Foot Exercise Brace and Ball Device

Abstract

A universal foot exercise brace and ball device with new and useful characteristics for massaging and rehabilitating the plantar fascia is presented. An adjustable ankle brace surrounding the ankle naturally connects to a curvilinear tongue surface that rests over the top portion of the foot defining a passageway for a shock cord. An upper cord lock subsequently accommodates and sizes the shock cord, which in turn holds a spherical ball designed for massaging the tissues found at the bottom of the foot. Together, all the components of this utilitarian device work as one embodiment and integrated unit leaving the plantar fascia completely unobstructed to be massaged using this new device and method that securely holds a ball in place under the foot while it operates rolling under all sections of the plantar fascia as intended by the user.

Claims

1. A Foot Exercise Brace and Ball Device engineered for the treatment of plantar fasciitis, comprising: (a) an adjustable Ankle Brace component designed for receiving the foot of a user formed of multidirectional stretch fabric comprising a curvilinear tongue section integrally extending from the brace, said ankle brace further encompassing a hook and loop securement segment sewn to the underside of one terminal end of the brace conceived to anatomically fasten it around the ankle; (b) a Cord Lock component configured as an adjusting mechanism for threading and sizing an elastic shock cord through two holes, said cord lock held loosely in position above the tongue surface section of the brace by function of an elastic shock cord; (c) an elastic shock cord component threaded through the cord lock component, the tongue section of the brace, and a ball component, said elastic cord configured for engaging and retaining an exercise ball under a foot; and (d) an exercise/massage ball component comprising a hollowed built-in cylindrical channel intersecting the center axis of the ball configured to allow unrestricted circulation of the elastic shock cord component, said cylindrical channel further including an optional solid yet hollow cylinder fused to the inner part of the ball for preventing its collapse under the foot; Wherein the foot exercise brace and ball device is typified in that, all the aforementioned components are constructed for cooperatively engaging with each other to operate as one integrated embodiment and reliable foot-massaging device.

2. The ankle brace of claim 1 (a) including a tongue section occurring as a natural continuation of the Ankle Brace, said tongue comprising two small eyelets configured for threading and crossing an elastic shock cord from the bottom to the upper side of the tongue.

3. The ankle brace of claim 1 (a) comprising a small Pull-Tub component centrally mounted on the body of the ankle brace formed of hook and loop segments conceived for holding any excess resulting from an elastic shock cord.

4. The ankle brace of claim 1 (d) comprising a substantially spherical massage ball formed of EVA foam, a material never used before in a massage ball application, said material offering unique qualities for applying proper massage and pressure to the plantar fascia.

5. The foot exercise brace and ball device of claim 1 comprising a new operational method for self-massaging and reconditioning the muscles of the plantar fascia, said exercise brace and ball device further comprising a new method in which the plantar fascia is completely unobstructed and exposed during exercise and rehabilitation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention:

[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the four sections operating as one integrated and functional unit device.

[0028] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are perspective views of the ankle brace and tongue sections.

[0029] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the elastic shock cord, cord lock, and ball sections.

[0030] FIG. 7A is a detail view of the interaction between the cord lock and the shock cord.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The following description of the invention, discloses illustrative and non-limiting embodiments of specific configurations and components. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will readily recognized that while such embodiments and descriptions are non-limiting examples of the specific features described below, they do provide an exact outlining and understanding of the purpose and matter of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of the present foot exercise brace and massage ball embodiment built to operate as a connected unit completely illustrated in FIG. 100, FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the same device 100 anatomically fitted on a foot and in use. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the user easily places either foot inside the ankle brace and fastens the device via a hook and loop securement segment attached to one end of compatible U.B.L Neoprene fabric used on the main body of the brace. Next, he/she safely puts the foot through the elastic shock cord (in between the tongue section and the ball). At this point, the user is ready to begin a controlled rolling motion of the ball under the foot (forward, backward, and lateral) with full flexibility and reliability to cover all aspects of the plantar fascia.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an ankle brace component 200 constructed using multidirectional breathable material (such as compatible SCR U.B.L Neoprene) of high strength, softness, and elasticity used in this application for maximum comfort in wear. Said ankle brace further includes a hook and loop securement with the male segment attached to one underside end of component 200. Said hook segment designated as component 201 is included for fastening the brace around the ankle; thus, achieving optimal anatomic fit. Said ankle brace component 200, further includes a small Pull-Tab designated as component 202 situated on the front of component 200 and configured to keep out of the way any excess resulting from the elastic shock cord while the device is in use. Said Pull-Tab, being the hook segment of hook and loop; thus, being capable of attaching to component 200.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a curvilinear tongue surface component 300 naturally occurring as a continuation of the brace section, thus directly connected to the ankle brace component 200. Said tongue component configured to rest exactly on top of the foot, (in between the superior and inferior extensor retinaculum structure of the foot). Said tongue component 300 configured with two small eyelets designated as components 301 and 302, which specifically provide two orifices for threading and crossing a shock cord from the bottom to the upper side of the tongue surface as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a left view illustration of the brace and tongue sections

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates an elastic shock cord component 400 designed to be threaded through three key points. First, through the two eyelets described concurrently with the tongue component 300. Second, through a cord lock mechanism designated as component 401 provided as a tightening means for selectively sizing the elastic shock cord to a desired personal length. Third, through the center channel of a ball component 501 (explained below). Furthermore, said elastic shock cord component 400 is configured to provide specific functionality of the massage ball holding it in position under the foot while also allowing maximum flexibility to roll it with directional control (forward, backward, and lateral) against all sections of the plantar fascia as intended by the user.

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates an exercise/massage ball component 500 built of EVA foam, a material never before used in a massage application device offering unique characteristics, which generate a dense ball with sufficient softness suitable for applying proper pressure to the plantar fascia. Said ball further comprising a hollow cylindrical channel designated as component 501 occurring from side to side on the center axis of the ball configured to allow unrestricted circulation of the elastic shock cord member 400. This cylindrical channel further includes an optional solid cylinder designated as component 502 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as a phantom view) fused to the inner side of the ball and built to provide structural support to said member 500 thus, effectively avoiding its collapse under the foot.

[0038] FIG. 7A is an amplified detail illustration of the elastic shock cord interacting with a cord lock system.

[0039] Although reference to specific materials used in the construction of this device precedes; any other methods, processes, and suitable materials (elastic rubber, compatible UBL Neoprene, molded plastic, sports mesh, EVA foam, and others) that prove useful in the manufacturing and overall comfort and fit of this device may be employed without limitations or restrictions.