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AssigneeUniversity of Utah Research Foundation
InventorsJudith L. Gooch, Donald Bloswick, Don R. Brown, Glade Howell, Jeff W. Bean
Estimating the term…
A therapeutic system particularly suited for strengthening the hip extensor muscles of a user is described. The vehicle combines the therapeutic benefits of conditioning the hip extensor muscles with the enjoyable activity of propelling oneself on a wheeled vehicle. A frame is provided following the general pattern of a tricycle with one steerable wheel and a pair of driving wheels. A seat, a back rest, and at least one strap for holding the user in position on the seat and the back rest are also provided. These user support structures securely hold the user in the proper operating position, even when the user has less than normal muscular control and strength, such as with children with cerebral palsy. Structures are included for receiving at least a portion of the user's leg between the user's knee and the user's hip and for transmitting the extension motion of the user's hips into the rotational movement of the pair of driving wheels. Substantially only the hip extensor group of muscles of the user are used to propel the vehicle.
A vehicular exercise system for operation by a user which is positioned thereon, including users with less than normal muscular control and strength, the system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.