Abstract:
An exercise apparatus for use by a crippled person for exercising their hips and legs. The apparatus comprising a base and a seat mounted on the base, the seat having two sides along the longitudinal axis of the seat. Cushions are located on the least two sides of the seat to spread the knees of a user of the exercise apparatus. A handrail mounted on the base over the anterior side of the seat.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/585,541 filed Jul. 2, 2004, hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to exercise devices and more specifically to a method and apparatus for enabling a crippled person to exercise hips and legs to prevent hip location and muscle atrophy.  
         [0003]     Crippled children, particularly those with cerebral palsy typically suffer trismatic spasms which eventually dislocate the greater trochanters from the hip sockets. Remedies for this problem include major surgery every two to three years. Thus, the need exists for a system and method that enable a crippled person to exercise their hips and legs that prevent hip dislocation and muscle atrophy.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided herein an apparatus wherein a crippled person is securely and correctly positioned so that with little assistance they can exercise their hips and legs.  
         [0005]     In accordance with an aspect, there is disclosed herein an exercise apparatus, comprising a base and a seat mounted on the base, the seat having two sides along the longitudinal axis of the seat. Cushions are located on the least two sides of the seat to spread the knees of a user of the exercise apparatus. A handrail mounted on the base over the anterior side of the seat.  
         [0006]     In accordance with an aspect, there is described herein a method for exercising a crippled user. The method comprises positioning a seat such that user&#39;s knees are higher than the user&#39;s rump when the user is in a seated position, positioning a handrail over the anterior side of the seat, and spreading the user&#39;s knees a desired width.  
         [0007]     Still other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the best modes best suited for to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0008]     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a TV Chair.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of a TV Chair.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a TV Chair. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0012]     Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations, of the present invention. Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated therein a TV Chair  10 . The TV chair has a base  12 . As illustrated, base  12  is rectangular in shape, however, base  12  can be elliptical, T-shaped, or any other suitable shape. Preferably the surface of base  12  is non-slip. In a preferred embodiment, the width of base  12  is three quarters the length of base  12 .  
         [0013]     TV chair  10  further comprises a squared u-shaped handrail  16 . Handrail  16  is upstanding and crosses the width of base  12 . Handrail  16  is mounted at the anterior end  28  of base  12 , approximately one quarter of the length of bas  12  from anterior end  28 . The height of handrail  16  is preferably three quarters the length of base  12 , but can be adjusted to a sufficient height based on the height of the intended user of TV chair  10 . Two upstanding sections  30  of handrail  16  rise from base  12  and form a T-intersection  32  on both sides of handrail  16 . Upstanding sections  30  help stabilize handrail  16 . As shown, T-intersections  32  are approximately one sixth the height of handrail  16 . Preferably, the T-intersections  32  are formed of the same material as the handrail. For example, the handrail is suitably formed by using metal piping, or wood framing, or any material of sufficient strength to support the weight of the person using TV chair  10 . In a preferred embodiment, upstanding sections  30  further comprise a horizontal section  34  that extend toward the anterior end  28  of base  12  at approximately a 45 degree angle toward the middle of handrail  16  and are parallel to base  12 . When viewed from the length side of base  12 , upstanding sections  30 , horizontal section  34 , handrail  16  and base  12  form a square with the surface of base  12  as the bottom of the square. The square formed by upstanding section  30 , to horizontal section  34 , handrail  16  and base  12  are referred to herein as the T-Leg. Padding (not shown) can be mounted on the top of handrail  16  to prevent injury to the user in case of a fall. Straps (not shown) can be mounted on top of handrail  16 .  
         [0014]     Terminating below handrail  16  and extending towards the posterior end  36  of base  12  is a seat  14 , such as a bench type seat. As illustrated, seat  14  is a bench type seat with a length ⅝ the length of base  12  and runs midline along the length of base  12 . The width of seat  14  is one eighth the length of base  12 . At the rear  38  of seat  14  is a seat back or bench back  26 . Preferably top  42  of seat  14  and the anterior surface  40  of back  26  are covered with a soft material and padding. Seat  14  is supported by a support structure  46 . Support structure is any suitably structure for supporting the weight of the person using the machine. Support structure suitably comprises one or more legs and is of a material of sufficient strength.  
         [0015]     Attached to the top anterior corners  44  of seat  14  are two semi-spherical cushions  20 . As illustrated, the diameter of the cushions is half the length of seat  14 . Cushion  20  is of sufficient size to spread apart the legs of the person using TV chair  10 .  
         [0016]     Directly below each cushion  20  is a Velcro strap  22 . The slot buckle of strap  22  is secured below cushion  20 . The strap is any suitable material of sufficient size to secure a person&#39;s ankles using TV chair  10 . For example, the strap can be two inches wide and two feet in length.  
         [0017]     Directly below each strap  22 , secured to base  12  is a stirrup  24  for securing the foot of the user of TV chair  10 . A typical stirrup  24  is made of a stiff, pliable material that is 3 inches wide and 10 inches long. One end  48  of the stirrup  24  is secured to base  12  and another end of stirrup  24  is secured to structure  46  of seat  14 . In an exemplary embodiment, the ends are secured approximately 5 inches apart and forms an arch approximately 4 inches in height and 4½ inches wide on base  12 .  
         [0018]     In operation, a user (not shown) sits on seat  14  facing handrail  16 . The users feet are secured in stirrups  24  and straps  22 , for example Velcro straps, are wrapped around the user&#39;s ankles pulling the user&#39;s feet into stirrups  24  and securing them. The user&#39;s knees are spread apart and protected by cushions  20 . The user graphs handrail  16  and pushes down with his feet and pulls up with his arms and stands. The user&#39;s knees are above seat  14 , so that the user&#39;s rump rests below the knees when the user is seated in seat  14 . An aspect of the present invention is that it provides the user with the opportunity to exercise his arms and legs and develop balance. The seat  14  and cushions  20  keep the user&#39;s knees separated and secured. The user&#39;s hips and legs are exercised in the same fashion as a shallow squat. However, TV chair  14  provides stability and keeps the user&#39;s knees separated allowing for secure exercise of the hips.  
         [0019]     What has been described above includes exemplary implementations of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. For example, the exemplary measurements described herein may be modified according to the intended user. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.