SE2050530A1 - Wheelchair rowing excercise device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheelchair rowing exercising device (100, 100b-f) adapted to be used by a user sitting in a wheelchair. Wherein the wheelchair exercising device comprises an engaging portion (110), adapted to engage a rowing machine or ergometer suited for rowing exercise (160), a leg support portion (120), adapted to contact a leg of the user, and a floor contacting portion (130), adapted be placed on a floor so as to distance the engaging portion (110) and the leg support portion (120) from the floor. Moreover, the wheelchair exercising device (100, 100b-f) is mechanically adjustable between at least a first operable state (100) and a second operable state (100b-f) such that the wheelchair exercising device may be mechanically adjusted to fit the user.

Description

WHEELCHAIR ROWING EXCERCISE DEVICE AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to an exercising device and systemadapted to be used by a user sitting in a wheelchair.

BACKGROUND Rowing machines, or indoor rowers, provides efficient exercise forusers in terms of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Promoting bothstrength and endurance modern rowing machines are used for practice byprofessional rowers as well as for general exercise by amateurs. ln somecommon rowing machines, the user sits on a shuttle seat with the feetfastened to the machine and performs a rowing like motion while pulling on acable attached handle featuring some resistance. The user slides back andforth on the shuttle seat while pulling the cable attached handle and therebyactivates most muscle groups. A problem with these conventional rowingmachines is that they are ill suited to be used by a paraplegic user or a usersitting in a wheelchair.

To overcome the problem of making rowing machines easily accessible also to paraplegic users or users in a wheelchair one solution isproposed in CN209137912. This document describes coupling a blockingframe to a rowing machine, so that a user can use the rowing machine whileseated in a wheelchair.However, a problem with the current proposed solutions is that the devices donot allow proper use of the rowing machine for all users. Regardless if theperson rowing is a professional, or an amateur using the machine primarily forexercise, current solutions do not function properly depending on the buildand condition of the paraplegic user or the user sitting in a wheelchair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Despite the solutions discussed in the above, there is a need for an improvedwheelchair rowing exercise device and a method for using the same whichovercomes at least some of shortcomings described in the above. lt is an object of the present invention to provide wheelchair exercisingdevice and a method for using the same which may be adapted to fit the user.The invention is defined by the appended independent claims, withembodiments being set forth in the appended dependent claims, in thefollowing description, and in the drawings.

According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a wheelchair rowing exercising device adapted to be used by a usersitting in a wheelchair, wherein the wheelchair exercising device comprises: an engaging portion, adapted to engage a rowing machine orergometer suited for rowing exercise, a leg support portion, adapted to contact a leg of the user, and a floor contacting portion, adapted be placed on a floor so as todistance the engaging portion and the leg support portion from the floor, the wheelchair exercising device is mechanically adjustable between atleast a first operable state and a second operable state such that thewheelchair exercising device may be mechanically adjusted to fit the user.

The wheelchair exercising device is in an operable state when it isengaging any type of rowing machine or ergometer suited for rowing exercise,so that a user in a wheelchair may operate the exercising device. Both thefirst and second operable state of the wheelchair exercising device is inengagement with a rowing machine or ergometer. ln an operable state thewheelchair exercising device is suited for allowing and supporting a usersitting in wheelchair to perform rowing exercise. Disengaging the wheelchairexercising device from the rowing machine or ergometer leaves it a non-operable state, which may be considered a portable state or a storage state,which is distinct from the operable states.

The present invention is at least partly based on the understanding thatquality and comfort of rowing exercise from a wheelchair is increased if thewheelchair exercising device is mechanically adjustable such that it may be adapted to fit the user. For each individual user, properties such as the user'sbody build, strength and rowing technique will be different. With the firstaspect of present invention there is provided a wheelchair exercising devicewhich is mechanically adjustable between at least two operable statesmeaning that it may be determined that the first operable state fits a first userwhile the second operable state fits a second user. Similarly, the wheelchairexercise device may comprise any integer number of operable states whereineach operable state best fits a particular user, or a group of users.Furthermore, with the invention the wheelchair exercising device may bemechanically adjusted between a first and second operable state withoutdisengaging from the rowing machine or ergometer suited for rowingexercise. Thus, it is highly convenient and a fast operation to adapt thewheelchair exercising device to fit a second user, after it has been adapted tofit a first user. Further benefits of the invention according the first aspect ofthe invention include the fact that pre-existing conventional rowing machinesor ergometers suited for rowing exercise may be utilized by more users. Asthe wheelchair exercising device may cooperate with rowing machines orergometers in this way less resources are needed, and much space can besaved compared to providing additional complete dedicated wheelchairrowing machines.ln some embodiments the wheelchair exercising device ismechanically adjustable such that the positioning of the leg support portion isdifferent in the first operable state compared to the second operable state.The wheelchair exercising device may be mechanically adjustablesuch that the leg support portion may be linearly displaced or rotated in anydirection. For instance, the leg support portion may be mechanicallyadjustable in that it is linearly displaceable in a direction parallel to a normal ofthe floor plane. The leg support portion may alternatively or additionally bemechanically adjustable in that it is linearly displaceable in a direction parallelto so-called rowing direction (the y direction). The y direction may be definedas a direction perpendicular, (or substantially perpendicular) to a normal ofthe floor plane and parallel to the direction which the user faces during rowingwith the wheelchair exercising device in an operable state. The y direction is thus corresponding to the direction in which the shuttle seat moves on aconventional rowing machine. With the ability to adjust the positioning of theleg support portion the leg support portion may be mechanically adjusted sothat it fits the user. Adjustment of the leg support portion may be necessary toproperly contact a leg of the user or based on user preference. Some usersmay require a leg support portion which contacts the leg closer to knee or aleg support portion which contacts the leg closer to the ankle, depending onthe handicap of the user. ln some embodiments the wheelchair exercising device is at leastmechanically adjustable in height such that the height over the floor of the legsupport portion is larger in the second operable state compared to the firstoperable state.

The wheelchair exercising device may be adjustable in height bycomprising a floor contacting portion, wherein the floor contacting portion isadjustable such that the distance between the floor and the leg supportportion is adjustable. For instance, the floor contacting portion may bemechanically adjustable such that it can be mechanically elongated orshortened which in turn will position the leg support portion further from orcloser to the floor. Alternatively, the floor contacting portion is fixed, and theleg support portion is adjustable in height relative the floor contacting portion(and the engaging portion). The distance between the floor and the legsupport portion is one property which may make the wheelchair exercisedevice fit a user properly or not, with this distance being mechanicallyadjustable the wheelchair exercising device may be adapted to fit more usersor groups of users, and thereby allowing a larger variety of persons inwheelchairs to exercise using the same machine. ln some embodiments the leg support portion comprises a legcontacting surface and the wheelchair exercising device is at leastmechanically adjustable such that an angle between a normal of the legcontacting surface and a normal of the floor plane is larger in the firstoperable state compared to the second operable state.

The leg support portion may be rotatably attached to a rotation axissuch that it may be rotated around the rotation axis to a desired angle. The leg support portion may be mechanically adjustable between different anglesindependently of linear adjustability of the leg support portion along y direction(the rowing direction) or in height above the floor. Mechanical adjustabilitybetween at least a first and second angle brings the added benefit that a usermay select an angle which fits the user. The leg support portion comprises aleg contacting surface, by setting the angle of the leg support portion theangle in which the leg contacting surface contacts the legs of the user willdiffer. Depending on the build and preference of the user the preferred rowingposition might involve the legs of the user being at any angle, such as almostentirely stretched out or bent backwards towards the underside of thewheelchair. A leg support portion being mechanically adjustable by beingrotatable allows the wheelchair exercising device to be used in an operationalstate which fits a larger variety of user. For example, the leg support portion,and thereby also the leg contacting surface, might be oriented to achieve aproper and aligned contact between the user's legs and the wheelchairexercising device when the user is in the preferred rowing position. ln some embodiments the leg support portion comprises two legsupport units, wherein each leg support unit is mechanically adjustable tocontact a leg of the user.

One leg support unit for each leg of the user has the added benefit thatthe legs of the user may be individually supported by a leg support unit. Eachof the leg support units may be individually mechanically adjustable linearly inthe rowing direction, linearly in the height direction and/or rotatably around anaxis perpendicular to the y direction (the rowing direction) and a normal of thefloor plane. The leg support units may furthermore be mechanically coupledsuch that both leg support units are mechanically adjustable as a single unit.Each leg support unit comprises an individual leg contacting surface which,being a part of the leg support unit, is mechanically adjustable for positioningin the same way. This enables, e.g. someone that has broken one leg toadjust the leg support units differently. This may enable working out althoughhaving a cast on one leg, or for users that need to offload the load on aninjured leg. ln some embodiments the wheelchair exercising device is at leastmechanically adjustable such that a distance between the two leg supportunits is larger in the second operable state compared to the first operablestate.

A particular user might prefer or necessitate a smaller or largerseparation distance between the two leg support units. Each leg support unitmay be mechanically adjustable individually so that it is displaceable in adirection perpendicular to the y direction and a normal of the floor plane.Furthermore, according to preference or requirement of the user the legsupport units may be displaced so as to be off-center with respect to the floorcontacting portion and the engaging portion or the rowing machine. That is, ifthe user prefers the leg support units do may be unsymmetrically arrangedwith respect to the floor contacting portion and the engaging portion or therowing machine. ln some embodiments the wheelchair exercising device furthercomprises an upper body support portion. The support portion may beadjustable in at least one direction so as to adapt its positioning against theuser.

The wheelchair exercising device may be adapted to receive an upperbody support portion adapted to contact support the upper body of the user,by having an upper body support portion receiving portion. Alternatively, theupper body support portion may be permanently fixated to the wheelchairrowing device. The upper body support portion may be mechanicallyadjustable in at least one direction, such as in the y direction or in thedirection normal to the floor plane so as to fit the user. With an upper bodysupport portion, the chest and/or abdominal area of the user may besupported during the rowing exercise. For example, the upper body supportportion may be mechanically adjusted such that the distance between anupper body contacting surface, and at least one leg contacting surface andthe floor contacting portion, increases or decreases. Allowing the user tocontact both the leg support portion and the upper body support portion in areclined rowing position, a straight seated rowing position or a forward leaningrowing position. An upper body support portion enables a person being partly paralyzed, e.g. having no torso control, to row in the rowing machine. lf sucha person would row without an upper body support, the person would fallforward without the possibility to get up again.

Similarly, the adjustable upper body support element may additionallyor alternatively be adjustable in a direction normal to the floor plane so as tofit the user. lt is conceivable that adjusting the upper body support portion inthis direction will, besides altering where on the user's upper body the supportis applied, change whether or not the user can row in a reclined rowingposition, a straight seated rowing position or a forward leaning rowingposition. ln some embodiments the wheelchair exercising device furthercomprises at least one fastening means for retaining the user and/or theuser's wheelchair in a position where the user's leg abut the leg supportportion.

The fastening means may be in the shape of a resilient band adaptedto be fastened to or around the user or the user's wheelchair for retaining theuser in a position where the user's legs abut the leg support portion, and/orthe users upper body contacts the upper body support portion. The fasteningmeans may alternatively be in the form of an adjustable strap or any othermeans which may comfortably retain the user and/or the user's wheelchair ina desired rowing position.

The second operable state may differ from the first operable state inthat at least one of the leg support portion, at least one leg support unit, theupper body support portion and floor contacting portion has been adjusted.Moreover, the second operable state may differ from the first operable state inthat any combination of such adjustments has been implemented.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided awheelchair exercising system comprising the wheelchair exercising deviceaccording to a first aspect of the invention, wherein the wheelchair exercisingsystem further comprises a rowing machine or ergometer suited for rowingexercise, and wherein the engaging portion is in engagement with the rowingmachine or ergometer suited for rowing exercise.

Such a wheelchair exercising system has the benefit that it may beused by a user sitting in a wheelchair and be mechanically adjusted so as tofit the user. This second aspect may comprise any features described abovein relation to the first aspect and have similar technical effects as the firstaspect.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a methodfor setting up a rowing machine for a wheelchair user, comprising the stepsof: disengaging a shuttle seat module from the rowing machine, mechanically coupling an engaging portion of a wheelchair exercisingdevice to the rowing machine, adjusting the wheelchair exercising between at least a first operablestate and a second operable state such that the wheelchair exercising devicefits the user, wherein the wheelchair exercising device comprises: a leg support portion, adapted to contact a leg of the user, and a floor contacting portion, adapted be placed on a floor so as todistance the engaging portion and the leg support portion from the floor.

This aspect may exhibit the same or similar features and technicaleffects as the previously described aspects. The method for setting up arowing machine for use by a user sitting in a wheelchair has the benefit thatany conventional rowing machine may be adapted for such use.

The step of adjusting the wheelchair exercising device between at leasta first operable state and a second operable state may further comprise oneor many sub steps of adjusting at least one of the floor contacting portion, theleg support portion, at least one leg support unit and the upper body supportportion by displacement or rotation in any of the directions described for eachportion/unit respectively. lt should be understood that when e.g. an adjustableupper body support portion is disclosed, it is hereby also disclosed that themethod may include the step of adjusting the upper body support portion, andin relation to the fastening means, the method may include the step offastening the user/wheel chair with said fastening means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described inmore detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wheelchair exercising device in a firstoperational state.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a wheelchair exercising device in anexemplary second operable state.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a wheelchair exercising device in anexemplary second operable state.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a wheelchair exercising device in anexemplary second operable state.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a wheelchair exercising devicecomprising an upper body support portion in a first operational state.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a wheelchair exercising devicecomprising an upper body support portion in an exemplary secondoperational state.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a wheelchair exercising device according toembodiments of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a wheelchair exercising system according to anaspect of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method according to one or moreembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ln the following detailed description, some embodiments of the presentinvention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features ofthe different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments andmay be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specificallyindicated. Even though in the following description, numerous details are setforth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention, it willbe apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details. ln other instances, well known constructionsor functions are not described in detail, so as not to obscure the presentinvenüon.

With reference to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a wheelchair exercisingdevice 100 adapted to be used by a user sitting in a wheelchair. Thewheelchair exercising device 100 comprises an engaging portion 110 adaptedto engage a rowing machine or equivalent, and a leg support portion 120adapted to contact at least one leg of the user. The wheelchair exercisingdevice 100 further comprises a floor contacting portion 130 adapted beplaced on a floor so as to distance the engaging portion 110 and the legsupport portion 120 from the floor. The wheelchair exercising device 100 mayadditionally comprise a body portion 140 wherein the body portion 140 mayrigidly connect the engaging portion 110, the leg support portion 120 and thefloor contacting portion 130. Additionally, the body portion 140 may comprisean upper body support engaging portion 142 adapted to receive an upperbody support portion. The distance between the engaging portion 110 and thefloor contacting portion 130 may be fixed in direction the user faces duringuse of the wheelchair exercise device 100, the so-called rowing direction (ydirection). ln the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the floor contactingportion 130 is symmetrically arranged with respect to the body portion 140,the engaging portion 110 and the leg support portion 120. The angled portionof the body portion 140 leading up to the leg support portion 120 allows auser to conveniently place the feet at least partially below the wheelchairexercising device 100. Furthermore, the placement of the floor contactingportion 130 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is merely an example,however, placing the floor contacting portion below the wheelchair exercisingdevice 100 and also away from the leg support portion 120 has the addedbenefit that the user may easily enter a suitable rowing position without thefloor contacting portion 130 being in the way.

With further reference to Fig. 2, the wheelchair exercising device 100,100b of the invention is mechanically adjustable between at least a firstoperable state 100 and a second operable state 100b such that the 11 wheelchair exercising device 100, 100b may be mechanically adjusted to fitthe user. The wheelchair exercising device 100, 100b may be mechanicallyadjustable in the sense that the positioning of the leg support portion 120 isdifferent in in the first operable state 100 compared to the second operablestate 100b. To exemplify one way in which the position of the leg supportportion 120 may be different in the second operable state 100b compared tothe first operable state 100 the leg support portion in the second operablestate 100b depicted in Fig. 2 is positioned higher above the floor compared tothe first operable state 100 depicted in Fig. 1. ln this sense, the wheelchairexercising device 100, 100b and/or the leg support portion 120 may bemechanically adjustable at least in height such that the height over the floor ofthe leg support portion 120 is larger in the second operable state 100bcompared to the first operable state 100.

To this end, means for mechanical adjustment 132 of the height overthe floor of the leg support portion 120 may be provided on the wheelchairexercising device 100, 100b. The exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 2features means for mechanical adjustment 132 of the height in the form of acrank mechanism with a threaded arrangement adjusting the relative distancefrom the floor contacting portion 130. However other alternative means formechanical adjustment 132 of the height are possible. For instance, meansfor mechanical adjustment 132 of the height over the floor of the leg supportportion 120 may be provided in the form of a locking pin with correspondinglocking pin holes provided on the floor contacting portion 130. A part of thefloor contacting portion being in slidable relation to the leg support portion120. Alternatively, the means for mechanical adjustment 132 of the heightover the floor of the leg support portion 120 may act on the leg supportportion 120, by being adapted to adjust the distance in height between theengaging portion 110, the body portion 140, or the floor contacting portion130 and the leg support portion 120.

With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 there is illustrated an exemplaryembodiment of the invention wherein an angle between the a normal of a legcontacting surface and a normal of the floor plane is larger in the firstoperable state 100 compared to the second operable state 100c. The leg 12 Contacting surface is a surface of the leg support portion 120, 120a which isadapted to come into contact with a leg of the user. Fig. 1 and Fig. 3illustrates how the wheelchair exercising device 100, 100c may bemechanically adjustable such that an angle between the normal of the floorplane and a normal of the leg contacting surface is larger in the first operablestate 100 compared to the second operable state 100c. The angle between anormal of the floor plane and a normal of the leg contacting surface, whichmay be referred to as the tilt angle, is mechanically adjustable by tilt angleadjustment means 124a. ln the exemplary embodiments shown in Fig. 1 andFig. 3 the tilt angle adjustment means 124a is the form of a locking pinmechanism. ln the locking pin mechanism corresponding holes adapted toreceive the locking pin are arranged at a radial distance from a rotational axisof a structural component, wherein the structural component is mechanicallycoupled to the leg support portion 120, 120a. The structural component maybe rotated and locked into position with the locking pin in a correspondinghole, thus setting the desired tilt angle of the leg contacting surface of the legsupport portion 120, 120a. Moreover, the wheelchair exercising device 100,100c may itself be tilted, during such circumstances it is preferable that theleg support portion 120, 120a may also be adjusted in tilt angle so as to forexample compensate the tilt of the device 100, 100c.

Further depicted in Fig. 3 is embodiments wherein the leg supportportion 120 comprises two leg support units 120a, 120b, wherein each legsupport unit 120a, 120b is adapted to contact a leg of the user and being ismechanically adjustable so as to fit the user. As illustrated in Fig. 3 the legsupport portion of the wheelchair exercising device 100c may compriseindividual leg support units 120a, 120b which may be adjusted individually tofit the user. The mechanical adjustment of the leg support portion described inthe above applies analogously to each of the two leg support units 120a,120b. The second leg support unit 120b may feature its own adjustmentmeans and is mechanically adjustable to a desired tilt angle independently ofthe first leg support unit 120a.

With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 there is illustrated a wheelchairexercising device 100, 100d wherein the wheelchair exercising device is 13 mechanically adjustable such that a distance between the two leg supportunits 120a, 120b is larger in the second operable state 100d compared to thefirst operable state 100. When comparing the wheelchair exercise device ofFig. 1 with Fig. 3 it is clearly visible how the separation between the legsupport units 120a, 120b is larger in the second operable state 100dcompared to the first operable state 100. The separation distance betweenthe leg support units is mechanically adjustable with separation distanceadjustment means 122a, 122b. The separation distance adjustment means122a, 122b may be any suitable means adapted to displace the leg supportunits 120a, 120b relative each other in a plane parallel to the floor plane ordisplace at least one of the leg support units 120a, 120b relative one of: thefloor contacting portion, the engaging portion and the body portion 140 in aplane parallel to the floor plane. An exemplary embodiment, shown in Fig. 4utilizes separation distance adjustment means 122a, 122b in the shape of anindividual tensioning handle 122a, 122b adapted to release or reliantly holdthe leg support unit 120a, 120b, which is in slidable engagement with the restof the wheelchair exercising device 100, 100d, in a desired position. Atensioning handle and a corresponding sliding configuration of the leg supportunit 120a, 120b has the benefit that the positioning of the leg support unit120a, 120b may be set to a position in a continuous fashion. As analternative, separation distance adjustment means consisting of aconfiguration with a locking pin and corresponding locking pin holes is also aconceivable solution for achieving mechanical adjustability of the leg supportunits 120a, 120b. As well as any type of suitable screw and rail actuator.Similarly, the mechanical adjustability of the leg support units 120a, 120b bythe tilt angle adjustment means 124a and 124b may also be achieved with asliding configuration similar to the leg support unit 120a, 120b, but with arotational adjustment. Such adjustment of the tilt angle adjustment meanswould have the benefit that the positioning of the leg support units' angles120a, 120b may be set to an angle in a continuous fashion.

With reference to Fig. 1-4 the leg support portion 120 and/or the legsupport units 120a, 120b may preferably be provided with a concave legcontacting surface. This enables more and better contact between the user's 14 legs and the wheelchair exercising device 100, 100b-d. Furthermore, the legContacting surface may be provided with a soft foam material, to enableenhanced comfort for a user contacting the leg contacting surface.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 illustrates a wheelchair exercising device according toembodiments of the present invention. The wheelchair exercising device100e, 100f may comprise an upper body support portion 150 which ismechanically coupled or fixated there to. The upper body support portion 150is adapted to contact and support the upper body of the user via an upperbody contacting surface. The upper body support portion 150 may beadjustable such that the positioning of the upper body contacting surface isadjustable in height over the floor and/or in displacement against or from theuser i.e. in the rowing direction relative the leg support portion 120. At least apart of the upper body support portion 150 may be made in a solid piece withat least one of: the body portion, a part of the leg support portion 120, a partof the engaging portion 110 and the floor contacting portion 130. Alternatively,the upper body support portion 150 may be adapted to engage with at leastone of: the body portion, a part of the leg support portion 120, a part of theengaging portion 110 and the floor contacting portion 130 such that it may beattached and detached by the user. Being in an operable state when it isattached to the wheelchair exercise device 100e, 100f. The exemplaryembodiments in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 feature an upper body support portion 150with a concave upper body contacting surface. The shape of the upper bodycontacting surface could be any shape, however, a concave shape as thebenefit of being comfortable for the user while still providing support over alarge contacting area. Furthermore, the upper body contacting surface maybe provided with a soft foam material, to enable enhanced comfort for a usercontacting the upper body contacting surface. Fig. 6 illustrates an example ofa second operable state 100f of the wheelchair exercising device 100e, 100finto which it may be mechanically adjusted from the first operable state 100e.ln Fig. 6 the wheelchair exercising device 100e, 100f has been mechanicallyadjusted to an operable state such that the displacement of the upper bodysupport portion 150 is closer to the leg support portion 120 while also theheight above the floor plane of the upper body contacting surface is larger compared to the operable state in Fig. 5. Similarly, the wheelchair exercisingdevice 100e, 100f may be adjustable such that the displacement of the upperbody contacting surface is further from the leg support portion 120 and alsosuch that the height above the floor plane of the upper body contactingsurface is made smaller.

Additionally or alternatively, the upper body support portion 150 maybe dynamically movable in the y direction (the rowing direction) together withthe user during rowing exercise. ln such a way that the upper body supportportion 150 follows the user during the rowing motion in the rowing directionwhile supporting the user in other directions. The upper body support portion150 may be membered with at least one joint such that the upper bodysupport portion 150 may follow, and abut, the user for at least a part of arowing stroke. Preferably, the body support portion is merely pivotable aroundan axis in the x-direction. Hereby, at least one portion of the support portion150 may be dynamically movable in the y direction i.e. the rowing directiontogether with the user during rowing exercise, while still providing the userwith support. The support portion may be pivotable around an axis located inthe lower portion of the upper body support portion, so as to allow the anupper portion to pivot more than the lower portion. As an alternative, thesupport portion may be pivotable around an axis located in the middle portionof the upper body support portion, so as to allow the an upper portion to pivotabout the same as the lower portion.

With reference to Fig. 7 the wheelchair exercising device 100according to embodiments of the present invention is illustrated from a sideview with the unit vectors of a cartesian coordinate system. The floor plane isspanned by the X and y vectors while the height, or distance from the floor, ismeasured parallel to the z vector. The rowing direction is parallel to the yvector and a normal of the leg contacting surface of the leg support portion120, in the particular operational state depicted in Fig. 7, lies in a planespanned by the x and y vectors but displaced in height above the floor plane.Adjusting the tilt angle of the leg support portion 120 and/or one of the legsupport units implies rotating the leg support portion 120 and/or one of the legsupport units around a rotational axis parallel with the x vector. The 16 exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures feature a concave legsupport portion 120 and/or leg support units and the corresponding legContacting surface features normal vectors with both positive and negative xcomponents. However, when referring to a tilt angle of a normal of the legcontacting surface the normal of the leg contacting surface is assumed to liein a yd plane. lt is noted that a concave leg contacting surface alwayscomprises a normal in a plane parallel to the yz plane. ln Fig. 8 there is illustrated a wheelchair exercising system 200wherein the wheelchair exercising apparatus according to any embodiment ofthe present invention is coupled to a rowing machine or ergometer suited forrowing exercise 160 via the engaging portion 110. The handle of the rowingmachine 160 is pulled by the user backwards and fon/vards in the rowingdirection, along or against the y vector. The leg support portion 120 exerts acounter force on the legs of the user while performing rowing exercise.Likewise, the wheelchair exercising system 200 may comprise fasteningmeans adapted to retaining the user and/or the user's wheelchair in a positionwhere the user's leg abuts the leg support portion 120. The floor contactingportion 130 may be adapted to support the weight of the wheelchairexercising device and the rowing machine 160. Furthermore, adjusting theextension of the floor contacting portion 130 may in accordance withembodiments of the invention set the height above the floor of the leg supportportion 120. Adjusting the height above the floor in this manner for awheelchair exercising system 200 may tilt the entire system 200, thus it ispreferable that the leg support portion 120 may also be adjusted in tilt angleto compensate a tilt of the system.

Fig. 9 is a flow chart describing a method according to an aspect of theinvention. At S1 the shuttle seat module of a rowing machine is disengaged.The rowing machine may be any type of conventional rowing machine orergometer suitable for rowing exercise. The step S1 of disengaging theshuttle seat module may alternative be constituted by a step of making therowing machine suitable for engagement with the engagement portion of thewheelchair exercising device. Depending on the particular type of rowingmachine there might be multiple sub steps for making it suitable for 17 engagement with the engagement portion of the wheelchair exercisingdevice.

After the shuttle seat module has been disengaged, or the rowingmachine has been made suitable for engagement with the engagementportion of the wheelchair exercising device at S1 the method may go to stepS2. At S2 the wheelchair exercise device according to the inventive conceptis mechanically coupled to the rowing machine via the engagement portion.After coupling of the wheelchair exercise device to the rowing machine therewill provided a wheelchair exercising system, one embodiment of which isi||ustrated in Fig. 8.

Following S2, the method goes to S3. At S3 the method comprisesadjusting the wheelchair exercising between at least a first operable state anda second operable state such that the wheelchair exercising device fits theuser. The S3 of adjusting the wheelchair exercise device may comprise oneor more sub steps S31, S32, S33, S34, S35 in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention. Wherein S31 may comprise mechanically adjustingthe positioning of the leg support portion between at least a first and a secondoperable state. S32 may comprise mechanically adjusting the height over thefloor plane of the leg support portion between at least a first and a secondoperable state. S33 may comprise mechanically adjusting the angle betweena normal of a leg contacting surface and a normal of the floor plane, such thatthe angle is larger in the first operable state compared to the second operablestate. S34 may comprise adjusting the separation distance between legsupport units. S35 may comprise adjusting an upper body support portion inat least one direction so as to adapt its positioning against the user.Additionally, or alternatively, S3 may comprise a sub step corresponding toadjusting any portion or unit of the wheelchair exercise device in accordancewith the function of that portion or unit as described in connection toembodiments of the first or second aspect.

The skilled person in the art realizes that the present invention by nomeans is limited to the embodiments described above. The features of thedescribed embodiments may be combined in different ways, and manymodifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended 18 claims. ln the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shallnot be construed as Iimiting to the claim. The word “comprising” does notexclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in theclaim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

Claims (10)

1. A wheelchair rowing exercising device (100, 100b-f) adapted to beused by a user sitting in a wheelchair, wherein said wheelchair exercisingdevice comprises: an engaging portion (110), adapted to engage a rowing machine orergometer suited for rowing exercise (160), a leg support portion (120), adapted to contact a leg of the user, and a floor contacting portion (130), adapted be placed on a floor so as todistance said engaging portion (110) and said leg support portion (120) fromthe floor,characterized in that, said wheelchair exercising device (100, 100b-f) is mechanicallyadjustable between at least a first operable state (100) and a secondoperable state (100b-f) such that said wheelchair exercising device may bemechanically adjusted to fit the user.

2. The wheelchair exercising device according to claim 1, wherein saidwheelchair exercising device is mechanically adjustable such that thepositioning of said leg support portion (120) is different in said first operable(100) state compared to said second operable state (100b-d).

3. The wheelchair exercising device according to claim 1-2, whereinsaid wheelchair exercising device is at least mechanically adjustable in heightsuch that the height over the floor of said leg support portion (120) is larger insaid second operable state (100b) compared to said first operable state (100).

4. The wheelchair exercising device according to any of the precedingclaims, wherein said leg support portion 120 comprises a leg contactingsurface and said wheelchair exercising device is at least mechanicallyadjustable such that an angle between a normal of said leg contacting surfaceand a normal of the floor plane is larger in said first operable state (100)compared to said second operable state (100c).

5. The wheelchair exercising device according to any of the precedingclaims, wherein said leg support portion (120) comprises two leg support units(120a, 120b), wherein each leg support unit (120a, 120b) is mechanicallyadjustable to contact a leg of the user.

6. The wheelchair exercising device according claim 5, wherein saidwheelchair exercising device is at least mechanically adjustable such that adistance between said two leg support units (120a, 120b) is larger in saidsecond operable state (100d) compared to said first operable state (100).

7. The wheelchair exercising device according to any of the precedingclaims, wherein said wheelchair exercising device further comprises an upperbody support portion (150) being adjustable in at least one direction so as toadapt its positioning against the user.

8. The wheelchair exercising device according to any of the precedingclaims, wherein said wheelchair exercising device further comprises at leastone fastening means for retaining the user and/or the user's wheelchair in a position where the user's leg abuts the leg support portion (120).

9. A wheelchair exercising system (200) comprising the wheelchairexercising device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein saidwheelchair exercising system (200) further comprises a rowing machine orergometer suited for rowing exercise (160), and wherein said engagingportion (110) is in engagement with said rowing machine or ergometer suitedfor rowing exercise (160).

10. A method for setting up a rowing machine (160) for a wheelchairuser, comprising the steps of: disengaging (S1) a shuttle seat module from said rowing machine(160), mechanically coupling (S2) an engaging portion (110) of a wheelchairexercising device (100, 100b-f) to said rowing machine (160), adjusting said wheelchair exercising device (100, 100b-f) between atleast a first operable state (100) and a second operable state (100b-f) suchthat said wheelchair exercising device (100, 100b-f) fits the user, wherein said wheelchair exercising device (100, 100b-f) furthercomprises: a leg support portion (120), adapted to contact a leg of the user, and a floor contacting portion (130), adapted be p|aced on a floor so as todistance said engaging portion (110) and the said support portion (120) fromthe floor.