Back to results
US 8,574,134 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for treating the foot
OwnerStuart Greenburginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exercise machine for strengthening the foot and for treating plantar fasciitis includes a foot pad for receiving a patient's foot and a resistance member associated with the foot pad. As the patient pivots the foot pad on a pivot pin located near the heel section of the foot pad, a resistance is applied to the toe section of the foot pad thereby providing strengthening for the plantar fasciitis band of tissue.
Claims19
An apparatus for treating the foot, comprising:
- a base having a frame attached thereto;
- a foot pad having a heel section and a toe section and being pivotally mounted on the frame;
- a resistance member associated with the foot pad;
- the foot pad being mounted on a first pivot pin and a second pivot pin, the first pivot pin being positioned within 2.0 inches of a heel edge so that the foot pad pivots at the heel section and the toe section moves on an arc line against the resistance of the resistance member, and the second pivot pin being positioned in the heel section to provide pivotal movement so that the toe section can pivot to a position above the heel section;
- wherein the foot pad has a neutral position where there is no resistance on the toe section;
- wherein the toe section moves along the arc line up to 120° range of motion from the neutral position to the right and to the left;
- and
- wherein the resistance member is a coil spring.
5 more elements
An apparatus for treating the foot, comprising:
- a base having a frame attached thereto;
- a foot pad having a heel section and a toe section and being pivotally mounted on the frame;
- a resistance member associated with the foot pad;
- the foot pad being mounted on a first pivot pin and a second pivot pin, the first pivot pin being positioned within 2.0 inches of a heel edge so that the foot pad pivots at the heel section and the toe section moves on an arc line against the resistance of the resistance member, and the second pivot pin being positioned in the heel section to provide pivotal movement so that the toe section can pivot to a position above the heel section.
- wherein the foot pad has a toe edge and a longitudinal axis extending through the heel edge and the toe edge, the first pivot pin being positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis between 2.0 inches and 4.0 inches from the heel edge;
- and
- wherein the foot pad is removably mounted on the pivot pin so that the foot pad can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis to thereby reposition the pivot pin relative to the heel edge.
4 more elements
An apparatus for treating the foot, comprising:
- a base having a frame attached thereto;
- a foot pad having a heel section and a toe section and being pivotally mounted on the frame;
- a resistance member associated with the foot pad;
- and
- the foot pad being mounted on a first pivot pin positioned in the heel section within 2.0 inches of a heel edge so that the foot pad pivots at the heel section and the toe section moves on an arc line against the resistance of the resistance member;
- the foot pad being mounted on a second pivot pin so that the toe section can tilt above the heel section;
- wherein the foot pad has a neutral position where there is no resistance on the toe section;
- wherein the toe section moves along the arc line up to 120° range of motion from the neutral position to the right and to the left wherein the resistance member is a coil spring;
- and
- wherein the resistance member is a coil spring.
7 more elements
A method for treating the foot, comprising:
- removeably securing a resistance member to the toe area of the foot;
- pivoting the foot on a first pivot point positioned within 2.0 inches of a heel edge;
- from a neutral position, moving the toe area along an arc line against a force generated by the resistance member as the foot pivots on the first pivot point;
- moving the toe area back along the arc line as the foot pivots on the first pivot point and returns to the neutral position;
- and
- moving the toe area above a heel section against resistance by pivoting the heel section on a second pivot point positioned in the heel section.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.