Abstract:
The invention comprises a raised platform having a vibrator pad embedded therein. The platform has a ramp at its forward end and a raised platform portion extending forwardly from the forward end of the ramp. The vibrator pad is embedded in the raised platform portion. A vertically adjustable handrail is provided at the opposite sides of the platform. A plurality of patient restraint members are provided to enable a person to stand upright on the vibrator pad.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a bone density vibrator pad which is embedded in a platform which is designed to support a wheelchair thereon rearwardly of the vibrator pad. More particularly, the platform of this invention has patient restraints provided thereon to support a wheelchair patient in a standing position on the vibrator pad to increase the bone density of a patient. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Many medical personnel believe that a person may increase his/her bone density if the person is subjected to vibration. It is believed to be especially important for a paraplegic person to increase his/her bone density to strengthen the person&#39;s legs, arms, etc. to enable the person to stand or to prevent injury to the person&#39;s legs, arms, back, etc. However, to the best of Applicants&#39; knowledge, no one working in the art has provided a platform having a bone density vibrator pad embedded therein which is accessible for a person in a wheelchair. Further, Applicants&#39; believe that no one working in the art has provided a means for enabling such a paraplegic patient to stand upright on the vibrator pad once the wheelchair has been positioned on the platform adjacent the vibrator pad. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     An apparatus is primarily provided for increasing the bone density of a patient. The apparatus of this invention is primarily designed to increase the bone density of the patient but is believed to increase blood flow and muscle mass. The invention also provides exercise for the patient and improves the digestive system of the patient. The apparatus includes a raised platform having a rearward end, a forward end, a first side and a second side. The platform includes an inclined ramp portion at the rearward end thereof with the ramp portion having a rearward lower end and a forward upper end. The platform also includes a horizontally disposed platform portion, having rearward and forward ends, which extends horizontally forwardly from the forward upper end of the ramp portion. 
     A vibrator pad is embedded in the horizontally disposed platform portion adjacent the forward end of the horizontally disposed platform portion. The platform also includes an upstanding first support tube having upper and lower ends with the lower end of the first support tube being secured to the platform at the first side thereof at the first end of the horizontally disposed platform portion. The apparatus also includes an upstanding second support tube having upper and lower ends with the lower end of the second support tube being secured to the platform at the second side thereof adjacent the rearward end of the horizontally disposed platform portion. The apparatus further includes an upstanding third support tube having upper and lower ends with the lower end of the third support tube being secured to the first side of the platform at the forward end of the horizontally disposed platform portion. The apparatus also includes an upstanding fourth support tube having upper and lower ends with the lower end of the fourth support tube being secured to the second side of the platform adjacent the forward side of the horizontally disposed platform portion. 
     A first safety arm is pivotally secured to the first support tube below the upper end thereof with the first safety arm being selectively pivotally movable between open and closed positions. The first safety arm, when in the closed position, extends inwardly towards the second side of the platform. A second safety arm is pivotally secured to the second support tube below the upper end thereof with the second safety arm being selectively pivotally movable between open and closed positions. The second safety arm, when in the closed position, extends towards the first side of the platform. 
     The platform also includes a first hand rail support having upper and lower ends with the lower end of the first hand rail support being selectively vertically adjustably received by the upper end of the first support tube. A second hand rail support is also provided which has upper and lower ends, with the lower end of the second hand rail support being selectively vertically adjustably received by the upper end of the second support tube. A third hand rail support having upper and lower ends is provided with the lower end of the third hand rail support being selectively vertically adjustably received by the upper end of the third support tube. A fourth hand rail support is also provided which has upper and lower ends with the lower end of the fourth hand support being selectively vertically adjustably received by the upper end of the fourth support tube. An elongated first rail, having rearward and forward ends, is secured to the upper ends of the first and second support tubes. An elongated second hand rail, which has rearward and forward ends, is secured to the upper ends of the third and fourth hand rail supports. 
     An elongated and horizontally disposed first slide bar having rearward and forward ends has its rearward end secured to the first hand rail support. The first slide bar is secured to the third hand rail support so that the forward end of the first slide bar extends beyond the third hand rail support. An elongated and horizontally disposed second slide bar having rearward and forward ends has its rearward end secured to the second hand rail support. The second slide bar is secured to the fourth hand rail support below the second hand rail so that the forward end of the second slide bar extends forwardly beyond the fourth hand rail support. 
     A first slide member is selectively longitudinally adjustably slidably mounted on the first side bar and a second slide member is selectively longitudinally adjustably slidably mounted on the forward end of the first slide bar. 
     A third slide member is selectively longitudinally adjustably slidably mounted on the second slide bar at the forward end thereof. A fourth slide member is selectively longitudinally adjustably slidably mounted on the second slide bar at the forward end thereof. A first patient restraint member is selectively removably secured to the first and second slide members and extends therebetween. 
     An upstanding fifth support tube having upper and lower ends has its lower end secured to the second slide member for longitudinal movement therewith. An upstanding sixth support tube, having upper and lower ends, has its lower end secured to the fourth slide member. A second patient restraint member is selectively removably secured to the second and fourth slide members and extends therebetween. 
     A third patient restraint member is secured to the third and fourth hand rail supports and extends therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the first and third hand rail supports are selectively vertically adjustably mounted on the first and third support tubes. In the preferred embodiment, the second and fourth hand rail supports are selectively vertically adjustably mounted on the second and fourth support tubes. In the preferred embodiment, the second patient restrain member is selectively vertically adjustably mounted on the fifth and sixth support tubes. In the preferred embodiment, the third patient restraint member is selectively vertically adjustable. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a wheelchair accessible platform having a vibrating pad embedded in the upper surface thereof. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which prevents a wheelchair from rolling off the platform. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which enables a wheelchair patient to be supported in an upright position on a vibrating pad on a platform. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which enables a wheelchair patient to move upwardly onto a platform having a vibrating pad embedded thereon. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and aesthetic in appearance. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the forward end of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side view of the instant invention; 
         FIGS. 8-12  are sequential side views illustrating the manner in which a patient in a wheel chair uses the instant invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The numeral  10  refers to the apparatus of this invention for primarily increasing the bone density of a patient. Apparatus  10  includes a raised platform  12  which is generally rectangular in shape and which has a forward end  14 , a rearward end  16 , a first side  18  and a second side  20 . Platform  12  includes an inclined ramp  22  at its rearward end which terminates in a horizontally disposed and raised platform portion  24 . 
     A first vertically disposed support tube  26  has its lower end secured to side  18  of platform  12  forwardly of the upper end of ramp  22 . The upper end of support tube  26  has a pin opening  28  extending therethrough which is adapted to receive a retaining pin  30  therein. A horizontally disposed tube  32  has its forward end secured to support tube  26 , by welding, below the upper end of support tube  26 . The numeral  34  refers to a first gate arm which has its one end pivotally received by the rearward end of tube  32 . Gate arm  34  is selectively pivotally movable between an inwardly extending horizontally disposed position ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) and an upwardly extending vertical position ( FIG. 8 ). 
     A second vertically disposed support tube  36  has its lower end secured to side  20  of platform  12  forwardly of the upper end of ramp  22 . The upper end of support tube  36  has a pin opening  38  extending therethrough which is adapted to receive a retaining pin  40  therein. A horizontally disposed tube  42  has its forward end secured to support tube  36 , by welding, below the upper end of support tube  36 . The numeral  44  refers to a second gate arm which has its one end pivotally received by the rearward end of tube  42 . Gate arm  44  is selectively pivotally movable between an inwardly extending horizontally disposed position ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) and an upwardly extending vertical position. Means is provided for maintaining gate arms  34  and  44  in their horizontal and vertical positions. 
     A third vertically disposed support tube  46  has its lower end secured to side  18  of platform  12  rearwardly of the forward end  14  of platform  12 . The upper end of support tube  46  has a pin opening  48  formed therein which is adapted to receive a retaining pin  50  therein. A fourth vertically disposed support tube  52  has its lower end secured to side  20  of platform  12  rearwardly of the forward end  14  of platform  12 . Support tube  52  has pin opening  54  formed therein which is adapted to receive a retaining pin  56  therein. 
     The numeral  58  refers to a first hand rail support arm which includes a vertically disposed lower end portion  60  and an inclined upper end portion  62  which extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper end of lower end portion  60 . Lower end portion  60  is selectively vertically adjustably and slidably received in the upper end of support tube  26  and has a plurality of vertically spaced-apart pin openings  64  formed therein which are adapted to receive retain pin  30  therein. 
     The numeral  66  refers to a second hand rail support arm which includes a vertically disposed lower end portion  68  and an inclined upper end portion  70  which extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper end of lower end portion  68 . Lower end portion  68  is selectively vertically adjustably and slidably received in the upper end of support tube  36  and has a plurality of vertically spaced-apart pin openings  72  formed therein which are adapted to receive retaining pin  40  therein. 
     The numeral  74  refers to a third hand rail support arm which includes a vertically disposed lower end portion  76  and an inclined upper end portion  78  which extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper end of lower end portion  76 . Lower end portion  76  is selectively vertically adjustably and slidably received in the upper end of support tube  46  and has a plurality of vertically spaced-apart pin openings  80  formed therein which are adapted to receive retaining pin  50  therein. 
     The numeral  82  refers to a fourth hand rail support arm which includes a vertically disposed lower end portion  84  and an inclined upper end portion  86  which extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper end of lower end portion  84 . Lower end portion  84  is selectively vertically adjustably and slidably received in the upper end of support tube  52  and has a plurality of vertically spaced-apart pin openings  88  formed therein which are adapted to receive retaining pin  56  therein. 
     The numeral  90  refers to a first elongated first handrail having a forward end  92  and a rearward end  94 . The upper ends of upper end portions  62  and  78  of handrail supports  58  and  74  respectively are welded to handrail  90 . The numeral  96  refers to a second handrail having a forward end  98  and a rearward end  100 . The upper ends of upper end portions  70  and  86  of handrail supports  66  and  82  respectively are welded to handrail  96 . 
     An elongated and horizontally disposed slide bar  102  has its rearward end  104  welded to upper end portion  62  of handrail support  58  below the upper end of upper end portion  62 . Slide bar  102  is welded to upper end portion  78  of handrail support  74  and has its forward end  106  positioned forwardly of upper end portion  78 . Slide members  108  and  110  are selectively slidably adjustably mounted on slide bar  102  as seen in the drawings. 
     An elongated and horizontally disposed slide bar  112  has its rearward end  114  welded to upper end portion  70  of handrail support  66  below the upper end of upper end portion  70 . Slide bar  112  is welded to upper end portion  86  of handrail support  82  and has its forward end  116  positioned forwardly of upper end portion  86 . Slide members  118  and  120  are slidably adjustably mounted on slide bar  112 . 
     The numeral  122  refers to a first restraint member having a cylindrical portion  124  with shafts  126  and  128  extending outwardly from the ends of cylindrical portion  124 . Shaft  128  is pivotally secured to the upper end of support member  118 . Shaft  128  is selectively locked into the upper end of support member  108 . Restraint member  122  is selectively pivotally movable between vertical and horizontal positions. 
     The lower end of a vertically disposed support tube  130  is secured to slide member  110  and has a support tube  132  selectively vertically adjustably received therein as seen in the drawings. A lock block  134  is mounted on the upper end of support tube  132 . 
     The lower end of a vertically disposed support tube  136  is secured to slide member  120  and has a support tube  138  selectively vertically adjustably received therein as seen in the drawings. A block or saddle  140  is mounted on the upper end of support tube  138 . Shafts  142  and  144  extend outwardly from the ends of a cylindrical restraint member  146 . Shaft  144  is selectively pivotally secured to block  140 . Shaft  142  is selectively locked into lock block  134 . Restraint member  146  is selectively pivotally movable between a vertically disposed position and a horizontally disposed position. 
     A sleeve or collar  148  is selectively vertically adjustably mounted on lower end portion  76  of handrail support  74 . A retractably plunger or pin  150  locks sleeve  148  in various vertical positions on lower end portion  76 . A sleeve or collar  152  is similarly selectively vertically adjustably mounted on lower end portion  84  of handrail support  82 . The shafts  154  and  156  of a cylindrical restraint member  158  are welded to sleeves  148  and  152  respectively. 
     The numeral  160  refers to a vibrating pad which is embedded in platform portion  24  and which is connected to a suitable power source in a conventional manner. 
     The instant invention is used as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-12 . Initially, the gate arms  34  and  44  will be in their vertically disposed positions. The restraint member  122  will be in the vertically disposed position as seen in  FIG. 8 . At that same time, patient restraint member  146  will normally be in its vertically disposed position as also seen in  FIG. 8 , but the restraint member  146  could be in its horizontally disposed position. The first and second handrails will usually have been adjusted upwardly or downwardly in anticipation of the particular patient who uses the invention. Additionally, the restraint member  158  will have been vertically adjusted in anticipation of the forthcoming patient. 
     The patient rolls his/her wheelchair upwardly onto the ramp  22  and will pass through the vertically disposed gate arms  34  and  44  ( FIG. 8 ). When the wheelchair patient has moved onto the platform portion  24  ( FIG. 9 ), the patient or attendant will lower the gate arms  34  and  44  to prevent the wheelchair from moving rearwardly from the platform portion  24  ( FIG. 10 ). The patient or an attendant will then lower restraint member  146  to its horizontally disposed position. The patient will then stand up so that the patient&#39;s chest abuts against restraint member  158  ( FIG. 11 ) and so that the patient&#39;s legs abut against restraint member  158  ( FIG. 11 ). At that time, the patient or attendant will lower restraint member  132  to its horizontal position rearwardly of the patient ( FIG. 12 ). The patient or attendant will then energize the vibration pad  160  so that the patient will be subjected to vibration to increase the bone density of the patient&#39;s legs, etc. The apparatus of this invention is primarily designed to increase the bone density of the patient but is believed to increase blood flow and muscle mass. The invention also provides exercise for the patient and improves the digestive system of the patient. 
     When the patient&#39;s treatment has been concluded, the restraint member  122  is moved to its vertically disposed position to enable the patient to sit in his/her wheelchair. The gate arms  34  and  44  are then opened to permit the patient to roll rearwardly from the platform. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.