US2072959A - Foot health exerciser - Google Patents

Description

March 9, 1937. a. E. MULVANEY ET AL 2,

FOOT HEALTH EXERCISE'R Filed Nov. 20, 19:55

Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES FOOT HEALTH EXERCISER George E. Mulvaney,

Dalton, and Frank Chicago, Edward .Rodcn, L. Cross, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 20, 1935, Serial No. 50,632

1 Claim.

The present invention relates in general to a device for correcting foot troubles and more particularly to a foot exerciser. a

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device of this character which may be used while the patient is sitting down.

Another object is to provide a device of this character, which promotes an improved circulation of blood in the feet, builds up fallen arches,

10 strengthens muscles and ligaments, not only within the feet themselves but throughout the legs as well.

Our device also has for its object to correct so-called heel rotation and generally strengthen the feet. v

A further object is to provide adevice of this character that may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and shapes of feet.

There are other objects of our invention, which,

20 together with the foregoing willbe described in the detailed specification which is to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Generally speaking, to carry out an embodiment of our invention, we provide a rectangularly 25 shaped frame in which three peculiarly shaped cylinders or rollers are adjustably and rotatably mounted. The shape of these rollers is such as to conform to the normalshape of the foot so as to bring about exercise and massage of the foot in the proper manner.

Referring now to the drawing: I Fig. l is a top plan view of an embodiment of our foot exerciser invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective of one of the adjustable roller supports.

The reference character I generally designates a rectangularly shaped frame of wood or other suitable material, comprising side members 2 and end members 3. The frame I supports rollers 4, 5, and 6, of wood or other suitable material, each of which is rotatably mounted within the frame by pivot pins I threaded into metal inserts 5 9, suitably affixed within a recess in the rollers. Each of the pins 1 is adapted to penetrate any one of the openings l within metal bearing blocks H which fit slidably within recesses 8 in the side members 2. The openings l0 provide for 50 various adjustments of each of the rollers 4, or 6, so as to accommodate different types of feet, the metal bearing blocks, ll being removed and then slid into the recesses 8 after positioning pins 1 into the suitable openings l0. Each of the 55 side members 2 is adapted to be provided with metal brackets H which, in turn may contain frictional contact material for the purpose 0 providing non-skiddable supports for the frame I.

erally concaved shape and is adapted to give a gentle but forceful exercising ofthe tarsal or ankle, metatarsal arches, the phalange bones of the foot and the metatarso-phalangeal joints of the toes.. V

In use, the patient assumes a sitting position on a chair and places the naked foot upon the device, which rests on the floor, and after the rollers are suitably positioned to conform generally to the shape of the foot by moving them within the bearing blocks ll, the treatment isgivenby the patient moving the feet back and forth over the rollers, putting suflicient weight thereupon to bring about a gentle but forceful massage and exercising of the entire foot structure. Not only is the foot massaged so as to stimulate circulation, but all the muscles thereof are exercised as well as the knee cap and other bones of the leg and ankle. The continued and periodical use of this device will take care of practically all foot troubles including inward and outward rotation of the heel and fallen arches, inflammatory swelling of the bursa over the great toe joint, which is commonly called a bunion and otherfoot ailments. The increase incirculation and general stimulation of the nerve structure by the use of this device within the feet is such as to restore and maintain a general healthy condition of the feet, ankles and legs.

Our invention may be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the appended claim.

We claim:

A surgical device strengthening the foot muscles comprising a stationary support, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in said device, each roller having a stub shaft at each end, a bearing block cooperating with each stub shaft having a plurality of bearing holes therethrough, and openings in said support in which each bearing block is slidably mounted.

GEORGE E. MULV ANEY. FRANK L. CROSS. EDWARD RODEN.

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