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Heel cradle exercise device and footrestRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Weight Resistance, Including Stationary Support For WeightHeel cradle exercise device and footrest description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070072749, Heel cradle exercise device and footrest. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to exercise equipment and more particularly, the passive exercise equipment utilized for the lower extremities and pelvic area Foot cradle--heel cradle exercise devices have been in use for many years. Unfortunately, past foot cradle exercise devices such as the type exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos.; 5,554,090; 5,087,036; 5,343,856; 4,561,649; 4,538,595; 5,165,363; 5,498,222; 5,411,456, and 6,077,203, have many problems associated therewith in either their ability to easily be used or in the lack of ability to strengthen the muscles of the buttocks and lower limbs effectively. Also those prior patents lack the ability to enhance and simulate pelvic mobility. [0002] It is an accepted standard that functional mobility is dependent entirely on R.O.M. or range of motion or even more specifically, the limitations of R.O.M. With respect to pelvic mobility, full range-of-motion devices are usually neither portable nor inexpensive nor easy to facilitate. [0003] Those experienced in the fields of body movement and mobility, dance, therapy and exercise modalities understand fully the importance of pelvic mobility and core or trunk strengths. One's biomechanical life is based on the functional mobility of ones hips or pelvis. [0004] It is well understood that prolonged periods of sitting will inhibit pelvic mobility. Even minimal periods of sitting can prove detrimental and impede one's functional mobility. [0005] The action or more specifically inaction of sitting presents a number of distinct problems: First and most obvious is that one's posterior becomes attached to the seat pan. The force of gravity acting on the individual, forces the buttocks or gluteus maximus to become virtually attached to the seat pan or fixated to the chair. All movement of the pelvic area is now compromised. Whether vertical or lateral the trunk of the body remains motionless. [0006] A second problem which exists with sitting but is less evident is the fact that as one tries to adjust or reorient ones hips, from time to time, those efforts are futile. (This activity is the result of a subtle system movement, called micro-movements which happen automatically and are actually the body's inherent movement system. The body adjusts from time from time to compensate for inactivity.) The reason those efforts are futile is because the surface of the floor or ground is flat. As one tries to engage the ground those efforts are compromised, since there is no means of leverage or fulcrum available to reciprocate those forces applied by the lower limbs. [0007] Foot cradle apparatus in the past designed to act as a fulcrum mechanism had limited effects. The affects of those earlier foot cradle apparatus such as those demonstrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,456 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,203 of this inventor were limited to muscular activities in the lower portion of the lower limb and very little resulting force and mobility being transferred on to the hip-pelvic region. [0008] Looking at the anatomic structure of the foot, we find a simple cause and effect relationship inherent to the heel or calcaneus bone (divine design). The size and density of this bone suggest durability and excessive capacity. It is therefore a simple logical deduction, such that it is clear that this bone must be able to endure excessive loads without breakdown. [0009] A further observation to the foot's anatomy demonstrates a mechanical structure which serves an invaluable function with regards to walking and stepping. However it fails miserably to connect the linear kinetic chain of forces to and through the ground, when seated via the lower limb. That structure is the ankle. Its vast rotational ability actually interferes with the direct application of forces onto the ground. In fact, further analysis will demonstrate that as forces applied to this structure, when seated or when attempting a pelvic lift floor exercise, when lying on the ground. It actually will cause muscular tension in the lower limbs with translation to the lower back. [0010] A descriptive representation of the application of forces along a linear path can be found in the actions of a pole vaulter. Simply put pole vaulting involves two mechanical structures, one the pole and two the pole vault box. The geometry of the box is slightly more complex. Its funnel shape assures that pole will be directed exactly onto the internal apex of the box. It is also positioned such that it will remain completely immobile upon impact. The pole is a simple linear structure, of course, with great resilience to absorb the force. Combined, these geometrical structures give the vaulter the confidence that a failure will not occur. [0011] If we were to represent the pole as our lower limb, then we must then represent a pivot joint some distance from the end of the pole to represent the ankle. What confidence might the pole vaulter enjoy now, knowing that at the point of impact his linear force will be converted into rotational force instantaneously? [0012] This means that as we apply linear force the ankle joint. It then travels in more than one direction, resulting in rotational movement. [0013] A further analogy as mentioned above demonstrates that a muscular tension results in an effort to restrict rotational movement. An example to illustrate this, is in fact muscular tension, can be found by an individual attempting to cut an object with a saw. The geometry of the object dictates the function of the saw and the function of the person cutting the object. [0014] One would only have to ask, is it easier to cut a flat object of wood, steel etc. or a round cylindrical object say a pipe or rod. Clearly it is easier to cut the flat object, since that object is not subjected to rolling. In fact, the individual must hold the round or cylindrical object fixed or fixated in an effort to restrict rotational movement. As soon as that action takes place, muscular tension occurs. Master plumbers are all too well adept at this skill. [0015] Therefore it is simple, the more load applied to the foot by the lower limb when seated or as an individual attempts to do a pelvic lift floor exercise, rotational force takes place through the ankle. Then the individual must fix or fixated the lower limbs and the lower back to restrict the rotation. [0016] Another simple rule applies, where there is a possibility of rotational force, which results in muscular tension, the individual will be less likely to administer that movement. Just as the pole vault won't ever utilize a pole with a pivot joint some distance from the end of the pole. [0017] Having established that the ankle joint is the weak link in the linear chain of forces of the lower lamb, efforts must be undertaken to bypass or fix the problem to give the individual the capability to generate enough force to lift one's pelvic area. To eliminate this weak link means to splint or fixate the ankle joint. Further review of the anatomy of the foot illustrates that a function occurs once one's foot is in a flexed position. When the foot is in the flexed position, we find that the calcaneus bone achieves a direct linear orientation to the bones of the lower aspect of the lower limb, the tibia and fibula. Once this alignment is achieved a direct linear path of forces through the calcaneus bone can be accomplished. [0018] We find that before excessive force can be applied through the lower limb and heel, another geometric flaw must be overcome. That flaw is the spherical geometry of the heel or calcaneus bone itself. As forces are applied to the heel the individual must make conscious effort to "hold" the heel from slipping across the floor. Add to this, the fact that the individual is still "holding" the ankle in a flexed position. Therefore the efforts that were undertaken to eliminate muscular tension, actually created a subsequent muscular tension activity. [0019] To eliminate the muscular tension caused by "holding" the ankle and a flexed position there must be a means of strapping or locking the foot in a flexed position, such that the user no longer has to use conscious effort. [0020] Furthermore, design must be made to overcome the spherical shape of the heel such that the forces may be applied to the floor surface effectively and with the confidence of the user. [0021] Final problems remaining are interrelated. Those are problems of stability and density. Once the appropriate geometric shape is achieved to address the spherical shape of the heel, it is imperative that the object remain fixed or relatively fixed to absorb those forces applied by the lower limbs, successfully. [0022] Thus, the device must have a base component with a high coefficient of friction. Along with said high coefficient of friction, provisions must be such that one may have the capability of adding density to the object. This would serve to further restrict movement of the object and to give the user the ability to accomplish more varied pelvic lifting and mobility exercises. [0023] A further aspect, to address an extreme force conditions, would be to provide a means of restraining said object via mechanical attachment to some fixed object, for instance the user's chair, thereby stopping all movement across the floor surface completely. Continue reading about Heel cradle exercise device and footrest... Full patent description for Heel cradle exercise device and footrest Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Heel cradle exercise device and footrest patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Heel cradle exercise device and footrest or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Weight-training machine having independent power generating function and stack for the machine Next Patent Application: Weight lifting spotting device Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Heel cradle exercise device and footrest patent info. 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