Abstract:
A new and improved exercise and therapy device and method of making same is provided. The present invention relates to a device which enables a selective therapeutic exercise regimen by providing a tensioning mechanism attached to a horizontally and vertically rotatable platform, provided with a safety hand rail to aid in maintaining balance and a vertical posture for the operator. The dish-shaped platform will react to changes in the operator&#39;s weight shifts and center of gravity placed upon it. When this novel multi-rotational aspect of the platform responds to subtle changes in the operator&#39;s center of gravity, movement of the dish-shaped platform will occur. These changes trigger muscular contractions around the joints of the operator responding to the rotation of the platform while the tensioning mechanism allows for selective resistance to the free movement of the platform enabling exercise and therapy routines for various muscle groups. Inexpensive manufacturing and maintenance costs will be associated with the production of this simple and effective design thus making the device readily accessible to more people.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved exercise and therapy device and method of using it. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which enables a selective therapeutic exercise regimen by providing a selective tension controlling mechanism attached to a rotatable dish-shaped exercise and therapy platform that will react to the operator&#39;s shifting of weight. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Today&#39;s modern occupations are primarily sedentary and non-physical in nature. Time constraints require more home or office based exercise devices and because of increased urbanization, space requirements for an exercise apparatus are often limited. 
     In addition, therapy of joint related injuries may require time consuming and expensive visits to facilities which maintain complex equipment for exercising and rehabilitation of various parts of the body. 
     The physical benefits of compact rotational exercise and therapy devices designed for individual use in the home or office are well known. Examples of different types and kinds of arrangements and techniques for utilizing exercise and therapy devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,879,276, 5,813,958, 5,683,337, 5,582,567 and 5,399,140. 
     In general, the structure and function of most rotational exercise and therapy devices involve platforms having either horizontal rotation about an axis or vertical rotation about an axis. A limited number of exercise and therapy devices provide some restricted and limited horizontal and vertical rotation. Some of the rotational exercise and therapy devices require motorization and others provide for adjustable resistance mechanisms. 
     Rotational exercise and therapy devices providing for limited horizontal and vertical rotation are known in the prior art. Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,276. The operator causes movement through jumping and twisting movements. These jumping and twisting movements may exacerbate a pre-existing condition in joint injuries undergoing a therapeutic regimen on such a device. 
     Additionally, in order for the operator to benefit from continuous movement, the entire platform spins 360°. The spinning motion could result in disorientation of the operator and loss of balance critical to safe operation of a rotational exercise and therapy device. If used by the operator, the hand rail provided for safety in such a case would cause the operator to have to stop the rotation of the platform in one direction and cause it to move in the opposite direction through jumping and twisting movements, again unsuitable for certain joint injuries undergoing rehabilitative therapy. 
     There is no mechanism provided for this device which would allow for tension control of the rotating platform. Such tension control would provide for selective resistance applied to the platform and would be useful for exercising different muscle groups. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device and method for making same for rotational exercise and therapy which would allow continuous movement of a platform in horizontal and vertical rotation, which includes a safety hand rail, which would respond to slight changes in the operator&#39;s center of gravity, and which would also allow for selective resistance to free movement. 
     The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,958 addresses the problem of irritation of an existing injury due to jumping as described in the previous invention by providing a motorized platform supported on a universal joint which provides for limited horizontal and vertical rotation. This device provides for no adjustment or control by the operator during the exercise and limits the requirements of the body for spontaneous adjustments in balance and muscular contractions which are part of injury therapy and exercise. 
     In addition, the motorized mechanism and universal joint would make the device very expensive to own and operate. It would require skilled maintenance and would be unaffordable for many people requiring therapy and those wishing to have a versatile low cost exercise device. 
     Again, this device does nothing to address the problem of an adjustable tension mechanism for restricting free movement and selectively exercising certain muscle groups. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device and method for making same for rotational exercise and therapy which would be inexpensive to manufacture, respond to slight changes in the operator&#39;s center of gravity and which would also allow for selective resistance to free movement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,337 describes a device that addresses the problem of tension control. However, the device has a platform that rotates horizontally and not vertically, so that the operator cannot achieve maximum therapy for selected joint musculature. In addition, the platform must be stopped in its rotation and started again in the opposite direction instead of requiring the operator to make spontaneous adjustments in balance and muscular contractions which are part of injury rehabilitation therapy and exercise. The device also lacks a safety hand rail to provide needed support for operators undergoing injury therapy. A safety hand rail makes further injury much less likely. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device and method for rotational exercise and therapy which would allow continuous movement of a platform in horizontal and vertical rotation in conjunction with a safety hand rail which would respond to slight changes in the operator&#39;s center of gravity. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,567 describes a device that has a platform that provides vertical rotation from side to side but does not provide for horizontal rotation. The device does provide safety hand rails. However, this inventive apparatus does not provide tension control. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device and method for making same for rotational exercise and therapy which would allow continuous movement of a platform in horizontal and vertical rotation, respond to slight changes in the operator&#39;s center of gravity, and allow for selective resistance to free movement. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,140 provides for a platform that does have limited vertical and horizontal rotation but has no tension control mechanism or support bars. In addition, the device is mechanically complicated with many parts which could require frequent repair or mandate numerous adjustments. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device and method for making same for rotational exercise and therapy which is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, which includes a safety hand rail, and which would also allow for selective resistance to free movement when reacting to weight shifts by an operator undergoing exercise or rehabilitative therapy for an injury. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device and method for making same, for rotational exercise and therapy which would allow continuous movement of a rotatable dish-shaped exercise and therapy platform in horizontal and vertical rotation. This continuous movement in a horizontal and vertical rotation provides a continuous change in the angle of joints at the ankles, subtarsal joints, knee joints and hip joints. Associated with changes in these joint angles will be muscular contractions around these joints for stability, balance and change of direction. Muscular involvement is also necessary for stabilization of the vertebral column, particularly the lumbar spine. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved device and method for making same, for rotational exercise and therapy, with a safety hand rail. The safety hand rail would aid in balance for those whose injuries or other medical conditions might cause the operator to lose balance during the performance of therapy and exercise routines. The primary purpose of the safety hand rail is to assist the operator in maintaining a vertical position of the pelvis, torso and head, as the lower extremity moves with the dish-shaped rotatable platform. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved device and method for making same, for rotational exercise and therapy, which would respond to slight changes in the operator&#39;s center of gravity. As the operator shifts weight while operating the novel exercise and therapy device, in order for the muscular contractions to occur, the mechano-receptors of the joints, the muscles and tendons must signal the muscular system to contract through the central nervous system. The inventive instant device reacts to these shifts in weight and center of gravity and allows for greatly improved exercise and therapy regimens. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved device and method for making same, for rotational exercise and therapy, which would also allow for selective resistance to free movement of the dish-shaped platform by providing a tensioning mechanism. Because of the varying degrees of difficulty that the device enables, there is a wide range of applications including but not limited to rehabilitation of ankle injuries, knee injuries and hip injuries which includes strengthening and proprioception, strengthening of lower back and hip muscles, balance training for the elderly, neuromuscular re-education for the lower extremity, sport specific training for snowboarding, surfing, skiing and other sports, and cardiovascular conditioning. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved device and method for making same, for rotational exercise and therapy, which would be inexpensive to manufacture and maintain. The design of the device provides a simple, yet effective means by which to provide rotational exercise and therapy without complex motorization or mechanization. Since the present invention lacks complex mechanisms and motorization and is considerably less expensive to manufacture, the initial cost to procure this device is relatively low, and repairs to the device are inexpensive and required much less frequently. 
     Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a new and improved exercise and therapy device and method of making it. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which enables a selective therapeutic exercise regimen by providing a tensioning mechanism attached to a horizontally and vertically rotatable dish-shaped exercise and therapy platform, provided with a safety hand rail to aid in maintaining balance and a vertical posture for the operator. The rotatable dish-shaped exercise and therapy platform will react to changes in the operator&#39;s weight shifts and center of gravity placed upon it. When this novel multi-rotational aspect of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform responds to subtle changes in the operator&#39;s center of gravity, movement of the dish-shaped platform will occur. These changes trigger muscular contractions around the joints of the operator responding to the rotation of the platform while the tensioning mechanism allows for selective resistance to the free movement of the platform enabling exercise and therapy routines for various muscle groups. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel exercise and therapy device constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the novel exercise and therapy device according to the present invention, with the removable stationary step platform removed; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exercise and therapy device according to the present invention showing the separate elements of the device; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the novel exercise and therapy device according to the present invention, with the removable stationary step platform removed; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the novel exercise and therapy device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the novel exercise and therapy device according to the present invention, with the removable stationary step platform in place; 
     FIG. 7 is a close up side elevational view of one embodiment of the lower tensioning cable attachment to the bottom of the lower curved surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform, according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a close up side elevational view of another embodiment of the lower tensioning cable attachment to the bottom of the lower curved surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a new exercise and therapy device  10  which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The new exercise and therapy device  10  is used to efficiently, effectively and economically provide exercise and therapy by providing selective exercise regimens to various muscle groups. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the novel exercise and therapy device  10  is composed of four primary components. The first being the rotatable portion of the unit which includes the dish exercise and therapy platform  12  which has an upper flat surface  14  for receiving an operator and a lower curved surface  16  which is in frictional contact with a roller array or system, for example, a plurality of ball bearings, here only one of which is shown, ball bearing  22 . Preferably three or more roller means or ball bearings are used to construct the device. The second component of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  is the ball bearing housing base support portion comprised of a plurality of ball bearing housings, only one of which is shown here, ball bearing housing  32 . An equal number of ball bearing housings must be used, therefore preferably three or more. A bearing support frame  40 , is supported by and held above the supportive base  52  by base support blocks, only two of which are shown (partially visible), base support blocks  42  and  44 . The third component of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  is the tensioning mechanism  50  comprised of an upper coated tensioning cable  62 , held close to a hand rail  76  by one or more cable retaining straps  66 , an upper tensioning cable retaining bracket  68 , notched tensioning adjustment mechanism  72 , and tensioning adjustment mechanism handle  74 . Other parts of the tensioning mechanism  50  are better illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 below. 
     The fourth component is the safety feature of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  is comprised of the hand rail  76 , and the removable stationary step platform  82 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 2 to illustrate the novel exercise and therapy device  10  and especially to show the tensioning mechanism  50  in greater detail, the removable stationary step  82 , as shown in FIG. 1, has been removed. Now visible are a bare tensioning cable  54 , tensioning spring  56 , and lower tensioning cable retaining bracket  58 . The upper coated tensioning cable  62  is directly attached to the lower bare tensioning cable  54  and tensioning spring  56  as its bare cable portion passes through the lower tensioning retaining bracket  58  (the plastic coating stops at the lower bracket  58 ). Also exposed by the removal of the stationary step platform  82 , is another ball bearing housing  34  and associated ball bearing  24  in direct contact with the lower curved surface  16  of the rotatable dish-shaped platform  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, this exploded view of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  better illustrates all of the elemental parts of the four primary construction components. The first being the rotatable portion of the unit which includes the dish exercise and therapy platform  12  which has an upper flat surface  14  for receiving an operator and a lower curved surface  16  which is in frictional contact with a plurality of ball bearings  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  (spaced apart) preferably three or more. The second component of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  is the ball bearing housing base support portion comprised of a plurality of ball bearing housings  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  (spaced apart) preferably three or more, a bearing support frame  40 , base support blocks  42 ,  44 ,  48  and  46  and a base  52 . The third component of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  is the tensioning mechanism  50  comprised of a bare tensioning cable  54 , tensioning spring  56 , lower tensioning cable retaining bracket  58 , coated tensioning cable  62 , pulley  64 , cable retaining straps  66 , upper tensioning cable retaining bracket  68 , notched tensioning adjustment mechanism  72 , and tensioning adjustment mechanism handle  74 . The fourth component is the safety feature of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  which is comprised of the hand rail  76 , the handrail screws  78  for affixing the hand rail  76  to the supportive base  52 , and the removable stationary step platform  82 . 
     Considering now the novel exercise and therapy device  10  in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3, the components making up the rotatable portion of the exercise and therapy device  10  are simply and readily manufactured and assembled. The dish exercise and therapy platform  12  having a flat upper surface  14  to receive an operator. This flat upper surface  14  can be coated or roughened to enable better gripping and non-skid operation. The rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  12  also has a lower curved surface  16  which is in frictional contact with a plurality of ball bearings  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  (spaced apart) preferably three or more. 
     The second primary component of the new exercise and therapy device  10  is the base support. The plurality of ball bearings  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  (spaced apart) preferably three or more are each housed within ball bearing housings  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  which are fixedly attached by a variety of means (including screws and adhesives) to the bearing support frame  40 . The bearing support frame  40  is fixedly attached to a plurality of base support blocks  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  preferably four or more in number which are permanently afixed to the base  52  by a variety of means (including screws and adhesives). 
     The third primary component of the new exercise and therapy device  10  is the unique tensioning mechanism  50 . The distal end of the bare tensioning cable  54  is attached to the lower surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  16  (explained in greater detail below, see FIGS.  7  and  8 ), and runs through a pulley  64  which is afixed to the base  52  of the new exercise and therapy device  10 , but also the pulley  64  is allowed to swivel about its central axis. The proximal end of the bare tensioning cable  54  is attached to one end of a tensioning spring  56 . The other end of the tensioning spring  56  is attached to the bare portion of a coated tensioning cable  62  by passing that bare portion of cable through the lower tensioning cable retaining bracket  58 . The coated tensioning cable  62  is supported on the hand rail  76  by cable retaining straps  66  and the distal end of the coated tensioning cable  62  is attached to a notched tensioning adjustment mechanism  72  through an upper tensioning cable retaining bracket  68  which is attached to the middle of the upper portion of the safety hand rail  76 . The tension on the coated tensioning cable  62  is adjusted by means of a tensioning adjustment mechanism handle  74 . When the tensioning adjustment mechanism handle  74  is placed in the notch to the furthest away from the upper tensioning cable retaining bracket  68 , the greatest amount of tension is placed upon the dish  12  at the distal end of the unique tensioning mechanism  50  and the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  12  is virtually set motionless at this setting allowing the operator to safely move onto and off of the removable stationary step platform  82  as well as onto and off of the rotatable exercise and therapy platform  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view is illustrated and, as in FIG. 2 above, the removable stationary step platform is taken away to better show detail. Also, in this figure, an embodiment of the exercise and therapy device  10  having only three ball bearings within three ball bearing housings is shown, whereas all prior figures have shown four. Ball bearings  102 ,  104 , and  106  are set within ball bearing housings  112 ,  114 , and  116 . These are fixedly attached to the ball bearing housing support frame  140  which in turn is set upon supportive base  52  using three or more support blocks, here only base support blocks  142  and  144  are shown. These base support blocks  142  and  144  hold the bearing support frame  140  above the upper flat surface of the supportive base  52 . The bearing support frame  140  being elevated in this way, enables the bare lower tensioning cable (not shown) to be attached to the lower curved surface  16  of the exercise and therapy dish platform  12 , and run over to the lower tensioning cable retaining bracket  58  in an unobstructed fashion. This is essential to the proper functioning of the tensioning mechanism  50 . 
     Referring now to FIG.  5  and FIG. 6, the fourth primary component of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  is the safety feature which includes the safety hand rail  76  which is afixed to the base  52  by means of the hand rail screws  78  (not shown, but see FIG.  3 ). Other suitable means may also be used for affixing the hand rail  76  to the base  52 . The safety hand rail  76  provides a means by which the operator may maintain balance during the process of moving from the removable stationary step platform  82  to the rotatable dish and therapy platform  12  and during the exercise and therapy regimen which begins after the tensioning adjustment mechanism handle  74  is adjusted to the desired tension setting. The safety hand rail  76  also serves to support the coated tensioning cable  62  which is attached to the hand rail  76  by a plurality of cable retaining straps  66 . It is also contemplated that another embodiment of the exercise and therapy device, as described herein, may have the tensioning cable run inside of the hand rail, in which case the safety hand rail would be constructed of rigid hollow tubing. In this way, the tensioning cable would be out of sight, and out of the way of the operator. 
     The safety hand rail  76  further serves the purpose of providing a base for mounting the notched tensioning adjustment mechanism  72  and the tensioning adjustment mechanism handle  74  in such a position as to provide convenient accessibility to the operator during use of the exercise and therapy device  10 . 
     Another element of safety is provided by use of the removable stationary step platform  82 , here shown in place on the apparatus in FIG.  6  and removed to show greater detail in FIG.  5 . Having a firm stationary platform  82  to mount and dismount from the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  12  is essential to safety as the movable platform  12  may be in a low tension configuration and cause the operator to stumble or fall upon mounting. By using the stationary step platform  82  and the hand rail  76  together to balance and brace the operator, the chance of a sudden loss of balance is nearly entirely eliminated during use of the exercise and therapy device  10 . In this way the safety elements of the novel device work together to insure accident free use. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, one embodiment of the means by which the bare lower tensioning cable  54  is attached to the lower curved surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  16  is shown in detail. The threaded eye hook  84  is secured to the lower curved surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  16  by means of an internal mounting nut  86  and an external mounting nut  88 . The eye hook then receives the looped end  98  of the bare tensioning cable  54 . The loop is secured by means of a cable crimp  95 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 8, this figure illustrates another means of attachment for the bare tensioning cable  54  to the lower curved surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  16  in detail. The eye hook  94  is attached by a welded or soldered connection  96  to the lower curved surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  16 , and receives the distal end of the bare tensioning cable  54  forming a loop  98  secured by a cable crimp  95 . 
     When in use for exercise or therapy regimen, the novel exercise and therapy device  10  is placed on a floor, deck or other suitable flat surface. The operator steps upon the removable stationary step platform  82 , adjusts the tensioning adjustment mechanism handle  74  to maximum tension and steps upon the flat surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  12 . At this setting, the lower curved surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  16  frictionally engages the plurality of ball bearings  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  as the tensioning mechanism places the greatest torque upon the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  12 . When the tensioning mechanism is adjusted by the operator by moving the tensioning adjustment mechanism handle  74  toward the left side of the notched tensioning adjustment mechanism  72 , the friction is reduced and the operator&#39;s shifting center of gravity moves the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  12  with less force applied, about a vertical axis of rotation  162  and a horizontal axis of rotation  164  (as shown in FIG.  4 ). The adjustment of amount of tension on the rotatable dish exercise than therapy platform  12  determines the amount of force exerted by the operator required to cause rotation of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  12  and allows the operator to exercise a variety of muscle groups at differing exertion levels. Additionally, adjustment of the tensioning mechanism  50  can be used to compensate for differing individuals total body weight, thereby creating optimal conditions for a productive exercise workout session or therapy session for that particular individual. 
     Finally, the novel exercise and therapy device  10  can be configured to utilize three or more ball bearings such as the four ball bearings shown in FIG. 3, ball bearings  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  to allow for greater or lesser surface area contact between the lower surface of the rotatable dish exercise and therapy platform  16  thus allowing for greater or less frictional contact. The greater the frictional contact, the greater the amount of force required to cause rotation when the tensioning mechanism is activated. FIG. 4 is an example of another embodiment of the novel exercise and therapy device  10  that utilizes three ball bearings. Not just ball bearings can be employed for this purpose, as other roller-type mechanisms are also contemplated. 
     It should be understood, however, that even though these numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, chemistry and arrangement of parts within the principal of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.