Method and apparatus for coupling a wheelchair to an exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise method using a chair-bicycle assembly allows people in wheelchairs to exercise in order to maintain and improve their health status. This method especially benefits elderly and handicapped people who are bound to a wheelchair. A wheelchair is coupled to a bicycle type assembly and the resulting assembly is rigidified using wheelchair brakes and blocking means. The wheelchair cushion can be adjusted to allow user to comfortably reach bicycle pedals during complete rotations. The chair-bicycle assembly is comprised of a wheelchair (1) that is positioned and blocked in front of a bicycle type assembly using wheelchair brakes (40). The wheelchair (1) is rigidly connected to bicycle type assembly with blockage means (4, 14,15). The wheelchair (1) includes a wheelchair seat (8) with a cushion (7) that can be adjusted and then blocked into position. The bicycle type assembly includes a main frame with two bars (10), support elements (5, 11, 13), a pedal mechanism and means (17, 18, 19, 20) for providing power drive to a bicycle wheel (16), and an indicative device (35) to monitor user's exerted effort and virtual distance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.