Abstract:
A passive exercise device to exercise a person&#39;s legs that can be easily moved and efficiently stored in a corner of a room.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Applicant filed Provisional Application on this subject matter on Nov. 8, 1999, 60/164,244. Specific reference is made to that document. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a passive exercise device. More specifically, this invention relates to a passive leg exercise device for use by paraplegics or quadriplegics. Physical therapist have ordinary skill in this art. 
     (2) Description of the Related Art 
     The related art describes many devices to passively exercise legs. Passive exercise has many beneficial characteristics including increased circulation, better over all muscle tone, and reduced atrophy of the extremities. 
     For example, GRAY, U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,131, discloses a device for exercising the legs of a person. Using the GRAY device, the person&#39;s feet are strapped to what are effectively pedals, and the pedals then are then turned by an electric motor. The turning pedals cause the feet to travel in a circular motion with each foot being 180° out of phase from the other. This circular motion then causes motion of the lower and upper legs to facilitate the passive exercise. 
     These related art devices generally contain the same functional elements, namely: a frame; motor; crank arms; pedals; and motor control circuitry. This combination of functional parts creates a bulky and somewhat awkward device, especially in the context of storing the device when not in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Progressive Contribution to the Art 
     This invention is a passive exercise device used for exercising a person&#39;s impaired lower extremities. Specifically, the device exercises a person&#39;s legs by automatically moving the feet in a forward or reverse pedalling motion. 
     The frame of the device, while providing a structurally sturdy base for the components to perform the automatic pedalling function, also provides an efficient method of moving and storing the exercise unit. 
     (2) Objects of this Invention 
     An object of this invention is to provide passive exercise for a person&#39;s legs. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a stable base upon which dynamic components of the passive exercise device may be placed. 
     Further objects of this invention are to provide for efficient shipping, moving and storage of the exercise device when not in use. 
     Further objects are to achieve the above with devices that are sturdy, compact, durable, lightweight, simple, safe, efficient, versatile, ecologically compatible, energy conserving, and reliable, yet inexpensive and easy to manufacture, operate, and maintain. 
     Other objects are to achieve the above with a method that is rapid, versatile, ecologically compatible, energy conserving, efficient, and inexpensive, and does not require skilled people to install, operate, and maintain. 
     The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses, and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, the different views of which are not necessarily scale drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device with one boot brace in phantom for clarity. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device in the storage position. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device in use. 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational wheel detail. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device with an integral pedal assembly with one boot brace removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 with added features. 
    
    
     CATALOGUE OF ELEMENTS 
     As an aid to correlating the terms to the exemplary drawings, the following catalog of elements is provided: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 FIGS. 
                 FIG. 
                 FIG. 
                   
               
               
                 1,2,3,4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 Item 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 110 
                 210 
                 passive exercise device 
               
               
                 12 
                 112 
                 212 
                 frame 
               
               
                 14 
                 114 
                 214 
                 spine 
               
               
                 16 
                 116 
                 216 
                 leg 
               
               
                 18 
                 118 
                 218 
                 wheel 
               
               
                 20 
                 120 
                 220 
                 stand 
               
               
                 22 
                 — 
                 — 
                 motor 
               
               
                 23 
                 123 
                 223 
                 on-off switch 
               
               
                 24 
                 — 
                 — 
                 gear box 
               
               
                 26 
                 — 
                 — 
                 motor pulley 
               
               
                 28 
                 — 
                 — 
                 belt 
               
               
                 29 
                 129 
                 229 
                 pedal assembly 
               
               
                 30 
                 — 
                 — 
                 pedal pulley 
               
               
                 32 
                 132 
                 232 
                 arms 
               
               
                 34 
                 134 
                 234 
                 pedal 
               
               
                 38 
                 138 
                 238 
                 boot brace 
               
               
                 — 
                 — 
                 239 
                 boot brace lining 
               
               
                 40 
                 140 
                 240 
                 foot strap 
               
               
                 42 
                 142 
                 242 
                 shin strap 
               
               
                 44 
                 144 
                 244 
                 t-piece 
               
               
                 46 
                 — 
                 — 
                 wheelchair 
               
               
                 48 
                 — 
                 — 
                 chair occupant 
               
               
                 — 
                 150 
                 250 
                 retractable legs 
               
               
                 — 
                 152 
                 252 
                 handle 
               
               
                 — 
                 154 
                 254 
                 cord retractor 
               
               
                 — 
                 156 
                 256 
                 timer 
               
               
                 58 
                 158 
                 258 
                 wheel stand 
               
               
                 — 
                 160 
                 260 
                 integral pedal assembly 
               
               
                 — 
                 162 
                 262 
                 telescoping leg 
               
               
                 — 
                 164 
                 264 
                 telescoping spine 
               
               
                 α 
                 — 
                 — 
                 angle 
               
               
                 β 
                 — 
                 — 
                 angle 
               
               
                 — 
                 — 
                 265 
                 leg angle 
               
               
                 — 
                 — 
                 266 
                 speed control 
               
               
                 — 
                 — 
                 268 
                 hand control 
               
               
                 — 
                 — 
                 270 
                 switch arm 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3  there will be seen a passive exercise device  10 . The device comprises a frame  12  being made of a spine  14  and two legs  16 . It is contemplated that the spine  14  and legs  16  in this embodiment will be made of square metal tubing; however, any structurally sound product could be used. For example, composite material or metal, circular tubing, pipe, or angle iron could be used. In the embodiment shown, the legs  16  are attached at a right angle, α 90°, (FIG. 2) on an upper end of the spine  14 . The angle β between each leg  16 , when attached to the spine  14 , is preferably between 45° and 90°. 
     It is however contemplated that the angle α between the spine  14  and the plane of the legs  16  could be greater than 90° or less than 90°, as measured from the direction the legs  16  protrude. There could be various reasons for making this modification to the described angle α including, but not limited to, control of the center gravity of the exercise device such that storage, by standing the device with the spine  14  in a vertical position, could be better controlled. 
     In a second (FIG. 5) and third (FIG. 6) embodiment. the frame  112  and  212  comprises several additional pieces. Specifically, the spine  114  or  214  has a telescoping spine portion  164  or  264  at a lower end thereof. Additionally, the legs  116  or  216  can be constructed such that they have a extension leg  162  or  262  into which the leg  116  or  216  are telescoped. These changes, as may be seen in FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 accomplish several functions. First, the telescoping spine  164  or  264  aids in collapsing the passive exercise device  110  and  210  for more compact storage. Secondly, the telescoping legs  162  or  262  portions make the passive exercise device adjustable for a more ergonomic adjustment for the chair occupant  48 . Also the device may be broken down for shipping in a smaller package. 
     Also the extension leg  262  is angled at  265  to be substantially vertical. This reduces the width of the device when in use. 
     With the spine  14 ,  114  and  214  and the two legs  16 ,  116  and  216  generally pointing toward the floor the frame  12 ,  112  and  212  presents itself to be somewhat of a tripod. It is in this tripod-like position that the passive exercise device is used. A motor  22 ,  122  and  222  is mounted on a middle portion of the spine  14 ,  114  and  214 . Although the motor  22  in the drawings is shown to be mounted on the upper surface of the spine  14 , a motor mounted on the lower surface of the spine  14  is within the contemplation of this invention. 
     The output shaft (not shown) of the motor  22  is connected to a gear box  24 . The gear box  24  performs two functions: first to modify the motor output shaft rotational orientation from lying substantially parallel to the spine  14  to being substantially at a 90° to the spine  14 ; and also to perform a portion of the gearing necessary to control the speed of the pedalling functions. A motor pulley  26  is attached to the output shaft of the gear box  24 . The motor pulley  26  transfers rotational energy from the motor  22  to the pedal assembly  29  by means of belt  28 . The belt  28  is trained around the pedal pulley  30 . Although this embodiment shows a grooved pulley and complementary belt  28 , it would be within the contemplation of this invention to use a sprocket and chain to perform the same function. The relative gearing between the motor  22  and the pedal assembly  29  is controlled by gearing of the gear box  24 , size of the motor pulley  26 , and size of the pedal pulley  30 . 
     The pedal assembly  29  comprises pedal bearings  36 , (FIG. 2) pedal pulley  30 , two arms  32 ,  132  and  232  two pedals  34 ,  134  and  234  and two boot braces  38 ,  138  and  238 . An arm shaft (not identified) extends through the pedal bearings  36 . Arms  32 ,  132  and  232  are attached to each end of that shaft. The arms  32 ,  132  and  232  are oriented to be 180° apart as attached to the arm shaft. The pedal pulley  30  is rigidly connected to the pedal shaft such that for every complete rotation of the pedal pulley  30  there will be a corresponding complete rotation of each arm  32 . 
     In a second and third embodiment the gear box  124 , or  224  motor pulley  26 , belt  28 , and pedal assembly  129  or  229  are combined into an integral pedal assembly  160  or  260  as shown in FIGS. 5 &amp; 6. More specifically then, the motor connects to the gear box,  124  and  224  an output shaft extends out each side of the gear box, and the pedal assemblies  129  and  229  are connected directly thereto. 
     A pedal  34 ,  134  and  234  is on the distal end of each arm. The pedal  34 ,  134  and  234  performs the same function as that of a pedal on a bicycle; namely, to facilitate placement of the feet. 
     Since those persons who will use this passive exercise device  10 ,  134  and  224  will have impaired control of leg movement, there must be some means for securing each foot to its appropriate pedal. This is accomplished in this device by use of a boot brace  38 ,  138  and  238  attached to each pedal  34 ,  134  and  234 . The boot brace  38 ,  134  and  234  comprises a lower portion, where the foot will be placed, and an upper portion that would extend up the calf of the chair occupant  48 . The boot brace  38 ,  138  and  238  further comprises a foot strap  40 ,  140  and  240  to hold the foot against the lower portion of the boot brace  38 ,  138  and  238  and at least one shin strap  42 ,  142  and  242  to hold the lower leg against the upper portion of the boot brace  38 ,  138  and  238 . The purpose of the boot brace  38 ,  138  and  238  is to: 1) ensure the foot stays firmly held against the pedal  34 ,  134  and  234 ; and 2) to ensure that the ankle of the chair occupant  48  is not turned during upward movement of the foot. In order to keep the costs of the embodiment shown at a minimum, a standard bicycle pedal is used to fulfill the pedal  34 ,  134  and  234  requirement. The boot brace  38 ,  138  and  238  is rigidly attached to the pedal  34 ,  134  and  234  such as by complementary nuts and bolts (not shown). Although constructed in this manner, it is within the contemplation of this invention that if mass produced the boot brace  38 ,  138  and  238  and the pedal  34 ,  134  and  234  could be an integral assembly. 
     It is desirable that the boot brace  238  have a soft non-abrasive contact with the leg of the user. This is accomplished by lamb fleece covering  239  over the boot brace, particularly the inside portions which contact the user. The covering  238  is attached by Velcro to the boot brace  238  to permit its removal for cleaning and care. 
     Use of the passive exercise device  10 ,  110  and  210  then would encompass placing the frame  12 ,  112  and  212  in the tripod-like position. The chair occupant  48  positions the wheelchair  46  such that the spine  14  extends partially under the wheelchair  46  and between the legs of the chair occupant  48 . The legs of the chair occupant  48  then are strapped, by means of the foot strap  40  and shin straps  42 , into the boot brace  38 . Once the wheelchair  46  is in position and the legs are securely strapped in the boot braces  38 , the motor  22  is started which causes a corresponding rotational movement of the pedals  34  which facilitates the exercise of the chair occupant&#39;s  48  legs. 
     The motor  22  may turn in either a forward or reverse direction, which would create the possibility of forward pedalling and reverse pedalling. Further, motor speed is adjustable by control  266 . In the embodiment shown, the motor  22  is a 120 volt AC, 60 Hz, ½ horsepower reversible motor. This horsepower rating of the motor was sufficient to adequately exercise the legs of the chair occupant  48  without unduly loading the motor. 
     FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention with merely a motor on-off switch  23  for on, off, and directional control of the motor. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of this invention where the motor on-off switch is replaced with a timer  156 . The timer  156  and the motor on-off switch are combined in this figure to show that it is within the contemplation of this invention that exercise times could be controlled by, and automatically stopped by the timer  156 . Also shown in FIGS. 5 &amp;  6  is a second embodiment having the addition of a cord retractor  154  or  254 . As the name implies, the cord retractor retracts the cord into a spool for storage when not in use. 
     Also FIG. 6 includes a hand held control box  268  which has an emergency off switch arm  270  as well as the speed control  266 . The switch arm  270  permits forward, reverse or stop motion. 
     On the distal end of each leg  16 ,  116  and  216  there exists a wheel  18 ,  118  and  218 . The wheel  18 ,  118  and  218  on each leg  16 ,  116  and  216  is designed and placed so that when the frame  12 ,  112  and  212  is in the tripod-like position, the wheel  18 ,  118  and  218  does not contact the floor. However, as the spine  14 ,  114  and  214  is raised to be approximately in a horizontal position, the wheel  18 ,  118  and  218  of each leg  16 ,  116  and  216  contacts the floor. By grabbing the spine  14 ,  114  and  214  at its lower end, or by handle  152 , or  252  and raising the spine  14 , 114  and  214  upwards to be approximately horizontal, the wheels  18 ,  118  and  218  contact the floor which therefore facilitates easy movement of the passive exercise device  10 ,  110  and  210  from location to location. Moving the passive exercise device  10 ,  110  and  210  from a location where it has been used to a storage location in a corner of a room would then comprise picking up the lower end of the spine  14 ,  114  and  214  to an orientation where the wheels  18 ,  118  and  218  on the distal end of each leg  16 ,  116  and  216  contacts the floor. The passive exercise device  10 ,  110  and  210  may be stored in a corner of a room by rolling the device  10 ,  110  and  210  on the wheels  18 ,  118  and  218  close to the corner and then rotating the spine  14 ,  114  and  214  to be substantially vertical. That is, the upper end of the spine  14 ,  114  and  214  and the legs  16 ,  116  and  216  would be placed substantially at the intersection of the three planes of two walls and a floor. It will be understood that the intersection of two walls form a corner and when the device is in the corner the legs extend a long the walls. To further facilitate standing the passive exercise device  10  in a corner, there exists a stand  20 ,  120  and  220  that is attached at the upper end of the spine  14 ,  114  and  214  and the wheels  18 ,  118  and  218 . The purpose of the stand  20 ,  120  and  220  is to hold the plane created by the legs  16 ,  116  and  216  substantially parallel to the floor when the spine  14  is in the storage vertical position. 
     As seen in FIG. 6, it is desirable that the diameter of the wheels  218  be approximately the throw of arm  232 . That is the diameter approximately equals the distance of the pedal axis to the pedal  234 . This results in easier rolling than smaller wheels. 
     FIG. 4 shows a detail of a distal of a leg  16  including a wheel  18  and wheel stand  58 . As shown in the figure, the wheel stand  58  has a length longer than the diameter of the wheel  18 . The purpose for this is to have the wheel stand  58  support the weight of the exercise  10  when the spine  14  is in the vertical position. Additionally, and as may be seen in FIG. 5, the stand  120  can be made to be telescopic to again assist in making the exercise device  110  more compact for long term storage. 
     This specification indicates placement of various components of the device as being on a lower, middle, or upper portion of some element. Since this device has two desired stable positions, it will be understood that a reference to a lower, middle, or upper portion of any component is referenced to the position of that component when the spine  14 ,  114  and  214  is in the tripod position. Further, references are made to inner and outer surfaces of various components. The outer surface of any particular component of this device is that surface that faces outward from the device when the frame  12 ,  112  and  212  is in the tripod-like position. The inner surface is any portion of the device that faces the ground when the frame  12 ,  112  and  212  is in the tripod-like position. 
     Although not shown in the drawings or referenced in the specification, it would be desirable to have some kind of chain or belt guard covering the pedal pulley  30 . The obvious reasons to have this chain or pulley guard is to keep fingers, toes, and articles of clothing from becoming entangled between the belt or chain and the complementary pulleys. 
     The device as shown in the drawings would be suitable for operation on a carpeted surface; however, as shown the device would not be suitable for use on a tile or otherwise slick surface. To remedy this problem it is within the contemplation of this invention that rubber coatings or rubber surfaces could be attached to the distal ends of the legs  16 ,  116  and  216  and on the T-piece  44 ,  144  and  244  to keep the device from sliding on the floor when in use. FIGS. 1 and 2 prominently show the T-piece  44 . In addition to being in a location where a rubber foot or rubber surface could be placed on an inner surface thereof, the T-piece  44  too could be used as a handle in the transportation of the device from a storage location. 
     It will be understood that any element in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 not specifically identified is substantially the same element in FIGS. 1-4 having the same last two numbers. 
     By the above specifications and drawings, one with ordinary skill in the art will understand how to make and use the invention as described. At this time the description above includes the best mode known to the inventor of carrying out his invention. 
     The embodiment shown and described above is only exemplary. I do not claim to have invented all the parts, elements or steps described. Various modifications can be made in the construction, material, arrangement, and operation, and still be within the scope of my invention. 
     The restrictive description and drawings of the specific examples above do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are to point out the advantages and the progressive contribution to the physical therapy arts and to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims.