US3012777A

US3012777A - Physiotherapy appliances

Info

Publication number: US3012777A
Application number: US839136A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leon G Hotas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-09-10
Filing date: 1959-09-10
Publication date: 1961-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 1978-12-12

Description

Dec. 12, 1961 G. HOTAS 3,012,777

PHYSIOTHERAPY APPLIANCES Filed Sept. 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -q: 5 INVENTOR l q Leon 6. Hotas Dec. 12, 1961 G. HOTAS 3,012,777

PHYSIOTHERAPY APPLIANCES Filed Sept. 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 as 55 37 73 39 72 54 56 73 6| 72 o a 6 9 g 59 72 Q on 0 0- 75 a on o o .n' o 65 69 se a 64 8 3 67 74 ea 69 E I03 lol INVENTOR Leon 6. Hows United States Patent 3,012,777 PHYSIDTHERAPY APPLIANCES Leon G. Hotas, 190 Osborne St. N., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Filed Sept. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 839,136 2 Claims. (Cl. 272-53) The invention relates to a machine for exercising the principal joints of the human body, and for building up the strength of the muscles thereof, particularly when said joints have become restricted in their movement and the muscles weakened following surgery, injuries, poliomyelitis, paralysis, neurological and advanced age conditions.

At this time it might be explained that, when a human body is resting on a support, with arms and legs in suspension, gravity normally tends to hold said limbs or extremities in these positions. Considerable muscular effort must be expended to operate them thereagainst. The effect of gravity is even more pronounced in climbing stairs or lifting heavy objects; the body soon becomes fatigued.

For instance; if a normally healthy person were to abduct one arm from the above suspended position to a location horizontally and at right angles to the body, it would appear to be a simple action. However, due to the arrangement and attachments of the deltoid muscle, its contraction must exert a pull approximately eight times the weight of the arm to accomplish this lifting result. In other words: if the arm weighs twenty pounds, the muscle must exert one hundred and sixty pounds of contracted effort. The same applies to lifting a leg, sitting up from a supine position, or the many other movements against gravity which appear to be made with such ease by a healthy person.

Accordingly, when the above mentioned restricted joints are to be exercised by said weakened muscles, the effect of gravity poses a problem. While hydrotherapy has been used to eliminate the effect of gravity during exercise, water pools are expensive, take up a lot of space, the patient is not at ease, and such treatments are costly. Methods of sling suspension from frame units have been tried, and while very advantageous in restricting the effects of gravity, they are time consuming to erect, complicated in construction, and by themselves do not offer much scope for true horizontal motion and joint exercises.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a table for the support of the patient; provide adjustable means for sling suspending the limb-s of the patient to be exercised thereabove, to free them from the effect of gravity as far as support by the patient is concerned; provide a vertical pivot for alignment with the joint of said suspended limbs, and around which same can sling swing; and provide clamp means for holding the limbs in said joint pivotable position for said exercises.

A further object of the invention is to construct the above sling support means so it can be adjustably raised, lowered, rotated or end-shifted above the table and the patient, to a position for the most convenient and correct exercise of the various joints of said patient.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for adjustably introducing resistance against said limb swinging movements to strengthen the operating muscles thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide the above mentioned resistance to said exercising movements by the raising of adjustable weights, so said resistance will be constant over the swing, and said muscles can also be exercised and built up by restricting the fall of said weights.

3,012,777 Patented Dec. 12, 1961 A further object of the invention is to provide means,

Still further objects of the invention are: to construct the appliance in a simple manner for ease and economical construction, efiicient and readily understood operation, including strength and durability of the ans,"

for many years of valuable body re-activat'io'n.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the description of the invention proceeds, ref erence being bad to the accompanying drawings in whichi FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the appliance with part of the table broken away to expose construction. FIGURE 2 is an enlarged front view or elevation of the supporting tool, including a foot attachment connected thereto.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 33, FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4, FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 5-5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail of the adjustments for the cable.

FiGURE 7 is a perspective view of one of the slings.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 88, FIGURE 2.

In the drawings like reference characters like parts in the several figures. V

The framework 16) of the appliance is end provided with a pair of inverted U-shaped tubings 11 and 12 which form the four corner legs. The bottoms of the legs carry rubber feet 13. A rectangularly shaped horizontal tubular frame 14 is supported in an elevated position by the legs, with angular reinforcements 15 at each corner thereunder. A flat platform 16 is suitably-secured on the frame 14 to present a patient receiving table. The central parts of the upper cross members of the tubings 11 and 12 are connected by a longitudinal tubing 17. A smaller tubing 18 projects from the outer side of the head tubing 11, opposite the tubing 17, is then bent downward to centrally connect to a U-shaped cross tube 19 which is supported by the legs of the tubing 11.

referto A pair of semi-circular-shaped tubes 20 are carried by j the rear upper parts of the tubings 11 and 12, one on each tubing. The curved summits of these semi-circular tubes carry the ends of a further longitudinal tubing 21, each end in a saddle 22.

A tool supporting unit 23 is carried by the two

longitudinal tubings

17 and 21 as follows: A short tube slidably telescopes over the tubing 21. The central front side of this tube is secured to the upper end of a vertical tube 25, each end of which is partially slit and provided with a pair of clamp jaws 26 which are controlled by a pair of clamp screws 27, one passing through each. The lower front end of the vertical tube 25, just above the lower clamp, is secured to the centre of a cross half-tube 28 on the tubing 17 (see FIGURE 5). A second half-tube 29 is hinged at 30 to an edge of the half-tube 28, at each end, such that the two half-tubes encircle the tubing 17. The free edge of the half-tube 29 pivotally receives the short ends of a pair of L-shaped ed, each passing between a pair of lugs 33, a pair at each end of the half-tube 28, and receiving a hand operable nut 34, so the half-tubes can be clamped to the tubing 17.

A tool 35 is suspended from the unit 23, above the table 16, and comprises an inverted F-shaped hanger 36, and a triangular-shaped arm member 37 pivotally swingable thereon.

The hanger 36 includes a vertical support standard 38 having its upper end clamped in the tube 25 of the unit 23. Its lower end supports one end of a horizontal tubing 39 which extends slightly past the standard, as at 40. The opposite end of the tubing 39 carries a ball bearing 41. A horizontal split-ring tubing 42. (FIGURE 3) centres on the bearing 41, the split ends each being secured to a side of the tubing 39 for support. The upper surface of this ring-tubing is provided with a series of spaced vertical holes 43 therearound. A further horizontal tubing 44, above that at 39, extends from the standard 38 and terminates in a ball bearing 45, aligned with the bearing 41. This completes the hanger 36.

The arm member 37 presents a vertical tubing 46 having shouldered

studs

47 and 48 pinned to and projecting from each end thereof, a central flange on the studs limiting depth. The downwardly projecting end of the stud 47 enters the ball bearing 41 of the hanger 36 while the upwardly projecting end of the stud 48 passes through the ball bearing 45, so the arm member can swing thereon. The stud 48 then continues as a shaft 49, which is keyed at 50 to three different sized

pulleys

51, 52 and 53. A short horizontal tube 54 extends from the bottom of the vertical tubing 46. This latter tube passes over the ring tubing 42 and is provided with a hole for a peg 55 to pass selectively into the holes 43 of the ring-tubing, to lock the arm member thereto. The tube 54 then connects to the upper end of a short vertical rod 56 having a hole 57 bored centrally therethrough. A hand screw 58 threads through the side for clamping purposes later explained. A further horizontal tubing 59 is secured to and extends from the bottom of the rod 56 as a spaced continuation of the tubing 39. A reinforcing tubing 60 is secured to and extends from the upper end of the vertical tubing 46, just below the ball bearing 45. and is then bent downward to connect with the end of the tubing 59 to complete the triangular-shape of the arm member 37.

An extension tubing 61 of smaller diameter has one end thereof received in the short end 40 of the tubing 39 (see FIGURE 8). A V-shaped spring 62 carries a short stud 63 at each end. This spring, with studs, is inserted in the received end of the extension tubing so the studs will be resiliently pressed through holes therein and into holes 64 of the tubing 39, to prevent withdrawal. If desired, the extension tubing can be removed by finger pressing the studs in and withdrawing same. It can then be inserted in the end of the tubing 59, the studs being received in the holes 65.

A series of three

plate strips

66, 67 and 68 are each permanently secured along the bottom of the

tubings

61, 39 and 59 respectively. These plate strips are provided with a series of spaced holes 69 therealong. The upper edges of these tubings are also provided with centrally drilled cross rods 72 having finger screws 73 to form clamps therein.

Hooks

74 and 75 also project down from the tube 54 and the rod 56 respectively.

Each of the

pulleys

51, 52 and 53 is provided on its periphery with an upper notch 76 for the selective reception of the knotted end 77 of a cable 7 8 which is adapted to be received therearound. The free end of the cable passes ahead and around a pulley 79 which is hooked to a bracket 80 telescoped over and slidable on the tubing 18. It will be noted in FIGURE 6 that only the upper end of the bracket encircles the tubing, which is provided with a series of spaced holes 81 theredown. The lower part of the bracket is provided with a pin 82 which is adapted to be selectively received in the holes 81 by the pull of the cable. After passing around the pulley 79, the cable 78 passes through a tightener 83, which is of a conventional type commonly used on clothes lines. A coil spring 84 normally presses balls 85 upwardly and against the cable to lock same, while a looped wire 86, pivoted on said tightener, supports the hooked end 87 of a weight carrier 88. The end of the cable passes through a central tube 89, which supports the balls 85, and then enters and winds up in a spring actuated cable container 99 carried by one of the legs of the appliance. This cable container is conventional and has not been detailed as it forms no essential part of the invention.

A sling 91 is shown in FIGURE 7. This sling is made of flexible material, is fairly wide at the centre, and tapers at each end to a support metal catch 92. One of these catches can be caught in one of the holes 69 of the plate strips 66, 67 and 68, or on one of the

hooks

74 or 75, then wrapped around a limb of a patient while he is resting on the table 16. The other catch can then be hooked to another hole or hook for complete support of the limb. A plurality of these slings can be used if desired.

A clamp member 93 is shown in position in FIGURE 1. It consists of a rod 94 having a cross tube 95 at one end and a hand set screw therethrough for a clamp. A second rod 97 slides through the clamp while its lower end carries a curved pressure plate 98. This plate is normally covered with a removable padding (not shown) so the patient will not be hurt. The rod 94 can be received in and locked to any one of the clamp members 72 and both

rods

94 and 97 can be rotated or end shifted into a multiple number of positions for clamping a limb to the tool 35. It will be seen that six clamp members can be used at one time, if desired.

In operation, the patient will rest on the table 16. The hand operable nuts 34 will be released and the tool 35 slid on the

tubings

17 and 21 to the location required. The nuts are then re-tightened. The hand screws 27 are then released and the tool moved down, or up, through the tube 25 to the best operating position. In moving this tool up or down, the bracket 80 will be lifted or lowered on the tubing 18 to maintain the cable 78 in a correct horizontal pulley winding position. In the same way, as the tool is moved to the head or foot end of the appliance, the cable tightener 83 will be slid along the cable and the slack passed into the cable winder 90, or drawn out respectively.

The particular limb of the patient requiring treatment is then sling supported from the tool, as above described, and the clamp members are adjusted thereagainst to hold same firmly in place, care being taken to position the joint thereof directly under the pivot created by the

ball bearings

41 and 45. For knee, hip or shoulder forward fiexions and extensions, the patient will lay sideways on the table. For hip internal and external rotation or shoulder abduction and adduction, he may lay supine, or

a prone. And for arm posterior deltoid training or elbow flexion and extension, the patient may be in a sitting position. The tool can also be adjusted to all such positions for both children and adults.

As the slings will support the limb against the weight effect of gravity, giving the sensation of complete weightlessness, the patient will quickly become relaxed and have no inhibitions. The operator will first remove the peg 55, and can then gradually swing the arm member 37, especially if the patients muscles are very weak, to initially operate the limb joint. Such exercises can be carried out with reasonable pressure, and over a period of time, until full joint movement is obtained. It will also re-educate brain co-operation with the muscles thereof for early selfoperation by the patient. As the muscles build up strength, increasing weight is added to the weight carrier, or the pulleys changed to greater leverage of the cable, and this resistance against the patients efforts results in speedy increase of muscular strength.

The knotted end 77 of the cable can be released from a pulley for re-winding in the opposite direction and reconnection, when the opposite side of the patient is to be exercised. As the cable can also be attached to the different diametered pulleys for increased or reduced leverage of the weights against the limb joint, the number of such weights are considerably reduced in actual use. The peg 55 can be used, through the hole in the tube 54 as shown) to lock the arm member at any location, or it can be separately inserted in any one of the holes 43 as a stop for the arm mem bers swing, and so provide a rest position where desired. *In other words; the patient can swing the arm member and exercise the joint, against the weight, and when fatigued, can release the weight onto the peg at this stop position for a rest, until ready for further effort. The connection of the extension tubing 61 to the end of the arm member 37 is done when the hip joint is to be exercised and the lower part of the leg must be fully supported with slings.

By observing FIGURE 2 it will be seen that the tool can also be used in the same manner for ankle exercises by the use of an attachment supported from the clamp 56. This attachment comprises a foot receiving shoe 99 having straps and buckles 100 thereon for securing the two together. The under side of the shoe sole is provided with a lengthwise clamp 101 and the heel with a cross clamp 102. An offset rod 103 has one end thereof received in the clamp 101 while its opposite end is received in the clamp 56 on the tool. The offset, as shown, holds the foot in proper position with the pivot of the tool for ankle inversion and eversion exercises. By releasing the clamp 101, removing the shoe from the rod 103 and re-connecting it to the clamp 102 at a 90 turned angle, the foot will be correctly positioned with the pivot of the tool for ankle plantar flexation and dorsi fiexion exercises.

From the above disclosure it will be seen that the appliance presents what might be termed a universal machine for exercising all the major joints of the extremities and strengthening the muscles thereof. This is done in a most scientific and professional manner as the movements are all in a true horizontal plane and the weight pressure is constant at all swingable positions, and the appliance itself occupies a minimum of floor space. As

these exercises can be self accomplished by the patient,

the operator merely has to set the stage, so to speak, and then is available for other essential work. It might also be mentioned at this time that the pivot of the machine could be equipped with a protractor (not shown) so that a chart record could be kept of the joint movements from day to day to show a true progress picture. This system of exercise appears to provide the best means to achieve maximum physiological improvement under pathological conditions in the shortest possible time.

What I claim as my invention is: I

1. In a physiotherapy appliance, the combination of a supporting frame including a pair of spaced upright frame members, a horizontal patient supporting platform extending between and secured to intermediate portions of said frame members and disposed in a plane spaced above a suporting surface on which said frame members are positioned, a pair of horizontal bars secured to and extending between the upper portions of the frame members, said bars being disposed in vertically and horizontally spaced parallel relation, a horizontally slidably adjustable carriage positioned on said pair of bars for traversing movement between said frame mem'bers,said car riage comprising an open-ended vertical tube and a pair of apertured guide members rigidly secured to the respective upper and lower ends of said vertical tube at the respective diametrically opposite sides of the latter, the apertures in said guide members receiving the respective bars whereby said vertical tube is disposed in the space between the bars and whereby said pair of bars positively support said carriage in both horizontal and vertical planes, a vertical standard having its upper end portion adjustably positioned in said tube of said carriage and extending downwardly therefrom toward said platform, a horizontal carrier provided at the lower end of said standard above the platform, a vertical shaft supported by said carrier in spaced relation from the standard, an arm connected at one end thereof to said shaft for swinging movement in a horizontal plane transversely of the platform, suspension means provided on said carrier and on said arm for supporting a jointed body member of a patient on said platform with the body member joint substantially coaxially with the axis of said shaft, and adjustable means carried by said frame and operatively connected to said shaft for rotatively biasing the shaft and said arm in a selected direction relative to said carrier.

2. The appliance as defined in claim 1, wherein said last mentioned means include a set of pulleys of different diameters secured to said shaft, a cable having one end portion thereof windable selectively around said pulleys in the set, guide means provided on one of said upright frame members, said cable extending from said set of pulleys to said guidermeans and having its other end portion depending from the latter, and a weight provided at said other end of the cable.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 737,903 Great Britain Oct. 5, 1955