Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device (10) for working and stimulating the legs of disabled children is disclosed. The exercise device (10) includes a portable housing (12), a crankshaft (14) rotatably mounted in the housing (12), and a power source (16) coupled to the crankshaft (14). The power source (16) and the crankshaft (14) cooperate to provide the exercise device (10) an active operating mode, wherein rotation of the crankshaft (14) is resisted, and a passive operating mode, wherein rotation of the crankshaft (14) is assisted.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to equipment for exercising a user's lower limbs and related muscles. More specifically, the present invention concerns a portable, self-contained exercise device used for working and stimulating the legs of children.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art

[0004] Therapeutic exercise devices are frequently used by convalescing and disabled individuals to exercise otherwise insignificantly used limbs and related muscles and tissues to prevent them from atrophying and to prevent the cartilage around the bones from hardening associated with limb disuse. Children who are subject to minor or severe physical disabilities that render them incapable of adequately exercising their limbs and related muscles and tissues through their own neuro-physical capabilities also suffer from the atrophying and hardening effects of limb disuse.

[0005] Known prior art exercise devices include machines that resist an adult user's limb movement and machines that assist an adult user with limb movement. Unfortunately these prior art exercise devices are problematic and have several limitations for child users, particularly small children (e.g., children between the ages of 2-8 years). The prior art exercise devices are not adapted for use by children and consequently are either unusable by children (e.g., children cannot reach the moving mechanism when seated in the device) or present undesirable safety problems when misused by children (e.g., children are subject to falling out/off the device, their knees are not angled sufficiently to avoid hyper-extension, etc.).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides an improved exercise device that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of prior art devices as set forth above. The inventive exercise device portable and self-contained and is specifically adapted for safe use by small children.

[0007] The exercise device of the present invention broadly includes a portable housing adapted to securely support a child therein, a crankshaft rotatably mounted in the housing and adapted to be rotated by the legs of the child, and a power source associated with the housing and coupled to the crankshaft and operable to cooperate with the crankshaft to provide an active operating mode, wherein rotation of the crankshaft is resisted, and a passive operating mode, wherein rotation of the crankshaft is assisted.

[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exercise device with the guards broken away to show the power source;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the exercise device with the port sidewall broken away and illustrating the seat assembly in both the stern-ward position (shown in solid) and the bow-ward position (shown in phantom); and

[0013] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the exercise device illustrating the control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise device 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and configured for working and stimulating the legs of disabled children. The exercise device 10 is portable and self-contained and is particularly adapted for use by small children, for example, children between the ages of 2-8 years with heights ranging between 32″-56″. The exercise device 10 broadly includes a portable housing 12, a crankshaft 14 rotatably mounted in the housing 12, and a power source 16 coupled to the crankshaft 14.

[0015] Turning initially to FIG. 1, the housing 12 provides portability and self-containment for the device 10 and is adapted to securely support a child therein. The housing 12 includes a base 18, a pair of sidewalls 20,22, a front wall 24, a rear wall 26 and a seat assembly 28. The base 18 is flat, generally rectangular shaped, and sufficiently constructed and dimensioned to support the walls 20, 22, 24, 26, the crankshaft 14 and power source 16 with their associated components, and a child user. Mounted on the bottom surface of the base 18 are four swivel casters 30, each one rollably mounted on the base 18 at a respective corner thereof. The casters 30 facilitate the portability of the exercise device 10 (e.g., rolling the device 10 across a ground surface) and are operable to selectively prevent rolling movement thereof. Particularly, in a manner known in the art, each caster 30 includes a breaking mechanism 30a that is shiftable between a locking configuration (wherein rolling of the caster relative to the ground surface is prevented) and a free-wheeling configuration (wherein the caster is free to roll across the ground surface). The casters 30 are positioned at the corners of the base 18 so that a portion of the breaking mechanisms 30a sufficiently protrude out from under the base 18 to allow them to be manually shifted into and out of the locking configuration.

[0016] The sidewalls 20,22 are flat and generally parallel to one another extending upward from the top surface of the base 18. The front and rear walls 24,26 are disposed between the sidewalls 20,22 and positioned at the front and rear thereof, respectively. The walls 20, 22, 24, 26 cooperate to define a compartment sufficient to house the crankshaft 14, the power source 16, and the seat assembly 28. The compartment has a bow section adjacent the front wall 24 and a stern section adjacent the rear wall 26. The sidewalls 20,22 must be sufficiently spaced from one another to provide adequate clearance for a child to sit between them (e.g., a child between the ages of 2-8 years). A representative sidewall width dimension (designated as DW in FIG. 2) is approximately between 8″-16″, and most preferably approximately 12″. The sidewalls 20,22 have a profile shape resembling the profile shape of an automobile to aesthetically enhance use of the device 10 by children.

[0017] The seat assembly 28 is slidably mounted in the housing 12 at the stern section thereof. The seat assembly 28 is adapted to support a child in an upright orientation and includes a seat member 28a, a back member 28b, and a pair of side members 28c that gusset the seat member 28a to the back member 28b. As will subsequently be discussed in detail, the crankshaft 14 is mounted in the housing 12 at the bow section thereof. The seat assembly 28 is adjustable relative to the crankshaft 14. Particularly, the seat assembly 28 is slidable between a stern-ward position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, wherein the seat assembly 28 is adjacent the rear wall 26, and a bow-ward position as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3, wherein the seat assembly 28 is adjacent the crankshaft 14. The seat member 28a is supported by, and slides in, a pair of complemental grooves, one each formed in a respective sidewall 20,22. To facilitate supporting the weight of the seat assembly 28 (and a child user therein), the illustrated housing 12 includes an additional support member (not shown) disposed between the sidewalls 20,22 positioned generally below the seat assembly 28 and configured to provide unobstructed sliding of the seat assembly 28. The seat assembly 28 includes a locking mechanism that cooperates with the sidewall 20 to lock the seat assembly 28 in the stern-ward and bow-ward positions, as well as positions intermediate thereto. Particularly, the locking mechanism comprises a detent assembly 32 (having a pin) secured to the sidewall 20 by a wire 34 and mounted in an aperture in the sidewall 20. The seat member 28a includes apertures formed in the port side thereof that correspond to the stern-ward, bow-ward, and intermediate positions and configured to receive the pin of the detent assembly 32.

[0018] The seat assembly 28 further includes a seat belt 36, a chest belt 38 and a handgrip assembly 40. The seat and chest belts 36,38 are each adjustable (e.g., utilizing a velcro-type clasp, a slip buckle, etc.) operable to securely retain various sized children in the seat assembly 28. The seat belt 36 is coupled to the back member 28b adjacent the seat member 28a. The chest belt 38 is coupled to the side members 28c spaced from the seat belt 36 and cooperates with the back member 28b to retain a child user in an upright position while using the exercise device 10. The handgrip assembly 40 is mounted on the seat member 28a adjacent the front edge thereof and includes a collar 42 gusseted to the bottom surface of the seat member 28a, a column 44 removably and slidably received through the seat member 28a and into the collar 42, and a wheel 46 rotatably coupled to the column 44. The wheel 46 can be gripped and rotated by the child user to facilitate upper body stimulation of the child user. The handgrip assembly 40 is adjustable to accommodate child users of varying sizes and is also removable so that the exercise device 10 can be used without the handgrip assembly 40. Particularly, the column 44 includes a detent button configured to cooperate with apertures in the collar 42 so that the column 44 can slide between various height adjusted positions or can be entirely removed from the collar 42. The wheel 46 is rotatable relative to the column 44 and is designed to resemble a steering wheel of an automobile to aesthetically enhance use of the device 10 by children. The wheel 46 includes a shaft 46a that is slidably and rotatably received into a flange 44a formed in the upper end of the column 44 so that the wheel 46 may be adjusted relative to the child user seated in the seat assembly 28.

[0019] The housing could utilize various alternative designs, configurations, and materials; however, it is important that the housing be adapted to securely and safely support a child user therein. It is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize alternative designs that are pleasing to children, for example, the housing could resemble objects other than an automobile, be brightly colored, etc. The housing could utilize a myriad of alternative configurations so long as the housing is adapted to be used by children. The support structure of the housing (e.g., the base, the walls, etc.) can be formed of any suitable material of sufficient strength to support the necessary components and the child user such as wood, molded plastic, metal, etc.

[0020] The crankshaft 14 includes a pair of spaced apart cranks 14a, 14b adapted to be rotated by the legs of a child user and is rotatably mounted in the housing 12 generally at the bow end section thereof (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Particularly, the crankshaft 14 is supported on bushings in each of the sidewalls 20,22 and sufficiently spaced from the base 18 to provide adequate clearance so that the crankshaft 14 can rotate unobstructed by the housing 12. For purposes that will subsequently be described, the port end of the crankshaft 14 extends through the sidewall 20 so that a portion thereof protrudes out of the sidewall 20 (see FIG. 2). A pair of shoe plates 48,50 are rotatably coupled to the corresponding cranks 14a, 14b. The shoe plates 48,50 have a boot-like configuration with a padded inside surface that facilitates the comfort of the child user. Each of the shoe plates 48,50 has a corresponding pair of straps 48a,48b and 50a,50b coupled thereto. The straps 48a, 48b, 50a, 50b are each adjustable (e.g., utilizing a velcro-type clasp, a slip buckle, etc.) and operable to securely retain various sized children's feet in the shoe plates 48,50.

[0021] The crankshaft 14 is operable to be rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (when viewed from the port side as illustrated in FIG. 3). The crankshaft 14 is sufficiently spaced from the seat assembly 28 to enable a child user seated in the seat assembly 28 to comfortably reach the shoe plates 48,50 with their feet. As previously detailed, the seat assembly 28 is slidably adjustable relative to the crankshaft 14 to accommodate various sized children. Representative length dimensions from the axial center of the crankshaft 14 to the front edge of the seat member 28a (designated as DL1 and DL2 in FIG. 3) are between 12″-16″, and most preferably 14″ for DL1 where DL1 corresponds to the seat assembly 28 being in the stern-ward position and between 7″-11″, and most preferably 9″ for DL2 where DL2 corresponds to the seat assembly 28 being in the bow-ward position.

[0022] The crankshaft could utilize various alternative designs, configurations, and materials; however, it is important that the crankshaft be adapted to be rotated by the legs of a child user. The crankshaft could utilize a myriad of alternative configurations so long as the crankshaft is adapted to be used by children, for example, the crankshaft could be elevated above or below the seat assembly and utilize an alternative crank arrangement. The crankshaft can be formed of any suitable material of sufficient strength to endure the wear and tear of repeated use by children such as steel, iron, metal alloys, wood, molded plastic, etc.

[0023] The power source 16 is in power communication with the crankshaft 14 and includes a motor 52 and a micro-controller 54 (see FIG. 2). The motor 52 is mounted on the inside surface of the sidewall 20 generally at the bow end thereof adjacent the crankshaft 14. The motor 52 drives one end of an output shaft 56. The output shaft 56 extends through the sidewall 20 and has a drive sprocket 58 fixed on the opposing end adjacent the outside surface of the sidewall 20. A chain 60 entrains the drive sprocket 58 and extends therefrom to entrain a driven sprocket 62. The driven sprocket 62 is fixed to the end of the crankshaft 14 that protrudes through the sidewall 20. The sprockets 58,62 and the chain 60 are housed within a chain guard 64 attached to the outside surface of the sidewall 20. The micro-controller 54 is in wire communication with the motor 52 and is attached to the inside surface of the front wall 24. The motor 52 and the micro-controller 54 are housed within a motor guard 66 attached to the front wall 24 and the base 18.

[0024] The illustrated motor 52 is a reversible, variable speed electric gearmotor. One suitable motor is available from Groschopp, 420 15th Street N.E., Souix Center, Iowa 51250-2100 as model SM60151960 with reducer model PS 1900, rated at 1600 rpm with a ratio of 60:1. However, it is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize any suitable drive source, for example, a motor and a separate gear box.

[0025] The motor 52 and the crankshaft 14 cooperate to provide the exercise device 10 an active operating mode, wherein rotation of the crankshaft 14 is resisted, and a passive operating mode, wherein rotation of the crankshaft 14 is assisted. In the active operating mode, the exercise device 10 is used as a simple reciprocating device wherein the child user rotates the crankshaft 14 using their legs in order to strengthen the related muscles and tissues. In the passive operating mode, the motor 52 rotates the crankshaft 14 so that the child user is induced to move their legs in response to the rotation of the crankshaft 14 in order to improve circulation of body fluids, increase bone density, etc.

[0026] When the exercise device 10 is in the active operating mode, the motor 52 exerts a resistance force on the crankshaft 14 that resists rotation thereof (e.g., if the user is rotating the crankshaft 14 in a clockwise direction, the resistance force is acting against the crankshaft 14 in a counterclockwise direction). When the exercise device 10 is in the passive operating mode, the motor 52 exerts an assistance force on the crankshaft 14 that assists rotation thereof (e.g., the assistance force is acting in the same direction that the crankshaft 14 is rotating—clockwise or counterclockwise). Each of the resistance and assistance forces include a quantity, a speed, a direction, and a duration component. The quantity component concerns a percentage ranging from 0-100% of the maximum force exertable by the motor 52. The speed component concerns the rate at which the output shaft 56 rotates measured in revolutions per minute. The direction component concerns the direction the output shaft 58 rotates—either clockwise or counterclockwise (when viewed from the port side of the device 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3). The duration component concerns the time the motor 52 operates measured in minutes.

[0027] Each of the force components—quantity, speed, direction, and duration components—are selectively variable by the user. Particularly, the micro-controller 54 communicates with the motor 52 and is operable to receive an input setting relating to one or more of the force components, convert the input setting into a motor-controlling signal, and output the signal to the motor 52.

[0028] Some children, particularly disabled children, suffer spastic episodes where the nerves affecting their legs jolt and the related muscles and tissues in the legs lock up. It is therefore preferable for the exercise device to have the ability to detect when a child user suffers a spastic episode and initiate safety precautions in response to such a detection (e.g., shut off the motor, stop rotation of the crankshaft, etc.). In the illustrated device 10, the power source 16 is operable to sense an interrupt force, wherein the interrupt force is a force acting in a direction opposite of the direction of the resistance force when the exercise device 10 is in the active operating mode and opposite the assistance force when the exercise device 10 is in the passive operating mode. The power source 16 compares the interrupt force sensed thereby with a threshold force, wherein the threshold force is a preset selectable value sufficient to ensure that the device 10 is adequately detecting a spastic episode by the child user. When the interrupt force exceeds the threshold force, the motor 52 will not rotate the crankshaft 14. In the illustrated exercise device 10, the threshold force corresponds with the quantity component of the motor 52 and is therefore selected by the user/operator. The appropriate threshold force will vary from user to user and therefore is preferably initially set each time by the user/operator and adjusted as necessary after the user begins using the device 10. A representative range of exemplary threshold forces is 10-50%. The micro-controller 54 could alternatively include an interrupt switch operable to switch power communication between the motor 52 and the crankshaft 14 into and out of an activated position, wherein power is supplied from the motor 52 to the crankshaft 14. In this alternative configuration, the micro-controller 54 could output a control signal that causes the interrupt switch to switch the power communication out of the activated position when the interrupt force exceeds the threshold force.

[0029] Some children users may have stiffness in their legs when they initially begin using the exercise device, particularly disabled children; however, this stiffness typically subsides after some warm-up use of the device. It is therefore preferable for the exercise device to have the ability to “soft start” wherein the power source gradually comes up to speed. In the illustrated device 10, the motor 52 of the power source 16 rotates multiple revolutions (e.g., at least two) before achieving the selected speed. Additionally, the quantity component output by the motor 52 is selectively variable by the user; therefore, the component can be increased or decreased (depending on the mode of operation) as the stiffness in the user's legs subsides. As previously discussed, in the illustrated exercise device 10, the quantity component corresponds to the threshold force, therefore, it is important to adjust the quantity component once stiffness in the user's legs subsides in order to optimize the anti-spasm safety feature of the device 10. For example, if the exercise device 10 is in the passive operating mode and stiffness in the user's legs requires an initial quantity component setting of 40% but once the stiffness subsides, only a 30% quantity component is needed, the operator should adjust the quantity component down to 30% to ensure the motor 52 does not rotate the crankshaft 14 if the user experiences a spasm that generates an interrupt force of greater than 30% but less than 40%.

[0030] As previously discussed in detail, the user can selectively vary many of the functions of the power source 16, for example, the force components outputted by the motor 52. Particularly, the illustrated exercise device 10 includes a remote control unit 68 and an external On/Off switch (not shown). The control unit 68 communicates with the micro-controller 54 by a cable 70 that enables the unit 68 to be operated by an individual external to the housing 12 (e.g., a health care provider located in the same room as the child user and the device 10). The control unit 68 includes multiple input keys 68a, operable for the user to input data corresponding to starting/stopping the power source 16 and selecting/varying the force components output by the motor 52, a display screen 68b cooperating with the keys 68a and operable for the user to view information relating to the input data, and indicator lights 68c that indicate the specific component selected. The illustrated control unit 68 includes input keys 68a associated with: EMERGENCY STOP—highly visible (e.g., brightly colored and set-off from the other keys) and operable to stop the motor 52; MODE—operable to toggle between and select the relevant force component to be varied; PLUS—operable to vary the force component selected by the MODE key; MINUS—operable to vary the force component selected by the MODE key; START—operable to initiate operation of the power source 16 with the selected force component settings; and STOP—operable to terminate operation of the power source 16. The illustrated control unit 68 includes indicator lights 68c associated with R.P.M. (speed), Minutes (duration), % Force (quantity), Direction, and Start/Run.

[0031] The EMERGENCY STOP input key 68a of the illustrated control unit 68 is in communication with an audible alarm (not shown). The audible alarm sounds when the EMERGENCY STOP switch 68a is activated. In this manner, someone other than the child user (e.g., a health care provider located in the vicinity) is alerted that the child user has activated the EMERGENCY STOP.

[0032] The power source could utilize various alternative components to provide and regulate power to the crankshaft, such as variously configured motors, micro-controllers, micro-processors, etc. However, it is important that the power source selectively provide both resistance and assistance forces to the crankshaft that are safe for child users.

[0033] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0034] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An exercise device for working and stimulating the legs of a child, the device comprising:

a portable housing adapted to securely support the child therein;

a crankshaft rotatably mounted in the housing and adapted to be rotated by the legs of the child; and

a power source associated with the housing and coupled to the crankshaft and operable to cooperate with the crankshaft to provide an active operating mode, wherein rotation of the crankshaft is resisted, and a passive operating mode, wherein rotation of the crankshaft is assisted.

2. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1,

said housing including a stern end and a bow end,

said crankshaft being rotatably mounted generally toward the bow end of the housing,

said housing further including a seat slidably mounted generally toward the stern end of the housing,

said seat being slidable between a stern-ward position, wherein the seat is adjacent the stern end of the housing, and a bow-ward position, wherein the seat is adjacent the crankshaft.

3. The exercise device as claimed in claim 2,

said housing including a locking mechanism associated with the seat and being operable to lock the seat in the stern-ward position, the bow-ward position, and at least one position intermediate thereto.

4. The exercise device as claimed in claim 2,

said seat including at least one adjustable belt being operable to secure the child in the seat.

5. The exercise device as claimed in claim 2,

said seat including an adjustable handgrip removably and rotatably coupled to the seat.

6. The exercise device as claimed in claim 5,

said adjustable hand grip including a column removably coupled to the seat, and a wheel slidably and rotatably coupled to the column.

7. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1,

said crankshaft including at least one shoe plate rotatably coupled to the crankshaft.

8. The exercise device as claimed in claim 7,

said at least one shoe plate including an adjustable strap being operable to secure a foot of the child in the shoe plate.

9. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1,

said power source exerting a resistance force on the crankshaft operable to resist rotation thereof when in the active operating mode,

said power source exerting an assistance force on the crankshaft operable to assist rotation thereof when in the passive operating mode,

said resistance and assistance forces each including quantity, speed, direction, and duration components.

10. The exercise device as claimed in claim 9,

said resistance and assistance forces exerted by the power source each being selectively variable with respect to the quantity, speed, direction, and duration components.

11. The exercise device as claimed in claim 9,

said power source including a micro-controller operable to sense an interrupt force, wherein the interrupt force is a force acting in a direction opposite of the direction of the resistance force when the power source is in the active operating mode and opposite the assistance force when the power source is in the passive operating mode,

said micro-controller further operable to compare the interrupt force sensed thereby with a threshold force, wherein the threshold force is a preset selectable value.

12. The exercise device as claimed in claim 11,

said power source further including an interrupt switch operable to switch power communication between the power source and the crankshaft into and out of an activated position, wherein power is supplied from the power source to the crankshaft,

said micro-controller being in communication with the interrupt switch and being further operable to output a control signal that causes the interrupt switch to switch said power communication out of the activated position when the interrupt force exceeds the threshold force.

13. The exercise device as claimed in claim 12,

said power source including a shut off switch operable to switch said power communication into and out of the activated position.

14. The exercise device as claimed in claim 10 further comprising:

a remote controller associated with the power source and operable to remotely select variations of the quantity, speed, direction, and duration components.

15. The exercise device as claimed in claim 14,

said remote controller being further operable to switch power communication between the power source and the crankshaft into and out of an activated position, wherein power is supplied from the power source to the crankshaft.

16. The exercise device as claimed in claim 15 further comprising:

an alarm in communication with the remote controller and being operable to activate when the remote controller switches power communication between the power source and the crank shaft out of the activated position.

17. The exercise device as claimed in claim 10,

said power source being an electric motor.

18. An exercise device comprising:

a housing;

a crankshaft rotatably mounted in the housing; and

a power source contained in the housing and being in power communication with the crankshaft,

said power source cooperating with the crankshaft to provide a passive operating mode, wherein the power source exerts an assistance force on the crankshaft operable to assist rotation thereof,

said power source being further operable to sense an interrupt force, wherein the interrupt force is a force acting in a direction opposite the assistance force, and terminate rotation of the crankshaft when the interrupt force exceeds the assistance force.

19. The exercise device as claimed in claim 18,

said assistance force being selectively variable.

20. The exercise device as claimed in claim 19,

said power source including a micro-controller operable to sense the interrupt force and compare the interrupt force sensed thereby with a threshold force, wherein the threshold force is a preset selectable value.

21. The exercise device as claimed in claim 20,

said power source further including an interrupt switch operable to switch power communication between the power source and the crankshaft into and out of an activated position, wherein the assistance force is supplied from the power source to the crankshaft,

said micro-controller being in communication with the interrupt switch and being further operable to output a control signal that causes the interrupt switch to switch said power communication out of the activated position when the interrupt force exceeds the threshold force.

22. The exercise device as claimed in claim 21,

said power source further including a soft-start function, wherein said power source gradually increases the assistance force when power communication is switched into the activated position until the selected assistance force is achieved.