Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR USE IN EXERCISING
The present invention relates to apparatus for use in exercising.
Blood flows under pressure from the heart down the legs via several arteries
and returns to
the heart from the lower limbs via two main vein types, deep and superficial,
where the
superficial veins generally act as tributaries to the deep veins. Blood is
returned to the heart
along the veins by a muscle pump action. An example of such a muscle pump
action is the
contraction of a calf muscle which constricts the deep veins in and around the
calf muscle
and forces blood to move away from the area of constriction along the veins.
Veins contain
valves which ensure that all blood flow that results from a muscle pump action
is directed
towards the heart.
When the body is in an upright stationary position for extended periods muscle
pump
action is substantially reduced and as a result gravity tends to pool blood in
the lower
regions of the body.
In general, blood has a tendency to clot when it slows or stops and the
mentioned pooling
of blood in the lower limbs creates an environment conducive of clotting. If a
blood clot,
also known as a thrombosis, forms in the described manner and dislodges from a
lower
region of the body, it will travel along the veins back towards the heart. A
dislodged
thrombosis, known as an embolus, will then enter the right hand side of the
heart and will
be pumped from the heart to the lungs via the pulmonary artery. The diameter
of the veins
on which the embolus travels, as it moves towards the heart from the lower
regions of the
body, increases as the embolus approaches the heart and, as a result, the rate
at which the
embolus travels along the veins increases until it reaches the pulmonary
artery. The
pulmonary artery feeds blood from the right hand side of the heart into the
lungs via
numerous blood vessels. The diameter of each of these blood vessels is
substantially less
than the diameter of the pulmonary artery and as a result the embolus stops or
slows as it
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attempts to flow into one or more of them. An embolus that stops or slows in
the
pulmonary artery effectively blocks or slows the rate at which these blood
vessels take
blood from the pulmonary artery to the lungs. Such an embolus is known as a
pulmonary
embolism.
Since the amount of blood flowing into the lungs has been reduced, due to the
presence of
the pulmonary embolism, the amount blood returning to the heart from the lungs
is also
reduced. Further, the pulmonary artery has a reduced capacity to distribute
blood to the
lungs and the right hand side of the heart continues to pump blood into the
pulmonary
artery, therefore, a build up of blood generally occurs stemming back from the
pulmonary
artery the heart.
Generally, a pulmonary embolism subjects a heart to stress and in some cases
this stress
can cause heart failure.
Individuals tend to remain in upright stationary positions for extended
periods when
travelling in vehicles for long distances. When travelling on an aeroplane,
for example, a
passenger may remain in a seated position for several hours with little to no
movement of
the legs. Space on board aeroplanes is generally very limited and,
accordingly, there is
little opportunity to exercise the leg muscles to thereby effect the above
described muscle
pump action in the lower limbs.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided, an apparatus for
use in
exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the
apparatus,
wherein the means for engaging is adapted to retard movement of the foot as
the foot
moves from a first position towards a second position.
Preferably, said means for engaging is also adapted to engage a portion of
said leg above
the knee of said leg.
Preferably, said means for engaging is in the form of an endless loop that is
at least
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partially elastically deformable, said loop being positionable beneath the
user's foot and
above the knee of said leg.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided exercising
apparatus
including elastic means positionable to extend from beneath the foot of one
leg of a user to
a position on that leg above the knee and being elastically deformable so
that, when so
positioned, the user may exercise by repetitive downward pivotal movement of
the foot
about the ankle joint alternating with upward pivotal movement under the
influence of the
elastic means.
Preferably, said elastic means is in the form of an endless loop.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided apparatus for
use in
exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the
apparatus and
a second portion of said leg, wherein the means for engaging retards movement
of the foot
as the foot pivots about a respective ankle from a first position towards a
second position.
Preferably, said foot is in said first position when the heel of the foot is
substantially in
contact with a surface and when the ball of said foot is elevated above the
surface and the
foot moves from the first position towards the second position as the foot
pivots and the
ball of the foot moves towards the surface.
Preferably, the means for engaging is in the form of an endless loop that is
at least partially
elastically deformable, said loop being positionable beneath the foot of the
user and said
second portion of said leg.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus
for use in
exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the
apparatus,
wherein, in use, the means for engaging retards movement of the foot as the
foot moves
from a first position towards a second position and the means for engaging
substantially
prevents movement of the foot with respect to the means for engaging.
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Preferably, the means for engaging at least partially receives the foot of the
user.
Preferably, the foot moves from the first position towards the second position
as the foot
substantially pivots about a respective ankle joint.
Preferably, the means for engaging includes an endless loop, wherein the
endless loop is at
least partially elastically deformable and is positionable above the knee of
said leg.
Preferably, the means for engaging includes a foot piece.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus
for use in
exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the
apparatus,
wherein, in use, the means for engaging retards movement of the foot as the
foot moves
from a first position towards a second position and the means for engaging
includes a strap
to substantially prevent movement of the foot with respect to the means for
engaging.
Preferably, 1 said strap is formed first and second strips, the strips being
positionable for
mutual engagement over the foot of the user to thereby substantially prevent
movement of
the foot with respect to the means for engaging.
Preferably, the strips are at least partially elastically deformable and are
thereby
positionable for mutual engagement over the foot of the user.
Preferably, the endless loop includes a handle, the handle being graspable by
the user to
thereby hold a portion of the endless loop in a position above the knee of
said leg.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method of
exercising
using an apparatus including an elastic means which is at least partially
elastically
deformable, including the steps of:
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positioning the elastic means so that it extends beneath the foot of one leg
of a user
to a position on that leg above the user's knee; and
alternately pivoting the foot about the anlele joint of the foot between first
and
second positions under the influence of the elastic means.
Preferably, the elastic means is an at least partially elastically deformable
endless loop.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method of
preventing
deep vein thrombosis by administering to a person an apparatus in accordance
with the
above-described apparatus.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method of
effecting a
muscle pump action in a leg of a user of an apparatus, the apparatus including
an elastic
means which is at least partially elastically deformable, including the steps
of:
positioning the elastic means so that it extends beneath the foot of one leg
of a user
to a position on that leg above the user's knee; and
alternately pivoting the foot about the ankle joint of the foot between first
and
second positions under the influence of the elastic means.
Preferably, the elastic means is an at least partially elastically deformable
endless loop.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method of
effecting a
muscle pump action in a leg of a user of an apparatus in accordance with the
above-
described apparatus, including the steps of:
positioning the apparatus so that it extends beneath the foot of one leg of a
user to a
position on that leg above the user's knee; and
alternately pivoting the foot about the ankle joint of the foot between first
and
second positions under the influence of the elastic means.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-
limiting
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
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Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention,
arranged in one
condition for use;
Figure 2 is a further side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, but
showing the
apparatus in a different condition occurring in use;
Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figures l and 2;
Figure 4 is a side view of another apparatus in accordance with the invention,
arranged in
one condition for use;
Figure 5 is a further side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 4, showing
the apparatus
in a different condition occurring in use;
Figure 6 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figures 4 and 5;
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of an apparatus in accordance with the
invention,
arranged in one condition;
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus of Figure 7, showing
the apparatus
arranged in a different condition; and
Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus of Figures 7 and 8
arranged in one
condition of use.
Figure 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus of Figures 7, 8 and
9 arranged in a
further condition of use.
An apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 includes an
elastically
deformable endless loop 12 and a belt 14. The endless loop 12 includes a plate
18 secured
to a first portion 20 of the endless loop 12. The plate 18 is arranged to
underly engage a
foot 22 of one leg 30 of a user 16 of the apparatus.
The belt 14 is attached to the endless loop 12 at second and third portions
24, 26 of the
endless loop 12 by velcro hook and loop contacts. However, the belt 14 may be
secured to
the endless loop 12 by any suitable means. The belt is used to secure an upper
portion of
the apparatus to the user 16.
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A user 16 may operate the apparatus 10 from a seated position. In this case,
the user 16
fits the apparatus 10 to the leg 30 of their body before commencing
exercising. To fit the
apparatus, the user positions the plate 18 under a respective foot 22 and
stretches the
elastically deformable endless loop 12 over a thigh portion 28 of the
corresponding leg 30.
The belt 14 is secured around the user's waist 32 and prevents second and
third portions
24, 26 of the endless loop 12 from slipping down the user's thigh 28.
The user 16, being in a seated position with their foot 22 in a first position
34, moves their
foot 22 towards a second position 36 by pivoting the foot 22 about an ankle
joint 38 of the
foot 22. As this action is executed by the user 16, the elastically deformable
endless loop
12 bears against the user's foot 22 via the plate 18 and thereby retards the
movement of the
foot 22. Accordingly, the amount of work required to move the foot 22 from the
first
position 34 towards the second position 36 is increased. This movement effects
a muscle
pump action in the leg 30. '
The user 16, at some point during the movement of the foot 22 towards the
second position
36, stops moving the foot 22 towards the second position 36 and begins to move
the foot
22 back towards the first position 34 by pivoting the foot 22 about the user's
ankle joint 38.
As this action is executed by the user 16 of the apparatus 10, the elastically
deformable
endless loop 12 bears against the user's foot 22 via the plate 18 to thereby
assist in moving
the foot 22 back towards the first position 34.
The user's foot 22 is in the first position 34 when the heel 40 of the user's
foot 22 is in
contact with the ground, or floor surface, and the ball 42 of the user's foot
22 is elevated
from the ground. The user's foot 22 is in the second position 36 when the heel
40 of the
user's foot is in contact with the ground and the ball 42 of the user's foot
22 is also in
contact with the ground.
In alternative embodiments of the invention, the user's.foot 22 is in the
first position when
the heel 40 is closer to the ground or floor surface than the ball 42 and the
user's foot 22 is
in the second position when the ball 42 of the user's foot 22 approaches the
ground or floor
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surface.
Repeating the above described actions using the apparatus 10 for an extended
period
increases the muscle pump action activity in the leg 30 being exercised.
In one example of the invention, the belt 14 is permanently attached to the
endless loop 12
and the belt 14 includes an adjustable "snap lock" clip. The adjustable "snap
lock" clip has
first and second parts, where the first part is adapted to receive the second
part and secure
the second part therein. The belt 14 is fitted to the user 16 of the apparatus
10 by arranging
the belt 14 around the user's waist 32 and engaging the first and second parts
of the "snap
lock" clip. The adjustable "snap "lock" clip can also be used to alter the
length of the belt
14 in order to best fit the user 16.
In a further example of the invention, the endless loop includes a "snap lock"
clip that is
used to fit the endless loop around the user's foot 22 and thigh 28 by
engaging the male and
female parts of the "snap lock" clip. In this example of the invention, the
"snap lock" clip
is also used to alter the length of the endless loop 12 in order to best fit
the user 16.
Accordingly, the length of the endless loop 12 as presented between the foot
22 and thigh
28 of a user 16 can be varied.
In yet another example of the invention, the elastically deformable endless
loop 12
includes two parallel sides, being generally parallel to the user's leg 30,
formed from an
inelastic material. In this example of the invention, corresponding adjacent
ends of the two
parallel sides are bridged by elastic material, adapted to engage the user's
foot 22 and the
user's thigh 28.
In yet another example of the invention, the elastically deformable endless
loop 12
includes two parallel sides, being generally parallel to the user's leg 30,
formed from an
inelastic material. In this example of the invention, one of the adjacent ends
of the two
parallel sides is ridged by elastic material adapted to engage the user's foot
and another one
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the adjacent ends of the parallel sides, is bridged by an inelastic material
adapted to engage
the user's thigh 28.
An apparatus 50 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 includes an elastically deformable
endless
loop 52, a handle 54 and a foot piece 56. The handle 54 is sewn to a first
section 57 of the
endless loop 52 and is arranged so that, in use, a user 58 may grasp the
handle 54 and
thereby control movement of the first section 57 with respect to a
corresponding leg of the
user 58. Alternatively, the handle 54 may be secured to the endless loop 52 by
a
vulcanisation process or by any other any suitable means.
The foot piece 56 is secured to a second section of the endless loop 52 and is
arranged to
receive a front portion of a foot 60 of the user 58. The second section of the
endless loop
52 opposes the above-mentioned first section when the endless loop 52 is in
use. A sole
portion of the foot piece 56 is secured to the endless loop 52 by a suitable
adhesive.
Alternatively, the foot piece 56 may be secured to the endless loop 52 by any
suitable
means. In use, the foot piece 56 substantially prevents movement of the foot
60 with
respect to the second section of the endless loop 52.
A user 58 may operate the apparatus 50 from a seated position. In this case,
the user 58
first fits the apparatus to a leg 62 of their body before commencing
exercising. To fit the
apparatus 50, the user 58 inserts his/her foot 60 into the foot piece 56 and
stretches the first
section of the endless loop 52 over a thigh portion 66 of the corresponding
leg 62. The
user 58 grasps the handle 54 in either one or two hands and is ready to
commence
exercising.
The user 58, with their foot 60 in a first position 68, moves their foot 60
towards a second
position 70 by pivoting their foot 60 about a corresponding ankle joint 72. In
doing so, the
foot 60 extends away from a shin 74 portion of the leg 62. As this action is
executed, the
endless loop 52 bears against the user's foot 60, via the foot piece 56, and
thereby retards
the movement of the foot 60. The endless loop, when used in the described
manner,
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increases the work required by the relevant muscle groups of the user's leg 62
to move the
foot 60 from the first position 68 towards the second position 70.
At some point during the described action, the user 58 momentarily stops
moving the foot
60 and moves the foot 60 back towards the first position 68 by pivoting their
foot 60 about
the corresponding ankle joint 72. As this action is executed by the user 58,
the endless
loop 52 bears against the user's foot 60, via the foot piece 56, and forces
the foot 60 back
towards the first position 68.
Alternately moving the foot 60 between the first and second positions 68, 70,
effects a
muscle pump action in the relevant muscle groups of the user's leg 62.
An upper potion of the foot piece 56 may be secured to an outer peripheral
portion of the
second section of the endless loop 52, the foot piece 56 being secured thereto
by an
adhesive. Alternatively, the foot piece 56 may be secured to the endless loop
52 using any
suitable means.
The foot piece 56 may be coupleable to the endless loop 52 by a connection
device. (not
shown) In this case, the sole of the foot piece includes a first part of the
connection device
that is connectable to a corresponding second part secured to the second
section of the
endless loop 52. In use, the user 58 fits the foot piece 56 on a respective
foot 60 and
connects the foot piece to endless loop 52 by connecting the first and second
parts of the
connection device. Alternatively, any suitable method of temporarily securing
the foot
piece 56 to the endless loop 52 may be used.
In one example of the invention, the foot piece 56 is coupleable to the second
section of
the endless loop 52 and the foot piece 56 is a shoe.
An apparatus 80 shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 includes an elastically deformable
endless
loop 82, a handle 84 and a strap 86. The handle 84 is sewn to a first section
87 of the
endless loop 82 and is arranged so that, in use, a user 88 may grasp the
handle 84 and
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thereby control movement of the first section 87 of the endless loop 82 with
respect to a
corresponding leg of the user 88. Alternatively, the handle 84 may be secured
to the
endless loop 82 by a vulcanisation process or by any other any suitable means.
The strap 86 includes first and second strips 90,92, each having an end
secured to a second
section 93 of the endless loop 82. The strips 90,92 are designed to be
arranged over a
user's foot 94 to thereby secure the user's foot 94 between the endless loop
82 and the strap
86.
In one embodiment of the invention the strips 90,92 include corresponding hook
and loop
velcro pieces 96,98, so that a user may position their foot 94 inside the
endless loop 82 and
secure their foot 94 in that position by overlapping the hook and loop velcro
pieces 96,98
over their foot 94. The hook and loop pieces 96,98 interlock over the foot 94
to
substantially prevent movement of the foot 94 with respect to the second
section 93 of the
endless loop 82.
In further embodiments of the invention, the strips 90,92 are formed of an
elastically
deformable material. The strips 90,92 are designed to stretch over a user's
foot 94 to
thereby secure the user's foot 94 between the endless loop and the strap 86.
Preferably, the
strips 90,92 include hook and loop velcro pieces 96,98, so that a user may
position their
foot 94 inside the endless loop 82 and secure their foot in that position by
overlapping the
hook and loop velcro pieces 96,98. In use, the elastically deformable strips
90,92
substantially prevents movement of the foot 94 with respect to the second
section 93 of the
endless loop 82 and the elastically deformable strips 90,92 permits the strap
86 to be
arranged over the user's footwear.
A user 88 may operate the apparatus 80 from a seated position. In this case,
the user 88
first fits the apparatus to a leg 99 of their body before commencing
exercising. To fit the
apparatus 80, the user 88 inserts his/her foot 94 between the endless loop 82
and the strap
86 and secures their foot 94 in that position by arranging the strap 86
securely over their
foot 94. The user 88 then stretches the first section 87 of the endless loop
82 over a thigh
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portion 100 of the corresponding leg 96. The user 88 grasps the handle 84 in
either one or
two hands and is ready to commence exercising.
The user 88, with their foot 94 in a first position 102, moves their foot 94
towards a second
position 104 by pivoting their foot 94 about a corresponding ankle joint 106.
In doing so,
the foot 94 extends away from a shin portion 108 of the leg 99. As this action
is executed,
the endless loop 82 bears against the user's foot 94 and thereby retards the
movement of
the foot 94. The endless loop 82, when used in the described manner, increases
the work
required by the relevant muscle groups of the user's leg 99 to move the foot
94 from the
first position 102 towards the second position 104.
At some point during the described movement, the user 88 momentarily stops
moving the
foot 94 towards the second position 104 and moves the foot 94 back towards the
first
position 102 by pivoting their foot 94 about the corresponding ankle joint
106. As this
action is executed by the user 88, the endless loop 82 bears against the
user's foot 94 and
forces the foot 94 back towards the first position 102.
Alternately moving the foot 94 between the first and second positions 102,104,
as
described, effects a muscle pump action in the relevant muscle groups of the
user's leg 99.
Embodiments of the invention have been described by way of reference to a user
in a
seated position. However, the embodiments of the invention may be applicable
to a user in
any suitable exercise position.
In alternative embodiments of the invention, the endless loop 12,52,82 is
formed in
sections. In further embodiments of the invention, the endless loop 12,52,82
is formed in
sections, where the sections include elastically deformable material and
inelastic material.
