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Non-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, For Foot Or AnkleNon-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070191193, Non-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/798,205, filed Mar. 11, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] present invention relates to a device for stretching the plantar fascia of the foot and associated structures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A number of different maladies affecting the lower extremities exist that could be treated by stretching or exercising the specific tissues involved. These maladies include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, Gastrocsoleus Equinus, shin splints, club foot, drop foot, fibromyalgia, etc. The discussion on this invention will focus specifically on plantar fasciitis, realizing that the present invention may be used for stretching many structures associated with the foot, either directly connected to the foot or structures not physically connected to the foot, but structures that may be stretched by stretching the foot. Exemplary structures directly associated with the foot include the plantar fascia, Achilles Tendon and the gastroc/solius muscle complex. Additional exemplary structures associated with the foot, but not physically connected to the foot that may also be stretched using the present invention include the hamstring, and/or gluteous maximus and the like. [0004] The plantar fascia is a fibrous tissue that spans between the medial tubercle of the calcaneus (or heel bone) to the metatarsals (or toe bones). When a person stands, the plantar fascia is stretched under the load of the person's weight. This is known as the "bowstring effect." Should the toes and ankle be dorsiflexed (or hyperextended upward toward the shin) the plantar fascia is stretched even further. This is called the "windlass effect." [0005] Plantar fasciitis is a condition that occurs to a wide range of the adult population. It is seen in both sedentary and active individuals. The cause of plantar fasciitis is unclear; however, a common theory is that the plantar fascia is repetitively injured causing partial tears and chronic inflammation. As these micro tears heal, scar tissue forms reducing the elasticity of the plantar fascia and contributing to further tearing and inflammation. [0006] Prolonged standing, obesity, pronation of the foot while walking, running, jumping and other activities can cause repeated injuries to the origin of the plantar fascia at its insertion on the medial tubercle of the calcaneus of the foot. The injuries result in the repetitive tearing of tissue, inflammation, and the formation of scar tissue in the plantar fascia causing limitation in flexibility. The injury causes intense pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel. When suffering from injury to the plantar fascia, one often incurs the greatest pain in the morning when arising from bed because the plantar fascia has not been exercised during the night and has become stiff and retracted as a result of the long period of inactivity. When one rises from bed and first applies full body weight to his or her feet, the plantar fascia is suddenly stretched resulting in sharp pains to the heel. Studies have shown it is desirable to gradually exercise the plantar fascia by dorsiflexing the toes and ankles, stretching it gradually, especially before one first applies one's body weight to his or her feet. [0007] Some doctors advise their patients who suffer from such injuries to roll a towel and grasp the ends in each hand and press the toes of the injured foot against the center of the towel while using one's arms to pull against the towel to thereby stretch the plantar fascia. The exercise is marginally successful because the patient must stiffen his toes to grip the towel and prevent it from sliding off the end of this foot. The exercise, therefore, requires the flexing of the plantar fascia, and the plantar fascia is not stretched as is needed. For some maladies of the lower extremities, for example, weakness of the gastrocsoleus complex, the present invention may be used to strengthen the gastrocsoleus complex by having the patient resist the stretch by plantar flexing during stretching with the present invention. [0008] Several devices have been proposed for stretching the plantar fascia, but such devices suffer from some of the same limitations incurred with the towel namely, the device will not stay affixed to the foot in such a manner as to permit the foot to relax and thereby maximize the stretching of the plantar fascia. [0009] Other devices require weight bearing stretching that provide a stretch to the plantar fascia only after the additional micro tears have occurred from the individual standing. Still other devices offer passive stretching of the plantar fascia. These devices require that sufferer to wear bulky splints while they sleep. Patient compliance is low due to the uncomfortable feeling inherent with these devices. In addition, these devices are incapable of achieving the same degree of dorsiflexion as can be achieved by the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Briefly, the present invention is embodied in an exercise device for exercising at least one structure associated with the foot. In one aspect of the present invention, the device includes a first member that is positionable under the toes of the patient's foot and an attachment member connectable to the patient above the patient's foot. The attachment member is operably connected to the first member by a first line connected to the attachment member and the first member. A spacer is connected to the first member and the attachment member for retaining the attachment member in position relative to the first member. [0011] In another aspect of the present invention, a device for exercising at least one structure associated with the foot is provided. The device includes a first member positionable under toes of the foot and a second member positionable under a ball of the foot. An attachment member is connectable to the patient above the foot and the attachment member is operably connected to the first member by a first line connected to the attachment member and at least one of the first member and the second member. Pulling the first line and the second line stretches the plantar fascia. [0012] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of stretching at least one structure associated with a foot is provided. The method includes providing a first member and positioning the first member under the patient's toes and providing a second member and positioning the second member under a ball of the foot. The method further includes providing an attachment member in a position above the patient's foot and providing a fist line connecting the first member to the attachment member. Pulling on the first line stretches the plantar fascia. [0013] Advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its details are capable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] A better understanding of the present invention can be had after a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: [0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the device of the present invention attached to a human foot to thereby exercise the plantar fascia; [0016] FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1 showing the foot inside the device with the line to the toe section being drawn to exercise the portion of the plantar fascia near the toes; [0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the foot shown in FIG. 2 taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 2; [0018] FIG. 4 is a second cross-sectional view of the device showing the foot while the second line is being drawn to stretch the central portion of the plantar fascia; [0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the foot shown in FIG. 4 taken through line 5-5 thereof showing the portion of the plantar fascia being exercised; [0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 1; Continue reading about Non-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatus... Full patent description for Non-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Non-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatus 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 Non-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Gymnastic machine Next Patent Application: Jump rope simulator Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Non-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatus patent info. 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