U.S. patent application number 11/385843 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise.
This patent application is currently assigned to Industrial Technology Research Institute. Invention is credited to Meng-Chun Chen, Yang-Hua Lin, Kuo-Shih Tseng, Mao-Feng Tu, Syh-Shiuh Yeh.
Application Number | 20070142189 11/385843 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38174391 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070142189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yeh; Syh-Shiuh ; et
al. |
June 21, 2007 |
Apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise
Abstract
An apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise is disclosed,
which comprises: a first supporting part; a second supporting part,
rotatably connected to the first supporting part; and a hydraulic
device, connected to the first and the second supporting parts
respectively by the two ends thereof, for providing a hydraulic
pressure to the first and the second supporting parts while the
first supporting part is rotated about the second supporting part.
As a user is fitted with the aforesaid apparatus to perform a lower
limb exercise, such as exercising its knee joint or ankle joint, a
comparatively better exercise effect can be achieved as the
magnitude of the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic
device is adjustable by the use of a throttle valve of the
hydraulic device.
Inventors: |
Yeh; Syh-Shiuh; (Taipei
City, TW) ; Chen; Meng-Chun; (Xuejia Town, TW)
; Tseng; Kuo-Shih; (Taiping City, TW) ; Tu;
Mao-Feng; (Zhudong Town, TW) ; Lin; Yang-Hua;
(Linkou Shiang, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRUCE H. TROXELL
SUITE 1404
5205 LEESBURG PIKE
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22041
US
|
Assignee: |
Industrial Technology Research
Institute
|
Family ID: |
38174391 |
Appl. No.: |
11/385843 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0083 20130101;
A63B 23/08 20130101; A63B 23/04 20130101; A63B 21/00072 20130101;
A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 23/0494 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/112 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/008 20060101
A63B021/008 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2005 |
TW |
094145194 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise, adapted for
supporting the lower limb of a user, comprising: a first supporting
part; a second supporting part, rotatably connected to the first
supporting part; and a hydraulic device, connected to the first and
the second supporting parts respectively by the two ends thereof,
for providing a hydraulic pressure to the first and the second
supporting parts while the first supporting part is rotated about
the second supporting part.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first supporting part,
further comprising: a rotatable frame; and a supporting frame with
adjustable length, having an end thereof connected to the rotatable
frame.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second supporting part,
further comprising: a rotatable frame; and a supporting frame with
adjustable length, having an end thereof connected to the rotatable
frame.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second supporting part,
further comprising: a rotatable plate; and a set of rolling wheel,
connected to the rotatable plate.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the set of rolling wheel
includes at least a fixing device and at least a rolling wheel.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic device, further
comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at least a
conversion valve, each used for connecting the hydraulic cylinder
to the hydraulic tube for controlling a liquid to flow
therebetween; and a throttle valve, for controlling the flux of the
liquid flowing in the hydraulic tube so as to adjust the magnitude
of the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic device.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a rotation angle detector is
arranged between the first supporting part and the second support
part for detecting an angle of rotation as the first supporting
part is rotating about the second supporting part.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hydraulic device, further
comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at least a
conversion valve, each used for connecting the hydraulic cylinder
to the hydraulic tube for controlling a liquid to flow
therebetween; and a throttle valve, for controlling the flux of the
liquid flowing in the hydraulic tube according to the angle of
rotation detected by the rotation angle detector so as to maintain
the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic device at a
specific magnitude while the first supporting part is rotating
about the second supporting part.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the throttle valve is a
solenoid valve.
10. An apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise, adapted for
supporting the lower limb of a user, comprising: a first supporting
part; a second supporting part, rotatably connected to the first
supporting part; a third supporting part, rotatably connected to
the second supporting part; a first hydraulic device, connected to
the first and the second supporting parts respectively by the two
ends thereof, for providing a first hydraulic pressure to the first
and the second supporting parts while the first supporting part is
rotated about the second supporting part; and a second hydraulic
device, connected to the second and the third supporting parts
respectively by the two ends thereof, for providing a second
hydraulic pressure to the second and the third supporting parts
while the second supporting part is rotated about the third
supporting part.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first supporting part,
further comprising: a rotatable frame; and a supporting frame with
adjustable length, having an end thereof connected to the rotatable
frame.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second supporting part,
further comprising: a rotatable frame; and a supporting frame with
adjustable length, having an end thereof connected to the rotatable
frame.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the third supporting part,
further comprising: a rotatable plate; and a set of rolling wheel,
connected to the rotatable plate.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the set of rolling wheel
includes at least a fixing device and at least a rolling wheel.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first hydraulic device,
further comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at
least a conversion valve, each used for connecting the hydraulic
cylinder to the hydraulic tube for controlling a liquid to flow
therebetween; and a throttle valve, for controlling the flux of the
liquid flowing in the hydraulic tube so as to adjust the magnitude
of the first hydraulic pressure provided by the first hydraulic
device.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a first rotation angle
detector is arranged between the first supporting part and the
second support part for detecting a first angle of rotation as the
first supporting part is rotating about the second supporting
part.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first hydraulic device,
further comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at
least a conversion valve, each used for connecting the hydraulic
cylinder to the hydraulic tube for controlling a liquid to flow
therebetween; and a throttle valve, for controlling the flux of the
liquid flowing in the hydraulic tube according to the first angle
of rotation detected by the rotation angle detector so as to
maintain the first hydraulic pressure provided by the first
hydraulic device at a specific magnitude while the first supporting
part is rotating about the second supporting part.
18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second hydraulic device,
further comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at
least a conversion valve, each used for connecting the hydraulic
cylinder to the hydraulic tube for controlling a liquid to flow
therebetween; and a throttle valve, for controlling the flux of the
liquid flowing in the hydraulic tube so as to adjust the magnitude
of the second hydraulic pressure provided by the second hydraulic
device.
19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a second rotation angle
detector is arranged between the second supporting part and the
third support part for detecting a second angle of rotation as the
second supporting part is rotating about the third supporting
part.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second hydraulic device,
further comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at
least a conversion valve, each used for connecting the hydraulic
cylinder to the hydraulic tube for controlling a liquid to flow
therebetween; and a throttle valve, for controlling the flux of the
liquid flowing in the hydraulic tube according to the second angle
of rotation detected by the rotation angle detector so as to
maintain the second hydraulic pressure provided by the second
hydraulic device at a specific magnitude while the second
supporting part is rotating about the third supporting part.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the throttle valve is a
solenoid valve.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for
multi-joint lower limb exercise, and more particularly, to an
exercise apparatus fitted to a lower limb of a user, capable of
providing an adjustable hydraulic pressure to the joints of the
moving lower limb by a specific hydraulic device, whereas the
hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic device is adjustable
by the use of a throttle valve of the hydraulic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, most of the movements of human upper limb are to
enable a person to complete a certain operation for controlling
one's ambient environment while the lower limb movements are to
enable the person to move around. That is, different limb movements
are structured specifically with respect to complete different
human activities. Therefore, the feature of most human upper limb
movements is that they are structured to complete an operation is
free space, and on the other hand, most lower limb movements are
structured with a stable connection to the ground. It is known that
intense and repetitive activities usually are the cause of physical
injuries involving damage to bones and/or muscle tissues. It is
also known that healing physical injuries such as fractures,
exposed to an active exercise with permissible weight bearing
stress while controlling the movement of the joints relating to the
exercise to move correctly and properly, often heal more
predictably and more rapidly than fractures which are not exposed
to any limb exercise. This is probably also true for preventing
such physical injuries.
[0003] It is known that muscles are strengthened and their mass
increased by repetitive contraction of the muscles actively under
tension. When the muscle contracts, however, it shortens, thereby
causing joint motion via the connective tendons which can stress
the ligaments connecting the bony joint segments. However, a
passive exercise is contrary to the aforesaid active exercise, that
muscles are exercised without the contraction thereof and thus can
not train the relating joints to exercise by the contraction of
muscles. Conventionally, resistance training increases muscle
strength by putting the muscles against an external pressure while
contracting actively and repetitively, such as a weight training
using dumbbell, sand bag, elastic rope or other weighting
equipments. Although, the external pressure of such resistance
training can be adjusted by the instruction of a professional
coach, it lacks the ability of providing integrated trainings, such
as walking. Recently, there are equipment designed for providing
isokinetic training that allows the athlete to develop maximal
muscle contraction throughout a given range of the movement and
develops strength at variable speeds, i.e. it can detect when a
muscle is speeding up, and increases the load to slow it down
again. Nevertheless, those currently available equipments for
isokinetic training are all too bulky and can not simulate actual
human movements for training relating muscles and joints under such
actual human movement. It is noted that there is an idea of
employing robotic arms as intellectual training tools. However,
those specifically designed robotic arms are still under experiment
and are not available for progressive training or household
training. In addition, the training tools especially designed for
lower limb exercise, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, or
stepper, are all to bulky and heavy to be carried around.
[0004] The conventional lower limb exercises are either focused on
excising knee joint or on ankle joint individually, which are not
capable of exercising multiple joints relating to a lower limb
movement, and are still employing traditional isotonic/isokinemic
training mode while lacking a feedback mechanism for better
controlling. Obviously, for the foregoing shortcomings, there is no
available solution.
[0005] Therefore, it is in need of an exercise apparatus fitted to
a lower limb of a user, capable of providing an adjustable
hydraulic pressure to the joints of the moving lower limb by a
specific hydraulic device, whereas the hydraulic pressure provided
by the hydraulic device is adjustable by the use of a throttle
valve of the hydraulic device, and moreover, the apparatus for
multi-joint lower limb exercise, comparing to those of prior art,
is capable of providing a multi-degree-of-freedom motion of active
exercise that is portable, light-weight, and ease to maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide
an apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise, capable of
enabling the ankle and knee of a user to be exercised at the same
time by a multi-degree-of-freedom motion of active exercise.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise, adapted for
exercising the ankle and knee of a user.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
active exercise apparatus for joints, which can be adapted to
exercise a user's joints no matter the user is lying, sitting or
standing. Moreover, it can be adapted for matching the difficulties
of a progressive training as required.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an adjustable hydraulic device with controllable throttle valve for
exerting a pressure to the joints of the moving lower limb of a
user so as to enabling the lower limb of the user to be exercised
actively.
[0010] It is further another object of the present invention to
provide an apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise, capable
of detecting and measuring the resistance exerting of a user's
lower limb by the mechanical structure of the apparatus and then
using the detection for adjusting the pressure of a hydraulic
device by controlling the throttle valve of the hydraulic device
automatically so as to exerting a fixed pressure upon the joints of
the active moving lower limb.
[0011] To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides
an apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise, which comprises:
a first supporting part; a second supporting part, rotatably
connected to the first supporting part; and a hydraulic device,
connected to the first and the second supporting parts respectively
by the two ends thereof, for providing a hydraulic pressure to the
first and the second supporting parts while the first supporting
part is rotated about the second supporting part.
[0012] Preferably, the first supporting part is further comprised
of a rotatable frame and a supporting frame with adjustable length,
having an end thereof connected to the rotatable frame; and the
second supporting part is further comprised of a rotatable frame
and a supporting frame with adjustable length, having an end
thereof connected to the rotatable frame.
[0013] Preferably, the first supporting part is further comprised
of a rotatable frame and a supporting frame with adjustable length,
having an end thereof connected to the rotatable frame; and the
second supporting part is further comprised of a rotatable plate
and a set of rolling wheel, connected to the rotatable plate and
including at least a fixing device and at least a rolling
wheel.
[0014] Preferably, the hydraulic device further comprises: a
hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at least a conversion valve,
each used for connecting the hydraulic cylinder to the hydraulic
tube for controlling a liquid to flow therebetween; and a throttle
valve, for controlling the flux of the liquid flowing in the
hydraulic tube so as to adjust the magnitude of the hydraulic
pressure provided by the hydraulic device.
[0015] Preferably, a rotation angle detector is arranged between
the first supporting part and the second support part for detecting
an angle of rotation as the first supporting part is rotating about
the second supporting part. Moreover, the hydraulic device further
comprises: a hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at least a
conversion valve, each used for connecting the hydraulic cylinder
to the hydraulic tube for controlling a liquid to flow
therebetween; and a throttle valve, for controlling the flux of the
liquid flowing in the hydraulic tube according to the angle of
rotation detected by the rotation angle detector so as to maintain
the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic device at a
specific magnitude while the first supporting part is rotating
about the second supporting part. Moreover, the throttle valve is a
solenoid valve.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, another
apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise is provided, which
comprises: a first supporting part; a second supporting part,
rotatably connected to the first supporting part; a third
supporting part, rotatably connected to the second supporting part;
a first hydraulic device, connected to the first and the second
supporting parts respectively by the two ends thereof, for
providing a first hydraulic pressure to the first and the second
supporting parts while the first supporting part is rotated about
the second supporting part; and a second hydraulic device,
connected to the second and the third supporting parts respectively
by the two ends thereof, for providing a second hydraulic pressure
to the second and the third supporting parts while the second
supporting part is rotated about the third supporting part.
[0017] Preferably, the first supporting part is further comprised
of a rotatable frame and a supporting frame with adjustable length,
having an end thereof connected to the rotatable frame; the second
supporting part is further comprised of a rotatable frame and a
supporting frame with adjustable length, having an end thereof
connected to the rotatable frame; and the third supporting part is
further comprised of a rotatable plate and a set of rolling wheel,
connected to the rotatable plate and including at least a fixing
device and at least a rolling wheel.
[0018] Preferably, the first hydraulic device further comprises: a
hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at least a conversion valve,
each used for connecting the hydraulic cylinder to the hydraulic
tube for controlling a liquid to flow therebetween; and a throttle
valve, for controlling the flux of the liquid flowing in the
hydraulic tube so as to adjust the magnitude of the first hydraulic
pressure provided by the first hydraulic device.
[0019] Preferably, a first rotation angle detector is arranged
between the first supporting part and the second support part for
detecting a first angle of rotation as the first supporting part is
rotating about the second supporting part. Moreover, the first
hydraulic device further comprises: a hydraulic cylinder; a
hydraulic tube; at least a conversion valve, each used for
connecting the hydraulic cylinder to the hydraulic tube for
controlling a liquid to flow therebetween; and a throttle valve,
for controlling the flux of the liquid flowing in the hydraulic
tube according to the first angle of rotation detected by the
rotation angle detector so as to maintain the first hydraulic
pressure provided by the first hydraulic device at a specific
magnitude while the first supporting part is rotating about the
second supporting part. Moreover, the throttle valve is a solenoid
valve.
[0020] Preferably, the second hydraulic device further comprises: a
hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic tube; at least a conversion valve,
each used for connecting the hydraulic cylinder to the hydraulic
tube for controlling a liquid to flow therebetween; and a throttle
valve, for controlling the flux of the liquid flowing in the
hydraulic tube so as to adjust the magnitude of the second
hydraulic pressure provided by the second hydraulic device.
[0021] Preferably, a second rotation angle detector is arranged
between the second supporting part and the third support part for
detecting a second angle of rotation as the second supporting part
is rotating about the third supporting part. Moreover, the second
hydraulic device further comprises: a hydraulic cylinder; a
hydraulic tube; at least a conversion valve, each used for
connecting the hydraulic cylinder to the hydraulic tube for
controlling a liquid to flow therebetween; and a throttle valve,
for controlling the flux of the liquid flowing in the hydraulic
tube according to the second angle of rotation detected by the
rotation angle detector so as to maintain the second hydraulic
pressure provided by the second hydraulic device at a specific
magnitude while the second supporting part is rotating about the
third supporting part. Moreover, the throttle valve is a solenoid
valve.
[0022] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of
example the principles of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for multi-joint
lower limb exercise according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a hydraulic device according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a hydraulic device capable of
maintaining a specific resistance according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] For your esteemed members of reviewing committee to further
understand and recognize the fulfilled functions and structural
characteristics of the invention, several preferable embodiments
cooperating with detailed description are presented as the
follows.
[0027] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic view of an
apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention. The apparatus of FIG. 1 can
be adapted to fit on a lower limb of a user for proving a
resistance to the moving joints of the lower limb as the lower limb
is subjected to an exercise. The apparatus for multi-joint lower
limb exercise comprises a first support part 11, a second support
part 12, a third support part 13, a first hydraulic device 14 and a
second hydraulic device 15.
[0028] The first supporting part 11 is comprised of a supporting
frame 111 and a rotatable frame 112, that both are fitted to the
outside of the thigh of the user and are fixed thereto by a strap.
Similarly, The second supporting part 12 is comprised of a
supporting frame 121 and a rotatable frame 122, that both are
fitted to the outside of the shank of the user and are fixed
thereto by a strap. The length of the first supporting part 11 can
be adjusted to match with the length of the thigh, that is, the
supporting frame 111 of the first supporting part 11 is a device of
retractable mechanism composed of guiding chutes and sliding rod
which is connected to the rotatable frame 112 in a retractable
manner for enabling the length of the first supporting part 11 to
match the length of the thigh. Similarly, The length of the second
supporting part 12 can also be adjusted to match with the length of
the shank, that is, the supporting frame 121 of the second
supporting part 12 is a device of retractable mechanism composed of
guiding chutes and sliding rod which is connected to the rotatable
frame 122 in a retractable manner for enabling the length of the
second supporting part 12 to match the length of the shank. As the
knee of the user is rotated, the rotatable frame 112 and the
rotatable frame 122 will rotate about the rotation axis 16 while
providing a pressure to resist the rotation of the knee since the
two ends of the first hydraulic device 14 are respectively
connected to the rotatable frame 112 and the rotatable frame
122.
[0029] The third supporting part 13 includes a rotatable plate 131
and a set of rolling wheel 132, that the set of rolling wheel 132
can be composed of a fixing device 1321 and two rolling wheels
1322, 1323, whereas the fixing device 1321 is connected to the
rotatable plate 131. It is noted that a foot of the user can be
placed on the rotatable plate 131 and is fixed thereto by a strap.
As the ankle of the user is rotated, the supporting frame 121 and
the rotatable plate 132 will rotate about the rotation axis 17
while providing a pressure to resist the rotation of the ankle
since the two ends of the second hydraulic device 15 are
respectively connected to the supporting frame 121 and the
rotatable plate 132. In addition, the two rolling wheels 1322, 1323
are used to reduce the friction between the apparatus of FIG. 1 and
the ground for facilitating the lower limb exercise.
[0030] Therefore, by the pressures provided respectively by the
first hydraulic device 14 and the second hydraulic device 15 for
resist the rotation of the knee and ankle, an active lower limb
exercise can be achieved.
[0031] Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic view of a
hydraulic device according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention. The hydraulic device 20 of FIG. 2 mainly is a hydraulic
cylinder 201 having two rotation axes 202, 203 respectively for
connecting two moving objects, whereas the two moving objects can
be the rotatable frames 112 and 122, or the supporting frame 121
and the rotatable plate 131, shown in FIG. 1. The hydraulic device
20 is operating with the two rotation axes 202, 203 respectively
sliding along the longitudinal axis of the hydraulic cylinder 201.
The hydraulic device 20 further comprises two conversion valves
204, 205, whereas the conversion valve 204 is used to connect the
hydraulic cylinder 201 and the hydraulic tube 206 while the
conversion valve 205 is used to connect the hydraulic cylinder 201
and the hydraulic tube 207. Both conversion valves 204, 205 are
used for controlling the flow direction of the hydraulic cylinder
201. The hydraulic device 20 further comprises a throttle valve
208, disposed between and connecting the hydraulic tube 206 to the
hydraulic tube 207, which is capable of controlling the flux of the
liquid flowing in the two hydraulic tubes 206, 207 so as to adjust
the magnitude of the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic
device 20. The throttle valve 208 can be adjusted manually for
controlling the flux of the liquid flowing in the hydraulic
cylinder 201 and thus adjusting the resistance exerting upon the
two moving objects respectively connected to the two rotation axes
202, 203. Moreover, the throttle valve can be an electronic valve,
such as a solenoid valve, so that the resistance can be adjusted
electronically.
[0032] While the apparatus of the invention is designed to exert a
fixed resistance upon the lower limb, the throttle valve 208 of
FIG. 2 must be an electronic valve and two additional rotation
angle detectors must be respectively arranged at the two rotation
axes 16, 17. Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a schematic view of a
hydraulic device capable of maintaining a specific resistance
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3,
the two rotatable frames 112, 122 and the hydraulic device with
specific resistance 30 are used as an illustration. Wherein, the
rotatable frame 112 is pivotally connected to the rotatable frame
122 while enabling the two rotatable frames 112, 122 to rotated
about the rotation axis 16; and the two ends of the hydraulic
device 30 are respectively connected to the two rotatable frames
112, 122 by the two rotation axes 301, 302. Hence, the throttle
valve, which is a solenoid valve, can control and adjust the
resistance provided by the hydraulic device 30 according to the
angle of rotation detected by the rotation angle detector 31 so as
to maintain the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic device
30 at a specific magnitude while the supporting frame 112 is
rotating about the supporting frame 122.
[0033] To sum up, the apparatus for multi-joint lower limb exercise
employs a hydraulic device, having two ends thereof connecting
respectively to the two supporting parts, for providing a hydraulic
resistance to the moving lower limb such that a user fitted with
the aforesaid apparatus has to exert a force to overcome the
resistance for performing the lower limb exercise. Furthermore, the
hydraulic resistance of the hydraulic device can be adjusted
manually by the throttle valve arranged on the hydraulic device, or
can be adjusted according to a detected angle of rotation for
maintaining the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic device
at a specific magnitude while the lower limb is exercising.
[0034] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set
forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed
embodiment of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof
may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended
claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *