Rocker boot with adjustable degree of rotation

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/536,038 entitled “Rocker Boot with Adjustable Degree of Rotation” filed Jan. 13, 2004

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rocker boot with an adjustable degree of rotation. The rocker boot may be used to stretch or strengthen muscles and tissues during exercise or physical therapy.

BACKGROUND

Exercise boots with a arcuate base may be used to stretch or exercise muscles and connective tissue in the leg, particularly the lower leg. Such boots are used by placing one's foot on the boot, them moving the boot backward and forward on the arcuate base. These boots may be used one at a time, or two may be combined to allow exercise of both legs simultaneously.

An exercise boot with a arcuate base has a potential degree of rotation defined primarily by the arcuate length of the base. It is sometimes desirable to limit this degree of rotation for some users in order to allow a more defined workout, to add stability, or for other reasons. Some previous boots have attempted to limit the degree of rotation. Boots with an adjustable range of backward motion have been developed to allow measurement of progress in an exercise or physical therapy program. However, previous boots have had only limited adjustability or are relatively costly to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with teachings of the present invention, a rocker boot and method of its use and manufacture are provided. The rocker boot includes a arcuate base, a footrest, two arcuate rails located on either side of the base, a bar that may sit adjacent to the arcuate surface of the base, and at least one adjustable securing mechanism to secure the bar to a rail.

Rocker boots of the present invention may be made of a variety of materials, including metal and plastic, which may be formed using a variety of techniques, including injection molding, casting and machining. Rocker boots may include more than one type of material, which may be bonded to one another.

The rocker boot may be used by placing a foot on the footrest then rotating the base along its arcuate surface in one direction. Rotation is halted when a bar engages a surface, such as a floor. The base may then be rotated in the opposite direction. The degree of rotation allowed in one direction may be changed by using the adjustable securing mechanism to move the bar. To limit the degree of rotation allowed in the other direction, a separate adjustable bar may be used.

Two rocker boots may be attached together, for example with a large bar, to allow exercise of both feet and legs simultaneously.

The present invention allows one to control the degree of rotation of a rocker boot. This function may provide added stability and may allow monitoring progress of a physical therapy or exercise program. It may also allow selecting the difficulty or stress of exercise using the rocker boot. Some rocker boots may be designed to limit the degree of rotation in either the forward or backward direction or both. Adjustments to control the degree of rotation in many embodiments may be made by most individuals without the need for specialized tools. In selected embodiments no tools are normally required. Furthermore, rocker boots of the present invention may be made at lower cost than many other rotating exercise boots with a limited degree of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete and thorough understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a isometric plan view of a rocker boot with two bars, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a isometric plan view of a rocker boot with one bar, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a isometric plan view of a rocker boot with locking tabs detached, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a isometric plan view of a rocker boot with a tongue to secure one end of a bar to the rail, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the invention and its advantages are best understood by reference to FIGS. 1-4 wherein like numbers refer to same and like parts.

Referring now to FIG. 1, rocker boot 10 includes rear footrest 30 and front footrest 40 on arcuate base 20. Heel stop 50 may be attached to rear footrest 30 to help prevent a foot from slipping of off rocker boot 10 when in use. Arcuate rails 60 are located along the sides of base 20. At least one bar 70 may be disposed under base 20, to limit the degree of forward or backward rotation of rocker boot 10 during use on surface 190. Bar 70 may be attached to bar arm 80, which extends radially away from bar 70 beside of rail 60 to engage pin 90. Pin 90 additionally engages one of plurality of holes 100 to hold bar 70 in a fixed position relative to base 20. Plurality of degree of rotation indicators 110 may be associated with respective holes 100.

FIG. 2 depicts rocker boot 120, which is similar to rocker boot 10, but includes only one bar 70. Bar 70 is shown in a position to limit the degree of backward rotation of rocker boot 120. However, bar 70 may also be located to limit the degree of forward rotation. It may be configured to limit only the degree of forward or backward rotation, or it may be adjustable to limit either.

FIG. 3 depicts rocker boot 130, which is also similar to rocker boot 10. However, rail 60 includes plurality of teeth 170 disposed on its upper surface. Locking tab 140 contains groove 160 operable to engage at least one of plurality of teeth 170. Locking tab 140 also contains securing hole 150 operable to receive and hold bar 70 in a substantially fixed position relative to base 20 when at least one of plurality of teeth 170 is engaged by groove 160. Plurality of degree of rotation indicators 110 are associated with respective of teeth 170.

FIG. 4 depicts rocker boot 220, which is similar to rocker boot 10. However, bar arm 80 may be connected to tongue 210 which secures one end of bar 70 to rail 60. The other end of bar 70 may be secured in a manner such as that shown in FIGS. 1-3 or by another adjustable mechanism. FIG. 4 also depicts large holes 200, into which a large bar (not shown) may be inserted to couple two rocker boots, allowing simultaneous use.

All or selected parts of rocker boots or the present invention may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, particularly injection-molded plastic, metal, particularly machined or cast metal, or combinations thereof. For example, metal parts may be made of cast aluminum. Parts numbered separately in FIGS. 1-4 or and other separable parts may actually represent a continuous piece of material, or they may be separately formed and then attached to one another. For example, rear footrest 30, front footrest 40 and base 20 may all be made from a single piece of injection-molded plastic. In another example, teeth 170 of rocker boot 130 may be metal bonded to plastic rail 60 as part of a plastic molding process. Other suitable combinations of metal, plastic and other materials as well as suitable production designs will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

Arcuate base 20 may be only curvilinear shape, including a semi-circular of ellipsoid shape. Shape may be adjusted to affect, inter alias, exercise difficulty and stability.

Front footrest 40 and rear footrest 30 may be separate as shown, or they may form a continuous footrest (not shown). Further, footrests 30 and 40 may individually or both have ridges 180 to aid in securing a foot when the rocker boot is in use. Such ridges may be formed from the material of the footrests themselves, or they may be supplied as a separate component, which may be made from a different material such as adhesive rubber pads.

Bar 70 may be of any size and shape suitable to substantially prevent further rocking in a forward or backward direction and thereby limit degree of rotation of the rocker boot. In FIGS. 1 and 2, bar 70 is shown with an angular edge, which may add additional stability to the rocker boot when bar 70 makes contact with surface 190. In FIG. 3, bar 70 is shown as a round rod, which may be more easily used with a locking tab system as shown. Shape and size of bar 70, as well as its composition may be selected based on various characteristics, such as stability, ease of use with other parts, such as locking tabs, anticipated stress to the rocker boot or bar during use, durability, cost and other factors.

Two mechanisms for adjustably securing bar 70 to rail 60 are shown in FIGS. 1-3; pin 90 combined with holes 100 and locking tab 140 combined with teeth 170. However, other mechanisms for securing bar 70 to rail 60 in an adjustable manner may be used. Additionally, the two mechanisms shown may be modified. For example, pin 90 or locking tab 140 may be fitted with a spring-loading mechanism to help secure it in one of holes 100 or on one of teeth 170, while allowing adjustment of bar position.

Although FIG. 3 depicts two adjustable securing mechanisms on bar 70, one on each side of rocker boot 130, it is possible to have only one adjustable securing mechanism on each bar 70. The adjustable securing mechanism may be placed at one end of bar 70. A passive securing mechanism may be placed at the opposite end of bar 70. One such passive securing mechanism is shown in FIG. 4. Tongue 210 may be attached to bar arm 80 in a substantially 90° angle such that bar 70 is secured to rail 60. Tongue 210 may be able to slide along rail 60 when the position of bar 70 is adjusted.

Rocker boots of the present invention may also contain a large hole sized to fit a connector, such as a large bar, that may be used to secure two rocker boots together, thus allowing their simultaneous use. Two such holes 200 are depicted in FIG. 4 and may be used with one or two large bars. Two rocker boots may be connected by placing one end of a large bar in at least one hole 200 on a rocker boot then placing the other end of the large bar in another hole 200 located in a similar position on a second rocker boot. Other mechanisms may also be used to secure two boots for simultaneous rocking.

A rocker boot of the present invention may be used by placing a foot on footrests 30 and 40, then using the foot to rotate the rocker boot in one direction along the arcuate surface of base 20 until bar 70 engages surface 190 and substantially prevents further rotation. The foot may then used to rotate the rocker boot in the opposite direction along the arcuate surface of base 20. Additional bar 70 may limit rotation in the opposite direction as well in some embodiments of the present invention.

Using a foot to rotate the rocker boot stretches and/or strengthens tissues in the foot and attached leg, particularly the lower leg. When the rocker boot is rotated in a forward direction, plantarflexion occurs, thereby stretching and/or strengthening the anterior flexors such as the anterior tibialis and extensor digitorum longus, and potentially the plantar fascia. When the rocker boot is rotated in a backward direction, dorsiflexion occurs, thereby stretching and/or strengthening the plantar flexors such as the gastrocnemius and soleus calf muscles, the achilles tendon and the plantar fascia.

If two rocker boots are connected as described above, they may be operated by both feet and legs simultaneously. In such event, both feet may be used to rotate both rocker boots in one direction at substantially the same time until bar 70 engages the surface 190 and prevents further rotation. Both feet may then be used to rotate the boots in the opposite direction. Another bar 70 may limit rotation in the opposite direction in variations of this embodiment as well. Further, although both rocker boots may be equipped with one or more bars, for example to enhance stability, a bar on each boot may not be required. One bar on a single boot may be sufficient to limit the degree of rotation. Further, it may be possible to use one bar on one boot to limit the degree of rotation in one direction, while using one bar on the other boot to limit the degree of rotation in the opposite direction. However, if bars are used on each boot to limit the degree of rotation in the same direction, it is preferred that they be set to limit both boots to the same degree of rotation.

Rocker boots of the present invention may in particular be used in physical therapy or rehabilitation programs. More specifically, rocker boots of the present invention may be used to stretch and strengthen the tissues described above following a surgical procedure on one or more of such tissues. Rocker boots of the present invention are particularly useful in physical therapy because they allow one to limit the degree of rotation in either a forward or backward direction, or both, thereby preventing overstretching or other damage to healing tissue. Degree of rotation indicators may be used to gauge progress and increased mobility as the rocker boot is used.

Rocker boots of the present invention may also be employed in a regular exercise program. For example, they may be employed as part of a stretching routine before rigorous leg exercise, or they may be used to maintain flexibility in the elderly. The degree of rotation may be adjusted to set the difficulty of a workout or extent of stretching, or to limit rotation of the rocker boot for stability reasons.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.