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US 7,354,384 B2Granted
Exercise apparatus for seated user, and related methods
AssigneeJ. True Martin Irrevocable Trust
InventorsJ. True Martin, Wallace Kent Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exercise apparatus and method are provided for permitting a seated user, such as a wheelchair occupant, to perform a variety of exercises, primarily lower extremity exercises but also upper body exercises, without the need to leave a seated position. According to one embodiment, the exercise apparatus includes a support base, and first and second foot assemblies each configured to receive a respective foot of a seated user of the apparatus. The first and second foot assemblies are mounted on the support base to permit selective performance and switching between a pivoting exercise and a translational sliding exercise.
Claims20
An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a support base;
- first and second foot assemblies each configured to receive a respective foot of a seated user of the exercise apparatus, the first and second foot assemblies each comprising a respective proximal end portion and a respective distal end portion, the first and second foot assemblies being mounted on the support base to permit selective performance and switching between a pivoting exercise and a translational sliding exercise, wherein the pivoting exercise comprises the seated user performing hip extension and flexion movements to motion the foot assemblies pivotally, and wherein the translational sliding exercise comprises the seated user performing foreleg extension and flexion movements by motioning the first and second foot assemblies longitudinally back and forth, and
- a first locking mechanism operatively associated with the first and second foot assemblies for selectively preventing pivoting motion of the first and second foot assemblies, while not interfering with sliding motion of the first and second foot assemblies associated with the translational sliding exercise,
- wherein the foot assemblies are operatively mounted on the support base in such a manner as to permit selection of an elliptical exercise, the elliptical exercise comprising the seated user simultaneously performing the pivoting exercise and the translational sliding exercise to cause the feet of the seated user to follow substantially elliptical paths.
1 more element
An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a support base;
- first and second foot assemblies each configured to receive a respective foot of a seated user of the exercise apparatus, the first and second foot assemblies each comprising a respective proximal end portion and a respective distal end portion, the first and second foot assemblies being mounted on the support base to permit selective performance and switching between a pivoting exercise and a translational sliding exercise, wherein the pivoting exercise comprises the seated user performing hip extension and flexion movements to motion the foot assemblies pivotally, and wherein the translational sliding exercise comprises the seated user performing foreleg extension and flexion movements by motioning the first and second foot assemblies longitudinally back and forth,
- a stanchion connected to the support base, the stanchion comprising a boom;
- a pulley rotatably supported by the boom;
- and
- a cable operatively connected to the pulley and having opposite ends connected to the first and second foot assemblies, respectively, to cause the first and second foot assemblies to move reciprocally of one another.
3 more elements
An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a support base;
- and
- first and second foot assemblies each configured to receive a respective foot of a seated user of the exercise apparatus, the first and second foot assemblies each comprising a respective proximal end portion and a respective distal end portion, the first and second foot assemblies being mounted on the support base to permit selective performance and switching between a pivoting exercise and a translational sliding exercise, wherein the pivoting exercise comprises the seated user performing hip extension and flexion movements to motion the foot assemblies pivotally, and wherein the translational sliding exercise comprises the seated user performing foreleg extension and flexion movements by motioning the first and second foot assemblies longitudinally back and forth,
- wherein the first and second foot assemblies comprise
- first and second pedals pivotally connected to the support base, wherein the first and second pedals are constructed and arranged to pivot during the pivoting exercise and remain stationary during the translational sliding exercise;
- and
- first and second shoes slidably carried on the first and second pedals, respectively, wherein the first and second shoes are constructed and arranged to remain stationary during the pivoting exercise and slide back and forth during the translational sliding exercise.
4 more elements
An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a support base configured to receive a wheelchair;
- and
- first and second foot assemblies each configured to receive a respective foot of a seated user of the exercise apparatus, the first and second foot assemblies each comprising a respective proximal end portion and a respective distal end portion, the first and second foot assemblies being mounted on the support base to permit selective performance and switching between a pivoting exercise and a translational sliding exercise, wherein the pivoting exercise comprises the seated user performing hip extension and flexion movements to motion the foot assemblies pivotally, and wherein the translational sliding exercise comprises the seated user performing foreleg extension and flexion movements by motioning the first and second foot assemblies longitudinally back and forth.
An The exercise apparatus comprising:
- slidable first and second shoes each configured to receive a respective foot of a seated user of the exercise apparatus for permitting the seated user to perform foreleg extension and flexion movements by sliding the first and second shoes longitudinally back and forth;
- a hand-graspable member having opposite ends positioned to permit grasping thereof by hands of the seated user, the hand-graspable member operatively connected to the first and second shoes and manipulable by upper body motion of the seated user of the apparatus to slide the first and second shoes reciprocally for assisting the foreleg extension and flexion movements;
- a support base;
- a stanchion connected to the support base, the stanchion comprising a boom;
- a proximal pulley and a distal pulley supported by the boom and interconnected to one another to rotate in unison;
- a cable having opposite ends respectively connected to the first and second shoes, the cable received over and operatively connected to the distal pulley so that rotational movement of the distal pulley causes the opposite ends of the cable to move back and forth;
- and
- said hand-graspable member received over and operatively connected to the proximal pulley so that back and forth movement of the hand-graspable member causes the proximal and distal pulleys to rotate in unison, thereby moving the opposite ends of the cable back and forth and reciprocally sliding the first and second shoes.
5 more elements
An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a support base;
- first and second pedals each comprising a respective proximal end portion and a respective distal end portion, the proximal end portions of the first and second pedals each pivotally connected to the support base for permitting a seated user of the exercise apparatus to perform hip extension and flexion movements by reciprocally pivoting the distal end portions of the pedals between raised and lowered positions;
- a hand-graspable member having opposite ends positioned to permit grasping thereof by hands of the seated user, the hand-graspable member operatively connected to the first and second pedals and manipulable by upper body motion of the seated user to pivot the first and second pedals reciprocally for assisting the hip extension and flexion movements;
- a stanchion connected to the support base, the stanchion comprising a boom;
- a proximal pulley and a distal pulley supported by the boom and interconnected to one another to rotate in unison;
- a cable having opposite ends respectively connected to the first and second pedals, the cable received over and operatively connected to the distal pulley so that rotational movement of the distal pulley causes the opposite ends of the cable to move up and down;
- and
- said hand-graspable member received over and operatively connected to the proximal pulley so that back and forth movement of the hand-graspable member causes the proximal and distal pulleys to rotate in unison, thereby moving the opposite ends of the cable up and down and reciprocally pivoting the first and second pedals.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.