Rehabilitation exercise device

A rehabilitation apparatus comprising:

• a proximal end opposite a distal end, with a proximal rigid member disposed at the proximal end, and a distal rigid member disposed at the distal end;
• a drag chute spanning from the proximal end to the distal end, the drag chute being coupled to each of the proximal rigid member and the distal rigid member;
• a support rod secured to each of the proximal rigid member and the distal rigid member, the support rod spanning along a longitudinal axis of the drag chute from the proximal end to the distal end of the rehabilitation apparatus;
• a proximal coupling element coupled to the support rod and disposed adjacent to the proximal rigid member, the proximal coupling element defining an aperture through which a user's limb can be inserted;
• a distal coupling element slidably secured to the support rod and disposed between the proximal coupling element and the distal end of the rehabilitation apparatus, the distal coupling element including an outer housing defining an aperture;
• a locking mechanism in communication with the distal coupling element and the support rod, the locking mechanism having a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation, in which in the locked orientation, the locking mechanism exerts pressure on the distal coupling element to secure the distal coupling element to the support rod, and in which in the unlocked orientation, the locking mechanism reduces pressure exerted on the distal coupling element, such that the distal coupling element can slidably translate with respect to the support rod;
• and
• a handle coupled to and disposed interior of the outer housing, the handle at least partially extending from the outer housing toward the aperture, such that the user's limb can grasp the handle to swing the rehabilitation apparatus, and such that the drag chute provides resistance when the rehabilitation apparatus travels through air during a rehabilitation exercise.

A rehabilitation apparatus comprising:

• a proximal end opposite a distal end, with a proximal rigid member disposed at the proximal end, and a distal rigid member disposed at the distal end;
• a drag chute spanning from the proximal end to the distal end, the drag chute being coupled to each of the proximal rigid member and the distal rigid member;
• a support rod secured to each of the proximal rigid member and the distal rigid member, the support rod spanning along a longitudinal axis of the drag chute from the proximal end to the distal end of the rehabilitation apparatus;
• a proximal coupling element coupled to the support rod and disposed adjacent to the proximal rigid member, the proximal coupling element defining an aperture through which a user's limb can be inserted, and including a strap disposed thereon, the strap capable of being tightened against an object, such as the user's limb, to secure the object to the rehabilitation apparatus;
• a distal coupling element coupled to the support rod and disposed between the proximal coupling element and the distal end of the rehabilitation apparatus, the distal coupling element including:
• an outer housing defining an aperture;
• an inner bearing rotatably coupled to the outer housing, the inner bearing including a handle at least partially extending from the outer housing toward the aperture, such that the user's limb can grasp the handle to rotate the inner bearing and/or swing the rehabilitation apparatus, and such that the drag chute provides resistance when the rehabilitation apparatus travels through air during a rehabilitation exercise;
• and
• an obstruction member disposed on the outer housing and adapted to be in mechanical communication with the inner bearing to control rotation thereof, the obstruction member including:
• a locked orientation, in which the obstruction member is in mechanical communication with the inner bearing, thereby exerting a force on the inner bearing to prevent rotation thereof;
• and
• an unlocked orientation, in which the obstruction member is not in mechanical communication with the inner bearing, such that an obstruction force is not exerted on the inner bearing, and such that the inner bearing can feely rotate with respect to the outer housing;
• and
• a locking mechanism in communication with the distal coupling element and the support rod, the locking mechanism having a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation, in which in the locked orientation, the locking mechanism exerts pressure on the distal coupling element to secure the distal coupling element to the support rod, and in which the unlocked orientation, the locking mechanism reduces pressure exerted on the distal coupling element, such that the distal coupling element can slidably translate with respect to the support rod.