Exercise device
The invention is directed to an exercise device for a wheelchair bound individual comprising a frame assembly having a wheelchair receiving area for permitting a wheelchair bound individual to “wheel up” to the device into an operable exercise position. A first crank assembly is attached to the frame assembly and comprises a pair of pedals operably attached thereto for movement with the rotation of the crank assembly. A second crank assembly is attached to the frame comprising a pair of handles operably attached thereto for rotational movement with the second crank assembly. A drive assembly is also provided to operably connect the rotational movement of a first crank assembly to the rotational movement of the second crank assembly, wherein the rotational movement of one crank assembly drives the rotational movement of the other crank assembly.
This invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly, this invention relates to an exercise device for a wheelchair bound person.
BACKGROUNDPatients undergoing physical therapy, paraplegic individuals, and individuals who have other degenerative diseases or birth defects have special needs with regard to physical therapy equipment. Such individuals often have limited or no mobility and decreased ranges of motion or appendage movement in one or more limbs. For these individuals, there is a need for therapy and exercise to move muscle groups, increase circulation and increase strength. Likewise, these individuals may choose to exercise for the general health benefits. Regardless, these individuals need equipment that is safe, fun, and effective. Moreover, this equipment must be convenient to use. For instance, if the wheelchair bound individual must always travel to a gym or to a physical therapy center, the incentive to exercise is much lower. Thus, an exercise device is needed that is available in a home or is transportable which benefits individuals from a variety of groups with disabilities, and specifically, wheelchair bound individuals (including those in need of physical therapy, exercise, and the like). Additionally, it is advantageous to provide such a device in a form that facilitates a total body workout in a relatively short period of time.
Various types of physical therapy and exercise equipment are currently available for clinical and home use, including devices such as stepping machines, stationary bicycles, and recumbent body exercisers.
Stepping machines or steppers, typically include a pair of pedals that move up and down, simulating the climbing of steps in response to weight and physical effort. Unfortunately, stepping machines require the user to stand during exercise. This presents a significant problem for a person with limited mobility, or more specifically, for a wheelchair bound individual or individual undergoing physical therapy. To use the stepping machine, the user must stand upon the pedals in an upright position and must be able to maintain balance and coordination to move the steps while continuing to remain upright. A wheelchair bound individual is unable to hold him or herself up and maintain the balance necessary to use the device. An individual who does not have use of his or her legs would not benefit from a stepper, as the user would not be able to manipulate the device. An additional limitation of a stepping machine is that it does not condition the upper body.
In comparison, stationary bicycles do not require the user to stand upon and move a pair of steps, as stationary bicycles typically comprise a seat positioned above, or adjacent a pair of rotatable petals with a fixed range of motion. A stationary bicycle, in which the user is positioned on a seat above the pedals, requires the user to sit on the seat and lean forward to hold onto a set of handles which may be stationary or movable. Unfortunately, in order to use the stationary bicycle the user must be capable of climbing onto the seat and must possess sufficient strength, balance and coordination to maintain him or herself on the seat while moving the pedals over a fixed range of motion, and where applicable, manipulating movable handles which move forward and backward. Likewise, a stationary bicycle with a seat that is positioned adjacent to the pedals requires the user to be able to position him or herself in the seat and extend his or her legs to manipulate pedals that are positioned in front of the user. Similar to a stepper, the stationary bicycle presents serious difficulty to the wheelchair bound individual or individual with limited mobility as it requires the individual to be able to lift him or herself out from the wheelchair and onto the stationary bicycle, or would require the assistance of a physical therapist or another individual to lift the individual into position on the device, making these devices highly inappropriate and ineffective for home use by a wheelchair bound individual. Moreover, that individual must be able to simultaneously balance him or herself on the bicycle and move the pedals. In addition, an individual who does not have use of his or her legs would have serious difficulty in operating the pedals of the stationary bicycle.
In addition to steppers and stationary bicycles, recumbent exercisers are also commercially available. Recumbent devices typically include movable pedals and corresponding movable handles that move in a coordinated manner to simulate coordinated arm and leg movement. Generally, recumbent exercisers include a seat that requires the user to sit down in a plane horizontally displaced from the pedals. As a result, these devices require the individual to step over the seat or be placed into the seat by the physical therapist or another. Thus, such devices are equally inaccessible to individuals with limited mobility, such as a wheelchair bound person, as they require the ability to get out of the wheelchair and onto the exercise device. Moreover, the recumbent exercise devices are often quite large, making them difficult to move and taking up significant space, ultimately making them poor exercise equipment for home use. Accordingly, recumbent exercisers are not convenient or useful to individuals in wheelchairs or within the home.
While many disadvantages exist in the foregoing exercise devices, it is generally understood that rotation or oscillation caused by a bicycle movement provides a low impact-type of exercise which is especially easy on the knees, ankles and feet. Therefore, exercise devices that comprise a rotational bicycle-type movement are extremely beneficial to handicap, wheelchair bound individuals, those in physical therapy and others with limited mobility. Unfortunately, to date, exercise devices have not been available which are convenient, effective, and useable by such individuals and which include a bicycle-type movement.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an exercise device that may be used by a wheelchair bound individual, a handicap individual or individual with limited mobility that is usable from home or in an exercise facility, is light weight, of reasonable size, and provides a workout for a large portion of the body through the use of a bicycle movement. Moreover, what is needed in the art is a convenient, effective, total body exercise device that is usable by a wheelchair bound individual without the need for assistance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing, the invention provided comprises an exercise device that is usable by a wheelchair bound individual without the need to remove him or herself from the chair. Moreover, the present invention provides a means of exercising, strengthening one or more major muscle groups, and facilitating cardiovascular conditioning through coordinated lower body and upper body movement based upon the motion of either the upper body or the lower body moving the various systems and subsystems of the present invention.
The invention is therefore directed to an exercise device for a wheelchair bound individual comprising a frame assembly having a wheelchair receiving area for permitting a wheelchair bound individual to “wheel up” to the device into an operable exercise position. A first crank assembly is attached to the frame assembly and comprises a pair of pedals operably attached thereto for movement with the rotation of the crank assembly. The pedals preferably have foot retaining means thereon for removably securing an individual's feet to the pedals. A second crank assembly is attached to the frame comprising a pair of handles operably attached thereto for rotational movement with the second crank assembly. A drive assembly operably connects the rotational movement of the first crank assembly to the rotational movement of the second crank assembly, wherein the rotational movement of one of the crank assemblies drives the rotational movement of the other crank assembly.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device for a person with limited mobility of the legs or arms that is easy to use from a wheelchair, is lightweight, of reasonable size, is usable from home or in an exercise facility, and provides a workout for a large portion of an individuals body through the use of a bicycle movement. Moreover, an object of the exercise device of the present invention is usability by a wheelchair bound individual without the need for assistance.
Other aspects, features and details of the present invention can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings, of which:
The Figures show an exercise device 100 embodying the present invention and illustrating the principal components and sub-assemblies thereof.
As will be seen by reference to the Figures and description herein, the exercise device 100 of the present invention provides numerous advantages over currently available devices. Most noticeably, the exercise device 100 of the present invention provides an easy, lightweight, and reasonably sized exercise device for a wheelchair bound individual. The individual in the wheelchair simply wheels up to the exercise device of the present invention, secures his or her feet in the retention device 118 located on or in connection with the pedals 116, (which, as will be seen, are positioned at the same height as the foot supports of the wheel chair), grasps the handles 122, securing his or her hands if appropriate, and rotates one or both of the crank assemblies 114, 120.
If the individual does not have use of his or her legs, the rotation of the upper crank assembly 120 by use of the individuals arms and hands drives the movement of the lower crank assembly 114, also driving movement of the individual's legs, ankles and feet, and potentially abdomen, because the feet are secured to the pedals 116 of the crank assembly 114 which is driven to rotate by the rotation of the upper crank assembly 120. Conversely, movement of the legs will cause the movement of the arms, hands, and upper body. In this way, an individual with limited or no mobility of the legs, or conversely limited or no mobility of the arms, is provided a means to facilitate the movement of same by the use of his or her “functional” appendages. Moreover, the device permits the wheelchair bound individual to wheel him or herself up to the device and engage in total body exercise without the need for assistance by others, such as a personal trainer or physical therapist. Thus, the wheelchair bound individual can, by him or herself from home, improve strength, circulation, general health, flexibility and overall well being.
Referring to
A drive assembly 124 operably connects the rotational movement of the first crank assembly 114 to the rotational movement of the second crank assembly 120, whereby the rotational movement of one crank assembly 114 or 120 drives the rotational movement of the other crank assembly 114 or 120. The drive assembly 124 specifically comprises a drive belt 126 surrounding at least a portion of, and operably connected to, the first crank assembly 114. The drive belt 126 extends to, at least partially surrounds and operably engages the second crank assembly 120. An intermediate idler roller 128 may also be provided, mounted to the frame assembly 110 by a mounting device or support (discussed in further detail below). The intermediate roller 128 engages the drive belt 126 at a distance between the first crank assembly 114 and the second crank assembly 120. As discussed above, the rotation of one crank assembly 114 or 120 of the drive assembly 124 drives the rotation of the other crank assembly 114 or 120 through the various components discussed.
The exercise device 100 of the preferred embodiment will now be described in further detail. Turning specifically to the frame assembly 110, as shown in
In the illustrated, preferred embodiments, the frame 110 comprises a first ground engaging support 130 for supporting or bracing the exercise device on one side thereof (
Referring to
Preferably, the horizontal support rods 134 are integrally attached to the frame assembly 110 via one or more legs 138. As shown in
Additionally, one or more frame casings 142 may be provided, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Turning, specifically, to the intermediate roller support, the intermediate roller support 148 comprises a radial arm 162 attached at one end to the drive assembly support 140 and attached at its other end to the intermediate idler roller 128. A slot 163 is provided on the radial arm 162 for changing the position of the idler roller 128. Namely, a retention bolt 168 may be provided for connecting the idler roller 168 within the slot 163. The retention bolt may be loosened or removed, and then re-secured to re-position the idler roller in the slot. The position of the intermediate idler roller 128 is therefore adjusted by the movable attachment of the idler roller 128 within the slot 163. Additionally, a height adjustment member 164 may be provided comprising a plurality of holes 166, into which a retention bolt 168 or the like can be placed to secure the radial arm 162 of the intermediate roller support 148 at the appropriate height. Namely, the height of the intermediate roller support 148, and thus the intermediate roller 128, can be adjusted by removal of the retention bolt 168 from the hole 166, adjusting the position of the height adjustment member 164 and reinserting the retention bolt 168 into the hole 166.
In operation, the position of the intermediate drive roller 128 controls and adjusts the tension placed upon the drive belt 126 to secure same in place, and, when appropriate, to provide resistance to the drive assembly 124. A resistance device separate from the idler roller 128 (not shown) may also be used in connection with the drive assembly 124 of the present invention as is common in the art to create resistance to movement. The resistance may be applied to one or both of the crank assemblies 114, 120 and/or to the drive belt 126 via a frictional-type engagement so as to enable strength training. Likewise, it is contemplated that any means to restrict movement may be provided on the device such as a dead wheel device, pressure invoking device or the like.
The drive assembly 124 of the preferred embodiment comprises the first 114 and second 120 crank assemblies, as well as the link and corresponding components from the first crank assembly 114 and the second crank assembly 120. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second crank assemblies 114, 120 comprise a circular crank 170 having a centralized axis of rotation 172 and a pair of crank arms 174 extending outwardly in opposite directions from the central axis 172 (see
Preferably, the circular crank 170 comprises a pulley, such as a 5 inch pulley, having a means for driving the assembly. Specifically, the first and second crank mechanisms 114, 120 comprise or contain a wheel 170 having a groove or channel 176. The channel 176 receives the drive belt 126 therein as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the exercise device 100 of the present invention comprises a belt driven apparatus. An advantage of the belt driven system is that it provides a smooth surface that avoids sharp objects which may harm the user. While a drive “belt” is specifically described, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that, a chain drive having corresponding sprockets or gear wheels, as well as gear wheels, gear trains, and the like (and their corresponding components), capable of imparting rotational movement on a gear or crank assembly would be acceptable for purposes of the present invention.
Referring to
Advantageously, the pedals 116 of the device 110 are high enough that the user may transfer his or her feet from the supports of a wheelchair directly onto the pedals 116 with minimal adjustment. Namely, the user may simply raise the foot support on the wheelchair and position his or her foot on top of the pedal 116. Moreover, the height and angle of contact of the foot with the pedals 116 is high enough that it does not affect or cause significant stress or damage upon the user's ankles. In the preferred embodiment, the pedals 116 have approximately 3 ½ inch crank arm, forming a 6-7 inch rotation of travel or stroke length. As a result, the rotation of the crank assembly 114 causes the individual's hips, legs, and ankles to move, but does not invoke significant force or stress upon same due to the small amount of rotation. Likewise, the second crank assembly 120, which is engaged by the user's hands and arms, may comprise a small rotation or stroke length, such as a 5 inch crank arm, resulting in a 10 inch rotation of travel or stroke length, so as to cause minimal stress upon same. While a specific rotation or stroke length is provided, pedal rotation and stroke length may vary without departing from the overall scope of the present invention.
When necessary, the user may secure his or her feet in position on the pedal 116 using a foot retention device 118. Specifically, as shown in
The handles 122, preferably, comprise a grip for grasping with a hand. The handle 122 may comprise a grip commonly known in the art for use with bicycle assemblies, such as rubber grips, textured grips, foam grips, and the like. In addition to, or as an alternative, the handles 122 may be provided having a sticky or tacky substance thereon which secures or removably secures a user's hand to the handle 122. Alternatively, the handles 122 or grips may comprise a Velcro-type substance, such as a hook/loop type fabric which mates with a corresponding hook/loop type fabric placed on a glove or like apparel worn on the user's hands. Like the above-described handles 122, the Velcro-type system would removably secure the user's hand to the handle 122. In addition, or as an alternative to these systems, the handles 122 may comprise a strap, tether, or other securing means for securing the users a hand on the handle (See
In the preferred embodiment of the exercise device 100 of the present invention, the exercise machine is designed for use by a wheelchair bound person. As can be seen in
The various mechanisms for the exercise device 100 disclosed herein may be combined in numerous combinations, and the invention should not be limited to the particular combinations described and illustrated herein.
Presently preferred embodiments of the present invention and many of its improvements have been described with a degree of particularity. The previous description is of preferred examples for implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. For instance, it would be obvious to substitute a chair for a wheelchair without departing from the overall scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An exercise device for a wheelchair bound individual comprising:
- a frame having a wheelchair receiving area;
- a first crank assembly attached to said frame having a pair of pedals operably attached thereto for rotational movement with rotation of said crank assembly, said pedals each having a foot retaining means;
- a second crank assembly attached to said frame having a pair of handles operably attached thereto for rotational movement with rotation of said crank assembly; and
- a drive assembly operably connecting the movement of said first crank assembly to the movement of said second crank assembly, wherein said movement of one of said crank assemblies drives the movement of the other crank assembly.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said drive assembly comprises a drive belt operably attached to said first crank assembly and to said second crank assembly to cause the simultaneous movement of said first crank assembly with said second crank assembly.
3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein said drive assembly further comprises an intermediate roller in operable contact with said drive belt.
4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the intermediate roller is positionally adjustable to tension said drive assembly.
5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said first crank assembly comprises a first crank arm having a pedal thereon and a second crank arm having a pedal thereon, said first and second crank arms attached to a substantially circular pulley and positioned for the oscillating movement of said pedals.
6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said second crank assembly comprises a first crank arm having a handle thereon and a second crank arm having a handle thereon, said first and second crank arms attached to a substantially circular pulley and positioned for the oscillating movement of said handles.
7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises:
- a first ground engaging support and a second ground engaging support, said first ground engaging support comprising a means for receiving a wheelchair; and
- a lower crank assembly support and an upper crank assembly support, said lower crank assembly support positioned at an angle from said upper crank assembly support so that a person may remain seated in a wheelchair while in contact with said pedals and said handles.
8. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein said ground engaging support comprises a non-slip device.
9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said foot retention device comprises a shoe cleat capable of mating with a corresponding pedal.
10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a means for retaining a hand thereon.
11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein said means for retaining a hand comprises a tether.
12. A wheelchair accessible exercise device comprising:
- a frame having a wheelchair receiving area;
- a first rotatable crank assembly attached to said frame having a first crank arm with a first pedal and a second crank arm with a second pedal, said first and second pedals each having a foot retention device thereon for removably securing a foot;
- a second rotatable crank assembly attached to said frame having a first crank arm with a first handle and a second crank arm with a second handle;
- a drive assembly operably connected to said first and second crank assemblies, said drive assembly comprising a drive belt operably engaging said first crank assembly and operably engaging said second crank assembly, said drive belt being tensioned by an intermediate roller, and said drive assembly facilitating the coordinated rotation of said first crank assembly with said second crank assembly, wherein the rotation of one crank assembly causes the rotation of the other crank assembly.
13. The exercise device of claim 12, further comprising a hand retention device operably attached to said handle for removably securing a hand to said handle.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 1, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 7, 2007
Inventor: Robert Mahlberg (Soldier, IA)
Application Number: 11/291,469
International Classification: A63B 22/06 (20060101); A63B 22/12 (20060101); A63B 69/16 (20060101);