US20180178067A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20180178067A1
Application number: US15/388,261
Authority: US
Inventors: Hagop Rousian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-22
Filing date: 2016-12-22
Publication date: 2018-06-28

Abstract

A wearable exercise apparatus having a baseplate for retaining a user's foot is described. The baseplate may have a top surface and a bottom surface. The wearable exercise apparatus has a first bladder. The first bladder is attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate and has a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to the field of exercise aids and, in particular, to exercise aids that include a balance component.

BACKGROUND

Balance training is a type of exercise that emphasizes a person's ability to maintain a posture or stance over the body's base of support. Balance training is often practiced to improve balance and core strength. In its simplest form, balance training involves having a user attempt to maintain their balance while standing on an unbalanced surface. While standing on an unbalanced surface and attempting to maintain balance, the user is engaging and strengthening core muscles as well as engaging and strengthening the muscles in their feet, ankles, calves, thighs, and hips.

Balance training can also be incorporated into more complex movements. For instance, a person can incorporate balance training into a push-up sequence to make the push-up sequence more difficult. To incorporate balance training into a push-up, the push-up may be performed while attempting to balance their upper body on an unbalanced surface. In this way, balance training can be used to provide an extra degree of difficulty when performing exercises a person may regularly preform. By adding balance as an extra component to the exercise, the user may be able to overcome a “plateau.” In exercise science, a plateau may occur when a person's body begins to adapt to his or her current workout routine, resulting in less performance gains from the routine. Many exercises can regain or increase their effectiveness by adding a balance training component to the exercise.

Incorporating balance training components to traditional exercise may be difficult for a number of reasons. Incorporating balance training components to exercise routines that involve the use of bi-lateral body movements may be particularly difficult. A bi-lateral body movement may be a movement that is produced by two limbs working together. For example, a lunge exercise may utilize both legs to produce the lunge movement. Contemporary balance trainers are limited in terms of the number of exercises they are compatible with, especially with respect to bi-lateral-movement exercises, because bi-lateral-movement exercises may utilize two separate unbalanced platforms; one for each movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure. The drawings, however, should not be taken to limit the disclosure to the specific implementations, but are for explanation and understanding only.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wearable exercise apparatus including a first bladder and a second bladder, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a wearable exercise apparatus, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inflatable bladder, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a flanged bladder, according to one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments described herein address the above noted deficiencies by integrating uneven (i.e., unbalanced) surfaces into a wearable exercise apparatus. By incorporating inflatable bladders into a wearable exercise apparatus, a user may perform exercises that may not be performed using traditional balancing equipment. In one embodiment, the apparatus as described herein may allow a user to incorporate balance training into bi-lateral movements.

In one embodiment, a wearable exercise apparatus may be a wearable device to be worn over a user's shoes. In an alternative embodiment, the wearable exercise apparatus may be worn in place of a user's shoes. The wearable exercise apparatus may include a baseplate for retaining a user's foot. The baseplate may serve as a platform, upon which the use may stand. In one embodiment, the baseplate may be made out of a plastic (e.g., polypropylene) material. The baseplate may have a top surface and a bottom surface. Additionally, the wearable exercise apparatus may include a plurality of inflatable bladders, including a first bladder and a second bladder. The first bladder may be attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate and may have a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.

The wearable exercise apparatus may further include the second bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate adjacent the first bladder. The second bladder may also have a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate. In this example, the first bladder and the second bladder may function to create an unbalanced surface, upon which a user may stand for balance training. In one embodiment, the first bladder may be attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate by a flange. Alternatively, the first bladder may be secured to the baseplate by another fastening means, such as glue or fasteners (screws, rivets, etc.). Moreover, the second bladder may be attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate by a similar means.

In one example, the wearable exercise apparatus includes an ankle support component. The ankle support may include an ankle strap to secure a user's foot against the baseplate and ankle support component. The ankle strap may be adjustable. The ankle strap may include a fastener. In one embodiment, the fastener is a ratcheting mechanism that allows a user to customize fit by adjusting the ratcheting mechanism. Additionally, the wearable exercise apparatus may include a toe strap. The toe strap may be adjustably secured to the track system by a fastener. In one example, a fastener may be a ratcheting mechanism. The toe strap may have a preset length, and the length of the toe strap may be adjustable by the ratcheting mechanism. In other examples, a fastener as described in this disclosure could be any type of fastener or locking mechanism, including but not limited to buckles, tie-downs, belts, laces, etc.

The first bladder and/or the second bladder of the wearable exercise apparatus may be inflatable by a user. In alternative embodiments, the first bladder and/or the second bladder may be pre-inflated by a manufacturer. In one embodiment, the first bladder and/or the second bladder may be made of a polyvinyl chloride material. In other embodiments, the first and second bladders may not be inflatable. In one example, the bladders may be made out of a solid rubber or plastic. The wearable exercise apparatus may use a plurality (e.g., more than two) of bladders to create an uneven surface. Moreover, each of the plurality of bladders can be of a different size. Likewise, the first bladder and/or the second bladder may be interchangeable with a third bladder of a different size.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of awearable exercise apparatus100 including afirst bladder104 and asecond bladder106, according to one embodiment. Thewearable exercise apparatus100 may further include abaseplate102, arear ankle support112, aflexible calf support114, anankle strap116, anankle strap fastener118, atoe strap120, and atoe strap fastener122.

In one embodiment,wearable exercise apparatus100 includesbaseplate102.Baseplate102 may have atop side103 and abottom side105. In one embodiment,top side103 ofbaseplate102 may be shaped or formed to receive and retain a user's shoe. In another example, thetop side103 may be shaped to receive a bare foot. Thetop side103 ofbaseplate102 may be coated with a rubberized or abrasive material to promote the gripping of a user's shoe and/or bare foot. In one embodiment, the baseplate may be substantially oblong. In an alternative embodiment, the baseplate may be rectangular or contoured to the general shape of a shoe.Baseplate102 may be made out of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, no-break polypropylene, or another composition of plastic. Alternatively,baseplate102 may be made out of a wood, metal, any other ridged material or combination or ridged materials.

Wearable exercise apparatus

100 may include afirst bladder104. In one embodiment, thefirst bladder104 may be an inflatable rubber or plastic material. Thefirst bladder104 may be composed of a polyvinyl chloride material or another flexible, durable, and inflatable plastic or rubber material. In one embodiment, thefirst bladder104 may be inflated to a pressure of 4 to 30 psi. In various other embodiments, thefirst bladder104 may be inflated to other pressures. The inflatablefirst bladder104 may include a valve for inflating and deflating thefirst bladder104. Alternatively, the bladder may be a composed of a sold plastic or rubber material. In this example, the bladder may not be inflatable. In another embodiment, thefirst bladder104 may be pre-inflated from a manufacturer. In this case,first bladder104 may not include a valve for user inflation. In another embodiment, thefirst bladder104 may be interchangeable with other bladders of different sizes. Bladders of different sizes may create different challenges or may be more appropriate for certain users. In one example, the first bladder may support the weight of a user up to 400 pounds.

An inflatable bladder (e.g. the first bladder104) may comprise an expandable pouch that can be inflated through a valve in the inflatable bladder. Once inflated, the outer surface or sides of the inflatable bladder may have an approximately hemispherical shape. Alternatively, a bladder may not include an expandable pouch. In this embodiment, an expandable pouch may be formed by the bladder's seal to the baseplate when the bladder is secured to thebottom surface105 ofbaseplate102. Securing thebladder104 to thebaseplate102 using a flange may create an air-tight inflatable pouch or pocket of air between thebottom surface105 ofbaseplate102 and thebladder104. Using a valve (e.g. valve230 inFIG. 2) located on the bladder material, the pouch or pocket of air may be expanded in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

Bladder

104 may be secured to thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102 with a flange (e.g. flange210 inFIG. 2) to create an air tight seal. In one example, thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102 may include a circular ridge (e.g.circular ridge220 inFIG. 2). The circular ridge may be approximately the circumference of theinflated bladder104. To installbladder104, the deflatedbladder104 may be placed over the circular ridge and secured in place using a flange that fits within the circular ridge. In one embodiment, tightening or locking the flange ofbladder104 into the ridge pinchesbladder104 within the ridge, creating an air tight seal between thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102 and thebladder104. In one embodiment, this operation creates an air tight pocket between thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102 and thebladder104, such thatbladder104 may be inflated via a valve (e.g. valve230 inFIG. 2).

Once inflated, the bladder may have a substantially hemispherical shape. It should be born in mind that in other embodiments, the bladder can take on shapes that are not substantially hemispherical. Once the bladder in secured to thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102, thebladder104 may be inflated to a pressure of 4 to 30 psi. In some embodiments,wearable exercise apparatus100 may support a user weighing up to 400 pounds. In other embodiments, other weight limits may be obtained depending on the material used in construction of the bladder.

Wearable exercise apparatus

100 may include several bladders. In the depicted example, thewearable exercise apparatus100 has afirst bladder104 and asecond bladder106. In one example, thefirst bladder104 and thesecond bladder106 may be substantially the same size. However, in other examples, thefirst bladder104 and thesecond bladder106 may be different sizes and/or inflated to different pressures. In another example, thefirst bladder104 and thesecond bladder106 can be interchangeable with other bladders of different materials, sizes, and pressures. It should be born in mind that thewearable exercise apparatus100 may have more than two bladders. In one example, the wearable exercise apparatus may have three or four bladders.

Thesecond bladder106 may be secured to thebottom side105 of the baseplate adjacent to thefirst bladder104 with a flange to create an air tight seal. Thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102 may include a second circular ridge adjacent to the first circular ridge. The second circular ridge may be approximately the circumference of thesecond bladder106 when inflated. To install thesecond bladder106, a deflatedbladder106 may be placed over the second circular ridge and secured in place using a circular flange that fits within the second circular ridge. In one embodiment, tightening and/or locking the flange into the ridge pinches thebladder106 in the ridge creating an air tight seal between thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102 and thebladder106. In one embodiment, this operation creates an air tight pocket between thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102 and thesecond bladder106, such thatsecond bladder106 may be inflated.

In one example, a valve may be used to inflate thesecond bladder106. Once inflated, thesecond bladder106 may have a substantially hemispherical shape. It should be born in mind that in other embodiments, just as is the case with thefirst bladder104, thesecond bladder106 may take on shapes that are not substantially hemispherical. Once thesecond bladder106 is secured to thebottom side105 of thebaseplate102, thebladder106 may be inflated to a pressure of 4 to 30 psi. In some embodiments,wearable exercise apparatus100 may support a user of up to 400 pounds. Inflating thesecond bladder106 may cause thesecond bladder106 to have a substantially hemispherical shape.

Thewearable exercise apparatus100 further includes a track

system having tracks

108,110.

Tracks

108,110, may run parallel to a length of thebaseplate102, and may act to guideankle brace112 andtoe strap120.

Tracks

108,110 may be secured tobaseplate102 by any known fastening system, such as screws, glue, clamps, or may be molded or formed into thebaseplate102. In other examples, a track system may not be utilized for the apparatus as described in this disclosure.

Wearable exercise apparatus

100 further includes anankle brace112.Ankle brace112 may be made of a polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), no-break polypropylene, or another ridge plastic material. Alternatively,ankle brace112 can be made of another ridged material such as wood, metal, or a combination of these materials. In one example,ankle brace112 may be secured to the

track system

108,110.Ankle brace112 may be adjustable laterally along the

track system

108,110 to accommodate various shoe sizes. In another embodiment, theankle brace112 may not be adjustable along thetrack system108. For example, thewearable exercise apparatus100 as described herein may be produced in fixed sizes, to accommodate various foot sizes, without being adjustable. In this instance,base plate102,ankle brace112

flexible calf support

114, and straps116,120 may be proportionately scaled for the correct foot size. In another embodiment,ankle brace112 and

straps

116,120 may be fixed directly tobase plate102, without a track system. Moreover,ankle brace112 may be contoured to retain the calf of a user.

Ankle brace

112 may include aflexible calf support114 insideankle brace support112.Flexible calf support112 may be contoured to fit a user's calf.Flexible calf support114 may consist of a variety of materials, such as vinyl or nylon.Ankle support112 may include anankle strap116. When in use, theankle strap116 anchors the heel of a user's shoe (or bare foot) to thewearable exercise apparatus100.Ankle strap116 may include an adjustable length. The length ofankle strap116 may be adjusted and secured via a fastener. In one example, a fastener may be a ratcheting mechanism. However, in another embodiment, fastener may be another type of securing mechanism such as Velcro™, laces, buckles, or another securing mechanism.

Wearable exercise apparatus

100 may further includetoe strap120. In one example,toe strap120 is adjustable along

track system

108,110. By adjusting the toe strap along the

track system

108,110, thetoe strap120 may be adjusted to accommodate different foot or shoe lengths. In another embodiment,toe strap120 is not adjustable along the

track system

108,110.Toe strap120 may be secured to the

track system

108,110 by afastener122. In one example, the fastener may include a ratcheting system. Alternatively, the fastener could be any other type of locking and/or fastening mechanism. Moreover,toe strap120 may have an adjustable length. The first adjustable length may be adjusted using the ratchetingfastener122.

Referring toFIG. 2, a front view of awearable exercise apparatus200 is illustrated, according to one embodiment.Wearable exercise apparatus200 includes abaseplate120 having atop side103 and abottom side105.Wearable exercise apparatus200 may include acircular ridge220 formed into or attached onto thebottom side105 ofbaseplate102 for each bladder (e.g., bladder104) of the apparatus. Each circular ridge (e.g. circular ridge220) may have the circumference of its accompanyingbladder104. However, in other embodiments, the circumference of a circular ridge may be larger or smaller than the circumference of the accompanyingbladder104.

Thecircular ridge220 may, in part, help keep thebladder104 stationary while in use. Moreover, in one example,flange210 may be fastened onto thebottom side105 of thebaseplate120 immediately over the circular ridge, causing thebladder104 to be pinched between thecircular ridge220 and theflange210. In one example, thebladder104 is a circular sheet of polyvinyl chloride and does not have a built-in expandable air pouch. When the circular sheet of polyvinyl chloride is pinched around its circumference between theflange210 and theridge220, an air tight pouch may be formed that can be inflated to create a hemispherical shapedinflated bladder104. In this example, the hemispherical shapedinflated bladder104, or plurality of hemispherical shaped inflated bladders, creates the unbalanced surface that may be used for balance training or other exercise activities.

From the present perspective, asingle bladder104 is depicted. However, it should be born in mind that the exercise footwear device may have a single bladder (e.g., in the center of the exercise footwear device) or several bladders. Each bladder may be secured into an accompanying circular ridge with a flange. In one example, the baseplate may have a circular ridge (e.g. circular ridge220) for each bladder. In one example, if thewearable exercise apparatus200 includes two bladders, thewearable exercise apparatus200 may have a circular ridge for each bladder.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inflatable bladder, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment,flange210 is connected tobladder104. In one embodiment,bladder104 may be inflatable by a user. In another embedment,bladder104 may be inflated during construction, and/or may not be inflatable by a user.Bladder104 may includevalve302 to aid in the inflating of the bladder. In one embodiment,valve302 may be a standard inflation value (e.g., the type used to inflate sports balls) to be used in conjunction with a pump inflator. In another embodiment,valve302 may be an oral inflation valve.FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a flanged bladder, according to one embodiment.Bladder104,flange210, andvalve302 are depicted inFIG. 3B.

The preceding description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems, components, methods, and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention.

In the above description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the description.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wearable exercise apparatus, comprising:

a baseplate for retaining a user's foot, the baseplate having a top surface and a bottom surface; and

a first bladder, the first bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate and having a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.

2. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a second bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate adjacent the first bladder and having a second substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.

3. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first bladder is attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate by a flange.

4. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the second bladder is attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate by a flange.

5. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a track system mounted to the top surface of the baseplate.

6. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein the track system comprises two parallel tracks mounted to the top surface of the baseplate.

7. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the two parallel tracks are separated by a first distance.

8. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 5, further comprising an ankle support, wherein the ankle support is mounted on the track system.

9. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the ankle support comprises a fastener that when actuated, prevents the ankle support from traversing along the track system.

10. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the ankle support comprises an ankle strap, and wherein the ankle strap is adjustable.

11. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 6, further comprising a toe strap, wherein the toe strap is adjustably secured to the track system by a fastener.

12. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the fastener comprises a ratcheting mechanism.

13. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the toe strap has a length and wherein the length of the toe strap is adjustable by a ratcheting mechanism.

14. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first bladder is an inflatable, flexible bladder comprising a valve.

15. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first bladder comprises a polyvinyl chloride material.

16. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first bladder is interchangeable with a third bladder having a different size than the first bladder.

17. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the baseplate comprises a polypropylene material.

18. A wearable exercise apparatus, comprising:

a first bladder, the first bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate and having a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate;

a track system mounted to the top surface of the baseplate;

an ankle support mounted on the track system, wherein the ankle support comprises an adjustable ankle strap; and

an adjustable toe strap, wherein the adjustable toe strap is secured to the track system by a fastener.

19. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 18, further comprising:

a second bladder, the second bladder attached to the bottom surface of the baseplate adjacent the first bladder and having a second substantially hemispherical outer surface extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the baseplate.

20. The wearable exercise apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein the first bladder is an inflatable, flexible bladder comprising a valve.