AU2020378913A1

AU2020378913A1 - A shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement and a method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: AU2020378913A1
Application number: AU2020378913A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jonathan Cabot; Jim HANNON-TIM; Luke MASON
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-08
Filing date: 2020-11-06
Publication date: 2022-05-26
Also published as: WO2021087571A1; AU2022100067A4

Abstract

A shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement including a main body including a driveable surface-engagement arrangement adapted to propel the main body into motion. The main body further including a user hand-graspable handle unit or a strapping arrangement such that when the hand of a user has grasped hold of the user hand-graspable handle unit or is strapped to the main body when the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement is placed upon a uniform surface, a drive control device is adapted to control propelling of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in an up, down, back and forth, around and/or across motion of the surface to impart an elevation and/or lateral rotation of the arm of the user in a substantially resistive-free movement to provide a range of motion to a shoulder of the user in rehabilitation.

Description

A SHOULDER PHYSICAL THERAPY EXERCISER ARRANGEMENT AND A

METHOD OF USE THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This invention relates to an improved arrangement to be used as part of a physical therapy exerciser and/or an exerciser program for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), rotator cuff injury and/or in the repair of a damaged or injured shoulder and/or post-surgery rehabilitation of a shoulder.

[002] In particular the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement is portable, safe, convenient and easy to use, and is configured to improve shoulder range of motion, strength and mobility to a shoulder expeditiously without hindering the healing process.

BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION

[003] Hitherto there has been a wide variety of physical therapy exercises to improve shoulder range of motion, strength and mobility to damaged or injured shoulders or shoulders that have recently undergone surgery and require post operative rehabilitation.

[004] Nonetheless many of these conventional physical therapy exercises and devices don’t have portability, ease of use, convenience and/or safety. Further, often hitherto arrangements that attempt to restore normal range of motion to the shoulder under repair, because of the inability to provide gentle and passive initial assistance in the support of the arm that encourages range of motion to the shoulder, often means that as there is no real quantified control over the exercise activity so the healing process could be interrupted and/or problems develop elsewhere, like stiffness of the neck, upper arm, shoulder or the firing of muscles which limits the pain-free threshold of the initial range of motion of the shoulder which all leads to further delays in the repair and rehabilitation of the shoulder. [005] It would be advantageous to be able to introduce an arrangement that could assist in physical therapy exercises which would almost offer the patient “zero resistance” thereby allowing movement of the arm to encourage a range of motion back into the shoulder more quickly than otherwise would be achievable.

[006] Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide an arrangement that is portable, convenient, safe and easy to use and that can be used in physical therapy exercises for the shoulder that will assist in post-surgery rehabilitation and/or the repair to a damaged or injured shoulder that will more promptly be able to impart motion and flexibility into the shoulder under repair for a full recovery of the shoulder that has previously been made available or alternatively at least provide an arrangement and/or method that can be used as part of a physical therapy exercising for a shoulder that will more expeditiously improve the recovery period without interrupting the healing process.

[007] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a complete reading of the following specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] In one form of the invention there is provided a shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement, said shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement including:

[009] a main body;

[010] said main body including a driveable surface-engagement arrangement;

[011] a drive control device in communication with said driveable surface- engagement arrangement of the main body adapted to propel the main body into motion upon a vertical uniform surface or a horizontal uniform surface;

[012] said main body including a user hand-graspable handle unit or a strapping arrangement, wherein the strapping arrangement is adapted to strap a user hand to said main body, and wherein the user hand-graspable handle unit is mounted upon or within the main body;

[013] such that when the hand of a user has grasped hold of the user hand- graspable handle unit or the hand of the user is strapped by the strapping arrangement to the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement when the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement is placed upon a uniform vertical surface or a uniform horizontal surface, the drive control device is adapted to control propelling of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in an up, down, back and forth, around and/or across motion of said uniform surface to impart an elevation and/or lateral rotation of the arm of the user in a substantially resistive-free movement to provide a range of motion to a shoulder of the user in rehabilitation.

[014] Advantageously, by introducing control driveable means, a substantially zero resistance can be imparted upon the arm of the user as the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement is drawn up, down, back and forth, around or across the uniform surface as the hand grasps the handle unit or is strapped into place with the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[015] In preference the drive control device is a remote drive control device wherein communication between said remote drive control device with said driveable surface- engagement arrangement of the main body is provided by remote control communication.

[016] In an alternative form of the invention the drive control device is controllable by a user interface housed within the main body and/or the user hand-graspable handle unit.

[017] It is the action of the driveable main body of this unique shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement that can create that range of motion to the shoulder without firing the associated muscles so that the ability to improve a shoulder’s range of motion, strength and mobility as part of the repair or rehabilitation program of the shoulder, can be completed much more expeditiously without affecting the healing process of the damaged, injured and/or to be repaired shoulder.

[018] The drive mechanism of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement eliminates or substantially eliminates gravity and therefore the patient does not have to use dysfunctional body movements to try and support the raising of the arm during physical therapy exercises but through the use of the remotely driven arrangement of this invention there is the ability to provide gentle and passive movement or active assisted movement so as to increase the shoulder range of motion much earlier than previously possible without interrupting the healing process thereby ultimately providing a more prompt return to optimum full range of motion, strength and mobility of the shoulder.

[019] In preference in one form of the invention the main body includes a central lateral shaft wherein the central lateral shaft provides the user hand-graspable handle unit and wherein the lateral shaft is configured to substantially allow the fingers and thumb of the user hand to grip a substantial portion of a periphery of the central lateral shaft.

[020] In preference the driveable surface-engagement arrangement includes a pair of independently driveable surface-engagement units, wherein the pair of independently driveable surface-engagement units are located at respective ends of the central lateral shaft.

[021] In preference the lateral shaft is cylindrical.

[022] In preference each of the pair of surface-engaging units on opposing sides of the central lateral shaft are cylindrical.

[023] In preference in an alternative embodiment of the invention the surface- engaging units on either side of the central lateral shaft include a continuous track arrangement for propelling the main body into motion.

[024] In preference in a further preferred embodiment of the invention the central lateral shaft with the pair of independently drivable surface-engagement units at respective ends of the central lateral shaft includes an attachable/detachable upstanding handle, which the hand of a user is able to grasp hold of said upstanding handle when the upstanding handle is attached to the central lateral shaft.

[025] In preference the drive control device in communication with the driveable surface-engagement arrangement is controllable by a user interface on the central lateral shaft of the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[026] In preference in an alternative embodiment the driveable surface-engagement arrangement includes a continuous track arrangement for propelling the main body into motion.

[027] In preference the continuous track arrangement includes a continuous band of treads and/or track plates driven by at least one wheel controlled by the drive control device.

[028] In preference there is a front wheel or a section of front wheels and a rear wheel or a section of rear wheels within the continuous belt arrangement, such that the front wheel or the section of front wheels is driveable by the drive control device and the rear wheel or section of rear wheels passively rotates without being driven by the drive control device.

[029] Advantageously by imparting the drive mechanism to the front wheel and/or a section of front wheels as opposed to the rear wheel or a section of rear wheels makes sure that during propulsion of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement as it moves up a uniform vertical surface such as a wall, means that the ability of the main body to wheel up or flip off by rear wheel drive is substantially minimised.

[030] In preference there is a pair of continuous track arrangements on either side of the main body.

[031] In preference in an alternative embodiment the continuous track arrangement is on the underside of the main body. [032] Advantageously the use of a continuous track arrangement distributes the weight and forces across the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement, enabling improvement of uniform traction across the uniform surface through the better weight distribution or forces being applied upon the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement by the user.

[033] In an alternative embodiment of the invention the driveable surface- engagement arrangement includes a series of driveable wheels.

[034] In preference the series of driveable wheels are supported on opposing sides of the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[035] In an alternative embodiment the series of driveable wheels is positionable on the underside of the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[036] As with the arrangement relying upon a continuous track, the use of the series of wheels can also be driven selectively such that a front wheel or front section of wheels can be driven wherein the rear wheel or a section of rear wheels can then passively rotate thereby still providing an even balanced weight distribution and contact with the uniform surface of the main body but minimising the opportunity of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement from flipping off, or wheeling upwards while being propelled up or down the wall.

[037] In preference the driveable surface-engagement arrangement includes an electric motor or motors wherein the or each electric motor, by way of control from the drive control device, is adapted to propel the driveable surface-engagement arrangement into motion.

[038] In preference the or each electric motor for driving the driveable surface- engagement arrangement into motion includes a controllable incremental resistive arrangement.

[039] In preference control of the controllable incremental resistive arrangement of the or each electric motor is controlled by the drive control device and wherein the degree of incremental resistive drive is a programable function into the drive control device.

[040] Accordingly, while the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement can initially provide substantially zero resistance during earlier stages of the shoulder rehabilitation, as recovery progresses the driveability of the main body can be resistively controlled by the remote-control device and the controllable incremental resistive arrangement incorporated as part of the or each electric motor, thereby slowly introducing the effects of resistance to the patient to also then simultaneously and slowly introduce muscle activation in the arm movement.

[041] Therefore while initially it is important to establish shoulder range of motion promptly to avoid stiffness and the development of a frozen shoulder, as the patient seeks a full recovery as promptly as possible, there is the requirement to also then move on to even greater active range or motion exercises for the shoulder under repair and/or rehabilitation and to increase strength and mobility which becomes possible in quantifiable incremental stages of treatment through the ability to alter that degree of resistive drive of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement, which can all be done through the remote control device.

[042] In preference the user hand-graspable handle unit includes a knob on a top surface of the main body of the driveable surface-engagement arrangement.

[043] In an alternative embodiment the user hand-graspable handle unit includes a handle on an upper surface of the main body of the driveable surface-engagement arrangement.

[044] In still a further alternative embodiment of the invention the user hand- graspable handle unit includes a frame of a hand imprint upon the upper surface of the main body which defines a location in which the fingers and/or thumbs of the user can be positionable therein.

[045] In still a further alternative embodiment of the invention the user hand is strapped to the main body by the strapping arrangement wherein the strapping arrangement includes a strap fixed to the main body to which said strap can be configured about the user hand to strap said user hand to the main body.

[046] In preference the remote drive control device is adapted to be held in a user other hand wherein the remote drive control device includes an interface screen, push buttons and/or keys to operate the drive control of the driveable surface- engagement arrangement.

[047] In an alternative embodiment the remote drive control device is operable by being placed under the foot of the user whereby applying foot pressure to operative control of the remote drive control device imparts the requisite functionality of driveability and/or imparted incremental resistance to the driveable surface- engagement arrangement of the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[048] In an alternative embodiment the remote drive control device can be incorporated into a computer-based apparatus including a lap-top computer, computer tablet or smart phone.

[049] For example, a medical doctor, physiotherapist or other professionals involved in assisting in the carrying out of exercises that improve shoulder range of motion, strength and mobility, can control the driveability and/or the resistive control of the drive arrangement of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[050] In preference the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement includes smartness and/or functionality for communicating with a remote computer and/or electronic network, wherein said remote computer and/or electronic network are viewable and/or controllable by health professionals for transferring and receiving patient activity, patient exercising results including range of motion being imparted to the shoulder of the patient during use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement, resistive control of the drive arrangement of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement as well as the communication of patient rehabilitation, exercising regime and/or treatment data between the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement and the remote computer and/or electronic network. [051] In preference the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement further includes a track, wherein the track is mountable to the uniform vertical wall or the uniform horizontal wall for the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement to be guided there along.

[052] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail, a series of preferred embodiments will be presented with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[053] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[054] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

[055] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

[056] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

[057] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

[058] Figures 6a, 6b and 6c are schematic representations showing the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement used in range of motion exercises upon a vertical surface of a wall.

[059] Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are schematic representations showing the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement used also in range of motion exercises upon a vertical surface of a wall. [060] Figures 8a, 8b and 8c are schematic representations of the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement upon a uniform horizontal surface.

[061] Figures 9a and 9b are schematic representations of the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement upon a uniform horizontal surface and the use of the remote control device with a foot of the user.

[062] Figure 10 is a schematic representation showing the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement used also in a further range of motion exercises upon a vertical uniform surface of a wall.

[063] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

[064] Figures 12a, 12b and 12c are schematic representations showing the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement shown in Figure 11 in a range of motion exercises upon a uniform vertical surface of a wall.

[065] Figure 13 is a schematic representation showing the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement detailed in Figure 11 used also in a range of motion exercises upon a uniform vertical surface of a wall.

[066] Figures 14a, 14b and 14c are schematic representations of the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement detailed in Figure 11 upon a uniform horizontal surface.

[067] Figures 15 is a schematic representations of the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement as detailed in Figure 11, upon a uniform horizontal surface and the use of the remote control device with a foot of the user.

[068] Figures 16 is a further schematic representation of the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement detailed in Figure 11 upon a uniform horizontal surface. [069] Figure 17 is a generally front perspective view of a shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in a further preferred embodiment of the invention including an upstanding handle engaging the central lateral shaft of said shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[070] Figure 18 is a generally front perspective view of a shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in a preferred embodiment of the invention including the drive control device incorporated within the central lateral shaft of the main body of said shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[071 ] Figure 19 is a further shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[072] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail and notably Figures 1 to 5, wherein each of Figures 1 to 5 is shown an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention for the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10).

[073] Each of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangements (10) shown in each of Figures 1 to 5, all generally include a main body (12), wherein the main body (12) has an upper surface to which the user hand-graspable hold unit shown generally as (20) is mounted there to.

[074] Figures 1 and 2 show the user hand-graspable hold unit (20) as a knob (22), Figure 3 the user hand-graspable hold unit (20) is shown as a handle (24), in Figure 4 the user hand-graspable hold unit (20) is shown as a raised platform (26) which includes scallop-type indents (27) to which the fingers of a user could engage therewith.

[075] Figure 5 shows the user hand-graspable hold unit (20) as a glove-type configuration shown generally as (29) to which the hand of the user would be able to be rested therein. [076] Each shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) also includes the remote driveable surface-engagement arrangement which for each of the preferred embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5 has a pair of remote driveable surface- engagement arrangements (16) and (18).

[077] For the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 , 3, 4 and 5 the remote driveable surface-engagement arrangements (16) and (18) positionable on opposing sides of the main body (12) are made up of a continuous track (30) and the driveable wheels (32) contained within the continuous track (30).

[078] In Figure 2 the pair of remote driveable surface-engagements (16) and (18) are shown as a series of wheels (34) on either side of the main body (12).

[079] Nonetheless there are many other types of preferred arrangements and configurations for the remote driveable surface-engagement arrangement.

[080] These can include amongst others either the continuous track and wheel arrangement or simply a series of wheels underneath the main body (12) of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10).

[081] Also, in other preferred embodiments the remote driveable surface- engagement arrangement could also include a series of rollers.

[082] Also, as discussed in the general description of the invention, in various preferred embodiments of the invention the remote driveable surface-engagement arrangement can be configured such that the front wheel or section of front wheels can be driven while the back wheel or a section of back wheels can ride there along passively as the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) is propelled into motion on the vertical uniform surface or the horizontal uniform surface.

[083] To understand further features of the invention and the operation thereof, reference is now made to Figures 6a, 6b and 6c.

[084] Here a user shown generally as (40) has a first arm (44) to which the hand (46) of arm (44) engages the knob (22) which is the user hand-graspable hold unit (20) in this preferred embodiment of the invention of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10).

[085] The user (40) is positioned with wall (50) which provides the vertical uniform surface (51) to which the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) will be propelled there up in the example shown in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c and Figures 7a to 7d, by way of the remote-control device (52) in the hand (54) of the second arm (43) of the user (40).

[086] As shown by way of arrows (55) and (56) firstly in Figure 6b, the user (40) can remotely, through the remote-control device (52), drive the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) shown by way of arrow (56) up the uniform vertical surface (51) of the wall (50) as the user also then moves towards the wall (50) shown by way of arrow (55).

[087] The raising of the arm continues again as the user (40) remotely controls the motion of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) through the remote-control device (52) held in hand (54) of arm (43) of the user (40) wherein vertical motion shown by way of arrow (58) raises the arm (44) of the user as the user (40) moves still even closer to the wall (50).

[088] Advantageously, the elevation of the arm through the series of steps shown in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c are able to raise the arm (44) thereby introducing an appropriate range of motion into the shoulder (42) of the user (40).

[089] During the initial stages of treatment this remote-control by the user (40) of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) can be done without imparting any resistance, thereby still enabling an excellent way of introducing shoulder range of motion after injury or surgery but not interrupting the healing process or creating any unnecessary pain for the user.

[090] In figures 6a, 6b and 6c the user (40) is facing substantially 90° away from the wall (50). [091] In the embodiment shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the discussions presented in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c remain consistent however the user (40) is shown facing the wall (50) and as best seen in Figure 7d images (60), (62) and (64) show the user (40) walking towards the wall (50) and wherein arrows (65) and (66) show the upward movement of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) as the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) is being driven remotely from the remote-control device (52) in hand (54) of the arm (43) of the user (40).

[092] Figure 7a shows the starting position with the user (40) facing the wall (50) with arm (44) generally horizontal and with the hand (46) engaging knob (22) of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10).

[093] Then the user (40) through the remote-control device (52) as shown in Figure 7b and also representative as the image (62) in Figure 7d moves closer to the wall (50) with the arm (44) being elevated and imparting that range of motion to the shoulder (42) of the user (40).

[094] This elevation of the arm (44) of the user (40) is further extended as shown in Figure 7c and represented as image (64) in Figure 7d wherein the arm (44) of the user (40) has been able to be elevated resistive free or with incremental applied resistance as required, depending on the stage of treatment or rehabilitation, all through the control by the user (40) of the remote-control device (52) being held in the other arm (43) of the user(40).

[095] As discussed previously, the ability to be able to elevate the arm (44) of the user (40) in a controlled way through the remote-control device (52) in the hands of the user (40) in this preferred embodiment means that a shoulder range of motion can be introduced promptly into the shoulder (42) of the user (40) leading to a more prompt rehabilitation program for the shoulder than would otherwise be expected.

[096] Figures 8a, 8b and 8c show the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) upon a uniform horizontal surface (68) such as a desk or the like. [097] Here the user (70) can sit upon a chair (69) or the like where one arm (72) through the hand (73) would engage the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) and in the other arm (71) of the user (70) engage the remote- control device (75) in hand (74).

[098] The user (70) could then control the lateral movement of the arm (72) drawing it across and/or around, shown by way of arrows (77) and (78) in Figures 8b and 8c further imparting and improving upon the shoulder range of motion as part of the rehabilitation program that the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) offers.

[099] Figure 9a illustrates a particular embodiment of the invention where it shows increased functionality being introduced into the remote-control device (80) responsible for propelling the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) into motion.

[0100] The interface of the remote-control device (80) is shown generally as (81) and for example the user (70) could alter the incremental resistive motion to be communicated to the remote driveable surface-engagement arrangement depending on the stage of treatment for the shoulder.

[0101] In Figure 9b the user (70), instead of having the remote-control device in the other hand, has the remote control function incorporated as part of a foot pedal type arrangement shown as (84) in Figure 9b, wherein the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) would still be controlled remotely but through a remote- control device arrangement incorporated as part of the foot pedal (84) that the user (70) would engage.

[0102] As more generally discussed previously in the specification, in alternative embodiments the remote-control device could also be incorporated into other apparatuses such as a computer, smartphone, computer tablet and the like, wherein the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) could be controlled, not only by the user, but by others assisting in the rehabilitation program for the shoulder. [0103] Figure 10 is a schematic representation showing the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) used also in a further range of motion exercises upon a vertical uniform surface of a wall (81).

[0104] This embodiment is similar to the example shown in figures 7a to 7d, however in Figure 10 the standing starting and finishing positions of the user (90) facing the wall (91) generally stays the same.

[0105] While the standing starting and finishing positions of the user (90) facing the wall (91) generally stays the same, the arm (92) of the user (90) is generally bent to start with (93) and with the hand (94) engaging knob (22) of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10), the user (90) through the remote-control device (95) in the other hand (96) is able to raise the arm (92) as the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (10) moves up/down the vertical wall (91) imparting a range of motion to the shoulder of the user (90).

[0106] Figure 11 shows a further alternative preferred embodiment of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement shown generally as (100).

[0107] The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) includes a central lateral shaft (102) which provides the user hand-graspable handle unit to which on either sides of the central lateral shaft (102) are two independently driveable surface- engagement units (104) and (106) wherein these independently driveable surface- engagement units (104) and (106) on either side of the central lateral shaft (102) are driveable and able to be propel into the required motion, which will be discussed shortly hereafter, by the drive control device that is either in a remote control device or a drive control device within the main body or the user hand-graspable handle unit of a shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

[0108] Looking at Figure 11 more generally, the structure of this shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) could be described as a dumbbell type configuration where the user will be easily able to grasp hold of the central lateral shaft (102) and with the ability of the driveable surface-engagement units (104) and (106) on either side of this central lateral shaft (102) and the driver motors (not shown) communicating or within the driveable surface-engagement units (104) and (106) means that when the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) when placed upon a uniform surface, whether that be vertical or horizontal, the drive control device will be able to control each of these driveable surface-engagement units (104) and (106) to propel the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) into the required motion which again has been discussed precedingly but will be discussed further shortly hereafter, wherein that propelled motion on the uniform surface, whether it be up, down, around, back and forth and/or across, provides an ability to impart the necessary movement upon the arm of the user in a substantially resistive free movement to provide the required range of motion to the shoulder of the user while undergoing rehabilitation.

[0109] Although not shown in the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) of Figure 11 , the motors that will be contained within each of the independently driveable surface-engagement units (104) and (106) and can include controllable incremental resistive arrangements and even in some preferred embodiments where the degree of incremental resistive drive is programable in a function as part of the drive control device functionality.

[0110] In Figures 12a, 12b and 12c the user (110) has a first arm (112) to which the hand (114) engages the central lateral shaft (102) of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100).

[0111] The user (110) is positioned with the wall (116) which provides for the vertical surface (118) on which the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) will be propelled by way of a remote control device (120) in the hand (122) of the second arm (124) of the user (110).

[0112] The drive control device (120) remotely controls the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) but as will be discussed in relation to Figure 18 it is possible to incorporate that drive control device directly onto the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100). [0113] As shown by way of arrows (126) and (128) first in Figure 12b, the user (110) can remotely, through the remote control device (120) drive the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) shown by way of arrow (126) up the vertical surface (118) of the wall (116) as the user then moves towards the wall (116) shown by way of arrow (128) in Figure 12b.

[0114] The raising of the arm (112) continues as shown in Figure 12c further by arrow (130) as the user (110) moves even closer to the wall shown by way of arrow (132) in Figure 12c.

[0115] Advantageously, the elevation of the arm through the series of steps shown in Figures 12a, 12b and 12c, are able to raise the arm (112) thereby introducing an appropriate range of motion into the shoulder (134) of the user (110).

[0116] In Figures 12a, 12b and 12c, the user (110) is facing at angle substantially 90° to the wall (116).

[0117] In the embodiment shown in Figure 13, the discussions presented in Figures 12a, 12b and 12c remain consistent, however the user (110) is shown facing the wall (116) and wherein the broken line images (136) and (138) and then the complete line drawing shown as (140) are representative of the user (110) walking towards the wall (116) and where arrows (142) and (144) show the upward movement of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) which is being driven remotely from the remote control device (120) in the hand (122) of the user (110).

[0118] Figures 14a, 14b and 14c show the use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) upon a flat horizontal surface (150) such as desk or the like, where the user (152) can sit upon a chair (154) where the arm (156) through the hand (158) would engage the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) and in the other arm (160) of the user (152) engage the remote control device (120) in hand (164). [0119] The user (152) is then able to control the lateral movement of the arm (156) drawing it across and/or around shown by arrows (166) in Figure 14b and (178) in Figure 14c.

[0120] In Figure 15 the interface of the remote control device (170) has been incorporated into a foot peddle shown generally as (172), wherein the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) would still be controlled remotely but through the remote control device (170) incorporated within the foot peddle (172) which would then be controlled by the foot of the user (152).

[0121] Figure 16, can have the user more conveniently move the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) in a back and forth movement illustrated by way of arrow (184) in Figure 16.

[0122] Figure 17 shows a further preferred embodiment of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement shown as (180) which is an extension of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (100) shown in Figure 11 , however there has been introduced an attachable, and/or if need be, detachable upright standing handle shown as (182) which can assist in the holding of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (180) in some applications.

[0123] Figure 18 shows a further preferred embodiment of a shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement (190) wherein notably for this preferred embodiment along the central lateral shaft (192) is housed the operable controls shown as (194) and (196) of the drive control device which can impart the drive action upon the driveable surface-engagement units (197) and (198).

Figure 19 is a further preferred embodiment of a shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement shown generally as (200) which includes a central lateral shaft (202) where the independently driveable pair of surface-engagement units (204) and (206) on either side of the lateral central shaft (202) include a continuous belt (207) and (209) respectively and the corresponding plurality of wheels (210).

Claims

1. A shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement, said shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement including: a main body; said main body including a driveable surface-engagement arrangement; a drive control device in communication with said driveable surface-engagement arrangement of the main body adapted to propel the main body into motion upon a vertical uniform surface or a horizontal uniform surface; said main body including a user hand-graspable handle unit or a strapping arrangement, wherein the strapping arrangement is adapted to strap a user hand to said main body, and wherein the user hand-graspable handle unit is mounted upon or within the main body; such that when the hand of a user has grasped hold of the user hand-graspable handle unit or the hand of the user is strapped by the strapping arrangement to the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement when the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement is placed upon a uniform vertical surface or a uniform horizontal surface, the drive control device is adapted to control propelling of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement in an up, down, back and forth, around and/or across motion of said uniform vertical surface or the uniform horizontal surface to impart an elevation and/or lateral rotation of the arm of the user in a substantially resistive-free movement to provide a range of motion to a shoulder of the user in rehabilitation.

2. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 wherein the drive control device is a remote drive control device.

3. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 wherein the drive control device is controllable by a user interface housed within the main body and/or the user hand-graspable handle unit.

4. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 wherein the main body includes a central lateral shaft wherein the central lateral shaft provides the user hand-graspable handle unit and wherein the lateral shaft is configured to substantially allow the fingers and thumb of the user hand to grip a substantial portion of a periphery of the central lateral shaft.

5. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 4 wherein the driveable surface-engagement arrangement includes a pair of independently driveable surface-engagement units, wherein the pair of independently driveable surface-engagement units are located at respective ends of the central lateral shaft.

6. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 5 wherein the central lateral shaft is cylindrical.

7. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 6 wherein each of the pair of independently driveable surface-engagement units are cylindrical.

8. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 5 wherein each of the pair of independently driveable surface-engagement units include a continuous track arrangement.

9. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 7 or 8 wherein the central lateral shaft includes an attachable/detachable upstanding handle, which the hand of a user is able to grasp hold of said upstanding handle when the upstanding handle is attached to the central lateral shaft.

10. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 4 wherein the drive control device is controllable by a user interface on the central lateral shaft of the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

11. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 wherein the driveable surface-engagement arrangement includes a continuous track arrangement for propelling the main body into motion and the continuous track arrangement includes a continuous band of treads and/or track plates driven by at least one wheel controlled by the drive control device.

12. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 including a front wheel or a section of front wheels and a rear wheel or a section of rear wheels within the continuous track arrangement, such that the front wheel or the section of front wheels is driveable by the drive control device and the rear wheel or section of rear wheels passively rotates without being driven by the drive control device.

13. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 12 including a pair of continuous track arrangements on either side of the main body or continuous track arrangement on the underside of the main body.

14. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 wherein the driveable surface-engagement arrangement includes a series of driveable wheels wherein the series of driveable wheels are supported on opposing sides of the main body or positionable on the underside of the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

15. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 wherein the driveable surface-engagement arrangement includes an electric motor or motors wherein the or each electric motor, by way of control from the drive control device, is adapted to propel the driveable surface-engagement arrangement into motion.

16. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 15 wherein the or each electric motor for driving the driveable surface-engagement arrangement into motion includes a controllable incremental resistive arrangement.

17. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 16 wherein control of the controllable incremental resistive arrangement of the or each electric motor is controlled by the drive control device and wherein the degree of incremental resistive drive is a programable function into the drive control device.

18. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 wherein the user hand-graspable handle unit includes a knob on a top surface of the main body or a frame of a hand imprint upon the upper surface of the main body which defines a location in which the fingers and/or thumbs of the user can be positionable therein.

19. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 2 wherein the remote drive control device is adapted to be held in a user other hand wherein the remote drive control device includes an interface screen, push buttons and/or keys to operate the drive control of the driveable surface-engagement arrangement.

20. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 2 wherein the remote drive control device is operable by being placed under the foot of the user whereby applying foot pressure to operative control of the remote drive control device imparts the requisite functionality of driveability and/or imparted incremental resistance to the driveable surface-engagement arrangement of the main body of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement.

21. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 wherein the remote drive control device is incorporated into a computer-based apparatus including a lap-top computer, computer tablet or smart phone.

22. The shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement of claim 1 further including smartness for communicating with a remote computer, wherein said remote computer is viewable and/or controllable by health professionals for transferring and receiving patient activity, patient exercising results including range of motion being imparted to the shoulder of the patient during use of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement, resistive control of the drive control of the shoulder physical therapy exerciser arrangement as well as communication of patient rehabilitation and exercising regime and/or treatment data.