FootAnchor launches in State College
VINCENT CORSO/The Gazette
ALLAN WOOLWAY, president of FootAnchor LLC, was please to announce the launch of his new business at the Happy Valley Launch Box on May 6. His patented FootAnchor is an innovative way to help people who struggle getting out of bed due to medical issues.
STATE COLLEGE — A new product to help people get out of bed has launched right here in State College.
On June 6, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for FootAnchor, designed by State College entrepreneur Allan Woolway, at Happy Valley LaunchBox.
FootAnchor is a device that helps anyone who has difficulty getting out of bed because of a shoulder injury or surgery, as well as issues relating to the back, neck or obesity.
“All of these medical issues can make getting out of bed very difficult,” said Allan Woolway, president of FootAnchor LLC. “The FootAnchor, with its new patent, shifts the effort from the upper torso to the legs, thus allowing easy transitioning from lying to sitting up in bed. The leg is used as leverage to assist in getting up similar to someone holding your feet down when doing a sit-up. It is so simple, that many physical therapists and doctors are amazed at how it works.”
Video demonstrations of FootAnchor can be found at www.footanchor.com.
Woolway has worked with multiple resources within the Happy Valley LaunchBox and the Penn State Small Business Development Center to get his product to market. In addition, the Penn State Intellectual Property Clinic gave him advice and assistance in attaining a patent quickly and helped to save costs by knowing the specific rules relating to the patent filing.
The Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic worked with Woolway to come up with a contract for working with a design engineer, as well as helping with LLC corporate fillings.
“Working with Allan and his product has been very rewarding, said John Peterson, interim director and business consultant with the Penn State Small Business Development Center.” “This product will improve people’s lives and make a positive impact. In addition, our graduate assistant, Robbie Newton, was able to create connections and measure milestones for Allan to achieve.”
Currently, FootAnchor is sold through the website at www.footanchor.com and through recommendations by physical therapists and trainers, as well as by attending local healthcare trade shows. FootAnchor LLC is currently signing up medical device distributors to address sales to the national market. FootAnchor LLC also has plans to establish a program with the local veterans association for donating FootAnchors to those in need.