Excercise and/or therapy apparatus having an impeller for use in a pool of liquid

An exercise or therapy apparatus for use with liquid contained within a pool having walls, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame positionable in a relatively stationary condition with respect to the walls of the pool;
• and
• an impeller section including an impeller wheel rotatably attached to the frame for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation in conjunction with movements of the user's limbs;
• the impeller wheel being adapted to move the liquid of the pool through the impeller section through the impeller wheel is rotated as aforesaid and including means defining an inlet through a stream of the liquid is drawn into the impeller section during the rotation of the impeller wheel;
• and
• means associated with the impeller section for controlling the quantity of the stream of the liquid drawn into the inlet of the impeller wheel during rotation of the impeller wheel;
• and
• means for capturing a limb of the individual for movement thereof in conjunction with the rotation of the impeller wheel about its rotation axis, the limb-capturing means including a distensible envelope positionable adjacent the limb of the individual and means for expanding the envelope to a condition at which the limb is captured by the limb-capturing means so that movements of the limb of the individual effect a corresponding rotation of the impeller wheel about the rotation axis and the rotation of the impeller wheel about the rotation axis effects a corresponding movement of the limb of the individual.

An exercise apparatus for use in water contained within a pool having walls, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame securable adjacent a wall of the pool and in a relatively stationary condition with respect to the walls of the pool;
• an impeller section including an impeller wheel having two opposite sides and which is rotatably attached to the frame for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation and further including means enabling the user to rotate the impeller wheel about its axis of rotation;
• the impeller wheel being adapted to move the water of the pool through the impeller section as the impeller wheel is rotated by the user as aforesaid and including two opposite side plates wherein each side plate is disposed adjacent a corresponding side of the impeller wheel and defines an inlet opening for the impeller wheel adjacent the axis of rotation through which a stream of the water is drawn into the impeller section so that as the impeller wheel is rotated as aforesaid and liquid is drawn into the impeller wheel, a stream of liquid is drawn into the impeller wheel through each of the side plates thereof;
• and
• means associated with the inlet openings of the impeller wheel for regulating the quantity of the stream of water permitted to be drawn into the impeller section by way of both side plates to thereby regulate the resistance encountered by the user in order to rotate the impeller wheel;
• wherein the regulating means includes a valve having a first valve plate which is axially movable toward and away from the inlet opening provided in one side plate to alter the degree that the inlet opening of the one side plate is covered by the first valve plate and includes a second valve plate which is axially movable toward and away from the inlet opening provided in the other side plate to alter the degree that the inlet opening of the other side plate is covered by the second valve plate so that by axially moving the first and second valve plates toward and away from the inlet openings provided in the side plates as aforesaid, the quantity of the stream of water which is permitted to be drawn into the impeller section by way of the side plates upon rotation of the impeller wheel is regulated.

A cycle-type exercise or therapy apparatus for use in water contained within a pool having walls, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame securable adjacent a wall of the pool and in a relatively stationary condition with respect to the walls of the pool;
• an impeller section having two opposite sides and including an impeller wheel rotatably attached to the frame for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation and a pair of rotatable pedals associated with the impeller wheel with which the impeller wheel can be rotated about the axis of rotation in conjunction with the movement of the user's feet;
• the impeller wheel being adapted to move the water of the pool through the impeller section as the impeller wheel is rotated as aforesaid and including two side plates disposed on the opposite sides of the impeller section wherein each side plate defines an inlet opening for the impeller wheel adjacent the axis of rotation through which a stream of the water is drawn into the impeller section during rotation of the wheel so that as the impeller wheel is rotated as aforesaid and liquid is drawn into the impeller section, a stream of water is drawn into the impeller wheel through each of the side plates thereof;
• and
• means associated with the inlet openings of the impeller wheel for regulating the quantity of the stream of water permitted to be drawn into the impeller section by way of the inlet openings provided in both side plates to thereby regulate the resistance encountered by the user in order to rotate the impeller wheel with the pedals;
• wherein the regulating means includes a valve having a first valve plate which is axially movable toward and away from the inlet opening provided in one side plate to alter the degree that the inlet opening of the one side plate is covered by the first valve plate and includes a second value plate which is axially movable toward and away from the inlet opening provided in the other side plate to alter the degree that the inlet opening of the other side plate is covered by the second valve plate so that by axially moving the first and second valve plates toward and away from the inlet openings provided in the side plates as aforesaid, the quantity of the stream of water which is permitted to be drawn into the impeller section by way of the inlet openings upon rotation of the impeller wheel is regulated thereby regulating the resistance encountered by the user in order to rotate the impeller wheel with the pedals.

A cycle-type exercise or therapy apparatus for use in water contained within a pool having walls, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame securable adjacent a wall of the pool and in a relatively stationary condition with respect to the walls of the pool;
• and
• an impeller section including an impeller wheel rotatably attached to the frame for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation and a pair of rotatable pedals associated with the impeller wheel with which the impeller wheel can be rotated about the axis of rotation in conjunction with the movement of the user's feet;
• the impeller wheel being adapted to move the water of the pool through the impeller section as the impeller wheel is rotated as aforesaid and including means defining an opening through which a stream of the water is drawn into the impeller section;.
• means associated with the inlet of the impeller wheel for regulating the quantity of the stream of water permitted to be drawn into the impeller section to thereby regulate the resistance encountered by the user in order to rotate the impeller wheel with the pedals;
• and
• means for snugly holding the feet of the user against the pedals during rotation of the impeller wheel about the axis of rotation wherein the means for snugly holding includes a distensible envelope associated with each pedal wherein the distensible envelope has an interior, and the apparatus further includes means for expanding the envelope to a condition at which the foot of the user is captured by the holding means so that the foot of the user is maintained upon the pedal.