Non-weight bearing foot and leg exercising apparatus

Abstract

A device for exercising at least one structure associated with a foot has a first member positionable under the toes of a foot, and an attachment member connectable to the patient above the foot. The attachment member is operably connected to the first member by a first line connected to the attachment member and the first member. The device also includes a spacer connected to the first member and the attachment member. The spacer is for retaining the attachment member in position relative to the first member. Pulling the first line applies pressure to the toes and stretches the structure.

1 . A device for exercising at least one structure associated with a foot of a patient, said device comprising: 
 a first member positionable under toes of said foot;    an attachment member connectable to said patient above said foot, said attachment member being operably connected to said first member by a first line connected to said attachment member and said first member; and    a spacer connected to said first member and said attachment member, said spacer for retaining said attachment member in position relative to said first member;    wherein pulling said first line applies pressure to the toes and stretches said at least one structure.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second member positionable under a ball of said foot.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a second line connected to said second member, wherein pulling said second line applies pressure to said ball of said foot and stretches said at least one structure.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle connected to said first line, said handle being adapted to pull said first line to stretch said at least one structure.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a first handle connected to said first line and a second handle connected to said second line.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a handle connected to said first line and said second line, said handle being adapted to pull said first line and said second line to apply pressure to said toes and said ball of said foot to stretch said at least one structure.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment member comprises a connector adapted to receive said first line therethrough.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjuster for adjusting and releasably locking the length of said first line.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the second member further comprises a plate extendable across said ball of said foot.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said plate comprises a planar central portion and curved outer end portions.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said second member further comprises a retainer operably connected to said first member.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first member further comprises a plate extendable across said toes of said foot.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one structure is selected from the group consisting of plantar fascia, Achilles Tendon, gastroc/solius muscle complex, hamstring, and gluteous maximus.  
   
   
       14 . A device for exercising at least one first structure associated with a first foot of a patient, said device comprising: 
 a first member positionable under toes of said first foot;    a second member positionable under a ball of said first foot; and    an attachment member connectable to said patient above said first foot, said attachment member being operably connected to said first member by a first line connected to said attachment member and at least one of said first member and said second member;    wherein pulling said first line applies pressure to said toes and said ball of said first foot and thereby stretches said at least one first structure.    
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising a second line connected to said second member.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14  wherein said first member and said second member are connected together to form a base section.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising a spacer connected to said first member and said attachment member, said spacer for retaining said attachment member in position relative to said first member.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising a handle operably connected to the first line and the second line.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising said attachment member comprises a connector adapted to receive said first line therethrough.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising second device for stretching at least one second structure associated with a second foot of the patient, the second device comprising: 
 a fourth member positionable under toes of said second foot;    a fifth member positionable under a ball of said second foot; and    a second attachment member connectable to said patient above said second foot, said second attachment member being operably connected to said fourth member by a second line connected to said second attachment member and at least one of said fourth member and said fifth member;    wherein pulling said second line applies pressure to said toes and said ball of said second foot; and    wherein said first line and said second line are connected to a handle and pulling on said handle stretches at least one first structure associated with said first foot and said second structure associated with said second foot.    
   
   
       21 . A method of stretching at least one structure associated with a foot of a patient, the method comprising: 
 providing a first member and positioning said first member under toes of said foot;    providing a second member and positioning said second member under a ball of said foot;    providing an attachment member in a position above said foot;    providing a first line connecting said first member to said attachment member, said first line being connected; and    pulling on said first line to apply pressure to said toes and said ball of said foot to stretch said at least one structure associated with said foot.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the fist member and the second member are connected together to provide a base section under said foot.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising providing a second line operably connected to said second member for applying pressure to said ball of said foot.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising adjusting a length of said first line with an adjustor and releasably locking said first line in position.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising providing a spacer for positioning said attachment member in relation to said first member.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said at least one structure is selected from the group consisting of plantar fascia, Achilles Tendon, gastroc/solius muscle complex, hamstring, and gluteous maximus.