US2855199A - Exercise device - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, 1958 R. P. NOLAND ETIAL 2,855,199

EXERCISE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1955 INVENTOR.

P. AfilA/VD FfRD/A/AIVD A. KUCK/IWFF BY ferred embodiment has United States Patent ()fifice 2,855,199 Patented Oct. 7, 1958 EXERCISE DEVICE Application November 9, 1955, Serial No. 545,902 Claims. (Cl. 272-58) This invention relates generally to exercise devices and more particularly to exercise devices for use in physical therapy.

In recent years, progressive resistance exercise has been commonly used in physical therapy treatment. It has been found, however, that devices for providing exercise of this type in a convenient and eflicient manner are not available.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device for giving progressive resistance exercise in a convenient and efficient manner.

Another object of the cise device of the above character for giving progressive resistance exercise to hamstrings and quadriceps femoris muscle groups.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the above character in which the resistance patterns can be varied. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the above character in which both muscle groups may be exercised either in the face-lying or sitting position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the above character in which maximum resistance can be given at any point in the range of motion of the muscle group being exercised.

A further object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the above character in which both muscle groups may be exercised through their full range of motion.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the above character which also may be used for giving graded assistive exercises.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the prebeen set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device embodying our invention and showing use of the invention for giving resistive exercises.

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the exercise table with the exercise unit removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side-elevational view of the table with the exercise unit removed. a

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial side elevational View showing the exercise device.

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial front elevational view showing our exercise unit with certain parts in cross section.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

In general, the present invention consists of an exercise table upon which is detachably mounted an exercise unit. we have shown an exercise table 11 and an exercise unit 12 detachably mounted on the table. The exercise table consists of a suitable framework such as a pair of U-shaped tubular members 13 and "T 17 may be fastened to the tubular 14 to provide the legs for the table. A pad 16 is mounted upon a sheet 17 of rigid material such as plywood which is fixed to U-shaped tubular members 13 and '14 by suitable means such as screws 18.

A horizontal tubular member 19 connects tubular member 13 and 14 and serves as a support for thefront portion of the sheet of material 17. A U-shaped tubular member 21 is connected to the rear portions of tubular members 13 and 14 and forms a support for the rear portion of the sheet of material 17. The sheetof material members 19 and 21 by additional screws 18. A tubular bracing member 23 connects the lower front portions of the tubular members 13 and 14. The sheet of material 17 and the pad 16 are provided with cut-out portions 24 and 26 to provide room for the exercise units 12.

I a U-shaped channel member 32 end closed and which is fixed to invention is to provide an exer- 7 member 52 and the leg we found a spacing of 30 A pair of mounting brackets 28 and 29 are mounted upon the exercise table 11, one being mounted on the inner front portion of each of the U-shaped members 13 and 14. Each of the mounting brackets is provided with which has its bottom the mounting bracket by suitable means such as welding.

The exercise unit 12 consists of a mounting arm.36 which is adapted to be carried by one. of the channel members 32 on the mounting brackets 28 or 29. A hub 37 is mounted 'on the upper end of the mounting arm 36 and is provided with a centrally aligned bore 38 which extends at right angles to the mounting arm 36. A bushing 39 is carried within the bore 38 and serves as a bearing for a shaft 41. A leg arm assembly 42 is mounted on one end of the shaft 41 and a weight arm assembly 43 is mounted on the other end of the shaft 41.

The leg arm assembly 42 consists of a leg arm 46 which is fixed to shaft 41 by suitable means such as a hub 47 Which is fixed to the shaft 41 by a key 48 and set screws 49.

' A leg rest 51 is mounted on the leg arm and is adapted for movement longitudinally of the leg arm. The leg rests consists of a guide member 52 which is slidably mounted on the leg arm and is adapted to be held in position along the length of the arm by thumb screw 53. A stub shaft 56 is mounted on guide member 52 by suitable means such as a pressed fit into a collar 57 mounted. on the guide member and extends at right angles to the guide arm 46. A hub 58 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 56 and is held in position by a screw 59 threaded into the hub and engaging a groove 61 in the stub shaft 56. A U-shaped member 62 is fixed to the hub 58. A strap 63 of resilient material has its ends fixed to the U-shaped member 62 by suitabe means such as screws 64 threaded into the butt plates 66 adjacent the ends of the straps. It is apparent from the foregoing that the U-shaped member 62 is adapted to rotate on the stub shaft 56.

The weight arm assembly attached to the other end of the shaft 41 consists of a weight arm 69 also having a hub 71 at its upper end. The hub 71 is mounted on shaft 41 adjacent a selector dial 72 which has an extension 73 journalled within hub 37 and fixed to the shaft 41 by suitable means such as a key 74. Hub 74 is rotatably mounted on shaft 41 and is retained thereon by suitable means such as a lock spring 76 mounted within a groove 77 in the shaft 41.

A supporting member 78 is mounted in an opening in the weight arm 69 adjacent the hub 71 by screws 79.

A lock pin 81 is retractably mounted in the member 78 spaced in any suitable manner however between holes to be'satisfactory. A spring 83 mounted on the lock pin 81 serves to continuously -urge the lock pin 81 towards the holes 82. One end of the spring 83 engages a flange 84 on the lock pin and the other end of the spring 83 engages the wall 86 of the supporting member 78. A knob 87 is mounted on theend of the lock pin opposite the end adapted to engage the holes 82 and facilitates withdrawal of the lock pin from the holes 82.

The lower end of the weight arm 69 is provided with a weight rod assembly 89 which is slidably mounted on the weight arm 69 for movement longitudinally of the weight arm. The weight rod assembly 89 consists of a guide member 91 which is slidably mounted on the weight arm 69 and is adapted to be held in any predetermined position longitudinal of the weight arm by a thumb screw 92. A weight rod 93 extends at right angles from the guide member 91 and the weight arm 69 and is threaded into a collar 94 fixed to the guide member 91. The outer end of the weight rod 93 is provided with a flanged head 96 to prevent the weights 87 carried by the weight rod from slipping off.

The lower end of the weight arm 69 is provided with a bolt 98 to prevent the weight rod assembly 89 from accidentally slipping off of the weight arm 69 in case thumb screw 92 should he accidentally loosened.

A pointer 101 is mounted on the hub 37 by bolt 102 which is threaded into the hub. The pointer is spaced from the hub by spacer 103. The spacer 103 also serves as a stop to prevent accidental over rotation of the weight arm 69. It will be noted from Figure 4 that one end of the lock pin 81 extends through the holes in the selector dial 72 and is adapted to engage the spacer 103 to prevent over rotation.

The selector dial 72 is so mounted on the shaft 41 that the pointer 101 is at zero when the leg arm 46 is in a downward or depending position. The selector dial may be calibrated in any suitable manner. However, we have found it desirable to calibrate in units of from one to six in each direction from zero. In this way the units correspond to the spacing of the holes 82 in the selector dial 72.

Operation of our exercise device may now be briefly described as follows:

Let it be assumed that the leg arm assembly 42 and the weight arm assembly 43 are in the position shown in Figure 5 and that it is desired to give progressive resistance exercise to a patient. The patient takes a sitting position as in Figure l or a face lying position. The guide member 91 is moved to the proper position on the weight arm 69 and the thumb screw 92 is tightened to hold the guide member in that position. The desired number of weights 97 are then placed on the weight rod 93. The patient if sitting in the position shown in Figure 1 then places his leg behind the leg rest 51. The leg rest is rotated so that the strap 63 is facing the leg and the guide member 52 is positioned so that the strap 63 is at the distal tibial crest. The patient then exercises his leg by repeatedly moving the weight arm 69 upwardly to a substantially horizontal position and then lowering it.

The angular relationship between the leg arm 46 and theweight arm 69 can be varied by withdrawing the lock pin 81 and rotating the weight arm 69 while holding the leg arm 46 stationary. When the weight arm 69 has been moved to the proper angular position, the lock pin 81 is released allowing it to engage the nearest hole 82 in the selector dial 72. The maximum resistance potential is reached when the weight arm is horizontal. By altering the angular position between the weight arm 69 and the leg arm 46, it is apparent that maximum resistance or assistance can be given at any point through the range of motion of the leg.

The selector scale 72 is graduated into a suitable number of divisions. In this instance we have used twelve divisions each representing 30. The holes 82 have also been spaced 30 apart.

The pointer 101 is used for determining the range of exercises can be. given in only two positions.

motion of the leg being exercised. The selector dial 72 is in a zero position when the leg arm 46 is in a depending vertical position. When the pin 81 engages a hole 82, the position of the weight arm relative to the leg arm is fixed and movement of the leg arm will cause comparable movement of the weight arm. Thus the range of motion of the leg being exercised and the point in the range of motion where maximum resistance will occur can be readily determined.

The position shown in Figure 1 is particnlarly adapted for giving quadriceps femoris exercises. 'It will be noted that the distal part of the thigh is elevated so that the femur rests in a horizontal position. The axis of the knee joint is more or less in alignment with the axis of the shaft 41. In this position, as hereinbefore described, the leg rest 51 is placed at the distal tibial crest.

To provide progressive resistance exercises for the h m t nas, t e pat nt l ak s a sit n p s ti n and the leg rest 51 isplaced above the calcaneus.

The patient may also be placed in a face-lying position and placing the leg rest 51 in approximately the same positions for exercise of the same muscle groups. It is merely necessary to shift the angle of the weight arm 69 it re p ct to he l rm 6 o g the p p s tance to the movement of the leg during the exercises.

The angles of the weight arm with respect to the leg arm can be altered so that the resistance is greatest at the point of greatest muscle force of the muscle group being e e c ed It will be noted that in the device as shown the exercise unit 12 is detachably mounted on the plinth or exercise table 11. The exercise unit may be readily shifted from one side of the table to the other to facilitate the giving of the exercise to either of the patients legs. It will also he noted that the leg rest 51 is normally not attached to the patient which greatly facilitates giving the exercises. However, if the patients hip rotators are weak or paraly zed, the patients leg may be strapped to the leg rest 51 to make it possible to exercise the quadriceps femoris and the hamstring groups. Also by strapping the patients leg in a rotative position, emphasis on exercise of inner or outer hamstring muscles is feasible. Exercise of the thigh muscle groups is practicable even though the patients ankle joint or foot may be involved because the leg rest 51 contacts the patients leg above the ankle joint.

Our device can also be used for below knee amputees merely by moving the guide member 91 upwardly along the leg arm 42. As the stump moves, the device will operate as it does for a normal extremity with the same positions and resistance patterns possible. The device may also be used by children merely by shifting the guide member 91 to the proper position.

Our device can also be used as a graded assistive exercise apparatus by having the weight arm describe a downward arc while the leg is moving through its normal motion. If the antagonistic muscle group is unable to carry the required assistive weight, the physical therapist in charge can manually return the device to the starting position at each repetition of the exercise.

Any amount of assistance can be obtained at any point through the range of motion and therefore can be utilized to give the most assistance at the weakest point in the range of motion. The leg rest 51 is placed at a contact point opposite that used in the resistive exercises, i. e., for assistive quadriceps femoris exercises the leg rest engages the leg on its posterial aspect. Graded assistive For hamstrings, the face-lying position is used while for quadriceps femoris the sitting position is used.

It is apparent from the foregoing, that we have provided an exercise device which is particularly suited for giving exercise to the quadriceps femoris and the hamstring muscle groups.

him g We claim:

1. In an exercise device for quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle groups of the leg, an exercise table, and an exercise unit detachably mounted on said table, said exercise unit comprising a mounting arm having one end connected to said table, a hub on the other end of said mounting arm, a shaft journalled in said hub, a leg arm having one end fixed to said shaft for rotating the same, said leg arm normally depending from said shaft, a weight arm having one end mounted on said shaft for rotation with said shaft, weight carrying means slidably mounted on said weight arm for adjustment longitudinally of the weight arm, means for shifting the angular position of said weight arm with respect to said leg arm, the angular relationship between the leg arm and the weight arm determining the resistance or assistance given to movement of the leg and indicating means mounted on said shaft for indicating the range of movement of said leg arm.

2. In an exercise device for quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle groups of the leg, an exercise table, and an exercise unit detachably mounted on said table, said exercise unit comprising a mounting arm supported on said table, a hub on one end of said mounting arm, a shaft journalled in said hub, a leg arm having one end fixed to said shaft for rotation of said shaft, said leg arm normally depending from said shaft, leg engaging means slidably mounted on said leg arm for adjustment longitudinally of the leg arm, a selector dial fixed to said shaft and having a plurality of holes adjacent its periphery, a weight arm having one end rotatably mounted on said shaft adjacent said selector dial, a pin slidably mounted in said weight arm and adapted to engage the holes in said selector dial whereby the weight arm will be rotated as the shaft is rotated, said pin allowing the angular position of the weight arm to be shifted with respect to the position of said leg arm the angular relationship between the leg arm and the weight arm determining the resistance or assistance given to movement of the leg and weight carrying means slidably mounted on said weight arm for adjustment longitudinally of the weight arm.

3. In an exercise device for quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle groups of the leg, an exercise table having at least two legs at one end of said table, a retention socket mounted on each of said legs, and an exercise unit adapted to be mounted in either of said sockets so that exercise may be given to either the right or left leg of the patient, said exercise unit comprising a mounting arm, a hub on one end of said mounting arm, the free end of said mounting arm being adapted to seat in either of said sockets to carry said exercise unit in predetermined positions, a shaft journalled in said hub, a leg arm having one end fixed to said shaft for rotating the same, said leg arm normally depending from said shaft, a weight arm having one end mounted on said shaft for rotation with said shaft, weight carrying means slidably mounted on said weight arm for adjustment longitudinally of the weight arm, means for shifting the angular position of said weight arm with respect to said leg arm,

the angular relationship between the leg arm and the weight arm determining the resistance or assistance given to movement of the leg and indicating means mounted on said shaft for indicating the range of movement of said leg arm.

4. In an exercise device for quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle groups of the leg, an exercise table having at least two legs at one end of said table, a retention socket mounted on each of said legs, and an exercise unit adapted to be mounted in either of said sockets so that exercise may be given to either the right or left leg of the patient, said exercise unit comprising a mounting arm, a hub mounted on one end of said mounting arm, the free end of said mounting arm being adapted to seat in either of said sockets to carry said exercise unit in predetermined positions, a shaft journalled in said hub, a leg arm having one end fixed to said shaft for rotation of said shaft, said leg arm normally depending from said shaft, leg engaging means slidably mounted on said leg arm for adjustment longitudinally of the leg arm, a selector dial fixed to said shaft and having a plurality of holes adjacent its periphery, a weight arm having one end rotatably mounted on said shaft adjacent said selector dial, a pin slidably mounted in said weight arm and adapted to engage the holes in said selector dial, means yieldably urging said pin towards the holes in said selector dial, said pin when retracted allowing the angular position of the weight arm to be shifted with respect to the position of the leg arm, the angular relationship between the leg arm and the weight arm determining the resistance or assistance given to movement of the leg and weight carrying means slidably mounted on said weight arm for adjustment longitudinally of the weight arm.

5. In an exercise unit for a limb, a shaft, means journalled on said shaft for rotatably carrying said shaft, an exercise arm having one end fixed to said shaft for rotation of said shaft, limb engaging means mounted on said exercise arm for adjustment longitudinally of the exercise arm, a selector dial fixed to said shaft and having a plurality of holes adjacent its periphery, a weight arm having one end rotatably mounted on said shaft adjacent said selector dial, a pin slidably mounted on said weight arm and adapted to engage the holes in said selector dial, means for yieldably urging said pin towards the holes in said selector dial, said pin when in engagement with one of said holes causing said weight arm to rotate with said exercise arm, said pin when retracted permitting the angular position of the weight arm to be shifted with respect to the position of the exercise arm the angular relationship between the leg arm and the Weight arm determining the resistance or assistance given to movement of the limb and weight carrying means slidably mounted on said Weight arm for adjustment longitudinally of the weight arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,007,526 Caro Oct. 31, 1911 2,387,966 Zander Oct. 30, 1945 2,542,074 Bierman Feb. 20, 1951

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