Spring Ankle Torque Device

Abstract

A foot and ankle exercise system including a base, a slant board, and a torque bar. The lower end of the base for stabilizing the base with respect to a horizontal support surface. The slant board is supported at the upper end of the base. The torque bar dimensioned and configured to be disposed adjacent the slant board such that the torque bar extends upward with respect to the horizontal support surface. When the base is stabilized with respect to the horizontal support surface, the torque bar and slant board are positioned and configured such that the slant board is operable to receive a ball of a foot of a user while a heel of the foot of the user applies torque against the torque bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foot and ankle exercise system comprising:
 a base having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end dimensioned and configured to stabilize the base with respect to a horizontal support surface;   a slant board supported at the upper end of the base, the slant board extending along the upper end of the base at an angle with respect to the horizontal support surface; and   a torque bar dimensioned and configured to be disposed adjacent the slant board such that the torque bar extends upward with respect to the horizontal support surface,   wherein, when the base is stabilized with respect to the horizontal support surface, the torque bar and slant board are positioned and configured such that the slant board is operable to receive a ball of a foot of a user while a heel of the foot of the user applies torque against the torque bar.   
     
     
         2 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the lower end of the base includes a plurality of stabilizing wings. 
     
     
         3 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 2  wherein a lower end of each of the plurality of stabilizing wings includes a bumper positioned and configured for contacting the horizontal support surface and preventing movement of the base during use of the foot and ankle exercise system. 
     
     
         4 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the angle of the slant board is between 10 and 20 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the angle of the slant board is about 15 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the slant board is fixed to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the slant board is operable to be rotated with respect to the base. 
     
     
         8 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the torque bar is configured to be removably secured to the base in a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         9 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 8  wherein the slant board includes a front lower end, a rear raised end, a first side, and a second side, and the plurality of positions of the torque bar include at least a first position in which the torque bar is positioned adjacent the front lower end of the slant board and a second position in which the torque bar is positioned adjacent one of the first side and the second side of the slant board. 
     
     
         10 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the base includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, the base further including a first slot extending through the first and second sides and a second slot extending through the third and fourth sides, and 
 the torque bar is L-shaped with a horizontal portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the torque bar being operable to be removably secured to the base by inserting the proximal end of the horizontal portion through one of the first slot and the second slot of the base. 
 
     
     
         11 . A foot and ankle exercise system comprising:
 a base having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end dimensioned and configured to stabilize the base with respect to a horizontal support surface;   a slant board supported at the upper end of the base, the slant board extending along the upper end of the base at an angle with respect to the horizontal support surface; and   a torque bar removably connected to the base such that a position of the torque bar may be adjusted in relation to the slant board between a plurality of positions, the torque bar extending upward with respect to the horizontal support surface in each of the plurality of positions,   wherein, when the base is stabilized with respect to the horizontal support surface, the torque bar and slant board are positioned and configured such that the slant board is operable to receive a ball of a foot of a user while a heel of the foot of the user applies torque against the torque bar in each of the plurality of positions of the torque bar.   
     
     
         12 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 11  wherein the lower end of the base includes a plurality of stabilizing wings. 
     
     
         13 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 11  wherein a lower end of each of the plurality of stabilizing wings includes a bumper positioned and configured for contacting the horizontal support surface and preventing movement of the base during use of the foot and ankle exercise system. 
     
     
         14 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 11  wherein the angle of the slant board is between 10 and 20 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 11  wherein the angle of the slant board is about 15 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 11  wherein the slant board is fixed to the base. 
     
     
         17 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 11  wherein the slant board includes a front lower end, a rear raised end, a first side, and a second side, and the plurality of positions of the torque bar include at least a first position in which the torque bar is positioned adjacent the front lower end of the slant board and a second position in which the torque bar is positioned adjacent one of the first side and the second side of the slant board. 
     
     
         18 . The foot and ankle exercise system of  claim 11  wherein:
 the base includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, the base further including a first slot extending through the first and second sides and a second slot extending through the third and fourth sides, and 
 the torque bar is L-shaped with a horizontal portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the torque bar being operable to be removably secured to the base by inserting the proximal end of the horizontal portion through one of the first slot and the second slot of the base.