Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The following disclosure generally relates to stationary exercise cycles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Rehabilitation is a broad medical field that generally aims to help patients restore body functions and regain quality of life lost due to a medical condition, trauma, or injury. Physical rehabilitation treatments include massage, electrotherapy, manual exercises, and fitness balls, among others common in the art. Of particular importance is the stationary exercise bicycle, which serves as an excellent way to introduce varying resistance while providing cardiovascular training. The resistance allows for muscles to grow and strengthen through intermittent sessions on the bicycle. 
         [0003]    Commonly, in a rehabilitation setting, only one of the patient&#39;s legs has been injured. After being crutched or splinted for weeks or sometimes months the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the injured leg are usually significantly weaker than the non-injured leg. If left untreated this can result in additional adverse medical consequences such as instability in the joint. 
         [0004]    Though less common some athletes such as gymnasts or track and field athletes worry about having legs of differing strength. Cartwheels or high jumps are usually done with the stronger leg leading. Athletes with legs of equal strength are more versatile as they can lead with either leg. 
         [0005]    To strengthen the legs or restore the muscle and support tissues of the leg, those in the art use a stationary bike. However, a standard stationary bike requires the use of both legs, the weak and the strong. 
         [0006]    Thus, in the field of rehabilitation and exercise there exists a need for a stationary cycle that can be comfortably operated with only one leg. This would allow the previously injured leg to be exercised while the healthy leg remains at rest. Thus, the previously injured leg can be returned to parity with the healthy leg. A naturally weaker leg could also be given extra workouts and special attention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention allows a stationary bicycle to be operated comfortably with one foot by providing a location for the non-active foot to rest. An expandable foundation assures that the universal footrest can be attached to a variety of stationary bicycles and placed on either side of the bicycle. A footrest attached to an expandable joint allows the resting foot to be placed at a level comfortable for the user 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the universal footrest. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  shows an, isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the universal footrest installed on the left side of a standard stationary bicycle. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2B-2C  shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the universal footrest installed on the right side of a standard stationary bicycle. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative embodiment, whereby the foundation is variable using two variable expandable joints. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment where the universal footrest is an integral part of the foundation of the stationary bicycle. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A-5D  shows the universal footrest in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally 
         [0015]    The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components. 
         [0016]    Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). 
         [0017]    The term at “least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)—(a second number),” this means a range whose limits include those numbers. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm and upper limit is 100 mm 
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0018]    Footrest or “Universal Footrest”: A generic term describing the combined elements that comprise the foundation, platform support, platform, and other parts, such as connectors. 
         [0019]    Foundation: A generally horizontal base structure that is attached to a stationary cycle, and is the attachment point for one or more platforms or platform supports. 
         [0020]    Horizontal support: A generally horizontal part of a stationary cycle that makes contact with the ground and provides lateral support. Stationary cycles usually have two, often a metal support located in the front and back of the cycle. 
         [0021]    Stationary cycle: A common piece of exercise or rehabilitation equipment that is used by placing feet on resistive movable pedals. 
         [0022]    Platform Support: A generally vertical structure that supports one or more platforms. 
         [0023]    Platform: A generally horizontal structure that supports one foot of a user. 
         [0024]    Expandable Member: A connection within or between sections of a platform support that can be increased or decreased in size thus increasing or decreasing the size of the platform support. 
         [0025]    Expandable Joint: A connection within or between sections of a foundation that can be increased or decreased in size thus increasing or decreasing the size of the foundation. 
       General Description: 
       [0026]    In the embodiment, the Universal Footrest (“footrest”) is an attachment to a wide variety of existing stationary cycles. The footrest comprises at least 3 major elements: the foundation, the platform support, and the platform. The foundation is connected to the horizontal stabilizers of the stationary cycle below and to the outside of the pedals, and the platform support and platform are attached to the foundation in such configuration that a person on the stationary cycle may be able to comfortably rest their foot on the platform without interfering with the normal operation of the cycle. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Attachment to Stationary Cycle: 
       [0027]    The foundation may be attached to the horizontal supports of a stationary cycle by connectors on both ends. As shown in  FIG. 1  these connectors  1  could be curved in nature with bolts  2  fastening the footrest to the cycle. Other options are of course possible such as c clamps, screws, bolts, or any other method that provides stability including permanent attachment such as welding or riveting. These connectors could even be non-permanently attached to the forward and/or rear foundation and may be replaced with customized connectors to fit the specific stationary cycle. The foundation  3  is an elongated structure the length of a common exercise cycle. 
       Foundation Configuration: 
       [0028]    The foundation may be made up entirely or in part of any of the following: rubber, carbon fiber, plastic polymer, aluminum, titanium, steel, metal alloy, or other common structural materials common in the art. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the foundation  3  is comprised of two major components the forward foundation  4  and the rear foundation  5 . The forward and rear foundation connect by an expandable joint,  6  such as a larger joint end  7  that surrounds a smaller joint end  8 . The overall length of the foundation, in this way, may be modulated by the user. Both the larger  7  and smaller  8  joint ends would be perforated  9  along one axis, which would allow the tubes to be anchored to one another by a pin  10  inserted into both tubes through an aligned set of perforations. The pin should be sized similarly to the perforations to allow removal when force perpendicular to the platform support is applied but prevent vertical movement of the platform support during operation of the stationary cycle. The pin should be sized similarly to the perforations to allow removal when force perpendicular to the platform support is applied but prevent vertical movement of the platform support during operation of the stationary cycle. By moving the tubes relative to each other the length of the foundation can be modulated. Other anchoring mechanisms are also possible, including bolts, screws, pins, notches, grooves, friction-fit, and permanent attachments such as welding, gluing, compression or a permanent weld, among other common methods in the art. Other expandable joining mechanisms are also possible, such as an angled joint or a telescoping joint. The forward and rear foundation may be significantly the same size or they may be significantly different sizes. In this embodiment, the platform support attachment point  11  may be on either the forward or the rear foundation. 
       Platform Support: 
       [0030]    The platform support  12  may be made up entirely or in part of any of the following: rubber, carbon fiber, plastic polymer, aluminum, titanium, steel, metal alloy, or other common structural materials common in the art. 
         [0031]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of platform supports attach at one end to the foundation and the other to the platform. As few as one platform support is of course possible and more platform supports than shown in  FIG. 1  could be added. These connections may be permanently attached through material joining methods such as welding or gluing, or they may be impermanent, such as by placing the platform support in a hole in the foundation, supported by pins, joints or other methods common in the art. In the embodiment shown, the platform is extendable and is made up of one or more elements that provide such extension, including an expandable joint,  13  which may be created by having a larger joint end  14  surround a smaller joint end  15 . The length of the platform support in this way, may be modulated by the user. The larger and smaller joint ends would be perforated  16  along one axis, which would allow the tubes to be anchored to one another by a pin  17  inserted into both tubes through an aligned set of perforations. The pin should be sized similarly to the perforations to allow removal when force perpendicular to the platform support is applied but prevent vertical movement of the platform support during operation of the stationary cycle. By moving the tubes relative to each other the length of the platform support can be modulated. Other anchoring mechanisms are also possible, including compression or a permanent weld. Other expandable joining mechanisms are also possible, such as an angled joint or a telescoping joint. 
         [0032]    The platform  18  may be made up entirely or in part of any of the following: rubber, carbon fiber, plastic polymer, aluminum, titanium, steel, metal alloy, or other common structural materials common in the art. In the embodiment, the platform is shaped to adequately hold a human foot, and thus may take the shape of a rectangle, an elongated oval, a “footprint,” or any other shape that would be adequate to support a human foot. 
         [0033]    In an embodiment of the platform the edge of the platform may be raised such that it would guard against a user&#39;s foot slipping off of a flush edge. 
         [0000]    Other Embodiments: In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  the foundation is composed of three major components the forward foundation  4 , the rear foundation  5 , and the middle foundation  19 . The platform support  12  and the platform  18  is shown attached to the middle foundation but it could just as easily be attached to the front  4  or the rear  5  foundation. 
         [0034]    The forward  4  and rear  5  foundation connect to the middle  19  by an expandable joint,  6  such as a larger joint end  14  that surrounds a smaller joint end  15 . The overall length of the foundation, in this way, may be modulated by the user. Both the larger and smaller joint ends would be perforated along one axis, which would allow the tubes to be anchored to one another by a pin  17  inserted into both ends through an aligned set of perforations. Other anchoring mechanisms are also possible, including bolts, screws, pins, notches, grooves, friction-fit, and permanent attachments such as welding, gluing, compression or a permanent weld, among other common methods in the art. Other expandable joining mechanisms are also possible, such as an angled joint or a telescoping joint. The forward and rear foundation may be significantly the same size or they may be significantly different sizes. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, the platform support is detachable from the cycle and stored either on the cycle or separately. The foundation contains attachment points in the same place as described above, but the middle supports may not be present. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, the platform support is an attachment to an existing exercise cycle, using clips, u-locks, or other methods to connect to the various types of exercise cycles. The attachment point in this embodiment is the frame of the cycle, the seat post, or any other part of the cycle that is fixed, stable, and suitable for attachment. The platform support in this embodiment is curved, bent, or jointed to allow connection to any part of the cycle. In a similar embodiment, the platform support is attached to the cycle at two or more points, including the frame, seat post, or any other part of the cycle that is fixed, stable, and suitable for attachment. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, the platform support is a replacement part for an existing exercise cycle, using an attachment method that mimics the original part. This embodiment may be a replacement seat or seat post, replacement base, replacement pedal assembly, or any other part that may be user-reassembled to provide the original functionality as well as the Leg Support functionality. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the exercise cycle pedal or crank assembly is detachable or foldable, permitting the platform support and platform to be positioned inward of the unused leg pedal. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 1 and 3  show a preferred embodiment where the platform is allowed to swivel at each of the four platform support attachment points  11 . Note that each of the four platform supports  12  are able to be raised or lowered by a locking means and adjusted for height independent of each other. The mechanism by which the platform support legs control height may be any of the following: hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, or mechanically retched or any other method common in the art. Also shown in  FIG. 1  is that at the point where each of the four platform support legs are attached to the foundation there is an attachment which may be permanent or nonpermanent (as shown) to allow for more adjustability. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2A-2C  shows a preferred embodiment  20  positioned about a standard upright stationary bicycle  21  shown in dotted outline. The preferred embodiment of the universal footrest is colored in solid to highlight the location, size and configuration relative to the stationary bicycle. Note that the universal footrest may be positioned on either the left or the right side of the stationary bicycle. In  FIG. 2A  the preferred embodiment is positioned on the left side of the stationary bicycle, while in  2 B and C it is positioned on the right. 
         [0041]    In an alternative embodiment only the larger joint end  7  is perforated such that a pin  10  can be inserted. The friction between the pin and the smaller joint end keeping the smaller joint end in place. The smaller joint end  14  of the platform support  12  could be designed in a similar manner. 
       Permanently Affixed to a Stationary Cycle, “Built-In,” or Augmenting the Base of the Existing Stationary Cycle: 
       [0042]    In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4 , the foundation  3  forms the base structure of the cycle, and is approximately rectangular in shape, covering the footprint of a common stationary bicycle  21  in length and wider than the base of a typical stationary bicycle. The foundation  3  may need to provide added lateral stability in order to assure the stationary bicycle will not topple through use of the device. The foundation  3  may be polygonal, circular, elliptical, or oval in shape, in order to provide sufficient increased lateral stability beyond that of the common stationary bicycle. The foundation  3  may be constructed entirely or in part of any of the following: rubber, carbon fiber, plastic polymer, aluminum, titanium, steel, metal alloy, or other common structural materials common in the art. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the foundation components are square in one embodiment to provide maximum resistance to torsion or rotational movement about its axis. However, other geometrical cross-sections; such as circular, elliptical, semi-circular, oval, polygonal, or partial polygonal; may be used throughout the foundation. 
         [0043]    The front  22  of the foundation  3  is integrated with the front bicycle support  23  of the stationary bicycle  21 . In one embodiment the foundation  3  is welded or otherwise permanently attached to the front bicycle support  23  but other means of attachment such as bolts, screws, pins, notches, grooves and friction-fit among other common methods in the art may be used to join the front bicycle support  23  to the foundation front  22 . The length of the foundation front  22  may vary, and may even be separated into one or more parts while being permanently joined with the front bicycle support  23 . The final structure after joining, however, is an integrated single-piece foundation front  22 . 
         [0044]    The foundation front  22  is preferably permanently integrated by means of welding, bolting, screwing, riveting, pinning or any other common method of permanently joining metallic pieces to two approximately perpendicular foundation sides  23 . These foundation sides are on the same horizontal plane as foundation front  22  and are single piece materials which share the same material properties and ability to be made of many other materials. The two foundation sides  23  are connected by a foundation rear  24  which is integrally connected to both foundation sides  23 . The foundation rear  24  is connected to a rear bicycle support  25  in a similar fashion as the foundation front  22  is connected to the front bicycle support. 
         [0045]    The foundation sides  23  are supported in the middle of the foundation  3  by preferably two but at least one foundation middle support  26 . The foundation middle supports  26  are generally perpendicularly, permanently and integrally connected to foundation sides  23  using the attachment means as shown above for connections such as foundation front  22  to foundation sides  23 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, foundation middle supports  26  are generally evenly spaced between the foundation front and foundation rear. In other embodiments, the middle supports  26  could be unevenly spaced, joined or attached at the foundation sides  23  by non-permanent means such as a slide or ratchet. The width of the foundation&#39;s sides should preferably be as wide as or wider than the stationary bike&#39;s pedal width. 
         [0046]    One or more generally vertical platform supports  12  are preferably permanently attached to one or more foundation sides  23 . In an embodiment, the platform supports  12  extend upwardly from the foundation side  23  to support one or more platforms  18 . An embodiment of the device shows two platform supports  12  which are used to support one fixed platform  18 . In other embodiments, as few as one platform support may be used, as long as multi-directional forces and moments can be supported by the platform support without excessive platform movement. 
         [0047]    The platform supports  12  are constructed of a similar material as the foundation  3  and may also be constructed of the aforementioned varying materials and cross-sectional shapes as discussed above in other possible embodiments for the foundation  3 . The one or more platforms  18  are preferably permanently and integrally attached to one or more platform supports  12 . The platform  18  is made to receive a user&#39;s foot or shoe. The platform  18  is generally hourglass shaped where the platform  18  is wider at the front and rear than in the middle. The platform  18  is preferably made of flexible material such as rubber or plastic but could be made of aluminum, steel, titanium or any other material common in the art. The height of the platform  18  is set by the height of the platform supports  12 . 
       Method of Use: 
       [0048]    The method of practicing the device is shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C . First as shown in  FIG. 5A , the user positions the platform  18  and the platform supports  12  in a position comfortable for use. Then, as shown in  FIGS. 5B-5C  the user positions themselves as they normally would on a stationary bicycle and then cantilevers their leg over the unused pedal  23  and puts one of their feet onto the platform  18 . The platform is to the side and at or near the same height as the top of the unused pedal  23  so that when the user pedals the stationary bicycle with the other foot, as shown in  FIG. 5C  the stationary bicycle&#39;s unused pedal  23  does not come into contact with either the platform or the user&#39;s leg.

Technology Category: 1