FOOTWORK ORIENTATION AND ARM AND HIP TRAINING AND COORDINATION DEVICES

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to devices that can be used to position a foot in orientations that enable various body actions in defined directions and defined pathways for maximum effectiveness. Using various means such as markings and protrusions on a rotating plate flush with a mount configured to hold it that has corresponding markings, a user can rotate one or both of his feet to orient them in specific orientations elaborated. In such orientations he can practice various techniques such as practicing of various shots, hip movements etc. The devices can be configured with resistance bands and other devices to provide more specific orientation and training.

Claims

1. A foot orientation device for footwork training and orientation, the foot orientation device comprising: a mount configured to hold a surface rotatable on a vertical axis; wherein, in a neutral position, the surface is aligned in parallel to a horizontal axis such that it accommodates a foot of a user parallel to the horizontal axis; and wherein, in an elevated position, the surface is configured to be turned at a predetermined/adjustable angle over a horizontal plane such that front of the foot of the user kept on the surface is elevated while rear of the foot of the user is lowered.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is circular in shape and its vertical axis passes through its centre.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mount and the surface are flushed with each other in shape of two concentric circles.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises one or more protrusions that are configured to firmly hold/wedge the foot of the user.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one plane of the surface is curved either concavely or convexly to allow force application by the foot of the user to rotate the surface.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a first set of markings and/or the surface comprises a second set of markings, and when the first set of markings align with the second set of markings, proper alignment/orientation of the foot is ensured.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises one or more perforations or one or more orientation based perforations.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises one or more attachment mechanisms that are configured to attach external attachments including, but not limited to, one or more foot orientation devices, sports equipments, poles and the like.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a base plate of various shapes upon which the mount is affixed.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the base plate is used for fixing external attachments including, but not limited to, one or more foot orientation devices, sports equipments, poles and the like.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured with a retractable mechanism such as, but not limited to, spring actuated mechanism to effectuate a transition from the neutral position to the elevated position, and wherein during transition from the elevated position to the neutral position, the retractable mechanism provides variable resistance to the force exerted by the foot of the user upon the surface.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein transition between open orientation of the foot, center orientation of the foot and closed orientation of the foot in the neutral position is done by exerting suitable force upon the surface in an appropriate direction.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein transition between the open orientation of the foot, the center orientation of the foot and the closed orientation of the foot in the elevated position is done by exerting suitable force upon the surface in an appropriate direction and then applying a downward force primarily from the front of the foot upon the surface.

14. A coupling of at least two foot orientation devices to align/orient one or both feet of a user, the coupling comprising: at least two foot orientation devices, each foot orientation device comprising a mount configured to hold a surface rotatable on a vertical axis; wherein the at least two foot orientation devices comprise a connecting mechanism that responsively connects at least two foot orientation devices to achieve similar or opposing responsive orientation.

15. The coupling of claim 14, wherein the connecting mechanism comprises a rim configured underneath the surface of one of the foot orientation devices over which a band is rolled that is crossly connected to corresponding rim of other foot orientation devices to effectuate similar or opposing responsive orientation of the other foot orientation devices.

16. A foot orientation device for footwork training and orientation, the foot orientation device comprising: a mount configured to hold a surface rotatable on a vertical axis; wherein the surface comprises of a cut-out/ridge/raised surface to enable both feet of a user to be placed in an desired orientation and then move them together while holding the same orientation.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the cut-out surface is configured such that at least a part of the surface is sloping either upwards or downwards.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein one or more resistance bands are operatively coupled with the one or more perforations available on the surface at one end and connected to a sports, training and/or physiotherapy entity such as, but not limited to, the user or a sports equipment at the other end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention disclosed illustrating its components and working.

[0040] FIG. 1B illustrates variety of protrusions and holes on a device disclosed.

[0041] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the invention disclosed.

[0042] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrates various combinations of device disclosed whereby two such devices are used together and also how the various orientations are achieved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0044] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the invention may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the invention will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0045] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0046] Open orientation in the instant disclosure means a foot orientation where the ball of its big toe is outside of the vertical plane passing through the corresponding knee of the body.

[0047] Closed orientation in the instant disclosure means a foot orientation where the ball of its big toe is inside of the vertical plane passing through the corresponding knee of the body.

[0048] Center orientation in the instant disclosure means a foot orientation where the ball of its big toe is aligned with the outer vertical plane passing through the corresponding knee of the body.

[0049] There can be other variants of above positions which can be elaborated in the literature accompanying the disclosed invention appropriately and/or labeled on the device disclosed as elaborated hereunder. The above mentioned orientations are described only as a general reference.

[0050] Aspects of the present disclosure relates to sports training tools. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to tools for footwork orientation and arm and hip training and coordination. The primary goal of the tool is to teach foot orientations, while a version of the same teaches the impact/effect of orientations for the hip/s and overall body in general.

[0051] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a foot orientation device for footwork training and orientation, wherein the foot orientation device includes a mount configured to hold a surface rotatable on a vertical axis, wherein, in a neutral position, the surface is aligned in parallel to a horizontal axis such that it accommodates a foot of a user parallel to the horizontal axis, and wherein, in an elevated position, the surface is configured to be turned at a predetermined/adjustable angle over a horizontal plane such that front of the foot of the user kept on the surface is elevated while rear of the foot of the user is lowered.

[0052] In an aspect, the surface is circular in shape and its vertical axis passes through its centre.

[0053] In an aspect, the mount and the surface are flushed with each other in shape of two concentric circles.

[0054] In an aspect, the surface includes one or more protrusions that are configured to firmly hold/wedge the foot of the user.

[0055] In an aspect, at least one plane of the surface is curved either concavely or convexly to allow force application by the foot of the user to rotate the surface.

[0056] In an aspect, the mount includes a first set of markings and/or the surface includes a second set of markings, and when the first set of markings align with the second set of markings, proper alignment/orientation of the foot is ensured.

[0057] In an aspect, the surface includes one or more perforations or one or more orientation based perforations.

[0058] In an aspect, the mount includes one or more attachment mechanisms that are configured to attach external attachments including, but not limited to, one or more foot orientation devices, sports equipments, poles and the like.

[0059] In an aspect, the device includes a base plate of various shapes upon which the mount is affixed.

[0060] In an aspect, the base plate is used for fixing external attachments including, but not limited to, one or more foot orientation devices, sports equipments, poles and the like.

[0061] In an aspect, the device is configured with a retractable mechanism such as, but not limited to, spring actuated mechanism to effectuate a transition from the neutral position to the elevated position, and wherein during transition from the elevated position to the neutral position, the retractable mechanism provides variable resistance to the force exerted by the foot of the user upon the surface.

[0062] In an aspect, transition between open orientation of the foot, center orientation of the foot and closed orientation of the foot in the neutral position is done by exerting suitable force upon the surface in an appropriate direction.

[0063] In an aspect, transition between the open orientation of the foot, the center orientation of the foot and the closed orientation of the foot in the elevated position is done by exerting suitable force upon the surface in an appropriate direction and then applying a downward force primarily from the front of the foot upon the surface.

[0064] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a coupling of at least two foot orientation devices to align/orient one or both feet of a user, wherein the coupling includes at least two foot orientation devices, each foot orientation device including a mount configured to hold a surface rotatable on a vertical axis, wherein the at least two foot orientation devices include a connecting mechanism that responsively connects at least two foot orientation devices to achieve similar or opposing responsive orientation.

[0065] In an aspect, the connecting mechanism includes a rim configured underneath the surface of one of the foot orientation devices over which a band is rolled that is crossly connected to corresponding rim of other foot orientation devices to effectuate similar or opposing responsive orientation of the other foot orientation devices.

[0066] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a foot orientation device for footwork training and orientation, wherein the foot orientation device includes a mount configured to hold a surface rotatable on a vertical axis, wherein the surface includes of a cut-out/ridge/raised surface to enable both feet of a user to be placed in an desired orientation and then move them together while holding the same orientation.

[0067] In an aspect, the cut-out surface is configured such that at least a part of the surface is sloping either upwards or downwards.

[0068] In an aspect, one or more resistance bands are operatively coupled with the one or more perforations available on the surface at one end and connected to a sports, training and/or physiotherapy entity such as, but not limited to, the user or a sports equipment at the other end.

[0069] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the device disclosed illustrating its components and working.

[0070] In an aspect, the purpose of the device 100 being disclosed is to enable a user to shift/move/rotate his foot or feet in orientations/positions that align his body to play various shots. The positions/orientations are as defined generally as above and as elaborated herein.

[0071] In an aspect, device 100 can include a mount 110 configured to hold a surface 120 rotatable on its vertical axis for a predetermined inches above the ground. In an aspect the mount 110 can be circular. In another aspect the surface 120 can be circular and its axis can pass through its centre. The surface 120 can interchangeably be termed as a swivel plate or a twist plate. In yet another aspect, mount 110 and surface 120 can be flush with each other in the shape of two concentric circles as illustrated, of which the inner circle represents surface 120 and the outer circle mount 110.

[0072] In another aspect, surface 120 can have protrusions 130 on it configured to hold a foot. The user can rotate the surface 120 by exerting suitable rotary force on the surface 120.

[0073] In another aspect, circumference of mount 110 can have a plurality of markings 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, etc. collectively illustrated as 150 and surface 120 can have other plurality of markings 160a, 160b, 160c, 160d, etc. collectively illustrated as 160. Each of the marking can be so labeled that when markings with the same label are aligned together using the foot placed on the surface 120, they align the foot in the position labeled on the markings. So, the markings can be used to orient/align the foot as required.

[0074] In other aspect, the markings 150 and 160 can instead describe zones on circumference of the mount 110 and the surface 120 which when overlap lead to the foot position/orientation being as labeled on the respective zones.

[0075] It should be understood that the purpose of the protrusions 130 is to enable a foot to be held firmly on the surface 120 and then rotate it to achieve a foot orientation the user desires. The same purpose can as well be served by other means such as, for example, grooves, nonslip tapes, markings, resistance bands etc. In another exemplary embodiment, instead of protrusions 130, holes could be configured through which resistance bands can pass to hold the foot at that place.

[0076] In an aspect, the protrusions 130 can enable a foot enclosed by them to be held in neutral position initially, as can be determined by appropriate markings 150 and 160.

[0077] In another aspect, the outer circumference of surface 120 can have a plurality of holes 170 that can have resistance bands in them as elaborated further on. Each or groups of hole/s can correspond to a foot orientation and can be marked accordingly. In an exemplary embodiment, each hole can be color coded. For example, a hole meant to be for centre orientation can have yellow periphery, that for open orientation red periphery, a hole for closed orientation can have blue periphery and likewise for other orientation variants. In another aspect, these holes can instead be in different shapes to describe/point out different orientations. For example, a hole meant to be for centre orientation can be circular, that for open orientation triangular, a hole for closed orientation can be star/circular shaped and likewise for other orientation variants.

[0078] The holes 170 can have resistance bands that can be attached to any external implement such as a tennis racquet or a pole in order to give appropriate movement/coordination and or resistance to the users' hand or foot movements.

[0079] In another aspect, the mount 110 can have attachment mechanisms illustrated as 180 that can be configured to attach external implements and devices to the device 100 disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, attachment mechanism 180 can be used to connect one device 100 to another like device or its variants to be elaborated further on. The other device can be used for the other foot of the user.

[0080] In another aspect, device 100 can be configured with a rectangular base plate 140 upon which mount 110 can be affixed to give the device 100 more stability. Base plate 140 can also be used for fixing external implements such as poles, resistance bands etc. as elaborated hereinafter.

[0081] In another aspect, in a neutral position, the surface 120 can be configured to be aligned in parallel to horizontal such that it can accommodate foot of a user parallel to the horizontal.

[0082] In another aspect, in an elevated position, the surface 120 can be configured to be turned at a slight predetermined/adjustable angle over a horizontal axis such that front of the foot of the user kept on the surface 120 can be slightly elevated while rear of the foot of the user can be slightly pressed. The surface 120 can be configured to be turned at a slight predetermined/adjustable angle over a horizontal axis in such a fashion that front of the foot kept on it is slightly elevated while the heel is slightly pressed, when the user keeps one foot on the device and does not exert any pressure on it, his other foot being on the ground). For the purpose of understanding, the side of the surface 120 that is elevated can be called the toe side and the depressed side the heel side and such a position of the surface 120 be called its elevated position. In an exemplary embodiment, such elevation and depression can be achieved by means of appropriate means (for example springs) configured below the surface 120.

[0083] In an aspect, the device 100 can enable a player to practice various foot orientations and footwork technique for, say, a tennis shot properly. To do the same, in an embodiment, a player/user can keep one foot on the device in a neutral start position (which can be the neutral position or the elevated position in any of the above orientations described above of their variants) by appropriate markings 150 and 160 as elaborated above while keeping the other foot on ground. He can turn the surface 120 by exerting suitable force on the protrusions 130 therein so that his foot is aligned in the orientation he wants to practice the shot in, such alignment being achieved by alignment of markings 150 and 160 as elaborated above. Once he has achieved the orientation he wants, he can press the surface 120 downwards using the front of the foot kept on the device (which corresponds to transferring body weight on the foot as required for the shot or footwork technique being practiced). Once he has completed practicing the shot or footwork the user can keep toe side of the surface 120 still pressed by front part of his foot and can rotate surface 120 back to its neutral start position or the device 100 can be configured to bring the surface 120 back to the neutral start position automatically without him exerting any further pressure but with the user keeping toe side of the surface 120 still pressed by front portion of his foot.

[0084] In another exemplary embodiment, the device 100 disclosed can be configured for the surface 120's starting point of use at the point of beginning of open or closed orientation range or centre range or straight range, such orientations being described by means of appropriate markings 150 and 160 as elaborated above.

[0085] In another embodiment, the device 100 can include a retractable mechanism such as, but not limited to, spring actuated mechanism that can to effectuate a transition from neutral position to elevated position. Moreover, during transition from elevated position to neutral position, the retractable mechanism provides variable resistance to the force exerted by foot of user upon the surface 120.

[0086] In another embodiment, after he has completed the shot, the player can relax pressure on foot so that surface 120 gets (slightly) elevated again on the toe side and then the user can rotate surface 120 back to its neutral start position or the device 100 can bring the surface 120 back to the starting position without him exerting any further pressure. That is, the device is now resting in its unbiased/starting of orientation position.

[0087] In yet another embodiment, the device 100 need not have any elevation or depression provision for the surface 120 as described above. Instead, surface 120 can remain flat and the user can move the surface 120 as elaborated above without any depression or elevation of any zone of the surface 120.

[0088] In yet another embodiment, the device 100 can have at least a plane of the surface 120 in the form of a convex or concave curve to allow the surface 120 to be rotated about vertical axis when a force is exerted on it by foot of the user.

[0089] In an aspect, two such device 100s can be used side by side and then used to align one or both feet of a user in one of the positions described above or its variants. Attachment mechanisms 150 can be configured to hold the two devices together.

[0090] In another aspect, coupling of two or more such devices 100s can be achieved by using a connecting means that can be selected from any or a combination of mechanical connection mechanisms such as, but not limited to, spring actuated mechanism, link operated connection mechanism, and lever operated connection mechanism. In another exemplary embodiment, during coupling of at least two foot orientation devices to align/orient one or both feet of a user, similar or opposing responsive orientations can be achieved with the help of the connecting mechanism that responsively connects at least two foot orientation devices. In another exemplary embodiment, in case of operatively coupling three such device 100s, two of such devices 100s can be coupled to achieve similar responsive orientation while third device 100 can achieve opposite responsive orientation.

[0091] In another aspect, the device 100 can be so configured that when it is being used together with a like device, the movement of a foot kept on one device to orient it in any of the orientations described above guides the foot kept on the other device also towards the same orientation. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the surface 120 can be configured with a rim underneath over which a band can be kept that can in turn be configured over corresponding rim of a corresponding device 100 placed by one of the device's side in a cross manner. Then, similar or opposing foot orientations of the user can be achieved such as, when the foot of say the device 100 on the left side is being moved in the closed orientation, the band can turn the rim of the other device 100 on which the right foot is being placed/moved towards the same orientation for the right foot and thus both feet can be guided towards the same orientation (to clarify, the band configured such leads to opposite rotations of the two surface plates of the two devices.)

[0092] FIG. 1B illustrates variety of protrusions and holes on a device disclosed.

[0093] As illustrated, a device disclosed can have a variety of protrusions 130 and holes 170 that can be used to achieve motion of different orientation as elaborated above.

[0094] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the invention disclosed.

[0095] In another exemplary embodiment, a device 200 can be configured with constructional features similar to that of device 100, except that device 200 can have appropriate markings to enable both feet of the user to be kept on the device 200 and then be moved to align the feet in different orientations as elaborated above.

[0096] In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, surface 120 of device 100 can have cutout/ridge/raised surface illustrated as 220 to enable both feet to be placed in an orientation desired and then move them together while holding the same orientation. In another embodiment, the cutout/ridge/raised surface can have holes 170. In yet another embodiment, the cutout surface 220 can be in the shape of a cutout with holes 170 only on the radial side and none on the arc side. That is, cutout 220 can completely take away the area being cut, thereby leaving space for holes only on the radial sides of the cut and none on the arc side. In another aspect, ridge 220 can be so configured that feet kept on either side of it are either sloping towards it or sloping away from it.

[0097] In another embodiment, device 200 can have a provision 240 in which an external pole 260 can be fixed. Pole 260 can have multiple holes 270 though which resistance bands 280 can be passed, their other ends being fixed onto holes 170 on the rotating surface 120 of the device disclosed. This is illustrated FIG. 2B. Using such a configuration the user of device 200 can experience resistance as he rotates his feet on device 200 thereby training his body and hips further. In yet another aspect, resistance bands can be fixed from holes 170 to his racquet instead.

[0098] In yet another aspect, surface 120 can be so configured such that it can have fixed/adjustable resistance to its rotating motion when a user tries to rotate it. In an exemplary embodiment, surface 120 can have a resistance mechanism on its shaft around which it rotates to give it such resistance.

[0099] In yet another embodiment, device 200 can be turned 180 degrees on its vertical axis to give an opposite orientation. Markings can be made on the device 200 and all other appropriate places accordingly. For example, the device can be kept in one position so that feet kept on it as explained above maintain closed orientation and then, can be turned 180 degrees so that feet now kept on it as explained above maintain open orientation.

[0100] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrates various combinations of device 100 whereby two such devices are used together and also how the various orientations are achieved.

[0101] FIG. 3A shows two devices put side by side wherein device 320 is configured for the left foot 340 and device 310 is configured for the right foot 330 (along with the protrusions, corresponding holes for different orientations as elaborated above) The feet are shown in a neutral orientation position. On each device holes 170 and protrusions 130 are configured according to open position. Also illustrated at 240 is a provision for fixing a pole that can be in turn fitted with resistance bands with their other ends attached to corresponding holes 170 to provide resistance to the rotary motion of the feet as elaborated above.

[0102] FIG. 3B illustrates how the feet are to be turned on each device to achieve open orientation of the feet.

[0103] FIG. 3C how the feet are to be turned on each device to achieve closed orientation of the feet.

[0104] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Advantages of the Invention

[0105] The present disclosure provides a foot orientation device that can align/orient footwork of a user.

[0106] The present disclosure provides a foot orientation device that provides coordination between sports equipments and biomechanical movements of the user.

[0107] The present disclosure provides a foot orientation device that can be used for physiotherapy and other medical purposes.

[0108] The present disclosure provides a foot orientation device that can enhance footwork of a player.

[0109] The present disclosure provides a foot orientation device that provides effective training of multiple sports.

[0110] The present disclosure provides a foot orientation device that can be used with other equipments to improve training of the user.

[0111] The present disclosure provides a foot orientation device that can be used with other body parts of the user such as hands.

[0112] The present disclosure provides a foot orientation device that is cost effective.