Abstract:
An exercise system comprising a rocking chair and a footstool. The rocking chair comprises a seat, a back support, a base, and rocking means. Rocking resistance means are provided for requiring that an additional force be applied to the rocking chair to maintain a rocking motion. The footstool comprises a foot rest positionable with respect to the rocking chair such that the feet of a user are supported on a foot support surface of the foot rest when the user is seated upon the rocking chair. Means for adjusting the height and angle of the foot rest are also provided. A method for selectively exercising specific muscle groups in a user&#39;s legs with the exercise system is also described.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/936,175, filed Sept. 24, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,342, such application being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a rocking chair and, more specifically, to a rocking chair and foot rest which provide enhanced therapeutic benefits. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although rocking chairs are typically used in social settings, the rocking motion can be beneficial as a form of exercise. In particular, rocking chairs can provide a valuable mode of exercise for residents of retirement or minimum to medium care facilities. Residents of retirement or minimum to medium care facilities often do not exercise, even moderately, due to lack of motivation, suitable exercise equipment, and/or a supportive community to encourage exercise. Although specialized exercise equipment has been used in the care of the elderly for many years, most equipment is associated with physical therapy or other scheduled exercise sessions. 
     Exercising while relaxing in pleasant surroundings and engaging in social activities in a supportive group has advantages. Participants can exercise while not feeling exercised and can conduct their social activities at the same time. In addition, the physical exertion and the awareness of the passage of time becomes secondary, as attention is diverted away from the exercise by their social activities at the time. Further, these social activities occur daily and would therefore encourage daily exercise. 
     An exercise system incorporating the use of a rocking chair affords a unique opportunity for exercise to be performed in a relaxed, casual environment. However, by itself, rocking in a conventional rocking chair results in only very light exercise. Leg action in a rocking chair is limited by the person&#39;s leg length compared to the height and depth of the rocking chair seat. Most people need the majority of their leg and foot length just to reach the floor, leaving very little leg extension reserve for the rocking motion. The soles of the feet often just reach the floor so that rocking is accomplished by raising the heels and pushing with the balls of their feet. Accordingly, a person may only push off the floor with their feet and not benefit from any exercise potential of the rocking chair. In addition, the thighs are flat against the seat which restricts exercise motion and effort in the thigh muscles. 
     Further, conventional rocking chairs are designed to facilitate the rocking motion. Accordingly, conventional rocking chairs comprise a rocking means, such as rockers or other devices that work with a rocking motion, that minimizes the effort required to maintain a rocking motion. As a result, the use of conventional rocking chairs produces only minimal fitness benefits. 
     The exercise potential of conventional rocking chairs is also limited since many people find that the known rocking chairs are not comfortable for a variety of reasons. First, the user&#39;s legs are often not long enough to comfortably reach the floor and produce a satisfying rocking motion. The rocking motion is therefore not under the user&#39;s control as much as if the feet remained in contact with the floor throughout the entire rocking cycle. Many people prefer to have their feet in contact with the floor, both for comfort and control of the rocking motion. Second, after a time, the user&#39;s body tends to slide away from the back of the rocking chair resulting in discomfort. As the body slides away from the back of the rocking chair, the user&#39;s body takes on a slouched position which tends to be uncomfortable. In light of the foregoing, the user is unable to maintain the rocking motion for extended periods of time in conventional rocking chairs. 
     Although footstools have been used in connection with rocking chairs for comfort and to elevate the feet, the known footstools cannot be adjusted to yield maximal exercise benefit by providing optimal comfort and a more vigorous rocking motion. Further, as the user continues to rock, the known footstools tend to slide along the ground and do not help to keep the user&#39;s body against the back of the chair. As a result, the user may feel less secure and relaxed. Although footstools of different heights have been used, the problems persist. 
     In light of the foregoing, it would be highly beneficial to utilize a rocking chair as part of an exercise program. To optimize the exercise benefits, the rocking chair should be provided with means for controlling the effort needed to maintain the rocking motion. In addition, the user&#39;s feet should be maintained in contact with a stationary surface throughout the rocking cycle, the rocking cycle should start with the thighs and calves at about right angles, and body contact should be maintained with the back of the rocking chair. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, an exercise system comprising a rocking chair is provided for enhancing the therapeutic benefits derived from use of the rocking chair. The rocking chair comprises a seat with a back support positioned relative to the seat such that when a user sits on the seat, the user&#39;s back is positioned against the back support. The seat and back support are maintained above the ground by a base or frame. Rocking means are positioned below the base or frame for enabling the chair to maintain a rocking motion. The rocking means may comprise one or more rockers having a curved surface, whereby the rocking chair is capable of being rolled along the curved surface of the rocker in a smooth rocking motion. Alternatively, the rocking means can comprise other known devices for producing a rocking or lilting motion, such as platform rockers, spring-based rocking systems, and linear motion gliders. 
     The therapeutic nature of the exercise system is enhanced by providing the rocking chair with rocking resistance means. The rocking resistance means comprises one or more weights which are attached to the rocking chair. The weights insure that the force required to maintain a rocking motion contains an additional force beyond the typical force necessary to maintain a rocking motion in a conventional rocking chair. The weights can be attached to the rocking chair either by positioning the weights over a bar or by clamping the weights to the rocking chair. 
     To further enhance the therapeutic nature of the exercise system, a footstool is provided. The footstool comprises a foot rest which is positionable with respect to the rocking chair such that the feet of a user are supported on a foot support surface of the foot rest when the user is seated upon the rocking chair. The footstool further comprises means for adjusting the height and angle of the foot rest. By adjusting the position of the footstool with respect to the rocking chair, the height of the footstool, and the angle of the footstool, it is possible to selectively emphasize the exercise of specific muscle groups in the leg. 
     A method for selectively exercising specific muscle groups in a subject&#39;s legs is also described. The method comprises the step of adjusting a rocking resistance means of an exercise system comprising a rocking chair to require an additional force to be applied to the rocking chair to maintain a rocking motion. The subject is then seated in the rocking chair and allowed to move the chair in a rocking motion by extending and flexing his or her legs. The comfort of the subject and the therapeutic benefits of the exercise system are enhanced by positioning and maintaining the subject&#39;s feet on a foot rest of a footstool throughout the rocking motion. The position of the footstool with respect to the rocking chair, as well as the height and angle of the foot rest, are adjusted to selectively exercise specific muscle groups in the subject&#39;s legs. For example, the footstool and foot rest can be adjusted to selectively emphasize the exercise of either the subject&#39;s calf or thigh muscles. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rocking chair and footstool in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rocking chair and footstool in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a rocking chair and footstool in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a weight as shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clamp as shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a front end view of an alternate embodiment of a footstool in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a side plan view of an inner surface of an end piece of the footstool shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a foot piece of the footstool shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the foot piece shown in FIG. 8 taken along the  9 — 9  line; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the foot piece shown in FIG. 8 taken along the  10 — 10  line; 
     FIG. 11 is a side plan view of a weight as shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 12 is a side plan view of a weight as shown in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An exercise system in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG.  1 . The exercise system comprises a rocking chair  15  having a seat  16  and a back support  17 . The back support  17  is positioned relative to the seat  16  such that when a user is seated in the seat  16 , the user&#39;s back rests against the back support  17 . The seat  16  and back support  17  are maintained at a predetermined height with respect to the ground by a base or frame  18 . 
     The frame  18  comprises four vertical posts or legs,  20 - 23 , positioned at or near the corners of the seat  16 . The posts,  20 - 23 , extend away from the seat  16  toward the ground to thereby support the seat  16  and back support  17  above the ground. As can be readily seen, the lengths of the posts,  20 - 23 , extending below the seat  16  determine the height of the seat  16 . As shown in FIG. 1, the left and right rear posts,  22  and  23 , extend above the seat  16  and are integrally formed as part of the back support  17 . 
     Arm rests  25  are optionally provided to enable the user to comfortably rest his or her arms on the arm rests  25  while the user is seated in the rocking chair  15 . Toward that end, the left and right front posts,  20  and  21 , are extended to project above the seat  16  for securing the arm rests  25  relative to the seat  16 . A rear portion  26  of each arm rest  25  is secured to the back support  17  in order to better stabilize the arm rests  25 . Further, padded sections  27  can be provided on the arm rests  25  for the user&#39;s comfort. 
     Two curved rockers  30  are provided for enabling the rocking chair  15  to move in a rocking motion. One of the rockers  30  is affixed to the posts,  21  and  22 , at the left edge of the seat  16  to extend from the front to the rear of the chair  15  with the curved surface  31  of the rocker  30  oriented downwardly. The other rocker  30  is similarly affixed to the posts,  21  and  23 , at the right edge of the chair  15 . Accordingly, the chair  15  is capable of being rolled simultaneously along the curved surfaces  31  of the two rockers  30  in a smooth rocking motion. 
     To increase the effort needed to produce and maintain a rocking motion with the rocking chair  15  and thereby increase the therapeutic benefits of the chair  15 , weights  35  are attached to the rocking chair  15 . The weights  35  are attached to the chair  15  by positioning the weights  35  on a bar  38  which extends between the posts,  20  and  21 , at the left and right front corners of the chair  15 . Toward that end, the weights  35  are shaped to enable the weights  35  to be easily placed on, maintained in position about, and removed from the bar  38 . As shown in FIG. 11, each weight  35  comprises a generally rectangular block of a dense material, such as iron, having a notch  36 . The notch  36  is shaped to mate with the round bar  38  so that the weights  35  can be easily and reversibly positioned over the bar  38 . The weights  35  provide resistance which counteracts the force necessary to create the rocking motion. Accordingly, the user is required to apply more force in order to sustain the rocking motion. 
     A counter  40  is affixed to the chair  15  in a position which is readily viewed by the user while seated in the rocking chair  15 . The counter  40  provides the user with information regarding the number of rocking cycles completed and/or the length of time that the user has been rocking. As shown, the counter  40  is attached to one of the legs,  20 - 23 , of the chair  15 . 
     The exercise system further comprises a footstool  42 . The footstool  42  comprises a generally rectangular frame  43  having side bars  44  positioned along the left and right sides,  46  and  47  respectively, of the footstool  42 . A transverse strut  49  extends between one of the side bars  44  at the left side  46  of the footstool  42  and one of the side bars  44  at the right side  47  of the footstool  42 . 
     Four vertical posts or legs,  51 - 54 , are positioned at or near the corners of the frame  43 . The posts,  51 - 54 , extend toward the ground to support the frame  43  above the ground. As can be readily seen, the lengths of the posts,  51 - 54 , determine the height of the frame  43 . Feet  56  are provided at the ends of the posts,  51 - 54 , nearest the ground to stabilize the footstool  42 . The feet  56  also serve as an impediment to sliding by increasing friction between the footstool  42  and the ground. One of the feet  56  interconnects the two posts,  52  and  54 , at the right side  47  of the footstool  42  and the other foot  56  interconnects the two posts,  51  and  53 , at the left side  46  of the footstool  42 . 
     The footstool  42  further comprises a foot rest  58 , positioned on the frame  43 , for providing a surface  59  upon which the user&#39;s feet may be placed while seated in the chair  15 . The rear end  60  of the foot rest  58  is pivotally attached to the left and right rear posts,  53  and  54 , so that the foot rest  58  can pivot about a pivot axis parallel to the ground. Accordingly, the height of the forward end  61  of the foot rest  58  above the ground can be adjusted by pivoting the foot rest  58  about the pivot axis. A restraining bar or catch  63  is used to restrain the foot rest  58  from pivoting. As shown in FIG. 1, the restraining bar  63  is wedged between the forward end  61  of the foot rest  58  and the transverse strut  49 . Toward that end, the restraining bar  63  has a notch which is shaped to mate with the transverse strut  49  thereby preventing the restraining bar  63  from inadvertently disengaging from the transverse strut  49 . Varying the length of the restraining bar  63 , varies the height of the forward end  61  of the foot rest  58  above the ground and, hence, the slope from the forward end  61  toward the rear end  60  of the foot rest  58 . 
     In operation, the user attaches an appropriate amount of weight to the chair  15  by positioning one or more weights  35  over the bar  38 . Preferably, a series of weights  35  having different masses are provided to allow the user to vary the weight over a broad range. The footstool  42  is then positioned in front of the chair  15  with the rear end  65  of the footstool  42  nearest the chair  15 . The user then sits in the chair  15  with his or her back against the back support  17 . The user&#39;s feet are then placed on the foot rest  58  of the footstool  42 . The angle of the foot rest  58  and the distance between the footstool  42  and the chair  15  are then adjusted for the user&#39;s maximum comfort and to provide adequate leg extension for the rocking motion. Specifically, the footstool  42  is adjusted such that the user&#39;s feet maintain contact with the upper surface  59  of the foot rest  58  throughout the rocking cycle, the rocking cycle starts with the user&#39;s thighs and calves at about right angles, and body contact is maintained with the back support  17  of the rocking chair  15 . In addition, the exercise of specific muscle groups can be emphasized by varying the position of the footstool  42  with respect to the chair  15 , as well as the height and angle of the foot rest  58 . For example, the height and angle of the foot rest  58  and the position of the footstool  42  can be selected to emphasize the exercise of the calf muscles or the thigh muscles, including the quadriceps and hamstrings. The user then maintains a rocking motion for a predetermined number of rocking cycles or length of time. Alternatively, the user can continue to rock for as long a period of time as the user&#39;s fitness level will allow. 
     A second embodiment of an exercise system in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG.  2 . The rocking chair  115  and footstool  142  in FIG. 2 are in many respects identical to the rocking chair  15  and footstool  42  of FIG. 1, except for differences in aesthetic design. However, the bar  138  which extends between the posts,  120  and  121 , at the left and right front corners of the chair  115  is a rectangular bar, as opposed to the round bar  38  of the embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12, the notch  136  provided in each of the weights  135  is shaped to mate with the rectangular cross-section of the bar  138 . The use of rectangular bar  138  helps to insure that the weights  135  do not rotate about the bar  138  as the chair  115  is rocked. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the seat  116  is provided with padding to enhance the comfort level of the user, thereby enabling the user to maintain the rocking motion for longer periods of time. 
     A third embodiment of an exercise system in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG.  3 . The rocking chair  215  and footstool  242  in FIG. 3 are in many respects identical to the rocking chair  15  and footstool  42  of FIG. 1, except for differences in aesthetic design. However, the weights  235  are attached to the chair  215  using one or more clamps  267 . A clamp  267  in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG.  5 . The clamp  267  comprises an angled bar  268  with an eyelet  268  positioned at one end and a U-shaped clasp  270  at the other end. The eyelet  269  is designed to enable the clamp  267  to be attached to the bottom surface of the seat  216  by, for example, a nail or screw. The clasp  270  is used to securely, but releasably, hold a weight  235 . Accordingly, the weight  235  is shaped to mate with the U-shaped clasp  270 . As shown in FIG. 4, the weight is essentially dumbbell shaped having a generally cylindrical portion  271  with a widened section  272  at each end. The angle of the bar  268  and the width of the widened sections  272  are selected such that the cylindrical section  271  of the weight  235  can be held by the U-shaped clasp  270  of the clamp  267  when the clamp  267  is attached to the seat  216 . 
     An alternate embodiment of a footstool  342  in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG.  6 . The footstool  342  comprises a base  343  in the form of a generally rectangular plate. When the footstool  342  is in use, a bottom surface  375  of the base  343  is in contact with the ground, thereby increasing friction between the footstool  342  and the ground. 
     End pieces  376 , in the form of generally rectangular plates, are attached to the base  343  by brackets  377 . The end pieces  376  are positioned at right angles to the base  343  with the end pieces  376  being generally parallel and spaced apart. Grooves  378  can be provided in a top surface  374  of the base  343  for additional support to maintain the end pieces  376  in place. As shown in FIG. 7, an inner surface  380  of the end pieces  376  comprises a plurality of bores  381 . Further, the bores  381  of one of the end pieces  376  are arranged in a mirror-image pattern to the bores  381  of the other end piece  376 . Accordingly, each bore  381  on one of the end pieces  376  is diametrically opposed and aligned with one of the bores  381  on the other end piece  376 . 
     The footstool  342  further comprises a foot rest  358 . As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the foot rest  358  has a generally flat upper surface  359 . Bars  382 , extending from the front end  361  to the rear end  360  of the foot rest  358  along the left and right sides of the foot rest  358 , are positioned along a bottom surface  384  of the foot rest  358 . Each bar  382  comprises a series of at least two bores  385  which extend completely through the bar  382  from the left side to the right side of the foot rest  358 . The bores  385  on one bar  382  are arranged to be aligned with the bores  385  on the other bar  382 . Accordingly, the foot rest  358  can be placed between the end pieces  376  such that a rod  386  can be positioned simultaneously through one of the bores  381  in one of the end pieces  376 , one of the bores  385  in one of the bars  382 , the diametrically opposed bore  381  in the other end piece  376 , and the diametrically opposed bore  385  in the other bar  382 . Accordingly, the height of the rear end  360  of the foot rest  358  above the ground is adjustable by inserting a first rod  386  through the appropriate bores  381  closest to the rear end  360  of the foot rest  358 . Once the rear end  360  of the foot rest  358  has been positioned at the desired height, the slope of the foot rest  358  is adjusted by inserting a second rod  386  through bores  385  and appropriate bores  381  closer to the front end  361  of the foot rest  358 . 
     It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.