Abstract:
A pedal powered exerciser including a pair of independent reciprocating push pedal drives. A pedal at each drive operates a chain trained between an idler axle and an independent live half axle. Inertial movement is sustained with a flywheel and overrunning clutch assembly at each live axle. Kinetic resistance at each live half axle can be selectively varied with a magnetic tension control assembly. A tubular framework supports the pedal slides, chains, flywheels, and magnetic tensioners. A pneumatic piston is hinged to self-adjust the angular orientation between main and base frames. A telescoping clamp assembly includes upper and lower jaws that are adapted to mount to a recliner footrest. The clamp assembly is longitudinally adjustable and detachable from a receiver to permit transport.

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/372,260, filed Aug. 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,363. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to exercise equipment and, in particular, to a portable, pedal-powered, therapeutic exercise assembly that mounts to a conventional chair (e.g. a recliner) and includes independent reciprocating flywheel drives with magnetic tension controls. 
     Numerous types of pedal powered exercisers (i.e. exercise bikes) have been developed to exercise a user&#39;s cardiovascular system and maintain muscle tone. The bikes are typically found in workout rooms and gymnasiums. The bikes are stationary, yet exercise the legs and cardiovascular system in much the same fashion as riding a bicycle outdoors or running on a treadmill. The bikes include an integral seat and a pair of pedals that are coupled to a controlled resistance assembly. Typically, an adjustable brake pad assembly selectively cooperates with pedal motion to vary the degree of energy necessary to induce pedal movement. 
     Stationary, indoor exercise or trainer assemblies have also been developed for use with conventional bicycles. A controlled resistance assembly supports the rear tire of the bicycle and maintains contact to resist tire rotation. The user operates the bike in normal fashion and shifts the gears as desired. The user is thereby able to ride a bicycle in-place while experiencing similar pedaling resistances as offered by a changing landscape. 
     Other therapeutic, pedal powered exercisers have also been developed for use by debilitated users as part of physical therapy programs. These exercisers are used at home and/or in institutional settings. Some of these exercisers mount to a bed, chair, table or other user support. The assemblies allow the user, while seated, lying or standing, to operate the drive mechanism and physically exercise the legs and/or arms. A door-mounted exerciser is shown at U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,130. A bed-mounted exerciser is shown at U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,591. Numerous chair-mounted exercisers are shown at U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,968,963; 4,262,902; 4,739,984; 5,108,092; and 5,647,882. The latter exercisers include a pair of pedals that cooperate with an adjustable, direct resistance drive at a connecting axle. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,824,132; 5,299,995; and 5,472,396 disclose assemblies having pedals that operate a single chain, belt or cable drive that cooperates with an interconnected resistance device. 
     The present therapeutic exercise assembly was developed to accommodate users with limited physical strength. For example, the elderly, dialysis patients or any other semi-ambulatory individuals who tire and become winded very easily. The exerciser provides a pair of independent reciprocating drives that operate along slide tracks at a folding, multi-section, adjustable framework. The framework is portable and adjusts vertically and laterally to fit a stationary chair and accommodate a user&#39;s seated posture and leg extension. Independent magnetic tension control assemblies are provided at the drives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide a pedal powered exerciser that mounts to a chair. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an exerciser having an adjustable chair clamp and an interconnecting framework that facilitates mounting to a recliner footrest. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an exerciser having a pair of independent, reciprocating push pedals. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a kinetic resistance to pedal motion via integrated flywheels and over-running clutches. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an adjustable magnetic tension or resistance to pedal motion at each pedal drive. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide controls for monitoring exercise activity. 
     Various of the foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are obtained in one presently preferred exercise assembly that includes a pair of reciprocating push pedal drives. Each drive includes a pedal that extends from a slide plate that is secured to a slide rail with a number of rollers. The slide plate is coupled to a chain that is trained between sprockets mounted to an idler axle and an independent live half axle. Pushing motion against one pedal induces a raising of the other. Inertial movement is sustained with a flywheel and overrunning clutch assembly at each live axle. Kinetic resistance at each live axle is selectively varied with a magnetic tension control assembly that mounts to the live axle. 
     A tubular framework includes an elongated main frame that supports the pedals slides, chains, flywheels, and magnetic tensioners etc. of the drive assemblies. A chair clamp includes upper and lower jaws that extend from a tubular receiver and are adapted to mount to the footrest of a conventional recliner. The clamp assembly is longitudinally adjustable relative to the main frame at a telescoping slide adjuster. A pivoting spike coupler depends from the slide adjuster and is secured with a quick release to the tubular receiver. 
     A base frame includes support feet that stabilize the assembly. Rollers are fitted to the feet to facilitate transport. A pneumatic piston is hinged to self-adjust the angular orientation between the main and base frames as the main frame pedal drive assemblies are secured to a support chair. The base frame follows elevation adjustments by sliding toward or away from the chair. Elevation changes are accommodated with the relative extension and contraction of the piston as the slide adjuster and chair clamps are adjusted. Separate locking releases maintain the extension of the slide adjuster and position of the chair clamps. 
    
    
     Still other objects, advantages, distinctions and constructions of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Similar components and assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similar alphanumeric reference characters. The description should not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the invention should be interpreted within the broad scope of the further appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the exerciser showing the main frame elevated relative to the base frame and exposing the left pedal slide with the detachable chair clamps shown in exploded assembly. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing showing a front view of the exerciser and exposing the reciprocating pedal slide rails, chain drives, magnetic tension assemblies and flywheels. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing shown in exploded assembly to the chair clamps, longitudinal slide adjuster and spike coupler. 
     FIG. 4 is a partially disassembled view of the exerciser lowered to a rest or transport position and exposing the longitudinal slide adjuster and spike coupler. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view shown in exploded assembly to the live half axles, overrurning-clutches and the controlled magnetic kinetic and inertial resistance assemblies. 
    
    
     Similar structure throughout the drawings is referred to with the same alphanumeric reference numerals and/or characters. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective views are shown to the portable, therapeutic exerciser  2  of the invention. The exerciser  2  provides a pair of independent, reciprocating, push-pedal drive assemblies  4  and  5  that are supported from a longitudinal main frame  6 . The pedals  7  of the drive assemblies  4  and  5  are independently operable. Inertial and kinetic controls are provided to selectively and independently control pedal resistance at each leg relative to the physical abilities of the user. 
     The main frame  6  pivots at a base frame  8 . The base frame  8  is normally supported on the floor and the main frame  6  is secured to a chair (not shown) at a clamp coupler assembly  10 . The clamp coupler  10  includes an upper clamp arm  12  that is vertically adjustable along a post  14  relative to a stationary, lower clamp arm  16 . The separation between the arms  12  and  16  is established in relation to bent tangs  18  and  20  at the ends of the arms  12  and  16 . The tangs  18  and  20  typically mount behind a footrest platform of a recliner or the rungs or other convenient structure of a chair. A cam-acting latch  22  attached to the clamp arm  12  establishes a selected separation between the arms  12  and  16 . An exploded assembly drawing to the clamp coupler  10  is shown at FIG.  3 . 
     The configuration, number and/or positioning of the tangs  18  and  20  can be varied as necessary to fit one or more desired support chairs. The post  14  can be constructed as a multi-section, telescoping assembly in lieu of or in combination with the adjustable arms  12  and  16 . Pin retainers or other conventional fasteners can be used to establish the extension of the post  14  and/or mounting location of the clamp arms  12  and/or  16  relative to holes provided in the post  14 . In normal practice, the clamp assembly  10  is first secured to a chair and the main frame  6  and drive assemblies  4  and  5  are then secured to the post  14 . 
     With additional attention to FIG. 3, the drive assembly  4  is particularly secured to the post  14  at a slide coupler assembly  24 . A spike  26  of the slide coupler assembly  24  mates with the post  14 . The spike  26  is mounted to a nosepiece  28  that depends from a sleeve  29 . The sleeve  29  is slide mounted at a collar  31  to a lower, horizontal frame section  27  of the main frame  6 . A pivot pin  30  retains the spike  26  to the nosepiece  28  and a removable latch pin  32  mates to a latch hole  33  at the spike  26  and hole  35  at the post  14 . The pivot pin  30  allows the upper end of the main frame  6  to pivot as the spike  26  is secured to the clamp assembly  10 , which was previously fitted to a support chair. 
     With additional attention to FIG. 4, as the handle end of the main frame  6  is elevated to accommodate the attachment to the clamp coupler assembly  10  and chair, the roller end of the main frame  6  pivots at the base frame  8 . A piston  34  of a pneumatic hinge or gas spring  36  self-extends or retracts, as necessary, to establish a desired angular orientation. 
     The longitudinal displacement of the main frame  6  and drive assemblies  4  and  5  from the chair is set to accommodate the seating posture of the user and the leg extension necessary to operate the pedals. The displacement of the main frame  6  is established at the slide coupler  24  to provide a comfortable extension for normal leg motion of the user relative to the pair of push pedals  7 . 
     Proper longitudinal separation of the main frame  6  is fixed by manipulating the collar  31  and sleeve  29  along the frame section  27 . A selected position is fixed by setting a spring biased latch pin  37  that depends from the sleeve  29 . When a preferred extension is determined, the pin  37  is fitted to an aligned hole in the frame section  27 . 
     The stability of the exerciser  2  is maintained via a frictional engagement of the base frame  8  with the floor. The base frame  8  includes fore and aft, lateral cross members  38  and  39  that extend from a longitudinal member  40 . Cleats  41  at the forward cross member  38  and end caps  42  at the rear cross member  39  provide a non-slip contact with the floor. The forward cleats  41  rotate with the cross member  38  to engage the floor as the main frame is elevated. The cleats  41  and caps  42  act as support pads and can be formed from a variety of materials, e.g. rubber, elastomer, nylon or other materials to enhance the gripping of the support surface. The cleats  41  and caps  42  can include knurling or other grip enhancing surface detailing. Pivot pins  43  secure the longitudinal member  40  to linkage arms  44  that depend from the main frame  6  and to the pneumatic hinge  36 . 
     Transport of the exerciser  2  is facilitated with wheels  45  that are mounted to the ends of the cross member  38 . The wheels  45  allow the assembly  2  to roll when drawn or pushed by a handle  46 . The handle  46  extends from a forward end of the main frame  6 . Between exercise sessions, the exerciser  2  can be detached from the chair at the spike  26  and stored. The clamp coupler  10  can be detached or not as desired. When released from the chair, the pneumatic hinge  36  draws the base frame  8  against the main frame  6  in the fashion of FIG.  4 . When stored, the exerciser  2  is supported on a front handrail or bumper  47  and the cross member  38 . 
     Turning attention to FIG.  5  and referring also to FIG. 2, the drive assembly  4  is secured at one end to one of the live half axles  50  and at an opposite end to a common idler axle  52 . The idler axle  52  is supported in a tubular axle housing  54  that projects from an upper frame section  56  of the main frame  6  and includes necessary support bearings and bushings. The axle housing  54  extends from the frame member  56  between a pair of pedal slide rails  58  and  60 . Several spacers  62  are mounted along the length and between the slide rails  58  and  60 . A pair of idler sprockets  66  are mounted to the idler axle  52  adjacent each of the slide rails  58  and  60 . 
     Each live axle  50  is supported from an arm that extends from the frame member  56  and an end of the handrail  47 . The drive axles  50  separately support respective drive sprockets  68  and  70 . The sprockets  68  and  70  are supported on over-running clutch assemblies  72  that mount over the respective drive axles  50 . Drive chains  74  and  76  extend between the pairs of sprockets  68 , 52  and  70 , 52 . The right and left pedals  7  are coupled to the drive chains  74  and  76  at linkage arms  78  that extend from pedal slide plates  80  and  82  and through longitudinal slots  84  and  86  at the slide rails  58  and  60 . The pedals  7  are secured to the slide plates  80  and  82  at pivot axles  88 . Rollers  90  mounted to the comers of the slide plates  80  and  82  constrain the slide plates  80  and  82  to the rails  58  and  60 . A user&#39;s foot, in turn, is supported to the pedals  7  at heel cups  92  and with length adjustable support straps  94 . 
     Imparting a pushing movement on either pedal  7  induces movement of the associated chain  74  or  76 . The movement is transferred to the adjoining chain via the idler axle  52 . As one pedal  7  is pushed forward (i.e. down-stroke pedal), the opposite pedal  7  (i.e. up-stroke pedal) is raised. A user can interrupt pedaling at any time without the chains  74  and  76  continuing to drive the opposite pedal  7  due to the over-running clutches  72  at the opposite drive linkages  4  or  5 . The user can also initiate downward motion at the rising pedal as desired without waiting until the rising pedal  7  is fully elevated. The pedal stroke length is thus infinitely variable as determined by the user. 
     Resistance to pedal movement is determined by mounting large mass, flywheels  96  and/or magnetic tension assemblies  98  to the drive axles  50 . A combination flywheel  96  and magnetic tension assembly  98  are provided at each of the drive axles  50  of the preferred exerciser. Flywheels  96  can be used alone, where a constant inertial resistance is desired. 
     The mass of the flywheel  96  establishes an inertial resistance that must be overcome to induce movement of the drive assemblies  4  and  5 . Once movement is established, the down-stroke flywheel  96  provides a relatively constant resistance counteracting the pushing action at the down-stroke pedal  48 . Upon discontinuing pushing, either during or at the end of a stroke, the down-stroke flywheel  96  rotates freely on its associated over-running clutch  72 . The up-stroke flywheel  96 , although possibly turning from a prior cycle, during the down-stroke of the opposite drive does not effect pedal resistance at either pedal  7 . With the completion of a pedal stroke and transfer of pedal motion to the opposite leg and adjoining pedal  7 , the up-stroke flywheel  96  of the previous cycle is engaged by its clutch  72  and then determines pedal resistance. 
     Although in normal circumstances, the flywheels  96  at the drive axles  50  can exhibit the same mass and resistance, flywheels of different weights can be used at the axles  50 . Such a circumstance can arise when accommodating users who suffer a variety of debilitating conditions, for example, stroke patients with limited function on one side versus the other or with amputee users. 
     The ability to vary the stroke tension or resistance at each flywheel  96  is accommodated with the magnetic tension assemblies  98 . The magnetic assemblies  98  permit an independent adjustment of the resistance to movement at each of the drive chains  74  and  76 . The assemblies  98  are commercially available from various sources (e.g. Minoura Corp.) and provide a selective magnetic coupling. A magnetic linkage particularly couples the large mass, outer housing or flywheel  96  to a bearing  100  supported inner disk  102  that is secured to the axle  50 . Separate control dials  104  and control cable linkages  106  vary the alignment of pole pieces at the assemblies  98  to increase or decrease the coupling between the disks  102  and housings  96  and thereby the resistance to motion. The magnetic tension assemblies  98  provide a range of resistance for the present exerciser  2  similar to that experienced with the operation of a conventional 10-speed bicycle. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a number of preferred constructions and considered improvements or alternatives thereto, still other constructions may be suggested to those skilled in the art. It is to be appreciated that selected ones of the foregoing features can be used singularly or be arranged in different combinations. The foregoing description should therefore be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.