Abstract:
A portable exercise apparatus for rehabilitation and fitness training comprising horizontal side members attached to a horizontal cross bar. Vertical members extend upward and rearward from a mounting bracket attached to the middle of the cross bar where each vertical member contains a telescoping member for adjusting the height of the apparatus. A U-shaped handle is disposed on top of the telescoping members with a gripping section at each distal end. Each of the vertical and telescoping members have a plurality of apertures for inserting for inserting a locking device therethrough that secures the handle at the desired height. Wheels are attached along one face of the cross bar for ease of movement while a plurality of feet are disposed on the bottom face of the side members for stability and resistance to rolling while the apparatus is in use.

Description:
This application claims priority based upon U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/264,169 filed on Jan. 25, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention relates to physical fitness devices, and more particularly to devices designed for rehabilitation and fitness training. The rehabilitation and fitness trainer of the subject invention targets senior adults as well as those individuals recovering from major joint surgery (e.g. hip or knee replacement). Furthermore, the subject invention relates to a device that is portable, easy to store and accommodates a wide variety of users. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Exercise regimens are necessary for individuals desiring to improve their physical well-being, individuals seeking to maintain their physical health, or those that are recovering from injuries or surgery. Although fitness facilities provide a wide range of equipment to meet those needs, the home-user is limited in his or her equipment choices. 
     In addition, there is growing concern that senior adults require this type of home exercise more than younger adults. Senior adults are more susceptible to a variety of conditions including osteoporosis, falls, factures and balance control problems. While the conditions pose a risk for anyone, they are especially serious for senior adults who may be alone when the injury occurs and unable to summon for assistance, who incur injuries more easily than younger adults and who also recover more slowly than their younger brethren. 
     In addition, people recovering from hip or knee replacement surgery require lengthy periods of physical therapy. Usually this is a combination of out-patient physical therapy combined with an in-home exercise regimen. However, due to the limited selection of home equipment available to the patient, home exercise programs are limited in scope. 
     One such device is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,430 that issued to Zuckerman et al. on Oct. 5, 1999. Zuckerman et al. discloses a portable exercise apparatus intended for home use. This exercise apparatus comprises side frames that pivot about a front cross brace for folding into a storage position or unfolding into the operating position. These side frames have a total of four connection points to the support surface and are of a fixed size. Due to the fixed size, the device is not height adjustable for accommodating different sized users. Also, the device has four contact points with the support surface similar to that of a chair. This limited support means leads to a potentially unstable device while in use and can cause the user to fall if the device tips over, thereby defeating a goal of home exercise. 
     Another related device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,553 that issued to Safford on Apr. 26, 1966. Safford discloses a structure for rehabilitation of individuals suffering from paraplegia. This device comprises a base with four legs terminating in a circular girt for supporting the patient during rehabilitation. Although this device is height adjustable, the user requires the assistance of another to enter and exit the device since the girt completely encircles the user&#39;s body. Also, this device does not include a means for the user to perform a variety of upper body exercises due to the mobility restricting girt. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 277,399 issued to Worthington on May 8, 1883 disclosed another exercising apparatus. This apparatus has three supporting legs arranged in a triangular pattern, horizontal cross bars and stays connecting the front legs. The device may be disassembled for storage and has an opening for the user to enter, but suffers some of the shortcomings previously mentioned. Worthington&#39;s device is not capable of being adjusted to accommodate varying heights of the users. Also, it has only three legs and therefore three contact points on the support surface resulting in a device that may easily become unstable during the user&#39;s exercise program. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,881 that issued to Schaevitz on Jul. 28, 1970 discloses another device for exercising. This device comprises a front member, a rear member and two side members that also have the device&#39;s vertical elements. A pair of arm rest members are situated at the top of the vertical members with a horizontal bar extending between the arm rests. This device is more stable than others previously discussed but retains some of the disadvantages of the other devices. Since it has a rear support member that contacts the support surface, it is unusable for those individuals confined to a wheelchair. Also, it is not vertically adjustable to accommodate users of differing heights. Furthermore, due to the placement of the horizontal bar and the rectangular frame construction of the side members, users are restricted in the variety of exercises they are capable of performing. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the subject invention to provide an affordable device for a home exercise program. 
     It is another object of the subject invention to provide an easy to use device for home exercise. 
     A further object of the subject invention is to provide a device that is vertically adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of users. 
     Another object of the subject invention is to provide an exercise device that is easily movable from one location to another. 
     It is a further object of the subject invention to provide an exercise device that is simple to use and permits wheelchair access. 
     Yet another object of the object invention is to provide an exercise device that supports a wide variety of exercises. 
     A further object of the subject invention is to provide an exercise device that is stable throughout all possible exercises. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention, that will be commercially known as STABO, overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by disclosing a new and improved apparatus for exercising at home. This new and improved exercise apparatus comprises a frame having a plurality of side members, a horizontal cross bar, a plurality of vertical members attached to a bracket where each vertical member contains a telescoping member of smaller size, a generally U-shaped handle attached to the tubes and a plurality of wheels attached to the frame. Also, the exercise device will have a plurality of feet on the bottom of the side members to minimize damage to the support surface and increase the stability of the subject invention. 
     In addition, the subject invention has ergonomic grips at the distal ends of the handle as well as a means for adjusting the vertical dimension of the handle thereby accommodating a wide variety of users. 
     Since the side members preferably extend both rearwards and sidewards from the horizontal cross bar, the rear opening is spacious enough to permit wheelchair access. An added benefit of this configuration is the increased stability of the exercise device because of the improvement in weight distribution. A further advantage of this configuration is the ability of the user to perform a wide variety of exercises without the physical constraints of the prior art devices. 
     Other features of the subject invention will be apparent from the subsequent description, the accompanying drawings and the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the rehabilitation and fitness trainer of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the rehabilitation and fitness trainer of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the rehabilitation and fitness trainer of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the rehabilitation and fitness trainer of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the rehabilitation and fitness trainer of the subject invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the FIGS., the STABO device of the subject invention is referenced by numeral  10 . The STABO device  10  of the subject invention is intended for human use to aid in rehabilitation and personal training while providing a stable support mechanism for the individual user. The STABO device  10  is also designed to permit freedom of movement within the STABO device  10  and support the weight of the person using it. 
     The STABO device  10  comprises a plurality of side members  12  with opposing ends, a cross bar  14  with opposing ends, a bracket  16 , a plurality of vertical members  18  and a grip  34 . The base frame  40  of the STABO device  10  consists of side members  12 ,  12 , a bracket  16 , a cross bar  14  and vertical members  18 ,  18 . Attached to each end of the cross bar  14  is a side member  12 . It is preferable that each side member  12  is removably affixed to each end of cross bar. However, permanently attaching side members  12 ,  12  to the cross bar would still be within the scope of the subject invention. Both side members  12 ,  12  extend rearward, in the same direction as the open-end  36  of the handle  32 . These side members  12 ,  12  may extend straight back while forming right angles with the cross bar  14 . Preferably, the side members  12 ,  12  will be removably attached to the cross bar  14  and the distal ends of the side members  12 ,  12  are further apart from each other than the ends of said side members  12 ,  12  that are connected to the cross bar  14 . Furthermore, the side members  12 ,  12  will preferably form an angle of 100-115 degrees as measured from the inside face  42  of each side member  12  and the rear face  44  of the cross bar  14 . 
     It is preferred that the side members  12 ,  12  and the cross bar  14  will be of a rectangular tubular design and manufactured from aluminum, steel or any other suitable material that can support the weight of a human body. The side members  12 ,  12  and cross bar  14  may also be manufactured form a solid block of material and in different shapes such as round, hexagonal or octagonal. A plurality of feet  24  are disposed on the underside of each side member  12  and separate the side member  12  from the support surface of the STABO device  10 . These feet  24  help stabilize the STABO device  10  as well as protecting the support surface from damage. The feet  24  are preferably formed from rubber, but may also be made from other suitable cushioning and non-skid materials. 
     A plurality of wheels  26  and a corresponding number of wheel brackets  28  are fixedly attached to the front face of the cross bar  14  with the rotational orientation of the wheel  26  being perpendicular to the cross bar  14 . When an individual is performing exercises, the STABO device  10  is stabilized by the side members  12 ,  12  the cross bar  14  and the feet  24 . The wheels  26  tendency to roll is overcome by the feet  24  and the side members  12 ,  12 . Before or after use, the individual may relocate the STABO device  10  by gripping the handle  32 , tipping the STABO device  10  forward so as to lift the feet  24  off of the support surface and applying force in the forward direction. When the feet  24  are not in contact with the support surface, the wheels  26  will rotate freely and permit the STABO device  10  to be easily maneuvered by the user. 
     A bracket  16  is fixedly attached to the cross bar  14  by means of a plurality of fasteners  22 . The bracket  16  is attached substantially in the center of the cross bar  14 . This forms a symmetrical structure further increasing the overall stability of the STABO device  10 . Extending vertically upward from the bracket  16  are a plurality of vertical members  18  formed from steel, aluminum or other suitable material for supporting a human beings weight. These vertical members are tubular and may be rectangular, round, hexagonal or octagonal in shape. Preferably the vertical members  18 ,  18  are a rectangular tubular construction and substantially parallel to one another. Furthermore, the vertical members  18 ,  18  are angled slightly in the rearward direction away from the wheels  26 . The top of each vertical member  18  is open and a locking device  30  is disposed near the top of each vertical member  18 . Each vertical member  18  has a pair of apertures  38  that are circular and substantially parallel to each other so that the locking device  30  may be inserted. These apertures are disposed near the top of the vertical member  18  on the sides of the vertical member  18  that are perpendicular to the cross bar  14 . Also, the apertures  38  of each vertical member  18  are substantially parallel to the apertures of the other vertical member  18  to maintain proper horizontal alignment of the handle  32 . Attached to the base frame  40  is handle frame  42 . The handle frame  46  consists of a handle  32  and telescoping sections  20 ,  20 . The telescoping sections  20 ,  20  are securably attached to the handle  32 . A telescoping member  20  is formed in the same shape as the vertical member  18 . Each telescoping member  20  may be either tubular or solid and manufactured from aluminum, steel or any other suitable structural material with the strength to support the user during the exercise routine. Furthermore, the telescoping  20  are of sufficient length so that the STABO device  10  is adaptable to a wide audience of users. The length of the telescoping members  20  will be determined by the length of the vertical members  18 . For proper symmetry, each telescoping member  20  will be the same length as the other, while each vertical member  18  will also have the identical length as the other vertical member  18 . Additionally, each telescoping member  20  is sized so that it fits inside each vertical member  18  such that there exists sufficient clearance between the telescoping member  20  and the vertical member  18  for freedom of vertical motion. Each telescoping member has a plurality of apertures  38  as seen in FIG.  5 . These apertures  38  are substantially circular and evenly spaced along the telescoping member  20 , so that they are disposed on the sides of the telescoping member  20  that are perpendicular to the bracket  16 . The apertures  38  are disposed along the telescoping member  20  so that each pair of apertures  38  are substantially parallel to each other to permit a locking device  30  to be inserted. The locking device  30  is preferably a rod with a through hole at one end, a ring attached at the opposite end and secured by a cotter pin. However other means of securing the telescoping members  20  to the vertical members  18  may be employed. In the preferred embodiment, when the user adjusts the height of the handle  32 , the locking devices  30  are removed by the user, the handle  32  is raised or lowered to the desired height, and the locking devices  30  are inserted through the apertures  38  of the vertical members  18 ,  18  and the telescoping members  20 ,  20 . The handle  32  is now at the desired height for the user and locked into position. 
     The handle  32  is preferably a round tubular material such as steel aluminum or another material selected for its strength and is generally U-shaped. It will preferably be formed from the same material as the side members  12 . At the free ends of the handle  32 , an ergonomic covering of rubber, foam or any other known resilient material is disposed to form a gripping section  34 . An open-end  36  exists at the distal ends of the handle  32  between the gripping sections  34 ,  34 . In use, the user will enter the open-end  36  of the STABO device  10  and grasp the gripping section  34  for support while performing their exercises. The open-end  36  is of sufficient size to permit a number of different body sizes to enter and perform their exercises. 
     The STABO device  10  assists a person who has balance difficulty, has weakness in their lower extremities, or is in a rehabilitation mode following an injury or surgery. The subject invention may also be used by a healthy individual for added support while exercising. The STABO device  10  can be used by an individual at a fitness center, physical therapy center, home gym or any location one would like to place it. It can be used one at a time, or many may be set up and used in an aerobics class format. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.