US3735754A

US3735754A - Therapeutic exercising apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3735754A
Application number: US00152045A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Reed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-06-11
Filing date: 1971-06-11
Publication date: 1973-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-29

Abstract

An exercising apparatus for therapeutic use which moves the limbs of a patient in a cross-pattern crawling motion. The apparatus is power driven and a clutch is provided to protect the patient from the application of excessive forces. The apparatus is adjustable to vary the length of movement of the limbs of the patient and to support patients of varying sizes ranging from infants to adults.

Description

United States Patent 1 Reed [54] THERAPEUTIC EXERCISING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: John M. Reed, 12 Magnolia Street,

CentraliaJll. 62801 [22] Filed: June 11, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 152,045

[52] US. Cl. ..128/25 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A61h 1/02 [58] Field of Search "128/24, 25 R, 33;

[56] I References Cited UNITED, STATES PATENTS 3,363,335 1/1963 Burhns ..l28/25R H us If if [4 1 May 29, 1973 3,362,090 1/l968 Adam ..128/25 R Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Parker, Plyer & McEachran [57] ABSTRACT An exercising apparatus for therapeutic use which moves the limbs of a patient in a cross-pattern crawling motion. The apparatus is power driven and a clutch is provided to protect the patient from the application of excessive forces. The apparatus is adjustable to vary the length of movement of the limbs of the patient and to support patients of varying sizes ranging from infants to adults.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 1 THERAPEUTIC EXERCISING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention is concerned with an exercising apparatus for therapeutic use and more particularly with an apparatus for treating patients suffering from the effects of brain damage.

It is now generally recognized that patients, and especially young children, suffering from brain damaging diseases or illnesses such as Cerebral Palsy can be helped by treatment which imposes a pattern of movement or exercises upon a patients limbs. A particularly helpful exercise in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy is a cross-pattern crawling motion. This is defined as a movement in which the arm on one side of the patient is out-stretched while the opposite leg is bent into a kneeling position.

An object of this invention is an exercising apparatus which will repeatedly impose cross-pattern crawling motions upon a patient;

Another object is an exercising apparatus that may be easily adjusted to accommodate an adult or a child.

Another object is an exercising apparatus in which the amount of movement of the limbs of a patient may easily be varied. 1

Another object is an exercising apparatus which protects a patient against the application of excess force. Another object is an exercising apparatus which may be adapted for applying a creeping pattern as well as a crawling pattern to a patient.

Another object is an exercising apparatus which may be used to manipulate less than all of the limbs of a patient.

Other objects may be found in the following specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the exercising apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the patient support platform;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1 with parts omitted for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 4 is a view looked down on the platform moving mechanism of the exercising apparatus;

in phantom lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The exercising apparatus 11 of this invention includes a frame 13 of generally rectangular crosssection mounted on rollers 15. A patient support platform 17 is positioned above the top of the frame on a vertically extending support 19. The support 19 is mounted ona scissor jack 21 which is operated by a crank 23 extending outwardly of one end of the frame.

Four

motion platforms

31, 33, 35 and 37 (FIG. 3) are mounted on top of the frame 13 and beneath the patient support platform 17. A motion platform is located in each quadrant of the top of the frame and they surround the vertical support 19 which is more or less centered in the frame.

Motion platforms

31 and 33 are located at one end of the frame and are intended to support the arms of a patient, while

motion platforms

35 and 37 are located at the other end of the frame and are intended to support the legs of a patient. As is most clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings,

motion platforms

31 and 37 are located on one side of the longitudinal center line of the frame and

motion platforms

33 and 35 are located on the other side of the center line of the frame. A pair of sleeves 39 are fastened to the underside of each platform. The sleeves telescope over tubular guides 41 which extend the length of the table and are arranged with two tubular guides on each side of the longitudinal center line of the frame. The platforms and their sleeves are mounted on the tubes 41 for reciprocal movement along the length of the frame.

An electric drive motor 51, which in this embodiment may be a one-third horsepower variable speed motor, is mounted on the frame and connects to a speed reducer 53. An output sprocket 55 on the speed reducer 53 drives a sprocket 57 connected to a crossshaft 59 by means of a chain drive 61. An adjustable spring tension, friction type clutch 63 connects one end of the cross-shaft 59 to a stub shaft 65 on which is mounted a drive wheel 67. The drive wheel oscillates a driven wheel 69 through means of a rod 71 which is pivotally connected at its ends to the drive wheel 67 and driven wheel 69. Pivot pin 75 connecting one end of the rod 71 to drive wheel 67 extends through a radially extending slot 77 formed in the wheel to permit adjustment of the throw of the rod 71.

Driven wheel 69 is secured to shaft 81. Also mounted on shaft 81 and secured thereto are oscillating wheels 83 and 85. Drive cable 89 has its opposite ends pivotally connected to oscillating wheel 83 by means of

anchor pins

91 and 93. The anchor pins extend from one side of the oscillating wheel and are located near the periphery of the wheel diammetrically opposite to each other. Drive cable 95 is pivotally connected to oscillating wheel 85 by anchor pins 97 and 99 which also extend from one side of the wheel near the periphery thereof and are located diammetrically opposite to each other.

Drive cable 89 extends from one of its ends which is pivotally connected to anchor pin 91, around sheave 103 which is mounted half way up one end of the frame, then upwardly and around sheave 105 which is positioned at the top of the frame at the end thereof. The cable then extends the length of the frame and passes around sheave 107 which is spring mounted to the opposite end of the frame. The cable then extends back across the length of the frame and around sheave 199 which is coaxial with sheave 195. The cable passes around sheave 111 which is coaxial with sheave 103 and extends back to anchor pin 93.

In a similar manner, cable 95 extends from the anchor pin 97 on oscillating wheel 85, passes around sheave 115 which is mounted at one end of the frame and then passes upwardly around sheave 1 17 located at the top of the frame at the end thereof. From sheave 117, the cable extends across the length of the frame and passes around spring mounted sheave 119 which is connected to the opposite end of the frame from sheave 107. The cable then reverses direction and extends back across the frame and around sheave 121 which is coaxial with sheave 117. Cable 95 then extends downward and around sheave 123 which is coaxial with sheave 115 and back to anchor pin 99 on oscillating wheel 85.

The motion platforms are attached to the cables by means of releasable clamps. Each clamp includes a pair of bolts which straddle the cable and thread into a plate located beneath the cable. Platform 31 is connected to cable 89 by means of clamp 131. Platform 37 is connected to the same cable but on the opposite pass thereof around sheave 107 by clamp 133. Motion platform 33 is connected to cable 95 by clamp 135. Platform 35 is attached to cable 95 on the opposite pass thereof around sheave 119 by means of a clamp 137.

Detailed views of the

motion platforms

33 and 35 which support the arms and legs respectively of a patient are shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7.

Motion platforms

31 and 37 are similar respectively to

platforms

33 and 35 and therefore are not shown in detail. Mounted on the platform 33 is a cushion 141. A hand grip 143 is mounted on the platform 33 next to the cushion and is arranged to pivot about a generally horizontal axis. A wrist cushion 144 is also provided adjacent the cushion 141.

A cushion 145 is mounted on the platform 35. A leg support 147 is mounted on the platform 35 next to the cushion. A push plate 149 is mounted on the platform 35 and extends above the cushion and leg support where it can be engaged by the foot of the patient.

The use, operation and function of this invention are as follows:

In preparing the apparatus for receiving a patient, the height of the patient support platform 17 is adjusted by rotation of the crank 23. The positions of the mofion platforms are adjusted relative to their

respective cables

89 and 95 after releasing the cable clamps. The adjustment of the motion platforms will, of course, be guided by the size of the patient. The platforms will be arranged for reception of a patient with the two platforms on one side of the frame spaced apart and the two platforms on the other part of the frame located next to one another in the manner shown in solid and phantom FIG. 8. This invention permits easy adjustment of the positions of the patient support platform 17 and the motion platforms, depending on whether the patient is an adult or a child.

The patient is then placed on the support platform 17 with his limbs resting on the motion platforms. The patients arms will be supported on the

cushions

141 and 144 of the

platforms

31 and 33 and his legs will be supported on the cushions 145 and leg supports 147 of the

platforms

35 and 37. It may be necessary or desirable with some patients to provide straps or other retaining means to hold the limbs of the patients to the motion platforms. However, these are not shown in the drawings. For this disclosure it will be assumed that the patient will be able to grip the hand grips 143 on the

motion platforms

31 and 33 and will be able to place his feet against the push plates 149 on the

platforms

35 and 37.

It may be desirable or necessary in treating certain patients not to exercise one or more of his limbs. An advantage of the exercise apparatus of this invention is that any one of these motion platforms may be disconnected without afiecting the movements of the other platforms simply by disconnecting its clamping mechanism. The exercising apparatus may be adjusted to change the patient from a creeping to a crawling motion or vice versa when the machine is in operation simply by raising and lowering the patient support platform 17 through means of the crank 23. When the patient support platform 17 is in its lowered position, the patient spreads his limbs in a creeping pattern. When the patient support platform 17 is raised, the patients limbs become more upright to form a correct crawling position.

It is also possible with the exercising apparatus of this invention to change the size and shape of the motion platforms depending on the patient and the type of treatment he should receive. For example, the cushions 145 and leg supports 147 on the

motion platforms

35 and 37 may be made higher than the

cushions

141 and 144 on the

arm support platforms

31 and 33 to provide the patient with a more vertical arm position similar to the position a child takes in crawling.

The amount of movement of the

motion platforms

31, 33, 35 and 37 can then be adjusted according to the patients capabilities by moving the pivot pin 75, which attaches the rod 71 to the drive wheel 67, in the slot 77 of the drive wheel. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the amount of movement of the platforms will be increased by moving the pivot pin 75 radially inwardly in the slot 77 and will be decreased by moving the pivot pin in the opposite direction.

The exercising apparatus is driven by electric motor 51 which in this instance is a variable speed motor having a normal rating of 1750 rpm. The combination of the speed reducer 53 and the sprocket ratios turn the drive wheel 67 at a normal rate of 24 rpm. Since the speed of the motor is variable, the operator can vary the speed from 0 to 35 rpm. or more. The friction clutch 63 can be adjusted to slip in the event the patient has a muscle spasm to thereby protect the patient from the application of excessive force directed against his limbs.

Rotation of the drive wheel 67 will bring about oscillation of the driven wheel 69. The cable wheels 83 and mounted on the shaft 81 will oscillate with the driven wheel. Oscillation of the cable wheels 83 and 85 will move the cables 89 and about their sheaves to oscillate the

motion platforms

31, 37 and 33, 35. The cables are arranged so that as

platforms

31 and 37 move away from each other, the

platforms

33 and 35 are moving towards each other and vice versa. The motion of these platforms imposes upon the patient a cross-pattem crawling motion.

The exercising apparatus of this invention may be equipped with a head turning device for the patient. However, in working with children afflicted with Cerebral Palsy, l have discovered that they prefer freedom of the head, neck and upper torso rather than the restriction imposed by a head harness. I have found that I am more successful in treating children if I stand at the front of the apparatus and help the patient turn his head. The patient soon learns to turn his head and shoulders in time with the movement of the motion platform to thereby perform a perfect cross-pattern crawl. I have also discovered that children afilicted with Cerebral Palsy who do not have their heads restricted by a harness soon learn to raise up on their hands while the machine is running. This helps them to strengthen their arms, neck and chest muscles.

Whereas, the preferred form of the invention has been described and shown, it should be understood that there are modifications, alterations and changes which may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be only limited by the claims attached hereto.

1 claim: 1. An exercising apparatus for therapeutic use including:

an elongated, generally rectangular frame, a body support for holding a patient in a generally prone position mounted above said frame, means for raising and lowering said body support relative to said frame, four motion platforms mounted on the top of said frame and below said body support with two platforms positioned on each side of said frame, each of said motion platforms being adapted to support and guide one limb of a patient resting on said body support, means supporting each platform for reciprocal movement lengthwise of said frame, and means for repeatedly moving the motion platforms in a predetermined pattern in which the motion platforms supporting and guiding the limbs on one side of a patient alternately move toward and away from each other while the motion platforms supporting the limbs on the opposite side of the patient simultaneously move in the opposite manner to impose upon the patient a cross pattern crawling motion. 2. The exercising apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that each of said motion platforms is equipped with means for transferring a force applied to the. platform to'a limb of a patient.

3. The exercising apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said means supporting each platform for reciprocal movement includes tubes mounted on said frame and extending along the length thereof and sleeves attached to said platforms with said sleeves telescoped over said tubes.

4. The exercising apparatus of claim ll further characterized in that said means for repeatedly moving said motion platforms includes a cable for each set of platforms on each side of said frame, each of said cables being supported on and extending around sheaves mounted on said frame, each of said cables passing twice under its set of platforms with each pass of said cable connected to an opposite one of its platforms so that movement of said cable about its supporting sheaves in one direction will move the platforms of its set in opposite directions.

5. The exercising apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that the ends of each cable are pivotally connected to anchor pins mounted on the side of a driven wheel with the anchor pins being located diammetrically opposite to each other.

6. The exercising apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that said driven wheel is connected to said drive wheel by means of a crank.

7. The exercising apparatus of claim 6 further characterized in that said crank is adjustably connected to said drive wheel to vary the throw of said crank.

8. The exercising apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said drive wheel is connected to a drive motor through an adjustable slip clutch and a re duction gear train.

9. The exercising apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said connections between said cables and said motion platforms include releasable clamps to permit movement of the platforms relative to the cables to thereby adjust the positions of the platforms relative to the body support and to one another.

Claims

1. An exercising apparatus for therapeutic use including: an elongated, generally rectangular frame, a body support for holding a patient in a generally prone position mounted above said frame, means for raising and lowering said body support relative to said frame, four motion platforms mounted on the top of said frame and below said body support with two platforms positioned on each side of said frame, each of said motion platforms being adapted to support and guide one limb of a patient resting on said body support, means supporting each platform for reciprocal movement lengthwise of said frame, and means for repeatedly moving the motion platforms in a predetermined pattern in which the motion platforms supporting and guiding the limbs on one side of a patient alternately move toward and away from each other while the motion platforms supporting the limbs on the opposite side of the patient simultaneously move in the opposite manner to impose upon the patient a cross pattern crawling motion.

2. The exercising apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that each of said motion platforms is equipped with means for transferring a force applied to the platform to a limb of a patient.

4. The exercising apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in thAt said means for repeatedly moving said motion platforms includes a cable for each set of platforms on each side of said frame, each of said cables being supported on and extending around sheaves mounted on said frame, each of said cables passing twice under its set of platforms with each pass of said cable connected to an opposite one of its platforms so that movement of said cable about its supporting sheaves in one direction will move the platforms of its set in opposite directions.

8. The exercising apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said drive wheel is connected to a drive motor through an adjustable slip clutch and a reduction gear train.