of the forefoot section 12 of foot 10.

The foot holder 110, and more particularly foot harness 120, may further comprise a central (strap) section 134 (which may also be referred to as a middle or intermediate section), which comprises an elongated strap body 135 and forms an adjustable length, closeable/openable enclosed foot loop 136 which, depending on width, overlies/encircles around the top side 20, inner side 24, bottom side 22 and outer side 26 of the midfoot section 14 of foot 10, and/or the proximal forefoot section 12 of the foot 10, particularly at a proximal end region of the metatarsals, and more particularly the base and/or proximal shaft region of the metatarsals. As such, it should also be understood that the central (strap) section 134 may overlie/encircle the tarso metatarsal joints.

Referring now to FIGS. 4E and 4G, the rearward (strap) section 122 and the central (strap) section 134 may be disposed in a layered relationship at the inner side 24 and outer side 26 of the forefoot section 12 and/or the midfoot section 14 of the foot 10, particularly by opposing end portions, and more particularly by a first (medial) end portion 124 (see FIG. 4G) and a second (lateral) end portion 126 (see FIG. 4E), of the rearward (strap) section 122 each being permanently or releasably affixed to a medial side portion 142 (see FIG. 4G) and a lateral side portion 144 (see FIG. 4E) of central (strap) section 134 at the medial side 24 and the lateral side 26, respectively, of the forefoot section 12 and/or midfoot section 14 of foot 10.

Referring to FIGS. 4F and 4H, the rearward (strap) section 122 and the central (strap) section 134 may be permanently affixed to one another at the medial side 24 (see FIG. 4H) and the lateral side 26 (see FIG. 4F), respectively, of the forefoot section 12 and/or midfoot section 14 of the foot 10, by a fastener 170, particularly a permanent (non-detachable) fastener, which may comprise sewing thread stitches 172 provided by a plurality of rows of thread stitching 174. In other embodiments, the rearward (strap) section 122 and the central (strap) section 134 may be releasably affixed to one another at the medial side 24 (see FIG. 4H) and the lateral side 26 (see FIG. 4F), respectively, of the forefoot section 12 and/or midfoot section 14 of the foot 10, by a fastener 170, particularly a releasable fastener, which may comprise a hook-an-loop fastener, such as Velcro brand look-and-loop fastener, described further herein.

Referring to FIGS. 4C and 4E, a first loop 146 is disposed at a first (lateral) end 148 of the central (strap) section 134, which may be considered the lateral end loop of the central (strap) section 134, and a second loop 156 is disposed at a second (medial) end 158 of the central (strap) section 134, which may be considered the medial end loop of the central (strap) section 134.

As best shown by FIG. 4E, first loop 146 may be a permanently closed, fixed length loop, which may be particularly formed by folding a first end portion 150 of the central (strap) section 134 back onto an adjacent portion 152 of the central (strap) section 134 and permanently stitching the first end portion 150 and the adjacent portion 152 to one another with thread to form the first loop 146. In a particular embodiment, the adjacent portion 152 of the central (strap) section 134 may also be the lateral side portion 144 of the central strap 140. In such case, the sewing thread stitches 172 may extend through 3 layers, particularly (1) the first end portion 150 of the central (strap) section 134, (2) the adjacent portion 152/lateral side portion 144 of central (strap) section 134 and (3) the rearward (strap) section 122, to permanently affix all three layers together. Even more particularly, the first end portion 150 of the central (strap) section 134 may be disposed between the adjacent portion 152/lateral side portion 144 of central (strap) section 134 and the rearward (strap) section 122.

As shown by FIGS. 4C and 4E, first loop 146 may provide an anchor loop of fixed length for a plastic or metal annular ring/loop 180 through which the first loop 146 extends. As shown, the annular ring/loop 180 may be a closed rectangular ring/loop having an opening 182 through which first end portion 150 is extended through before the first loop 146 is sewn closed.

Referring to FIGS. 4E and 4G, second loop 156 may be particularly formed by folding a second end portion 160 of the central (strap) section 134 back onto an adjacent portion 162 of the central (strap) section 134 in similar fashion to first loop 146. However, second loop 156 may include a releasably fastenable fastener 190 such that the loop 156 is an openable/closeable, adjustable length loop. More particularly, second end portion 160 may include a first releasable fastener member 192 and adjacent portion 162 may include a second releasable fastener member 194, which may both be held by thread stitches 172 to their strap portions 160, 162, respectively. Releasably fastenable fastener 190 may be a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g. Velcro brand hook-and-loop fastener). First releasable fastener member 192 may be the hook fastener member and second releasable fastener 194 may be the loop fastener member, or vice-versa, which may be understood to be mating fastener members.

While in an open state, the second end portion 160 may be extended through opening 182 of annular ring/loop 180 and then folded back on the adjacent portion 162 such that the first releasable fastener member 192 and the second releasable fastener member 194 connect to close the adjustable length loop 156. In the foregoing manner, the foot loop 136 may also be closed to form a closed loop which secures around the forefoot section 12 and/or the midfoot section 14 of foot 10. The size (diameter) of the foot loop 136 maybe increased or decreased to accommodate different foot sizes by adjusting the size of adjustable length loop 156. When the length of second end portion 160 folded back on the adjacent portion 162 is increased, the size of foot loop 136 decreases while the size of the adjustable length loop 156 increases, or vice-versa.

As shown, the second end portion 160 and the adjacent portion 162 of the central (strap) section 134 may be long enough to overlie the top side 20 of the forefoot section 12 of foot 10, and hence may also be referred to as the top or dorsal portions 160, 162 of central (strap) section 134.

As shown throughout FIGS. 4A-4L, the leading or front edge of the adjacent, or dorsal portion 162 of central (strap) section 134, includes a strap guide 195 coupled thereto in a form of a plastic or metal annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196, which is held in a sewn closed fixed length strap guide anchor loop 153, in a similar manner to ring 180. More particularly, anchor loop 153 may be formed by folding (strap) end portion 154 (e.g. see FIG. 4R) of the anchor loop 153 onto adjacent (strap) portion 155 (e.g. see FIG. 4R) of the anchor loop 153 and thread stitching such to the central (strap) section 134. As shown, annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196 is shown as a D-ring, which is used in conjunction with a pair of forward (pull strap) sections 200a, 200b, which each comprise an elongated strap body 201a, 201b, and are explained in greater detail below. As shown, annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196 may be disposed mid-region of the top side 20 (both medial-lateral and anterior-posterior) of the foot 10 as to overlie the top side 20 of the forefoot section 12 and/or the midfoot section 14. Preferably, the annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196 overlies the top side 20 of the forefoot section 12, and even more preferably, overlies the top side 20 of the forefoot section 12 at a location between and including the second and fourth metatarsals at a proximal end region thereof.

Forward (pull strap) section 200a is connected to medial side portion 142 of central (strap) section 134, while forward (pull strap) section 200b is connected to lateral side portion 144 of central (strap) section 134. Both forward (pull strap) sections 200a, 200b are preferably of like construction, it being understood that forward (pull strap) section 200a being of like construction as the forward (pull strap) section 200b, except for their relative positions. Hence, reference will be made to forward (pull strap) section 200 below, it being understood the description to apply equally to both forward (pull strap) sections 200a, 200b. Reference will be made to forward (pull strap) sections 200a, 200b when such concerns the relative positions thereof.

As shown by FIG. 4B, each forward (pull strap) section 200, i.e. 200a, 200b, has a first loop 210 disposed at a first end 212 of the forward (pull strap) section 200. First loop 210 may be particularly formed by folding a first end portion 214 of the forward (pull strap) section 200 back onto an adjacent portion 216 of the forward (pull strap) section 200. Similar to loop 156, first loop 210 may include a releasably fastenable fastener 190 such that the first loop 210 is an openable/closeable, adjustable length loop. More particularly, first end portion 214 may include a first releasable fastener member 192 and adjacent portion 216 may include a second releasable fastener member 194, which may both be held by thread stitches 172 to their strap portions 214, 216, respectively. Releasably fastenable fastener 190 may be a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g. Velcro brand hook-and-loop fastener). First releasable fastener member 192 may be the hook fastener member and second releasable fastener 194 may be the loop fastener member, or vice-versa.

In alternative embodiments, first loop 210 may be a permanently closed, fixed length loop, which may be particularly formed by folding the first end portion 214 of the forward (pull strap) section 200 back onto the adjacent portion 216 of the forward (pull strap) section 200 and permanently stitching (e.g. stitches 172) the first end portion 214 and the adjacent portion 216 to one another with thread to form the first loop 210.

When the first loop 210 of each forward (pull strap) section 200 is closed, first loop 210 of forward (pull strap) section 200a contains medial side portion 142 of central (strap) section 134 therein, while first loop 210 of forward (pull strap) section 200b contains lateral side portion 144 of central (strap) section 134 therein. If the first end portion 214 and the adjacent portion 216 are permanently fastened together, such as by thread stitches 172, the thread stitches 172 may also extend through the medial side portion 142 of central (strap) section 134 and the lateral side portion 144 of central (strap) section 134, respectively. Alternatively, in such instance, each loop 210 may be eliminated, and the first end portion 214 of the forward (pull strap) section 200 may be permanently fastened, such as by thread stitches 172, to the medial side portion 142 of central (strap) section 134 and the lateral side portion 144 of central (strap) section 134, respectively.

From the medial side portion 142 of central (strap) section 134, the forefoot (pull strap) section 200a while extending anterior, wraps from the inner side 24 of foot 10 to the bottom side 22 of foot 10 (particularly at the forefoot section 12 and more particularly adjacent the first metatarsal) and extends laterally under the bottom side 22 from the inner side 24 to the outer side 26 and then wraps from the bottom side 22 to the outer side 26 of foot 10 (particularly at the forefoot section 12 and more particularly adjacent the fourth and/or fifth phalanx), and thereafter extends posterior and medial to the mid-region of the top side 20 (both medial-lateral and anterior-posterior) of the foot 10 where it extends through the opening 198 of annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196.

From the lateral side portion 144 of central (strap) section 134, the forefoot (pull strap) section 200b while extending anterior, wraps from the outer side 26 of foot 10 to the bottom side 22 of foot 10 (particularly at the forefoot section 12 and more particularly adjacent the fifth metatarsal) and extends medially under the bottom side 22 from the outer side 26 to the inner side 24 and then wraps from the bottom side 22 to the inner side 24 of foot 10 (particularly at the forefoot section 12 and more particularly adjacent the first phalanx, i.e. the big/great toe), and thereafter extends posterior and lateral to the mid-region of the top side 20 (both medial-lateral and anterior-posterior) where it extends through the opening 198 of annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196.

As shown by FIGS. 4K and 4L, at the second end portion 220 of each forward (pull strap) section 200 (which extends through opening 198 of annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196 is at least one opening 224 disposed in the middle of the width of the forward (pull strap) section 200. As shown by FIG. 4L, each second end portion 220 of each forward (pull strap) section 200 may include a row of openings, and each opening 224 may be defined by a plastic or metal annular ring 226, such as a grommet (See FIG. 4R for greater detail).

FIG. 4L shows a plan view of the rearward (strap) section 122, central (strap) 134, and forward straps 200a, 200b of the foot holder 110 after being stitched together with thread, but before incorporation of the fasteners and rings. As shown, forefoot (pull strap) section 200a and forefoot (pull strap) section 200b may be permanently affixed to one another where they cross one another at the bottom side 22 of foot 10, particularly by a permanent (non-detachable) fastener 170, which may comprise sewing thread stitches 172 provided by a plurality of rows of thread stitching 174.

FIGS. 4M-4R show alternative strap constructions for foot holder 100. In FIG. 4M, a third forward (pull strap) section 200c is incorporated into the foot folder 100. Forward (pull strap) section 200c may similarly include a first loop 210 formed by folding a first end portion 214 of the forward (pull strap) section 200c back onto an adjacent portion 216 of the forward (pull strap) section 200c, which contains an intermediate portion 164 (disposed at bottom side 22 of foot 10) of central (strap) section 134. First loop 210 of forward (pull strap) section 200c may be permanently closed (e.g. thread stitches) or openable/closeable (e.g. Velcro brand hook-and-loop fastener) in a same manner as forward (pull strap) section 200a and/or 200b. Also similar to forward (pull strap) sections 200a, 200b, forward (pull strap) section 200c is fastened to the central strap 134, extends underneath the bottom side of foot 10, wraps around the second and/or third phalanx from the bottom side 22 to the top side 20 of the foot 10 and thereafter extends posterior to the mid-region of the top side 20 of the foot 10 where it extends through the opening 198 of annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 4N-4Q, various segments of the forward (pull strap) sections 200a, 200b, and 200c may be eliminated on contrast to the configuration of FIG. 4M.

The straps of foot holder 110 may be formed of fibers, particularly being a woven (solid weave) fabric, such as a planar or tubular webbing, particularly of a synthetic, polymer material. Exemplary materials may comprise, essentially consist of or consist of thermoplastic nylon (polyamide), polyester and polypropylene alone or in combination. Other materials may include natural materials such as hemp, cotton or flax (linen).

Webbing may include polypropylene, cotton infused with nylon and abrasion resistant nylon webbing. The webbing may have a width of 10-25 millimeters, such as 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 25 mm. The webbing may have a thickness of 0.5-2.5 mm, such as 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm and 2.5 mm.

The straps of foot holder 110 may be formed of a band, such as an elastomeric (e.g. rubber) band, which may be used alone or in combination with woven straps. The bands used for the various straps may have a same or different resistance to elongation.

In FIG. 4R, the individual straps are no longer fastened by thread stitches 172, as having been eliminated, particularly as the foot holder 100 is formed as a one-piece plastic body which may be more particularly be formed as an injection molded body. More particularly, the injection molded body may be formed of an elastomeric polymer composition, such as a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer composition.

As used herein, an elastomeric polymer composition may include any composition with a glass transition temperature Tg below room temperature and which is at most, 50% crystalline (i.e., the material contains an amorphous phase of 50% or greater, up to 100% amorphous phase). The elastomeric polymer composition may also be characterized as a material that has an elongation at 23° C. of at least 100%, and which, after being stretched to twice its original length and being held at such for one minute, may recover in a range of 50% to 100% within one minute after release from the stress. More particularly, the elastomeric polymer composition may recover in a range of 75% to 100% within one minute after release from the stress, and even more particularly recover in a range of 90% to 100% within one minute after release from the stress.

Exemplary elastomeric polymer compositions may particularly include elastomers, particularly styrene block polymers, such as styrene block copolymers (e.g. styrene-butadiene copolymer) and styrene block terpolymers (e.g. styrene-butadiene-styrene terpolymer, styrene-ethylenelbutylene-styrene terpolymer, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene terpolymer); polyolefin blends (e.g. polypropylene and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber, polypropylene and nitrile rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber); elastomeric alloys such as melt-processable rubbers and thermoplastic vulcanizates; polyolefins; polyurethanes; polyesters; and rubbers such as natural rubber, neoprene rubber, acrylic rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, isoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, polyurethane rubber and silicone rubber.

Ring 180 may be connected by extending the first end portion 150 through opening 182 before the first loop 146 is closed. Similar to the earlier embodiments, first loop 146 may be a permanently closed, fixed length loop, which may be particularly formed by folding a first end portion 150 of the central (strap) section 134 back onto an adjacent portion 152 of the central (strap) section 134. However, in addition to, or rather than, permanently stitching the first end portion 150 and the adjacent portion 152 to one another with thread to form the first loop 146, the first end portion 150 and the adjacent portion 152 may be adhesively (thermally) bonded, particularly by welding (e.g. ultrasonic, vibration), heat-staking, or hot plate joining.

Annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196 may be connected by extending the end portion 154 through opening 198 before the anchor loop 153 is closed. Anchor loop 153 may be a permanently closed, fixed length loop, which may be particularly formed by folding an end portion 154 back onto an adjacent portion 155. However, in addition to, or rather than, permanently stitching the end portion 154 and the adjacent portion 155 to one another with thread to form the anchor loop 153, the end portion 154 and the adjacent portion 155 may be adhesively (thermally) bonded, particularly by welding (e.g. ultrasonic, vibration), heat-staking, or hot plate joining.

The first releasable fastener member 192 in the form of a hook fastener member and the second releasable fastener member 194 in the form of a loop fastener member, or vice-versa, may be attached to the central (strap) section 134 by being adhesively (thermally) bonded, particularly by welding (e.g. ultrasonic, vibration), heat-staking, or hot plate joining in addition to or as an alternative to thread stitching.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5E, there is shown another exercise apparatus 100 comprising a foot holder 110 according to the present disclosure.

As shown, the foot holder 110 includes the rearward (strap) section 122 and central (strap) section 134, including the strap guide 195/annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196, of earlier disclosed embodiments. However, only one forward (pull strap) section 200 is now utilized.

As shown, forward (pull strap) section 200, and more particularly elongated strap body 201, may be a multi-layered strap comprising a first layer 230 and a second layer 232 which are fastened together by fasteners 234 (thread stitches) at spaced intervals along the length of the forward (pull strap) section 200, such that a plurality of passages 236 are formed between the layers 230, 232 along the length of the forward (pull strap) section 200.

As shown, foot holder 110 further comprises a toe region (strap) section 260, which comprises an elongated strap body 261 and forms an adjustable length, closeable/openable enclosed foot (toe region) loop 262 which, depending on width, overlies/encircles around the top side 20, inner side 24, bottom side 22 and outer side 26 of the distal forefoot section 12, particularly at a distal end region of the metatarsals, and more particularly the head and/or distal shaft portion of the metatarsals, and/or a proximal end region of the proximal phalanges, and more particularly the base and/or proximal shaft portion of the proximal phalanges. As such, it also be understood that the toe region (strap) section 260 may overlie/encircle the metatarso phalangeal joints.

As shown, the strap body 261 is fastened by at least one end loop 264, 266 at each end of the strap body 261 to a plastic or metal annular ring/loop 268, with the annular ring/loop 268 extending through opening 263 of each loop 265, 266. As shown, the annular ring/loop 268 may be a carabiner, which may also be referred to as a snap hook, snap link, or spring snap. A carabiner may be understood to be an openable/closable plastic or metal ring/loop, which is made openable/closable by a spring-loaded gate.

In the foregoing manner, when the ring/loop 268 is open, the loops 264, 266 of the strap body 261 may be separated from the open ring/loop 268. In the foregoing manner, when each end of the strap body 261 includes a plurality of end loop 264, 266 which are arranged in series (like the passages 236 of strap body 201). different end loops 264, 266 may be used to engage with the ring/loop 268 to change (increase/decrease) the diameter/circumference of the foot (toe region) loop 262. It should be understood that the end loops 264, 266 above are permanently closed, fixed length loops, which may be particularly formed by folding an end portion back onto an adjacent portion of the strap body 261 and permanently stitching (e.g. stitches 172) the end portion and the adjacent portion to one another with thread to form the end loops 264, 266. Alternatively, the location/size/position of the loops 264, 266 may adjustable by making at least one of the loops 264, 266 openable and closable, such as by use of a releasable fastener, such as a hook-an-loop fastener, in similar fashion to loops 210.

As shown, forward (pull strap) section 200 extends through opening 198 of annular (ring/eyelet) anchor 196 and thereafter opening 270 of annular ring/loop 268, after which the forward (pull strap) section 200 wraps from the top side 12 to the bottom side 22 of distal forefoot section 12. As shown by FIG. 5C, on the bottom side 22 of the distal forefoot section 12, the toe region (strap) section 260, and more particularly strap body 261 extends through one of the passages 236 formed between the first layer 230 and the second layer 232 of the strap body 201 of forward (pull strap) section 200. Moreover the toe region (strap) section 260 is disposed between two of the fasteners 234 of the forward (pull strap) section 200. In such manner, the toe region (strap) section 260 is held in place between the two fasteners 234. The two fasteners 234 are spaced to permit the toe region (strap) section 260 to move anteriorly and posteriorly a limited distance as to better accommodate different users of foot holder 110 with different sized feet. However, while the positioning of the fasteners 234 allows anterior and posterior positioning adjustment of the toe region (strap) section 260, the fasteners 234 inhibit the toe region (strap) section 260 from traveling too far along the length of foot 10 anteriorly or posteriorly as to be improperly positioned.

Similar to toe region (strap) section 260, central (strap) section 134 may also be disposed between the first layer 230 and the second layer 232 of the strap body 201 of forward (pull strap) section 200, as well as two of the fasteners 234 of the forward (pull strap) section 200, to limit movement of the central (strap) section 134 anteriorly and posteriorly. Alternatively, as shown, the central (strap) section 134 may overlie both layers 230, 232 of the strap body 201 of the forward (pull strap) section 200, or underlie both layers 230, 233, of the strap body 201 of the forward (pull strap) section 200.

Continuing posteriorly, the forward (pull strap) section 200 then wraps from the bottom side 22 to the rear end 30 of foot 12, where it is fastened to strap body 123 of rearward (strap) 122 section.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6E, in addition to the foregoing, exercise apparatus 100 may further comprise a left wrist holder 350a and right wrist holder 350b, which may be connected by at least one tether 300. As shown left wrist holder 350a and right wrist holder 350b may each comprise a strap 354, which forms an adjustable length, closeable/openable wrist loop 356, and a metal annular ring/loop 360, which is shown as a D-ring, which is used to connect with the releasably fastenable fastener 340 of tether 300.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7F, there is shown a foot holder comprising a shoe 40 having a sole 42, with a bottom (tread) surface 44 of the shoe 40/sole 42 to tread on. As shown the sole 42 is configured to underlie foot 10 when disposed in shoe 40, and extends continuously beneath the front end 28 of the foot 10 to the rear end 30 (heel) of the foot 10 and from the inner side 24 to the outer side 26.

As shown, the sole 42 includes an elongated linear recess 50 which extends continuously from a front end