Padded Foot Support for Pilates Reformer and Pilates Reformer Using the Same

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/634,630 filed on 16 Apr. 2024, titled “Padded Foot Support for Pilates Reformer and Pilates Reformer Using the Same,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.

Physical exercises invented by Joseph Pilates can be performed using a stationary machine called a reformer. Reformer Pilates is similar to mat-based Pilates. However, reformer Pilates is done using the Pilates reformer machine and can be more intense and more dynamic than mat-based Pilates as it adds resistance to the Pilates exercises via the use of the springs which form part of the machine. Reformer Pilates can be performed for rehab purposes too as it allows the client to exercise in a horizontal plane of motion and not be vertically loaded and weight bearing through their legs. For example, if a client has had knee surgery or a knee injury, the horizontal plane of the reformer enables the user to strengthen the muscles of the leg through a larger range of motion using a lighter resistance than their body weight, speeding up their recovery through controlled movement.

To use the reformer, a user pushes a foot support bar, which is located at the foot end of the frame, in the state of sitting or lying on a horizontal back support such that the back support is moved away from the foot end of the frame or is moved toward the foot end of the frame. However, the support bar can be uncomfortable for some users and presents several problems associated therewith.

Thus, users and manufacturers of reformer Pilates machines continue to seek new and improved devices, systems, and methods to improve the comfort and accessibility to users.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a foot support that attaches to a Pilates reformer for persons with neuropathy and foot pain and a Pilates reformer that employs such foot support. In some embodiments, the foot support can include a base having a generally flat front surface and a back surface having at least one fastener for coupling to a foot bar of the Pilates reformer. The foot support can further include a strap configured to secure the base to the Pilates reformer.

In some embodiments, a foot support that attaches to a Pilates reformer can include a platform having a front surface and a back surface. The foot support can include a cushion disposed on the front surface of the platform and a securement system attached to the back surface of the platform. In some examples the securement system can include fasteners including two hooks configured to couple with a foot bar of the Pilates reformer. A first strap can be disposed over each hook and configured to secure the platform to the foot bar. A second strap can be included, the second strap configured to secure the platform to a frame of the Pilates reformer.

Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments disclosed herein are related to assemblies, systems, and methods of using a padded foot support for a Pilates reformer machine. In some examples, users can have neuropathy and/or foot pain making the Pilates exercises uncomfortable and painful to perform, and also may cause further injury. The assemblies, systems, and methods of using a foot support for a Pilates reformer include a platform having a flat front surface and a back surface having at least one fastener for coupling the platform to a foot bar of the Pilates reformer. In some embodiments, the platform can include a cushion for foot comfort and also a strap coupled to the fastener and/or the platform to secure the platform to a portion of the frame of a Pilates reformer.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, as used herein, a system, a method, an article, a component, a feature, or a sub-feature including at least one of a first option, a second option, or a third option should be understood as referring to a system, a method, an article, a component, a feature, or a sub-feature that can include one of each listed option (e.g., only one of the first option, only one of the second option, or only one of the third option), multiple of a single listed option (e.g., two or more of the first option), two options simultaneously (e.g., one of the first option and one of the second option), or combination thereof (e.g., two of the first option and one of the second option).

illustrates an isometric view of a Pilates reformer machinethat may be used with any of the padded foot supports disclosed herein. The Pilates reformer is a traditional piece of Pilates equipment, which appears as a frameincluding a bed to support a sliding carriage. The sliding carriageis a generally flat and often cushioned bed section, which a user can lie, kneel, sit, lunge or stand on. The carriagecan smoothly glide up and down rails horizontally, upon which the carriage slides. The carriagemoves as part of Pilates exercises that can engage muscles in a controlled manner. The Pilates reformer machinefurther can include ropes and pulleys. Hands or feet can be placed inside loops or handles connected to the ropes and pulleysand can be used to perform exercises in multiple directions. Springsconnected to the sliding carriagethat provides an adjustable and variable resistance for performing Pilates exercises. The origins of the Pilates reformer date back to the original Pilates studio in New York in the 1920′s and was designed by Joseph Pilates. The springs that provide much of the resistance from the reformer are generally quite strong. Most reformers have up to 5 springs and when combined can add up to a considerable resistance. Conversely, as there are five springs, using only one or two of them can provide a gentler resistance depending on the exercise and the muscle being worked. Therefore, the intensity can be varied considerably from one person to the next, making it an incredibly versatile piece of equipment to use as a workout or rehab tool. Some Pilates reformers can include a wooden frame, and others can include a steel frame. Some reformers can sit on the floor while others are raised. Variations can depend on the brand of reformer, and the style can change slightly. Of note, the Pilates reformer machinecan include a foot bar.

The foot barcan be used by the user to rest hands or feet against and stabilize themselves as they perform the Pilates exercises. The foot barcan include padded portions or not. However, performing exercises on a Pilates reformer can causes a variety of discomforts related to the foot bar. In some examples, the discomfort can be temporary or permanent and in other situations the discomfort or pain can be exacerbated by the exercises. Foot problems can cause a range of symptoms including pain, swelling, and/or limping. Further the pain can extend from the user's toes, ankles, calves, knees and even the back in some cases. In some examples, users of the Pilates reformer can suffer from peripheral neuropathy. To alleviate any numbness or tingling in the feet or pain and/or muscle weakness, the Pilates reformer can be modified to include a foot support that is configured to improve balance and coordination for the user, while relieving the discomforts in the body that can occur using a traditional Pilates reformer. In some examples, the foot barcan be configured to pivot. In other words, the foot barcan adjust so that the foot baris lower and/or closer to the horizontal plane of the carriageor higher and/or farther from the horizontal plane of the carriage.

Theis an isometric view of a foot supportfor a Pilates reformer machine, according to an embodiment. The foot supportis an example of a foot support for providing comfort and balance to a user of the Pilates reformer. The foot supportcan be configured as a board, a pad, a bar, or series of bars in some examples, and is further configured to transfer the user's energy into the foot barby distributing the weight of the user across the foot barand the frame. The foot supportincludes a basethat has a generally flat front surfaceand a back surface. In some examples, the basecan include a rectangular platform. In other embodiments, however, the basemay have any suitable size and/or shape. For example, the basemay be circular, elliptical, oblong, etc. The basecan include a length that extends the width of the Pilates reformerand/or at least extends the length of the foot bar. In some examples, the basecan have a width that is at least wider than the foot bar. In some examples, the width of the basecan be between about 8 inches and about 16 inches. In some examples, the width of the basecan be about 12 inches.

In some examples, the basecan be made of wood or plastic, but the material of the baseis not intended to be limiting in this disclosure. The basemay be formed of any suitable material(s), such as a polymer (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, a polycarbonate, etc.), a metal, another suitable material, or combinations thereof. As such, the basesubstantially provides adequate support to the user while training with the Pilates reformer. In an at least one embodiment, the foot supportcan further include a pador cushion disposed on the front surface. The pador cushion may be formed from a foam material. In some examples, the padcan be composed of a flexible foam type material such as polyvinylchloride, urethane and olefinic polymers, such as polyethylene and can have a thickness of about 0.5 to 1.5 inches. In some examples, the padcan be connected to the front surfaceof the base. The padcan be attached with an adhesive, a staple, or other suitable attachment method. In some examples, the foot supportincludes a cover. The padcan be disposed between the coverand the flat front surfaceof the base, securing the padto the base.

In some examples, the covercan include a soft and/or smooth material, thereby making the foot support easy to clean. In some examples, the covercan be a leather, a vinyl, a synthetic leather material, a polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polyurethane. In some examples, the covercan be a fabric material. The covercan be connected to the back surfaceof the base. In some examples, the covercan be connected by an adhesive and/or staples. In some examples, the covercan include ridges or other features configured to provide a gripping surface. For example, the covercan include a silicon dotted surface with silicon material arranged in a pattern to reduce or prevent slippage.

Referring now to, the foot supportis configured to be removably coupled to the foot bar. The back surfaceof the basecan include at least one fastenerfor coupling to the foot barof the Pilates reformer. Generally, the fastenercan be configured to removably hook onto or otherwise couple to the foot bar.

is an isometric view of a back surfaceof a padded foot supportfor a Pilates reformer machine, according to an embodiment. In some examples, the fastenercan include a first hookand a second hookconfigured to couple with the foot bar. The fastenercan include other types of fasteners as well. In some examples, the fastenercan include a strap, a clamp, a chain, a rope, a bracket, a clasp, or any other suitable fastener. In some embodiments, the fastenercan be made of metal, wood, plastic, or other suitable material.

The foot supportcan also include a strap. In some examples, the strapcan be configured to secure the baseto the Pilates reformer. The strapcan include bungee strap as shown in. The strapcan connect to a portion of a frame of the Pilates reformer or can wrap around the frame and connect to the base, the fastener, and/or another strap. In some examples, the bungee strap can have a first end coupled to the base and a second end can include a carabiner clip. The carabiner clipcan be included to have a quick release of the strapfrom the frame or for ease of connecting a first strap to a second strap to secure the baseto the frame of the Pilates reformer. In some examples, the strapcan include a belt. The belt can be configured to secure the baseto the foot bar.

is a side view of a back surfaceof a padded foot supportfor a Pilates reformer machine, according to an embodiment. The hooksand/or fastenercan include a plastisol grip to protect the foot barof the Pilates reformer. The hookscan be connected to the back surfacehorizontally parallel with each other such that the foot supportis parallel with the foot bar.

is an isometric view of a back surfaceof a foot supportfor a Pilates reformer machine andis a side view of a back surfaceof a foot support, respectively, according to an embodiment. In some examples, the strapcan include a first strapand a second strapThe first and second strapscan include hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO®) and be configured to secure the foot supportto the frame of the Pilates reformerand then secure to the strap itself about, for example, the foot bar. In some examples, the strapcan include a tabto make the strap easier to secure and release. In some examples the strapcan include a third strapand a fourth strapIn some embodiments, a third strapand a fourth strapcan be located over the fastenerand can further secure the fastenerto the foot bar. The third strapand fourth strapcan include a tabto make the strap easier to secure and release. The strap(s)can be secured to the back surfaceof the foot supportwith any suitable nail, screw, or adhesive.

is an isometric view of a back surfaceof a foot supportfor a Pilates reformer machine andis a side view showing a back surfaceof a foot support, respectively, according to an embodiment. In some examples, the strapcan include a first strapand a second strapSimilar to that shown in, the first and second strapscan include hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®) and be configured to secure the foot supportto the frame of the Pilates reformerand then secure to the strap itself about, for example, the foot bar. The strapcan include a tabto make the strap easier to secure and release. In some examples, the fastenercan include a clamp. The clamp can be configured to releaseably couple to the foot bar. In some examples, the fastener can include a first, second, third or more clamps as required to secure the foot supportto the foot bar. Further, the strapcan include a third strapand a fourth strapIn some embodiments, the third strapand a fourth strapcan be located over any and each of the fastenersand can further secure the fastenerto the foot bar. In some examples, the third strapand a fourth strapcan include a tabto make the strap easier to secure and release the strap(s)can be secured to the back surfaceof the foot supportwith any suitable nail, screw, or adhesive.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

Terms of degree (e.g., “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” etc.) indicate structurally or functionally insignificant variations. In an example, when the term of degree is included with a term indicating quantity, the term of degree is interpreted to mean ±10%, ±5%, or ±2% of the term indicating quantity. In an example, when the term of degree is used to modify a shape, the term of degree indicates that the shape being modified by the term of degree has the appearance of the disclosed shape. For instance, the term of degree may be used to indicate that the shape may have rounded corners instead of sharp corners, curved edges instead of straight edges, one or more protrusions extending therefrom, is oblong, is the same as the disclosed shape, etc.