Calf Exerciser

Abstract

The present invention is dedicated to a calf exerciser including a foot unit having foot-palm and heel support surfaces. The foot unit provides efficient resistance training of calf muscles by permitting both eversion or inversion movements of the foot-palm in synchronization with the plantar flexion dorsiflexion muscular contraction. This is achieved by inclining the foot-palm support surface either towards the exterior or the interior sides of the foot unit, by anteo-posteriolly curving the heel support surface from the foot-palm surface to the bottom of the foot unit and by including a gradual inclination of the heel support surface towards the exterior or the interior sides of the foot unit, thus forming a variable angulation foot sole gradient area. This variable angulation foot sole gradient area accentuates the eversion and inversion movements at the foot-palm and reduces the biomechanical stress by eliminating coronal rotation at the heel.

1 . A calf exerciser comprising:
 at least one foot unit, each of said at least one foot unit comprising:
 a heel section comprising:
 a first heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right edges, said first heel support surface anterior edge forming a first downward left incline from said right edge to said left edge, said heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downward left incline from said right edge to said left edge and said first heel support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve; 
 a second heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a right and a left edges, said first heel support surface anterior edge forming a first downward right incline from said left edge to said right edge, said heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downward right incline from said left edge to said right edge and said second heel support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve; 
 wherein said first heel support surface right edge and said second heel support surface left edge are adjacent; 
 
 a foot-palm section comprising:
 a first foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward left incline from said right edge to said left edge; 
 a second foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a right and a left edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward right incline from said left edge to said right edge; 
 wherein said first foot-palm support surface right edge and said second foot-palm support surface left edge are adjacent; 
 
 wherein said first heel support surface anterior edge and said first foot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent; 
 wherein said second heel support surface anterior edge and said second foot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a support unit for supporting said at least one foot unit. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said support unit includes at least one guide and each of said at least one foot unit further comprises a slider element moveably engageable to said at least one guide. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein each of said at least one foot unit further comprises a locking element which is operable with said support unit for stopping said foot unit from moving. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said foot-palm section comprises a single foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left, and right edges and a pivot having an axis of rotation oriented from said posterior edge to said anterior edge such that said foot-palm support surface may be selectively inclined either towards said left edge or said right edge. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first foot-palm support surface further forming a posteo-anterior downward incline at an angle between 0 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said first foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline is at an angle of 10 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said first foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second foot-palm support surface further forming a posteo-anterior downward incline at an angle between 0 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said second foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline is at an angle of 10 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said second foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first foot-palm support surface downward left incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said first foot-palm support surface downward left incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said first foot-palm support surface downward left incline an is adjustable. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second foot-palm support surface downward right incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said second foot-palm support surface downward right incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said second foot-palm support surface downward right incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first heel support surface first downward left incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said first heel support surface first downward left incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said first heel support surface first downward left incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first heel support surface second downward left incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said first heel support surface second downward left incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said first heel support surface second downward left incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second heel support surface first downward right incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , wherein said second heel support surface first downward right incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , wherein said second heel support surface first downward right incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second heel support surface second downward right incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said second heel support surface second downward right incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said second heel support surface second downward right incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said foot-palm section further comprises a left, a right and an anterior walls. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said foot-palm section further comprise a harness to help maintain a foot of a user in position. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first heel support surface anteo-posterior curve is ellipsoidal. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said ellipsoidal curve is expressed as a mathematical function of length L and height h: 
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     x 
                     2 
                   
                   
                     h 
                     2 
                   
                 
                 + 
                 
                   
                     y 
                     2 
                   
                   
                     L 
                     2 
                   
                 
               
               = 
               1. 
             
           
         
       
     
     
         34 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 33 , wherein said height h may be expressed in terms of length L as: h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second heel support surface anteo-posterior curve is ellipsoidal. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 35 , wherein said ellipsoidal curve is expressed as a mathematical function of length L and height h: 
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     x 
                     2 
                   
                   
                     h 
                     2 
                   
                 
                 + 
                 
                   
                     y 
                     2 
                   
                   
                     L 
                     2 
                   
                 
               
               = 
               1. 
             
           
         
       
     
     
         37 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 36 , wherein said height h may be expressed in terms of length L as: h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2. 
     
     
         38 . A calf exerciser foot unit, comprising:
 a heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a first side and a second side edges, said first and second side edges being generally in alignment with an anteo-posterior axis, said heel support surface anterior edge forming a first downward incline from said first side edge to said second side edge, said heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downward incline from said first side edge to said second side edge and said heel support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve;   a foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a first side and a second side edges, said first and second side edges being generally in alignment with said anteo-posterior axis, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward incline from said first side edge to said second side edge;   wherein said heel support surface anterior edge and said foot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 38 , wherein said foot-palm support surface further forming a posteo-anterior downward incline at an angle between 0 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline is at an angle of 10 degrees. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 38 , wherein said foot-palm support surface downward incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said foot-palm support surface downward incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said foot-palm support surface downward incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 38 , wherein said heel support surface first downward incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 45 , wherein said heel support surface first downward incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 45 , wherein said heel support surface first downward incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 38 , wherein said heel support surface second downward incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 48 , wherein said heel support surface second downward incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 48 , wherein said heel support surface second downward incline angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 38 , wherein said foot-palm support surface further comprises a first side, a second side and an anterior walls. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 38 , wherein said foot-palm support surface further comprises a harness to help maintain a foot of a user in position. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 38 , wherein said heel support surface anteo-posterior curve is ellipsoidal. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 53 , wherein said ellipsoidal curve is expressed as a mathematical function of length L and height h: 
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     x 
                     2 
                   
                   
                     h 
                     2 
                   
                 
                 + 
                 
                   
                     y 
                     2 
                   
                   
                     L 
                     2 
                   
                 
               
               = 
               1. 
             
           
         
       
     
     
         55 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 54 , wherein said height h may be expressed in terms of length L as: h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2. 
     
     
         56 . A calf exerciser comprising:
 A first foot unit, comprising:
 a heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right edges, said heel support surface anterior edge forming a first downward left incline from said right edge to said left edge, said heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downward left incline from said right edge to said left edge and said heel support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve; 
 a foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward left incline from said right edge to said left edge; 
 wherein said heel support surface anterior edge and said foot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent; 
   a second foot unit, comprising:
 a heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right edges, said heel support surface anterior edge forming a first downward right incline from said left edge to said right edge, said heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downward right incline from said left edge to said right edge and said heel support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve; 
 a foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward right incline from said left edge to said right edge; 
 wherein said heel support surface anterior edge and said foot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent; and 
 a support unit for supporting said first and said second foot units. 
   
     
     
         57 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said support unit includes at least one guide and each of said first and second foot units further comprise a slider element moveably engageable to said at least one guide. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 57 , wherein each of said first and second foot units further comprise a locking element which is operable with said support unit for stopping said first and second units from moving. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said first foot unit and said second foot unit foot-palm support surfaces further forming posteo-anterior downward inclines at angles between 0 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 59 , wherein said first foot unit, and said second foot unit foot-palm support surfaces posteo-anterior downward inclines are at an angle of 10 degrees. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 59 , wherein said first foot unit and said second foot unit foot-palm support surfaces posteo-anterior downward inclines angles are adjustable. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said first foot unit foot-palm support surface downward left incline and said second foot unit foot-palm support surface downward right incline are at angles between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 62 , wherein said first foot unit foot-palm support surface downward left incline and said second foot unit foot-palm support surface downward right incline are at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 62 , wherein said first foot unit foot-palm support surface downward left incline and said second foot unit foot-palm support surface downward right incline angles are adjustable. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said first foot unit heel support surface first downward left incline and said second foot unit heel support surface first downward right incline are at angles between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 65 , wherein said first foot unit heel support surface first downward left incline and said second foot unit heel support surface first downward right incline are at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 65 , wherein said first foot unit heel support surface first downward left incline and said second foot unit heel support surface first downward right incline angles are adjustable. 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said first foot unit heel support surface second downward left incline and said second foot unit heel support surface second downward right incline are at angles between 4 and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 68 , wherein said first foot unit heel support surface second downward left incline and said second foot unit heel support surface second downward right incline are at an angle of 8 degrees. 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 68 , wherein said first foot unit heel support surface second downward left incline and said second foot unit heel support surface second downward right incline angles are adjustable. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said first foot unit foot-palm support surface and said second foot unit foot-palm support surface further comprise a right, a left and an anterior walls. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said first foot unit foot-palm support surface and said second foot unit foot-palm support surface further comprise a harness to help maintain a foot of a user in position. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said first foot unit heel support surface and said second foot unit heel support surface anteo-posterior curves are ellipsoidal. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 73 , wherein said ellipsoidal curves are expressed as a mathematical function of length L and height h: 
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     x 
                     2 
                   
                   
                     h 
                     2 
                   
                 
                 + 
                 
                   
                     y 
                     2 
                   
                   
                     L 
                     2 
                   
                 
               
               = 
               1. 
             
           
         
       
     
     
         75 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 74 , wherein said height h may be expressed in terms of length L as: h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2.