Patent ID: 12220367

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

General

The present invention will now be described with occasional reference to the specific embodiments of the invention. However, this invention may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and fully convey the invention's scope to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of dimensions such as length, width, height, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties outlined in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values outlined in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. However, any numerical values inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from errors found in their respective measurements.

Figures Detail

FIG.1is an exemplary 3D view of the calf stretching device secured to a person102. The calf stretching device invention may be referenced herein as the calf stretcher101. The calf stretcher101is comprised of a calf brace103, a footrest104, a hinge105, and an extension106. The calf stretcher101may be further comprised of a handle107, a foot strap108, an angle gauge, a calf brace strap109, a safety stop, and other elements. The calf stretcher101may be secured to the calf110and foot111of a patient. The hinge105connects the footrest104to the calf brace103. The hinge105allows the footrest104and the calf brace103to change angles in relation to each other. The calf110and the foot111similarly may change angles in relation to each other. The hinge105allows the calf stretcher101to have a similar change in angle as the calf110and the foot111. When pressure is applied to the end of the extension106distal from the hinge105, the calf stretcher101may apply a force upon a patient's foot111, thereby causing the calf muscle to stretch.

Calf muscles are located at the back of a person's lower leg. The calf muscle is generally below the knee and extends to the ankle. Calf muscles often need to be stretched for various reasons.

The foot strap108may be comprised of multiple straps. The foot strap108may be attached to the footrest104. For example, the figures show that there may be a first foot strap108aand a second foot strap108b. The multiple straps comprising the foot strap108may be referenced herein collectively as the foot strap108. The foot strap108may be attached to the footrest104using a fastener, a hole in the footrest104through which the foot strap108may be looped, or any other variation. Multiple attachment points401may be utilized where the foot strap108may be attached. The foot strap108is not an essential element of the calf stretcher101.

The calf brace strap109may be comprised of multiple straps. The calf brace strap109may be attached to the calf brace103. As shown in the figures there may be a first calf brace strap109aand a second calf brace strap109b. The multiple straps comprising the calf brace strap109may collectively be referenced as the calf brace strap109. The calf brace strap109may be attached to the calf brace103using a fastener, a hole in the calf brace103through which the calf brace strap109may be looped, or any other variation. Multiple attachment points may be utilized where the foot strap108may be attached. The calf brace strap109is not an essential element of the calf stretcher101.

The method invention may be referenced herein as the calf stretching method. The calf stretching method comprises securing the calf stretcher101to a person102and applying pressure to the extension106. In one embodiment, the calf stretching method may be performed by the person to whom the calf stretcher101is secured. When the calf stretching method is performed by the person to whom the calf stretcher101is secured, the method may be referenced as self stretching. After the calf stretcher101is secured to the person, the person may proceed to standing on a surface112. While initially standing, the angle between the calf110and the foot111will roughly be 90 degrees. The person may then begin leaning forward such that the angle becomes more acute and less than 90 degrees. As the person is leaning forward, pressure is applying from the surface to the extension106. The amount of leaning may determine the amount of pressure applied to the extension106. The person may continue holding position such that pressure is continually applying such to cause continued stretching of the calf muscle.

The calf stretching method may further comprise of measuring the stretch, reclining the patient on a horizontal surface, and holding the stretch. Different amounts of pressure may determine the extent of the stretch.

FIG.2is an exemplary 3D view of a calf stretcher101device secured to a person102and a therapist202performing the calf stretching method. The person102when the calf stretching method is being performed by a therapist202may be considered the patient201. A therapist202may be a health specialist known as a physical therapist. A physical therapist often assists in maintaining and managing the musculoskeletal system. For example, a patient who suffered an injury to their calf or leg may seek assistance from a therapist202. The patient may have a health condition that requires their calf to be stretched. Further, the patient may be physically incapable of performing the calf stretching method by self stretching. In such a situation, the patient may be required to be assisted by a therapist202to perform the calf stretching method using the calf stretcher101.

When performed by a therapist, the calf stretching method comprises securing the calf stretcher101to the patient201and applying pressure to the extension106. The calf stretching method may further comprise reclining the patient, measuring the stretch, and holding the stretch.

The calf stretcher101may be secured to the patient201using straps, clamps, interference fit, or other such methods. The figures show that the calf brace103may be secured to the calf110using at least one calf brace strap109. Likewise, the footrest104may be secured to the foot111using at least one foot strap108.

The therapist202may begin applying pressure to the extension106to cause the patient's calf muscle to stretch. In one embodiment, one of the patient's calf muscles is stretched at a time. Alternatively, the calf stretcher101may be configured to stretch both of a patient's calf muscles simultaneously. In such embodiment, both the calves and feet must be secured to the calf stretcher101.

Reclining a patient201is the act of causing a patient201move to a position that is less than a vertical standing position relative to the surface prior to applying pressure. For example, inFIG.2the patient201is reclining on a table203. In this example, the patient201is reclining horizontally relative to the surface of the floor. Reclining horizontally allows for the therapist202to apply pressure on the extension106while adjacent to the patient201. Alternatively, the patient201may be reclined in a chair wherein the patient201is not fully horizontal with the floor surface.

As pressure is applying to the extension106the relative angle between the footrest104and the calf brace103decreases and becomes more acute. As the relative angle decreases the calf muscle is caused to be stretched. The manner in which the relative angle may be undergo measuring is described in more detail with the description ofFIG.4.

Holding pressure on the extension106is the act of continually applying pressure on the extension106. Holding a stretch is a common practice to ensure the proper stretching of a particular muscle. In this case, holding the stretch on a calf muscle may be a practice desired or recommended for a person102or patient201. For example, a therapist may recommend holding a stretch for a period of time. Some recommend holding a stretch of 30 seconds and some say 60 seconds or even more. This recommendation is based on the particular person102or patient201undergoing the calf muscle stretching.

A therapist may use professional judgment to determine the pressure applied to the extension. Different amounts of pressure may determine the extent of the stretch.

Physical therapy is a health activity wherein a physical therapist202often assists a patient to stretch a calf muscle. A therapist202and a patient201are people with a range in size and strength. When a patient201is a large person and the therapist202is a small person, the therapist202may struggle to stretch a patient's calf muscle fully. A large patient may correspondingly have larger calf muscles than a small patient with small muscles. A patient201with large muscles may require more strength of the therapist202to perform a stretch properly. The calf stretcher101allows for a small therapist to stretch a large patient's calf muscles.

A calf muscle may be very tight and therefore difficult to stretch. The extension106allows for a patient201and a therapist202to utilize leverage to increase the moment at the hinge105. A moment may also be called torque. When force is applied to the extension106in a direction toward the footrest104that is relatively perpendicular to the bottom of a footrest surface302, a moment is created at the hinge105. A foot111that is secured to the footrest104is forced to bend relative to the calf110at the ankle when a moment is present. This bending causes the calf muscle to stretch. When the calf muscle is tight and therefore difficult to stretch, the leverage which can be utilized by use of the extension allows for less force required to create the needed moment to cause the calf to stretch. The longer the extension106, the more leverage is provided. The more leverage provided, the less force perpendicular to the footrest surface302is required to cause the calf muscle to stretch.FIG.3is an exemplary 3D view of a calf stretcher101from a first perspective. The calf stretcher101is comprised of a calf brace103, a footrest104, a hinge105, and an extension106. In addition, the calf stretcher101may be further comprised of a handle107, a foot strap108, an angle gauge, a calf brace strap109, a safety stop, and other elements.

The calf brace103is connected to the footrest104by a hinge105. The calf brace103and the footrest104may rotate relative to each other along the axis of the hinge105. The calf brace103may be shaped to conform to the calf110of a person102ergonomically. The calf110as referenced herein is generally understood to be the leg portion that extends from a person's knee to the person's ankle. The ankle is the joint where the foot111and the calf110meet. Therefore, the ankle is where the calf110and the foot111may bend in relation to each other.

A calf brace103may be secured to the back of a person's calf110. The calf brace103does not need to extend the entire length of the calf110. For example, the calf brace103does not need to extend the entire distance from the ankle to the knee. The calf brace103may extend from the hinge105to two-thirds of the distance to the knee. The calf brace103may be of any length capable of securing a person's calf110. To secure the calf brace103to the calf110, at least one calf brace strap109may be used. A calf110may be secured in the calf brace103such that the calf110is aligned with the back face301of the calf brace103. The back of the calf110represents the surface of the calf at the rear of the person102.

A footrest104may be secured to the foot111of a person102. To secure the footrest104to a foot111, the bottom of the foot111must be placed on the footrest surface302. When the foot111and the calf110is secured in the calf stretcher101as described, the hinge105and the ankle are positioned relative to each other such that the foot111and the footrest104may rotate in relation to the calf brace103and the calf110with a similar pivot location. The pivot location is understood to be the location where the calf110and foot111bend at the ankle and the footrest104and calf brace103bend at the hinge105. As the calf110and the foot111bend relative to each other, the calf110may be stretched. When the calf110and foot111is secured to the calf stretcher101, force applied to the extension106causes the calf110and the foot111to bend relative to each other thereby causing the calf110to stretch.

The hinge105may be manufactured and configured in many different embodiments. An exemplary embodiment of the hinge105is one as shown in the figures. In the figures, the hinge105is comprised of two connections between the footrest104and the calf brace103on opposite sides of where the ankle would be positioned when the calf stretcher101is secured to a person102. The hinge105may be configured alternatively. For example, the calf brace103and the footrest104may be molded such that the two pieces hingedly interlock. This may be considered a molded interlock. Alternatively, a rivet or other fastener may hingedly connect the footrest104and calf brace103.

The extension106may be connected to the footrest104. The extension106and the footrest104may be manufactured as on solid objects or may comprise multiple pieces. For example, the footrest104and extension106may be manufactured as separate objects and be connected together. For example, the extension106may be glued or fastened to the footrest104. The extension106may be manufactured from multiple material types and multiple pieces. For example, the extension106may comprise a metal rod embedded in a second material such as a plastic. The metal rod may provide for additional structural strength.

The handle107may be connected to the extension106to provide a spot upon which a therapist202or other person may apply pressure to stretch a calf110. The handle107may be generally perpendicular to the extension106as shown in the figures, or may be configured at any other orientation relative to the extension106. The handle107may be manufactured from a material different than the extension106. For example, the handle107may have a grip tape material coating.

The calf stretcher101may be manufactured in a variety of sizes. For example, the calf stretcher101may be manufactured to work with adolescents, children, large adults, small adults, or any other size. Different people have different width feet and calves which may require various sized footrests.

FIG.4is an exemplary 3D view of the calf stretcher101from a second perspective. In the shown embodiment, the calf stretcher101is further comprised of an angle gauge402. The angle gauge402may be configured for measuring the relative angle between the calf brace103and the footrest104, thereby also showing the relative angle between the calf110and the foot111. The angle between the calf brace103and the footrest104may be referenced as the relative angle to each other. One embodiment of the angle gauge402is such that 0-degrees on the angle gauge402represents a 90-degree relative angle between the calf brace103and the footrest104. The angle gauge402may be useful to a therapist202or the person102secured to the calf stretcher101in determining the amount of stretch. An exemplary embodiment of the angle gauge402may comprise a marker403fixed on the calf brace103and a degree diagram404fixed on the footrest104. The degree diagram404displays the relative angle. As the angle between the calf brace103and the footrest104changes, the marker403indicates a changing relative angle measurement on the degree diagram404.

FIG.5is an exemplary 3D view of the calf stretcher101from a third perspective. As shown in the figure a round shaped handle107may be utilized.

FIG.6is an exemplary 3D view of the calf stretcher101from a fourth perspective showing a hard stop strap601. The hard stop strap601may be attached to the calf brace103and the footrest104. The hard stop strap601may be a material which is strong in tension and weak in compression. Strong in tension limits the amount of rotation in one direction whereas weak in compression allows rotation in the other direction. When the hard stop strap601is attached, the amount of rotation which the calf brace103and the footrest104may bend relative to each other is limited. The footrest104and calf brace103may be limited in bend when the hard stop strap601is attached. The bend may also be measured as the relative angle. The hard stop strap601may be attached to the calf brace103at a connection point602. The level of limitation may be adjusted by attaching the hard stop strap601at different connection points. The hard stop strap601provides a limit to the bend between the footrest104and the calf brace103. The hard stop strap601may comprise of adjustable multiple connection points. As an example, the connection point may include a first connection point602c, a second connection point602f, a third connection point602a, a fourth connection point602b, a fifth connection point602d, a sixth connection point602e, and additional connection points.

The calf stretcher101may also be configured with a safety stop. The safety stop may be a feature, such as a protruding notch or key, on either or both of the calf brace103and the footrest104, limiting the bend between the two.

FIG.7is an exemplary 3D view of the calf stretcher101with an angle plate701. The angle plate701is installed on the footrest surface302. The foot111of a person102may be secured to the footrest104such that the bottom of the person's foot111is placed on the angle plate701. The angle plate701provides for an inclined surface702under the person's foot111. The inclined surface702allows for uneven pressure upon the bottom of the foot111while the calf stretcher101is being used to stretch the calf muscle. The uneven pressure may cause increased inversion or eversion on the foot111while stretching the calf muscle with the calf stretcher101.

The calf stretcher101may have an inward side703and an outward side704. The calf stretcher101may be symmetrical in shape or may be formed to the natural shape of a foot111. The inward side703represents the side of the footrest104which is adjacent to the instep of the foot111when the foot is placed on the footrest104. The instep is opposite of the outstep. The outward side704represents the side of the footrest104which is adjacent to the outstep of the foot111when the foot is placed on the footrest104. The outstep is the side of the foot111with the cuboid bone. The angle plate701may be configured such that the inclined surface702is sloped upward from the inward side703up to the outward side704, or it may be configured to slope upward from the outward side704to the inward side703. The inclined surface702may be configured as desired by a person102or therapist to achieve the desired result.

An inversion is the inward tilt of the foot111such that the inclined surface702is sloped up from the outward side704to the inward side703. An eversion is an outward tilt of the foot111such that the inclined surface702is sloped up from the inward side703to the outward side704. Installing an angle plate701may be useful for stretching specific parts of the calf110, may be useful for causing the foot111to adjust, or for other purposes. Different individuals have different levels of inversion or eversion and an angle plate701may be necessary to properly fit the calf stretcher101to a particular person102. The angle plate701may be installed on the footrest surface302prior to securing a person's foot111to the calf stretcher101.

The footrest104may have a front705and a back706. The front705is aligned with the location where toes on a foot111will be located when the foot111is secured to the footrest104. The back706is aligned with the location where heel on a foot111will be located when the foot111is secured to the footrest104. The angle plate701may be configured with an inclined surface702that is sloped up from the front705to the back706or from the back706to the front705. The angle plate701may comprise of both a slope between the inward side703and the outward side704as well as a slope between the front705and the back706. Alternatively, the angle plate701may be configured with only one slope.

FIG.8is an exemplary 3D view of an angle plate701with a 5-degree inclined surface702. The angle plate701may be configured in any shape that allows for the angle plate701to be installed on the footrest surface302.

FIG.9is an exemplary 3D view of an angle plate701with a 10-degree inclined surface702. An angle plate701with a greater slope represents a greater inversion or eversion.

FIG.10is an exemplary 3D view of an angle plate701with a 15-degree inclined surface702.

FIG.11is an exemplary 3D view of an angle plate701with a 20-degree inclined surface702.

Explanation of Exemplary Language

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the general inventive concepts are described and illustrated herein in the context of various exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof.

Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the general inventive concepts. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions (such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on) may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the general inventive concepts even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts, or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to including all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.