Abstract:
The invention provides an apparatus comprising (a) a main body having at least one limb exercising mechanism; (b) a base for supporting an object; (c) at least one connector secured to the main body and the base, the connector being extendable to vary the distance between the main body and the base; and (d) a control panel for directing the action of the connector such that the control panel can be used to direct extension of the connector and thereby the positioning of the exercising mechanism relative to the base.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 06/997,107, filed Sep. 29, 2007, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in the entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to methods and apparatus for coupling and adjusting a wheelchair to an exercise device, providing the person in the wheelchair with the opportunity to exercise in safe and comfortable conditions. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Various types of devices tailored to physical health and exercise exist in the consumer market. Some examples of these exercise devices include stationary bicycles, weight lifting devices, and rowing machines. These devices or machines are typically designed for and used by individuals who are not mobility impaired. 
         [0006]    Individuals with a severe injury or disability will also likely have difficulty utilizing such devices properly, especially if they are confined to a wheelchair. Elderly or handicapped persons confined to wheelchairs are at an extreme disadvantage in the areas of mobility, maneuverability, and sometimes dexterity. Attempted use of exercise devices by persons in wheelchairs can be problematic, if not dangerous, due to instability and movement of the wheelchair relative to the exercise device. Although wheelchairs typically have wheel brake systems, these wheel brakes systems are not designed to handle a significant load. Moreover, the brakes ultimately rely on frictional forces between the wheels and the floor. Thus, the brakes are incapable of eliminating movement of the wheelchair relative to the exercise device. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,358, to Catanescu, et al., issued Nov. 18, 2003, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Coupling a Wheelchair to an Exercise Device”, discloses a device and method for coupling a wheelchair to an exercise device. The invention provides for receiving the first wheel of a wheelchair into a first wheel stop to limit forward mobility relative to the exercise device. A pin is inserted through the wheel stop and behind the inner periphery of the wheel to limit backward motion of the wheelchair and thereby securing the wheelchair. The leg of the exercise device can be longitudinally adjusted to change the distance between the exercise device and the user. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,470, issued to Catanescu, et al., on Aug. 19, 2003, is to a “Method and Apparatus for Coupling a Wheelchair to an Exercise Apparatus”. The patent teaches an exercise method using a wheelchair-bicycle assembly. The wheelchair-bicycle assembly is generally comprised of a wheelchair that is positioned and blocked in front of a bicycle-type assembly using the wheelchairs brakes. The bicycle type assembly includes a main frame with two bars, support elements, a pedal mechanism and means for providing power drive to a bicycle wheel, and a device to monitor a user&#39;s exerted effort and virtual distance. 
         [0009]    In an environment with more than one person using the same exercise device, the wheelchair exercise device assembly should allow for quick and comfortable coupling and distance adjustment relative to each person. In the absence of a means to adjust the distance between the person exercising and the exercise device itself, there can only be one fixed distance between each person and the exercise device. The fixed distance between the user and the exercise device may be suitable for some, but may not be suitable for others. 
         [0010]    Thus, the art fails to provide an exercise device for persons of limited mobility, where the distance to the exercise element can be readily and simply adjusted by the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The exercise method and wheelchair exercise device assembly generally allows elderly and individuals with severe injuries or disabilities, who are bound to the wheelchair to exercise their legs in order to improve their health, to prevent muscle atrophy as well as to recover from injuries. 
         [0012]    In view of limitations of known systems and methods, methods and apparatus for coupling a wheelchair to an exercise device or apparatus are described. 
         [0013]    The invention provides an apparatus comprising (a) a main body having at least one limb exercising mechanism; (b) a base for supporting an object; (c) at least one connector secured to the main body and the base, the connector being extendable to vary the distance between the main body and the base; and (d) a control panel for directing the action of the connector such that the control panel can be used to direct extension of the connector and thereby the positioning of the exercising mechanism relative to the base. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the control panel is electric and is elevated relative to the main body. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the base is substantially flat and consists of a plate. 
         [0016]    The invention provides for an object, such as a wheelchair. 
         [0017]    The invention further comprises a stop attached to the base. The stop is a wheel stop for engaging the smaller anterior wheel of a conventional wheelchair, which comprises a grooved portion for receiving the anterior wheel of the wheelchair. 
         [0018]    The apparatus of claim  8  further comprising a plurality of wheel stops. 
         [0019]    The apparatus of claim  10  wherein said plurality of wheel stops receive each of the two anterior wheels of the wheelchair, each associated with a corresponding wheel stop. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a locking arm for securing the stop to a structural member of the wheelchair, such as a large posterior wheel of the wheelchair. The locking arm thereby limits movement of the wheelchair relative to the base. 
         [0021]    In another preferred embodiment, the limb exercising mechanism is a pedal-type exercise apparatus similar to a bicycle assembly. 
         [0022]    In one preferred aspect, the connector comprises a telescoping element. 
         [0023]    The invention also provides a method of coupling a wheelchair to an exercise apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: a) positioning a wheel of a wheelchair against a wheel stop of an exercise apparatus; and b) securing a locking arm between at least one of the large wheels of the wheelchair and said wheel stop, to prevent movement of the wheelchair relative to the exercise device. 
         [0024]    These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and methods according to this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    A more complete understanding of the present invention and the attendant features and advantages thereof may be had by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  displays one embodiment of an apparatus for coupling a wheelchair to an exercise device as well as the length adjustment system between the wheelchair and the exercise device. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of a clamp which is coupling the rear wheel of the wheelchair with the wheel stop, the front wheel of the wheelchair cycle being already engaged into the wheel stop. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a detailed depiction of one embodiment of a the control mechanism for adjusting the distance between the exercise device and the wheelchair. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a detailed depiction of one embodiment of a clamp for use in coupling the wheelchair to the exercise device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a detailed depiction of a second embodiment of the clamp used for coupling the wheelchair to the exercise device, where the clamp is secured to a stop. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Looking to the Figures, an example of the present invention is shown where the wheelchair  100  is coupled to an exercise device  110 , as can be seen best in reference to  FIG. 1 . The wheelchair is a readily available type having at least two anterior wheels  120  and two posterior wheels  130 . The exercise device is outfitted with wheel stops  140  designed to engage the wheels of the wheelchair. 
         [0032]    In order to start coupling wheelchair to an exercise device the wheelchair user or assistant needs to position or move the wheelchair towards the exercise device until the anterior wheels  120  are received by the wheel stops  120 . A locking element, or locking arm, is employed to secure the wheel chair relative to a base  160 . 
         [0033]    In reference to  FIG. 4 , the locking arm is depicted in the illustrated embodiment in the form of a clamp  150  which is shown as readily available type having a clamp handle  151  which allows a comfortable handling of the clamp  150 . Clamp  150  also has an advanced handle  152  portion and a clamp release trigger  153 . An example of a bar clamp that is suitable for use with the invention is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,134, the disclosure of which is incorporated herewith in its entirety. 
         [0034]    The clamp mobile arm  154  is applied on the inside of the wheelchair posterior wheel  130 . The clamp fixed arm  157  installed on the clamp fixed arm support  156  is applied on the wheel stop  140 . 
         [0035]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the clamp  150  can be handled by the wheelchair user or by an assistant for coupling the wheelchair  100  to the exercise device  110 . The clamp  150  is extended to slightly exceed the distance between the wheel stop and a certain part of the wheelchair, preferably the posterior wheel  130 . Once the clamp  150  is tightened, forward and backward movement of the wheelchair  100  relative to the base  160  of the exercise device  110  becomes limited. This stabilization provides the user with the opportunity to safely utilize the exercise device  110  while in the wheelchair. To add further stability, a second clamp  150  may be employed at the other side posterior wheel in the same way. 
         [0036]    More particularly, and in reference now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the illustrated embodiment the clamp  150  is extended between the wheel stop  140  and the interior side of the wheelchair posterior wheel  130 . The clamp can be used to connect the wheel stop  140  with any other part or component of the wheelchair  100 . The user holds the handle  151  in one hand and repeatedly actuate the clamp advance handle  152  which makes the inside mechanism of clamp  150  and clamp mobile arm  155  to advance along the clamp bar  155 . The advance of the clamp mobile arm  154  will gradually diminish the distance between the clamp mobile arm  154  and the clamp fixed arm  157  which is rigidly connected to the clamp fixed arm support  156  until the wheelchair anterior wheel  120  will be strongly pressed against the wheel stop  140  which is a signal that coupling is done. 
         [0037]    To disengage the wheelchair by the exercise device the wheelchair user has to press the clamp release trigger  153  and retract the wheelchair anterior wheel  120  from the wheel stop  140 . The clamp  150  may also include locking features to prevent the clamp falling out unintentionally during exercise. 
         [0038]    In reference to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen how the adjustment of the distance between the exercise device  110  and the wheelchair  100  can be accomplished using the drive system  170 , in this case utilizing a motor controlling a telescoping arm, or tube  171 , to adjust the distance from plate  160  to exercise device  110 . Inside of the drive system  175  there is an electric motor and some mechanical devices to convert the rotative motion of the electric motor into a linear motion of the pusher  157  protected by the extension tube  171 . 
         [0039]    The drive system is placed in the middle of the frame, connected by the exercise device frame  180  with the electric motor side and by a base metallic plate  160 , with the terminal end of the pusher  172 . The extension tube  171  is parallel with the U shape exercise device frame  180 . The metallic platform  160  is made of aluminum which is designed to have a non-slippery surface. 
         [0040]    The drive system  170  is connected to the  120  volt AC plug through a power supply  174  and a cable  173 . The control cable  174  connects the drive system  175  with the control switch  176  for control of the forward or reverse directions. 
         [0041]    A control panel  190  is shown as being elevated from the drive system  170 . This control panel  190  may include various controls for activating or controlling various elements of the operation of the device, and may optionally include the control switch  176  and other readouts or controls for the drive system  170 . Control panel  190  may also include readouts for the user of the system, such as time, rotations, resistance, calories burned, etc., as conventionally supplied for exercise devices. As shown in  FIG. 1 , this control panel  190  is elevated to make it readily accessible to the user in the wheelchair  100 . 
         [0042]    The stop wheels  140  are rigidly installed on the metallic plate  160 . In one embodiment the tube  141  which can slide inside the end of the exercise device  180  is part of the wheel stop  140 . 
         [0043]    In the illustration in  FIG. 1 , at least four small wheels  200  are depicted as installed on the exercise device frame  180  for the purpose to reduce the friction between the floor and the exercise device frame  180 . 
         [0044]    To adjust the distance between the wheelchair base  160  and the exercise device  110  the user can actuate the control switch  176  for forward or reverse direction which will make the pusher  172  to start moving in the selected direction. For forward direction, the pusher  172  will push the exercise device  110  away from the metallic plate  160  and for the reverse direction the exercise device  110  will be retracted toward the metallic plate  160  within the movement limits of the pusher  172 . The exercise device is moving because the small wheels  200  are supporting the exercise device frame and because the metallic plate  160  is pinned down due to the weight of the wheelchair  100  and the weight of the wheelchair user. During the length adjustment the tube  141  is sliding inside the end of the exercise device frame  180 . 
         [0045]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.