Foot stretcher used in conjunction with a rowing vessel or a mechanical rowing apparatus

Abstract

A foot stretcher for use with a rowing vessel or a mechanical rowing apparatus, and being especially useful in rowing vessels designed and equipped for professional or competitive racing. The foot stretcher includes a shoe support having attachment means for attaching the support to a rowing boat or rowing apparatus and having a mounting for the shoe for the rower. The shoe support is rotatable relative to the attachment means to suit individual rowers. The shoe support includes a sole plate having a forefoot portion and a heel portion, wherein the heel portion extends at an angle relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate. The angular position of the heel plate relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate is adjustable to suit individual rowers and their requirements. Adjustment of the angular position of the heel plate can be conducted using a locking arrangement, a screw arrangement, or by insertion of detachable heel member.

1 . A foot stretcher for use with a rowing vessel or a mechanical rowing apparatus, the foot stretcher including:
 a shoe support having attachment means for attaching the shoe support to a rowing boat or rowing apparatus and a mounting for the shoe of a rower;   the shoe support including a sole plate having a forefoot portion and a heel portion;   wherein the heel portion extends at an angle relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate and the angle between the heel portion and the forefoot portion of the sole plate falls substantially in a range from 5 degrees to 40 degrees.   
     
     
         2 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the heel portion and the forefoot portion of the sole plate falls substantially in the range from 15 degrees to 25 degrees. 
     
     
         44 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the heel portion and the forefoot portion of the sole plate is about 20 degrees. 
     
     
         45 . A foot stretcher for use with a rowing vessel or a mechanical rowing apparatus, the foot stretcher including:
 a shoe support having attachment means for attaching the shoe support to a rowing boat or rowing apparatus and a mounting for the shoe of a rower;   the shoe support including a sole plate having a forefoot portion and a heel portion, and a movable heel plate;   wherein the angular position of the heel plate relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate is adjustable to suit individual rowers and their requirements.   
     
     
         46 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 45 , wherein the heel plate is pivotally movable relative to the sole plate. 
     
     
         47 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 46 , wherein the heel plate is hingedly attached along a transverse plane proximate a mid-foot portion of the sole plate. 
     
     
         48 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 45 , wherein the angular position of the heel plate relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate is incrementally adjustable. 
     
     
         49 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 45 , wherein the angular position of the heel plate relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate is continuously adjustable. 
     
     
         50 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 45 , wherein the angular position of the heel plate can be fixed relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate in a plurality of different positions by means of a locking arrangement. 
     
     
         51 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 50 , wherein the locking arrangement includes:
 a first member attached to the heel plate including a plurality of first openings for receiving a pin; and   at least one second opening for receiving a pin provided in the sole plate or in a second member attached to the sole plate,   wherein the angular position of the heel plate relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate can be fixed by insertion of a locking pin through any one of the plurality of first openings and the at least one second opening.   
     
     
         52 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 45 , wherein the angular position of the heel plate relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate is adjustable by means of a screw arrangement located between the heel plate and the heel portion of the sole plate. 
     
     
         53 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 52 , wherein the screw arrangement includes:
 a worm screw which engages both the heel plate and heel portion of the sole plate; and   an adjustment means connected to the worm screw, and located substantially within the sole plate,   wherein rotation of the adjustment means has the effect of either increasing or decreasing the angular position of the heel plate relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate.   
     
     
         54 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 45 , wherein the angular position of the heel plate relative to the forefoot portion of the sole plate is adjustable by insertion of a detachable heel member of appropriate dimensions between the heel plate and the heel portion of the sole plate. 
     
     
         55 . A foot stretcher for use with a rowing vessel or a mechanical rowing apparatus, the foot stretcher including:
 a shoe support having attachment means for attaching the support to a rowing boat or rowing apparatus and having a mounting for the shoe of a rower;   wherein the shoe support is rotatable relative to the attachment means about an axis of rotation that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal and lateral directions of the shoe support to suit individual rowers.   
     
     
         56 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 55 , wherein the shoe support has a forefoot portion and a heel portion, the shoe mounting being provided on the forefoot portion of the shoe support. 
     
     
         57 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 56 , wherein the axis of rotation for the shoe support is provided rearwardly of the shoe mounting below the heel portion of the shoe support. 
     
     
         58 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 57 , wherein the attachment means includes a pivot pin or screw forming the axis of rotation for the shoe support. 
     
     
         59 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 55 , wherein the axis of rotation for the shoe support is located approximately two thirds along the length of the shoe support from the front of the shoe support. 
     
     
         60 . A foot stretcher according to  claim 55 , wherein the shoe support is rotatable in a series of discrete positions. 
     
     
         61 . A foot stretcher for use with a rowing vessel or a mechanical rowing apparatus, the foot stretcher including:
 two shoe supports, each having attachment means for attaching the shoe support to a rowing boat or rowing apparatus and a mounting for the shoe of a rower,   wherein each of the shoe supports is adjustable independently of one another to suit individual rowers and their requirements,   each of the two shoe supports also including a corresponding sole plate having a forefoot portion and a heel portion, and a movable heel plate,   wherein each of the shoe supports is independently adjustable to suit individual rowers and their requirements.