Patent Publication Number: US-6036623-A

Title: Collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exercise machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous innovations for exercise machines have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
     FOR EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,117 to Potts et al. teaches an apparatus for simultaneous upper body exercise and lower body exercise. The lower body exercise is of a stair-climbing simulation type. Movement of the upper body exercise handle and lower body exercise pedals are independent from one another. Resistance to motion of the handles and pedals is provided and controlled so as to produce substantially isokinetic exercise. Step-down gears are provided so that a similar amount of upper body effort and lower body effort is perceived by the exerciser. 
     ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,402 to Johnson teaches an exercising device wherein a rotary crank handle mechanism is mounted on the upper end portion of a frame assembly for exercising the upper body portion of a person, and an exercising mechanism is mounted on the lower portion of the frame assembly for exercising the lower body portion of the person. The upper and lower exercising mechanisms are independently operable from each other, and the upper crank handle mechanism is provided with a plurality of adjustment features so that the mechanism can be pivoted to a desired position relative to the frame assembly and the crank arms can be oriented relative to each other to recreate the effects of swimming or rowing. 
     STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,856 to Proctor teaches a complete body passive exercise machine. A motor drives a crank shaft which rotates two foot plates about a given point. These foot plates are attached to limited slide joint assemblies which cause the foot plates to flex forwardly and rearwardly while they are being moved in a circle thereby exercising the legs and ankles. The crankshaft is also operatively attached to arm levers which are held onto by the user. The arm levers work such that the one of the user&#39;s arms is fully extended while the other is close to the user&#39;s body thereby working the arms as well as pivoting the torso. 
     FINALLY, YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,209 to Kendrew teaches an apparatus to exercise the arms and legs in which the user stands upright on foot levers which are supported by a downward pull or a push exerted on hand levers to which the foot levers are independently connected so that the arms and legs move in opposition to each other in substantially upward and downward directions enabling a variety of pull-up, push-up, and stepping or climbing exercises to be performed without the need for either weights, friction, or damping devices, and which apparatus can be constructed simply and inexpensively using off the shelf hardware components. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for exercise machines have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair that is simple to use. 
     BRIEFLY STATED, YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair having wheels that includes a base, a frame, a drive train, lower pivoting apparatus, and upper pivoting apparatus. The base is placed on a generally horizontal surface, the frame is pivotally mounted to the base. The drive train is rotatively mounted to the frame, the lower pivoting apparatus pivotally mounts the frame to the base. The upper pivoting apparatus pivotally mounts portions of the frame to each other. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description or the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the present invention with an exerciser sitting in a wheelchair shown in phantom and exercising; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of just the present invention per se; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of just the drive train per se of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted ellipse identified by arrow 4 in FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted ellipse identified by arrow 5 in FIG. 2. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
 10  collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser    
     in a wheelchair of the present invention                             
 16  wheelchair                                                           
 17  wheels of wheelchair 16                                              
 18  base for placement on a generally horizontal surface 20              
 20  horizontal surface                                                   
 22  frame pivotally mounted to base 18                                   
 24  drive train rotatively mounted to frame 22                           
 26  lower pivoting apparatus pivotally mounting frame 22 to base 18      
 28  upper pivoting apparatus pivotally mounting portions of frame 18     
     to each other                                                        
 30  body of base 18                                                      
 32  lowermost surface of body 30 of base 18 for positioning on           
     generally horizontal surface 20                                      
 34  uppermost surface of body 30 of base 18                              
 36  front edge of body 30 of base 18                                     
 38  pair of legs of body 30 of base 18                                   
 40  pair of outer longitudinal sides defining pair of legs 38 of body    
     30                                                                   
     of base 18                                                           
 42  pair of inner longitudinal sides further defining pair of legs 38    
     of                                                                   
     body 30 of base 18                                                   
 44  pair of rearmost edges further defining pair of legs 38 of body 30   
     of base 18                                                           
 46  approximate midpoints of pair of legs 38 of body 30 of base 18       
 48  front cross member of base 18                                        
 50  pair of rear cross members of base 18                                
 52  pair of inner side rails of base 18                                  
 54  pair of outer side rails of base 18                                  
 56  hinge of each side rail of pair of outer side rails 54 of base 18    
 58  guide ramps 58 for properly positioning wheels 17 of wheelchair      
     16                                                                   
 60  lower arm of frame 22                                                
 61  approximate midpoint of lower arm 60 of frame 22                     
 62  lowermost end of lower arm 60 of frame 22                            
 63  throughbore extending laterally through approximate midpoint of      
     lower arm 60 of frame 22                                             
 64  uppermost end of lower arm 60 of frame 22                            
 65  throughbore extending laterally through uppermost end 64 of lower    
     arm 60 of frame 22                                                   
 66  upper arm of frame 22                                                
 68  lowermost end of upper arm 66 of frame 22                            
 69  throughbore extending laterally through lowermost end 68 of upper    
     arm 66 of frame 22                                                   
 70  uppermost end of upper arm 66 of frame 22                            
 71  throughbore extending laterally through uppermost end 70 of upper    
     arm 66 of frame 22                                                   
 72  upper crankshaft of drive train 24                                   
 73  lowermost free end of lowermost end 68 of upper arm 66 of frame      
     22                                                                   
 74  upper crank axle of upper crankshaft 72 of drive train 24            
 76  upper sprocket gear of upper crankshaft 72 of drive train 24         
 78  pair of upper crank arms of upper crankshaft 72 of drive train 24    
 80  intermediate axle of drive train 24                                  
 82  pair of intermediate sprocket gears of drive train 24                
 84  lower crankshaft of drive train 24                                   
 86  lower crank axle of lower crankshaft 84 of drive train 24            
 88  lower sprocket gear of lower crankshaft 84 of drive train 24         
 90  pair of lower crank arms of lower crankshaft 84 of drive train 24    
 92  pair of flywheels of lower crankshaft 84 of drive train 24           
 94  upper sprocket chain of drive train 24                               
 96  lower sprocket chain of drive train 24                               
 97  pair of foot pedals of drive train 24                                
 98  rear portion of each pedal of pair of foot pedals 97 of drive train  
     24                                                                   
     for supporting a lower leg of exerciser                              
 99  bottom portion of each pedal of pair of foot pedals 97 of drive      
     train                                                                
     24 for supporting a foot of exerciser                                
100  tensioner of drive train 24                                          
102  block of tensioner 100 of drive train 24                             
104  threaded bolt of tensioner 100 of drive train 24                     
105  throughbore extending laterally through lowermost end 62 of          
     lower arm 60 of frame 22                                             
106  head of threaded bolt 104 of tensioner 100 of drive train 24         
107  pair of pivot plates of lower pivoting apparatus 26                  
108  throughbores extending laterally aligned through pair of pivot       
     plates 107 of lower pivoting apparatus 26                            
110  threaded bolt of lower pivoting apparatus 26                         
111  threaded throughbore in handle 112 of lower pivoting apparatus 26    
112  handle of lower pivoting apparatus 26                                
114  throughslot in both sides of lowermost end 68 of upper arm 66 of     
     frame 22                                                             
115  another throughbore in lowermost end 68 of upper arm 66 of frame     
     22                                                                   
116  hub of upper pivoting apparatus 28                                   
118  threaded bolt of upper pivoting apparatus 28                         
120  threaded throughbore in handle 122 of upper pivoting apparatus 28    
122  handle of upper pivoting apparatus 28                                
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, the collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair 16 that has wheels 17. 
     The overall configuration of the collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair 10 can best be seen in FIG. 2, and as such will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair 10 comprises a base 18 for placement on a generally horizontal surface 20 and a frame 22 that is pivotally mounted to the base 18. 
     The collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair 10 further comprises a drive train 24 that is rotatively mounted to the frame 22, lower pivoting apparatus 26 that pivotally mounts the frame 22 to the base 18, and upper pivoting apparatus 28 that pivotally mounts portions of the frame 18 to each other. 
     The specific configuration of the base 18 can best be seen in FIG. 2, and as such will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The base 18 comprises a body 30 that is flat, thin, substantially U-shaped, and opens rearwardly. The body 30 of the base 18 has a lowermost surface 32 for placement on the generally horizontal surface 20, an uppermost surface 34 that is disclosed above, and parallel to, the lowermost surface 32 of the body 30 of the base 18, a front edge 36, and a pair of legs 38. 
     The pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18 are formed by a pair of outer longitudinal sides 40 that are parallel and spaced-apart, a pair of inner longitudinal sides 42 that are spaced-apart and parallel to each other and to, and inward of, the pair of outer longitudinal sides 40 of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18, and a pair of rearmost edges 44 that are collinear, spaced-apart, parallel to, and rearward of, the forwardmost edge 36 of the body 30 of the base 18. 
     The pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18 are divided laterally, at their approximate midpoints 46, so as to allow the base 18 to fold for easy storage and transport. 
     The base 18 further comprises a front cross member 48 that is disposed on the uppermost surface 34 of the body 30 of the base 18, and extends laterally along the forwardmost edge 36 of the body 30 of the base 18 so as to add rigidity thereto. 
     The base 18 further comprises a pair of rear cross members that are square tubing and abut each other laterally, and extend laterally from one leg of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18 to the other leg of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18, at the pair of inner longitudinal sides 42 of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18 so as to add further rigidity thereto, with a forwardmost one thereof being forward of the approximate midpoints 46 of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18, and with a rearmost one thereof being rearward of the approximate midpoints 46 of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18 so as not to interfere with the base 18 when it folds. 
     The base 18 further comprises a pair of inner side rails, 52 that are square tubing and disposed on the uppermost surface 34 of the body 30 of the base 18, extend longitudinally along the pair of inner longitudinal sides 42 of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18, along their entire lengths, so as to add further rigidity thereto, and are divided laterally, at the approximate midpoints 46 of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18, so as not to interfere with the base 18 when it folds. 
     The base 18 further comprises a pair of outer side rails 54 that are disposed on the uppermost surface 34 of the body 30 of the base 18, extend longitudinally along the pair of outer longitudinal sides 40 of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18, along their entire length, so as to add further rigidity thereto, and are divided laterally, at the approximate midpoints 46 of the pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18, so as not to interfere with the base 18 when it folds. 
     Each side rail of the pair of outer side rails 54 of the base 18 is hingedly attached, at its division, by a hinge 56 on its uppermost surface so as to allow the base 18 to fold upwardly, yet be rigid when unfolded. 
     The pair of legs 38 of the body 30 of the base 18, the pair of inner side rails 52 of the base 18, and the pair of outer side rails 54 of the base 18 form guide ramps 58 for properly positioning the wheels 17 of the wheelchair 16. 
     The specific configuration of the frame 22 can best be seen in FIG. 2, and as such will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The frame 22 comprises a lower arm 60 that is hollow and rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped, and has an approximate midpoint 61 with a throughbore 63 extending laterally therethrough, a lowermost end 62 that is pivotally mounted to the uppermost surface 34 of the body 30 of the base 18, on the front cross member 48 of the base 18, at its midpoint, and a uppermost end 64 with a throughbore 65 extending laterally therethrough. 
     The frame 22 further comprises an upper arm 66 that is hollow and rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped, and has a lowermost end 68 with a throughbore 69 extending laterally therethrough and a lowermost free end 73. The lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 is pivotally mounted, side by side, to the uppermost end 64 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22 so as to fold relative thereto, and further has an uppermost end 70 with a throughbore 71 extending laterally therethrough. 
     The specific configuration of the drive train 24 can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and as such will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The drive train 24 comprises an upper crankshaft 72 that comprises an upper crank axle 74 that extends rotatably through the throughbore 71 in the uppermost end 70 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 for rotative motion relative thereto. 
     The upper crankshaft 72 of the drive train 24 further comprises an upper sprocket gear 76 that is disposed in the upper arm 66 of the frame 22, and is mounted on the upper crank axle 74 of the upper crankshaft 72 of the drive train 24 for rotation therewith. 
     The upper crankshaft 72 of the drive train 24 further comprises a pair of upper crank arms 78 that are offsetingly disposed on the upper crank axle 74 of the upper crankshaft 72 of the drive train 24, at its ends, for rotation therewith and for gripping by the hands of the exerciser. 
     The drive train 24 further comprises an intermediate axle 80 that extends rotatably through the throughbore 65 in the uppermost end 64 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22 and rotatably through the throughbore 69 in the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22. 
     The drive train 24 further comprises a pair of intermediate sprocket gears 82 that are mounted on the intermediate axle 80 of the drive train 24 for rotation therewith, with one gear thereof disposed in the uppermost end 64 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22, and with the other gear thereof disposed in the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22. 
     The drive train 24 further comprises a lower crankshaft 84 that comprises a lower crank axle 86 that extends rotatably through the throughbore 63 in the approximate midpoint 61 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22 for rotation relative thereto. 
     The lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24 further comprises a lower sprocket gear 88 that is disposed in the lower arm 60 of the frame 22, and is mounted on the lower crank axle 86 of the lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24 for rotation therewith. 
     The lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24 further comprises a pair of lower crank arms 90 that are offsetingly disposed on the lower crank axle 86 of the lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24, at its ends, for rotation therewith. 
     The lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24 further comprises a pair of flywheels 92 that are disposed on the lower crank axle 86 of the lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24 for rotation therewith, between the lower arm 60 of the frame 22 and the pair of lower crank arms 90 of the lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24 or adding momentum. 
     The drive train 24 further comprises an upper sprocket chain 94 that is disposed in the upper arm 66 of the frame 22, and engages the upper sprocket gear 76 of the upper crankshaft 72 of the drive train 24 and engages the other sprocket gear of the pair of intermediate sprocket gears 82 of the drive train 24 for rotation therewith. 
     The drive train 24 further comprises a lower sprocket chain 96 that is disposed in the lower arm 60 of the frame 22, and engages the one sprocket gear of the pair of intermediate sprocket gears 82 of the drive train 24 and engages the lower sprocket gear 88 of the lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24 for rotation therewith so as to allow one crankshaft to rotate when the other crankshaft is rotated allowing the collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair 10 to be used be the exerciser with use of either only their arms or legs. 
     The drive train 24 further comprises a pair of foot pedals 97 that are substantially L-shaped in vertical profile so as to prevent the ankles of the exerciser from unwanted movement when the legs of the exerciser lack the ability to act. 
     Each pedal of the pair of foot pedals 97 of the drive train 24 comprises a bottom portion 99 for supporting a foot of the exerciser, and is flat and pivotally mounted to a respective arm of the pair of lower crank arms 90 of the lower crankshaft 84 of the drive train 24. 
     Each pedal of the pair of foot pedals 97 of the drive train 24 further comprises a rear portion 98 for supporting a lower leg of the exerciser, and is substantially semi-cylindrically-shaped and extends upwardly from the bottom portion 99 of a respective pedal of the pair of foot pedals 97 of the drive train 24, at its rear edge. 
     The drive train 24 further comprises a tensioner 100 for adjusting resistance on the lower crankshaft 84, and is disposed on the lower arm 60 of the frame 22, on one side thereof, and at its approximate midpoint 61. 
     The tensioner 100 of the drive train 24 comprises a block 102 that is internally threaded and fixedly attached to the midpoint 61 of the one side of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22, and extends longitudinally therealong. 
     The tensioner 100 of the drive train 24 further comprising a threaded bolt 104 that threadably engages through the block 102 of the tensioner 100 of the drive train 24, with its free end being in selective contact with one flywheel of the pair of flywheels 93 of the drive train 24, and with its head 106 providing a gripping surface for its rotation. 
     The specific configuration of the lower pivoting apparatus 26 can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, and as such will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The lower pivoting apparatus 26 comprises a throughbore 105 that extends laterally through the lowermost end 62 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22. 
     The lower pivoting apparatus 26 further comprises a pair of pivot plates 107 that are flat, spaced-apart, parallel, and have throughbores 108 extending laterally aligned therethrough. The pair of pivot plates 107 of the lower pivoting apparatus 26 extend perpendicularly upwardly from the uppermost surface 34 of the body 30 of the base 18, on the front cross member 48 of the base 18, at its midpoint, and straddle the lowermost end 62 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22. 
     The lower pivoting apparatus 26 further comprises a threaded bolt 110 that extends through the throughbores 108 in the pair of pivot plates 107 of the lower pivoting apparatus 26, through the throughbore 105 in the lowermost end 62 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22, and threadably engages a threaded throughbore 111 in a handle 112 so by tightening the handle 112 of the lower pivoting apparatus 26, the pair of pivot plates 107 compress against the lowermost end 62 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22 and maintain it in its desired position, and by loosening the handle 112 of the lower pivoting apparatus 26, the pair of pivot plates 107 release from the lowermost end 62 of the lower area 63 of the frame 22 and allow it to pivot to its desired position. 
     The configuration of the upper pivoting apparatus 28 can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, and as such will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The upper pivoting apparatus 28 comprises the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 having a throughslot 114 that extends axially from the throughbore 69 in the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 to the lowermost free end 73 of the lowermost end 68 of the lower arm 66 of the frame 22, on both sides of the lowermost end 68 of the lower arm 66 of the frame 22. 
     The upper pivoting apparatus 28 further comprises the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 having another throughbore 115 that extends therethrough, from front to back. 
     The upper pivoting apparatus 28 further comprises a hub 116 that extends pivotally through the throughbore 69 in the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 and fixedly through the throughbore 65 in the uppermost end 64 of the lower arm 60 of the frame 22 for pivoting therewith. 
     The upper pivoting apparatus 28 further comprises a threaded bolt 118 that extends through the another throughbore 115 in the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 and threadably engages a threaded throughbore 120 in a handle 122 so by tightening the handle 122 of the upper pivoting apparatus 28, the throughslot 114 in both sides of the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 compress causing the throughbore 69 in the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 to compress against the hub 116 of the upper pivoting apparatus 28 and maintain the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 in its desired position, and by loosening the handle 122 of the upper pivoting apparatus 28, the throughslot 114 in both sides of the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 open causing the throughbore 69 in the lowermost end 68 of the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 to release from the hub 116 of the upper pivoting apparatus 28 and allow the upper arm 66 of the frame 22 to pivot to its desired position. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a collapsible machine for exercising the whole body of an exerciser in a wheelchair, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.