FOOT EXERCISE BRACE AND BALL DEVICE

Abstract

A universal foot exercise brace and ball device with new and useful characteristics for massaging the plantar fascia is presented. An adjustable ankle brace surrounding the ankle connects to an elastic strip-sleeve that rests over the top portion of the foot and secures itself to a toe(s) by means of a lower elastic loop. An upper ring freely holds an elastic cord that in turn holds a spherical ball for massaging the tissue found at the bottom of the foot. Together, all the components of this foot exercise brace and ball device, work as an integrated unit enabling for a fast, safe, and easy fitting of the brace. Furthermore, this invention securely holds the ball in place while it operates rolling under all sections of the plantar fascia.

Claims

1. A Foot Exercise Brace and Ball Device engineered for the treatment of plantar fasciitis, comprising: (a) an adjustable ankle brace component for receiving the foot of a user, said ankle brace formed of multidirectional stretch fabric having a frontal securing strap outfitted with double side Velcro conceived to anatomically fasten the brace around the ankle; (b) a flexible strip-sleeve component connected and expanding from the frontal portion of said ankle brace designed to rest directly on the top section of the foot (over the. Superior and Inferior retinaculum structure) down to the toes of the user, said strip-sleeve substantially configured as a thin sleeve having a layer of cushioned material stitched to said strip-sleeve and applied to this section for providing padding and structural support to said strip-sleeve; (c) a pin-ring component characterized by a circular base section, a connecting raised stem section, and a ring section, said pin-ring mechanism having the circular base section permanently positioned inside the strip-sleeve component with the connecting stem piercing above the top face of the strip-sleeve component and the ring section distinctively protruding outside said strip-sleeve, said ping ring component configured for allowing unrestricted circulation of a threaded elastic cord; (d) an elastic frontal toe loop component permanently attached to the distal underside end of the strip-sleeve component, said toe loop component configured for securing and fitting around a user's toe; (e) an elastic cord component threaded through the pin-ring component, said elastic cord configured for freely engaging with an exercise ball; and (f) an exercise/massage ball component having a firm hollowed built-in channel intersecting the center axis of the ball, said ball curved and contoured to adhere around the core channel by permanently compressing both parts against each other forming and delivering a spherical ball with structural support that prevents its collapse under the foot, said ball configured to permit unrestricted circulation of the elastic cord component, wherein the foot exercise brace and ball device is characterized in that, all the aforementioned components are constructed to permanently engage with each other to operate as one integrated and reliable joined unit device.

2. A foot exercise brace and ball device, further characterized in that, it delivers a new operational method resulting in fast, reliable, and safe application of a unified device on and off the foot.

3. A foot exercise brace and ball device further characterized in that, it delivers a new exercise/massage ball component that effectively rolls under the foot with directional flexibility (forward, backward, lateral) efficiently covering all sections of the plantar fascia as intended by the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention:

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the four sections operating as one integrated and functional unit device.

[0029] FIGS. 3, 4, and 4A are perspective views of the ankle brace and strip-sleeve sections.

[0030] FIGS. 5 and 7 are perspective views of the elastic band and ball sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of the present foot brace and exercise/massage invention built to operate as a joined unit 100, FIG. 2 illustrates the same device 100 anatomically fitted on a foot and in use. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the user easily slides either foot inside the ankle brace and then secures the device with the help of a Velcro strap. Next, he/she safely puts the foot through the elastic cord (in between the strip-sleeve and the ball). Finally, he/she inserts a toe(s) through a frontal toe loop member. 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.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an ankle brace component 200 made using multidirectional breathable material for maximum comfort in wear, said ankle brace further includes a double side Velcro strap component 201 on one end designed for securing the brace around the ankle thus achieving optimal anatomic fit.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a left view of a flexible strip-sleeve component 300 directly connected to the ankle brace 200. Said strip-sleeve component configured to rest exactly on top of the foot, (over the Superior and Inferior retinaculum structure) down to the toes. Said strip-sleeve component 300 further encasing a layer of cushioned material stitched to the strip-sleeve and applied to this component to provide padding and structure to this section, thus achieving an aspect similar to the padded tongue of a sports shoe. Said strip-sleeve component 300 further comprising three other support members noted as follow: (A) an attached pin member 301 having a circular base section with a raised connecting stem section. Said circular base positioned inside the strip-sleeve component 300 with the stem piercing through the top face of the strip-sleeve, configured in this manner to avoid direct contact of the disc with the top of the foot (as depicted in FIG. 4A, Detail A enlarged for clarity). Said pin member 301 further designed to end in (B) a ring shaped member 302 visibly protruding above the strip-sleeve component 300. Said ring member 302 further designed to allow unrestricted threading of an elastic cord at this point allowing the ball freedom to operate in multiple directions as intended by the user, and (C) an elastic frontal toe loop member 303. Said toe loop component affixed to the distal underside end of said strip-sleeve 300 designed to fasten the strip-sleeve to a toe(s)

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates an elastic cord component 400 configured to be unrestrictedly threaded through two key points; first, through ring member 302 and second, through the center channel of a ball thus allowing unrestricted movement of the ball. Said elastic cord component 400 giving the user the capability to hold a ball in position under his/her foot while also allowing flexibility to roll the ball with directional control (forward, backward, and lateral) against all sections of the plantar fascia.

[0035] FIGS. 6 and 7 further illustrate an exercise/massage ball component 500 built of both firm and semi-firm materials thus, guaranteeing a dense ball with sufficient softness suitable for applying proper pressure to the plantar fascia. Said ball further comprising a solid, yet hollow cylindrical channel 501 mounted on the center axis of the ball built to allow circulation of the elastic cord member 400. Said cylindrical channel further designed and built to provide structural support to the ball member 500 for effectively avoiding its collapse under the foot.

[0036] Lastly, is noted that any specific methods, processes and suitable materials (elastic, molded plastic, rubber, PVC blends, sports mesh, spongy, and others) that prove useful in the manufacturing and overall comfort and fit of this, device may be employed.