Patent Publication Number: US-2020289353-A1

Title: Combined treatment and exercise apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present general inventive concept relates to a physical therapy and exercise table, and more particularly, to a combined treatment, traction and exercise table designed to strengthen lower extremities of a patient. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     There have been previous devices, known as tilt tables, have been developed that can be used to gradually tilt a patient from a horizontal position to a vertical position. However, these tilt tables are only able to lift the patient to an upright position while simultaneously restricting the movement of the patient&#39;s lower extremities. These conventional tilt tables are often large and bulky and are designed for hospital settings. 
     Therefore, what is desired is a portable therapy apparatus that combines a treatment table, an exercise device, and a traction table into a single, light-weight and portable device designed to strengthen lower extremities of a user while reducing a risk of injury. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A combined treatment and exercise apparatus according to the present general inventive concept provides a multiple function exercise machine that may also be used as a treatment table. In particular, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus combines a plurality of functions, including a full electric treatment and manipulation table, a lower extremity exercise machine, a versatile traction table, an apparatus configured to allow for open chain arm exercises with a pulley system, and a tilt or inversion table into a single integrated device. 
     Certain of the foregoing and related aspects and/or features are readily attained according to the present general inventive concept by providing a combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus which includes a base coupled to a plurality of linkages, a support frame having a first end and opposing second end and pivotally coupled to the plurality of linkages, the support frame formed to pivot between a first orientation and a different second orientation, a treatment table having a first end and an opposing second end, the treatment table slidably mounted to the support frame and a plurality of actuators coupled between the base and the plurality of linkages, wherein the treatment table slides between a first position and a second position along a plane of the support frame when a first actuator is activated. 
     The combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus may further include a second actuator formed to selectably pivot the support frame between the first orientation and the second orientation when a second actuator is activated. 
     An angle between the first orientation and the second orientation may be about 100 degrees. 
     The treatment table at the second position may be further away from the first end of the support frame than when the treatment table is at the first position. 
     The treatment table may move about 1 to about 50 inches between the second position and the first position. 
     The combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus may further include a first footrest member and a second foot rest member pivotably coupled to the first end of the support frame. 
     The first footrest member may pivot independently from the second foot rest member. 
     The first foot rest member and the second foot rest member may each pivot independently about 100 degrees. 
     The first foot rest member and the second foot rest member may each be selectably lockable at varying degrees. 
     The combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus may further include a traction unit coupled to the second end of the support frame formed to apply traction to a user. 
     The treatment table may have a width of between about 20 inches and about 50 inches. 
     The treatment table may have a length of between about 48 inches and about 100 inches. 
     The combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus may further include a locking member to selectably lock the treatment table in various positions between the first position and the second position. 
     The combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus may further include removable hand rails disposed on opposite sides of the treatment table to provide support for a user. 
     The removable hand rails may be formed with a width of about 6 inches to about 36 inches. 
     The combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus may further include a plurality of lockable wheels coupled to the base 
     The combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus may further include a lift mechanism formed to lift the treatment table from a first height to a second different height with respect to the base. 
     The combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus may further include a digital scale integrally formed between the treatment table and the support frame and configured to provide a load measurement of the user during treatment and/or exercise. 
     In alternative embodiments, the digital scale is configured to provide a load measurement of the user, while the treatment table is in a non-horizontal position. 
     In contrast with conventional treatment tables disclosed by the prior art, the present general inventive concept includes a large-sized treatment table which provides a larger surface area to allow all patients, including bariatric patients to easily transfer on and off the table, without fear of falling. In other words, since the combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus according to the present general inventive concept is designed and/or configured to easily transition from a full electric treatment table to an exercise apparatus, the risk of injury to the patient is significantly reduced. That is, a patient using the combined treatment, exercise, and traction apparatus can transition from receiving treatment to receiving traction to performing a variety of lower extremity exercises, without having to use different tables. As such, the patient experiences less anxiety and fear and resulting in better compliance and improved recovery time as compared to conventional treatment tables. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view a combined treatment and exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the treatment table is in a first position; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the treatment table is in a second position; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a right-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , having the foot rest members in a first state; 
         FIG. 4B  is a right-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , having the foot rest members in a second state; 
         FIG. 4C  is a right-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , having the a foot rest member in an inclined position; 
         FIG. 5A  is a left-side perspective view of a combined treatment and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept, wherein the treatment table is in a first position; 
         FIG. 5B  is a left-side perspective view of a combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 5A , wherein the treatment table is in a second position; 
         FIG. 5C  is a left-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 5A , having a treatment table in an inclined position; 
         FIG. 5D  is a left-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 5A , having a treatment table in a declined position; 
         FIG. 6A  is a left-side perspective view of a combined treatment and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept, having a treatment table in a first position and a traction motor; 
         FIG. 6B  is a left-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 6A , having a treatment table in a second position; and 
         FIG. 7  is a left-side perspective view of a combined treatment and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept, having a pulley. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view a combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept,  FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the treatment table is in a first position, and  FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the treatment table is in a second position.  FIG. 3  is a top view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the combined treatment and exercise apparatus, designated generally as  100 , is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  is designed and configured as a portable therapy apparatus that combines a treatment table, an exercise device, and a traction table into a single, light-weight and portable device. That is, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  is designed as a portable combined treatment, exercise, and traction device designed to easily transition a patient (i.e., a user) from the treatment table to an exercise apparatus capable of being used to perform lower extremity exercises on the patient, without the patient needing to get off the treatment table  132 . However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     In the present embodiment, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  includes a base  110  coupled to a plurality of linkages  120 , a support frame  130  having a first end  130   a  and an opposing second end  130   b , a treatment table  132  slidably mounted to the support frame  130 , and a plurality of actuators  140   a ,  140   b  configured to move (e.g., slide) the treatment table  132  between a first position P 1  to a different second position P 2 . However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. The base  110  may include a base frame  112  to which the plurality of linkages  120  and one or more of the actuators  140   a  may be attached. 
     In other words, the treatment table  132  may be moved using one or more actuators  140   a ,  140   b  from the first position P 1  at a first distance D 1  from the foot rest member  136  to the second position P 2  at a second distance D 2  from the foot rest member  136 . 
     In the present embodiment, the treatment table  132  at the second position P 2  is further away (e.g., D 2 ) from the second end  130   b  of the support frame  130  than the treatment table  132  at the first position P 1  (e.g., D 1 ). For instance, the treatment table  132  moves about 28 inches between the second position P 2  and the first position P 1 . The support frame  130  may be manufactured from various rigid materials including, but not limited to, steel. The support frame  130  may further include a plurality of ball bearings to allow the treatment table  132  to easily slide between the first and second positions P 1 , P 2 . 
     That is, in exemplary embodiments, from an initial position P 1 , the treatment table  132  slides about from about 1 inch to about 40 inches toward the opposing second end  130   b  of the support frame  130  and from about 1 inch to about 20 inches toward the first end  130   a  of the support frame  130 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a right-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , having the foot rest members in a first state,  FIG. 4B  is a right-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , having the foot rest members in a second state, and  FIG. 4C  is a right-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , having the a foot rest member in an inclined position; 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A through 4C , in the present embodiment, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  further includes foot rest members  136  including a first foot rest member  137   a  and a second foot rest member  137   b  pivotably coupled to the second end  130   b  of the support frame  130 . 
     The foot rest members  136  include a first side  136   a  and an opposing second side  136   b  and each foot rest member  136  pivots independently from the other foot rest member  136 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first foot rest member  137   a  and the second foot rest member  137   b  are each about 30 inches in length and pivots about 100 degrees. As such, the foot rest members  136  enables the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  to be used as a progressive resistant squat and multifunction device. 
     In further exemplary embodiments, the first foot rest member  137   a  and the second foot rest member  137   b  are each selectably lockable at varying degrees, as required. That is, the first and second foot rest members  137   a ,  137   b  may be inclined from about 0 degrees to about 180 in order to provide a platform for the patient to perform exercises, including squats. In alternative embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  may allow for stretching of a user&#39;s ankles by allowing pivoting of at least 25 degrees. 
     In further exemplary embodiments, the first and second foot rest members  137   a ,  137   b  may lock in place when inclined to about 90 degrees with a plane of the treatment table  134 . However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  may further include a removable head rest member  138  configured to support a user&#39;s head during treatment, traction and exercise. 
       FIG. 5A  is a left-side perspective view of a combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept, with a wherein the treatment table is in a first position.  FIG. 5B  is a left-side perspective view of a combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  illustrated in  FIG. 5A , wherein the treatment table is in a second position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the treatment table  132  of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  may be manually moved between a first position and a different second position by a health care professional or the user. That is, the treatment table  132  may be moved along the direction indicated from the first position to the second position. 
       FIG. 5C  is a left-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  illustrated in  FIG. 5A , having a treatment table  132  in an inclined position and  FIG. 5D  is a left-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  illustrated in  FIG. 5A , having a treatment table  132  in a declined position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5C and 5D , in the present embodiment, the support frame  130  is pivotally coupled to the plurality of linkages  120  which are formed and/or designed to pivot the support frame  130  between a first orientation F 1  (e.g., a horizontal position), a second different orientation F 2  (e.g., an inclined position), and a third different orientation F 3  (e.g., a declined position) when one or more actuators of the plurality of actuators  140   a ,  140   b  is activated. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the angle between the third orientation F 3  and the second orientation F 2  is about −10 degrees to about 90 degrees. As such, in response to one or more of the actuators  140  being activated, the treatment table  132  has a variable inclination from about negative 10 degrees from a horizontal plane H 1  of the support frame  130  to about positive 90 degrees from the horizontal plane H 1  of the support frame  130 . As a result, the variable inclination of the treatment table  132  allows the user&#39;s body weight disposed thereon to be used as resistance for various types of exercises. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     In the present embodiment, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  includes a traction unit coupled to the second end  130   b  of the support frame  130  formed to apply traction to a user. 
     In the present embodiment, the treatment table  132  has a width of between about 30 inches and about 70 inches and a length of between about 48 inches and about 100 inches. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  further includes a locking member to selectably lock the treatment table  132  in various positions between the first position and the second position. 
     In further exemplary embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  further includes one or more removable hand rails  150  disposed on opposite sides of the treatment table  132  to provide support for a user. The removable hand rails  150  are formed with a width of about 6 inches to about 36 inches. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  further includes a plurality of lockable wheels  114  coupled to the base. The plurality of lockable wheels  114  may be used to lock each wheel  114  in position for the safety of the patient. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  a lift mechanism formed to lift the treatment table  132  from a first height to a second different height with respect to the base. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     That is, in alternative embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  may include separate and distinct lift mechanisms for elevation, positive and negative tilt. As such, a patient may be able to transfer easily on and off the treatment table  132  while the sliding mechanism is locked. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  may further include a locking mechanism designed to lock the treatment table  132  in any elevated and/or inclined position. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200 , further includes a digital scale integrally formed between the treatment table  132  and the support frame  130  and configured to provide a load measurement. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  allows a user to perform lower extremity closed chain exercises. For instance, a user may perform squats when the treatment table  132  is inclined from about 1 degree to about 90 degrees and the foot rest members  136  are inclined from about 1 degree to about 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane H 1  of the support frame  130 . As such, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  100  allows the user to perform squats using from about 1 percent to about 90 percent of the users own weight. The integrated scales of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  200  allows a health care professional to continuously monitor a weight bearing status of the user in real-time, during exercises critical when users have weight-bearing restrictions due to fractions or injury. In an embodiment, the scales may be integrated with the foot rest members  136 . However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
       FIG. 6A  is a left-side perspective view of a combined treatment and exercise apparatus  300  according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept, having a treatment table  132  in a first position and a traction motor.  FIG. 6B  is a left-side perspective view of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  300  illustrated in  FIG. 6A , having a treatment table  132  in a second position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the treatment table  132  of the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  300  may be mechanically moved between a first position and a different second position by a traction motor  160 . 
       FIG. 7  is a left-side perspective view of a combined treatment and exercise apparatus  400  according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept, having a pulley system  170 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in the present exemplary embodiment, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  400  may be used to perform traction on a user in one or more methods. In particular, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  400  may be used for self-traction which allows the user to perform self-traction when the treatment table  132  is inclined using the one or more actuators  140 . As a result, gravity and the users applied force through the pulley system  170  helps provide traction on the user. That is, the user can apply his or her own traction force by using a pulley system  170  attached to his or her body. 
     Next, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  400  may be used for manual traction which allows a health-care professional to apply a traction force on the user disposed on the treatment table  132 . The treatment table  132  may further be inclined about 90 degrees and/or declined at least 10 degrees to assist with manual traction of the user. 
     Further, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus  400  may be used for mechanical traction which includes a traction motor  160  placed at an end of the support frame  130  which can be activated to provide a traction force on the user disposed on the treatment table  130 . As such, when a user is strapped to the treatment table  132 , the motor  160  may be used to apply traction force at a predefined amount of force to provide consistency of treatment. 
     The combined treatment and exercise apparatus according to the present general inventive concept is designed and configured as a portable therapy apparatus that combines a treatment table, an exercise device, and a traction table into a single, light-weight and portable device. That is, the combined treatment and exercise apparatus is designed as a portable combined treatment, exercise, and traction device designed to easily transition a patient (i.e., a user) from the treatment table to an exercise apparatus capable of being used to perform lower extremity exercises on the patient, without the patient needing to get off the treatment table. 
     Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.