DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PASSIVE FLEXIBILITY TRAINING

DISPOSITIF ET METHODE D'ENTRAINEMENT DE SOUPLESSE PASSIF

English Abstract

The present invention comprises a device and method for achieving a passive stretch, wherein the device has an anchor, a foot strap, a handle strap and at least one handle. The anchor secures the device to the user such that an opposing force can be applied to the device. A foot strap is attached to the anchor and extends under the heel and plantar surface of the user's foot. The foot strap maintains contact with the user's entire foot. The foot strap extends past the user's toes and connects to a set of handles by way of a handle strap. The user can apply force by pulling the handles toward the user's body thereby achieving a stretch through the user's foot and calf muscle, into the hamstring muscle in particular embodiments.

French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif et un procédé permettant dobtenir un étirement passif. Le dispositif comprend un dispositif dancrage, une sangle de pied, une sangle de poignée et au moins une poignée. Le dispositif dancrage fixe lappareil à lutilisateur de telle sorte quune force opposée puisse être appliquée à lappareil. Une sangle de pied est fixée au dispositif dancrage et sétend sous le talon et la surface plantaire du pied de lutilisateur. La sangle de pied maintient le contact avec le pied entier de lutilisateur. La sangle de pied sétend au-delà des orteils de lutilisateur et est reliée à un ensemble de poignées au moyen dune sangle de poignée. Lutilisateur peut appliquer une force en tirant les poignées vers son corps, réalisant ainsi un étirement à travers le muscle du pied et du mollet de lutilisateur, jusque dans le muscle ischiojambier, dans des modes de réalisation particuliers.

Claims

8
CLAIMS
Having described my invention, I claim:
1. A stretch device for use by a user, having a torso, in order to
passively
stretch a leg by applying a force, wherein said leg includes a calf, a thigh
and a foot
having a longitudinal plane, a heel and toes a plantar surface, said device
further
comprising:
a. an anchor, wherein said anchor is configured to be removably attached
to said leg of said user;
b. a foot strap having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end
is securely affixed to said anchor and said second end is affixed to at
least one handle;
c. wherein said foot strap is configured to extend in a perpendicular
direction away from said anchor continuously contacting said calf, said
heel and said plantar surface of said foot such that said foot strap
follows said longitudinal plane of said foot of said user towards said
second end, which is configured to extend at least 6 inches past said
toes of said user.
2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said anchor further comprises:
a. a wrap configured to wrap around said leg of said user;
b. a buckle strap connected to said wrap;
c. a plurality of buckles attached to said buckle strap to attach said
anchor to said leg; and
d. wherein said anchor provides a point of support for said force placed
upon said foot while stretching.

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3. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second anchor,
wherein
said second anchor connects to said anchor by a bridge strap.
4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said anchor further comprises
an
extended member fully integrated with said foot strap.
5. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein said extended member is
configured to extend under said user being secured thereto by frictional
engagement with said user.
6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said foot strap is flexible.
7. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a. a torso strap, configured to extend around said torso of said user; and
b. a coupler system configured to attach said at least one handle to said
torso strap such that said user can lean backwards and apply a force
on said foot strap of said device.
8. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle strap
configured
to attach said foot strap to said at least one handle.
9. A stretch device for use by a user, having a torso, in order to
passively
stretch a leg by applying a force, wherein said leg includes a calf, a thigh
and a foot
having a longitudinal plane, a heel, toes and a plantar surface, said device
further
comprising:
a. an anchor, wherein said anchor is configured to provide a secure
connection to said user;
b. a foot strap having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end
is affixed to said anchor and said second end is attached to at least
two handles,

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c. wherein said foot strap is configured to extend away from said anchor
continuously contacting said calf, said heel and said plantar surface of
said foot such that said foot strap follows said longitudinal plane of
said foot of said user towards said second end, which is configured to
extend at least 6 inches past said toes of said user; and
d. wherein said foot strap is configured such that said user can apply a
force to said at least two handles thereby flexing said foot and said
toes.
10. The device as recited in claim 9, wherein said anchor further
comprises:
a. a wrap configured to wrap around said leg of said user;
b. a buckle strap connected to said wrap;
c. a plurality of buckles attached to said buckle strap to attach said
anchor to said leg; and
d. wherein said anchor provides a point of support for said force placed
upon said foot while stretching.
11. The device as recited in claim 9, further comprising a second anchor,
wherein
said second anchor connects to said anchor by a bridge strap.
12. The device as recited in claim 9, wherein said anchor further comprises
an
extended member fully integrated with said foot strap.
13. The device as recited in claim 9, wherein said foot strap is flexible.
14. The device as recited in claim 9, further comprising:
a. a torso strap, configured to extend around said torso of said user;
and

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b. a coupler system configured to attach said at least two handles to
said
torso strap such that said user can lean backwards and apply a force
on said foot strap of said device.
15. A method of stretching a user's posterior muscles in a lower leg,
including a
gastrocnemius muscle, a soleus muscle, and a plantar fascia, wherein said user
has
a calf, a foot having a length and a width and a heel, toes and a plantar
surface,
said method comprising the steps of:
a. providing a device comprising:
i. an anchor, wherein said anchor is configured to provide a secure
connection to said user;
ii. a foot strap having a first end and a second end, wherein said
first end is affixed to said anchor, and said second end is
attached to a plurality of handles;
iii. wherein said foot strap is configured to extend away from said
anchor continuously contacting said calf, said heel and said
plantar surface of said foot towards said second end, which is
configured to extend at least 6 inches past said toes of said
user;
b. attaching said anchor to said user;
c. positioning said foot strap along said calf, said heel and said
plantar
surface of said foot of said user such that said foot strap rests along
said calf and said length of said foot;
d. grasping said plurality of handles attached to said foot strap; and

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e. applying a pulling force along said foot of said user at said
plurality of
handles to achieve a stretch such that said foot and said toes are
flexed at the same moment.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of attaching said anchor to
said
user further comprises wrapping said anchor around said leg of said user.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of attaching said anchor to
said
user further comprises said user sitting on said anchor.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of lying supine
with said
leg flexed at a hip of said user and lifting said leg of said user as said
force is
applied to said plurality of handles.

Description

1
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PASSIVE FLEXIBILITY TRAINING.
This application claims priority on US Patent Application No. 13/942,480 filed
'July 15,
2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to an exercise device and method of use thereof for the
foot, ankle,
to knee and lower back, and more particularly to a passive stretch exercise
device and method of
use thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art.
Injuries relating to the foot, ankle, knee and lower back are extremely
common. injuries
such as sprains, strains and fractures can occur at any time, such as when
walking, during active
exercise, and during sports competitions. Left untreated these injuries often
result in residual
effects such as loss of balance and local weakness. Stretching a specific
muscle or tendon can
help to treat these types of injuries.
Stretching can be therapeutic in order to alleviate cramps, reduce the risk of
injury and/or
increase performance. Additionally, stretching a specific muscle or tendon can
assist with
increased muscle control, flexibility and range of motion.
Passive stretching is a type of stretching in which an external force exerts
upon the body
part to move it into a new position. The user's body is relaxed as the muscle
or tendon is
stretched. it is normally achieved by using the force of gravity or another
individual or device.
Active stretching eliminates external forces. in order to achieve an active
stretch, the user
contracts one muscle thereby stretching the opposing muscle. There are
benefits to both active
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and passive stretching. For example, it is thought that active stretching is
beneficial to prepare a
muscle for action while passive stretching is beneficial for increasing the
range of motion.
Effective rehabilitative physical therapy must include passive flexibility
stretching exercises that
increase the range of motion of the injured muscle or tendon to help prevent
recurrent injury,
speed recovery, and/or reduce pain.
Several devices are known which allow individuals to employ stretching
exercises of the
foot, ankle, knee, and lower back. Among these are exercise devices which
include a foot strap,
a pull strap, a handle, and a resistance band. However, it is difficult for an
individual to achieve
a purely passive stretch when using the prior art devices. This is primarily
due to the fact that
most devices require the user to contract certain muscles or place a limb in a
position that is not a
relaxed state in order to obtain the device-assisted stretch.
Therefore what is needed is a stretching device and method which allows an
individual to
maintain a relaxed position to achieve a quality passive stretch. The present
invention achieves
this objective, as well as others that are explained in the following
description.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a device and method for achieving a passive
stretch
having an anchor, a foot strap, a handle strap and a handle. The anchor
secures the device to the
user such that an opposing force can be applied to the device. A foot strap is
attached to the
anchor and extends under the heel and plantar surface of the user's foot. The
foot strap
maintains contact with the user's entire foot. The foot strap extends past the
user's toes and
connects to a set of handles by way of a handle strap. The user can apply
force by pulling the

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handles toward the user's body thereby achieving a stretch through the user's
foot and calf
muscle, into the hamstring muscle in particular embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the present invention anchored to the
user's leg
proximate the calf muscle.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing the present invention anchored to the
user's leg in
two locations.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing the present invention anchored
underneath the
user's leg.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
10 device 12 foot strap
14 anchor 16 handle
18 wrap 20 handle strap
22 buckle 24 buckle strap
26 hands 28 foot
limb (leg) 32 heel
34 plantar surface 36 torso strap
38 first coupler 40 second coupler
42 torso attachment 44 bridge strap

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention in the preferred embodiment. The
device 10
generally consists of anchor 14, strap 12 and handles 16. Anchor 14 secures
device 10 in a set
position with respect to the user's leg. Anchor 14, in its preferred
embodiment, comprises wrap
18, buckle strap 24 and buckle 22. Anchor 14 is preferably made up of a wide
woven nylon
strap, but could be any other known material. Anchor 14 connects to foot strap
12. Foot strap 12
is flexible and extends perpendicularly away from anchor 14 to attach to at
least one handle strap
20. Foot strap 12 can be made up of any known flexible material, including,
but not limited to,
an elastic or soft woven material or elastic stretch band, which allows for
stretching. Handle
strap 20 connects at least one handle 16 to foot strap 12.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, device 10 is provided to user and easily attaches to
the user's leg
30. In one embodiment, wrap 18 is secured to the user's leg 30 near the calf
muscle, just below
the knee, by connecting buckles 22 together around the leg. Wrap 18 can be
tightened or
loosened by adjusting buckle straps 24. Once secure, wrap 18, buckles 22 and
buckle straps 24,
act as an anchor 14 to the user's leg 30. Foot strap 12 extends from wrap 18
and contacts the
user's foot 28 at the heel 32 and plantar surface 34. The orientation of foot
strap 12 is important
to the device 10 functionality. As the reader will appreciate, device 10
provides passive
stretching or dorsiflexion of the foot stretching the gastrocnemius muscle,
the soleus muscle and
the plantar fascia. Additionally, device 10 passively stretches the hamstring
muscles through the
use of foot strap 12, which wraps behind the heel 32 of the user under the
user's relaxed foot 28,

CA 02850861 2014-04-30
and through the metatarsal arch. After the user secures wrap 14 to himself or
herself, the user
places the foot strap 12 behind and under their heel at the metatarsal arch
and then under and
around the user's relaxed foot 28, such that the user is able to grasp and
pull back on foot strap
handles 16 with both hands 26 facing the relaxed foot and leg.
5 The wide foot strap 12 attaches perpendicularly to wrap 18 (affixed
around the user's leg
30) and on the posterior aspect of the leg 28, travels behind the heel 32 then
under the foot 28.
The end of foot strap 12 is approximately 6-10 inches longer than the toes and
has two handle
straps 20 attached each to at least one foot strap handles 16. After the
passive exercise device is
put in place one pulls back on the handles 16, this action will passively
dorsiflex the foot and
extend all the toes at once. This action in turn stretches the gastrocnemius
muscle, the soleus
muscle and the plantar fascia. The orientation of foot strap 12 along the
user's foot 28 spreads
the force exerted by foot strap 12 throughout the entire foot 28. This permits
the user to achieve
a passive stretch with the foot in a completely relaxed state. Additionally,
the flexible nature of
foot strap 12 allows the user to achieve a stretch not only on the calf
(gastrocnemius) but also
.. along the foot 28 (plantar fascia).
As illustrated the placement of foot strap 12 under the heel 32 continues
under the
metatarsal arch and under the toes, which pulls the toes into hyperextension.
The contact of foot
strap 12 along the heel 32 and plantar surface 34 is integral to the
functionality of device 10.
This contact allows the passive stretching which provides the range of motion
exercises for
efficacious rehabilitation of an injured foot, ankle, knee and/or back muscles
and tendons.
As illustrated in FIG. 3-5 device 10 can be secured to the user through the
use of anchor
14 in alternate embodiments. In FIG. 3, device 10 is shown secured to the user
by the use of two
anchors 14. One anchor 14 is buckled around the user's calf and the second
anchor 14 is

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attached around the user's thigh, as illustrated. Each anchor 14 is comprised
of a wrap 18,
buckle strap 24 and buckle 22 (as illustrated in FIG. 1). Anchor 14 buckles
together and are
preferably adjustable. Moreover, the anchor 14 around the thigh is connected
to the anchor 14
around the calf by a thigh to calf bridge strap 44. The same elements, or
components, that
comprise the embodiments as depicted in FIG. 1-2, also comprise the embodiment
of the
invention as depicted in Figure 3. Namely, the flexible foot strap 12,
extending from anchors 14
is placed on the heel and the plantar surface of the user's foot 28. Foot
strap 12 runs under the
toes and connects to at least one handle 16 by way of a handle strap 20. The
user gently pulls on
handles 16 with both hands 26 to achieve the rehabilitative passive stretching
desired.
In another embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the
passive exercise
device 10, is secured to the user by a strap or piece of material that wraps
around the user's back
and/or shoulders, referred to as a torso strap 36. The embodiment of the
invention as depicted in
Figure 4 comprises the same elements as described and shown in FIG. 2-3. Thus,
wrap 16
connects to the user's leg 30, which attaches to foot strap 12. Foot strap 12
is placed on the heel
and plantar surface of the user's foot 28. However, instead of the user
pulling on handles 16
with hands, the device 10 is modified to additionally include torso strap 36.
Upon securing
device 10, the user leans backwards and torso strap 36 pulls a coupler system
42 which in turn
pulls on a plurality of handles 16 which are located at one end of the handle
strap 20 to achieve
the rehabilitative passive stretch. When performed lying supine, using the
embodiment of Figure
.. 4, with the leg flexed at the hip one will also achieve an effective
hamstring stretch.
Coupler system 42 is preferably comprised of a first coupler 38 attached
around handles
16 and a second coupler 40 surrounding first coupler 38 and respective ends of
torso strap 36.
However, any type of coupling system can be utilized to connect torso strap 36
to handle straps

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20. Or in the alternative, handle straps 20 can be fully integrated with torso
strap 36.
FIG. 5 illustrates a separate embodiment, showing an alternate anchor 14. In
the alternate
embodiment, anchor 14 (or extended member 14, in the alternate embodiment) is
fully integrated
with foot strap 12 and is secured by the user's weight. Foot strap 12 extends
into anchor 14 as
shown and the user sits on anchor 14 to achieve the passive stretch. Anchor 14
can include a
wider portion for the user to sit on a textured or abraded surface such that
anchor 14 does not slip
out from under the weight of user. The weight of the user provides a
frictional engagement
between the user and the ground surface, such that the device 10 remains in
position. In this
embodiment the device includes the foot strap 12 which extends under the heel
32 and plantar
surface 34 of the user's foot 28. Handle straps 20 attach foot strap 12 to
handles 16 such that the
user can apply force to handles 16 thereby pulling the user's toes and foot
toward the user,
achieving the desired stretch.
The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel
aspects of the
present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope
of the invention but
.. rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the
invention. Further
modifications of the subject matter of this disclosure will also occur to
persons skilled in the art,
and all are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of the subject matter
of this disclosure.
Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims,
rather than by the
examples given.

Representative Drawing