Calf exercise system

Abstract

A portable calf exercise device includes a base having a generally planar bottom surface configured to rest flat on the floor surface. The upper end of the base supports a plurality of elevated platform surfaces that culminate at a back panel and extend across the base to terminate at a front face. Each of platform surfaces are configured to support purchase of either one or both of the sole of a portion of a person's foot. A person may step on to one or more of the elevated platform surfaces to perform exercises that subject the foot to plantar flexion, extension, as well as inversion and eversion.

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a base configured to lie flat on a floor surface;   a first elevated platform surface coupled to the base;   the first elevated platform surface having a slope at an angle with respect to the floor surface when the base is positioned on the floor surface; and   a second elevated platform surface having a slope at an angle different than the first platform surface;   wherein the first and second elevated platform surfaces are configured to individually support at least a portion of the person's foot.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second platform surfaces terminate at a front face configured to allow clearance for the person's heel to hang over and under the platform surface on which the foot is disposed. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first platform surface is sloped to orient the person's foot in dorsi flexion when the person is standing upright. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the second platform surface is parallel to the floor surface when the base is positioned on the floor. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the second platform surface is sloped laterally in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the slope of the first platform surface relative to the first platform surface. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the foot is subjected to eversion without significant dorsi flexion when positioned on the second surface substantially perpendicular to the upper edge of the front face. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the foot is subjected to inversion without significant dorsi flexion when positioned on the second surface substantially perpendicular to the upper edge of the front face. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the second platform surface is adjacent to and below the first platform surface and slopes downwardly away from the first platform surface. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising: a third platform surface;
 the third platform surface being adjacent to the first platform surface and opposite the second platform surface;   wherein the third platform surface is sloped away from the first platform surface at the same angle as the second platform surface.   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a fourth platform surface;   the fourth platform surface being laterally adjacent to the third platform surface;   wherein the fourth platform surface is substantially parallel to the floor surface when the base is positioned on the floor.   
   
   
       11 . A portable platform for performing calf exercises; comprising:
 a base having a lower surface configured to lie flat on a floor surface;   a first elevated platform surface coupled to the base;   the first elevated platform surface having a slope at an angle with respect to the lower surface of the base; and   a second elevated platform surface having a slope at an angle different than the first platform surface;   wherein the first and second elevated platform surfaces are configured to individually support at least a portion of the person's foot;   wherein the first and second platform surfaces terminate at a front face configured to allow clearance for the heel of the foot to hang over and under the platform surface on which the foot is disposed;   wherein the first and second platform surfaces are laterally adjacent to each other across an upper edge of the front face.   
   
   
       12 . A platform as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first platform surface slopes laterally along the upper edge of the front face. 
   
   
       13 . A platform as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the second platform surface is sloped downward toward the front face to orient the person's foot in dorsi flexion when the person is standing upright. 
   
   
       14 . A platform as recited  12 , wherein the foot is subjected to eversion or inversion when positioned on the first surface substantially perpendicular to the upper edge of the front face. 
   
   
       15 . A platform as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first platform surface slopes away from and downward from the second platform surface at a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slope of second platform surface. 
   
   
       16 . A platform as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a third platform surface;   the third platform surface being adjacent to the second platform surface and opposite the first platform surface.   
   
   
       17 . A platform as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the third platform surface is sloped away from the second platform surface at the same angle as the first platform surface. 
   
   
       18 . A platform as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a fourth platform surface positioned laterally adjacent to the third platform surface; and   a fifth platform surface positioned laterally adjacent to the first platform surface;   wherein the fourth and fifth platform surfaces are substantially parallel to the lower surface of the base.   
   
   
       19 . A platform as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a rear panel disposed on the opposite side of the first and second platform surfaces from the front face;   the rear panel having a cutout to form a handle for carrying the platform.   
   
   
       20 . A training apparatus for performing calf exercises; comprising:
 a base having a lower surface configured to lie flat on a floor surface;   a rear panel extending vertically upward from the base;   an upper elevated platform surface coupled to the base;   the upper elevated platform surface sloping downward from the rear panel at an angle with respect to the lower surface of the base; and   a pair of lateral inclined platform surfaces adjacent to the upper elevated platform surface and sloping downward at an angle from the first platform surface;   wherein the direction of the slope of the lateral inclined platform surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the direction of the slope of the upper platform surface;   wherein the upper and lateral elevated platform surfaces are configured to individually support at least a portion of the person's foot;   wherein the upper and lateral platform surfaces terminate at a front face configured to allow clearance for the heel of the foot to hang over and under the platform surface on which the foot is disposed;   wherein the first and second platform surfaces are laterally adjacent to each other across an upper edge of the front face.   
   
   
       21 . A platform as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the upper platform surface is configured to orient the person's foot in dorsi flexion when the person is standing upright. 
   
   
       22 . A platform as recited  20 , wherein the foot is subjected to eversion when positioned on either lateral surface substantially perpendicular to the upper edge of the front face. 
   
   
       23 . A platform as recited  20 , wherein the foot is subjected to inversion when positioned on either lateral surface substantially perpendicular to the upper edge of the front face. 
   
   
       24 . A platform as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a pair of level platform surfaces disposed on either side of the lateral inclined platform surfaces;   wherein the level platform surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the base.   
   
   
       25 . A platform as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the rear panel has a cutout to form a handle for carrying the platform.