Patent ID: 8251879
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
1. A highly portable shoulder rehabilitation/exercise device comprised of a two section base plate, a hydraulic damper, a restrictor arm, an actuator arm, an elbow cup and a hand grip wherein: the two section base plate comprises a proximal and distal section, each such section having a proximal end, a distal end, a planar upper and lower surface which are parallel to one another, the proximal section of the base plate including a plurality of restrictor bores especially configured and adapted for the receipt of restrictor pins, the proximal section of the base plate also including an axle bore especially configured and adapted for receipt and passage of a central axle of the hydraulic damper through the lower and upper surface thereof, the distal section base plate further including a means for affixing the device to a stable surface, the proximal and distal sections of the base plate being pivotally affixed to one another so that the angular relationship between the planar surfaces of the proximal and distal sections of the base plate may be changed thereby; the hydraulic damper is mounted to the planar lower surface of the proximal section of the base plate and comprises a main damper housing, the central axle, hydraulic fluid, a means for propelling the hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic fluid flow valve having an aperture, the restrictor arm includes an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces, a proximal and distal terminus with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the restrictor arm including a lock bore for receipt of the central axle of the hydraulic damper which provides an axis of rotation for arcuate motion of the restrictor and actuator arm, the restrictor arm further including a restrictor finger extending from and continuous with the proximal terminus of the restrictor arm, the restrictor arm further including, adjacent the distal terminus thereof, a means for rigidly affixing the actuator arm to the restrictor arm so that the actuator arm and restrictor arm align along a single longitudinal axis; the actuator arm is configured as an elongated bar having a length, an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces and a proximal and distal terminus with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the hand grip and the elbow cup being adjustably mounted and extending upward from the upper surface of the actuator arm, the hand grip being mounted distal to the elbow cup; the elbow cup is shaped and configured to adapt to and engage the elbow of a user and wherein the elbow cup is mounted to the actuator arm in such a manner so as to allow the elbow cup to be moved fore and aft along the length of the actuator arm so as to obtain a desired position; and the hand grip is shaped and configured to facilitate a user grasping said grip and is mounted upon the actuator arm in such a manner as to allow the hand grip to be moved fore and aft along the length of the actuator arm, so as to obtain a desired position; wherein when an elbow and hand of one of a user's arms are positioned so that the elbow is positioned within the elbow cup and the hand grasps the hand grip, and, thereafter, the user laterally biases the actuator arm in an inward and outward direction, the actuator arm and the restrictor arm to which it is affixed move along an arcuate path, the device thereby guiding the user's arm in such a manner as to enable performance of both internal and external rotations of the shoulder without adjusting the device or changing the user's position, and wherein, placement of restrictor pins, within the one or more restrictor pin bores, enables a user to define and limit the range of motion of the arcuate path; the hydraulic damper, upon which the restrictor arm is mounted, providing smooth, fluid-like resistance to said internal and external rotations of the shoulder which said resistance increases and decreases, automatically in accordance with speed of operation; the pivoting affixation of the proximal and distal sections of the base plate enabling adjustment to the elevation of a user's forearm so as to attain a desired angular relationship between a user's shoulder, upper and lower arm while also enabling the device to be utilized while mounted upon surfaces of varying heights.