Abstract:
A recumbent apparatus for exercise and physical therapy providing a lower body workout, an upper body workout and cardiovascular conditioning, the apparatus comprising a frame having a forward end and a rearward end, the frame generally defining a longitudinal axis extending between the forward and rearward ends, a seat supported by the frame, a left leg assembly and a right leg assembly, the leg assemblies supported by the frame for pivoting movement about a pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, the leg assemblies positioned generally toward the forward end and each including an upwardly extending leg lever terminating in a pedal, a left arm assembly and a right arm assembly, the arm assemblies supported by the frame for pivoting movement also about the pivot axis, the arm assemblies positioned generally toward the forward end and each including an upwardly extending arm lever terminating in a handle, the left leg assembly being connected to the right arm assembly enabling movement therewith and defining a first connected assembly, the right leg assembly being connected to the left arm assembly enabling movement therewith and defining a second connected assembly, the connected assemblies coupled by at least one generally stiff mechanical linkage to a cam such that forward movement in one of the connected assemblies induces rearward movement in the other the connected assemblies, thereby enabling contralateral movement of the arm and leg assemblies.

Description:
This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/162,607, filed Sep. 29, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,518. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to equipment for physical therapy and/or general exercise. More particularly, this invention relates to a recumbent exercise machine which provides for the exercising and strengthening of major muscle groups in addition to cardiovascular conditioning. In so doing, the present invention includes lower body exercising coordinated with upper body exercising. 
     Elderly patients, patients undergoing physical therapy, and other patients in similar circumstances, whether at home, in the hospital or in another clinical setting, have special needs when it comes to physical therapy equipment. Often, the patients have limited mobility, age related illnesses, decreased ranges of appendage movement, disabilities, low endurance and need for therapy with respect to more than one particular movement or muscle group. All of these factors must be taken into consideration when designing or providing equipment for their use. 
     Those people who exercise for its many health benefits, and not specifically for rehabilitation purposes, typically desire equipment which is challenging, safe, fun, effective, convenient and which provides a benefit to a multiple number of muscle groups so that a total body workout is achieved in a relatively short period of time. When the equipment is for home use, other important considerations include durability and cost. 
     Numerous types and varieties of physical therapy and exercise equipment are available for both clinical and home use. Of the many types, two of the most popular include the stepping machines (hereinafter “steppers”) and the stationary bicycles. Each of these machines, however, has certain limitations concerning their ease of use, range of movement, safety, and the muscle groups worked. 
     Generally steppers include a pair of pedals which move up and down, thereby simulating the climbing of steps, in response to the weight and physical effort of the patient or exerciser (hereinafter “user”). The pedals are connected to a mechanism which applies a resistance or load. This resistance is often adjustable so that the stepper can accommodate users of various levels of physical conditioning and ability. 
     One limitation of steppers is that the user is typically required to stand during the exercise. Since the user is in an upright position, a significant amount of balance and coordination on the part of the user is required. Because of the decreased mobility and coordination, this may prevent a patient undergoing physical therapy from using the stepper. A related limitation of the stepper is that it requires continuous close supervision when being used by a person undergoing physical rehabilitation. Close supervision by a physical therapist or assistant is required to ensure that the patient does not collapse or otherwise lose balance and fall from the stepper, resulting in an injury. A further limitation of the stepper is its lack of exercise or conditioning of the upper body of the user. Finally, steppers may elevate the heart rate and the blood pressure too quickly for unconditioned and elderly patients, potentially causing harm. 
     One limitation of a stationary bicycle is that the seat is a typically narrow saddle seat positioned above a pair of rotatable pedals having a fixed range of motion. The rotation of the pedals is resisted by a brake or other resistance mechanism. The user is required to lean forward to hold onto a set of handles, which may be stationary or movable. In order to use a stationary bicycle, the user must be capable of climbing up onto the seat and must possess sufficient strength, balance, and coordination to maintain themselves on the narrow seat while pedaling over a fixed range of motion and manipulating the handles if they are of the moveable variety. Often the elderly, overweight or physical therapy patient cannot use a stationary bike because of the above requirements and further because they require constant supervision by the physical therapist to prevent possible injury to the patient upon collapse or loss of balance. 
     As can be seen from the above discussion, there is the need for an apparatus which allows the user to easily get on and off the apparatus with or without assistance. Furthermore, the apparatus should provide a high degree of stability and safety to the user so that the user can manipulate the machine without constant attention or supervision. Additionally, the apparatus should be adjustable to accommodate users of significantly different sizes and physical conditions while still being comfortable. 
     The application of resistance during the use of an exercise machine is also very important. Many exercise machines today have resistance systems which offer nonuniform or variable resistance. Chains and cables used by present exercise machines create this nonuniform resistance. The chains and cables, because of their flexible nature, do not provide solid linkages to a resistance apparatus and may have instantaneous transitions between little resistance and full resistance. The elderly or disabled prefer a smooth consistent resistance throughout their exercise movements. The variable or jerking motions that sometimes occur with resistance devices using chains and cables could potentially cause injury to an elderly or disabled person. 
     The use of constant resistance in present exercise machines such as steppers is also difficult because of the arcuate or curved nature of their exercise motions. The arcuate movement by its very nature varies the mechanical lever created by the exerciser and machine. This variation in lever position will vary the amount of force exerted upon a linkage and thus the resistance felt by the exerciser. 
     Magnetic resistance devices are known in the art to provide smooth maintenance free resistance for exercise machines. Magnetic resistance devices vary the resistance of an exercise machine through the interaction of a magnetic field from a magnet or array of magnets generating eddy currents in a material. The strength of the interaction is a function of the amount of magnetic flux interacting with the material, the greater the amount of magnetic flux interaction the stronger the magnetic force. This relationship can be used to vary the resistance on a spinning wheel of the kind used in exercise machines. Present magnetic resistance devices use arrays of magnets that rotate about a pivot point to vary the resistance in an exercise machine. These present magnetic resistance devices do not include predictable fixed linear positioning systems which allow proportional step adjustments in the resistance. 
     There is also a need to provide a safe and easy way to exit and dismount an exercise machine. Recumbent seat exercisers today are usually mounted by stepping over the seat and sitting down. This leads to a potentially dangerous situation if the user becomes unbalanced and falls. There is a need for an improved method of mounting an exercise machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The exerciser of the present invention utilizes a recumbent seat which is horizontally displaced from pedals and arm assemblies. The seat itself is a full bucket style seat, including a seat cushion in a seat back, positioned at a normal chair height. This provides a safe, stable, and familiar seating position for the user. When used during physical therapy, the patient can use the apparatus with only moderate supervision, thereby freeing the physical therapist to attend to other patients or duties. 
     The user of the present invention is also provided with a recumbent seat mounted on a slide and pivot. The slide allows the recumbent seat to be moved back and forth to adjust for different body dimensions. The recumbent seat is positioned on a pivot so that it may rotate and allow a user to sit in the seat while the seat is perpendicular to the length of the machine, and then rotate into position to use the exercise machine. Thus a user with low mobility is not required to climb up onto the apparatus or raise a leg over a high center portion of a frame. The present invention has an added safety feature to prevent the seat from sliding while pivoting. A mechanism will lock out and prevent the seat from moving back and forth while the user pivots in and out of the machine. 
     Once seated, the position of the chair relative to the pedals can be adjusted, as well as the length of the handles relative to the chair, for the size of the particular user. The relationship and geometry of the chair, the pedals, the handles, and the position of the pivot for the handles and pedals is such that the movement of the user&#39;s arms and legs will be maintained in a correct biomechanical relationship or form. The maintenance of proper form ensures efficient conditioning in addition to a comfortable exercising or therapy position. 
     During use of the exercise apparatus, the pedals and handles undergo their coordinated movement against a constant resistance force provided by one of the variety of known resistance mechanisms. The level of resistance provided by the resistance mechanism is smooth and constant because of solid mechanical linkages provided from the arm and leg assemblies to a cam, as opposed to chains or cables. The cam is linked to a resistance device and has been configured to maintain uniform resistance throughout the stroke or movement of the exercise machine. The solid linkages combined with the cam configuration provide a smooth constant resistance favored by aged or disabled users. 
     As can be seen from the above discussion, there is a need for an apparatus which allows the user to easily get on and off the exercise apparatus without assistance. Furthermore, the apparatus should provide a high degree of stability and safety to the user so that the user can manipulate the machine without constant attention or supervision. Additionally, the apparatus should be adjustable to accommodate users of significantly different sizes and physical conditions while still being comfortable. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the limitations of the known prior art. In so doing, a further object of this invention is to provide a recumbent apparatus which can be easily mounted and dismounted by a user having a limited amount of mobility, with or without the assistance of another person. 
     The present invention also has as one of its objects providing an apparatus which uses a stepping or oscillating arcuate motion to provide a lower body workout or therapy. A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which uses an oscillating arcuate motion to provide an upper body workout or therapy. Another object is to maintain a smooth constant resistance to the exercise motions to prevent any variable motion or jerking that might cause injury to a user. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which is familiar to use and which simulates the coordinated arm and leg movement used during walking or running. To this end, the present invention also has one of its objects to provide upper body exercise which is contralaterally coordinated with lower body exercise. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a physical therapy and exercise apparatus which is easy to use, has adjustable resistance levels, is durable and which is relatively inexpensive to produce. 
     In achieving the above objects, the present invention provides for a recumbent total body exercise apparatus. The apparatus includes pedals which undergo an oscillating or stepping motion. The pedals are contralaterally synchronized with handles that also undergo an oscillating motion, providing the user with a total body conditioning workout. 
     Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the arm and leg assemblies; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the drive transfer mechanism of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the resistant mechanism of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevations views with portions broken away from the apparatus; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the seat and seat adjustment mechanisms of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the control system of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, an apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  1  and generally designated at  10 . Generally the apparatus  10  is a physical therapy or exercise device which could be referred to as a total body, recumbent stepping machine. 
     The apparatus  10  is a total body exerciser since it strengthens or rehabilitates all of the major muscle groups while also providing for effective cardiovascular conditioning. The apparatus is recumbent since the patient or user is generally in a reclined position when it is being used. The apparatus  10  can be referred to as a stepper since it exercises the legs of the user through an oscillating or reciprocating movement of pedals  76  and  77  and through the offering of resistance to pushing of the pedals  76  and  77 . While pushing resistance exercises the legs and lower body of the user, the exercising of the upper body and arms is through pulling or pushing resistance offered through a pair of handles  66  and  67 . 
     Generally, the apparatus or exercise machine  10  of the present invention is comprised of a frame  12  which includes a front support  14  and a rear wheeled support  16 , and a casing or housing  26  that encloses the resistance assembly as further discussed below. Generally the components of the resistance assembly are supported on the central portion of the frame  12  and are enclosed within the housing  26  that prevents inadvertent contact with the user or user&#39;s clothing during the use of the machine  10 . 
     Preferably the frame  12  is made from steel in various stock forms such as plate stock, angle stock or tubular stock. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, the wheeled rear support  16  and front support  14  define an H-section with the central portion of the frame  12  and are made of tube stock. The front support  14  is spaced from the rear support  16  generally along a central axis  24  which bisects the rear support  16 . Rolling wheels  20  are provided on the ends of the rear support  16  for contact with the floor supporting the exercise machine  10 . The floor is generally designated as  22  in the Figures. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a seat  28 , having a seat cushion  30  and a seat back  32 , is adjustably mounted on the frame  12  for varied positioning along the central axis  24 . This is accomplished by an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism can be of the kind outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,356 entitled “Recumbent Total Body Exerciser” which issued to Hildebrandt et al. On Oct. 18, 1994 and is incorporated by reference herein. The seat  28  is generally of the full bucket variety and is padded for the comfort of the user. Located toward the rear of the frame  12 , the seat  28  is positioned so that the height of the seat cushion  30  approximates the height of a standard chair thereby inherently increasing the user&#39;s familiarity with the machine  10 . Also, the slope along the top of the housing  26  allows the height of the seat  28  to be lowered as it is adjusted forward for shorter users and raised as it adjusted rearward for taller users. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, laterally outboard of the seat cushion are mounted a pair of stationary grab bars  34  having padded grips  36  so that the user has an alternate position for his hands when upper body conditioning is not desired. A pair of arm rests  40  are also coupled to the seat  28  to aid in the dismounting and mounting of the seat  28 . 
     As described previously in the incorporated reference Hildebrandt et al., the seat  28  may be adjustably positioned along a central axis  24  for users of varying body dimensions. In a second embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1,  7 , and  8 , the lever arm  46  is pivotally mounted to the seat  28  and is moved in the direction of arrow  152  to release and lock the seat into a fixed linear position along arrow  158 . By lifting upwardly on the lever arm  46 , the lever arm  46  will pivot about pivot point  48  forcing pin  160  onto seat release bracket  162 . Seat release bracket  162  is coupled to a rectangular member  168  having holes throughout its length. As seat release bracket  162  is forced down in the direction of arrow  163  during the adjustment of the seat, rectangular member  168  will be pivoted upward about pivot  173  in the direction of arrow  165 . This upward pivoting action of rectangular member  168  will release rectangular member  168  from fixed pins  169  attached to frame  12 , which are normally coupled to holes in the rectangular member  168  to fix the position of the seat  28 . The release of rectangular member  168  from fixed pins  169  allows the seat  28  to slide back and forth for adjustment purposes in the direction of arrow  158 . While specific adjustment mechanisms have been specifically described in detail, it will be appreciated that numerous other types of adjustment mechanisms could be substituted for the mechanisms illustrated and discussed above. Alternate mechanisms are therefore deemed to be within the purview of this invention. 
     The seat  28  will also pivot to an outboard position to allow easy seating and unseating. The lever arm  47  is pivotally mounted to seat  28  and is moved in the direction of arrow  154  to release and lock the seat into a fixed position. By lifting upwardly on lever arm  47 , a pin  166  is disengaged from a plate  167  on seat channel  173 , enabling seat  28  to pivot about pivot point  164  in the direction of arrow  156 . The seat  28  is positioned on the pivot  164  so that it may rotate and allow a user to sit in the seat  28  while the seat  28  is perpendicular to the length of exercise machine  10  and then rotate into position to use the exercise machine  10 . The arm rests  40  provide an area for the user to steady himself as he mounts and dismounts the seat  28 . To prevent the user from inadvertently sliding the seat  28  in the direction of arrow  158  while the seat  28  is pivoted from the operating position, a built in safety feature is included the seat  28 . While pivoting the seat  28 , the pin  160  is pivoted away from seat release bracket  162 , making it impossible for seat release bracket  162  to pivot the rectangular member  168 . Since the rectangular member  168  cannot be moved during the pivoting of seat  28  about pivot point  164 , the rectangular member  168  will not release from fixed pins  169  and allow movement of the seat  28  along arrow  158 . This prevents the seat  28  from accidentally sliding while a user is pivoting or mounting the seat  28  in its outboard position. 
     As seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 , located forward of the seat  28  are a pair of arm assemblies  54  and  55  and a pair of leg assemblies  56  and  57 , all of which are configured to undergo oscillating or reciprocating movement about a pivot axis  32 . The arm assemblies  54  and  55  include lower levers  60  and  61  which extend forward and upward from the pivot axis  32  to elbows  74  and  75 . Thereafter, the arm assemblies  54  and  55  extend rearward and upward toward the seat  28  along upper extensions  64  and  65 . Handles  66  and  67  are slidably received in the upper extension  64  and  65  and are provided with keyway slots  53  so as to prevent their rotation relative to the upper extensions  64  and  65 . The handles  66  and  67  can be adjusted in length and for this reason locking levers  68  and  69  are provided on the upper extensions  64  and  65  to secure them at the desired length. The ends of the handles  66  and  67  are generally bent upward and inward relative to the remainder of the handles  66  and  67  and are provided with padded grips. 
     As seen in FIG. 1, the leg assemblies  56  and  57  similarly extend upward from the pivot axis  32  along levers  72  and  73 . The pedals  76  and  77  are preferably secured to the levers  72  and  73  and linkages  80  and  81  in a pivotable manner, but could alternatively be rigidly secured thereto. The levers  72  and  73  and linkages  80  and  81  create a four bar linkage which keeps the angle of the pedals  76  and  77 , with reference to the user, in a biomechanically correct position throughout the length of stroke. The linkages  80  and  81  pivot at pivot points  82  and  83  coupled to the pedals  76  and  77  and pivot at pivot point  85  coupled to the frame  12 . The pedals  76  and  77  are provided with heel cups  78  and  79  at their lower ends so that the foot of a user will not inadvertently slip off the deck portion of the pedals  76  and  77 . The geometry and orientation of the seat  28 , handles  66  and  67 , the pedals  76  and  77  and the pivot axis  32  are set relative to one another so that regardless of the size of the person using the machine  10 , once properly adjusted, the resulting movement and form during upper and lower body conditioning is biomechanically correct and efficient. This is particularly important in the physical therapy setting where proper form can result in quicker and safer recovery and rehabilitation. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the connection of the arm assemblies  54  and  55  and leg assemblies  56  and  57  is illustrated. Arm assembly  54  is rigidly coupled to leg assembly  57  and arm assembly  55  is rigidly coupled to leg assembly  56  for contralateral motion about pivot axis  32 . This rigid coupling will cause arm assembly  54  and leg assembly  57  and arm assembly  55  and leg assembly  56  to move together. The arm and leg assemblies are further coupled together to operate together. Arm assembly  54  and leg assembly  57  are coupled to circular brackets  87  and  88 , and arm assembly  55  and leg assembly  56  are coupled to circular brackets  89  and  90 . A rod  93  mounted to the frame  12  is inserted through brackets  87 ,  88 ,  89 , and  90  to couple the arm and leg assemblies together along pivot axis  32 . Plastic bushings  91  are inserted in brackets  87 ,  88 ,  89 , and  90  to provide lubrication with rod  93  during operation. 
     As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the movement of one set of arm and leg assemblies is tied to the movement of the other set of arm and leg assemblies so that movement of one induces a counter movement in the other. In other words, as one set of arm and leg assemblies moves forward the other set moves backward. To coordinate this movement arm assembly  54  and leg assembly  57  are coupled to member  140  and arm assembly  55  and leg assembly  56  are coupled to member  141 . Members  140  and  141  are then coupled to pivot points  170  and  171  which are further coupled to linkages  174  and  176  which transfer movement to a cam  182  via pivot points  178  and  179 . As the arm and leg assemblies move back and forth the cam  182  will move back and forth. The cam  182  has been designed to keep resistance constant throughout its range of movement, removing any jerking or progressive resistance for smoother operation. The shape of the cam  182  compensates for the change in the mechanical load placed on pivot points  178  and  179  by the movement of the linkages  174  and  176  to keep the resistance felt by the user constant. As the linkages  174  and  176  are moved by the user, the mechanical lever formed on pivot points  178  and  179  will lengthen and shorten, varying the amount of force or torque exerted by the user onto the pivot points  178  and  179 . The cam  182  will compensate for this change in torque by varying the torque it exerts on belts  184  and  186  which are coupled to a resistance device. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, belt  184  is coupled to generally the top portion of the cam  182  and belt  186  is coupled to generally the bottom portion of the cam  182  so that when the cam  182  rotates one of the belts  184  or  186  will have a pulling force exerted on it. The belts  184  and  186  are further linked to one way rotary clutches  188   a  and  188   b  which follow the motion of the belts  184  and  186 . The clutches  188   a  and  188   b  will exert resistance in only one direction and will ratchet back and forth with the belts  184  and  186 . To maintain tension on the belts  184  and  186 , springs  190  and  192  are coupled to the end of the belts  184  and  186  and fixed to the frame  12  of the apparatus  10 . The belts  184  and  186  may be a timing belt, a v-groove belt, or any other type of belt used to transfer force. 
     The clutches  188   a  and  188   b  will rotate and exert force in a counter clockwise motion and ratchet in a clockwise motion as the cam  182  is moved back and forth pulling belts  184  and  186 . The clutches  188   a  and  188   b  are coupled to a pulley  194 , having an increased diameter, which is rotated by the counterclockwise force exerted by the clutches  188   a  and  188   b.  The pulley  194  is coupled via a belt  196  to an Eddy Current Disk (hereinafter “ECD”)  198  which provides rotational resistance for the user. The belt  196  is similar to the previously mentioned belts  184  and  186 . A belt tensioner  199  tightens the belt via a spring  200  onto the pulley  194  and ECD  198  to prevent belt slippage. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the ECD  198  resistance is controlled by a magnet array or singular magnet  101  coupled to a variable mounting. The magnet array  101  may be moved in a linear fashion closer to or farther away from the ECD  198 , varying the magnetic coupling between the ECD  198  and magnet array  101  and thereby varying the rotational resistance. The magnet array  101  is coupled to an upright member  104  which slides along linear bearings  103  in the direction of arrow  105 . The upright member  104  is further coupled to a rotary member  107  through pivot point  108 . A lever  110  operated by a user rotates rotary member  107  on pivot point  109  which in turn exerts a linear force on upright member  104 , forcing upright member  104  to move in the direction of arrow  105 . The position of upright member  104  is fixed by the end  116  of rotary member  107 , as it rotates in the direction of arrow  114 , by a pin  115  mounted in end  116  coupled to the array of holes in the coupling mechanism  112 . The adjustment of the magnet array  101  can thus be done with proportional increases in a linear fashion and discrete steps in the positioning of the magnet array  101 , aiding in the reproduction and mapping of resistance for a user. The position of the magnet array  101  is input to a control system  150  by an electrical circuit to calculate user work information. The electrical circuit comprises a wiper system coupled to end  116  and a series of conductive sections coupled to the frame  12 . As the end  116  varies its position, the wiper will contact alternate conductive sections which instruct the control system  150  on the location of the magnet array  101 . 
     The machine  10  of the present invention is provided with an onboard control system  150 , as seen in FIG. 9, which includes a display panel  120 . The control system  150  can be programmed so that it will provide information to the user or to the physical therapist with respect to work output, calories consumed, rpm level, pace information, workout duration, etc. As such the control system  150  is connected so as to monitor the rpms of the ECD  198  as well as the steps from the handles  66  and  67  pedals  76  and  77 . The control system  150  can be powered by batteries or directly off of the resistance assembly or ECD  198 . 
     Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the drawings.