U.S. patent application number 11/254506 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-16 for passive child therapy tricycle with adjustable seat.
Invention is credited to Leann Hill.
Application Number | 20060035760 11/254506 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46322986 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060035760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hill; Leann |
February 16, 2006 |
Passive child therapy tricycle with adjustable seat
Abstract
A passive child therapy tricycle with a specially adjustable
chassis, seat and pedals provides a highly adjustable yet efficient
motorized tricycle for exercising a child's legs in a
rehabilitative setting. The tricycle includes an expandable frame
chassis in the shape of a child's tricycle. At the front of the
tricycle a direct drive electric motor operates the pedal shaft for
turning pedals. The pedals may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly to
adjust the pedals' width to that of the child's hips. Adjustable
handlebars allow the caregiver to increase the height of the
handlebars. A two-piece seat is adjustable in the vertical
direction. A curved vertical portion of the back seat provides
support of the back. A seat belt through this curved vertical
portion helps keep the child in an upright position. A specially
contoured lower horizontal seat has a central crown with a back and
sides that are tapered downwardly and outwardly. The front of the
seat is tapered downwardly. The special shape of this foam lower
seat keeps the child's leg apart yet supported and further ensures
that the child will not slip down in the adjustable seat. Vertical
adjustments for the lower seat portion allow further personalizing
of the tricycle. The tricycle may be disassembled into three
separate units for easy transportation or storage.
Inventors: |
Hill; Leann; (St. Jacob,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DON W. WEBER
20-A EDWARDSVILLE PROFESSIONAL PARK
EDWARDSVILLE
IL
62025
US
|
Family ID: |
46322986 |
Appl. No.: |
11/254506 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10664362 |
Sep 22, 2003 |
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11254506 |
Oct 21, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 1/0214 20130101;
A63B 21/4015 20151001; A61H 2201/1647 20130101; A63B 2225/093
20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; B62K 9/02 20130101; A63B 21/0058
20130101; A63B 22/0694 20130101; B62K 3/16 20130101; A61H 2203/0431
20130101; A61H 2201/1633 20130101; A61H 2201/1223 20130101; A61H
2201/5005 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A61H 2201/1642 20130101;
A63B 2208/12 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06 |
Claims
1. A motorized, adjustable exercise tricycle, comprising: (a) a
lower front section including a motor connected to a pedal shaft
and pedals connected to said shaft; (b) an upper vertically
adjustable handlebar section adjustably and removably attached to
said lower front section; (c) a rear seat section, horizontally
adjustably connected to said front lower section, having a
vertically adjustable vertical curved back seat section and a lower
horizontal seat section that is vertically adjustable.
2. A motorized, adjustable exercise tricycle as in claim 1, wherein
said pedal shaft is adjustable such that the distance between the
pedals may be shortened or lengthened.
3. A motorized, adjustable exercise tricycle as in claim 1, wherein
said lower horizontal seat has an upper central crown and left and
right sides and a front and back that are tapered downwardly and
outwardly.
4. A motorized, adjustable exercise tricycle as in claim 1, wherein
said lower front section and said rear section are connected by a
separating pin and wherein said handlebar section is removable from
said lower front section.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
10/664,362.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of physical therapy. In
particular, a motorized tricycle, attractive to children, is
disclosed which has an adjustable seat to keep the child in place
as well as adjustable pedals and a programmable electric motor.
[0003] In the field of exercise therapy equipment, it is often
necessary to have a motorized bicycle or other device to exercise
injured or impaired patients. Certain injuries could result in the
paralysis of the arms or legs. Additionally, impairment or
paralysis could be the result of a congenital disease. In either
case, the patient needs to have the muscles of the arms or legs
exercised regularly so that these muscles to not become
atrophied.
[0004] There are common exercise regimens practiced throughout the
health care and rehabilitative industry. However, most of these
exercise regimens involve manual movement of the limbs by a nurse
practitioner or rehabilitative worker. Some exercise devices
provide for an unattractive motorized movement of the muscle
groups. Motorized rehabilitative apparatus are usually designed for
adults and are not made to attract children by simulating a child's
toy tricycle. It is an object of this invention to provide a
rehabilitative motorized exercise apparatus that is attractive to
children.
[0005] One type of child's exercise apparatus is disclosed in the
1989 Patent issued to Mendel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,157. The Mendel
exercise apparatus discloses an attractive child's tricycle.
However, the Mendel device is used to exercise the arms of the
child. An electrical stimulation from a battery is provided to the
patient who is sitting on a tricycle. Although Mendel does provide
electrical stimulation to a paralyzed limb, it would be beneficial
to have an attractive child's tricycle that would move both of the
patient's legs by a motorized force. The movement of a patient's
paralyzed legs by an electric motor exercises the legs and tones
the leg muscles. Exercising the legs keeps the leg muscles from
becoming atrophied. It is an object of this invention to provide an
electrically operated tricycle for exercising a paralyzed child's
legs.
[0006] Another device found in the prior art is the 2003 US Patent
Application filed by Pyle. This Patent Application Publication
discloses an exercise device having a power source 16 that drives
pedals. The Pyle exercise device is designed to stimulate the legs
of disabled children. One drawback of the Pyle device is that it is
not similar in appearance to an attractive child's tricycle.
Another drawback of the Pyle device is that the seat is rigid and
the length between the seat and pedals is fixed. It is an object of
this invention to provide an adjustable seat for an exercise
tricycle that adjusts to different heights and widths of a child.
In particular, it is an object of this invention to provide a seat
that will keep a child in place. It is a still further object of
this invention to provide length adjustments for a child's legs and
width adjustments for a child's feet and hips such that the device
is comfortable for a child exercising and is also capable of
keeping the child's legs, knees and hips in proper alignment.
[0007] Another motorized stationary bike for lower body
rehabilitation is disclosed in the 2004 Patent issued to Sze. The
Sze Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,010, describes a motorized
stationary bike. The motor is connected to a drive a shaft and the
driveshaft is coupled to a worm gear by a coupler. This direct
drive of the pedals eliminates lengthy chains or other devices that
may become entangled in the patients' limbs. One drawback of the
Sze device is that the patient must be capable of riding on a small
seat 26. Sze does not provide for an adjustable seat that keeps the
child in place. In addition, Sze does not have adjustable pedals to
accommodate the growth of a child. It a still further object of
this invention to provide an adjustable seat for a child's
motorized exercise tricycle which keeps the child in place and
keeps the child's body aligned with the mechanism to ensure
effective and comfortable use of the exercise device.
[0008] It is a prime object of this invention to provide an
adjustable seat with a side support to enable a child to exercise
while sitting upright with his or her back against the back of the
seat and a side support to avoid slumping. It is a further object
of this invention to provide a child's exercise tricycle with a
seat design that keeps the hips, knees, legs and ankles in
alignment during the exercise to avoid injury and enhance the
exercise session. It is a still further object of this invention to
provide adjustable pedals to fit the width of a child's hips so
that the child's legs stay inline with the hips to avoid strain on
the ankles, hips or knees.
[0009] Other and further objects of this adjustable tricycle will
become apparent upon reading the below described specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE
[0010] A motorized child's exercise tricycle is presented which is
adjustable to allow the exercise tricycle to grow as the child
grows. An expandable chassis allows the distance between the seat
and the pedals to be adjusted. A special seat is designed that is
tapered downwardly and outwardly from the child's body. The
adjustable seat, that includes a seatbelt, keeps the child sitting
upright with his or back against the back of the seat. The side
support of the specially designed back supports the child to avoid
slumping. The back support of the seat and the specially designed
lower seat keep the child's hips, knees, legs and ankles in
alignment. Adjustable pedals are provided in this device to allow
the distance between the pedals to be widened to conform to the
width of the child's hips so that the hips and legs stay inline.
The tricycle also has handlebars that are adjustable up or down.
The specially designed seat may also be adjusted up or down to
conform the dimensions of the tricycle to the patient's size.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Passive Child Therapy
Tricycle.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front end of the
tricycle showing the adjustable pedals and electric motor.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the specially designed
seat.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side cross section of the specially designed
seat shown in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the specially designed seat
showing the seatbelt apparatus.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of the specially designed seat shown in
FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the tricycle showing the three
main parts when detached.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the adjustable seat support
bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] A Passive Child Therapy Tricycle with a specially designed
adjustable seat is best shown in FIG. 1. The tricycle has a front
lower frame base 1 in place of the front wheel of a regular
tricycle. The child's tricycle also has two rear wheels 2 which are
connected by an axle 42. Connected to the rear axle 42 is an
adjustable cross bar frame chassis 3. This adjustable frame chassis
may be lengthened as described later to adjust the distance between
the seat and pedals to the particular patient's size. One major
improvement disclosed in this application is the ability of the
caregiver to adjust the tricycle for different size patients and to
adjust the tricycle as an individual patient grows.
[0020] The adjustable chassis 3 consists of an essentially
elongated S-shaped piece 4. This S-shaped front piece 4 fits into a
female cross bar frame rear piece 5. The female rear piece 5 is
attached to the wheel axle 42. A cross bar collar 6 and a
tightening handle and pin 7 allow the front male piece and the rear
female piece to be lengthened and secured. The tightening handle
may be grooved to lock the handle tightly. A plurality of cross bar
front piece adjusting holes 8 are used in conjunction with the
tightening handle and rod 7 to adjust the length of the tricycle.
To adjust the length of the chassis 3, one simply aligns the
appropriate holes 8 with the hole in the collar 6, inserts the pin
through the corresponding holes and tightens the handle and pin
7.
[0021] In addition to the horizontal adjustment of the length of
the tricycle, vertical adjustments of the handle bar and seat are
also provided. A female handle bar vertical support 9 is located at
the front of the tricycle near the motor and is attached to the
front of the S-shaped piece 4. Inside the hollow vertical support 9
is a permanently affixed central support 44. This hollow female
handle bar support 9 and central rod 44 are adapted to receive a
vertical handle bar adjusting shaft 10. The handlebar shaft 10
slides inside the vertical support 9 and slides over the central
vertical handlebar support 44.
[0022] Attached to the top of the vertical handle bar adjusting
shaft 10 are the handlebars 11. The handlebars are vertically
adjustable utilizing the handle bar adjusting clamp 12. This clamp
12 may be a C-ring with a bolt and tightening nut. The C-ring is
placed around the handlebar shaft 10 at an appropriate location
along the shaft and above the top of the vertical support 9 to
allow adjustment of the vertical height of the handlebars.
[0023] Located on the bottom of the vertical handle bar support 9
is an electrical apparatus motor box 13. This motor box includes
the motor and wiring for the device. A power switch and speed
adjustment knob 14 is located at the front of the motor box 13. The
knob is located in the forward position so that the child patient
cannot reach the knob to adjust the speed when the child patient is
using the tricycle. Since the knob 14 is not in reach of the child
the caregiver operates the device. This is an added safety feature
to protect the child patient during the exercise regimen.
[0024] An electric motor 15 directly drives the pedal axle 16 as
best shown in FIG. 2. This may be accomplished using a worm gear
system such as that disclosed in the Sze Patent. The pedal shaft 16
is adjustable so that the distance between the two removable pedal
shoes 19 maybe lengthened or shortened depending on the width of
the patient child's hips. The pedal shaft-adjusting collar 41
accomplishes this. In order to adjust the width of the pedal, the
collar maybe be loosened and the pedal shaft 16 may be lengthened
or shortened as required. When the collar 41 properly adjusts the
length of the pedal shaft 16, the shoes 19 are approximately the
same distance apart as the child's hips. Adjusting the pedals to
fit the width of the child's hips allows the child's legs to stay
inline with the hips. The proper alignment of the child patient's
hips and legs avoids strain on the child patient's ankles, hips and
knees.
[0025] The pedals 17 are attached to the irregularly shaped pedal
shaft 16. The pedals 17 have a strip of Velcro.TM. hook-and-pile
fasteners attached to each pedal. Each pedal then has a removable
pedal shoe 19, attached by corresponding Velcro.TM. strips. The
shoes 19 are shaped generally in the shape of an open-toed shoe or
sandal as best shown in FIG. 2. The front of the shoe 19 is open.
In use, the child patient's feet are placed in the shoes 19 and
then strapped in place by pedal shoe securing straps 21. Fastening
the shoe 19 and straps 21 allows the caregiver to insure that the
child patient's feet remain within the pedal area for adequate,
safe and proper exercise.
[0026] A separating pin 18 is inserted through the vertical handle
bar female support 9 and the central shaft 44 to secure the three
main components of the tricycle together. When the separating pin
44 is removed, the front base 1, pedals, electric motor box 13 and
motor 15 may be disassembled from the device for easy
transportation and storage. The disassembly procedure separates the
tricycle into three discreet units, a lower front section including
a motor connected to the pedal shaft and pedals, a handlebar
section adjustably and removably attached to the lower front
section and a rear seat section horizontally adjustably attached to
the front lower section having a curved back section and a
horizontal seat section. This disassembly procedure is best shown
in FIG. 7.
[0027] Turning now to FIG. 4, the adjustable seat is shown and
described. This adjustable seat 22 is comprised of two main parts,
a curved vertical back support 23 and a bottom horizontal
irregularly shaped seat 24. The seat is made of foam and is shaped
in a particular manner for use as a therapeutic child's exercise
device.
[0028] The seat 22 has a vertical rounded back support 23. This
vertical rounded back support 23 supports the child's back during
the exercise process. A seat back brace vertical rod 25 is
permanently attached to the axle 42. This vertical rod 25 supports
the curved back support 23. Attached to the rear of the back
support 23 is a back support outer rod 43. This outer rod 43 slides
over the vertical rod 25 and is secured in place by the vertical
rod-adjusting piece 26. This adjusting piece 26 may be a simple
C-clamp as shown in drawing FIGS. 1 and 7. The height of the
vertical back support 23 may be adjusted by loosing the adjusting
piece C-clamp 26 and adjusting the height of the back support 23 as
desired to accommodate the height the of child patient.
[0029] The bottom horizontal specially designed seat 24 is separate
from the back support 23. The lower horizontal seat 24 may be
adjusted to accommodate the child general size, form and
configuration. Attached to the female rear piece 5 is an oblique
seat support 27, as best shown on FIG. 1. Attached to this oblique
seat support 27 is a vertical adjusting bracket 28, as best shown
on FIG. 8. This seat-adjusting bracket 28 has a flat upper surface
and an inner channel. Sliding inside this inner channel is the
horizontal seat adjusting rod 30 and supporting block 29. Vertical
adjusting holes 31, located vertically in rod 30 are used to adjust
the vertical height of the horizontal seat 24. The vertical
adjusting holes 31 allow the caregiver to adjust the vertical
height of the lower horizontal seat 24. A simple pin 45 may be
inserted through the rod 30 when the appropriate holes are aligned
to hold the seat in place and adjust the vertical height of the
lower seat 24.
[0030] It is a major problem in this particular exercise field to
keep the child, whose leg muscles are impaired, in proper position
for the exercise session. In order to keep the child's body and
legs properly aligned in the instant invention, the height of the
seat is adjusted to the child. In addition, the width of the pedals
is adjusted so that the child's feet and hips are kept in
alignment. In addition, the chassis itself may be lengthened or
shortened and the horizontal seat 24 may be moved upward or
downward to approximate to the dimensions of the child utilizing
the device. However, a major problem with the prior art devices is
that the child tends to slump in the prior arts seats (particular
the prior art shown in Sze). A unique lower horizontal seat 24 has
been devised which greatly enhances the usefulness of the instant
child's exercise tricycle.
[0031] As best shown in FIGS. 3-6 various design improvements over
the prior art seats have been incorporated into this new invention.
Seatbelt slots 32 are provided in the vertical back section 23 of
the seat 22. A seatbelt 33 is then installed in the vertical seat
back 23 to enable the caregiver to secure the child into the seat
of the motorized exercise tricycle.
[0032] Another improvement in the prior art of exercise devices is
disclosed in the drawing figures, particularly drawing FIGS. 3 and
5. The specially designed horizontal seat 24 has an upper central
body crown 34. This crown 34 tapers downwardly and outwardly. The
upper body crown 34 tapers downwardly and outwardly to tapered
downwardly left side 35 and tapered downwardly right side 35' and
is tapered downwardly and outwardly towards the front and back.
Both of these sides 35 and 35' and the front 39 and back 46 of the
lower seat taper downwardly and outwardly as shown in the drawing
figures. The tapers create a central upper horizontal seat body
crown 34 in the approximate center of the lower horizontal seat
24.
[0033] A child with low lower limb movement or no lower limb
movement usually cannot tell if they are slipping and cannot
correct this slipping in any event. The specially designed lower
horizontal seat disclosed keeps the child's legs separated so that
the child will not slide down the seat towards the pedals. The
vertical crown portion of the seat along with the seat belt also
keeps the child from slumping or moving out of alignment with the
exercise tricycle device. By providing the curved vertical back
support 23 with the seatbelt 33 and the specially contoured lower
horizontal seat 24, the child is kept in correct position for
"riding` the tricycle and exercising the limbs.
[0034] The lower horizontal seat 22 is made of foam and braced with
metal. It has a contour such that a crown 34 is created. The seat
upper body crown 34 tapers downwardly and outwardly such that a
comfortable yet functional horizontal seat is provided which keeps
the child's torso in place and supports the child's legs.
[0035] The various adjustments of the tricycle described herein
create a motorized child's exercise tricycle that is adapted to the
unique needs of a child having low or no lower limb movement. The
child's tricycle design of the device makes it attractive to
children. The special seat design allows the caregiver to ensure
that the child keeps sitting upright with his or her back against
the vertical support. The special design of the lower horizontal
seat insures that the child does not slump. It also insures that
the child's hips, knees, legs and ankles are kept in alignment.
This eliminates discomfort and helps to avoid injury.
[0036] The back end 46 of the lower horizontal seat 24 will not
extent past the vertical back support 24. The adjustability of the
vertical 23 and horizontal 24 parts of the seat 22 enable the
device to be used by different sized children or by one child as he
or she grows and increases in size.
[0037] One advantage over most of the prior art in this device is
that there is no chain or sprocket extending from the motor to move
the pedals since the pedals are attached directly to the motors.
Since there are fewer moving parts, chains or sprockets, this
device contains few mechanical complications and has been found to
be quite reliable. The adjustability of the length of the chassis
and the height of the seat and handle bars allows the to be
universally useful and adaptable for different types of children or
for the same child as he or she grows.
DISCUSSIONS OF THE REFERRENCES
[0038] Reference A: Mendel (U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,157)
[0039] The Mendel device discloses a method and apparatus for
exercising a paralyzed limb. Mendel includes the electrical
stimulation of a paralyzed muscle in response to a continuous
movement of an uninvolved limb. Mendel is of interest since it
discloses an attractive tricycle design for a child. However,
Mendel does not disclose the seat adjustments or the various
aspects of the instant invention for keeping the child in an
upright position and keeping the child's legs, ankles and knees
aligned with the width of the pedals. Mendel is of general interest
to the field since it discloses a child's tricycle for use in the
exercise art
[0040] Reference B: Pyle (Patent Publication # 2,003/0045402A1)
[0041] Pyle discloses an exercise device having a power source 16.
The Pyle device is shaped in the form of a sled, not a child's
tricycle. While Pyle does disclose the use of seatbelts, his
vertical seat is not adjustable in height. In addition, the
horizontal seat of Pyle does not have the special contour to keep
the child from sliding forward or slumping in the seat.
Additionally, Pyle does not have adjustable pedals that may be
personalized to the child's patient hip width.
[0042] Reference C: Sze (U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,010)
[0043] Sze disclosed a motorized stationary bike in the form of an
ordinary exercise bicycle used in the fitness industry. The Sze
motor is connected to the drive shaft and coupled to the pedals by
a worm gear as in the instant device. However, the Sze seat is
quite precarious for a paralyzed or impaired rider and would be
unsuitable for a child or an adult having low or no use of their
lower limbs. Sze does not disclose a vertical back support or a
specially contoured seat for keeping the child on the exercise
apparatus. Sze also does not disclose the adjustability of the
pedals or the vertical adjustability of the handlebars. Sze is not
adjustable in length or height to suit a child's growth patterns or
to accommodate children of different sizes.
* * * * *