US3455295A - Exercising apparatus - Google Patents

Description

vJuly l5, 1969 c. KELLOGG 3,455,295

` EXERCISING APPARATUS I NVENTUR. LANGDON C. KELLOGG BY j ATToR EY July 15, 1969 c. KELLOGG 3,455,295

EXERCI S ING APPARATUS LANVGDON C. KELLOGG -TOR Y United States Patent O 3,455,295 EXERCISING APPARATUS Langdon C. Kellogg, Madeira Beach, Fla., assignor to Kelloggs Health Products Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla., a corporation of Florida Filed June 13, 1966, Ser. No. 557,154 Int. Cl. A61h 1/ 02; A63b 21/00 U.S. Cl. 12S-25 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an exercising apparatus, or device for manipulating many parts of the human body which may benefit from the motions imparted thereto by the device.

The device of the invention comprises principally a frame to be poised over a couch or bed which supports a person in supine position, so that the person may reach upwardly with the arms and legs grasping or contacting a hand crank and a foot crank, both drivable by means of a variable-speed electric motor. In a preferred form of the device, means may be provided for adjusting the reach distance to the cranks, so that persons of different statures may receive the benefits of the manipulation, with respect to the degree of stretching induced in the arms and legs.

The device may be made tractional, if desired, enabling it to be easily moved from one hospital bed to another, the bed fitting within the confines of the frame while the user rests upon the bed. In those instances wherein the user may be physically unable to grasp the hand crank, or maintain his feet upon the foot crank, means may be `provided for securing the hands and/ or feet to the cranks during the manipulation period. For home use, the device may be poised over any ordinary cot or single bed properly cushioned or mattressed to support the user at an elevation best suited to him or her.

An object of the invention is to provide a highly effective and beneficial exercising apparatus for persons requiring physical therapy of the kind offered by the apparatus.

l Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated, which includes means for adjusting the extent and severity of manipulation to the requirements of the user, and for directing the manipulations to selected portions of the body as may be required.

Another object is to provide a device of the character stated, which may be constructed -economically to incorporate the elements of safety, durability, and serviceability, using standardized and readily available structural parts which easily and quickly may be assembled without skilled labor.

A further object is to provide an improved exercising device which is adapted for institutional or home use, with little or no modification of structural design.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising apparatus poised over a cot or bed.

ice

FIG. 2 is a fragmental perspective view` showing the foot end of the apparatus. Y

FIG. 3 is a fragmental perspective view showingfthe hand end of the apparatus.

With reference to the drawings, the numeral 6 indicates generally a substantially rectangular, light-Weight frame constructed preferably of aluminum pipel sections and fittings and dimensioned to embrace a cot or bed `8 upon which a person may recline in supine position, FIGS. 2 and 3. The pairs of upright legs or corner posts 10 and 12 supporting the frame may be equipped with rollers or casters 14to provide for easy mobility of the apparatus, or if desired, feet 16 may be applied to one or both pairs of legs. It is usually desirable to provide for such mobility as will enable an attendant to easily advance the frame bodily endwise over the cot or bed, particularly when the apparatus is used in hospitals or other institutions serving groups of persons or patients. The legs braces 18 may be adjustable as to elevation so that the frame may be advanced or retracted over a cot or bed while supporting the patient. l

Extending lengthwise of the apparatus is a pair of spaced parallel lower rails 20, and a pair of spaced parallel upper rails 22. The lower rails are held rigid by the braces 18, while the uppermost braces 24 rigidly space and support the upper rails 22. Connections between the rails and braces may be effected by slip- fittings 26 and 28, each securable to the frame parts by means of set screws 30. Fittings 26 are T-fittings which may be adjustably secured along the length of the frame uprights 10 and 12. The fittings 28 are T-elbow fittings receptive of the uprights and the upper rails and braces 22, 24. The reference numerals 32 indicate typical leg structures of the cot or bed 8.

Opposite ends of the lower side rails 20 are provided with T-ttings 34, similar to fittings 26, whereby the height of the lower side rails may be adjusted if desired.

At opposite sides of the frame are located pairs of upright or inclined crank support members 36 and 38, which may be in the form of pipe sections each adjustably connected at its opposite ends to an upper and a lower side rail. Each crank support member may carry a slider 40 which is iixable at selected positions along the length of a crank support member, as by means of set v screws or equivalent fasteners 42. The sliders carry bearings 44 in which are journalled the opposite ends of the double cranks 46 and 48. By virtue of the several adjustable sliders, the elevation of the cranks may be adjusted to suit the physical characteristics of different person using the exerciser.

Each crank support member 36 or 38 may carry at its kopposite ends a fitting 50 provided With a pivot 52.. The pivot 52 provides a pivotal connection between each fitting 50 and a slider which is adjustable lengthwise of the frame. The sliders for the crank support members are denoted by reference characters 54 and 56, the sliders 54 bein-g selectively fixable` along the length of lower side rails 20, and the sliders 56 being selectively fixable along the length of upper side rails 22. Adjustable fixation of the sliders upon rails 20 and 22 may be effected by means of set screws 58 or equivalent fasteningdevices.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the position of either or both of the cranks 46 and 48 may be Vadjusted vertically and horizontally, to suit the requirements of various individuals using the exerciser. It is possible, of course, to eliminate the adjustability feature of either crank, should such modification be considered desirable. In the form of the device illustrated, both of the cranks lare adjustable, crank 46 accommodating the hands of the user, while crank 48 accommodates the users feet.

Cranks 46 and 48 may be provided with driving means, for example, an electric motor 60 incorporating a speed reduction gear box 62 which by means of a pulley, drives a pulley 64 fixed upon the shaft of crank 48. The drive may be effected by way of a belt 66 or equivalent means. Pulley 64 may be a double pulley, over which is trained a second belt 68 in driving relationship with a pulley 70 fixed upon the shaft of crank 46. Thus, the cranks may b3 rotated in unison, and `in synchronism, by the motor 6 The operation of motor 60 may be controlledk by a conventional rheostat or other speed control means,7,2 connected in the motor circuit, preferably in conjunction with a conventional -timer 74. yBy this means, the speed of rotation of cranks 46 and 48 may be governed, and the duration of the motor drive may be limited or controlled to suit the requirements of the user.

To use the device as illustrated by FIG. 1, the person requiring treatment may rest uponl the cot or bed 8 in supine position, with his hands grasping the crank 46, and with his feet firmly planted upon the loops of crank 48. The motor may then be started, thereby to induce movement of the legs and arms of the user. The extent of arm and leg movements will be governed by the speed of motor 60, and the reach as determined by the vertical and horizontal adjustments of the cranks. If crank 46, for example, -is lowered within easy reach of the user, 'a comparatively gentle manipulation of the users arms will result. Should the crank 46 be adjusted to a higher elevation, the crank may actually lift the users shoulders to enforce manipulation of the muscles and tendons in the neck, back, chest and other upper regions of the users body.

Adjustments of the foot crank likewise may be resorted to, for determining the nature and the extent of manipulation to be afforded the legs and intermediate regions of the body, as will be understood.

I-f desired, the apparatus may be used without energization of motor 60, so that the user may expend considerable effort in rotating the cranks, the motor and gear box then acting as a brake opposing actuation of the cranks. The braking action, if desired, may be modified in such cases by operating the motor at a slow speed, as determined by control means 72.

In some instances, the user may be physically unable to grasp and hold the crank 46, or to maintain his feet in firm contact with crank 48. In such cases, the means of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be employed, consisting of mitts 78 for the hands, or shoes 80 for the feet, having connection with the respective cranks. The soles of shoes 80 may have fixed thereto a sleeve 82 which holds the shoe upon the crank at all times, so that by lacing the users foot into the shoe, the leg is forced to follow the motion of the crank. The mitt 78 will accommodate the users hand, and may include a lacing 84 and a tongue 86 arranged to tie the mitt about the hand-grasp portion of the crank, thereby enforcing movement of the users arm with the crank.

Reverting to FIG. 1, it is noted that belt 68 may be provided with a tensioning device, to compensate for any slack in the belt resulting from adjusting the position of crank 46. A belt tensioner of any suitable type may be employed. By way of example, the tensioner may comprise an idler pulley 88 in contact with the belt, the pulley being mounted upon a bar 90 which may be fixed at various elevations within a fitting 92 mounted upon one of the rails 22, to tension the belt.

A tensioning means for drive belt 66 may be provided, if necessary. Such tensioning means may be similar to that of belt 68, or if preferred, the adjustable slide fitting 94 which supports the motor and -gear box, may be fixed at proper position upon an upright of the frame, to maintain the necessary belt tension. If the drive for the cranks utilizes chain and sprocket transmission, or transmission .means of other types, tensioning devices may be dispensed with. The transmission apparatus will of course be enclosed by proper guards, not shown, in the interest of safety.

It may here be noted that the length of end braces 18 and 24,'and the length of side rails 20 and 22, may be altered if necessary, for accommodating the frame to different bed or cot sizes. Many of the structural elements of the frame' may be formed of aluminum or other lightweight material, to facilitate transport and handling of the apparatus.

` The device of the invention will be found highly effective to impart to the human body the benefits of increased Iblood circulation, stimulated muscle tone, and tension relaxation, all of which may be expected to result in a healthful condition of the body.

In conclusion, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the structural details of the apparatus, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising device for disposition about a bed upon which avperson reclines in supine position, said device comprising in combination, a frame; an open portion on the frame dimensioned to accommodate the full width of a conventional bed supportive of a person so reclined; a double crank supported upon the frame above the bed level in position to be reached and contacted by the extremities of a person reclining upon the bed; means supporting the ends of the crank for rotation aboutra substantially horizontal axis above and transversely of the bed, the crank being movable in correspondency with movements of the human extremities held in contact therewith.

2. The device as specified by claim 1, wherein is included motor-driven means for rotating the crank about the axis thereof, for inducing manipulation of the human extremities in contact with the crank.

3. The device as specified by claim 2, wherein is included means for varying the distance between the bed and the axis of rotation of the crank.

4. The device as specied by claim 3, wherein the combination includes means for predetermining the speed of rotation of the crank.

5. The device as specified by claim 4, wherein is included means for attaching the extremities temporarily to the crank, for enforcing movement of the extremities in correspondency with movement of the crank.

6. The device as specified by claim 2, wherein is included means for varying the location of the crank axis with respect to its distance from one end of the bed.

7. The device as specified by claim 2, wherein is included means for varying the distance between the bed and the axis of rotation of the crank; and means for varying the location of the crank axis with respect to its distance from one end of the bed.

8. The device as specified by claim 1, wherein the frame is dimensioned for endwise advancement about the bed, to a position of containment at which the crank overlies the bed.

9. An exercising device for association with a bed upon which a person reclines in supine position, said device comprising in combination: a portable frame having an open portion whereby the frame may be advanced along a floor and about the bed to contain the bed; a pair of double cranks each having opposite ends; bearing means on the frame rotationally supporting the cranks above the bed near opposite ends of the bed, with the axes of rotation of the cranks disposed in spaced substantial parallelism with one another transversely of the bed; electric motor driven means for rotating the cranks; and means for positioning and securing the bearing means for at least one of the cranks, at predetermined distances above the plane of the bed.

10. The device as specified by claim' 9, wherein is included means for positioning and securing said bearing means for said one crank, at various selected distances from one end of the frame.

11. The device as specied by claim 9, wherein is included, means for predetermining the speed of rotation of the cranks, and the duration of the operating period of said motor driven means.

12. The device as specified by claim 9, wherein the portable frame includes a pair of horizontal lower side rails, and a pair of horizontal upper side rails; means supporting the upper side rails in spaced relation to the lower side rails, and at an elevation above the plane of the bed; the last-mentioned means of claim comprising a pair of crank support members near one end of the frame; said crank support members each having opposite ends, of which one is adjustable along an upper side rail, and the other is adjustable along a lower side rail, said crank support members constituting mounts for the adjustable bearing means for said one crank.

13. The device as specied by claim 12, wherein the open portion of the portable frame is located at one end of said frame, and the distance between the upper side rails and the distance between the lower side rails, exceeds the width dimension of the bed.

14. The device as specified by claim 13, wherein is included, means for predetermining the speed of rotation of the cranks.

15. The device as specified by claim 14, wherein is included, means for predetermining and automatically limiting the duration of the operating period of said motor driven means.

16. The device as specified by claim 9, wherein is included means for temporarily attaching the hands to one crank, and the feet to the other crank, of a person reclining upon the bed.

17. The device as specified by claim 15, wherein is included means for temporarily attaching to at least one of the cranks, a pair of the extremities of a person reclining upon the bed.

18. The device as specified by claim 12, wherein the lower side rails are adjustable as to elevation upon the portable frame, and said frame includes end braces which are vertically adjustable to positions above the height of the bed.

19. An exercising device for disposition about a bed upon which a person reclines in supine position, said device comprising in combination a frame; said frame having an open end to accommodate the width and the height of the bed, whereby the frame may be advanced along a floor endwise about the bed, to a position of bedcontainment; a double crank supported upon the frame above and overlying a portion of the bed in position to be reached and contacted by the extremities of a person reclining upon the bed; motor-driven means for rotating the crank about the axis thereof in correspondency with movements of the human extremities held in contact therewith, for inducing manipulation of said human extremities in contact with the crank; and means for varying the location of the crank axis with respect to its distance from one end of the bed.

20. An exercising device for exercising the extremities of a person reclining upon a lbed in supine position, said device comprising in combination: a frame comprising upright legs, substantially horizontal upper and lower elongate rails extending laterally from said legs in a common direction and in substantial parallelism one with the other; a double crank having opposite end portions; a pair of elongate crank support members each having an upper end and a lower end, each of said crank support members extending substantially from a lower rail to an upper rail; sliders adjustable lengthwise along each lower rail, and other sliders adjustable lengthwise along each upper rail; means connecting the upper end of each crank support member to an upper rail slider, and means connecting the lower end of each crank support member to a lower rail slider; means for xing the sliders to their respective rails in adjusted positions along the length of their respective rails; a pair of bearing members each including a bearing slider movable lengthwise along the crank support members to various levels intermediate an upper rail and a lower rail; a bearing carried by each bearing member slider and supporting for rotation the opposite end portions of the double crank; and motor drive means for rotating said double crank in said bearings.

21. The exercising device as specified by claim 20, wherein the upright legs of the frame are spaced apart a distance exceeding the width of a conventional hospital bed to be accommodated therebetween.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 710,689 10/1902 Hickey 12S-25 XR 2,484,153 10/1949 Chaudoir 272-73 2,630,332 3/1953 Pettijohn 272-73 XR 2,648,330 8/1953 Clark 128-25 L. W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner Us. C1. X.R. 272-58, 73

Images