Device for training the muscles of the sole of the foot
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023705935
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-04-25
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-08
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing muscle training devices for the sole of the foot, such as those described in JP 2022011573A, DE 102014 113 458 B3, JP 10179793 A, JP 2015-221202 A, and US 2012/0190515 A1, suffer from a hinge mounting of the toe pad that leads to physiologically maladapted movement, impairing the anatomical correctness and effectiveness of the training.
The device features a cantilevered leaf spring supported in its central region by an adjustable support carriage on the base, allowing the toe pad to move anatomically correctly with the curvature of the foot, with adjustable counterforce and curvature to accommodate different muscle strengths and misalignments, such as hallux valgus, and includes a compact design with optional auxiliary springs for increased spring force.
This design enables a gentle and efficient workout by ensuring the toe pad follows the foot's natural movement, providing ergonomic and effective muscle training adaptable to various users and conditions, while minimizing friction and enhancing lateral stabilization.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001]Device for training the sole muscles. The present invention relates to a device for training the sole muscles, comprising a base that provides a standing surface for both soles of the feet, from the heels to the balls of the feet, and a toe rest movably arranged on the base next to the ball area of the standing surface. The toe rest is arranged at one end of at least one projecting leaf spring, the other end of which is fixed to the base. A device of this type is known from JP 2022011573 A. A similar device, but without a standing surface for the soles of the feet, is described in DE 102014 113 458 B3.In devices known from JP 10179793 A, JP 2015-221202 A, US 2012 / 0190515 A1 or US 4,577,861, the toe rest is pivotally mounted via a hinge at the ball-side end of the standing surface and is acted upon by separate springs, elastic elements or weights in order to form a "pedal" that can be pressed down with the toes. However, the hinged mounting of the toe rest leads to a physiologically maladapted movement of the toe rest, i.e., it does not anatomically correctly follow the movement of the toes when the plantar muscles tense and the arch of the foot bends, which impairs the physiotherapeutic training effect of the device. The aim of the invention is to create a training device for the plantar muscles that enables ergonomic and effective training.This objective is achieved with a device of the type initially mentioned, which, according to the invention, is characterized in that the at least one leaf spring is supported in its central region on a support carriage which is adjustably mounted at the base in the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring(s). The inventive arrangement of the toe support at the end of a cantilevered leaf spring enables a movement of the toe support which anatomically correctly follows the curvature of the arch of the foot when the sole muscles are tensed and the associated toe movement, thus achieving a particularly physiologically gentle and efficient workout. By means of the support carriage, both the counterforce and the curvature of the leaf spring(s) can be adjusted. This allows the device to be adapted to people with different muscle strength and / or to different training tasks.On the other hand, the curvature of the leaf spring can be adjusted when the toe rest is actuated so that it is optimally adapted to the pivot point of the big toe joint, for example to accommodate or treat misalignments of the big toe, such as hallux valgus. Preferably, the other end of the leaf spring is attached to the base near the heel area of the standing surface. The leaf spring thus extends over the entire length of the plantar tendon of the arch of the foot up to the toe rest, so that when the toe rest is actuated, it implicitly follows the curvature of the arch of the foot. Furthermore, a particularly compact design of the device is achieved because the longitudinal extension of the leaf spring can be accommodated along the space available at the base for the standing surface, from the heels to the ball of the foot.To optimally adapt the curvature of the leaf spring to the pivot point of the big toe joint when operating the toe rest, for example, to accommodate or treat misalignments of the big toe, such as hallux valgus, it is particularly advantageous if the upper surface of the support slide slopes toward the toe rest, preferably rounded. The support slide can be adjusted, for example, using grip tabs, hand slides, operating rods, etc., which are accessible via corresponding openings in the base. Preferably, however, the support slide is adjustable using a threaded spindle rotatably mounted on the base, which allows for particularly sensitive adjustment of the position of the support slide along the leaf spring(s).According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the standing surface can be formed by two spaced-apart standing plates, between which the at least one leaf spring runs from the heel area to the ball area and beyond. This allows the space remaining between the feet when standing relaxed to be used as installation space for the leaf spring. In an optional embodiment of the invention, two leaf springs running parallel to one another can be provided. This achieves better transverse stabilization of the toe rest when pressed down. The toe rest can, for example, be a crossbar that is pressed down with the toes, like a toe pedal. However, the toe rest is preferably formed by a crossbar which is mounted in its center to the at least one leaf spring. Due to its rounded shape, the bar allows the toes to roll on it when pressed down.For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if a sleeve is rotatably mounted on each of the two ends of the crossbar so that when the toes are pressed down there is no friction between the toes and the toe rest. Because the sleeves rotate relative to the crossbar, they can be provided with a non-slip coating so that the toes can roll smoothly when pressed down, which is particularly gentle on the big toe. In the rest position of the device, the leaf spring(s) can run parallel to the standing surface, i.e. in particular horizontally, and in the same plane as the standing surface, below or preferably above it. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, each leaf spring in its rest position can be inclined downwards at an angle of 5° to 30°, preferably 10° to 20°, particularly preferably about 15°, relative to the standing surface in the direction of the toe rest.This means that the toe rest at the end of the leaf spring(s) is at the same level as, or below, the level of the standing surface, or only slightly above it. The user therefore does not need to bend their toes excessively in the starting position, i.e. before the toe rest is pressed down. The inclined position of the leaf spring(s) is particularly advantageous in conjunction with a toe rest in the form of a crossbar, to which the leaf spring(s) engage radially, so that the upper end of the crossbar does not protrude, or only protrudes slightly, above the level of the standing surface. If desired, to increase the spring force, each leaf spring can be combined with at least one auxiliary leaf spring to form a leaf spring package. Each auxiliary leaf spring can be mounted at one end on the toe rest and its other end can be guided so that it slides on the respective leaf spring or in a sliding guide on the base.Alternatively or additionally, to reinforce the spring force, a coiled auxiliary spring with two projecting ends can be mounted on the base, one end engaging the base and the other end engaging the underside of the respective leaf spring or the toe rest. In a further variant of the inventive embodiment with a support carriage, the coiled auxiliary spring is mounted on the support carriage with two projecting ends, one end engaging the support carriage or the base and the other end engaging the underside of the respective leaf spring or the toe rest. In each of the aforementioned embodiments, according to a further preferred feature of the invention, the base can be equipped with a pull rope with a handle on its side facing the toe rest. This allows the user to additionally pull themselves against the standing surface in order to counteract the counterforce exerted by the leaf spring with increased body tension.The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the enclosed drawings. In the drawings: Figs. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the device of the invention in a plan view (Fig. 1) and in a section (Fig. 2) along the section line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the device of the invention in a plan view; Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the device of the invention in a schematic side view; and Figs. 5 - 7 show a fourth embodiment of the device of the invention in a plan view (Fig. 5), in a section (Fig. 6) along the section line VI-VI of Fig. 5 and in a rear view (Fig. 7). Figs. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a device 1 for training the foot muscles. The device 1 has a base 2, e.g.a frame or other support structure which is placed flat on its underside or on supports 3 on the floor 4. On its upper side, the base 2 is provided with a standing surface 5 for the soles of the feet - from the heel to the ball of the foot - of a user standing on it. In the example shown, the standing surface 5 is formed by two spaced-apart standing plates 6, 7. The user stands with their left foot on the left standing plate 6 and with their right foot on the right standing plate 7, in each case from the heel to the ball of the foot. The standing surface 5 or the standing plates 6, 7 thus each have a heel area 8 and a ball area 9. Next to the ball area 9 of the standing surface 5 there is a toe rest 10 on which the user's toes rest when they stand on the standing surface 5. The toe rest 10 can, for example, be a crossbar whose upper side is slightly above the level E of the standing surface 5, so that the user in the resting orStarting position requires the user to bend their toes slightly upwards. In the example shown, the toe rest 10 is a crossbar with an approximately round cross-section. A sleeve 12, 13 is optionally rotatably mounted on each of the two ends of the crossbar 11. The sleeves 12, 13 can be provided with a non-slip coating, such as foam or rubber, as can the standing surface 5 or the standing plates 6, 7. The toe rest 10 (here: the crossbar 11) is movably mounted on the base 2 via at least one (here: two) leaf spring(s) 14, 15. The toe rest 10 can thus be pressed down by the user using their toes from the starting or rest position shown in Fig. 2 with solid lines into an actuated position shown in Fig. 2 with dashed lines.In detail, the toe support 10 is arranged on the freely projecting "ball-side" ends 16 of the leaf springs 14, 15, which protrude from the standing surface 5, while the opposite "heel-side" ends 17 of the leaf springs 14, 15 are fixed to the base 2. In the example shown, the leaf springs 14, 15 run in the space between the standing plates 6, 7. If, however, the standing surface 5 forms a continuous surface, for example, the leaf springs 14, 15 could also run below the standing surface 5 in a corresponding recess in the base 2. The ball-side ends 16 of the leaf springs 14, 15 can be rigidly connected to the toe support 10 in any desired manner, e.g., plugged, screwed, riveted, glued, welded, etc., or even formed integrally with the toe support 10. In the example shown, the ball-side ends 16 of the leaf springs 14, 15 extend diametrically through the crossbar 11 and are welded to it at 18.The heel-side ends 17 of the leaf springs 14, 15 are clamped or screwed into a clamp 19 of the base 2 by means of screws 20. Alternatively, they can be secured to the base 2 in any other manner, e.g., plugged, screwed, riveted, glued, welded, etc. The leaf springs 14, 15 can project freely from their fixed heel-side ends 17. If desired, they could then also be shorter than the longitudinal extension of the standing surface 5 from the heel area 8 to the ball area, e.g., only half as long or one-third as long. For this purpose, the clamp 19 could, for example, be located in the middle or closer to the ball area 9 of the standing surface 5. In the example shown, however, the leaf springs 14, 15 extend over the entire length of the standing surface 5 or standing plates 6, 7 from their heel area 8 to their ball area 9 and beyond to the toe support 10. In their middle area, ieBetween the ends 16, 17, the leaf springs 14, 15 are optionally supported on a support carriage 21, which is adjustably mounted on the base 2 in the longitudinal direction R of the leaf springs 14, 15. For example, the support carriage 21 rests on a sliding guide 22 of the base 2 and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction R of the leaf springs 14, 15 using a threaded spindle 23. For this purpose, the threaded spindle 23 engages, for example, in a threaded bore 24 of the support carriage 21, is rotatably mounted in a bearing 25 of the base 2 and projects outwards from the base 2, where it can be provided with a knurled wheel 26, ball head, internal or external hexagon, etc., in order to be able to rotate it easily. The support carriage 21 is rounded on its upper side at 27 in the direction of the toe rest 10, whereby the leaf springs 14, 15 follow the rounding 27 of the support carriage 21 when the toe rest 10 is pressed down, see Fig. 2. In the embodiment of Fig.1 and 2, the leaf springs 14, 15 are inclined in their rest position at an angle α of approximately 15° relative to the standing surface 5, specifically downwards in the direction of the toe rest 10. As a result, in its initial position, the upper end of the crossbar 11, when the leaf springs 14, 15 are radially applied thereto, is not too far above the plane E of the standing surface 5, so that the user does not have to bend their toes excessively upwards in the initial position. In order to adjust the support carriage 21 parallel to the longitudinal direction R of the leaf springs 14, 15, the guide surface 22 is inclined at the same angle α. The angle α can generally be in the range of 0° - 30°, preferably 5° - 30°, particularly preferably 10° - 20°, and in particular approximately 15°. Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 1, wherein only the differences compared to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 will be discussed below.Instead of two leaf springs 14, 15, a single central leaf spring 14 is provided here, which lies between the two standing plates 6, 7. An eyelet 28 for anchoring a pull rope with handle (not shown) is formed in a tab 29 protruding from the base 2 below the toe rest 10. Alternatively, the tab 29 could also be attached to the toe rest 10. With the help of the pull rope, the user can additionally pull themselves against the device 1 when standing on the standing surface 5. Fig. 4 schematically shows a third embodiment of the device 1. The (at least) one leaf spring 14 runs approximately horizontally here (α = 0). Below the leaf spring 14, an auxiliary spring 30 is wound onto a cross pin 31 of the support carriage 21 in such a way that it has two oppositely projecting ends 32, 33. One end 32 is fixed to the base 2, e.g.sliding in a slot 34, while the other end 33 rests against the underside of the leaf spring 14, thus increasing its spring force. Alternatively, the other end 33 could engage directly with the toe rest 10. It is also possible to mount the auxiliary leaf spring 30 directly on the base 2, particularly if no support carriage 21 is provided. Figs. 5 - 7 show a fourth embodiment of the device 1, here again with (at least) one leaf spring 14 that lies horizontally (α = 0). The leaf spring 14 is clamped with its heel-side end 17 in the clamp 19 of the base 2 with washers 34 interposed, so that a gap 35 remains above it and a gap 36 remains below it in the clamp 19. An auxiliary leaf spring 37 is slidably inserted into the gap 35. The auxiliary leaf spring 37 rests slidably on the leaf spring 14 and is mounted with its ball-side end 16 on the toe support 10.Leaf spring 14 and the auxiliary leaf spring 37 located above it thus form a spring assembly. It goes without saying that more than one auxiliary leaf spring 37 can be provided and that these can run both above and below the leaf spring 14. It is particularly advantageous if the auxiliary leaf spring(s) 37 are located above the leaf spring 14 because this reduces slip-stick effects between the springs of the leaf spring assembly when pressed down (see Fig. 2). Generally speaking, the heel-side end 17 of the auxiliary leaf spring(s) 37 can be guided so as to slide in a sliding guide of the base 2, or directly on the respectively assigned leaf spring 14 or 15, e.g. by means of a retaining ring 38 (Figs. 1 - 3) which engages around the respective leaf spring 14, 15. The auxiliary leaf spring 37 could also be fixed to the base 2 with its heel-side end and slidably guided on the respective leaf spring 14, 15 with its ball-side end. In the embodiments of Fig.3 - 7, the leaf springs 14, 15, which in the rest position run approximately horizontally and parallel to the standing surface 5, with their optional auxiliary leaf springs 37, can lie approximately at the level of plane E of the standing surface 5, below or above it. As shown in Figs. 5 - 7, the base 2 can be equipped with a left and a right eyelet 28 for anchoring a handle pull rope via a pull rope triangle. The two eyelets 28 are located, for example, near the ball area 9 of the standing surface 5. Instead of a threaded spindle 23, a push rod 39 is provided here for adjusting the support carriage 21, which protrudes from the base 2 and can be actuated there via a ball head 40. All leaf springs 14, 15, auxiliary springs 30 and auxiliary leaf springs 37 can be made of any elastically deformable material, e.g. elastic plastic, spring steel, stainless spring steel or titanium spring steel.All other components of the device 1 can also be made of any material, for example, metal, wood, and / or plastic. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but encompasses all variants, modifications, and combinations thereof that fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
Claims:
1. Device for training the muscles of the soles of the feet, comprising a base (2) which provides a standing surface (5) on its upper side for both soles of the feet from their heels to their balls, and a toe support (10) movably arranged on the base (2) next to the ball area (9) of the standing surface (5), wherein the toe support (10) is arranged at one end (16) of at least one projecting leaf spring (14, 15), the other end (17) of which is fixed to the base (2), characterized in that the at least one leaf spring (14, 15) is supported in its central region on a support slide (21) which is adjustably mounted on the base (2) in the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring(s) (14, 15).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the other end (17) is fixed at the base (2) near the heel area (8) of the standing surface (5). 3.Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper surface of the support slide (21) slopes down towards the toe rest (10), preferably rounded.
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support slide (21) is adjustable by means of a threaded spindle (23) rotatably mounted on the base (2).
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the standing surface (5) is divided by two separate sections.
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that two parallel leaf springs (14, 15) are provided.
7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the toe support (10) is formed by a crossbar (11) which is mounted at its center on the at least one leaf spring (14, 15).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that a sleeve (12, 13) is rotatably mounted on each of the two ends of the crossbar (11).
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the sleeves (12, 13) are provided with a non-slip coating. 10.Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each leaf spring (14, 15) in its rest position runs parallel to and preferably above the standing surface (5).
11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each leaf spring (14, 15) in its rest position is inclined downwards at an angle α of 5° to 30°, preferably 10° to 20°, particularly preferably about 15°, relative to the standing surface (5) in the direction of the toe rest (10).
12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that each leaf spring (14, 15) with a 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that each auxiliary leaf spring (37) is mounted with one end (16) on the toe support (10) and is guided slidably with its other end (17) on the respective leaf spring (14, 15) or in a sliding guide (35) of the base (2).
14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a coiled auxiliary spring (30) with two projecting ends (32, 33) is mounted on the base (2), wherein one end (32) engages the base (2) and the other end (33) engages the underside of the respective leaf spring (14, 15) or the toe support (10). 15.Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a wound auxiliary spring (30) with two projecting ends (32, 33) is mounted on the support slide (21), wherein one end (32) engages the support slide (21) or the base (2) and the other end (33) engages the underside of the respective leaf spring (14, 15) or the toe rest (10).
16. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the base (2) is equipped on its side facing the toe rest (10) with a pull cord with a handle.