Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Occupant suspended from above for foot travel
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-24
2001-06-12
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Occupant suspended from above for foot travel
C602S036000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244991
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and devices to promote ambulation in developmentally disabled persons, especially children.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and apparatus used to help developmentally delayed children exercise specific muscle groups, practice movement strategies and gain strength necessary to sit, to crawl, and to walk.
The prior art is replete with assistive devices. A sampling of the patents in this field is as follows. U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,436 of Barthel, Jr. describes an exercise and walker device that supports an individual in a harness and permits movements over a two-dimensional area and up and down adjustments. However in Barthel, Jr. '436, the harness only holds the person in an upright position, which does not assist the person in quadruped, crawling positions, which are necessary to strengthen arm development and to facilitate vestibular development for better balance, thus preventing the child to easily tip over and injure itself.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,069 of Flick and Burke discloses a crawling assistive device that is a sled type with moveable hand and knee pads operated by linkages. It does not describe a body suit or body suit, which can assist a developmentally disabled child from learning to master the quadruped, crawling position as well as transition therefrom to a myriad of other positions while facilitating vestibular development through wide range movement opportunities such as bouncing, rocking and spinning.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,023 of Moorer describes a crawling assistive device that is a sled on wheels. It also does not describe a body suit or harness which can assist a developmentally disabled child from learning to master the quadruped, crawling position as well as transition therefrom to a myriad of other positions while facilitating vestibular development.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,532 of Mirkarimi illustrates a crawling assistive device similar to Moorer, but one where the child leans forward obliquely. It also does not describe a body suit or harness which can assist a developmentally disabled child from learning to master the quadruped, crawling position while promoting vestibular development through various movement opportunities.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,796,903 of Proctor and 5,407,406 of Canela both describe sling type crawling assistive devices of a sling type with harnesses attached to the sling. These devices limit the developmentally disabled child to just the creeping position, thereby restricting transition into alternative postures. In addition, the child's body is in close proximity to a rigid, supportive frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,063 of Brooks and U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,663 of Pettit both relate to orthopedic supporters to hold a person in a standing position as a harness is moved along a track, similar to the orientation in Barthels, Jr. '436.
Campbell's U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,114 describes an infant walking and swimming aid that includes a harness with shoulder straps to hold the child from above and a chest strap to keep the child upright. However, Campbell '114 does not promote quadruped, weight bearing activities.
Among commercially available devices include the Deltoid Aid arm counterbalance system, which includes slings to hold a forearm in. The slings are supported from above by a frame. A similar sling device lifts a person hydraulically. The Deluxe Vestibulator II by Tumbleforms holds a child horizontally in a sling, but the child's feet lay in the sling and the touching of the hands upon the floor is in a limited, weight-bearing fashion. These devices also prevent the child from developing sufficient strength and orientation needed for creeping and crawling. In addition, the child can fall out of the sling. *These devices limit the developmentally disabled child to just the creeping position thereby restricting transition into alternative postures. In addition, the child's body is in close proximity to a rigid, supportive frame.
In contrast to the prior art devices, the present invention uses a body suit to carefully distribute the stresses placed upon the body by the supporting straps. In addition, multiple attachment points permit the straps to adjustably counteract gravity in such a manner as to assist a child in attaining sitting, standing and crawling postures. Along with a supporting frame and track, as provided in several of the prior art devices, exercise and conditioning is tailored to the developmentally delayed child.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to help developmentally delayed children exercise specific muscle groups, practice movement strategies and gain strength necessary to sit, to crawl, and to walk.
It is also an object of the present invention to help the developmentally delayed child to master the sitting position.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device, which promotes a “righting” response that will cause a developmentally disabled child to assume an upright position.
It is also an object of the present invention to develop a protective arm response in a developmentally disabled child in order to prevent the child from falling, and to maintain upright balance.
It is also an object of the present invention to provides a device, which promotes dynamic, wide range neck and trunk control exercise opportunities, which are essential and foundational to all other physical development.
It is also an object of the present invention to assist the person in quadruped, crawling positions.
It is also an object of the present invention to strengthen arm development and to facilitate vestibular development for better balance.
It is also an. object of the present invention to assist a developmentally disabled child from learning to master the quadruped, crawling position while facilitating vestibular development.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a frame-supported body suit, which can safely assist a developmentally disabled child from learning to master the quadruped, crawling position.
It is also an object of the present invention to promote quadruped, weight bearing activities in a developmentally disabled child.
It is also an object of the present invention to lift gravity off of the developmentally delayed child, thereby making it possible for the child to assume weight bearing positions that they would otherwise probably not be able to assume.
It is another object of the present invention to promote an upright standing posture and weight bearing through the legs in preparation to walk.
It is yet another object of the present invention to allow a therapist to modulate their therapeutic handling of a child and change positions with simple adjustments.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device, which permits the disabled child to make movement choices and to positively interact with the environment.
It is yet another object of the present invention to enable developmentally delayed children to learn where they are in space in relation to other objects, to help them learn depth perception.
It is yet another object of the present invention to enable a developmentally disabled child to ambulate safely.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device that allows a developmentally delayed child to exercise and to facilitate transition into several postural and ambulatory positions.
It is yet another object of the present invention to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In keeping with the aforementioned objects and others which may become apparent, the present invention relates to an exercise assistive device to help a developmentally developed person, such as a child, develop vestibular balance and muscle control, so that the child can learn to perform mobility activities, such as crawling, sitting upright, standing or walking.
Structurally, in a preferred embodiment, the device includes a support frame having a upstanding base legs with
Crow Stephen R.
Theraglide, Inc.
Walker Alfred M.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus to exercise developmentally delayed... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus to exercise developmentally delayed..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus to exercise developmentally delayed... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2458597