Undertaking
Patent
1988-11-09
1991-04-30
Apley, Richard J.
Undertaking
623 28, A63B 2304, A61H 300
Patent
active
050111361
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to improvements in a resilient leg brace which acts in parallel with a runner's legs to support his or her weight during foot impact, to store the kinetic energy of vertical motion, and to release said energy thrusting the runner back into the air during take-off. The running brace is energy efficient in that it stores and releases the maximum amount of vertical kinetic energy so that the leg muscles do not need to supply as much energy to lift the runner's weight during each step. The running brace also protects the legs and other parts of the body from impact damage. The leg brace is attached to a pelvic harness, and optional back and neck braces are attached to the shoulders and the chin to protect the back and neck from impact shock. The first improvement relates to an asymmetric travel structure which enables the running brace to deliver an upward thrust over a greater distance than that required to absorb the runner's downward impact. This corresponds to the asymmetry inherent in natural running, in that the downward impact is absorbed as the runner's knee bends, whereas the upward thrust is delivered as both the knee and the ankle extend, resulting in a greater distance of action. The second improvement relates to structure which enable the runner to lift his or her foot high when it is being brought forward while the other foot is on the running surface. The third improvement relates to a brake system which allows the runner to stop by preventing the delivery of upward thrust by the running brace.
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Apley Richard J.
Crosby David F.
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