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Ankle resistance bandsAnkle resistance bands description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070287615, Ankle resistance bands. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates generally to an exercise device and more specifically it relates to an ankle resistance band for strengthening the muscles of the lower leg and ankle. These muscles, of which there are ten, originate in the lower leg, pass the ankle joint by means of tendons and connect to bones within the foot. They are responsible for the "take off" in each step. By strengthening these muscles users will enjoy increased athletic performance and reduced chance of injury. The ankle joint itself is extremely strong yet very unstable. It is for this reason that most ankle sprains occur. By strengthening the involved muscles, one significantly reduces the possibility of ankle sprain and fracture. This invention also has rehabilitation features that can aid in the recovery from a broken or sprained ankle. It will facilitate a progressive rehabilitation through a gradual strengthening program, by the use of progressively stronger bands to resist the exercise motives. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART [0002]It can be appreciated that exercise devices for the legs have been in use for years. Typically, these exercise devices are comprised of ankle weights, resistance bands, or exercise machines. The main problem with most conventional exercise devices is that they exercise the legs but do little to resist the muscles of the ankle. Ankle weights, for example, primarily exercise the muscles of the leg. Resistance bands are offered in a variety of configurations including ones that connect between the ankles. However these are designed to target muscles other than those of the lower leg and ankle. [0003]The remaining existing exercise devices that do exercise the muscles of the ankle cannot be practically used during running, walking, or other common forms of exercise. Many of these devices prevent the user from wearing an athletic shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,722 describes such a device that requires an elastic sock to be worn without a shoe. The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,161 comprises a nylon strap that encircles the wearer's shoe beneath the ball of the foot and attaches to a surgical hose that in turn attaches to a rigid member just below the knee. Since the strap runs under the sole of the shoe, it would directly contact the surface of the floor if it were to be used while running or walking. This has the disadvantage of interfering with the grip and cushioning provided by the sole of the shoe and would therefore cause discomfort for the wearer. The strap also has the disadvantage of being subject to excessive wear as it contacts the floor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,499 describes a device that comprises a sling that is worn around the user's toe. [0004]Another problem with conventional exercise devices is that they require additional exercises to be added to one's routine just to exercise the ankle. For example, in order for the user to benefit from the ankle exercise devices mentioned above they need to perform the specific exercises intended. While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for strengthening the muscles of the lower leg and ankle while running, walking, or engaging in many common forms of exercise. [0005]In these respects, the ankle resistance band according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of strengthening the muscles of the lower leg and ankle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new ankle resistance band that has many of the advantages of the exercise devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new ankle resistance band which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art exercise devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. [0007]To attain this, the present invention generally comprises an elastic cord having a first end and a second end, an ankle cuff attached to the first end of the cord, and a shoelace hook attached to the second end of the cord. The elastic cord is a stretchable tubing having a first end and a second end. The ankle cuff is an adjustable holding strap that can be adjustably fitted above the ankle of the foot which is being exercised. The shoelace hook is a curved rigid member having one or more thin prongs that can be hooked to the shoelace of an athletic shoe. [0008]There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter. [0009]In this respect, before explaining at least one 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 the description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0010]A primary object of the present invention is to provide an ankle resistance band that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. [0011]An object of the present invention is to provide an ankle resistance band for strengthening the muscles of the lower leg and ankle. By strengthening these muscles, users will enjoy increased athletic performance and reduced chance of injury. In accordance with this invention, this objective is achieved by attaching an ankle cuff to the lower leg, attaching an elastic cord to the cuff and attaching the opposite end of the cord to an athletic shoe worn on the foot of the same leg via a shoelace hook. The elastic cord, which is available in various elasticity strengths, provides the resistance to the foot motions, and thus provides an inexpensive and self-contained mechanism for exercising and strengthening the ankle. [0012]Another object is to provide an ankle resistance band that enables the user to strengthen their ankle and foot muscles while walking, running, or performing other common exercises. This invention is free of any bulky or heavy members and does not interfere with the wearing of athletic shoes. This allows the user to achieve the benefits of the added resistance provided by this invention without altering their current exercise regimen. [0013]Another object is to provide an ankle resistance band that enables the user to increase their heart rate and calories burned during normal exercise by providing additional muscular resistance. The additional resistance requires that additional work be performed by the user's body, thereby burning more calories and increasing the heart rate. [0014]Another object of the invention is to provide an ankle resistance band that will help to rehabilitate an injured ankle by the use of progressively stronger bands as part of a gradual strengthening program. [0015]Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. [0016]To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017]Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: [0018]FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention. [0019]FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention. [0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention. Continue reading about Ankle resistance bands... Full patent description for Ankle resistance bands Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Ankle resistance bands patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090280969 - Tension line exercise apparatus and method of exercising using a tension line exercise apparatus - An exercise apparatus including an elbow attachment device configured for attachment to an elbow of a user is provided. A tensioning device is configured for connection to the elbow attachment device and configured for connection to a torso of the user. The present invention also provides a method for exercising. ... 20090280969 - Tension line exercise apparatus and method of exercising using a tension line exercise apparatus - An exercise apparatus including an elbow attachment device configured for attachment to an elbow of a user is provided. A tensioning device is configured for connection to the elbow attachment device and configured for connection to a torso of the user. The present invention also provides a method for exercising. ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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