Abstract:
A system ( 100 ) and method ( 400, 500 ) to exercise the leg and enhance mobility after a variety of injuries or surgery is disclosed. The system could include a chair leg anchor ( 104 ), a leg wrap ( 102 ), a stationary pulley ( 110 ) secured to the chair leg anchor, a movable pulley ( 108 ) secured to the leg wrap, a rope ( 106 ), and a handle ( 112 ). The rope could be threaded from a first end secured to the chair leg anchor, through the movable pulley, through the stationary pulley, and to a second end secured to the handle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/847,970, filed Jul. 30, 2010 entitled “Portable Leg Exerciser and Mobility Enhancement System” which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/273,369 filed on Aug. 4, 2009 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office entitled “Orthopedic leg exerciser,” both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully disclosed herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates generally to exercise and mobility enhancement methods and systems and, in particular, to portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement systems that require minimal professional assistance. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Immediate exercise of the knee is necessary following a variety of injuries and many surgical procedures, including total knee replacement and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair, to restore full range of motion. For effective rehabilitation, both flexion and extension mobility exercises are recommended. Although the specific regimen can vary depending on the circumstances, a typical regimen for the first three to four weeks of rehabilitation is to perform both flexion and extension exercises three times a day for ten minutes each. Over time, such rehabilitation generally improves range of motion and strength of the users knee(s). These exercises are generally limited to being performed either at a physical therapist&#39;s office or by renting the equipment and having a physical therapist come to the user&#39;s home. The reason for such limitations is that bulky, expensive and complicated equipment is typically required to perform such exercise. Moreover, both the equipment and the proper use of the equipment typically require significant guidance and supervision. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a portable, inexpensive and simple system and method to exercise the leg (and thereby enhance mobility) with little, if any on-site professional assistance required. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a portable exercise and mobility enhancement system for the leg. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure could provide a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system. The system could include a leg wrap having a movable pulley coupled therewith, a chair leg anchor having a stationary pulley coupled therewith. The system could further include a rope having a secured end coupled to the chair leg anchor and a free end threaded from the secured end through the movable pulley and through the stationary pulley. The system could further include a handle coupled to the free end of the rope. The leg wrap could further include a leg stirrup and the chair leg anchor could further include a chair kg stirrup. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the system could be adapted for leg extension by adapting the leg wrap to be removably fastened to a user&#39;s leg on or near the user&#39;s knee, adapting the chair leg anchor to be removably fastened to a rear leg of a chair, and adapting the rope to apply downward pressure to the user&#39;s leg when the user&#39;s leg is placed on an elevated surface and the rope is pulled. The system could be further adapted to removably fasten the leg wrap to a selected side of the user and to removably fasten the chair leg anchor to a rear leg of the chair on a side of the chair corresponding to the selected side of the user. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the system could be adapted for leg flexion by adapting the leg wrap to be removably fastened to a user&#39;s leg on, or near the user&#39;s ankle, adapting the chair leg anchor to be removably fastened to a front leg of a chair, and adapting the rope to apply rearward pressure to the user&#39;s leg when the rope is pulled. The system could be further adapted to removably fasten the leg wrap to a selected side of the user and to removably fasten the chair leg anchor to a front leg of the chair on a side of the chair corresponding to the selected side of the user. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure could provide a method of using a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system as described above. The method could be used for leg extension. Alternatively, the method could be used for leg flexion. 
         [0010]    Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the aft from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   a  is an exemplary illustration of the portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system shown in  FIG. 1  employed to perform extension exercise in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein such system is in the disengaged position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   b  is an exemplary illustration of the portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system shown in  FIG. 1  employed to perform extension exercise in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein such system is in the engaged position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   a  is an exemplary illustration of the portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system shown in  FIG. 1  employed to perform flexion exercise in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein such system is in the disengaged position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   b  is an exemplary illustration of the portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system shown in  FIG. 1  employed to perform flexion exercise in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein such system is in the engaged position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a somewhat simplified flow diagram illustrating a method of using a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system as employed to perform extension exercise in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a somewhat simplified flow diagram illustrating a method of using a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system as employed to perform flexion exercise in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The present disclosure generally provides a portable, inexpensive and simple system and method of exercising the leg to enhance mobility and to promote rehabilitation and strength training. One embodiment of the present disclosure could include a leg wrap component coupled with a chair leg anchor component, and a rope and pulley system. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  generally illustrates a leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0021]    System  100  could generally include leg wrap  102 , chair leg anchor  104 , rope  106 , movable pulley  108 , stationary pulley  110 , handle  112 , leg stirrup  114  and chair leg stirrup  116  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, leg wrap  102  could be coupled to chair leg anchor  104  through rope  106 , which could be routed forward by movable pulley  108  and backward by stationary pulley  110 . Movable pulley  108  could be connected at an end to leg wrap  102  and stationary pulley  110  could be connected at an end to chair leg anchor  104 . System  100  could be controlled by the user through handle  112 , which could be attached to an end of rope  106 . System  100  could also include leg stirrup  114  which could be connected to leg wrap  102  and chair leg stirrup  116  which could be connected to chair leg anchor  104 . 
         [0023]    Leg wrap  102  could be used to support and protect the leg, while the leg is moved forward and backward by system  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Leg wrap  102  could be securely fastened, either directly above the knee during extension exercise or directly above the ankle during flexion exercise. Leg wrap  102  could be securely fastened by a snap buckle, snap lock buckle, side snap buckle, buckle, button, snap-button, adhesive, tape, glue, temporary adhesive, spray adhesive, heat sensitive adhesive, hook-and-loop fastener, removable adhesive tab, peel-and-stick material, clay, putty, sticky material, staple, retaining structure, clip, screw, pin, other suitable adhesive or retaining device, or any combination thereof. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, leg wrap  102  could be used in conjunction with leg stirrup  114 . Leg stirrup  114  could be positioned directly below the knee during extension exercise or under the foot during flexion exercise to ensure that leg wrap  102  remains positioned appropriately to provide maximum support to the leg. Both leg wrap  102  and leg stirrup  114  could be made of terry cloth, towel-like material, cloth, canvas, silk, chiffon, polyester, cotton, flax, wool, ramie, nylon, denim, leather, rayon, bamboo, rope, jute, hemp, sisal, fiber, rope-like material, twine, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicon, bungee cord material, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), high-gloss polyester, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plastic, polymer, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, other suitable material, or any combination thereof. 
         [0025]    Chair leg anchor  104  could be used to anchor and hold the device stationary at one end according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Chair leg anchor  104  could be anchored around a chair leg by lifting the chair leg and allowing the looped material to completely fit around the chair leg. Chair leg anchor  104  could also be anchored around a chair leg through the use of a snap buckle, snap lock buckle, side snap buckle, buckle, button, snap-button, adhesive, tape, glue, temporary adhesive, spray adhesive, heat sensitive adhesive, book-and-loop fastener, removable adhesive tab, peel-and-stick material, clay, putty, sticky material, staple, retaining structure, clip, screw, pin, other suitable adhesive or retaining device, or any combination thereof. It should be understood that a chair could be any structure the user could sit on, including a four-legged chair, step stool, bar stool, butterfly chair, bench, table, chaise lounge, folding chair, office chair, other suitable structure, or any combination thereof. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, chair leg anchor  104  could be used in conjunction with chair leg stirrup  116 . Chair leg stirrup  116  could be positioned under the appropriate chair leg to ensure that chair leg anchor  104  remains positioned at the bottom of the appropriate chair. Both chair leg anchor  104  and chair leg stirrup  116  could be made of terry cloth, towel-like material, cloth, canvas, silk, chiffon, polyester, cotton, flax, wool, ramie, nylon, denim, leather, rayon, bamboo, rope, jute, hemp, sisal, fiber, rope-like material, twine, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicon, bungee cord material, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), high-gloss polyester, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plastic, polymer, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, other suitable material, or any combination thereof. 
         [0027]    Rope  106  could be used to engage system  100 , thereby causing movement of the leg that is fixed in leg wrap  102  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. System  100  is engaged by rope  106  when the user pulls handle  112 , which could be attached at an end of rope  106 . As handle  112  is pulled, rope  106  in system  100  is also pulled and the distance between movable pulley  108  and stationary pulley  110  is shortened, thereby causing controlled movement of the kg that is fixed in leg wrap  102 . Rope  106  could be made of nylon, rope, jute, hemp, sisal, leather, fiber, rope-like material, twine, cloth, canvas, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicon, bungee cord material, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester, high-gloss polyester, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plastic, polymer, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, other suitable material, or any combination thereof. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, rope  106  could be connected or otherwise coupled to handle  112  in any suitable manner including tying rope  106  around handle  112 , having male and female coupling adapters, having a ball and socket attachment, having a brass ring and chain attachment, a clip or pin attachment, or using other suitable coupling materials, or any combination thereof. Handle  112  could be made of hard plastic, soft plastic, wood, brass, steel, silicon, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, polymer, leather, other suitable material, or any combination thereof. Handle  112  could be of any shape, and could be molded to fit ergonomically in the user&#39;s hand. If desired, handle  112  could be customized and embellished with different colors, stickers, removable stickers, paints, stencils, erasable markers, chalks, designs, patterns, images, wood grain patterns, novelty items, ornamental items, other decorative materials, or any combination thereof. 
         [0029]    Movable pulley  108  and stationary pulley  110  could be rope and pulley systems that include a wheel and rope  106  to engage system  100  and cause the leg to move forward in extension exercise or backward in flexion exercise, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, movable pulley  108  could be connected at an end to leg wrap  102  through the use of rope, rope-like material, bungee cord material, cloth, canvas, leather, nylon, fiber, twine, snap buckle, snap lock buckle, side snap buckle, buckle, button, snap-button, adhesive, tape, glue, temporary adhesive, spray adhesive, heat sensitive adhesive, hook-and-loop fastener, removable adhesive tab, peel-and-stick material, clay, putty, sticky material, staple, retaining structure, clip, screw, pin, other suitable adhesive or retaining device, or any combination thereof. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, stationary pulley  110  could be connected at an end to chair leg anchor  104  through the use of rope, rope-like material, bungee cord material, cloth, canvas, leather, nylon, fiber, twine, snap buckle, snap lock buckle, side snap buckle, buckle, button, snap-button, adhesive, tape, glue, temporary adhesive, spray adhesive, heat sensitive adhesive, hook-and-loop fastener, removable adhesive tab, peel-and-stick material, clay, putty, sticky material, staple, retaining structure, clip, screw, pin, other suitable adhesive or retaining device, or any combination thereof. 
         [0032]    System  100  could be used to prevent muscle loss by rebuilding the strength of different muscle groups and preventing stiffness of the knee. Knee extension exercises promote muscle activity and strengthen the quadriceps muscle group. Knee flexion exercises promote muscle activity and strengthen the hamstring muscle group. Coupling knee extension exercises with knee flexion exercise is important to achieve maximum range of motion following injury or surgery to the knee or ACL. Both extension and flexion exercises could be done using the portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system at the onset for ten minutes, three times a day. After the first three to four weeks, the user can increase the amount of time spent utilizing the system. As the user&#39;s range of motion increases, the user can adjust the tension of the system by adjusting rope  106  and handle  112 . The user can also add a weight or bearing to the system to achieve the desired tension in order to further increase range of motion. 
         [0033]    System  100  is portable and can be used at home, work, during travel, or at any other suitable location. System  100  could be used by a person of any size by adjusting the length of rope  106  and the fit of leg wrap  102 , as necessary. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2   a  is an exemplary illustration of portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system  200  employed to perform extension exercise according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the system is in the disengaged position. It should be understood that system  200  shown in  FIG. 2   a  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system  200  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0035]    System  200  could include leg wrap  202 , chair leg anchor  204 , and rope  206 . In one embodiment, system  200  could be similar to system  100  shown in and described in conjunction with the description accompanying  FIG. 1  above (with like parts having similar numbers). 
         [0036]    in one embodiment, chair leg anchor  204  could generally be configured to be placed under one of the front legs  218  of a chair corresponding to the leg that needs to be exercised. Leg wrap  202  could be configured to securely fit directly above the appropriate knee, while the leg is bent at the knee and the foot is rested on an elevated surface  222 . Rope  206  could be pulled until there is slight tension in the system to create the disengaged position of extension exercise. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2   b  is an exemplary illustration of portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system  200  employed to perform extension exercise according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the system is in the engaged position. System  200  could include leg wrap  202 , chair leg anchor  204 , and rope  206 . It should be understood that system  200  shown in  FIG. 2   b  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system  200  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, leg wrap  202  and chair leg anchor  204  could generally be configured as described in  FIG. 2   a  above. Rope  206  could be pulled until the bent leg described in  FIG. 2   a  is extended to the desired position to create the engaged position of extension exercise. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3   a  is an exemplary illustration of portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system  300  employed to perform flexion exercise according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the system is in the disengaged position. System  300  could include leg wrap  302 , chair leg anchor  304  and rope  306 . It should be understood that system  300  shown in  FIG. 3   a  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system  300  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, system  300  could be similar to system  100  shown in and described, in conjunction with the description accompanying  FIG. 1  above (with like parts having similar numbers). 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, chair leg anchor  304  could generally be configured to be placed under one of the back legs  320  of a chair corresponding to the leg that needs to be exercised. Leg wrap  302  could be configured to securely fit directly above the appropriate ankle, while the leg is bent at the knee and the foot is rested on the floor. Rope  306  could be held to create the disengaged position of flexion exercise. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3   b  is an exemplary illustration of portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system  300  employed to perform flexion exercise according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the system is in the engaged position. System  300  could include leg wrap  302 , chair leg anchor  304  and rope  306 . It should be understood that system  300  shown in  FIG. 3   b  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system  300  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, leg wrap  302  and chair leg anchor  304  could generally be configured as described in  FIG. 3   a  above. Rope  306  could be pulled up and away from the user&#39;s body until the heel of the bent leg described in  FIG. 3   a  is pulled towards the rear of the chair to the desired position to create the engaged position of flexion exercise. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a somewhat simplified flow diagram illustrating method  400  of using a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system to perform extension exercise according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that method  400  shown in  FIG. 4  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable method or sub-method could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of method  400  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that the steps of method  400  could be performed in any suitable order or manner. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, step  402  could include a user of a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system such as, for example, system  100  shown and described above in  FIG. 1 , attaching a chair leg anchor, such as, for example, chair leg anchor  104  described above in  FIG. 1  to one of the front legs  218  of a chair, such as one described in  FIG. 2   a . The chair could be placed on a stirrup, such as, for example, chair leg stirrup  116  shown and described in  FIG. 1  to ensure chair leg anchor  104  stays positioned as desired. 
         [0046]    In step  404 , the user inserts the corresponding kg through a leg wrap, such as, for example, kg wrap  102  shown and described above in  FIG. 1 , until leg wrap  102  is directly above the knee, while a leg stirrup, such as, for example, leg stirrup  114  also shown and described in  FIG. 1  is directly below the knee. The user then bends the corresponding knee and places that foot on an elevated surface of comfortable height. 
         [0047]    In step  406 , the user adjusts the system by pulling on a rope, such as, for example rope  106  causing a minor tension between leg wrap  102  and chair leg anchor  104  to create the disengaged position. 
         [0048]    In order to proceed to the engaged position of extension exercise, the user pulls rope  106  using a handle, such as, for example, handle  112  shown and described in  FIG. 1  to extend the elevated leg to a position that is closer to being parallel to the floor. The user can then choose to release tension using handle  112 , thereby returning to the disengaged position, and subsequently repeat the exercise, as desired. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a somewhat simplified flow diagram illustrating method  500  of using a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system to perform flexion exercise according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that method  500  shown in  FIG. 5  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable method or sub-method could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of method  500  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that the steps of method  500  could be performed in any suitable order or manner. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, step  502  could include a user of a portable leg exerciser and mobility enhancement system such as, for example, system  100  shown and described above in  FIG. 1 , attaching a chair leg anchor, such as, for example, chair leg anchor  104  described above in  FIG. 1  to one of the back legs  320  of a chair, such as one described in  FIG. 3   a . The chair could be placed on a stirrup, such as, for example, chair leg stirrup  116  also shown and described in  FIG. 1  to ensure chair leg anchor  104  stays positioned as desired. 
         [0051]    In step  504 , the user inserts the corresponding leg through a leg wrap, such as, for example, leg wrap  102  shown and described above in  FIG. 1 , until leg wrap  102  is directly above the ankle. The user then bends the corresponding knee and places that foot on the floor on top of a leg stirrup, such as, for example, leg stirrup  114  also shown and described in  FIG. 1  to create the disengaged position. 
         [0052]    In order to proceed to the engaged position of flexion exercise, the user pulls a rope, such as, for example, rope  106  shown and described in  FIG. 1  using a handle, such as, for example, handle  112  also shown and described in  FIG. 1  to flex the leg and pull the heel back towards the rear of the chair. The user can choose to release tension using handle  112 , thereby returning to the disengaged position, and subsequently repeat the exercise, as desired. 
         [0053]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of or the like. 
         [0054]    While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.