Wheel chair abstract
An exercise device, of the rowing machine type, that is usable
by individuals confined to a wheel chair and which does not require
the individual to leave the wheel chair at any time before, during
or after the exercise period. A U-shaped base member borders the
area occupied by the wheel chair during the exercise; inwardly directed,
thin flange members are formed on the base member and underlie the
wheels of the wheel chair during the exercise period to prevent
the base member from moving. The resistance offered by the rowing
machine-type handles is variable by adjusting the angle relative
to the horizontal of plunger members connected between the base
member and the handles.
Wheel chair claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercise device of the rowing machine type that requires
the active participation of the exerciser, comprising:
a generally "U"-shaped base member that overlies and
is supported by a support surface such as a floor;
said base member including a transversely disposed front part at
a leading end thereof and a pair of longitudinally disposed side
members extending in a common direction from opposite ends of said
front part;
said side members being transversely spaced apart from one another
a predetermined distance;
said predetermined distance being greater than the distance between
the large wheels of a wheel chair so that the large wheels of a
wheel chair disposed between said side members are spaced inwardly
of said side members;
said base member having an open end into which a wheel chair may
enter, said open end being at a trailing end of said base member;
a pair of inwardly extending flat wheel support members rigidly
secured to each of said side members so that the wheels of a wheel
chair rest thereupon when said device is in use to hold said base
member against movement with respect to said support surface when
the device is in use;
a pair of generally upstanding handle members;
each of said handle members being pivotally secured at its lowermost
end to an associated side member at a predetermined point remote
from the leading end of said base member;
a pair of resistance members being mounted in interconnecting relation
between associated side members and said handle members;
means for inhibiting lifting of the leading end of said base member
when said handle members are oscillated in a rowing motion;
each of said resistance members including a housing member and
a telescoping plunger member;
each of said housing members having a trailing end that is pivotally
mounted to a trailing end of its associated side member;
each of said plunger members having a leading end movably mounted
to its associated handle member and having a trailing end telescopically
received within its associated housing member; and
said resistance members being operative to supply resistance to
oscillation of said handle members when said handle members are
oscillated in a vertical plane;
whereby the positioning of said resistance members between said
handle members and the trailing end of said base member provides
the means for inhibiting lifting of the leading end of the base
member during exercise.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a split sleeve adjustment
member for interconnecting said plunger member and its associated
handle member to facilitate changing of the amount of resistance
presented by said resistance member.
Wheel chair description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates, generally, to exercise devices. More particularly,
it relates to an exercise device that may be used by an individual
confined to a wheel chair. The individual need not leave the wheel
chair to use the device.
BACKGROUND ART
There are many popular exercise devices; an exercise device known
as a rowing machine has achieved widespread success in the marketplace
because when used it simulates the rowing of a boat. As such, it
exercises many upper body muscles. Individuals who are primarily
confined to wheel chairs may use conventional rowing machines. However,
they must first leave the wheel chair.
Exercise devices that may be used by individuals in a wheel chair
without getting out of the wheel chair are also known.
Exercise devices of the prior art that include some of the features
of the present invention include Gillard, 2,173,115 (UK), Richardson,
4,773,399 (US) and a device known as the Lifestyler 2200, shown
in a Sears exercise brochure stock number 28687.
Upon reviewing the art, it is clear that there are no affordable
exercising devices that require the active participation of the
exercise and that may be used by individuals confined to a wheel
chair without leaving the wheel chair. The devices which do not
require the individual to leave the wheel chair also do not require
the active participation of the exercise in that they are motor-operated.
There is a need for a non-passive exercise device that may be used
by individuals confined to wheel chairs while remaining seated in
the chair, but the prior art contains no teachings or suggestions
as to how an affordable exercise device of that type could be provided.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is a rowing machine exercising device that
is actively operated by individuals seated in a wheel chair.
The device includes a generally U-shaped base means having an open
end so that an individual in a wheel chair may roll the chair into
the open end of the device.
A pair of flat, inwardly directed plate members are rigidly secured
to opposite side members of the base means; the rear wheels of the
wheel chair surmount the plate members when the device is in use.
Thus, the weight of the individual in the wheel chair and the weight
of the wheel chair itself serve to hold the plate members and hence
the base means against movement when the rowing exercise is performed.
Pivotally mounted handle members are reciprocated by the exerciser;
a resistance means in the form of a plunger extends between each
handle member and an associated side member of the base means. One
end of the plunger device is slidably secured to the handle member
and the amount of resistance offered by the plunger device varies
according to the positioning of the plunger device with respect
to the handle members.
It is the primary object of this invention to provide an affordable
non-passive exercise device for persons confined to wheel chairs.
A related object is to provide an exercise device that does not
require the exerciser to leave the wheel chair at any time during
the exercise.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,
combination of elements and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified
in the construction set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention
will be set forth in the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,
reference should be made to the following detailed description,
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an illustrative embodiment of the
exercise device;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 2A is a transverse sectional view showing means for coupling
the plunger device to a handle member;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the device shown in FIG.
1; and
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment
of the invention.
Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, a plan view, it will there be seen that
a preferred embodiment of the novel exercise device is denoted by
the reference numeral 10 as a whole.
The base of device 10 may be provided in many different geometrical
configurations; the preferred configuration is U-shaped and is denoted
12.
Base means 12 may be formed of tubular or other suitable material;
in the preferred embodiment, base means 12 includes longitudinally
extending tubular side members 14, 16, and an integrally formed,
transversely disposed front member 18 interconnected to said side
members at gradual 90 degree bends as at 20, 22, respectively. Front
member 18 is at what will be called the leading end of the device.
Thus, the open end of the device is the trailing end thereof.
A pair of inwardly extending flange or plate members 24, 26 are
fixedly secured by suitable means to or integrally formed with side
members 14, 16, respectively. The plate members are flat and of
nominal thickness as shown in FIG. 2 so that when a wheel chair
enters the exercise area as denoted by reference numeral 28 in FIG.
1, the wheels thereof can easily surmount such plate members 24,
26.
Phantom lines 30, 32 in FIG. 1 represent the rear wheels of a wheel
chair; the weight bearing downwardly on plate members 24, 26 prevents
base means 12 from moving as device 10 is used in the manner described
hereinafter.
As perhaps best shown in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair
of elongate handle members 34, 36 are pivotally mounted to their
associated side members at mounting means 38, 40.
The pivoting of each handle 34, 36 about mounting means 38, 40
is resisted by a resistance means 42, 44, respectively, which resistance
means have their respective trailing ends pivotally secured to mounting
means 46, 48 at the trailing or entrance end of device 10, and their
respective leading ends secured to their associated handles. In
other words, each resistance means is positioned between its associated
handle and the trailing end of the base means. As those skilled
in the mechanical arts will appreciate, this arrangement of parts
inhibits lifting of the leading end of the base means from the floor
when the device is in use, even if the resistance offered by the
resistance means is great.
Each resistance means 42, 44 includes a housing 42a, 44a that telescopically
receives a plunger means 43, 45 (FIG. 2); when device 10 is used
in the manner hereinafter described, the resistance means 42, 44
offers a linear resistance along the entire extent of the telescopic
travel of plunger means 43, 45.
The rearward end of each plunger means 43, 45 terminates in an
adjustment assembly that includes a split sleeve means 50, 52 that
slidably receives handle means 34, 36, respectively. As perhaps
best shown in FIG. 2A, a pair of closely spaced, parallel flat plate
members 54, 56 are integral with each split sleeve means 50, 52
and serve to prevent sliding motion between sleeves 50, 52 and their
respective handles 34, 36 when tightly pressed together.
Plates 54, 56 are pressed together by an assembly including adjustment
knob means 58, 60, shown in FIGS. 1-3, but omitted from FIG. 2A
to simplify said latter drawing. Each knob 58, 60 is integral with
a shaft so that rotation of the knob effects a simultaneous and
corresponding rotation of its shaft. A nut means 62, 64 is threaded
onto its associated shaft; thus, loosening nut 62, 64 permits slidable
adjustment of sleeve 50, 52 along the extent of handle means 34,
36 and tightening of nut 62, 64 drives plates 54, 56 together and
locks sleeves 50, 52 into place.
Each handle 34, 36 terminates in a hand grip portion 66, 68, best
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3; the exerciser enters device 10 as indicated
by arrow 28 in FIG. 1 as aforesaid, grasps hand grips 66, 68 and
reciprocates handles 34, 36 as suggested by the double-headed arrow
70 in FIG. 2. Each handle 34, 36 is independently mounted with respect
to the other; thus, the exerciser can move both handles in unison
or may push one forwardly while pulling the other one backwardly.
In either event, the position of sleeve means 50, 52 relative to
its associated handle 34, 36 determines the amount of resistance
offered by resistance means 42, 44. As should be clear from FIG.
2, if sleeve means 52, e.g., is mounted as far down as possible,
i.e., in abutting relation to mounting means 40, reciprocation of
handle 36, even along an extended path of travel, will effect nominal
telescoping movement of plunger 45. Thus, virtually no resistance
to handle reciprocation is offered by resistance means 44 in such
situation.
As drawn in solid lines in FIG. 2, sleeve 52 is positioned above
mounting means 40; reciprocation of handle 36 will now effect substantial
telescoping travel of plunger 45 and the resistance to movement
of handle 36 will be substantial.
The position of sleeve 52 drawn in phantom lines in FIG. 2 is higher
still and the exerciser will therefore experience even greater amounts
of resistance when sleeve 52 is so positioned. The positioning of
sleeve 52 is limited only by the length of plunger 45; thus, there
are numerous positions of sleeves 50, 52 available to the exerciser
and a concomitant range of resistances available. It will be noted
that the angle of resistance means 42, 44 increases relative to
a horizontal plane as sleeves 50, 52 are secured higher and higher
along the extent of their associated handles 34, 36, of course.
Thus, it can be said that increasing the angle of the resistance
means 42, 44 increases the resistance of the device to the rowing
motion.
An alternative handle configuration 36a, having a bend formed therein
as shown, is depicted in FIG. 4.
The novel device may also be knocked down flat as suggested in
FIG. 4.
It will be observed in FIG. 1 that handle grips 66, 68, when deployed
as shown in FIG. 1, could block full entry of a wheel chair (not
shown) into the area defined by the side members 14, 16 and back
member 18. However, handles 34, 36 are pivotal about their respective
longitudinal axes as is perhaps best understood in connection with
FIG. 3. The mounting means denoted 70, 72 is a swivel mount; accordingly,
hand grips 66, 68 may be swung 90 degrees from their illustrated
positions, thereby permitting the wheel chair to be fully rolled
into device 10. The hand grips 66, 68 are put back into their operative
positions when the exercising begins.
The wheel chair may enter device 10 facing forwardly, or it may
backed thereinto. This enables the exerciser to work different muscles.
This novel invention, known commercially as the Handy Rower, pioneers
the art of affordable, non-passive wheel chair exercise devices.
Thus, the claims that follow are to be interpreted broadly, as a
matter of law, in order to protect the heart of the invention. The
particular details of construction are not critical to the invention
and may be changed by those skilled in the art of machine design
and the device as changed is still covered by these Letters Patent.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
Worldwide, there are millions of individuals who are confined to
wheel chairs. Most of these individuals enjoy exercise, but most
exercising devices require them to first leave their wheel chair.
Thus, the present exercise device, which does not require the individual
to leave the wheel chair, has widespread applicability.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those
made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained
and since certain changes may be made in the above construction
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended
that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown
in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative
and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended
to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention
herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention
which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
Now that the invention has been described, |