U.S. patent application number 13/889364 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for exercise pedaling device for wheelchair.
The applicant listed for this patent is Israel Polishuk. Invention is credited to Israel Polishuk.
Application Number | 20130303340 13/889364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49549044 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130303340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Polishuk; Israel |
November 14, 2013 |
Exercise Pedaling Device for Wheelchair
Abstract
An apparatus designed to provide a foot workout, which is
attached to a wheelchair in such a way that the apparatus does not
touch the floor, and which comprises a case, an attaching device
used to attach the case to the wheelchair, and a pair of pedals.
The attaching device comprises a rod whose top end attaches to the
wheelchair and whose bottom end attaches to the case. The case
contains a power source, an electric motor, a gearbox, and a relay
system, such that when the patient activates the apparatus, the
electric motor runs and turns the relay system to which the said
pedals are attached.
Inventors: |
Polishuk; Israel; (Gan
Yavne, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Polishuk; Israel |
Gan Yavne |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
49549044 |
Appl. No.: |
13/889364 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 1/0266 20130101;
A61G 5/128 20161101; A61H 2201/0149 20130101; A61H 2201/1215
20130101; A61H 2201/0157 20130101; A61H 2203/0431 20130101; A63B
22/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/80 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 2012 |
IL |
219764 |
Claims
1. An apparatus that provides a foot workout, which is attached to
a wheelchair in such a way that it does not touch the floor, and
which comprises a case, an attaching device used to attach the case
to the wheelchair, and a pair of pedals; whereby the said attaching
device comprises a rod whose top end attaches to the wheelchair and
whose bottom end attaches to the case of the apparatus; whereby the
said case contains a power source, an electric motor, a gearbox,
and a relay system, such that when the patient activates the
apparatus, the electric motor runs and turns the relay system to
which the said pedals are attached.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention refers to a device designed to provide
a physical therapy workout for the feet that is intended for use by
people in wheelchairs.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] People with physical disabilities must often perform
physical therapy for their feet. In some cases, the physical
therapy is passive, i.e. the therapist grasps the patient's foot
and flexes it up and down repeatedly. This is a well-known
treatment that requires a therapist who assists in the execution of
the movement. Many of the people who require the aforementioned
treatment have sclerosis. Such people usually use a wheelchair. The
innovative apparatus, subject of the present invention, enables the
patient to execute the feet workout without requiring the constant
assistance of a therapist.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIGS. 1 and 2 describe the apparatus (1) attached to a
wheelchair (2).
[0004] FIG. 3 describes the attaching device (4).
[0005] FIG. 4 describes the internal components of the apparatus
(1).
[0006] FIG. 5 describes the main axle (92).
[0007] FIG. 6 describes the pedal base (93).
THE INVENTION
[0008] The main objectives of the present invention are: (a) to
provide an apparatus that enables people in wheelchairs to execute
passive physical therapy without requiring the assistance of a
therapist during the workout; (b) to provide an apparatus, as
mentioned, that can be easily and efficiently attached to a
wheelchair and can move around together with the wheelchair; (c) to
provide an apparatus, as mentioned, that can be adjusted to
standard wheelchairs according to need.
[0009] Drawings Nos. 1 and 2 present a general view of the
apparatus (1), subject of the present invention, whereby it is
attached to a wheelchair (2). In general, the apparatus (1)
comprises a case (3), an attaching device (4) used to attach it to
the wheelchair (2), and a pair of pedals (5).
[0010] The general method of operation of the apparatus (1): As
depicted in Drawings Nos. 1 and 2, the apparatus (1) is attached to
the bottom front part of the wheelchair in such a way that it does
not touch the floor and the patient can use the apparatus (1) while
moving around in the wheelchair. When the patient operates the
apparatus (1), the pedals (5) move up and down. Specifically, the
front of the pedal (5) moves up and down, repeatedly. Since the
patient's feet rest on the pedals (5) [they can also be strapped on
according to need, using sandal-like straps], the physical therapy
workout of the foot is performed automatically. Thus, the apparatus
(1) can be stored aside and attached to the wheelchair (2) only
when the patient wishes to perform the physical therapy
workout.
[0011] Attaching the apparatus (1) to the wheelchair (2): The
apparatus (1) is attached to the wheelchair (2) using an attaching
device (4). The top part of the attaching device (4) attaches to
the wheelchair and its bottom part attaches to the case (3) of the
apparatus (1).
[0012] The attaching device (4): Drawing No. 3 presents a general
view of the attaching device (4), which is used to attach the
apparatus (1) [more specifically, the case (3)] to the wheelchair
(2) and is designed so that it can be attached to a variety of
standard wheelchairs. The attaching device (4) comprises a main
vertical rod (41) that in fact is composed of two parts that are
joined telescopically so that the main rod (41) may be lengthened
or shortened according to need, i.e. to fit the wheelchair and the
patient.
[0013] A horizontal, rectangular plate (42) with an elongated hole
(43) protrudes perpendicularly from the bottom of the main rod
(41). The horizontal plate (42) is attached to the case (3) using
screws that tighten over the edge of the elongated hole (43) such
that the position of the case (3) may be adjusted relative to the
horizontal plate (42) by changing the location along the elongated
hole (43) at which the screws are tightened.
[0014] Two arms protrude from the upper part of the main rod (41):
a top horizontal arm (44) and a middle horizontal arm (45). The top
horizontal arm (44) is horizontal [forming approximately a right
angle with the main rod (41)] and has a vertical protrusion (411)
at the end, which protrudes downward. The middle horizontal arm
(45) is parallel to the top horizontal arm (44) and ends in a
curved recess (451). The attaching device (4) is attached to the
wheelchair (2) by inserting the vertical protrusion (441) into a
hole in the vertical rod that constitutes part of the wheelchair
(2) while the recess (451) fits onto the outside of the said rod
and offers support. Thus, the attaching device (4) may be attached
to the wheelchair in a simple, fast, and easy manner.
[0015] The apparatus (1) is positioned and adjusted to the
wheelchair and the patient by shortening or lengthening the main
rod (which is telescopic) so that the apparatus (and the pedals)
are raised or lowered according to the size of the wheelchair and
the patient. It is also possible to position the apparatus (and the
pedals) closer to the patient by adjusting the location along the
elongated hole (43) of the screws at attach the case (3) to the
horizontal plate (42).
[0016] The case (3) is shaped like a box and it contains the
internal components of the apparatus (1), which include: a power
source (6), an electric motor (7), a gearbox (8), and a relay
system (9) When the patient activates the apparatus (1), the
electric motor (7) runs and turns the relay system (9) to which the
pedals (5) are attached. Drawing No. 4 depicts the general
structure within the case.
[0017] The motor (7) can be one of a wide variety of existing
electric motors. The inventor recommends using a 24 volt motor,
although the invention can be implemented also using other kinds of
motors. The gearbox (8) is designed to decrease the rotational
velocity of the motor to a speed that is reasonable for the action
of the pedals (5). The final velocity of the main axle that moves
the pedals can be between 6 to 10 rpm. The power source (6) can be
either a direct connection to the electricity grid or batteries,
preferably rechargeable batteries. The drawings attached to the
present application depict a power source that comprises
rechargeable batteries with a voltage that corresponds to the
rating of the motor (7).
[0018] The relay system (9) depicted in Drawing No. 4 includes the
following components: a cogwheel (91), the main axle (92), and the
pedal base (93). When the motor (7) of the apparatus (1) is
running, the cogwheel (91) turns the main axle (92) which, due to
the nature of its connection to the pedal base (93), causes the
pedal base to move such that the front of the pedal (931) rises
while the back of the pedal (932) descends (although not in direct
proportion), and vice versa. Note: The relay system (9) moves both
pedals (5) in an identical manner, as is evident from the drawings
as well, and thus, to avoid redundancy, the explanation will be
given only with respect to a single pedal.
[0019] The main axle (92), which is depicted in Drawing No. 5, is a
long rod with a short arm (921) that protrudes from its end at an
approximate 90 degree angle, and from whose other end protrudes
another short arm (922), also at a 90 degree angle. The main axle
(92) is attached to the floor of the case (3) by means of two legs
(923). The bottom of each leg (923) is attached to the floor of the
case and the main axle (92) is inserted through a horizontal hole
at the other end of the leg.
[0020] The pedal base (93) is depicted in Drawing No. 6. The pedal
base (93) comprises a base plate (933) with two perpendicular side
arms (934). All three parts of the pedal base, i.e. the base plate
(933) and the two arms (934), constitute one integral piece. The
base plate (933) has an elongated hole (935). The short arm (922)
is inserted into the elongated hole (935) such that when the main
axle (92) turns, the short arm (922) turns as well, causing the
pedal base (93) to move such that its front part (931) rises while
its rear part (932) descends, and vice versa repeatedly. The pedal
base (93) is attached to the floor of the case (3) by means of a
support rod (936) that is connected to the pedal base through an
axial connection at the corner between the base plate (933) and the
rear side arm (934).
[0021] The apparatus (1) offers many advantages: (a) The apparatus
enables the patient to perform the workout without requiring
constant assistance of a therapist; (b) The apparatus enables the
patient to control the apparatus' action [the apparatus (1) has
operation switches that are located near the patient's hands and
are connected to the case either by wire or wireless connection];
(c) The apparatus has a universal attaching method and thus can be
attached to a wide variety of wheelchairs; (d) Attaching the
apparatus to the wheelchair does not interfere with the patient's
ability to move around freely with the wheelchair.
[0022] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *