Apparatus for use in exercising a person's calves

Abstract

Apparatus ( 2 ) for use in exercising a person's calves ( 4 ), which apparatus ( 2 ) comprises a footrest ( 6 ), a kneerest ( 8 ), a length of stretchable material ( 10 ) extending between the footrest ( 6 ) and the kneerest ( 8 ), and fastener means ( 28 ) for fastening the length of stretchable material ( 10 ), and the apparatus ( 2 ) being such that in use and with the person ( 12 ) in a seated position then the front part of the person's feet ( 16 ) rests on the footrest ( 6 ) to retain the footrest ( 6 ) on a floor, the kneerest ( 8 ) rests on the person's knees ( 20 ), the length of stretchable material ( 10 ) is stretched when the person ( 12 ) pivots the rear part of their feet ( 16 ) upwardly with respect to the footrest ( 6 ); the fastener means ( 28 ) comprises a clamp ( 36 ); the clamp ( 36 ) is secured to the kneerest ( 8 ); and the clamp ( 36 ) comprises a clamping bar ( 64 ), a pair of guide rods ( 66 ) on which the clamping bar ( 64 ) slides, and a handle ( 54 ).

1 . Apparatus for use in exercising a person's calves, which apparatus comprises a footrest, a kneerest, a length of stretchable material extending between the footrest and the kneerest, and fastener means for fastening the length of stretchable material, and the apparatus being such that:
 (i) in use and with the person in a seated position then the front part of the person's feet rests on the footrest to retain the footrest on a floor, the kneerest rests on the person's knees, the length of stretchable material is stretched when the person pivots the rear part of their feet upwardly with respect to the footrest, the length of stretchable material contracts when the person pivots the rear part of their feet downwardly with respect to the footrest, and the stretching of the length of stretchable material requires effort from the person's calves which thereby exercises the person's calves;   (ii) the fastener means fastens the length of stretchable material such that prior to use the length of stretchable material provides a fixed distance between the footrest and the kneerest, the fixed distance being that distance required by the person to provide the required effort during use of the apparatus when the person is pivoting the rear part of their feet upwardly with respect to the footrest;   (iii) the fastener means comprises a clamp;   (iv) the clamp is secured to the kneerest; and   (v) the clamp comprises a clamping bar, a pair of guide rods on which the clamping bar slides, a handle, and a screw threaded shaft which is connected to the clamping bar and the handle such that rotation of the handle one way causes the clamping bar to clamp the length of stretchable material with respect to the kneerest, and rotation of the handle the opposite way causes the clamping bar to unclamp the length of stretchable material.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the clamp comprises a base member, in which the guide rods extend from the base member towards the handle, and in which the clamping bar clamps the length of stretchable material between the clamping bar and the base member. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the screw threaded shaft is connected to the clamping bar by a connecting formation which is mounted at an end of the screw threaded shaft remote from the handle, and which rotates with respect to the screw threaded shaft. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the clamp is counter-sunk in a face of the kneerest. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the foot rest is a platform device. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the footrest has an inclined face on which the person's feet rest, the inclined face being such that it faces the person during the use of the apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the footrest has markings for indicating where the person's feet are to rest. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the kneerest is a platform device. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the length of stretchable material is a tube or a band. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the length of stretchable material is a length of an elastic material, a length of a rubber material, or a length of a stretchable plastics material. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the length of stretchable material has a smooth and/or polished and/or coated outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the length of stretchable material is adjustable to vary the distance between the footrest and the kneerest. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the fastener means comprises an inlet aperture in the kneerest and an outlet aperture in the kneerest, and in which the length of stretchable material passes through the inlet aperture and returns through the outlet aperture. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the fastener means includes a clasp to clasp the length of stretchable material to itself. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  and including roller means for facilitating a smooth and easy passage of the length of stretchable material through the apparatus.