pivotally attached at the proximate ends of the left and right lower support bars  34  to the corresponding distal ends of the left and right upper support bars  32 , respectively; and a calve harness  36  attached at the left and right sides of the calve harness  36  to the corresponding distal ends of the left and right lower support bars  34 , respectively. 
     The thigh harness  18  of the exercise apparatus  10  may optionally comprise left and right straps  20  attached at the top ends of the left and right straps  20  to the corresponding left and right sides of the thigh harness  18 , respectively, in which the bottom ends of the optional left and right straps  20  are attached to the corresponding top ends of the left and right tension members  16 , respectively. The straps  20  may optionally be capable of being adjusted lengthwise. 
     The foot plate  14  of the exercise apparatus  10  may optionally further comprises a U-shaped brace  22  attached to the bottom front portion of the foot plate  14 , the U-shaped brace  22  traverses laterally underneath the foot plate  14  and upwardly about the left and right sides of the foot plate  14 , in which the bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16  are attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the U-shaped brace  22 . The foot plate  14  may further optionally comprises: a U-shaped brace  22  attached to the bottom front portion of the foot plate  14 , the U-shaped brace  22  traverses laterally underneath the foot plate  14  and upwardly about the left and right sides of the foot plate  14 ; and left and right pivot plates  24  attached to the left and right sides of the U-shaped brace  22 , respectively, wherein the bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16  are attached to the corresponding left and right pivot plates  24 . Another optional embodiment of the foot plate  14  may comprise: a U-shaped brace  22  attached to the bottom front portion of the foot plate  14 , the U-shaped brace  22  traverses laterally underneath the foot plate  14  and upwardly about the left and right sides of the foot plate  14 ; and left and right straps  20  attached at the corresponding left and right sides of the U-shaped brace  22 , respectively, wherein the top ends of the left and right straps  20  are attached to the corresponding bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16 , respectively. Even yet another optional embodiment of the foot plate  14  of the exercise apparatus may comprise: a U-shaped brace  22  attached to the bottom front portion of the foot plate  14 , the U-shaped brace  22  traverses laterally underneath the foot plate  14  and upwardly about the left and right sides of the foot plate  14 ; left and right pivot plates  24  attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the U-shaped brace  22 , respectively; and left and right straps  20  attached at the bottom ends of the left and right straps  20  to the corresponding left and right pivot plates  24 , respectively, wherein the top ends of the left and right straps  20  are attached to the corresponding bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16 , respectively. 
     The means for securing a users foot  28  may comprise any number of different ways of restraining a users foot  28  onto the foot plate  14 . The means for securing is selected from the group consisting of an ankle strap  26 , a shoe and a toe stop. One preferred optional embodiment of the means for securing is an ankle strap  26  attached at the ends of the ankle strap  26  to the left and right rear portions of the foot plate  14 . 
     The tension members  16  of the exercise apparatus  10  may comprise any number of different means of providing a resistive force, such as selected from the group consisting of a spring, a variable resistance spring, an elastic cord, a rubber strap, and a pressure shock. One preferred optional embodiment of the tension members is a rubber strap. Furthermore, the tension members  16  of the exercise apparatus  10  may optionally be removably attachable to the foot plate  14  and to the thigh harness  18 . 
     Referring to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, the new and improved exercise apparatus  10  of the present invention for conditioning and strengthening calve muscles is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, this embodiment of the exercise apparatus  10  is shown having a foot plate  14  attached to the riser extension  12 , in which the riser extension  12  is attached to the bottom rear portion of the foot plate  14 . The means for securing a users foot  28  is an ankle strap  26  attached at the ends of the ankle strap  26  to the left and right rear portions of the foot plate  14 . The foot plate  14  further is shown having a U-shaped brace  22  which traverses laterally underneath the foot plate  14  and upwardly about the left and right sides of the foot plate  14 . The foot plate  14  further is shown having left and right pivot plates  24  pivotally attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the U-shaped brace  22 , respectively. The left and right straps  20  are shown attached at the bottom ends of the left and right straps  20  to the corresponding left and right pivot plates  24 , respectively. Finally, the top ends of the left and right straps  20  are attached to the corresponding bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16 , respectively. The left and right tension members  16  are shown attached at the bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16  to the corresponding left and right front portions of the foot plate  14 , respectively; and a thigh harness  18  attached at the left and right sides of the thigh harness  18  to the corresponding top ends of the left and right tension members  16 , respectively. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, which is a perspective view of one of the optional strap  20  element of the exercise apparatus of the present invention. The optional strap  20  elements may comprise any number of different means for providing a means of achieving a desired tightness between the thigh harness  18  and the foot plate  14 . Such as a buckle with a belt style connector, two straps linkable by press-slides, clips or hooks, or as shown an easily attachable and detachable hook-and-loop material, for example as that known as the trademarked material of VELCRO. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, which is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the tension members of the exercise apparatus  10  of the present invention. The tension members  16  of the exercise apparatus  10  may comprise any number of different means of providing a resistive force, such as selected from the group consisting of a spring, a variable resistance spring, an elastic cord, a rubber strap, and a pressure shock. One preferred optional embodiment of the tension members is a rubber strap as shown in FIG.  4 . Furthermore, the tension members  16  of the exercise apparatus  10  may optionally be removably attachable to the foot plate  14  and to the thigh harness  18 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective side view of another preferred embodiment of the exercise apparatus  10  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. The exercise apparatus  10  comprises a foot plate  14  attached to the riser extension  12 , in which the riser extension  12  is attached to the bottom rear portion of the foot plate  14 . The means for securing a users foot  28  is an ankle strap  26  attached at the ends of the ankle strap  26  to the left and right rear portions of the foot plate  14 . The foot plate  14  further is shown having a U-shaped brace  22  which traverses laterally underneath the foot plate  14  and upwardly about the left and right sides of the foot plate  14 . The foot plate  14  further is shown having left and right pivot plates  24  pivotally attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the U-shaped brace  22 , respectively. The left and right tension members  16  are shown attached at the bottom ends of the left and right tension members  16  to the corresponding left and right pivot plates  24 , respectively. The top ends of the left and right tension members  16  are shown attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the lower thigh harness  18   a . The left and right straps  20  are shown attached at the bottom ends of the left and right straps  20  to the corresponding left and right rear portions of the foot plate  14 , respectively. An upper thigh harness  18   b  is shown attached at the left and right sides of the middle thigh harness  18  to the top ends of the corresponding left and right straps  20 , respectively. The left and right upper support bars  32  are shown attached at the proximate end of the left and right upper support bars  32  to the corresponding left and right sides of the upper thigh harness  18   b , respectively. The middle portions of the left and right upper support bars  32  is shown attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the lower thigh harness  18   a , respectively. The left and right lower support bars  34  are shown pivotally attached at the proximate ends of the left and right support bar to the corresponding distal ends of the left and right upper support bar, respectively. Finally a calve harness  36  is shown attached at the left and right sides of the calve harness  36  to the corresponding distal ends of the left and right lower support bars  34 , respectively. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. The user may sit on a chair  38  while wearing the exercise apparatus  10 , in which rocking up and down the foot plate  14  while simultaneously contacting the bottom of the riser extension  12  to a floor surface  30 . Thereby, conditioning and strengthening the calve muscles of the user. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the exercise apparatus has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.