Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing resilient force resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-26
2001-05-08
Donnolly, Jerome (Department: 3733)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing resilient force resistance
C482S904000, C482S095000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228004
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an exercise apparatus adapted to be mounted to a bed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many types of exercise apparatus exist as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 3,118,441 to George. However, there are few exercise apparatus designed for use by a bed-ridden patient, whether in a hospital, nursing home, or at home. Moreover, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,601,686 to Roessler and U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,829 to Caruso, versatility and portability are features lacking in a physical therapy apparatus for a bed-ridden patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a versatile physical therapy apparatus preferably to be used with the aid of a physical therapist. The apparatus beneficially includes a mounting member adapted to be supported by an end of a bed, a resistance element attached to the mounting member, and a guide wheel rotatably mounted in a pulley block and normally spaced apart from the resistance element. Normally, the resistance element is in a contracted or relaxed position, but in use, is extended or elongated and may as a result, closely approach the guide wheel.
Beneficially, the pulley block is pivotably mounted so that the guide wheel is angularly positionable by the user from a first selected position to a second selected position, and the pivotable mounting includes a friction-reducing element. In a preferred embodiment, the pulley block is secured to an arm extending from an elongated support to which the mounting member is secured. The apparatus further includes a pull-rope connected to the resistance element and passing over the guide wheel.
Advantageously, the elongated support includes an axial extent that accommodates variability of height of bed ends; and the apparatus further includes a mounting clamp slidably adjustable along the axial extent and including an upwardly facing jaw for engagement with a bottom portion of the bed end. In a beneficial application of angular positionability of the guide wheel, the apparatus further includes a second guide wheel connected to a fastening strap for securing the second guide wheel to a side rail of the bed.
For portability, in a preferred embodiment the mounting member and the guide wheel are attached to a lightweight frame, which includes the elongated support. In addition, the apparatus advantageously includes wheels and a handle attached to the elongated support.
Additional advantages and beneficial features of the present invention are set forth in the drawing and detailed description, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawing and detailed description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the drawing and detailed description, there is shown and essentially described only a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out this invention. As will be realized, this invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and the detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
REFERENCES:
patent: 655671 (1900-08-01), Crooker et al.
patent: 1561979 (1925-11-01), Gore
patent: 1582487 (1926-04-01), Shank
patent: 2601686 (1952-07-01), Roessler
patent: 3118441 (1964-01-01), George
patent: 3826490 (1974-07-01), Mossman
patent: 4477074 (1984-10-01), Bushnell
patent: 4830365 (1989-05-01), March
patent: 5005829 (1991-04-01), Caruso
patent: 5403257 (1995-04-01), Lehtonen
patent: 5820529 (1998-10-01), Weintraub
Steinbach Emil C.
Steinbach John M.
Bedside Rehabilitation Technology, Inc.
Donnolly Jerome
Kroboth Timothy R.
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