Spring Ankle Torque Device

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/656,132 filed Jun. 5, 2024, entitled “Spring Ankle Torque Device,” the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This disclosure relates to the field of exercise and rehabilitation equipment. More particularly, this disclosure relates to foot and ankle strength and stability training equipment.

Foot/ankle strength and stability has perhaps the greatest effect on athletic performance across sports. Foot and ankle strength also has a major effect on rehabilitation after lower body injuries. Athletes that suffer from weak feet and ankles commonly suffer from pain and injury throughout their legs at the knee, hip, and lower back. Surprisingly, however, strength and stability programs and exercises specifically directed to the foot and ankle are absent from most athletic training programs. The lack of foot and ankle strength and stability training can in some part be attributed to the fact many athletes do not know about the importance of such training programs and that such training programs are not yet “mainstream.” Further, there is currently a lack of equipment that allows users to perform such training programs safely and effectively. In fact, athletes and those undergoing rehabilitation must often rely on makeshift solutions to complete such training programs. These makeshift solutions do not work the targeted muscle groups effectively and potentially increase the chances of injury.

Considering the above, a “spring ankle” series of exercises/stretches was more recently developed by sport/speed performance coach Chris Karfist. The spring ankle series provides a systematic approach to strengthen the foot and ankle, optimizing power transfer and reducing energy leaks. By addressing the ankle stability and function, athletes can improve their acceleration, speed, and overall performance. However, the spring ankle exercises still lack an equipment system that is specifically directed to perform and enhance the exercises for helping athletes and others in developing a strong and stable foot and ankle complex while maintaining proper form through the exercises.

Accordingly, what is needed is an exercise equipment device that allows users to efficiently work targeted muscle groups as directed by a foot and ankle strength and stability program such as the spring ankle exercises at a relatively low cost.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a foot and ankle exercise system includes a base, a slant board, and a torque bar. The base includes an upper end and a lower end with the lower end dimensioned and configured to stabilize the base with respect to a horizontal support surface. The slant board is supported at the upper end of the base such that the slant board extends along the upper end of the base at an angle with respect to the horizontal support surface. The torque bar is dimensioned and configured to be disposed adjacent the slant board such that the torque bar extends upward with respect to the horizontal support surface. When the base is stabilized with respect to the horizontal support surface, the torque bar and slant board are positioned and configured such that the slant board is operable to receive a ball of a foot of a user while a heel of the foot of the user applies torque against the torque bar.

According to certain embodiments, the lower end of the base includes a plurality of stabilizing wings. In some embodiments, a lower end of each of the plurality of stabilizing wings includes a bumper positioned and configured for contacting the horizontal support surface and preventing movement of the base during use of the foot and ankle exercise system.

According to certain embodiments, the angle of the slant board is between 10 and 20 degrees. According to some embodiments, the angle of the slant board is about 15 degrees.

According to certain embodiments, the slant board is fixed to the base. In other embodiments, the slant board is operable to be rotated with respect to the base.

According to certain embodiments, the torque bar is configured to be removably secured to the base in a plurality of positions. In some embodiments, the slant board includes a front lower end, a rear raised end, a first side, and a second side, and the plurality of positions of the torque bar include at least a first position in which the torque bar is positioned adjacent the front lower end of the slant board and a second position in which the torque bar is positioned adjacent one of the first side and the second side of the slant board.

According to certain embodiments, the base includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, the base further including a first slot extending through the first and second sides and a second slot extending through the third and fourth sides. According to this embodiment, the torque bar is L-shaped with a horizontal portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and the torque bar is operable to be removably secured to the base by inserting the proximal end of the horizontal portion through one of the first slot and the second slot of the base.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a foot and ankle exercise system includes a base, a slant board, and a torque bar. The base includes an upper end and a lower end with the lower end dimensioned and configured to stabilize the base with respect to a horizontal support surface. The slant board is supported at the upper end of the base with the slant board extending along the upper end of the base at an angle with respect to the horizontal support surface. The torque bar is removably connected to the base such that a position of the torque bar may be adjusted in relation to the slant board between a plurality of positions with the torque bar extending upward with respect to the horizontal support surface in each of the plurality of positions. When the base is stabilized with respect to the horizontal support surface, the torque bar and slant board are positioned and configured such that the slant board is operable to receive a ball of a foot of a user while a heel of the foot of the user applies torque against the torque bar in each of the plurality of positions of the torque bar.

According to certain embodiments, the lower end of the base includes a plurality of stabilizing wings. In some embodiments, a lower end of each of the plurality of stabilizing wings includes a bumper positioned and configured for contacting the horizontal support surface and preventing movement of the base during use of the foot and ankle exercise system.

According to certain embodiments, the angle of the slant board is between 10 and 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of the slant board is about 15 degrees.

According to certain embodiments, the slant board is fixed to the base.

According to certain embodiments, the slant board includes a front lower end, a rear raised end, a first side, and a second side, and the plurality of positions of the torque bar include at least a first position in which the torque bar is positioned adjacent the front lower end of the slant board and a second position in which the torque bar is positioned adjacent one of the first side and the second side of the slant board.

According to certain embodiments, the base includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, the base further including a first slot extending through the first and second sides and a second slot extending through the third and fourth sides. The torque bar is L-shaped with a horizontal portion having a proximal end and a distal end, with the torque bar being operable to be removably secured to the base by inserting the proximal end of the horizontal portion through one of the first slot and the second slot of the base.

With reference to, a foot and ankle exercise systemaccording to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure generally includes a base, a slant board, and a torque bar. In operation, a user places the ball of their foot on the slant boardsuch that the heel of the user's foot is positioned against the side of the torque bar. As explained further below, the user is able to perform a variety of different spring and ankle movements/exercises (e.g., “spring ankle” related exercises) by placing the user's foot on the slant board in different orientations/positions and then either pushing the user's heel inward or outward against the torque bar.

With continued reference to, the baseincludes an upper endand a lower end. The lower endis dimensioned and configured to stabilize the basewith respect to a horizontal support surface (e.g., a floor). To help stabilize the base, the lower endof this embodiment includes a plurality of stabilizing wingsextending radially outward around the base. The bottom of each of the stabilizing wingsinclude a bumperthat is positioned and configured for providing the contact point between the baseand the horizontal support surface. While the bumpersmay include many different configurations and be formed of varying materials, the bumpersare intended to prevent movement/sliding of the basealong the horizontal surface during use of the system.

The slant boardis supported at the upper endof the base. As shown, the slant boardextends along the upper endof the baseat an angle with respect to the intended horizontal support surface. In preferred embodiments, the angle of the slant boardis between about 10° and about 20°. In most preferred embodiments, the slant boardincludes an angle of about 15°. Given the angle of the slant board, the slant board includes a front lower endand a rear raised end(i.e., raised endwith respect to the front lower end). Disposed between the front lower endand rear raised endis a first sideand a second side. While the slant boardis depicted herein as circular, it should be understood that other shapes may be used such as square or rectangular slant boards.

According to certain embodiments, the slant boardis fixed at the upper endof the base. In other embodiments, the slant boardis removably secured to the base. In embodiments in which the slant boardis fixed to the base, the torque baris preferably able to be repositioned with respect to the slant boardas described further below for maximizing the number of potential exercise positions for the system. On the other hand, in alternate embodiments, the torque barmay be secured to the basewhile the slant boardis able to be repositioned/rotated with respect to the baseto similarly maximize the number of potential exercise positions for the system.

With reference again to, the torque baris dimensioned and configured to be disposed adjacent the slant boardsuch that the torque barextends upward with respect to the horizontal support surface. The positioning of the torque barwith respect to the slant boardpermits the systemto receive a foot of a user such that the slant boardis configured to receive the ball of the foot in varying positions with the heel positioned next to the torque bar. The user then applies rotational torque against the torque barfor performing varying spring ankle exercises as desired.

In preferred embodiments, and as shown in, the torque baris able to be removably secured to the basein a plurality of positions. For example, the torque barmay generally include an L-shape as shown with a horizontal portionand a vertical portion. To removably secure the torque barto the base in different positions, the baseincludes at least a first set of torque bar apertureswith a corresponding first set of locking pin aperturesand a second set of torque bar apertureswith a corresponding second set of locking pin apertures. The first set of torque bar aperturesand second set of locking pin aperturesare disposed in the walls of the basebelow the front lower endand rear raised endof the slant board. The second set of torque bar aperturesand first set of locking pin aperturesare disposed in the walls of the basebelow the first sideand second sideof the slant board.

Thus, the first set of torque bar aperturesform a first slot through the basein which the horizontal portionof the torque baris able to be inserted when it is desired to secure the torque barsuch that the vertical portionis disposed adjacent the front lower end(as shown) or the rear raised endof the slant board. To secure the torque barto the basein either the front/rear positions, a locking pinis inserted through the first set of locking pin aperturesand a corresponding locking pin aperture of the horizontal portionof the torque bar(not shown). Similarly, the second set of torque bar aperturesform a second slot through the basein which the horizontal portionof the torque baris able to be inserted when it is desired to secure the torque barsuch that the vertical portionis disposed adjacent either the first sideor the second sideof the slant board. To secure the torque barto the basein one of the side positions, the locking pinis inserted through the second set of locking pin aperturesand the corresponding locking pin aperture of the horizontal portionof the torque bar.

According to certain embodiments, the systemmay further comprise additional components such as foot guards or rails disposed along the sides or ends of the slant boardthat prevent a user's foot from slipping down the slant board. The device may also comprise various engagement mechanisms that allow the device to be secured to standard gym equipment such as the base rails of power racks to provide additional stabilization.

With reference to, exemplary spring ankle positions and corresponding exercises are depicted. With reference to, the big toe of the ball of the foot is shown in a “low” position (i.e., towards the front lower endof the slant board) while the heel of the user is also in a “low” position with respect to the torque bar. In this exercise, the user is driving the heel in an “outward” rotational direction against the torque bar as indicated by the arrow.

With reference to, the big toe is in a “high” position (i.e., towards the rear raised endof the slant board) while the heel is still in a low position. In this exercise, the user is driving the heel “inward” against the torque bar.

With reference to, the big toe in a low position, the heel is in a high position, and the heel is driving inward against the torque bar.

With reference to, the big toe is in a high position, the heel is in a high position, and the heel is driving inward against the torque bar.

The chart below includes the above and other spring angle positions according to a preferred exercise routine using the system.

Made clear by the depictions ofand the chart above, various spring ankle training positions may be trained using the system. Further, various configurations of the base, slant board, and torque barare possible and within the scope of the present disclosure in order to perform spring ankle training exercises as described herein where the user drives their heel in varying inward and outward directions with respect to torque bar while their foot is positioned at different angles and positions on a slant board.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by any future claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.