Exercise Device to Prevent DVT

Abstract

The present invention provides an exercise device comprising a rigid solid body or a rigid hollow body having a first surface for contacting the instep of the foot of a user and a second surface for contacting a floor surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are configured so that rolling the second surface over a floor surface causes at least a part of the first surface to rise with respect to the floor surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device comprising:
 a rigid solid body or a rigid hollow body having a first surface for contacting the instep of the foot of a user and a second surface for contacting a floor surface,   
       wherein:
 the first and second surfaces are configured so that rolling the second surface over a floor surface causes at least a part of the first surface to rise with respect to the floor surface, 
 the first and second surfaces are textured to improve grip, and 
 the texturing extending up to a distance of at least lcm from at least one of the ends of the device in an axial direction of the device. 
 
     
     
         2 . An oscillating device that functions under the instep that employs an elliptical shape or offset motion, to provide an increase in height or lift for the foot when rocked or rotated in either direction. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer profile corresponds to a substantially symmetrical ellipse. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer profile corresponds to an asymmetrical ellipse, an ovoid, oblong or round edged polygon. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the cross section of the device corresponds to a 20° to 60° ellipse or ellipsoid, preferably a 35 to 40° ellipse or ellipsoid. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of a foot containing zone of the device has the greatest dimension and a least dimension, the ratio between the least dimension and the greatest dimension being in the range 1.0:1.05 to 1.0:2.0, preferably 1.0:1.15 to 1.0:2.0 more preferably 1.0:1.2 to 1.0:1.9, most preferably 1.0:1.4 to 1.0:1.8. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , comprising two halves which may be releasably fixed together. 
     
     
         8 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second curved surfaces have substantially the same curvature so that the device can be used with either surface in contact with the floor or with the foot. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , that is rigid. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise device according to  claim 9 , wherein the exercise device compresses by less than 1 mm when a load of 5 kg is applied to the exercise device in a direction normal to the first surface. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise device comprising:
 a rigid solid body or a rigid hollow body having a first surface for contacting the instep of the foot of a user and a second surface for contacting a floor surface,   
       wherein:
 the first and second surfaces are configured so that rolling the second surface over a floor surface causes at least a part of the first surface to rise with respect to the floor surface, and 
 the length of the device in an axial direction is at least 12.5 cm. 
 
     
     
         12 . An exercise device comprising:
 a rigid solid body or a rigid hollow body having a first surface for contacting the instep of the foot of a user and a second surface for contacting a floor surface,   
       wherein:
 the first and second surfaces are configured so that rolling the second surface over a floor surface causes at least a part of the first surface to rise with respect to the floor surface, and 
 the device is in the form of a hollow body, comprising a movable, hinged closure at at least one end.