Patent US4605220A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4605220A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ankle exerciser
Assignee: WIKCO INDUSRIES Inc BROKEN BOW ROUTE 2 BOX 154
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Filing: 1985-04-12
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Granted: 1986-08-12
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Expires: 2005-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An ankle exerciser for strengthening healthy ankles and for rehabilitating injured ankles. The exerciser includes a foot plate attached by a universal swivel joint to a support post. The universal swivel joint allows the foot plate to tilt or pivot about both longitudinal and transverse axes. Shock absorbers, having one end universally mounted to the foot plate, stabilize the foot plate, provide resistance to the pivotal movement, and limit the movement of the foot plate to the four basic directions of movement that are beneficial to strengthening the desired muscle groups. The exerciser makes it possible to successfully isolate the muscles involved in dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion while preventing tibial rotation of the foot.
Inventors
- 👤 Tim L. Troxel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:15
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B23/00; A63B23/035; A63B23/04; A63B23/08; A63B21/00; A63B21/008; A63B21/0085; A63B21/0087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An ankle exerciser, comprising: a base; a support post having one end attached to said base and having the other end attached to a universal swivel joint; a foot plate attached to said universal swivel joint, said foot plate being pivotable about only a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis; means connected to said foot plate for independently resisting pivotal movement of said foot plate only said longitudinal axis; means connected to said foot plate for independently resisting pivotal movement of said foot plate only said transverse axis; and means connected to said foot plate for releasably securing a human foot to said foot plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An ankle exerciser, comprising: a base; a support post having one end attached to said base and having the other end attached to a universal swivel joint; a foot plate attached to said universal swivel joint, said foot plate being pivotable about only a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis; means connected to said foot plate for independently resisting pivotal movement of said foot plate only said longitudinal axis; means connected to said foot plate for independently resisting pivotal movement of said foot plate only said transverse axis; and means connected to said foot plate for releasably securing a human foot to said foot plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 1, wherein the length of said support post is adjustable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 2 wherein said support post includes: a tubular base post attached to said base; a top post telescopically received within said base post; and a set screw disposed to extend through said base post and selectively engage said top post, thereby providing for the adjustment of the length of said support post.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 1, wherein said means for resisting the pivotal movement of said foot plate about said longitudinal axis includes: a shock abosorber pivotally attached at one end to said base and universally mounted at the other end to said foot plate at a point along said transverse axis spaced from said universal swivel joint, said shock absorber being disposed such that it is pivotally attached to said base about an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 4 wherein each of a pair of shock absorbers interconnects said base and said foot plate, and wherein said shock absorbers are disposed on opposite sides of said universal swivel joint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 4 wherein said spacing from said universal swivel joint is adjustable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 6 wherein said foot plate includes: a bracket attached to said foot plate; a threaded adjustment rod carried by said bracket and disposed to extend along said transverse axis; and an adjustment nut carried on said adjustment rod and attached to the other end of said shock absorber, wherein rotation of the adjustment rod causes the adjustment nut to move with respect thereto, thereby providing for the adjustment of the resistance to pivotal movement by adjusting the distance between the other end of the shock absorber and the universal swivel joint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 1, wherein said means for resisting the pivotal movement of said foot plate about said transverse axis includes: a shock absorber pivotally attached at one end to said base and universally mounted at the other end to said foot plate at a point along said longitudinal axis spaced from said universal swivel joint, said shock absorber being disposed such that it is pivotally attached to said base about an axis parallel to said transverse axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 8 wherein each of a pair of shock absorbers interconnects said base and said foot plate, and wherein said shock absorbers are disposed on opposite sides of said universal swivel joint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 8 wherein said spacing from said universal swivel joint is adjustable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
The ankle exerciser of claim 10 wherein said foot plate includes: a bracket attached to said foot plate; a threaded adjustment rod carried by said bracket and disposed to extend along said longitudinal axis; and an adjustment nut carried on said adjustment rod and attached to the other end of said shock absorber, wherein rotation of the adjustment rod causes the adjustment nut to move with respect thereto, thereby providing for the adjustment of the resistance to pivotal movement by adjusting the distance between the other end of the shock absorber and the universal swivel joint.
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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) | 1989-08-11 | 1990-02-10 | 1990-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-11 | 1994-02-10 | 1994-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-11 | 1998-02-10 | 1998-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |