GB2627435A

GB2627435A - Foot placement guide

Info

Publication number: GB2627435A
Application number: GB2302148.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Moore Paul
Original assignee: Stanzze Ltd
Current assignee: Stanzze Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-15
Filing date: 2023-02-15
Publication date: 2024-08-28
Also published as: GB202302148D0

Abstract

A foot placement guide 10 & 20 comprises a planar shaped body having a first face and a second face, the first face having a relatively higher friction surface than the second face. In this way, two or more foot placement guides may be laid out on a floor by a sports trainer or physiotherapist, to provide a user with left and right foot positions and orientations. The surface having the relatively higher friction surface may be the surface contacting the floor. The guides may be wedge shaped. More than two foot placement guides may be used to define a sequence of movements.

Description

FOOT PLACEMENT GUIDE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a foot placement guide. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a foot placement guide for use in sports training and for therapeutic purposes.

Background

Foot placement, in terms of the relative position and orientation of a user's feet, is very important in a variety of applications. For example, for therapeutic purposes the correct relative position and orientation of an user's feet may give rise to a correct and beneficial posture. In sports training, a series of proper movements may be defined by a set of foot positions (and orientations), each defined relative to a previous foot position.

It is known to mark a floor with stepping positions for these purposes. However, this may be a compromise because different users have different physiologies, with the result that a particular pair of stepping locations (for left and right feet respectively) may not be suitable for two different users with different leg lengths. Also, for users with physical disabilities or restrictions, standard stepping locations may be entirely unsuitable.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a leg protector for a horse in which the above disadvantages are avoided, or at least ameliorated.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foot placement guide, comprising a planar shaped body having a first face and a second face, the first face having a relatively higher friction surface than the second face.

In this way, two or more foot placement guides may be laid out on a floor by a sports training or physiotherapist (for example), to provide an user (individual) with left and right foot positions (and orientations). More than two foot placement guides may be used to define a sequence of movements.

Preferably, each one of a pair of foot placement guides has a different shape, a first of the two shapes being indicative or representative of a left foot, and a second of the two shapes being indicative or representative of a right foot. The user is thus able to ascertain a desired foot placement by placing their left foot on the guide having the first shape, and their right foot on the guide having the second shape.

The higher friction face of the guide prevents, or at least inhibits, slippage of the guide on the floor, which could otherwise cause injury. Preferably, the relative frictions of the first face and the second face are such that when the guide is place on a smooth floor (such as a concrete, tarmac, wood, stone, laminate or other material) with the first face contacting the floor and a user steps on the second face of the guide, the user's foot is more likely to slip across the second face than the second face is to slip across the floor.

The planar shaped body is shaped generally to follow the outer contours of the shape of a human foot, or the sole of a shoe. The user is thus able to place their feet onto and within the periphery of the guide, thus orienting their feet with respect to the guide.

The planar shaped body may be formed of rubber and/or a plastics material, such as an elastomeric material.

Preferably the second face bears a protruding pattern. This is in contrast with the first face, which may typically be substantially unpatterned to maximise surface area contact with the underlying floor.

Preferably, (and depending on implementation) the planar shaped body is substantially incompressible. However, due partly to the thinness of the guides, and partly to their material properties, the guides are flexible to conform to an underlying floor surface, thereby maximising an area of surface contact and minimising slippage.

Optionally, the foot placement guide may be formed of metal.

Optionally, the guide may have a uniform thickness of between 1cm and 10cm, preferably between approximately 5cm and 7cm, and more preferably approximately 5cm or approximately 7cm.

Optionally, the guide may have a non-uniform thickness.

Optionally, the guide may be wedge shaped, being thicker at a heel portion thereof than at a toe portion thereof.

Optionally, the guide may have a top surface covered with generally hemispherical or humped formations.

Optionally, the guide may be inflatable.

Optionally, an upper surface of the guide may be non-planar or bear formations.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a set of foot placement guides, comprising a first foot placement guide according to any preceding claim, having a shape representative of a left foot, and a second foot placement guide according to any preceding claim, having a shape representative of a right foot. The set of foot placement guides comprising a plurality of first foot placement guides and a plurality of second foot placement guides.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a training method, comprising placing two or more foot placement guides according to the above description on a surface, and standing a person on the foot placement guides with their feet in alignment therewith.

The training method may further comprise placing an additional one or more foot placement guides on the surface, and causing the person to move their feet, in sequence, from one foot placement guide to another.

In some embodiments the first and second (upper and lower) surfaces of the foot placement guides may have substantially or the same frictional properties, but differ from each other in other ways, as set forth throughout the following examples.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a plan view of left and right foot placement guides according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a 3D view of the foot placement guides of Figure 1, from above; Figure 3 schematically illustrates a 3D view of the foot placement guides of Figure 1, from below; Figure 4 schematically illustrates a pair of foot placement guides, set apart at a desired separation and relative orientation, to influence the stance of a user (individual); Figure 5 schematically illustrates a set of multiple (in this case 4) foot placement guides, for use in indicating a sequence of foot movements for a user; Figures 6 to 9 schematically illustrate some further implementations of the foot placement guides

Detailed Description

Referring to Figure 1, a left foot placement guide 10 and a right foot placement guide 20 are shown. The right foot placement guide 20 is a mirror image of the left foot placement guide 10. The shape of the foot placement guides is similar to that of traditional insoles for shoes, but their physical properties are different. In particular, insoles are required to provide a comfortable inner lining for a shoe, and are thus relatively soft and compressible, and have a thickness of at least 3mm. Most insoles have a variable thickness, to provide features such as heel and arch support. In contrast, the present foot placement guides are not intended to provide comfort, and are intended to be as thin as possible, so that the experience for the user (in terms of elevation) is not substantially different from standing directly on a floor. Generally, the foot placement guides 10, 20 should be no more than 3mm thick, and have a substantially uniform thickness across their entire surface. More preferably, the unform thickness is approximately 2mm. The foot placement guides are preferably (and depending on implementation) substantially incompressible under the weight of a human. That is, the thickness of the foot placement guide will not substantially reduce under the weight of a human. For example, the thickness of the foot placement guide may compress/reduce by less than 20%, or preferably less than 10%, under the weight of a human.

Generally, the left foot placement guide 10 comprises a heel region 10a, an arch region 10b, a ball region 10c and a toe region 10d. The user is intended to align their left foot with the guide 10 by placing the heel of their left foot on the heel region 10a, the ball of their left foot on the ball region 10c, and the toes of their left foot on the toe region 10d. As a result, the arch of their left foot will be on or elevated above the arch region 10b. Similarly, the right foot placement guide 20 comprises a heel region 20a, an arch region 20b, a ball region 20c and a toe region 20d. The user is intended to align their left foot with the guide 20 by placing the heel of their left foot on the heel region 20a, the ball of their left foot on the ball region 20c, and the toes of their left foot on the toe region 20d. As a result, the arch of their left foot will be on or elevated above the arch region 20b. This is straightforward, since the shape of the left and right foot placement guides 10, 20 is recognisably in accordance with left and right footprint shapes.

In some examples, a hole is provided through the foot placement guides. This permits the foot placement guides to be neatly stacked (for example on a vertically disposed rod), or to be hung on a generally horizontally or diagonally disposed rod or s similar. The hole may be circular, square or any other shape, and may be disposed in the heel portion, front portion or central portion of the foot placement guide.

The foot placement guides may be formed of various materials, dependent on intended use. For example, rubber, Velcro or silicon could be used, instead of or additionally to the other materials described herein.

Referring to Figure 2, the left foot placement guide 10 and the right foot placement guide 20 can be seen in 3D view (from above, viewing an upper surface of the guides 10, 20), and the thickness of approximately 2mm is apparent. Referring to Figure 3, the left foot placement guide 10 and the right foot placement guide 20 can be seen in 3D view (from below, viewing a lower surface of the guides 10, 20). The lower surfaces of the foot placement guides 10, 20, visible in Figure 3, each constitute a first (relatively high friction) face for placement on a floor or other surface. The relatively high friction nature of the faces 14, 24 prevents, or at least inhibits, the guides 10, 20 from slipping across the floor in use (when a user is stood on them). The upper surfaces of the foot placement guides 10, 20, visible in Figure 2, each constitute a second (relatively low friction) face for a user to stand on. The relatively lower fiction nature of the faces 12, 22 make it more likely that, in the case of a lateral force being applied to the guides 10, 20 by a user's foot (for example when stepping onto or off of the foot placement guide), that the foot would slip off the guide prior to the force being sufficient to overcome the friction between the guide and the floor.

In figure 2 it can be seen that the second (upper) surfaces/faces 12, 22 of the foot placement guides 10, 20 comprise a raised/contoured pattern. In contrast, and referring to Figure 3, the first (lower) surfaces/faces 14, 24 of the foot placement guides 10, 20 are smooth, without patterning. This maximises surface area contact between the floor and the guide.

Preferably, the foot placement guides 10, 20 are each formed of a single piece (sheet) of material. The materials used for the foot placement guide are different compared with those used for insoles, due to differing requirements. One option is to use an elastomer, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer. In one embodiment a thermoplastic vulcanizate is used, . One specific option is Santoprene TM (which itself is available in a wide variety of grades having different physical characteristics). The selected material may include additives that will resist acid, salt and alkali's that are present in human perspiration.

Referring to Figure 4, the left foot placement guide 10 and the right foot placement guide 20 are shown in use, disposed on a floor (or other surface) 5, and separated by a desired distance d. In this case the left and right foot placement guides 10, 20 are generally parallel, with the result that a user stood on the guides would have their feet parallel to each other, and separated by the distance d. It will be understood that the guides 10, 20 may be angled towards or away from each other (at the same or a different distance d), in order to achieve a different stance or posture in the user stood on them.

Referring to Figure 5, the guides 10, 20 are shown used to define a series of steps to be taken by a user. In particular, the user is to start with their left and right feet positioned respectively on the left foot guide 10 and the right foot guide 20. A further left foot guide 10' and a further right foot guide are provided above (in use, in front of) the foot guides 10, 20, indicating positions to which the user is to move their left and right feet to respectively. The guide are labelled A, B, C and D, indicating a series of steps to be taken by the user, in sequence. This would mean the user stepping first, with their right foot, onto the right foot placement guide 20, then with their left foot, onto the left foot placement guide 10, then, with their right foot, onto the further right foot placement guide 20', then, with their left foot, onto the further left foot placement guide 10'. It will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative, and different patterns of steps (which may include the left foot being used twice in a row, or the right foot being used twice in a row -not only alternating left-right) can be set.

In a first further implementation, a foot placement guide for sports is shown, for use in replacing conventional cones. The guide has a thickness of 2/3mm, and is formed of a non slip material (such as that described above). A first side (surface) of the guide is a non-slip design of plain/smooth rubber to be placed smooth-side down on hard or indoor surfaces. The other (second) side (surface) of the guide is a non slip design for use on grass and other outdoor surfaces. The second side is designed to be stood on in training shoes or boots. Different sizes (for example small, medium or large) may be provided, and in various colours. The foot placement guides may be supplied in conjunction with its own training programmes and guides and may also be used in conjunction with other coaching aids, or as a stand alone piece of equipment. The guide may be accompanied with a QR code linking to a mobile app or website, to show athlete data training drills and practices.

In a second further implementation, a wedge-shaped guide for weight lifting is provided. This is schematically illustrated in Figure 6. This guide is thicker (higher) at the back (heel) than at the front (toe), for example from approximately 2.5cm tapering (over a distance of approximately 15cm) to approximately 3mm in thickness. A first (bottom) surface to contact the ground or floor will be non-slip smooth for indoor use, while the second (upper) surface is non-slip for shoes or bare feet. As with the first further implementation, the weight lifting foot placement guide may be provided with a QR code to provide training assistance via mobile app and website.

In a third further implementation, a foot placement guide for health and safety purposes is provided. A hole is provided through the guide. This guide is formed of metal, with non slip surfaces on both sides, suitable for individuals to stand on them wearing work boots or other health and safety footwear. These guides may be used to support coaching of manual handling techniques, and in the training of picking up of equipment. In particular, appropriate placement of the guides assists achieving foot shape and correct posture, aiding with lifting from the ground through the core. As with the above implementations, training aids may be provided to accompany the foot placement guide, for example accessible using a QR code providing access to a mobile app website containing demonstrations of good practice.

In a fourth further implementation, a foot placement guide for rehabilitation physio, or as a sports cone for balancing is provided. This guide has a uniform thickness of approximately 7cm, and is schematically illustrated in Figure 7. It is intended for use in balancing and distribution of weight, for example to permit ankle strengthening exercises. The material is non slip and relatively hard (substantially uncompressible) to medium smooth surface both sides. The guides can be stood on and used with barefoot or in appropriate training shoes under the guidance of a qualified physiotherapist or sports coach.

In a fifth further implementation, a foot placement guide formed of a foam or foamlike material is provided. This is schematically illustrated in Figure 8. This is of a uniform thickness of approximately 5cm, with a flat lower surface (for disposal on the ground or a floor, preferably on a dry surface indoors), and a top surface covered with generally hemispherical or humped formations (egg box appearance). This guide is to be used bare foot for balance under the guidance of a physiotherapist or qualified coach.

In a sixth further implementation, a further balance guide is provided (similar to the fifth further implementation described above). In this case a 5 cm thick guide is provided which is inflatable, and provides a relatively soft structure upon which a user may balance. This guide is schematically illustrated in Figure 9. Both surfaces are of a non-slip nature, with the bottom surface being planar for contact with the floor and theupper surface being pimpled to stimulate the sole of a user's foot and help with balance. As with the fourth and fifth further implementations, this implementation is to be used with a physiotherapist.

In a seventh further implementation a foot placement guide may be provided with an adhesive surface for permanent or semi-permanent attachment to a floor surface.

Claims

Claims 1. A foot placement guide, comprising: a planar shaped body having a first face and a second face, the first face having a relatively higher friction surface than the second face.
2. A foot placement guide according to claim 1, wherein the relative frictions of the first face and the second face are such that when the guide is place on a floor with the first face contacting the floor and a user steps on the second face of the guide, the user's foot is more likely to slip across the second face than the second face is to slip across the floor.
3. A foot placement guide according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the planar shaped body is shaped generally to follow the outer contours of the shape of a human foot, or the sole of a shoe.
4. A foot placement guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the planar shaped body is formed of rubber and/or a plastics material.
5. A foot placement guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the second face bears a protruding pattern.
6. A foot placement guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the planar shaped body is substantially incompressible.
7. A foot placement guide according to claim 1, formed of metal.
8. A foot placement guide according to claim 1, having a uniform thickness of between 1cm and 10cm, preferably between approximately 5cm and 7cm, and more preferably approximately 5cm or approximately 7cm.
9. A foot placement guide according to claim 1, wherein the guide has a non-uniform thickness.
10. A foot placement guide according to claim 1, wherein the guide is wedge shaped, being thicker at a heel portion thereof than at a toe portion thereof.
11. A foot placement guide according to claim 1, having a top surface covered with generally hemispherical or humped formations.
12. A foot placement guide according to claim 1, wherein the guide is inflatable.
13. A foot placement guide according to claim 12, wherein an upper surface of the guide is non-planar or bears formations.
14. A set of foot placement guides, comprising a first foot placement guide according to any preceding claim, having a shape representative of a left foot, and a second foot placement guide according to any preceding claim, having a shape representative of a right foot.
15. A set of foot placement guides according to claim 14, comprising a plurality of first foot placement guides and a plurality of second foot placement guides.
16.A training method, comprising placing two or more foot placement guides according to any preceding claim, and standing a person on the foot placement guides with their feet in alignment therewith.
17.A training method according to claim 16, comprising placing one or more further foot placement guides, and causing the person to move their feet, in sequence, from one foot placement guide to another.