Method and apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements

Abstract

Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements has a main-frame with a seat and upwardly extending columns at either side to support a “U” shaped sub-frame, mounted so that it pivots about a horizontal axis passing very nearly through the ankles of a seated user and interconnecting linkages simultaneously enforcing ankle inversion, with plantarflexion and then ankle eversion, with dorsiflexion, about perpendicularly intersecting axes, while resisting such movements, so as to provide bidirectional ankle exercises according to a progressive resistance program, thus strengthening the ankle muscle groups for enhanced balance and dynamic stability.

Claims

1. A method for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising the steps of: providing a pedal member mounted for coupled bi-directional pivotal movement about two perpendicular axes; positioning a user's foot on the pedal member for doing prescribed ankle exercise movements; restraining the user's foot and ankle from undisciplined movement with respect to the pedal member; coupling ankle inversion movement with plantarflexion through pivotal movement of the pedal member; coupling ankle eversion movement with dorsiflexion through pivotal movement of the pedal member; and resisting such movements with a selected force.

2. Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising: a main-frame including a base and upwardly extending columns at either side thereof; a support for positioning a user; a sub-frame mounted so that a cross member thereof pivots parallelly about a horizontal first axis passing transversely at or near the ankles of the user; right and left pedal members mounted to the sub-frame cross member for pivotal movement about right and left second axes, perpendicular to and intersecting the horizontal first axis, and having an interconnected linkage, so that the right and left pedal members are caused to pivot in opposite directions; a motion transfer linkage whereby pivotal movement of the pedal members about the first axis will simultaneously force pivotal movement of the pedal members about their respective second axes.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the support is an adjustable height seat.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising: an incrementally adjustable weight opposing pivotal movement of the “U” shaped sub-frame in a downward direction, so that selected ankle exercise forces may be exerted against the right and left pedal members for downward movement of the sub-frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising an adjustment for varying the seat height.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising a lever for manually effecting movement of the right and left pedals about the first and second axes.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising: an incrementally adjustable weight opposing such simultaneous pivotal movement of the sub-frame about the right, left and horizontal axes, so that an exercise force must be exerted therefor.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising: the right and left pedal members further including foot restraining members to provide for ankle exercise forces exerted for upward movement of the “U” shaped sub-frame.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising: the right and left pedal members further including thigh constraining members to prevent upper leg participation in ankle exercise movements.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 and further comprising: an incrementally adjustable weight opposing pivotal movement of the “U” shaped sub-frame in an upward direction, so that selected ankle exercise forces may be exerted upwardly against the right and left foot restraining members for upward pivotal movement.

11. Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising: a main-frame including a generally symmetrical base, with a centrally mounted seat for supporting a user and columns extending upwardly at each side thereof to provide for a horizontal first axis passing therethrough at the approximate location of a user's ankles; a “U” shaped first sub-frame, with a cross-bar located forward of the horizontal first axis and essentially horizontal sides, mounted to pivot up and down about the horizontal first axis; right and left pedal members mounted to the sub-frame cross bar on right and left second axes respectively, so as to pivot in symmetrical user inversion and eversion movements, the second axes being perpendicular to and intersecting the first axis; and a motion transfer linkage whereby pivotal movement of the cross-bar about the horizontal axis simultaneously forces pivotal movement of the pedal members about their respective second axes.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising: a resisting force opposing pivotal movement of the cross-bar, so that an exercise force must be exerted therefor.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising a lever for manually effecting movement of the right and left pedals about the first and second axes.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising: an incrementally adjustable weight opposing such simultaneous pivotal movement of the sub-frame about the right, left and horizontal axes, so that an exercise force must be exerted therefor.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising: the right and left pedal members further including foot restraining members to provide for ankle exercise forces exerted for upward movement of the “U” shaped sub-frame.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising: the right and left pedal members further including thigh constraining members to prevent upper leg participation in ankle exercise movements.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising: an incrementally adjustable weight opposing pivotal movement of the “U” shaped sub-frame in an upward direction, so that selected ankle exercise forces may be exerted upwardly against the right and left foot restraining members for upward pivotal movement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a bi-directional ankle exercise machine according to the present inventions, shown as it appears at the beginning of an exercise in the first exercise mode, during which the ankles will move, with plantarflexion, from eversion toward inversion;

(3) FIG. 2 is a three-quarter rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the first first exercise mode, at the beginning of an exercise movement;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention, in the second exercise mode, at the beginning of a movement during which the ankles will move, with dorsiflexion, from inversion toward eversion;

(5) FIG. 4 is a three-quarter front view, showing the embodiment of FIG. 3 at completion of a second mode exercise movement;

(6) FIG. 5 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, at the beginning of a first mode exercise movement; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, at completion of a first mode exercise movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) A preferred example of the present invention is described with reference to the above listed drawings showing how the invention can be made and used. Throughout FIGS. 1-6, the reference characters indicate the same or corresponding parts. It is to be understood that the preferred embodiment shown and described herein is exemplary, and may be expressed in other forms within the scope of the invention. Moreover, certain details are well known in the mechanical arts, and as such, may not be shown or described.

(9) The present invention provides a method for progressive resistance training of those muscle groups which are key to maintaining balance and dynamic stability. By enforcing bidirectional exercise movements, while restraining the ankle from undisciplined movement, an exercise machine of the present inventions makes it possible to provide effective resistance in multi-directional modes. In this manner, an exercise program of progressive resistance can strengthen and rehabilitate these key muscle groups.

(10) FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a preferred embodiment 100 of a bi-directional exercise machine for the ankle employing the methods of the present inventions. In FIG. 1, embodiment 100 is shown to have a conventional base and main frame 10, wherein an imaginary central plane of symmetry would show the two sides to more or less be mirror images. In this embodiment, the user is positioned and supported by centrally located, adjustable height, user's seat 12. Each side of main frame 10 has a vertical column 14R or 14L, positioned somewhat to the front of seat 12 to provide mounting for transverse axis 20, which passes approximately through the location of the ankles of a seated user. Side frame members 22R and 22L of “U” shaped sub-frame 16 are mounted to vertical columns 14R and 14L of main frame 10 for pivotal movement about transverse, horizontal axis 20. Sub-frame 16 includes cross-bar 18, joining side frame members 22R and 22L, well forward of transverse horizontal axis 20. Adjustable resistance to such pivotal movement is provided by weight 24, which may comprise individual plates, added incrementally at the user's option. Weight 24 is carried on weight horn 26 of rearwardly extended sub-frame side member 22R. Alternatively, weight 24 may be carried on weight horn 26A, forward of transverse axis 20, to provide resistance against movement in the opposite direction. Thus, either mode can be made to require exercise force input.

(11) Looking at FIGS. 1 & 2, right and left pedal members 28R and 28L are pivotally mounted to sub-frame 16 at cross bar 18 and interconnected by linkage 32 to pivot in opposing directions. As sub-frame 16 is caused to pivot about transverse axis 20, motion transfer link 38, connected between frame 10 and pedal member 28R, simultaneously forces pedal members 28R and 28L to pivot about axes 30R and 30L, which are essentially perpendicular to transverse axis 20. Pedal members 28R and 28L approach full ankle inversion when “U” shaped sub-frame 16 is at the bottom of its pivotal range, and full eversion when at the top of its pivotal range. Right and left thigh constraining pads 40R and 40L are adjustable through pin-and-hole positioning mechanism 34, to contact a user's thighs while forcing upward movement of sub-frame 16. Thus, thigh movement is constrained, preventing upper leg participation in the ankle exercise movements, thereby maintaining exercise movement integrity. The pedal exercise force input location for upward movement is provided by foot restraints 42R and 42L.

(12) Manual input lever 29 extends upwardly from “U” shaped sub-frame side member 22R, so as to allow manual cycling of interconnected pedals 28R/28L and sub-frame 16. Use of manual input lever 29 allows a therapist or trainer to move the ankles of a user through the ideal range of motion to flex, rehabilitate or strengthen the subject muscles. Thus, the therapist, trainer, or even the user, can monitor the exercise movement resisting force, increasing or reducing it according to the perceived need.

(13) With weight 24 located to the rear, on weight horn 26, as sub-frame 16 is pressed from the “up” towards the “down” position, the ankles move from eversion towards inversion and from dorsiflexion towards plantarflexion, so that muscles of the above first group are exercised. With weight 24 located forward of transverse axis 20 on weight horn 26A, cross-bar 18 must be lifted from the “down” to the “up” position. Frame link 38 connected between main-frame 10 and pedal member 28R interconnects pivotal pedal movement about axis 30R (and 30L), with sub-frame pivotal movement about transverse axis 20. In this manner, ankle movements of inversion and eversion are coupled with movements of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. This coupling provides the movement discipline required for systematic progressive resistance exercises and thereby, the ankles can be strengthened to act in any plane necessary to maintain balance and dynamic stability.

(14) FIG. 2 clearly shows cross bar 18 of “U” shaped sub-frame 16 at the uppermost limit of its pivotal range, with pedal members 28R and 28L consequently everted. Here it is also seen how the connection of frame link 38 to main frame 10 acts to impose the inversion/eversion movement of pedal member 28R in accompaniment with the dorsi/plantar pivotal movement of “U” shaped sub-frame 16. Perhaps more clear in this view is the manner in which interconnecting linkage 32 acts to coordinate the opposed inversion/eversion movements of pedal members 28R and 28L. Foot restraints 42R and 42L enable heel and toe force input for dorsiflexion exercises during upward movement of cross-bar 18. Heel stops 36R and 36L locate the feet properly on right and left pedal members 28R and 28L for heel contact dorsiflexion input and toe contact plantarflexion input.

(15) FIGS. 3 and 4 show preferred embodiment 100 at the beginning and ending positions of a second mode exercise movement, with weight 24 carried on weight horn 26A, to the front of cross-bar 18. As shown in FIG. 3, at the lower end of the pivotal range of cross-bar 18, pedal members 28R and 28L have pivoted about axes 30R and 30L to their fully inverted position. in FIG. 4, at the upper end of the pivotal range of cross-bar 18, pedal members 28R and 28L have pivoted to an everted position. Simultaneous to this symmetrical ankle movement from inversion toward eversion, pedal members 28R and 28L have also pivoted about transverse axis 20, causing the ankles to move from plantarflexion toward dorsiflexion.

(16) Notably, we see the perpendicular intersection of axes 30R and 30L with transverse axis 20 at or very near the subject joint, as is critical to bidirectional exercise movements. Thus, second mode exercises using preferred embodiment 100 of the present invention serve to exercise and develop the muscles acting for eversion and dorsiflexion, including: the extensor digitorum longus, the peroneus longus, the peroneus brevis and the tibialis anterior.

(17) FIGS. 5 and 6 show preferred embodiment 100 at the beginning and ending positions of a first mode exercise movement, with weight 24 carried on weight horn 26, to the rear of cross-bar 18. As shown in FIG. 5, at the upper end of the pivotal range of cross-bar 18, pedal members 28R and 28L have pivoted about axes 30R and 30L to their fully everted position. in FIG. 6, at the lower end of the pivotal range of cross-bar 18, pedal members 28R and 28L have pivoted to an inverted position. Simultaneous to this ankle movement from eversion toward inversion, pedal members 28R and 28L have also pivoted about transverse axis 20, causing the ankles to move symmetrically from dorsiflexion toward plantarflexion. Again, we see the critical intersection of axes 30R and 30L with transverse axis 20, at or very near the ankle joint, as is critical to bidirectional exercise movement. Thus, first mode exercises, using preferred embodiment 100 of the present invention, serve to exercise and develop the muscles acting for inversion and plantarflexion, including: the tibialis Posterior, the flexor digitorum longus, the peroneus longus, the peroneus brevis, the soleus and the gastrocnemius.

(18) In the above described manner, the stated objects of the present inventions are fully realized. Apparatus is provided for implementing the manual method of rehabilitation therapy, as described above, by mechanically enforcing the prescribed bi-directional ankle exercise movements. Furthermore, the methodology is enhanced by the capability to provide resistance for these movements according to a progressive weight training program. Thus, balance and dynamic stability associated muscles can be strengthened in a gymnasium or home environment and, inasmuch as the user can adjust the apparatus and select an appropriate resistance, the apparatus is suitable for professionally unsupervised use.

(19) It is to be understood that the methods and apparatus of the above-described invention, may be expressed other embodiments, through modification or substitution of parts or steps, so that that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. Although a preferred embodiment has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the inventions are not limited to the embodiment disclosed but, may include other expressions within the scope of the following claims.