U.S. patent application number 11/359942 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for aero hydraulic exercise and physical therapy equipment and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Brown & Company of Pensacola, Inc.. Invention is credited to Louis S. Brown.
Application Number | 20070197355 11/359942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38428966 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070197355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Louis S. |
August 23, 2007 |
Aero hydraulic exercise and physical therapy equipment and
method
Abstract
An air spring is used as a resistance device in exercise
equipment having a lever arm for exercising arms and legs. In one
embodiment, the equipment can be adapted to be used as a stair
stepper. In another, it can be adapted to be used on a table
surface for exercising hands, wrists and forearms. In still another
embodiment, it can incorporate a bike pedal assembly to
simultaneously aerobically exercise the legs and arms. The
equipment includes resistance level regulating components and a
visual indicator using a gauge or similar device to monitor
resistance levels.
Inventors: |
Brown; Louis S.; (Pensacola,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNIS G. LAPOINTE;LAPOINTE LAW GROUP, PL
PO BOX 1294
TARPON SPRINGS
FL
34688-1294
US
|
Assignee: |
Brown & Company of Pensacola,
Inc.
Pensacola
FL
|
Family ID: |
38428966 |
Appl. No.: |
11/359942 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/111 ;
482/112; 482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0012 20130101;
A63B 21/008 20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 23/03533
20130101; A63B 2022/0647 20130101; A63B 22/0005 20151001; A63B
23/03516 20130101; A63B 23/03525 20130101; A63B 2022/0033 20130101;
A63B 23/0355 20130101; A63B 2220/51 20130101; A63B 2225/09
20130101; A63B 22/18 20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B 2022/185
20130101; A63B 22/0694 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B
22/0605 20130101; A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B 21/0085 20130101;
A63B 21/4047 20151001; A63B 21/169 20151001; A63B 23/12
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/111 ;
482/057; 482/112 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06; A63B 21/008 20060101 A63B021/008; A63B 69/16 20060101
A63B069/16 |
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising: flexure joint means, said means
comprising an elastomeric bellows intermediate portion, a closed
lower portion and a closed upper portion, a lever arm adapted to be
attached to a portion of the closed upper portion of the flexure
joint assembly, means for preventing a movement of the flexure
joint assembly and for positioning said exercise device on a
working/anchoring member, said means being a rigid unsprung frame
member adapted to be attached to a portion of the closed lower
portion of the flexure joint assembly and to be attached to the
working/anchoring member, and a human body engaging member at a
distal end of the lever arm; and means for adjustably and
selectively pressurizing the flexure joint assembly, wherein the
lever arm can be moved at a desired resistance level by a movement
of the human body engaging member in any direction away from an in
rest position of the lever arm.
2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the human body
engaging member is a hand grip.
3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the hand grip is a
generally T-shaped or cross-shaped member containing two hand
grips.
4. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the human body
engaging member is a foot-engaging member located at the distal end
of the lever arm and juxtaposed a top surface of the flexure joint
assembly, said foot-engaging member being a longitudinal member
extending generally from the flexure joint assembly in a direction
generally parallel to the working/anchoring member, a
pre-determined distance away from the flexure joint assembly, said
foot-engaging member being adapted to support a user's foot
standing on a distal portion of said longitudinal member.
5. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the flexure
joint means contains a fluid, said fluid being air or hydraulic
fluid or a combination of said air and hydraulic fluid.
6. The exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the means for
adjustably pressurizing the flexure joint assembly further
comprises: an inlet port in one of the upper or lower portions of
the flexure joint assembly, said inlet port serving as fluid inlet
means to the interior of the elastomeric bellows; a fluid supply
source; fluid conduit means in fluid communication between the
fluid supply source and the elastomeric bellows; and pressure
regulating means for operating the exercise device at a desired
pressure within the flexure joint assembly.
7. The exercise device according to claim 6, wherein the pressure
regulating means is selectively adjustable.
8. The exercise device according to claim 6, further comprising
resistance level visual indicating means in mechanical
communication with the fluid conduit means and fluid regulating
means for allowing a user or attendant to visually monitor or
control the resistance level of the exercise.
9. The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the resistance
level visual indicating means is a gauge having a resistance
indicia scale.
10. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a
bicycle type pedal assembly mounted on the lever arm.
11. The exercise device according to claim 10, wherein the bicycle
type pedal assembly mounted on the lever arm includes means for
adjusting a resistance of the peddling action.
12. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the human
body engaging member is in an overlying relationship to the closed
upper portion of the flexure joint assembly and is configured so
that a person exercising can stand on said human body engaging
member for performing a balance exercise.
13. A stair stepping exercise device comprising: two spaced-apart
exercise devices, each comprising: flexure joint means, said means
comprising an elastomeric bellows intermediate portion, a closed
lower portion and a closed upper portion, a lever arm adapted to be
attached to a portion of the closed upper portion of the flexure
joint assembly, means for preventing a movement of the flexure
joint assembly and for positioning said exercise device on a
working surface, said means being a rigid unsprung frame member
adapted to be attached to a portion of the closed lower portion of
the flexure joint assembly and to be attached to the working
surface, and a human body engaging member at a distal end of the
lever arm; and means for adjustably pressurizing the flexure joint
assembly, wherein the lever arm can be moved at a desired
resistance level by a movement of the human body engaging member in
an up and down stair stepping motion.
14. The stair stepping exercise device according to claim 13,
wherein each human body engaging member is a foot-engaging member
located at the distal end of the lever arm and juxtaposed a top
surface of the flexure joint assembly, said foot-engaging member
being a longitudinal member extending generally from the flexure
joint assembly in a direction generally parallel to the working
surface, a pre-determined distance away from the flexure joint
assembly, said foot-engaging member being adapted to support a
user's foot standing on a distal portion of said longitudinal
member.
15. The stair stepping exercise device according to claim 13,
wherein each flexure joint means contains a fluid, said fluid being
air or hydraulic fluid or a combination of said air and hydraulic
fluid.
16. The stair stepping exercise device according to claim 15,
wherein the means for adjustably pressurizing each flexure joint
assembly further comprises: an inlet port in one of the upper or
lower portions of the flexure joint assembly, said inlet port
serving as fluid inlet means to the interior of the elastomeric
bellows; a fluid supply source; fluid conduit means in fluid
communication between the fluid supply source and the elastomeric
bellows; and pressure regulating means for operating the exercise
device at a desired pressure within the flexure joint assembly.
17. The stair stepping exercise device according to claim 16,
wherein the pressure regulating means is selectively
adjustable.
18. The stair stepping exercise device according to claim 16,
further comprising resistance level visual indicating means in
mechanical communication with the fluid conduit means and fluid
regulating means for allowing a user or attendant to visually
monitor or control the resistance level of the exercise.
19. The stair stepping exercise device according to claim 18,
wherein the resistance level visual indicating means is a gauge
having a resistance indicia scale.
20. The stair stepping exercise device according to claim 19,
wherein the means for adjustably pressurizing each flexure joint
assembly is adapted to adjust both flexure joint assemblies
substantially equally.
21. The stair stepping exercise device according to claim 13,
wherein the lever arms are each adapted distally with a
foot-positioning surface to support the user's foot while
exercising the user's feet and legs.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus
for physical exercise using air spring technology.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Exercise equipment, in general, is known in the art. Air
springs are also known in the art. An air spring is an elastomeric
bellows having end closures that allow for mounting on vehicles and
industrial equipment. The bellows contains a fluid such as air,
some other gas or a liquid, usually under pressure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is directed to physical therapy
equipment based upon an air spring acting as a flexure joint, and
methods of exercise utilizing the air spring. Using such a flexure
joint will allow deflections in the range of nearly 90 degrees and
a rotational deflection direction of a full 360 degrees.
[0004] In one embodiment the exercise device is constructed from an
air spring or referred to herein as a flexure joint device, a lever
arm attached to an upper portion of the flexure joint device, a
rigid unsprung frame member attached to a portion of the outer
surface (lower side) of the flexure joint device to prevent motion
of the portion of the flexure joint device attached to the rigid
member when the lever arm is moved, and a human body engaging
member attached to the lever arm, whereby the lever arm can be
moved with resistance by the human body engaging member in any
direction away from an in rest position of the lever arm. The
resistance is adjustable and can be selectively controlled by the
user by adjusting the pressure within the flexure joint device.
[0005] Air springs or flexure joint devices suitable for use in
this invention are commercially available from Companies such as
the Firestone Industrial Products Company. This company calls such
devices AIRSTROKE.RTM. actuators and AIRMOUNT.RTM. isolators.
Although such devices are adapted to be used in pneumatic systems,
they can be adapted to be used in hydraulic and aero-hydraulic
systems. The elastomeric bladder is typically sandwiched between an
upper and lower covers, which make the elastomeric bellows or
bladder airtight. These covers are sometimes called by the industry
bead plates. They can be designed with flanges as means for
mounting to brackets or solid surfaces. In the present invention,
it is anticipated that the air springs assembly be adapted with
means to attach its bottom to a solid platform, floor or other
surface such as a table (rigid unsprung frame member described
above); and the upper part be adapted with means for engaging a
lever arm as described above. Typically, the upper part includes an
inlet port for the air or hydraulic fluid medium.
[0006] The human body engaging member can be a hand grip, a
foot-engaging member, such as a foot pad or any other body engaging
member. The hand grip can be a T-bar configuration or cross-shaped
along the lever arm containing two hand grips. The body-engaging
member can be secured/strapped to work out specific body parts and
allow work-out while pushing or pulling against the air spring
assembly.
[0007] The human body-engaging member can be resilient or
gyroscopic. The gyroscopic hand or foot feature interfaces to
reduce strain and transmit force with natural body movements.
[0008] The exercise device preferably contains pressure-regulating
means for adjusting pressure in the flexure joint device. This is
usually done by those skilled in the art by the use of a regulating
valve and relief valve. The fluid medium filling the flexure joint
device can be air for pneumatic control or hydraulic fluid for
hydraulic control or other similar fluid media suitable for using
under pressure and suitable for varying by the use of
regulators/valves, including the combination of air and hydraulic
components/features.
[0009] The base member of the flexure joint device can be mounted
on a vertical surface. In this embodiment, the mounting can be on a
wall, a post or on a frame system that allows for height (vertical)
adjustment or lateral adjustment and/or combinations of such
adjustment to suit the height of the person using the equipment
and/or the standing position on a floor or platform of the user, as
well as the part of the body engaging member being exercised. Such
adjustments can also accommodate persons in wheelchairs, sitting,
standing, lying down on side or back. The apparatus can be mounted
to hospital beds, home beds, wheelchairs and home furniture.
[0010] In the above description and as further described below, the
flexure joint device provides a great advantage in allowing for
exercise motion in any direction, including performing rotational
actions, side to front, front to side, up and down, inward, etc.
For example, the apparatus could incorporate both linear and
flexure joint movement to simulate human movement. This would help
with occupational therapy such as lifting a box over your head.
[0011] Such adjustable means are known in the art. For example, the
flexure joint device and its lever arm can moved along a track and
tightened when moved to a desired location or located with a
quick-release pin type system where pins are inserted in apertures
or friction lock tubing. It is preferred that the equipment's
flexure joint device be designed such that a user can adjust the
resistance of the apparatus by adjusting the pressure. A gauge can
be provided and connected to the pressurizing lines, with a user
friendly interface indicating levels of resistance as is the case
with many aerobic exercise machines today. The gauge can be located
so to be in plain view of the user. The resistance adjustment
controls should also be located so as to be readily adjusted by the
user of the equipment. The levels can be visualized digitally or by
a needle scale type of arrangement. User interface can include a
computer interface so a physical therapist or other attendant, for
example, can control the workout program. For example, air springs
could have pressure transducers, electronic pressure regulator, and
rotational flexure transducers to interface with a computer. This
would allow real-time monitoring of the air spring pressure,
deflection direction, and amount of deflection. Amount of force
exerted on the apparatus could also be determined by the air spring
pressure differential produced when the air spring deflects and
compresses the air. Mechanical stops could be used to limit the
travel of the flexure member so that the patient's range of motion
would be controlled so as not to re-injure or aggravate an injury.
A computer rehabilitation program could be used by the physical
therapist or other attendant to monitor and/or modify the
characteristics of the flexure member.
[0012] The exercise device can have a bicycle type pedal mounted on
the lever arm. In this embodiment, the lever arm can be resistance
adjusted through the flexure joint device and the pedals can also
have means for adjusting the peddling resistance. In this
embodiment, the present invention becomes two exercising devices
for exercising both arms and/or both legs. Seating means are
provided either independent of the invention so the bicycle
embodiment can be used or the bottom of the flexure joint device
can be mounted on a surface common to the mounting of the seat
means. Effectively, the user sits on a bicycle-like seat and is
able to exercise by peddling while at the same time moving the arm
with typically two hand grips inward and outward. Of course, the
individual features can be used separately. That is, the legs can
be exercised by the peddling action and the arms can be exercised
by the flexure of the flexure joint device, combination or
individually. In addition, in the bicycle-like seat embodiment or
when a person is in a wheelchair, the person can pull up and lift
his body of the seat/chair using the flexure apparatus, lean
forward, left and right, against the flexure apparatus, and push
and pull on the apparatus for exercising.
[0013] In another embodiment, legs and hips could be exercised by a
stair stepping action provided by the invention.
[0014] In another embodiment, the T-bar or generally T-shaped hand
grips can themselves be adapted to include a flexure joint device.
In this case the rigid frame member may be a relative long frame
member extending from a wall or floor or it may be a very short
base member attached to a table top surface or the like or the
wall. This embodiment is great for exercising the shoulders,
forearms, wrists and hands.
[0015] Another embodiment is the use of two side by side flexure
joint devices, each having on its top a generally planar and
elongate foot standing surface that extends a pre-determined lever
arm distance (for example, 12 to 24 inches away from the flexure
joint device), and each generally parallel to each other. A person
can stand on each lever arm and use the apparatus as a step
exerciser. It is preferable if handrails for balance be available
to the user.
[0016] The combination can have a foot positioning surface for
exercise of the feet and legs and to ensure that a person's foot
does not slide off the surface. These surface forms are typical of
stair stepping exercise equipment used in gyms.
[0017] In other embodiments, the flexure apparatus can be
configured so that the bottom of an air spring is mounted to the
floor or stationary base and a small platform is mounted to the top
of the air spring. This would be used to help with balancing and
will strengthen hip flexors. Air pressure would be regulated so
that higher air pressure stiffens the platform and limits
range-of-motion and the opposite for lower air pressures. A safety
hand rail should preferably be built around the balancing
plate.
[0018] Further, specific flexure devices can be configured for
activities such as: arm wrestling, strengthening baseball and
football throwing arms, strengthening all joints, recovery from
operations such as knee or elbow surgery, tendonitis, tennis elbow,
and similar conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective conceptual view of one embodiment of
the present invention with the lever arm in use;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a conceptual depiction of the embodiment of FIG. 1
with a peddle assembly being used;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a conceptual depiction of another embodiment of
the invention where the lever arm is relatively short for exercise
of wrist and forearms;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a conceptual depiction of an embodiment similar to
that of FIG. 3, except that a T-shaped handle is provided for
gripping by both hands;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a conceptual partial cross-section depiction of a
bellows system where the fluid medium is hydraulic fluid filled
from a hydraulic pump source;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a conceptual partial cross-section depiction of a
bellows system where the fluid medium is air filled from an air
compressor source;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a conceptual depiction of an embodiment similar to
FIG. 1, except the lever arm is shorter and the invention is
mounted on a table or elevated surface;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a conceptual depiction of an embodiment similar to
FIG. 1, further depicting an example of how resistance can be
applied to the peddling action;
[0027] FIGS. 9a and 9b are conceptual depiction of the invention
where the rigid member to which the flexure joint assembly is
attached is a T-shaped structural member to facilitate exercising
with both hands at the same time;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a conceptual depiction of an example of mounting
the invention on a wall surface with elevation adjustment
possibilities;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a conceptual depiction of various embodiments of
the invention being applied to a universal gym type frame
system;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a conceptual depiction of another embodiment of
the invention where two flexure joint assemblies are used with
parallel lever arms adapted to support the feet of the person
exercising with a common resistance regulating system and fluid
source so that the invention can be used as a stair stepping
exercise machine; and
[0031] FIG. 13 is a conceptual depiction of another embodiment of
the invention configured to be used as a balance exercise
machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Turning now to FIGS. 1-11, one or more embodiments of the
invention 10 are generally depicted. There is shown a flexure joint
assembly 12 (also referred to herein by its industrial generic name
as an air spring or air spring assembly), having an inflatable
bellows or bladder 14, filled with a fluid 16 such as air or
hydraulic fluid. To the upper part of the assembly 12, is attached
a lever arm 18 having a hand grip 20. The lever arm 18 is attached
to the assembly's 12 upper plate 22, which covers the bellows 14.
Pressure is introduced into bellows 14 via conduit means 24 for
supplying the fluid 16 to and for pressurizing the flexure joint
assembly 12.
[0033] The lower portion or plate 26 of the flexure joint assembly
12 is attached to a rigid unsprung base member 28. By "unsprung" is
meant that the air spring assembly 12 does not impart any springing
action to base member 28. Base member 28 merely holds air spring
assembly in place when lever arm 18 is moved to exercise a user.
The base member 28 attached to the flexure joint assembly 12 can be
mounted on a vertical surface 30. In this embodiment, the mounting
can be on a wall 30a or on a frame system 30b (examples only) or
other working/anchoring member, including a post, that allows for
height (vertical) adjustment or lateral adjustment and/or
combinations of such adjustment to suit the height of the person
using the equipment and/or the standing position on a floor or
platform of the user, as well as the part of the body engaging
member being exercised. Of course, frame system 30b could be
independent or itself mounted to a wall surface 30a or other
working/anchoring member.
[0034] The flexure joint assembly 12 has a fluid inlet port 32,
which is in fluid communication with the bellows 14, the conduit
means and a fluid supply source 34, which typically an air
compressor system or a hydraulic pump system.
[0035] FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 depict examples where the invention 10 is
shown on an elevated surface or table surface 36. Means for
regulating the pressure to adjust resistance is conceptually
depicted as 38 in FIGS. 5 and 6. Conceptually, the means 38 for
regulating the pressure is a control device that can be located so
as to be used by an attendant, such as a therapist, either adjacent
to the invention or remotely from an attendant working station.
This includes setting up means 38 to be computer controlled. This
conceptual regulating means applies to all embodiments shown in all
the drawings, although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and only
partially shown in FIG. 7. The amount of pressure, which should be
presented on the gauge face in user friendly terms such as
resistance levels 1-10, is shown conceptually as gauge 40. Of
course, the gauge face could also be presented in an actual pounds
per square inch (psi), foot-pounds, or a similar analogous scale
that imparts some meaning to the person using the equipment
according to the embodiments of the invention, depending on the
preference of the manufacture and the intended use of the
invention. The levels can be visualized digitally or by a needle
scale type of arrangement.
[0036] Handle means 42 at the upper end of the lever arm 18 are
provided. The handle means 42 can provide for different types of
hand grips 20. Typically hand grips 20 can be designed to be
integral to the lever arm 18, or designed to cover a portion of the
lever arm 18 such as a rubber or foam base hand grip. The lever
arm's 18 opposite end is attached to flexure joint assembly 12,
which in turn is mounted on table surface 36.
[0037] When mounted to a frame system 30b, the air spring assembly
12 and the frame system 30b (as well as the wall surface 30a) can
be adapted so that assembly 12 is engaged to allow vertical and/or
horizontal movement to suit the height or position of the user.
This can be done by a number of ways known in the art, including
the use of a track or channel with position tightening means such
as bolts or quick release pins through mating apertures in the
assembly lower portion 26 and the frame system 30b or even the wall
surface 30a. Of course, another alternative is to have the bolts or
release pins or other tightening means engage a channel in the wall
or frame system under pressure. This allows the invention 10 to be
moved up and down on a vertical wall surface 30, thereby allowing
the height of lever arm 18 to be adjusted by the user.
[0038] The air spring assembly or flexure joint assembly 12 can be
mounted or attached on a floor or other planar or generally
horizontal platform 44. In an embodiment from the basic invention
10, a peddle assembly 46 is added to lever arm 18 to provide for
exercise of the legs while exercising the arms with handle means 42
at the upper end of the lever arm 18. The resistance of pedal
assembly 46 can also be adjustable using means known in the art,
such as by using tension friction belt-type of systems as often
used with exercise bikes or by using tubing with a smooth bore and
a friction (phenolic) block inserted around the peddle shaft with
an air inlet for pressurizing the back side of the block to obtain
the desired resistance, or by using disc pads 46a with adjustable
friction faces.
[0039] Various air spring assemblies can be employed in the
practice of the present invention. Various lengths are available,
as are assemblies having one or more convolutions. The style used
will typically be a matter of design choice and aesthetic. For
example, a more tubular or cylindrical shaped bellows may be
desirable for the hand/wrist exercise embodiment, such as the
bellows 14 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 9a and 9b.
[0040] In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 12, two parallel air
spring assemblies 12 are attached to a floor or horizontal platform
44. Generally flat lever arm 18a,18b, each attached to one of the
two air spring assemblies 12, extend relatively parallel to the
plane of the floor a pre-determined distance from the flexure joint
assembly 12. Typically, the lever arms 18a,18b will be about 12 to
18 inches, but can be more or less. The user can exercise his or
her feet and legs by moving them up and down while standing on
lever arms 18a,18b and using the embodiment as a stair stepper. A
support frame for maintaining balance 48 should be used in
conjunction with this embodiment of the invention 10, so that a
user has something to hold on to while exercising.
[0041] In another embodiment similar to that depicted in FIG. 12,
FIG. 13 depicts a single air spring assembly 12, which is attached
to a floor or platform 44 and the lever arm 18 is configured to
serve as a human body engaging member so that a person exercising
to enhance his or her balance can stand on the platform/lever arm
portion. That is, the human body engaging member is in an overlying
relationship to the closed upper portion of the flexure joint
assembly and is configured so that a person exercising can stand on
said human body engaging member for performing a balance
exercise.
[0042] It should be understood that in the above mentioned
embodiments, a vacuum cup with a 12 VDC portable air and vacuum
compressor may be utilized.
[0043] It should also be understood that the preceding is merely a
detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention
and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made
in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description,
therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *