Exercise Device Targeting Anterior Tibialis Muscles & Method Of Use

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 18/238,213 filed Aug. 25, 2023.

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The disclosure relates to exercise devices and more particularly pertains to a new exercise device which specifically targets anterior tibialis muscles. The anterior tibialis muscles are particularly difficult to engage using exercise devices commonly used found in gyms. Thus, exercise devices specifically targeting the anterior tibialis muscles are required.

The prior art relates to exercise devices targeting anterior tibialis muscles but which do not have a feet engagement means that is adjustable to the feet of users having feet of a variety of sizes.

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a weight engagement element, a sliding element, and a locking element. The weight engagement element comprises a dorsum bar, which is attached to and which extends bidirectionally from a first end of a weight bar. The sliding element comprises a heel bar, which is attached to and which extends bidirectionally from a first terminus of an extension bar. A second terminus of the extension bar is slidable along and is releasably securable to the weight bar at a user selectable position wherein the extension bar extends away from the weight bar. The dorsum bar and the heel bar thus are positioned so as to fit feet of a user. The locking element is configured to retain one or more weights on the weight bar. The locking element is slidable along and is releasably securable to the weight bar. The weight bar is configured for insertion through a central hole of the one or more weights so that the one or more weights abut the extension bar. The user then can slide back on a seat so that legs of the user are straightened and supported and enable the user to perform alternating dorsiflexion movements and plantarflexion movements of the feet to exercise their anterior tibialis muscles.

Another embodiment of the disclosure includes an exercise system targeting anterior tibialis muscles, which comprises the exercise device, as per the disclosure above. The second terminus of the extension bar has been slid along the weight bar to position the dorsum bar and the heel bar to fit feet of a user and has been releasably secured to the weight bar. The weight bar has been inserted through the central hole of one or more weights, which abut the extension bar and which are retained in position by the locking element.

Yet another embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of exercising anterior tibialis muscles, which comprises providing the exercise system, as described above. Steps of the method include positioning the exercise system on a surface in front of a seat, assuming a seated position upon the seat, positioning one's heels upon the heel bar such that the dorsa of one's feet are positioned under the dorsum bar, sliding back upon the seat so that one's legs are straightened and are supported by the seat, and performing alternating dorsiflexion movements and plantarflexion movements of the feet.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular tothereof, a new exercise device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeralwill be described.

As best illustrated in, the exercise devicetargeting anterior tibialis muscles generally comprises a weight engagement element, a sliding element, and a locking element. The weight engagement elementcomprises a dorsum bar, which is attached to and which extends bidirectionally from a first endof a weight bar. The sliding elementcomprises a heel barand an extension bar. The heel baris attached to and extends bidirectionally from a first terminusof the extension bar. A second terminusof the extension baris slidable along and is releasably securable to the weight bar, with the extension barextending away from the weight bar. The heel barthus is positionally adjustable relative to the dorsum barso that dorsum barand the heel barcan be oriented so as to fit feet of a user. A portionof the weight bar, from the sliding elementto the first end, and the extension barform an angle, as is shown in, of from 45° to 105°.

The weight barcomprises a first section, which extends from the first end, and a second section, which extends from a second endof the weight bar. The first sectionof the weight barand the extension barmay be substantially rectangularly box shaped, as is shown in, although the present invention also anticipates the first sectionand the extension barbeing cylindrical, prismatic, hexagonal, or the like. Typically, as is shown in the figures, the second sectionof the weight bar, the heel bar, and the dorsum barare cylindrical. The second sectionof the weight bar, the heel bar, and the dorsum barmay be hollow, as is shown in, or may be solid. The dorsum bartypically would be padded with foamed elastomer, silicone, rubber, or the like. Paddingon the dorsum barmay be rotatable around the dorsum barto facilitate movement of the feet relative to the dorsum barwhen the exercise deviceis in use.

The weight engagement elementand the sliding elementare readily separable, thereby allowing for easy stowage and transport of the exercise device. The weight engagement elementand the sliding elementmay comprise plastic or metal, such as steel, or the like. With the exercise devicecomprising molded plastic, and in particular with the weight bar, the heel bar, and the dorsum barbeing hollow, the exercise devicewould have a low mass, which would be advantageous for some users relative to the exercise devicecomprising steel.

The locking elementis slidable along and releasably securable to the weight bar. The weight baris configured for insertion by its second endthrough the central holeof one or more weightsso that the one or more weightsabut the extension bar. The locking elementthen can be slid along and releasably secured to the weight barto retain the one or more weightsin position on the weight bar. The user, upon being seated, can position their heels upon the heel barand the dorsa of their feet under the dorsum bar. The user then can slide back on the seatso that their legs are straightened and supported, enabling the user to perform alternating dorsiflexion movements and plantarflexion movements of the feet to exercise their anterior tibialis muscles.

In one embodiment, as is shown in, the weight barhas a plurality of channelsextending axially therethrough. The sliding elementcomprises a set ring, which is selectively positionable upon the weight barby insertion of the second endof the weight barinto the set ring. The extension baris attached to and extends away from an outer perimeterof the set ring. A set pinis selectively insertable through a respective channeland a pair of set holes, the set holesof which are opposingly positioned on the outer perimeterof the set ring, so that the sliding elementis releasably secured to the weight engagement element.

In this embodiment, as is shown in, the locking elementcomprises a lock ring, which is selectively positionable upon the weight barby insertion of the second endof the weight barinto the lock ring. A lock pinis selectively insertable through a respective channeland a pair of lock holes, the lock holesof which are opposingly positioned on an outer circumferenceof the lock ring, so that the locking elementis releasably secured to the weight barto retain the one or more weightsin position on the weight bar. It should be noted that the lock pincould be effectively used to retain the one or more weightsin position without using the lock ring, as is shown in. The lock pinand the set pinmay be of the same configuration, although the present invention also anticipates the lock pinand the set pinbeing of different configurations. For example, the lock pinmay be longer than the set pinto increase its ability to stabilize the one or more weights. The locking elementmay alternatively comprise what are known as locking collars often used for holding weights onto a barbell, for example, though for reasons stated below may not be as advantageous as the embodiment described herein.

Each pull ringof a pair of pull ringsis hingedly attached proximate to an opposed end of a respective one of the set pinand the lock pin(and, respectively). The pull ringsallow a user to insert a finger and to pull on the set pinand the lock pinto extract them from the set ringand the lock ring, respectively, and from the channels. The present invention anticipates other pulling elements in place of the pull rings, such as, but not limited to, fixed rings, crossbars, or the like. Prior art collars typically used to retain one or more weightson a weight barare subject to movement and sliding while in use, whereas the set ring—set pinand lock ring—lock pincombinations prevent both movement and sliding, which is much safer for the user.

Other configurations which render the sliding elementslidable relative to the weight barare anticipated by the present invention. For example, the weight barmay have a T shaped channel extending thereinto from its second endand the extension barmay have a complementary T-shaped protrusion extending from its second terminus. The T-shaped protrusion then could be slid into the T-shaped channel to a desired position and the sliding elementreleasably secured to the weight barby insertion of a lock pin.

The second sectionof the weight barhas a pair of groovespositioned therein and extending from the second endto the first sectionof the weight bar. Each channelextends between the groovesof the pair of grooves. A pair of set nubsis attached to the set ring, with the set nubsextending inwardly from an inner perimeterof the set ring. Each set holeextends through a respective set nub. Each set nubis positioned in a respective grooveupon insertion of the weight barinto the set ring. The set nubsprevent rotation of the set ringaround the weight barto simplify alignment of the set holeswith a respective channel.

Similarly, a pair of lock nubsis attached to the lock ring, with the lock nubsextending inwardly from an inner circumferenceof the lock ring. Each lock holeextends through a respective lock nub. Each lock nubis positioned in a respective grooveupon insertion of the weight barinto the lock ring. The lock nubsprevent rotation of the lock ringaround the weight barto simplify alignment of the lock holeswith a respective channel.

The plurality of channelsmay be positioned in the weight barsuch that each channelis perpendicular to the dorsum bar, as is shown in, or such that each channelis parallel to the dorsum bar, as is shown in. The present invention also anticipates two pluralities of channels, one being perpendicular and the other being parallel to the dorsum bar, respectively, and the lock ringhaving two pairs of lock holespositioned therein, thereby allowing multiple options for attachment of the lock ring. Similarly, the weight barcould have two pairs of groovespositioned therein, with one plurality of channelsbeing positioned in one pair of groovesand the other plurality of channelsbeing positioned in the other pair of grooves. The pluralities of channelscould be offset relative to one another within the pairs of groovesso that an optimal channelis accessible for use in securing the lock ring. Additionally, the set ringcould be fitted with two pairs of set nubsand the lock ringfitted with two pairs of lock nubs.

The present invention also anticipates the lock ringbeing one of a pair of lock rings, which would allow the one or more weightsto be positioned anywhere along the weight bar. Shifting of the one or more weightsproximate to the second endof the weight barwould effectively increase the resistance of the one or more weightsrelative to the one or more weightsbeing positioned proximate to the set ring. Additionally, the pair of lock ringswould allow the one or more weightsto be releasably secured to the weight barwithout use of the sliding element, thereby enabling use of the exercise devicefor arm exercises, such as, but not limited to, arm curls, wrist curls, or the like. One such exercise is depicted in. Alternatively, a prior art collar could be used on the weight bar, above the one or more weights, as the prior art collar would not be load-bearing. The lock ringwould be releasably secured below the one or more weightsto support their mass.

The present invention also includes an exercise systemtargeting anterior tibialis muscles, which comprises the exercise device, as per the specification above and as shown in. The second terminusof the extension barhas been slid along the weight barto position the dorsum barand the heel barto fit feet of a user and the extension barhas been releasably secured to the weight bar. The weight barhas been inserted through the central holeof one or more weightsso that the one or more weightsabut the extension bar. The locking elementhas been slid along the weight barto abut the one or more weightsand has been releasably secured to the weight barto retain the one or more weightsin position on the weight bar. The user, upon being seated, can position their heels upon the heel barand the dorsa of their feet under the dorsum bar. The user then can slide back on the seatso that their legs are straightened and supported and enable the user to perform alternating dorsiflexion movements and plantarflexion movements of the feet to exercise their anterior tibialis muscles.

In use, the exercise systemenables a method of exercising anterior tibialis muscles, which comprises providing the exercise system, as is described above. A first stepof the methodis positioning the exercise systemon a surface in front of a seatso that the heel barand the one or more weightsof the exercise systemrest upon the surface with the first endand the second endof the weight barbeing positioned proximate to and distal from the seat, respectively. A second stepof the methodis assuming a seated position upon the seat. A third stepof the methodis positioning one's heels upon the heel barsuch that the dorsa of one's feet are positioned under the dorsum bar. A fourth stepof the methodis sliding back upon the seatso that one's legs are straightened and are supported by the seat. A fifth stepof the methodis performing alternating dorsiflexion movements and plantarflexion movements of the feet, as is shown in.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.