US4294238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lower limb muscle aid device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-09-21
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Granted: 1981-10-13
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Expires: 1999-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for assisting and relaxing a user's leg muscles in and after physical activities, such as jogging. The device includes an elastic strap which extends from under the sole of the user's foot upwardly around the heel thereof to the back of the knee. Securing straps are provided at the lower end of the elastic strap for encircling the waist of the user's foot to secure the lower end of the elastic strap thereto. Securing straps are provided at the upper end of the elastic strap for encircling the user's leg adjacent the knee for securing the upper end of the elastic strap thereto with the elastic strap being urged against the rear of the calf of the user's leg for relaxing and relieving fatigue and tension in the user's leg muscles. The elastic strap further provides a biasing of the user's foot for assisting the leg muscles providing inversion about the subtalar axis during activities, such as jogging.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Woodford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/0104; A61F5/0111
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for assisting and relaxing a user's leg muscles in and after physical activities such as jogging, said device comprising: a strap member having a top end, a bottom end, and an elastic midportion having a width substantially the width of a user's heel; a first securing means extending from said top end and defining means for releasably encircling the user's leg adjacent the knee for securing said top end of the strap member thereto; and a second securing means extending from said bottom end and defining means for releasably encircling the user's foot for securing said bottom end of the strap member thereto with said midportion stretchably retained against the calf of the user's leg and said bottom end extending around the user's heel and underlying the arch of the user's foot for providing a supportive force on the user's leg during a physical activity such as jogging.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for assisting and relaxing a user's leg muscles in and after physical activities such as jogging, said device comprising: a strap member having a top end, a bottom end, and an elastic midportion having a width substantially the width of a user's heel; a first securing means extending from said top end and defining means for releasably encircling the user's leg adjacent the knee for securing said top end of the strap member thereto; and a second securing means extending from said bottom end and defining means for releasably encircling the user's foot for securing said bottom end of the strap member thereto with said midportion stretchably retained against the calf of the user's leg and said bottom end extending around the user's heel and underlying the arch of the user's foot for providing a supportive force on the user's leg during a physical activity such as jogging.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said strap member includes means for selectively adjusting the length thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said strap member includes a plurality of portions, and means for adjustably connecting said portions in adjusted end-to-end relationship for adjusting the stretched condition of the strap member when the device is installed on the user's leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said strap member includes a plurality of portions, and releasable self-holding fabric means on confronting portions of said strap member portions for adjustably connecting said portions in adjusted end-to-end relationship for adjusting the stretched condition of the strap member when the device is installed on the user's leg.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said securing means include releasable self-holding fabric portions for adjustably securing the bands in said encircling disposition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each of said securing means comprises a pair of securing bands.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said strap member comprises an elastic strap member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said first securing means includes a pair of securing band means, one of said band means being arranged to encircle the user's leg above the knee and the other of said band means being arranged to encircle the user's leg below the knee.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first securing means includes a pair of securing band means, one of said band means being arranged to encircle the user's leg above the knee and the other of said band means being arranged to encircle the user's leg below the knee, said band means comprising a pair of crossed elastic strips.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first securing means includes a pair of securing band means, one of said band means being arranged to encircle the user's leg above the knee and the other of said band means being arranged to encircle the user's leg below the knee, said band means comprising a pair of crossed elastic strips, said elastic strips including releasable self-holding fabric portions for adjustably securing the band means in said encircling disposition.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-12 | 1985-04-13 | 1985-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-12 | 1989-04-13 | 1989-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-12 | 1993-04-13 | 1993-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |