Abstract:
A rotary apparatus is provided that includes a base having a top surface. The base is configured to have a mount movably connected to the top surface of the base. A drive mechanism is mounted adjacent to the top surface of the base and rotatably connected to the mount such that the mount moves along the top surface of the base. A platform is configured to receive a user of the rotary apparatus, wherein the platform is connected to the mount and rotatably connected to the drive mechanism such that the platform rotates with respect to the base at an axis point.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a rotary apparatus, and more particularly, to a rotator apparatus and a method for treatment of diseases associated with poor circulation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Generally, people suffering from peripheral vascular disease or poor circulation in general, have a gradual thickening and hardening in the walls of the arteries, the blood vessels that bring blood to the extremities from the heart, causing a numbness or tingling in the extremities, changes in the color of skin, changes in skin temperature, skin breakdowns and sores which do not heal as well as they should, claudication (a dull cramping pain in the extremities) and other symptoms which are associated with a lack of blood flow to the extremities. The most common cause of poor circulation, or peripheral vascular disease, is the build up of plaque on the inner walls of arteries. As the plaque builds up along the inner walls of the arteries, there is less room for blood to flow such that muscles and other tissues in the extremities are starved of the vital nutrients normally received through the circulatory system. This hardening of the arteries is called atherosclerosis, and as these plaque deposits build up over time one&#39;s chances increase for having a heart attack or stroke. 
         [0003]    Currently, patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease are treated by a doctor or vascular surgeon by monitoring blood glucose levels (particularly if diabetes is present), monitoring blood pressure, exercise, quitting smoking, and monitoring cholesterol levels. Drugs can be used to prevent blood clotting such as aspirin, and other medicines can be used to lower cholesterol and control symptoms. In more severe cases, angioplasty or bypass surgery may be used to open narrowed arteries or to re-route blood flow from areas of blockage. In even more severe cases, peripheral vascular disease can cause tissues in the extremities to die because they do not get enough oxygen as a result of the poor blood flow. In these severe cases it is possible that part or all of the extremity must be removed to ensure the survival of the patient. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a rotary apparatus is provided that includes a base having a top surface. The base is configured to have a mount movably connected to the top surface of the base. A drive mechanism is mounted adjacent to the top surface of the base and rotatably connected to the mount such that the mount moves along the top surface of the base. A platform is configured to receive a user of the rotary apparatus, wherein the platform is connected to the mount and rotatably connected to the drive mechanism such that the platform rotates with respect to the base at an axis point. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a rotary apparatus is provided that includes a base having a top surface. A mount is movably connected to the top surface of the base and an electric motor adjacent to the top surface of the base and is rotatably connected to the mount such that the mount moves along the top surface of the base. A chair is configured to receive a user of the rotary apparatus, wherein the chair is connected to the mount and rotably connected to the electric motor. The chair rotates with respect to the base at an axis point that extends through a neck region of the user at a therapeutically effective amount of revolutions per minute (rpms) such that the blood of the user is urged from the access point to at least one extremity of the user. 
         [0006]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of treating poor circulation is provided that includes the steps of providing a rotary apparatus for use by a patient and controlling the rotational speed of the rotary apparatus to further provide a therapeutically effective amount of centripetal force to the patient with sufficient energy and sufficient time to promote blood flow to the extremities. 
         [0007]    These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rotary apparatus embodying the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary elevational view of the front of the rotary apparatus; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary elevational view of the rear of the rotary apparatus; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of a mount of the rotary apparatus; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary side elevational view of the rotary apparatus; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A-5C  are fragmentary side elevational views of the rotary apparatus; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the rotary apparatus; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the rotary apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    For the purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivates thereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. 
         [0018]    The reference numeral  2  ( FIG. 1 ) generally designates a rotary apparatus for use in treatment of diseases related to poor circulation, the rotary apparatus  2  including a base  4  having a top surface  6 , wherein the base  4  is configured to be abuttingly supported on a floor surface. A drive mechanism  8  is mounted adjacent to the top surface  6  of the base  4  at the center of the top surface  6  of the base  4  ( FIG. 3 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the drive mechanism  8  includes a drive mechanism housing  10 , which has a generally cube shaped configuration with an aperture  12  generally disposed on the top of the drive mechanism  10  through which a drive shaft  14  is generally disposed. The drive shaft  14  is rotatably connected to a mount  16  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ). As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the mount  16  has a multi-tier configuration having a first tier  18 , a vertical section  20 , a second tier  22  connected to the first tier  18  by the vertical section  20 , a vertical section  24 , and a third tier  26  connected to the second tier  22  by the vertical section  24 . The mount  16  further comprises sidewalls  28  and  30 , which are disposed in a generally parallel laterally spaced apart relationship which generally follow the contours of tiers  18 ,  22 , and  26 , as well as vertical sections  20  and  24 . The mount  16  further comprises a bar  32  which connects side walls  28  and  30  at the front of the mount  16 . 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , multi-directional wheel assemblies  34  are mounted to the mount  16  with mounting screws  36  which extend through planar sections (not shown) of wheel mounting assemblies  38  and further through the second tier  22  of the mount  16 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the mount  16  further comprises a mounting block  40  generally disposed on the third tier  26  of the mount  16 . The mounting block  40  further comprises U-shaped bracket assemblies  42  for connection of a furniture item to the mounting block  40  as described below. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the mounting block  40  further comprises S-shaped adjustment assemblies  44  having handle ends  46 , curve body portions  48 , and threaded ends  50 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the threaded ends  50  thread into housings  52  disposed underneath the mounting block  40 , the housing  52  matingly threads with the threaded ends  50  of the S-shaped adjustment assemblies  44  and adjusts the vertical height of the mounting block  40  upon rotation of the handle ends  46  of the S-shaped adjustment assemblies  44 . 
         [0021]    As shown in FIGS.  1  and  5 A- 5 C, the rotary apparatus  2  further comprises a chair assembly  54  mounted to the mount  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , the chair assembly  54  comprises a back section  56 , a seat section  58 , and a leg support section  60 . As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , the chair assembly  54  has U-shaped leg members  62 , 64  which connect the chair assembly  54  to the mount  16 . The front leg assembly  62  connects to the mounting block  40  by bracket assemblies  42 . Thus, the front leg assemblies  62  are adjustable vertically as mounted to the mounting block  40  when the mounting block  40  is adjusted by the S-shape adjustment assemblies  44 . The rear leg assemblies  64  are connected to the second tier  22  of the mount  16 . 
         [0022]    As shown in the embodiment in  FIGS. 5A-5C , the chair assembly  54  is an adjustable chair assembly. Pivot point  66  is located between the leg support section  60  and the seat section  58  of the chair assembly  54  and pivot point  68  is located between the seat section  58  and the back section  56  of the chair assembly  54 . Pivot point  70  is located at the intersection of the front end rear leg assemblies  62 , 64 . Front leg assembly  62  further connects to an arm rest  72  with the arm rest bracket  74  having a pivot point  76  for direct connection to the front leg assembly  62 . Pivot point  78  is disposed between the arm rest  72  and the leg support section  60  of the chair assembly  54 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C . Pivot point  80  is located between the arm rest  72  and the back section of the chair assembly  54 . 
         [0023]    As shown in FIGS.  5  and  5 A- 5 C, the chair assembly  54  can be in a variety of positions. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , positions A, B, and C are shown. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , position A is shown. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B , position B is shown. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5C , position C is shown. 
         [0024]    As shown in FIGS.  5  and  5 A- 5 C, the drive mechanism  8  comprises the drive mechanism housing  10  which contains a drive motor  82 . The drive motor  82  is connected to the drive shaft  14  which is further connected to the mount  16  at the first tier  18 . In operation, the drive motor  82  rotates the drive shaft  14  which then rotates the mount  16 , such that the wheel assemblies  34  follow the dashed line of  FIG. 1  in the direction D. The drive motor  82  is of sufficient power to rotate the rotary apparatus  2  with sufficient centripetal force to increase blood flow to the extremities of the user when they are seated in the chair assembly  54 . In operation, the rotary apparatus rotates at a speed in the range of  5  to  120  rpms. 
         [0025]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an L-shaped control frame  84  has a base  86  which supports the control frame  84 , and a vertical section  88 , a cross section  90  attached to the vertical section  88 , a support member  91  which supports the cross section  90  from the vertical section  88 , and a downward vertical section  92 , which extends down within reach of the user of the rotary apparatus  2 . The control frame  84  has a systems control  94  generally disposed on the vertical section  88 . The systems control  94  houses controls for the speed, rpms, G-force, and timing control of the apparatus  2 . The downward vertical section  92  of the control frame  84  has a kill switch (not shown) disposed on its lower most portion, which is in reach of the user of the rotary apparatus  2 . Thus, in operation, the user can terminate the rotary session at any point by hitting the kill switch on the downward vertical section  92  of the control frame  84 . 
         [0026]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the systems control  94  is an integrated unit disposed on the arm rest  72  of the chair assembly  54 . Thus, in this embodiment of the present invention, the user can control the speed and duration of the session by the systems control  94  when disposed and integrated into the arm rest  72 . In this embodiment in the present invention, a control frame  84  is not necessary. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the user is hooked up to a monitor to measure blood pressure and heart rate (not shown) and the data collected by this monitor can then be analyzed by a separate computer system (not shown) to analyze the progress of the user of the apparatus  2 . 
         [0028]    The rotary apparatus  2  of the present invention is designed to combat the symptoms of circulatory disorders. These circulatory disorders include, but are not limited to, reflux sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease (or peripheral arterial disease), intermittent claudation, atherosclerosis, venous arterial insufficiency, and cyanosis. Again, the present invention is designed to treat all diseases brought upon by poor circulation and the above list is meant to be exemplary only. 
         [0029]    The above description is considered that of preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.