Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a portable therapeutic exercise device and more particularly a convenient exercise device, which is particularly adapted for restoring and/or maintaining the range of motion of post-operative patients and also having general therapeutic use. The disclosed device has several significant and novel improvements over prior art devices. Several improvements have resulted in a device which is much easier and less expensive to produce, lighter, more convenient to transport and to store. The device has a lightweight base frame, and a moveable carriage connected thereto. A plurality of elastic members couple the base to the carriage to supply resistant force while in operation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61/154,482, filed Feb. 23, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     a) Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a portable therapeutic exercise device and more particularly a convenient exercise device which is particularly adapted for restoring and/or maintaining the range of motion of post-operative patients and also having general therapeutic use. The disclosed device has several significant and novel improvements over prior art devices. Several improvements have resulted in a device which is much easier and less expensive to produce, lighter, more convenient to transport and to store. 
     b) Background Art 
     There have existed for a number of years exercise apparatus comprising a support frame, and a support platform which is movable along the length of the support frame. In one such apparatus, the user is often positioned with his or her back resting on the support frame and the user&#39;s feet are placed against an upright plate, and the user pushes with his or her legs to be propelled away from the plate. Tension cords are provided to pull the carriage back toward the plate, with a user again propelling their self away from the plate. There is currently a need for a portable exercise apparatus which is more adapted for therapeutic needs. For example, there is a current need for restoring and maintaining the range of motion for postoperative patients. Rapid functional improvement could be realized by lower extremity injury patients working on a horizontal, or near horizontal plane. By utilizing controlled concentric and eccentric chain exercises, the patient is able to focus on increasing his/her range of motion, strength and stability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The object of this disclosure in several forms has been designed particularly to serve the patient in the period between surgery and the point in rehabilitation when the patient&#39;s ability to bear partial weight is restored. Thus, it was developed to provide simple, quality movement, by range of motion, shortly after surgery and expand into a low-level exercise program. Also, the present device is arranged so that it could be used in a user&#39;s bed, on the floor, sitting in a chair or wheel chair, on a treatment table, or even a normal table. 
     Further, the object of this disclosure in one form can be used in a variety of clinical, institutional, athletic and specialized settings, enabling a wide variety of exercise to be accomplished with this apparatus. 
     The apparatus of the object of this disclosure in one form comprises a support frame having a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis. The support frame comprises a longitudinally extending rail. 
     There is a carriage assembly in one form comprising a carriage unit, engaging the rail for back and forth travel along the longitudinal axis of the support frame. The carriage assembly also comprises a contact plate mounted to the carriage unit and adapted to be engaged by a user to exert a rearwardly directed force on the contact plate. The carriage assembly has a front end and a rear end. 
     There is also a tensioning system arranged for operative engagement between the carriage assembly and the support frame to exert an adjustable forward force on the carriage assembly to urge the carriage assembly in a forward direction. This tensioning system comprises a plurality of selectively operable elastic tension cords, each having an anchor end and an operating attachment end by which the operating end can be manipulated and attached. 
     The carriage assembly may also include a force gauge and readout coupled to the tensioning system, and actively measuring and displaying the force exerted by a user. This may be similar to a standard bathroom scale, and used to dynamically display the force exerted by the user on the contact plate. 
     There is a cord attaching system located at the forward end of the carriage assembly and comprising a first attaching portion to hold the anchor ends of the cords at a forward anchoring location on the carriage assembly and a second stowing attachment portion to engage selectively the operating attachment ends of the cords at selectively engaged stowing locations at the forward end of the carriage. 
     A pulley section at the rear end of the carriage unit comprises a plurality of pulleys, engaging related cords. The cords extend from the forward anchoring location rearwardly to extend around the related pulleys and then forwardly from the pulleys to a forward location of the carriage unit. There is a third selectively engaged operating attaching device mounted at a front end location of the support frame to connect selectively to the operating ends of the cords. 
     Thus, the operating ends of the cords can be attached to the second attaching portion of the cord attaching device so that the cords are in a stowed position in the carriage assembly, and one or more of the operating ends of the cords can be detached from the second attaching portion and engaged with the third selectively engaged operating attaching device. Thus, when a user is utilizing the apparatus by pushing against the contact member to move the carriage assembly rearwardly, the one or more tension cords attached to the third attaching device exert a tension force on the carriage assembly to return the carriage assembly to a more forward location. 
     In the preferred form, the contact member comprises a contact plate which is adjustably mounted to the carriage housing so as to be able to be positioned at various angular positions. The plate is pivotally mounted at the forward location of the carriage housing, and the plate can be moved angularly in an upward or downward direction from the pivot location. A plate positioning device holds a plate at selected angular locations. 
     The apparatus further comprises stabilizing cord device having one end attached to the support frame, and a second end having connecting device adapted to be connected to a stationary structure so as to position the apparatus at a stationary operating location. The stabilizing cord device comprises a pair of stabilizing cords connected at forward locations on the support frame on opposite sides thereof. In the preferred form, the stabilizing cords have a length and adjustment device incorporated therein so that the cords can be connected to structures adjacent to the user operating the exercise apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of one embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure taken along line  3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosure in an extended orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is a cutaway view of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 6 through 10  depict several embodiments of exercises which can be accomplished using one embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 11   a  through  11   e  show several options of foot placement using one embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of one embodiment of the disclosure with the carriage assembly removed. 
         FIG. 13  is an end view of one embodiment of the disclosure taken along line  13  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a partial cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a cutaway view of one embodiment the disclosure taken along line  15  of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure taken along line  16  of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure taken along the line  17  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 18  is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure as shown in  FIG. 17  with one side plate being removed. 
         FIG. 19  is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure with one side plate removed and the carriage assembly being removed from the support frame. 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the disclosure showing one embodiment of the restraining system. 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are detailed views of a portion of one embodiment of the restraining system in operation. 
         FIG. 23  is a side environmental view of one embodiment of the disclosure in operation. 
         FIG. 24  is a plan view of one embodiment of the disclosure taken along line  24  of  FIG. 23   
         FIG. 25  is a side environmental view of one embodiment of the disclosure in an upright stored orientation. 
         FIG. 26  is a side environmental view of one embodiment of the disclosure in a transporting orientation. 
         FIG. 27  is a plan view of a sheet of material forming one embodiment of the support frame body. 
         FIG. 28  is a plan view of a sheet of material forming one embodiment of a carriage side plate. 
         FIG. 29  is a plan view of a sheet of material forming one embodiment of a transverse carriage plate. 
         FIG. 30  is a plan view of a sheet of material forming one embodiment of a contact plate. 
         FIG. 31  is a plan view of a sheet of material forming one embodiment of a contact plate support. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before beginning, an axis system  10  is disclosed as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This axis system substantially comprises a vertical axis  12  and a longitudinal axis  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a transverse axis  16  extends substantially from the left side  17  to the right side  18 . This axis system is disclosed for reference purposes only and is not intended to be limiting to the claims. 
     The therapeutic exercise device  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 , substantially comprises several interoperating assemblies including a support frame  22 , and a carriage assembly  24 . The carriage assembly  24  is configured to engage the support frame  22  in such a way as to limit transverse and vertical movement of the carriage assembly  24  relative to the support frame  22 . Longitudinal movement of the carriage assembly  24  is only facilitated within a prescribed range. A tensioning system  26  is also disclosed, which substantially repositions the carriage assembly  24  to the front end  28  of the exercise device  20 . In operation, a user will exert force upon the carriage assembly  24 , repositioning it toward the back end  30  of the device  20 , and the tensioning system will reposition the carriage assembly  24  back to the front end  28  of the device  20  when sufficient force is relieved. 
     This device in one embodiment is similar to the embodiments shown in Applicant&#39;s own prior, U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,523, which is incorporated herein by reference. Some of the novel concepts and improvements of this disclosure allows the therapeutic exercise device  20  to be formed with fewer and lighter parts which increases portability of the overall device. This configuration also substantially reduces the cost of manufacture. As this device is often used by physical therapists, the device  20  can also be used as a hand truck-like device for carrying objects  32  as shown in  FIG. 26 . This arrangement will be described in much more detail later. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , in one form the support frame  22  is comprised of several elements including a plurality of longitudinally extending side rails  34 A and  34 B. A transverse connector  36 A connects the longitudinally extending side rails  34 A and  34 B at the back end  30  of the support frame  22 . Another transverse connector  36 B connects the longitudinally extending side rails  34 A and  34 B at the front end  28  of the support frame  20 . Each of the side rails  34  includes a side surface  38  and a top surface  40  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The side surfaces  38  may be formed as a unitary structure with the top surface  40 , which may increase rigidity and strength of the support frame  22  and at the same time, decrease the overall weight of the device  20  relative to previous embodiments. In one form, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a distance scale  42  is provided on at least one of the top surfaces  40 . This distance scale  42  displays to the user, and alternatively a therapist, the range of motion through which the user is exercising. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the distance scale  42  may comprise a first scale  44  and a second scale  46  at opposite longitudinal ends of the frame  22 . As the distance between the origins  48  and  50  is substantially the same as the length  52  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the carriage assembly  24 , this allows the user and other personnel to see the distance traveled, even when the carriage assembly  24  covers a portion of the distance scale  42 . In one embodiment, an instruction plate  54  is provided which may be attached at a recess  56 A and  56 B, of the longitudinally extending side rails  34 A and  34 B as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The instruction plate  54  may include operating instructions and/or marketing information (not shown) to the exercise device. The recess  56  may also add rigidity and support to the overall design of the exercise device  20 . To attach the instruction plate  54  to the recess  56 , a plurality of openings  58  are provided as shown in  FIG. 2  and again in  FIG. 12  the instruction plate  54  can therefore be fixed to the recess  56  by way of screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives or equivalents. 
     The carriage assembly  24  comprises several interoperating portions. Beginning with  FIG. 1 , the carriage assembly  24  comprises a carriage body  60  comprising a plurality of carriage side plates  62  including, as shown in  FIG. 15 , a left side plate  62 A and a right side plate  62 B. Back to  FIG. 1 , a contact plate  64  is provided which is pivotably attached to the carriage assembly  24  at a carriage plate pivot  66 . This allows the contact plate  64  to be pivotably adjusted relative to the carriage body  60 . In one form, a restraining strap  68  is provided which is utilized to retain a user&#39;s feet or other appendage upon the contact plate  64  when the device  20  is in operation. The contact plate may further comprise further a force gauge and readout operatively configured to actively measure and display the force exerted by a user on the carriage assembly. A contact plate support  70  is also provided which is pivotably connected to the contact plate  64  at a contact plate support pivot  72  at a first end  74  of the contact plate support  70 . The second end  76  of the contact plate support is operatively configured to engage an angle adjustment system  78  provided on the carriage body  60 . In one form, the angle adjustment system  78  comprises a plurality of recesses  80  which are formed upon the carriage side plate  62  to engage a transverse rod  82 . Looking to  FIG. 5 , it can be seen how in one form, the transverse rod  82  may further comprise an outer surface  84  which in one form is a padded portion. 
     In one form, the carriage plate pivot  66  of  FIG. 1 , is created with sufficient friction between the contact plate  64  and the carriage body  60  that substantial force is required to reposition the contact plate  64  relative to the carriage body  60 . This will keep the contact plate  64  from inadvertently readjusting during operation. Additionally, it may be desired that the contact plate support pivot  72  be similarly formed. 
     It may be desired to have the carriage assembly  24  removable from the support frame  22  in the field. As physical therapists would not ordinarily carry with them a set of tools, an embodiment is disclosed wherein the carriage assembly  24  comprises a plurality of side plates  84 A and  84 B as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . In one form, the right and left side plates  84 A and  84 B may be substantially identical or mirror images of each other save for a fastener  86 A being a removable fastener, and the alternate fasteners  86 B being non-removal fasteners. Thus as shown in  FIG. 18 , the removable fastener  86 A can be de-coupled from the side plate  84 A and the carriage side plate  62 A. Thus as shown in  FIG. 19 , the carriage assembly  24  can be removed from the support frame  22  by simply lifting upon the left side  17  of the carriage assembly  24 . This allows access to the wheels  88  and other portions of the undercarriage of the carriage assembly  24  as well as the entire top surface  40  of the support frame  22  for cleaning or maintenance. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the longitudinally extending side rails  34 A and  34 B, as previously discussed, are formed of a top surface  40  and a side surface  38 . The wheels  88  of the carriage assembly  24  in one form ride upon the upper surface of these rails  34  in an oscillating, back-and-forth motion. In one form, a slide block  90  is provided on the interior surface of the carriage side plate  62  to frictionally engage the side surface  38  of the longitudinally extending rail  34 . This slide block  90  may be formed of a friction-reducing material or compensation such as Delran, nylon, lubricant, Teflon, or equivalent materials and structures. As shown in  FIG. 17 , the side plates  84 A and  84 B in one form are comprised of a vertical portion  92  and a substantially horizontal portion  94 . The vertical portion  92  in combination with the slide block  90  prevents the carriage assembly from substantially repositioning in a transverse direction  16  relative to the support frame  22 . The horizontal portion  94  substantially limits the carriage assembly from substantially repositioning in a vertical direction  12  relative to the support frame  22 . The side plates  84  may be formed of the same material as other portions of the device  20 , or may alternatively be formed of a lighter structure, such as plastic, as the stress encountered by these portions is substantially less than, for example, the longitudinally extending rail or the contact plate. While the side plates  84  are shown engaging the outer portion of the support frame  22 , it would also be possible to have these side plates engage the inner portion if the instruction plate  54  were removed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the resistance or tensioning system  26  is shown in a cutaway view taken along line  3  of  FIG. 2 . The tensioning system  26  comprises several parts, in one form a plurality of elastic members  96  which comprise an anchor end  98  and an operating attachment end  100 . In one form, the anchor end  98  is fixed upon a rear cord anchor member  102  upon the carriage  24 . This rear cord anchor member  102  is also shown in  FIG. 29  wherein each anchor position comprises a substantially cylindrical portion  104  and a narrower portion  105 . This configuration keeps the elastic members  96  in place; however, they can be removed when desired for maintenance or replacement. In its normal operating configuration as shown in  FIG. 2 , the anchor end  98  in one form is not accessible to the user. The previously described carriage removal process can be utilized to gain access to this anchor end  98 . Looking again to  FIG. 3 , the elastic members  96  extend from the anchor end  98 , around a plurality of pulleys  104 , and back through the forward cord indexing member  106 . The forward cord indexing member  106  as shown in  FIG. 15  has a plurality of slots  108  through which the elastic members  96  pass. When a specific elastic member  96  is not engaged to add resistance to the device  20 , it slides through the upper position  110 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when it is desired to have a specific elastic member  96  utilized for resistance, the operating attachment end is pulled toward the front end  28  of the support frame  22  and engaged upon the cord connecting member  112  of the support frame  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , at least one elastic member  96 F is coupled to the cord connecting number  112 , while at least one elastic member  96 E remains attached to the forward cord indexing member  106 . Even when the elastic member  96 F, is attached to the cord connecting member  112 , it may still pass through the slot  108  of the forward cord indexing member  106 , but in the lower position  114 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The slot  108  also comprises an opening  116  such that the entire elastic member  96  can be removed without removing the end portions  118  or  120 . The end portion  120  shown in  FIG. 3 , in one form further comprises a grasping portion  122  which improves the ability of a user to grab this portion of the elastic member  96 . Where additional tension is desired in the apparatus, additional elastic members  96  can be engaged with the cord connecting member  112 . 
     In  FIG. 4  it can be seen how the side plate or carriage retaining bracket  84  has a back edge  124  and a front edge  126 . In one form, the longitudinally extending side rail  34  further comprises a recess  128  extending from a rear edge  130  to a front edge  132 . Thus, the carriage assembly  24  is allowed to oscillate between a position wherein the back edge  124  of the retaining bracket  84  abuts the back edge  130  of the recess  128 , to a position wherein the front edge  126  of the carriage retaining bracket  84  abuts the front edge  132  of the recess  128 . To reduce stress upon the carriage assembly  24  and more specifically the carriage retaining bracket  84 , a bumper  134  may be provided. This bumper  134  can be bolted or otherwise affixed to the longitudinally extending side rail such that before the front edge  126  of the carriage retaining bracket  84  abuts the front edge  132  of the recess  128 , a portion of the carriage assembly  24  will encounter the bumper  134 . The bumper  134  may for example encounter the carriage side plate  62 , the forward cord indexing member  106 , or alternatively one of the wheels  88 . 
     To increase the stability of the overall device  20  in operation, a restraining system  136  is disclosed in one form as shown in  FIG. 20 . The restraining system  136  substantially comprises, on each side of the apparatus, a non-elastic cord section  138  coupled to an elastic cord section  140 . The elastic cord section  140  may terminate at an attachment location  142  on the support frame  22 . A hook  144  or similar device may be attached to the non-elastic cord section. As will be described later, the non-elastic cord section  138  passes through the side surface  38  of the support frame  22  and then passes around a turning block  146  and travels down toward the back end  30  of the device  20  and couples to the elastic cord section  140  at attachment point  141 . The restraining system then passes around a second turning block  148  disposed at the back end  30  of the device  20  wherein it returns toward the front end  28  terminating at the attachment location  142 . This arrangement allows the hook  144  and non-elastic cord section  138  to be pulled outward from the side surface  38  to a desired extended length. When released, the restraining system  136  retracts the extended portion substantially back into the inside portion or enclosed portion of the support frame  22 . 
     In one form, the non-elastic cord section  138  passes through the side surface  38  through a keyway  150  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The keyway  150  substantially comprises two regions, one being a wide region  152  and the second being a narrow region  154 . The narrow region  154  is generally closer to the front end  28  of the support frame  22 . This arrangement allows the non-elastic cord section  138  and hook  144  to be pulled outward as shown in  FIG. 20 ; however, as the extended portion  156  is pulled to couple to a stationary structure, for example, to wrap around the legs  158  of a chair  160  as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the extended portion  156  will tend to reposition toward the narrow portion  154  of the keyway  150  as shown in  FIG. 22 . In this orientation, a forward force vector  164  tends to lock the extended portion  156  into the narrow portion  154  of the keyway  150 , fixing its relative position. The elastic cord sections  140  will tend to pull the extended portion  156  back into the support frame  22  and thus creates sufficient tension against the legs  158  to retract any slack in the extended portion  156 . This restraining system  136  is utilized primarily because the weight of the therapeutic exercise device  20  may not be sufficient to create sufficient frictional force between the support members  162  and the floor to overcome the force placed upon the contact plate  64  by a user  164  as they press toward the back end  30  of the support frame  22  as the device  20  is being utilized. Using the restraining system  136 , this force exerted by the user is divided between the frictional engagement between the support members  162  and the floor, and the restraining system  136 . 
     In one form, the support members  162  can simultaneously function as the turning blocks  146  and  148  previously described. A foot portion  228  as shown in  FIG. 17  may be added to the support members  162  to enhance frictional stability in relationship to the floor. To enhance the ability of the turning blocks to rotate without undesired friction, the support members may be covered by a friction reducing element, such as a layer of Teflon or other material which may or may not be rotatable in relation to the underlying structure. 
     When the device  20  is in use, it will normally be desired to have each of the support members  162  in personal engagement with the floor  166  as shown in  FIGS. 6 through 9 , or possibly upon a tabletop  168  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In one embodiment, a rolling system  170  is provided, which comprises at least one floor engaging wheel  172  as shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 . When the back end  30  of the therapeutic exercise device  20  is raised, the back support members  162 B will no longer be in contact with the floor. Additionally, when the back end  30  is sufficiently lifted above the floor such that the support frame  22  is substantially above an angle  174  of 10°, the front support members  162 A will also raise above any contact with the floor as the floor engaging wheels come into contact with the floor  166  as shown in the detail view of  FIG. 26 . The apparatus can be transported in the same way as a hand cart, wheeled luggage, or similar device. As shown in  FIG. 26 , one novel feature of this apparatus is that the contact plate  64  can be repositioned substantially 90° from the support frame  22 , thus forming a shelf  176  for carrying objects  32 . Looking to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen how the tensioning system  26  or a similar structure would function to maintain the object  32  upon the shelf  176 . This can be very beneficial as a therapist moving from room to room, building to building, or vehicle to building would have a very convenient place to store other materials. In one form, the transverse connector  36 A as shown in  FIG. 2  may form a very convenient handle for such operation. Looking back to the detailed view of  FIG. 26 , it can be seen how the front end  28  of the longitudinally extending side rail  34  includes an end portion  178 , and a bottom portion  180  with the axle  182  of the floor engaging wheel  172  angularly therebetween. To further facilitate use of the therapeutic exercise device  20  as a cart, the corner  184  is cut away to form an angled portion to leave more clearance for the floor engaging wheel  172 . Looking now to the detailed view of  FIG. 25 , it can be seen how the therapeutic exercise device  20  may be arranged to store against a wall  186  or similar vertical structure. As the back end  30  of the therapeutic exercise device  20  is lifted such that the angle  174  is increased beyond, for example 80°, the end portion  178  of the longitudinally extending side rail  34  reengages the floor  166 , raising the wheel  172  beyond contact with the floor  166 . In this arrangement, the therapeutic exercise device  20  is in frictional engagement with the floor  166  and should not reposition without additional force outward from the wall. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein lend themselves to a very simplistic manufacturing process wherein the major components can be formed quickly and easily using known methods, possibly from a single plate of material. Many types of material can be utilized, such as metal, plastic or equivalent materials having thicknesses in a wide range from 1/16 of an inch up to ¼ of an inch and beyond. Additionally, this plate of material can be segregated into individual components by cutting, punching or possibly by forming the material from a mold. Tests have shown that cutting this material using a laser punch results in a product which requires very little in the way of final finishing. As shown in  FIG. 27 , the support frame  22  can be formed as a unitary structure comprising each of the longitudinal extending side rails  34 A and  34 B, the transverse connector  36 A and the transverse connector  36 B. The cord connecting member  112  can be formed at the same time, as well as the recess portions  56 A and  56 B, which are connected to the longitudinally extending side rails  34 A and  34 B by extensions  188 A and  188 B. Once the support frame  22  is cut out substantially as shown, it may be desired to include a transverse support  190  which is formed by folding along a transverse support fold line  192 . Additionally, the cord connecting member  112  can be formed by folding along a transverse fold line  194 . To differentiate the side surfaces  38 A and  38 B from the top surfaces  40 A and  40 B, the support frame  22  may be bent along a longitudinal fold line  196 A and along a longitudinal fold line  196 B. At the same time as the initial cutting, openings may be provided, such as the keyways  150  through which the restraining system  136  will extend. 
     As shown in  FIG. 28 , the carriage side plate  62  can be formed simultaneously with a portion of the angle adjustment system  78  comprising a plurality of support engagement slots  198 . To add rigidity to the carriage side plate  62 , a portion comprising the angle adjustment system  78  can be folded along a longitudinal fold line  200 . Looking to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , this bend may be a relatively slight angle, such as between 10° and 50° or thereabouts. It also may be desired to bend the carriage side plate  62  of  FIG. 29  along a longitudinal fold line  202  for attachment of the forward cord indexing member  106 . Thus a plurality of openings  204  may be desired to correspond to a plurality of openings  206  in the forward cord indexing member  106  for attachment thereto. In one form, the carriage side plates  62  can be formed by the piece remaining from the central portion of the support frame  22 . This will substantially reduce cost and waste. Furthermore, the portion cut to make the support engagement slots  198  may be used as washers or other needed elements on other parts of the apparatus. 
     As shown in  FIG. 29 , one embodiment of the transverse carriage plate  101  can be formed in a similar manner. Once cut, the transverse carriage plate  101  is folded along an indexing member fold line  208 , thus differentiating the forward cord indexing member  106  from the remainder of the plate. Additionally, the transverse carriage plate can be folded along a cord anchor member fold line  210 , thus differentiating the cord anchor member  102  from the remainder of the plate. These fold or bands also increase rigidity and stability of the transverse carriage plate  101 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 30 , one embodiment of the contact plate  64  can be formed in a similar manner. Once cut, the contact plate  64  can be bent along a left fold line  212 , and a right fold line  214 . Additionally, for rigidity and support, the contact plate  64  can be bent along an upper fold line  216  and a lower fold line  218 . Of course holes may be provided to lighten the contact plate  64  and/or additionally to provide fastening positions, such as openings  220 , to form a portion of the contact plate pivot  66  previously discussed, as well as a plurality of openings  222  configured to engage openings  224  in the first end of the contact plate support  70  as shown in  FIG. 31 . These openings  222  and  224  form a portion of the contact plate support pivot  72  previously discussed. 
     The contact plate supports  70  as shown in  FIG. 31  can be formed in a similar manner, including the portions previously discussed as well as an opening  226  operatively configured to engage the transverse support  82  previously discussed. 
     While the present disclosure is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The disclosure in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants&#39; general concept.