Exercise device

Abstract

A footrest device for supporting and exercising a user's feet and legs. The footrest device includes a pair of footrests that are pivotally connected to the opposed ends of a rigid elongated member, which is suspended by a non-rigid suspension member. The footrests are pivotally connected to the rigid elongated member. The footrest device can be suspended from a fixed object, such as the underside of a desk. Alternatively, the footrest device can include, and be suspended from, a mobile base that is positioned on the floor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suspended footrest device for suspension from a fixed location, the footrest device comprising:
 a pair of footrests;   a rigid elongated member extending between the footrests, the elongated member having a pair of opposed ends and a medial section, each of the footrests being pivotally connected to a respective one of the ends of the elongated member, each of the footrests and the respective end of the elongated member being pivotally connected to each other to permit pivoting movement therebetween along at least two axes of rotation; and   at least one flexible and non-rigid suspension member having a first end connected to the medial section of the elongated member, and a second end connected to the fixed location for suspension of the footrest device therefrom, the suspension member having a length of 28 inches or less;   whereby the elongated member extends laterally outwardly from the first end of the suspension member and terminates at the opposed ends thereof which are connected to the footrests, the elongated member being configured to rotate about the medial section thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 1  including a ball-and-socket joint connected between each footrest and the respective end of the elongated member to allow pivotal movement between each footrest and the elongated member. 
     
     
         3 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 1  wherein the suspension member is inelastic. 
     
     
         4 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 1  including a rotatable turntable connected between each footrest and the respective end of the elongated member to allow rotational movement between each footrest and the elongated member. 
     
     
         5 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 2  including a damper positioned between each footrest and the respective end of the elongated member for dampening the pivotal movement of the ball-and-socket joint. 
     
     
         6 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 1  wherein the suspension member includes a length of a thin bendable strap that is biased to be in a flat and untwisted state, whereby the strap is used to bias the orientation of the elongated member and footrests in front of a user so that the user's feet approximately line up with the footrests when the strap is in an untwisted state. 
     
     
         7 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 1  wherein the suspension member includes a quick-release mechanism to disconnect the footrest device from the fixed location from which the footrest device is being suspended. 
     
     
         8 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 1  wherein the suspension member is elastic. 
     
     
         9 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 1  including a movement tracker for tracking the movement of the footrests, the movement tracker being configured to transmit an electrical data signal containing information about the movement of the footrests. 
     
     
         10 . The suspended footrest device of  claim 1  wherein the length of the suspension member is adjustable. 
     
     
         11 . A footrest device comprising:
 a pair of footrests;   a rigid elongated member having a pair of opposed ends and a medial section, each of the footrests being pivotally connected to a respective one of the ends of the elongated member;   at least one flexible and non-rigid suspension member having a first end connected to the elongated member, and a second end connected to a stand for suspension of the footrest device therefrom; and   the stand including a base for placement on a floor surface, the stand further including a cantilevered strut connected to the base and extending upwardly therefrom, the strut further extending over the base whereby the stand can withstand, and not tip over from, a downward force on an end of the strut, and the second end of the suspension member being connected to the end of the strut.   
     
     
         12 . The footrest device of  claim 11  including a rotatable turntable connected between each footrest and the respective end of the elongated member to allow rotational movement between each footrest and the elongated member. 
     
     
         13 . The footrest device of  claim 11  wherein the first end of the suspension member is connected to the medial section of the elongated member. 
     
     
         14 . The footrest device of  claim 11  including a ball-and-socket joint connected between each footrest and the respective end of the elongated member to allow pivotal movement between each footrest and the elongated member. 
     
     
         15 . The footrest device of  claim 11  wherein the suspension member is inelastic. 
     
     
         16 . The footrest device of  claim 11  wherein the suspension member includes a length of a thin bendable strap that is biased to be in a flat and untwisted state, whereby the strap is used to bias the orientation of the elongated member and footrests in front of a user so that the user's feet approximately line up with the footrests when the strap is in an untwisted state. 
     
     
         17 . The footrest device of  claim 11  wherein the suspension member includes a quick-release mechanism to disconnect the elongated member and footrests from the end of the strut. 
     
     
         18 . The footrest device of  claim 11  wherein the suspension member has a length of 18 inches or less. 
     
     
         19 . The footrest device of  claim 11  including a movement tracker for tracking the movement of the footrests, the movement tracker being configured to transmit an electrical data signal containing information about the movement of the footrests. 
     
     
         20 . The footrest device of  claim 11  wherein the length of the suspension member is adjustable.