Patent US3774597A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for simulating the act of walking
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-02-14
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for simulating the act of walking by holding a knee substantially stationary while sequentially elevating a heel of a foot associated with the knee, depressing the unsupported arch, and flexing the toes. The foot is moved during the sequential operations in a direction parallel to a line through the toes and heel thereof, and is raised so that the arch returns to its normal position and returned to its original position following the sequential operations. Apparatus for carrying out the method has a pair of spaced members for engaging a leg and controlling the movement of the knee thereof, and a plate adapted to receive the foot associated with the knee for performing the sequential operations. Cams are provided for imparting motion to the plate for carrying out the sequential operations.
Inventors
- 👤 V Root
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H1/00; A61H1/02; A61H1/0237; A61H1/0255; A61H1/0262; A61H2203/00; A61H2203/04; A61H2203/0425; A61H2203/0431
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of facilitating blood circulation in the feet and legs by simulating the act of walking, comprising the steps of: a. engaging the bottom of each foot with a supporting surface while the arch is unsupported, b. urging each foot and an associated supporting surface toward one another with sufficient force to depress the arch of the foot, c. removing the force urging a foot and supporting surface toward one another and permitting the arch to return to normal arched position; and d. repeating steps (b) and (c) sequentially causing a pumping action by sequential depression and return to normal position of the arch and facilitating blood circulation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of facilitating blood circulation in the feet and legs by simulating the act of walking, comprising the steps of: a. engaging the bottom of each foot with a supporting surface while the arch is unsupported, b. urging each foot and an associated supporting surface toward one another with sufficient force to depress the arch of the foot, c. removing the force urging a foot and supporting surface toward one another and permitting the arch to return to normal arched position; and d. repeating steps (b) and (c) sequentially causing a pumping action by sequential depression and return to normal position of the arch and facilitating blood circulation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (b) includes the step of moving each foot in a direction parallel to a line through the toes and heel thereof and in the direction of the heel and step (c) includes the step of raising the knee and moving the foot to its original position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 2 further including the step of performing steps (b), (c) and (d) for each foot in opposed phase to the other foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the engaging step (a) includes the step of restraining the body of a person from movement while retaining the feet and associated portions of the legs of the person in a condition free to move.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1 further including the step of performing steps (b), (c) and (d) for each foot in opposed phase to the other foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Exercising apparatus for simulating the act of walking, comprising, in combination: a. means for controlling the movement of a knee; and means for sequentially elevating the heel of a foot associated with the knee, depressing an arch thereof and flexing the toes thereof while the knee is held substantially stationary.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
Exercising apparatus for simulating the act of walking, comprising, in combination: a. means for controlling the movement of a knee; and means for sequentially elevating the heel of a foot associated with the knee, depressing an arch thereof and flexing the toes thereof while the knee is held substantially stationary.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the sequential means includes a plate adapted to receive a foot, and means for imparting motion to said plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the motion imparting means includes cam surfaces and means for moving said plate relative to said cam surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for moving includes a crank, means for turning said crank, and a link pivotally mounted to said crank and said plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said sequential means further includes a plurality of rollers connected to said plate and arranged to engage said cam surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein saiD means for controlling includes a pair of spaced members arranged to engage front and rear surfaces of a leg adjacent to and above the knee, and means for reciprocating said members in a direction generally perpendicular to said plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for reciprocating includes a crank, means for turning said crank, a link pivotally connected to said crank, and a longitudinal extending rod pivotally connected to said link and restrained for longitudinal movement, said members rigidly connected to said rod.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein there are a pair of plates and a pair of spaced members each engaging a leg and moving an associated foot in opposed phase.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said sequential means further includes a plurality of rollers connected to said plate and arranged to engage said cam surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for controlling includes a pair of spaced members arranged to engage front and rear surfaces of a leg adjacent to and above the knee, and means for reciprocating said members in a direction generally perpendicular to said plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said means for reciprocating includes a crank, means for turning said crank, a link pivotally connected to said crank, and a longitudinally extending rod pivotally connected to said link and restrained for longitudinal movement, said members being rigidly connected to said rod.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein there are a pair of said plates and a pair of said spaced members each engaging a leg and moving an associated foot in opposed phase.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
An exercising device for moving the feet and associated portions of the legs of a person comprising means restraining the body of a person from movement while retaining the feet and associated portions of the legs in a condition free to move, and means for sequentially moving the feet and associated portions of the legs in a manner sequentially depressing the arches and returning same to normal position and simulating the act of walking while the person is restrained from translatory movement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
An exercising device for moving the feet and associated portions of the legs of a person comprising means restraining the body of a person from movement while retaining the feet and associated portions of the legs in a condition free to move, and means for sequentially moving the feet and associated portions of the legs in a manner sequentially depressing the arches and returning same to normal position and simulating the act of walking while the person is restrained from translatory movement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the engaging step (a) includes the step of restraining the body of a person from movement while retaining the feet and associated portions of the legs of the person in a condition free to move.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |