Abstract:
A therapeutic platform to facilitate increased functioning of the trunk and upper extremities of a subject includes a means for measuring and documenting specific height and angle adjustments thereby permitting reliable repeatability of platform position. The platform includes a top with fold out legs that telescope for top height adjustment, and angular adjustment of the top. A unobstructed area between the legs permits among other positions, a knees-forward sitting position where the top partially wraps about the subject, and sitting position atop the table whereby the subject can align their feet to their centerline when transitioning from a sitting to standing position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application Claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/727,842 filed Nov. 19, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a rapidly adjustable platform for therapeutic use to assist children and others in developing inter alia, optimal positions to perform and facilitate increased functioning using their trunk and all extremities. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various adjustable seats and tables are long known in the art. However, certain therapeutic activities and exercises developed to assist children and others in developing their trunk and upper extremities, and positioning to perform and facilitate increased function using their trunk and all extremities are not easily administered using previously available adjustable seats, benches and tables which possess no measurement indicators and are unintuitive and cumbersome to adjust, even for trained personnel. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention addresses certain heretofore unmet needs by providing a structural basis for healthcare providers such as physical, occupational, and speech therapists to perform closed kinetic chain (CKC) and open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises at particular height and angle settings suited to specific individuals, enabling rehabilitation and strengthening in various body positions which predominate in settings such as outdoor playgrounds, schools and home. Predetermined adjustment settings along with intuitive adjustment controls permit parents and other caregivers to be quickly trained to use the apparatus at home to provide therapeutic continuity. 
         [0005]    The therapeutic platform of the present invention is lightweight, compact, and includes a height and tilt adjustable top. Height adjustment is provided in increments of 1 inch to match lower leg length and increase hip flexion to neutralize extensor muscle hypertonicity. The top can be tilted and set to 0°, 7°, 14° and 21° in order to position the pelvis in a slight anterior tilt for working, which stacks the vertebrae resulting in improved posture and the ability to reach in and out of the base of support. The slight anterior tilt also increases weight bearing through the lower extremities, and facilitates sit to stand transfers by manipulating the kinematic variables. Height and angle adjustments to the platform can be made in a matter of seconds because measurement indicators are visually marked. Intuitive adjustments for height and tilt allow therapists to train caregivers and family members on home exercise programs (HEP) and improve functional outcomes. 
         [0006]    The therapeutic platform of the present invention can be used as a custom height and angle specific platform for sitting, tall kneeling, and reaching in these positions among others, which facilitates improved posture, balance, head/trunk control, proprioception and midline orientation. The therapeutic platform allows for objective data regarding position to be measured and documented for repeatable results. The contour  270  on the front edge of the top allows for greater weight bearing through upper extremities and it allows for access to objects while maintaining body alignment and center of gravity. For example, when preparing to transition from a sitting to a standing position, a subject can align their feet below their centerline by scooting the feet back, and observe position of the feet due to the curvature of the platform top. 
         [0007]    In particular embodiments described herein, the platform of the present invention incorporates spring-loaded plunger-type pins for height and tilt adjustments, and to secure and collapse the legs for stowing and portability. 
         [0008]    Although the particular embodiment described herein incorporates  4  predetermined tilt settings, more predetermined tilt settings can be incorporated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. While top tilt adjustment is preferably by means a pivoting bracket attached to the top secured in a desired tilt by spring-loaded plunger-type pins which are retracted and indexed to occupy an adjacent slotted position to achieve a subsequent desired tilt, other means for adjusting tilt will suggest themselves to those having skill in the art and benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0009]    Rigidity of construction, and smooth pivoting operation make it impossible to misalign the top which confers numerous advantages over other adjustable seats and tables by eliminating guesswork related to tilt adjustments. Once the spring-loaded plunger-type pins are refracted, the top is smoothly pivoted to the next desired tilt angle where the ends of the pins are indexably reseated. 
         [0010]    While preferably, the folding legs of the embodiments of this disclosure are released and secured by a retractable pin-in-slot, other means for collapsing and securing legs will no doubt suggest themselves to those having skill in the art and benefit of this disclosure, and are considered to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0011]    In particular embodiments described herein, the platform of the present invention possesses lower legs which have marked height adjustment slots corresponding to height settings for the top. In the accompanying figures, the height adjustment indicators are shown as numerical indicia adjacent the height adjustment slots ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0012]    The top is somewhat bean shaped, with a concave curvature along a front edge. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the top is made from a rigid material such as plastic, wood, a lamination of wood or plastic, or metal. According to particular therapeutic needs, covers having various degrees of resiliency so as to alter the feedback characteristics of the top surface can be affixed to the top. For example, a rigid surface is considered a high feedback surface because a sitting person is more aware of their instant position; whereas a softer surface dilutes sensory feedback and proprioception. 
         [0014]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment according to the present invention taken from a first side; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment according to the present invention taken from a side opposite that shown in ( FIG. 2 ); 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a frontward elevation of one embodiment according to the present invention depicting platform at lowermost height, and with top level; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is side elevation of the embodiment shown in ( FIG. 4 ); 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a rearward elevation of one embodiment according to the present invention depicting platform  100  at lowermost height, and with top  110  level; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is first detail view of a height and tilt adjustment assembly for top  110 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a second detail view of a height and tilt adjustment assembly for top  110 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a third detail view of a height and tilt adjustment assembly for top  110 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing platform  100  in fully extended position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the platform with legs folded; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 12-14  depict a child (1) sitting on the top of the platform when preparing to rise to a standing position, (2) moving the feet under the centerline of the body; tilting forward, and (3) rising to a standing position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  shows a child in a kneeling position using the platform for reading purposes; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  shows a child with one foot atop a level platform; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 17-19  show respectively, (1) a CKC exercise in which a child is in a plantar grade position, (2) an OKC exercise in which the child is in a seated position with feet suspended above a floor, and (3) a CKC balancing exercise in which the child stands on the platform. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference Listing 
       [0030]      100  therapeutic platform 
         [0031]      110  top 
         [0032]      130  cross brace 
         [0033]      140  pivot pin 
         [0034]      142  pivot bracket 
         [0035]      150  tilt adjustment knob 
         [0036]      160  tilt adjustment slot 
         [0037]      170  leg attachment bracket 
         [0038]      180  upper leg 
         [0039]      190  lower leg 
         [0040]      192  post 
         [0041]      194  height indicators 
         [0042]      200  feet 
         [0043]      210  height adjustment knob 
         [0044]      220  height adjustment slot 
         [0045]      230  height limit 
         [0046]      240  bumper pad/rim 
         [0047]      250  handle 
         [0048]      260  leg release 
         [0049]      270  curve 
       Definitions 
       [0050]    In the following description, the term “platform” refers to platforms intended to be used as a seat, a table or other support for therapeutic purposes including physical therapy. The term “top” refers to the upper most portion of the platform. Unless otherwise explained, any technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The term “comprises” means “includes.” Publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein, if any, are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. In case of conflict, the present specification, including explanations of terms, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
         [0051]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-16 , a portable platform  100  for therapeutic use includes a tiltable and height adjustable top  110  having spring loaded pull knobs for quickly setting the degree of tilt for the top, a height adjustment means including spring loaded pull knobs for quickly setting the height of the top, and a pair of folding legs. Each leg has two parts, and upper portion  180  which is pivotably attached to leg attachment bracket  170  located at each end of a cross brace  130 , and a lower portion  190  with feet  200  and a post  192  that telescopes from the upper portion  180  to adjust the height of the top. Each leg attachment bracket  170  is pivotably connected to a pivot bracket  142  by pivot pin  140 . Top tilt angle is set by (1) pulling tilt adjustment knobs  150  each of which preferably incorporate a spring loaded plunger-type pin (2) tilting the top until a desired setting is reached, and (3) indexing the end of the pin into another tilt adjustment slot  160 . Height of the top is set by (1) pulling the height adjustment knobs  210 , each of which preferably incorporate a spring loaded plunger-type pin, (2) raising or lowering the legs so that the post of the lower leg extends from, or retracts into the upper leg portion, and (3) seating the ends of the pins into height adjustment slots  220 . The legs are folded by pulling leg adjustment knobs  202  to move and secure the legs in extended and folded positions ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0052]      FIG. 1  is a top down isometric view of an adjustable platform of the present invention, with a top  110 , upper  180 , and lower  190  legs, feet  200 , and pull knobs  210  to adjust the platform height. 
         [0053]      FIG. 2  is bottom up perspective view of the platform shown in ( FIG. 1 ), depicting feet  200 , and upper legs  180 . A sliding post  192  ( FIG. 10 ) which is attached to the feet telescopes from the upper legs which are formed from channel stock when pull knobs  210  are disengaged. Also shown are two pivoting brackets  142 , one pivotably connected to each leg attachment bracket  170  located at the terminal ends of the cross brace  130 . When tilt adjustment knobs  150  are disengaged, brackets  142 , which are connected to the underside of top  110 , pivot the top to four predetermined tilt settings. Legs  200  are moved from an extended position (shown) to a collapsed position ( FIG. 11 ) by disengaging leg releases  260  which like the tilt adjustment knobs  150  and the height adjustment knobs  210 , employ spring-loaded pull pins. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3  shows a bottom up perspective view of the platform taken from a side opposite that shown in ( FIG. 2 ). Cross brace  130  is attached to the top  110  via pivoting brackets  142  by mechanical fasteners that can be screws, bolts, rivets, pins or any suitable fasteners that would be appreciated by those having skill in the art. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 2-6  are various views showing the platform in the fully down position. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 7-9  are detail views of the tilting components of the platform that shows progressive tilting if top  110 . Pivoting bracket  142  is pivotably connected to leg attachment bracket  170  via pivot pin  140 . When tilt adjustment knob  150  is pulled, a spring-loaded pin is withdrawn from a tilt adjustment slot  160  and is relocated to an adjacent slot pair coaxially aligned in both the pivoting brackets and the leg attachment brackets. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  shows the platform in a raised position. By adjusting height adjustment knobs  210 , the lower legs posts  192  are telescopically extended from upper legs  180 . While preferably, height adjustments are provided in one-inch increments, other increments, including fractional height adjustment settings are intended to be encompassed by this disclosure. 
         [0058]      FIG. 11  shows the legs ( 200 ,  190 ,  180 ) of the platform in a collapsed position for storage or transport. Upper legs  180  are pivotably attached to the leg attachment brackets  170  by any customary pivoting arrangement that would be appreciated by those skilled in the art and benefit of this disclosure. The legs are collapsed and extended by disengaging and engaging leg release knobs  260  which possess a spring-loaded pin that is reversibly seated in a slot (not shown) of the upper leg. 
         [0059]    For purposes of conciseness and clarity,  FIGS. 12-19  omit certain platform elements to better illustrate various therapeutic positions possible with the platform of the present invention. The depicted positions are merely exemplary, and do not attempt to show all the myriad of therapeutic applications of the present invention which will be appreciated by rehabilitation therapists and others having skill in the art and benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0060]    Persons having skill in the art and benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that a myriad of accessories are pairable with the platform, including, but not limited to a back rest removably affixable to one side of the platform, paper holding means, e.g., clips to temporarily affix a roll or sheet of paper to the top, knee blocks and other such additions useful in a therapeutic environment. It is also conceivable that the invention may be used for certain exercises with a rocker board placed beneath the feet of the platform. 
         [0061]    In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments herein are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.