Foot exercise device

Abstract

The technical objective of the present invention is to provide a foot exercise device that enables muscle strengthening so that the arch of the foot can be formed to a maximum normal height through foot exercise. To this end, the foot exercise device of the present invention comprises: a sole support part for supporting the sole of a user; and an ankle support part that is provided on the sole support part and supports the ankle so as to enable the user to move the front part of the foot left and right with respect to the ankle.

Description

Foot exercise device

[0001] The present invention relates to a foot exercise device.

[0002] Generally, the foot, commonly referred to as the "foot," is the lower part of the leg that supports the body when standing or walking. The foot has four arches: the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch, the forefoot transverse arch, and the midfoot transverse arch. The medial longitudinal arch, the longer arch on the inside of the body, extends from the front of the heel bone to the base of the first metatarsal bone, just behind the big toe. These arches function to absorb shock when standing, walking, or running. For reference, the arches are also called "foot arches."

[0003] Flat feet refers to a deformity in which the arch is lost and the inside of the sole of the foot becomes flat, and cavus feet refers to a deformity in which the arch is raised.

[0004] If you have flat feet without arches, your ability to recover to its original state is significantly reduced, making it difficult to absorb shock when moving. If your arches are too high, your feet will be restricted from pronation, which is the natural inward rotation of your feet when they touch the ground. This will cause your feet to be greatly affected by the ground's impact. If this condition persists, it can lead to plantar fasciitis, herniated discs, and knee joint damage. In particular, cavus feet can cause frequent ankle sprains, and flat feet can lead to hallux valgus. Therefore, technology to solve these problems of flat feet and cavus feet is continuously being developed.

[0005] The functional insole disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-2130147, an existing technology for solving the problem of flat feet, and the shoe insole equipped with a customized balance maintenance pad disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-1103537, an existing technology for solving the problem of flat feet and cavus feet, are technologies for correcting or correcting flat feet or cavus feet by improving the part that forms the inner bottom of the shoe, but there is a problem in that flat feet or cavus feet cannot be corrected or corrected when living indoors without shoes.

[0006] In addition, these existing technologies only correct or adjust flat feet or cavus arches when wearing shoes through the shape of the inner sole of the shoe, and have the problem of not being able to strengthen the muscles for normal arches.

[0007] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a foot exercise device that can strengthen muscles so that the arch can be raised to the maximum normal height through foot exercise.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a foot exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sole support for supporting the sole of a user's foot; and an ankle support provided on the sole support for supporting the ankle so that the user can move the front part of the foot left and right based on the ankle.

[0009] The above-mentioned sole support part can be set to be larger than the length and width of the sole so that the front part of the foot can sufficiently move left and right when the sole is raised.

[0010] The above-mentioned sole support part may include a support body having a plate shape on which the sole is raised; and a heel support part provided on the rear part of the upper surface of the support body and configured to support the heel of the sole.

[0011] The ankle support may include a first ankle support provided vertically on the upper surface of the sole support portion; and a second ankle support provided vertically on the upper surface of the sole support portion with a gap from the first ankle support portion so that the user's ankle is placed between the first ankle support portion.

[0012] The above ankle support may further include a first pressure member provided on a surface of the first ankle support facing a portion of the ankle and providing a pushing force toward a portion of the ankle; and a second pressure member provided on a surface of the second ankle support facing the other portion of the ankle and providing a pushing force toward the other portion of the ankle.

[0013] The first pressurizing portion may include a first elastic body provided on the first ankle support; and a first inner plate elastically supported on the first elastic body and pressurizing the ankle portion.

[0014] The first pressure portion may further include a first ankle fixation groove formed on a surface of the first inner plate facing the ankle for fixing one ankle of the user.

[0015] The first pressurizing portion may further include a first ankle cushion pad provided on a surface of the first inner plate facing the ankle and providing cushioning to the ankle.

[0016] The second pressurizing portion may include a second elastic body provided on the second ankle support; and a second inner plate elastically supported by the second elastic body and pressurizing the ankle portion.

[0017] The second pressure portion may further include a second ankle fixation groove formed on a surface of the second inner plate facing the ankle for fixing the user's other ankle bone.

[0018] The second pressurizing portion may further include a second ankle cushion pad provided on a surface of the second inner plate facing the ankle and providing cushioning to the ankle.

[0019] The ankle support may further include a first reinforcing rib provided on the first ankle support and supporting a force applied in the opposite direction toward the ankle of the first ankle support; and a second reinforcing rib provided on the second ankle support and supporting a force applied in the opposite direction toward the ankle of the second ankle support.

[0020] The above ankle support may further include an ankle gap adjustment unit that adjusts the gap between the first ankle support and the second ankle support.

[0021] The above ankle gap adjustment part may include a ball screw in the shape of a rod that is rotatably provided under the upper surface of the sole support part and has screw threads formed on the outer surface; a first nut part that is provided under the lower portion of the first ankle support part and is screw-fastened to the ball screw; and a first guide path that is formed to penetrate the upper surface of the sole support part to allow movement of the first nut part while it moves left and right.

[0022] The ball screw may have a bidirectional screw thread in which the left and right screw threads are opposite with respect to the center thereof, the first nut portion may be screw-fastened to the left side of the ball screw, the ankle gap adjustment portion may further include a second nut portion provided at the lower portion of the second ankle support and screw-fastened to the right side of the ball screw; and a second guide path formed to penetrate the upper surface of the sole support portion to allow movement of the second nut portion while it moves left and right.

[0023] The above ankle gap adjustment unit may further include a knob for rotating the ball screw by hand.

[0024] The foot exercise device according to the embodiment of the present invention described above may further include a support protrusion provided on the lower surface of the sole support portion and separating the sole support portion from the ground.

[0025] As described above, the foot exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention can have the following effects.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a foot exercise device is provided, which includes a sole support portion and an ankle support portion, so that a user can place the sole of the foot on the sole support portion and support the ankle on the ankle support portion, so that the user can move the front part of the foot left and right based on the ankle, so that when the user intentionally moves the front part of the foot inwardly of the foot using only the force of the foot, the tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior muscles and the muscles connected thereto relax and contract to form an arch, thereby strengthening the muscles, and ultimately, when such an inward movement is repeatedly performed, flat feet can be corrected to a normal arch. Conversely, when the user intentionally moves the front part of the foot inwardly of the foot using only the force of the foot, the tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior muscles and the muscles connected thereto contract and relax to collapse the arch, thereby strengthening the muscles, and ultimately, when such an outward movement is repeatedly performed, high arches can be corrected to a normal arch. For reference, in the case of cavus, contraction of the peroneal muscle and relaxation of the tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior muscles can cause the arch to drop.

[0027] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sole support part provides a technical configuration including a support body and a heel resting part, so that when the sole of the user's foot is placed on the support body, the heel part of the sole can be rested on the heel resting part, so that while the user moves the front part of the foot left and right, the heel part of the sole becomes the center of the movement (rotation) in a state resting on the heel resting part, and thus the user can perform foot movement more easily.

[0028] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ankle support unit provides a technical configuration including a first ankle support and a second ankle support, so that when the user's ankle is placed between the first and second ankle supports, both the left and right sides of the ankle are supported, and the ankle can be stably supported without movement while correcting flat feet or cavus feet, and whether a person has flat feet or cavus feet, flat feet or cavus feet can be corrected for both the left and right feet with one foot exercise device of the present invention. For example, in the case of a person with flat feet, when the front part of the left foot moves inward, the first ankle support can support the left side of the ankle, and when the front part of the right foot moves inward, the second ankle support can support the right side of the ankle. Furthermore, for a person with a cavus foot, the second ankle support can support the right side of the ankle when the forefoot of the left foot is moved toward the outside of the foot, and the first ankle support can support the left side of the ankle when the forefoot of the right foot is moved toward the outside of the foot.

[0029] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ankle support member provides a technical configuration including a first pressure portion and a second pressure portion, so that when the user's ankle is placed between the first and second ankle supports, a part (left) and the other part (right) of the ankle are respectively pressured by the first and second pressure portions, so that the ankle can be supported more stably without movement.

[0030] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first pressurizing portion includes a first elastic body and a first inner plate, and the second pressurizing portion includes a second elastic body and a second inner plate, so that while the ankle is positioned, the first and second elastic bodies can be compressed while the first and second inner plates are moved away from the ankle, and when the ankle is positioned between the first and second inner plates, the first and second elastic bodies are restored, so that the ankle can be stably supported by the restoring force thereof.

[0031] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first pressing portion further includes a first malleolus fixing groove, and the second pressing portion further includes a second malleolus fixing groove, so that when the ankle is gripped by the first and second inner plates, the first malleolus on the left side of the ankle and the second malleolus on the right side of the ankle are inserted into the first and second malleolus fixing grooves, respectively, so that the user's malleolus can be comfortably placed without being pressed.

[0032] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first pressing portion further includes a first ankle cushion pad, and the second pressing portion further includes a second ankle cushion pad, so that when the ankle is gripped by the first and second inner plates, the left and right sides of the ankle first come into contact with the first and second ankle cushion pads, respectively, thereby providing a cushioning feeling to the ankle.

[0033] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ankle support is provided with a technical configuration further including a first reinforcing rib and a second reinforcing rib, so that when the first and second ankle supports receive force in the opposite direction to the direction toward the ankle due to force applied by the user during foot movement, the first and second ankle supports can be prevented from being bent or broken in the direction of the force.

[0034] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ankle support unit provides a technical configuration that further includes an ankle gap adjustment unit, so that even if the thickness (diameter) of the user's ankle is different, the gap can be adjusted according to the size of the ankle through the ankle gap adjustment unit, so that anyone, regardless of age or gender, can use the foot exercise device of the present invention.

[0035] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ankle gap adjustment part includes a ball screw, a first nut part, and a second nut part, and the ball screw has a technical configuration in which the left and right threads are opposite to each other based on the center thereof, so that the first nut part and the second nut part can be easily brought closer to or further away from each other simply by rotating the ball screw in a forward or reverse direction, so that the gap between the first ankle support and the second ankle support can be easily and quickly adjusted.

[0036] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since a technical configuration further including a support protrusion is provided, even if the ground is uneven, the sole support part can be positioned on the ground without wobbling through the support protrusion, thereby preventing the sole support part from wobbling while the user moves the front part of the foot left and right, and the knob can be placed relatively far from the ground through the support protrusion, so that the user can smoothly rotate the ball screw through the knob.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a foot exercise device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the foot exercise device of Fig. 1.

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a foot exercise device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the foot exercise device of Fig. 3.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a foot exercise device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of the foot exercise device of Fig. 5.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a foot exercise device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the foot exercise device of FIG. 1.

[0045]

[0046] The foot exercise device (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a foot support part (110) and an ankle support part (120), as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail with continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0047] The sole support (110) is a component for supporting the user's sole, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sole support (110) may be set to be larger than the length and width of the sole so that the front part of the foot can sufficiently move left and right when the sole is raised.

[0048] The ankle support (120), as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a component for supporting the ankle so that the user can move the front part of the foot left and right based on the ankle. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ankle support (120) may be provided approximately perpendicular to the sole support (110).

[0049] Accordingly, since the components as described above are provided, the structure is such that the user can place the sole of the foot on the sole support (110) and support the ankle on the ankle support (120), so that the user can move the front part of the foot left and right based on the ankle, and when the user intentionally moves the front part of the foot in the inward direction of the foot only with the force of the foot, the tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior muscles and the muscles connected thereto can be strengthened as they relax and contract to form an arch, and ultimately, when this inward movement is repeatedly performed, flat feet can be corrected to a normal arch, and conversely, when the user intentionally moves the front part of the foot in the outward direction of the foot only with the force of the foot, the tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior muscles and the muscles connected thereto can be strengthened as they contract and relax to collapse the arch, and ultimately, when this outward movement is repeatedly performed, cavus feet can be corrected to a normal arch.

[0050] Hereinafter, with reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sole support (110) and the ankle support (120) will be described in more detail.

[0051] The sole support part (110) may include a support body (111) and a heel rest part (112), as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The support body (111) may have a plate shape and may be placed on the sole of the foot. The heel rest part (112) may be provided on the rear portion of the upper surface of the support body (111) and may rest the heel of the foot. Accordingly, when the user places the sole of the foot on the support body (111), the heel of the foot may be rested on the heel rest part (112), and while the user moves the front part of the foot left and right, the heel of the foot may be rested on the heel rest part (112) and become the center of the movement (rotation), thereby enabling the user to perform foot movement more easily. For example, the heel mounting portion (112) may be formed in a recessed groove shape on the upper surface of the support body (111), as shown in FIG. 1.

[0052] Meanwhile, the ankle support (120) may include a first ankle support (121) and a second ankle support (122), as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first ankle support (121) may be provided approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the sole support (110), and the second ankle support (122) may be provided approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the sole support (110) at a distance from the first ankle support (121) so that the user's ankle is placed between the first ankle support (121).

[0053] Accordingly, while the user's ankle is placed between the first and second ankle supports (121)(122) and both the left and right sides of the ankle are supported, the ankle can be stably supported without movement while correcting flat feet or cavus feet, and whether a person has flat feet or cavus feet, flat feet or cavus feet can be corrected for both the left and right feet with one foot exercise device of the present invention. For example, in the case of a person with flat feet, when the front part of the left foot is moved toward the inside of the foot, the first ankle support (121) can support the left side of the ankle, and when the front part of the right foot is moved toward the inside of the foot, the second ankle support (122) can support the right side of the ankle. Furthermore, in the case of a person with a cavus foot, when the front part of the left foot is moved toward the outside of the foot, the second ankle support (122) can support the right side of the ankle, and when the front part of the right foot is moved toward the outside of the foot, the first ankle support (121) can support the left side of the ankle.

[0054] In addition, the ankle support (120) may further include a first reinforcing rib (123) and a second reinforcing rib (124), as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first reinforcing rib (123) may be provided on the first ankle support (121) and may support a force applied in the opposite direction toward the ankle of the first ankle support (121). The second reinforcing rib (124) may be provided on the second ankle support (122) and may support a force applied in the opposite direction toward the ankle of the second ankle support (122). Therefore, when the first and second ankle supports (121) (122) receive a force in the opposite direction toward the ankle due to a force applied by the user during foot movement, the first and second ankle supports (121) (122) may be prevented from being bent or broken in the direction of the force.

[0055] In addition, the foot exercise device (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above may further include a support protrusion (130) as illustrated in FIG. 1. The support protrusion (130) may be provided on the lower surface of the sole support portion (110) and may separate the sole support portion (110) from the ground. Therefore, even if the ground is uneven, the sole support portion (110) can be positioned on the ground without wobbling through the support protrusion (130), thereby preventing the sole support portion (110) from wobbling while the user performs foot exercise by moving the front part of the foot left and right.

[0056]

[0057] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, a foot exercise device (200) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a foot exercise device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the foot exercise device of FIG. 3.

[0059] The foot exercise device (200) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is identical to the first embodiment of the present invention described above except that it further includes first and second pressure parts (250) (260) in the ankle support part (120), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and thus, the following description will focus on this.

[0060] The first pressure member (250) may be provided on a surface of the first ankle support (121) facing a part of the ankle, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and may provide a pushing force toward a part (left) of the ankle. The second pressure member (260) may be provided on a surface of the second ankle support (122) facing the other part (right) of the ankle, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and may provide a pushing force toward the other part of the ankle. Accordingly, when the user's ankle is placed between the first and second ankle supports (121)(122), a part (left) and the other part (right) of the ankle are respectively pressed by the first and second pressure members (250)(260), so that the ankle can be supported more stably without movement.

[0061] Specifically, referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first pressurizing portion (250) may include a first elastic body (251) and a first inner plate (252), and the second pressurizing portion (260) may include a second elastic body (261) and a second inner plate (262). The first elastic body (251) may be provided on the first ankle support (121), and the first inner plate (252) may be elastically supported by the first elastic body (251) and may pressurize the left side of the ankle. The second elastic body (261) may be provided on the second ankle support (122), and the second inner plate (262) may be elastically supported by the second elastic body (261) and may pressurize the right side of the ankle. Accordingly, while the ankle is positioned, the first and second elastic bodies (251)(261) can be compressed as the first and second inner plates (252)(262) move away from the ankle, and when the ankle is positioned between the first and second inner plates (252)(262), the first and second elastic bodies (251)(261) are restored, and the ankle can be stably supported by the restoring force thereof.

[0062] In addition, referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first pressing portion (250) may further include a first malleolus mounting groove (253), and the second pressing portion (260) may further include a second malleolus mounting groove (263). The first malleolus mounting groove (253) may be formed on a surface of the first inner plate (252) facing the left side of the ankle and may be used to mount one malleolus of the user. The second malleolus mounting groove (263) may be formed on a surface of the second inner plate (262) facing the right side of the ankle and may be used to mount the other malleolus of the user. Accordingly, when the ankle is held by the first and second inner plates (252)(262), the first malleolus on the left side of the ankle and the second malleolus on the right side of the ankle are inserted into the first and second malleolus fixing grooves (253)(263), respectively, so that the user's malleolus can be comfortably placed without being pressed.

[0063] In addition, referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first pressure unit (250) may further include a first ankle cushion pad (254), and the second pressure unit (260) may further include a second ankle cushion pad (264). The first ankle cushion pad (254) may be provided on a side of the first inner plate (252) facing the ankle and may provide cushioning to the left side of the ankle, and the second ankle cushion pad (264) may be provided on a side of the second inner plate (262) facing the ankle and may provide cushioning to the right side of the ankle. Accordingly, when the ankle is gripped by the first and second inner plates (252)(262), the left and right sides of the ankle first come into contact with the first and second ankle cushion pads (254)(264), respectively, thereby providing cushioning to the ankle.

[0064]

[0065] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a foot exercise device (300) according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a foot exercise device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the foot exercise device of FIG. 5.

[0067] The foot exercise device (300) according to the third embodiment of the present invention is identical to the first or second embodiment of the present invention described above, except that it further includes an ankle gap adjustment part (370) in the ankle support part (120) as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and thus, the following description will focus on this.

[0068] The ankle gap adjustment unit (370) can adjust the gap between the first ankle support (121) and the second ankle support (122), as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Therefore, even if the thickness (diameter) of the user's ankle is different, the gap can be adjusted according to the size of the ankle through the ankle gap adjustment unit (370), so that anyone, regardless of age or gender, can use the foot exercise device (300) of the present invention.

[0069] Specifically, the ankle gap adjustment unit (370) may include a ball screw (371), a first nut portion (372), and a first guide path (373), as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The ball screw (371) may be rotatably provided below the upper surface of the sole support portion (110) and may have a rod shape with screw threads formed on its outer circumference. The first nut portion (372) may be provided at the lower portion of the first ankle support (121) and may be screw-fastened to the ball screw (371). The first guide path (373) may be formed to penetrate the upper surface of the sole support portion (110) to allow movement while the first nut portion (372) moves left and right.

[0070] Furthermore, referring back to FIG. 5, the ball screw (371) may have a bidirectional screw thread in which the left and right screw threads are opposite with respect to the center thereof, and the first nut portion (372) may be screw-fastened to the left side of the ball screw (371). In this case, the ankle gap adjustment portion (370) may further include a second nut portion (374) and a second guide path (375), as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The second nut portion (374) may be provided at the lower portion of the second ankle support (122) and may be screw-fastened to the right side of the ball screw (371), and the second guide path (375) may be formed to penetrate the upper surface of the sole support portion (110) to allow movement of the second nut portion (374) while it moves left and right. Therefore. By simply rotating the ball screw (371) in the forward or reverse direction, the first nut portion (372) and the second nut portion (374) can be brought closer or further apart from each other, so that the gap between the first ankle support (121) and the second ankle support (122) can be easily and quickly adjusted.

[0071] In addition, the ankle gap adjustment unit (370) may further include a knob (376) for manually rotating the ball screw (371), as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. For reference, the knob (376) can be placed relatively far from the ground through the support protrusion (130) described above, so that the ball screw (371) can be smoothly rotated through the user knob (376).

[0072]

[0073] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0074] The present invention relates to a foot exercise device and has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. As a foot exercise device, A footrest for supporting the user's soles; and An ankle support provided on the above-mentioned sole support part to support the ankle so that the user can move the front part of the foot left and right based on the ankle; Including Foot exercise device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above footrest, A support body having a plate shape and a raised sole; and A heel support portion provided on the rear part of the upper surface of the above-mentioned support body and used to support the heel of the sole; Including Foot exercise device.

3. In paragraph 1, The above ankle support is, A first ankle support provided vertically on the upper surface of the above-mentioned sole support portion; and A second ankle support provided vertically on the upper surface of the footrest portion with a gap from the first ankle support so that the user's ankle is placed between the first ankle support; Including Foot exercise device.

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