WO2009076731A2

WO2009076731A2 - Apparatus for exercising the upper limbs of people or patients with diverse physical limitations

Info

Publication number: WO2009076731A2
Application number: PCT/BR2008/000008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sonia Maria Anaga
Original assignee: Sonia Maria Anaga
Priority date: 2007-12-14
Filing date: 2008-01-09
Publication date: 2009-06-25
Also published as: BRPI0704490A2; WO2009076731A3

Abstract

The present abstract refers to a patent of invention for an apparatus for exercising the upper limbs pertaining to the field of equipment used for physiotherapy, therapeutic, medical equipment, and others, which has been designed to meet the requirements particularly of obese and hypertensive people, handicapped people, amputees, people who suffered accidents, people having professional diseases, elderly people, healthy people, employees (typists) and others needing physical exercises, but who due to their own limitations have difficulty to use regular exercise apparatuses; said apparatus comprising essentially: unit for exercising the upper limbs (1), over which the individual or patient works out directly; and frame (20), where the unit (1) suitable to the individual or patient limitation is mounted and facilitates their access to the unit (1) during exercise; said unit (1) essentially formed by: a pair of opposite handles (2) integral to an axis (3), and over which the individual or patient works out; an exercise load mechanism; a torque adjusting device (6); and casing (7) where the whole mechanism is housed and mounted, said casing being provided with a support part (8), which is mounted on a corresponding support part of the frame (20), which receives the unit (1).

Description

"APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENTS WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS"

The present specification refers to a patent of invention for an apparatus for exercising the upper limbs pertaining to the field of physiotherapy, therapeutic, medical and other related equipment, and which has been particularly designed to help obese and hypertensive people, physically disabled people, amputees, people who suffered accidents or having professional diseases, elderly people and others needing physical exercises who due to their own physical conditions or limitations have difficulty to use regular exercise apparatuses.

Many diseases, accidents, aging consequences or other circumstances may force a patient or individual to stay in bed and/or find difficulty to exercise and/or lead them to have other illnesses and/or other conditions favoring a decline of the general health of the patient, including their body fitness. Among other measures, people in such situations have to exercise using suitable equipment. However, as these people may be in a lying position in bed and/or have a limited motion capacity, it is hard difficulty for them to exercise with regular equipment, particularly because there is no apparatus specifically designed to fit their needs, or because the existing equipment fails to provide these people or patients or health care providers or caretakers with the facility desired. So, the objective of the present patent of invention is to provide an apparatus, which will overcome the above drawbacks.

Another objective is to provide a versatile apparatus, which can be adapted to be used by both sick or healthy subjects, and those individuals with the most varied physical limitations.

Another objective is to provide an apparatus, which besides overcoming the above inconvenient is versatile, does not require complex construction or manufacture, which may cause it to become commercially unfeasible. Another objective is to provide an apparatus with appropriate purchase costs, use and maintenance.

In view of the above drawbacks, and with the purpose of overcoming them and meeting the above-mentioned objectives, the apparatus for exercising the upper limbs of people or patients with diverse physical limitations object of the present patent of invention has been designed to comprise essentially : the exercising unit itself, over which the individual or patient will work out, the unit consisting essentially of: a pair of integral opposite handles; adjustable exercise load mechanism subject to the handles; and casing. Such apparatus further includes a frame where the exercising unit itself is mounted and comprises: a wall-mounted basis where the unit is mounted with adjustable height; a height adjustable column mounted over a platform; an adjustable column and bench mounted over a platform; an oblique arm whose lower end is articulated at a basis, an intermediary section articulated at a beam and an upper end where the unit is mounted, and under which the patient's bed is placed; an exercise (ergometric) bike frame without the handle bar and featuring instead an unit for exercising, or a frame similar to that of an exercise bike without the mechanism for exercising the lower limbs, but featuring instead an unit for exercising the upper limbs arranged in the place of the handle bar.

This apparatus solves the above-mentioned inconvenient faced by people or patients with physical disability who need exercise, because it is intended to exercising the upper limbs, what reflects positively over the whole physical state of the individual or patient, further to showing as an advantage its full adaptability to the most different limitations the individual or patient may have. The present apparatus meets various purposes as it:

- Improves cardiovascular condition;

- Facilitates cerebral and body vascularization, particularly in the kidneys, stomach, liver, gall bladder, small and large intestine, and others; - Facilitates bowel movements;

- Improves breathing; - Keeps the body upper part in shape, strengthening the muscles when used for such objective (heavy load);

- Strengthens shoulders and arms;

- Allows for cardiovascular and pulmonary training;

- Dissolves gradually muscle nodules resulting from the daily tension, particularly on the shoulders and back;

- Fights against the abdominal tumescence causing eructation, what provides comfort and decreases anxiety. With the above possibilities in mind, the present apparatus can be used in a number of fields of application: a) - Traditional Medicine Field: In this field, the apparatus helps people with special needs, e.g. handicapped people, such as those affected with paralysis and others; women who had their breast removed, as their arms usually swell after surgery as a result of the lack of soft movements, which enable lymph fluid to flow; people suffering of paralysis; men and women whose lower limbs have been totally or partially amputated, as the apparatus has adjustable resistance and intensity and its use is allowed for hospitals, retirement home, residences, specific rehab centers, and others; people who had strokes in order to rehabilitate the member affected (by reflex via), by tying it to one of the handles, while the other arm works normally, recovering the movement and sensitivity of the side affected; people abed who can move softly one arm each time, and circle energy and blood. b) - Physiotherapy Field: The present apparatus can also be used by people who are not necessarily handicapped, as for example in the prevention of RSI — Repetitive Strain Injury - of employees, which is a disease common to typists, or operators of machines and equipment requiring unchanged and continued movements. The use of the apparatus is also recommended in retirement home and rehab centers in order to strengthen the muscles of elderly people whether fragile or not. According to experts, in case of sedentary people, the apparatus helps against insomnia, poor bowel movement, mild depression and chronic fatigue caused by the lack of manual, household or professional labor. c) - Fitness Centers and Residences:

In case of healthy people, the apparatus is used to the benefit of their muscles by means of more effective movements (heavy load), particularly the upper abdomen and back, and the daily practice may help lose weight, android obesity with the consequent shaping of female breast and waist. d) - Alternative Medicine: According to the Chinese physiology, the present apparatus serves to circle the energy from acupuncture orienting "meridians"; (large, small intestine, heart, triple heating pericardium and lungs), and according to the Tibetan physiology it serves for the active rotation of the "chakras" or electric field of subtle bodies, and according to the Indian physiology, the present apparatus serves to encourage the flow of "nadis" energy.

Besides the possibilities of application in the above fields, one of the advantages of the present apparatus is its relatively simple and low cost construction and manufacture, which facilitates its use by a wide range of users, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, fitness centers, companies in general, residences and others.

The enclosed drawings refer to the apparatus for exercising the upper limbs of people or patients with diverse physical limitations, object of the present patent, in which: fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to which it is wall mounted; fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to which it is mounted in an exercise bike; fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to which it is mounted in a column; fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the apparatus featuring a column with a bench; fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to which it is used in bed; figs. 6 and 7 show an embodiment of the apparatus according to which it is mounted over a frame similar to an exercise bike; and figs. 8 A and 8B show a perspective view of a preferred construction of the unit itself for exercising the upper limbs, and a section of the casing showing the inner mechanism, respectively, for a better understanding.

According to what is shown by the above- mentioned figures, the apparatus object of the present patent of invention is intended to exercise the upper limbs of people or patients with diverse physical limitations and comprises essentially: the unit itself for exercising the upper limbs 1, over which the individual or patient works out directly; and a frame 20, where the unit 1 is mounted according to the limitation or need of the individual or patient, and which facilitates their access to the unit 1 during exercise. The unit 1 (fig. 1) is essentially formed by: a pair of opposite handles 2 integral to an axis 3 over which the individual or patient works out; an exercise load mechanism comprising wheel(s) 5 subject to the handles and a torque adjusting device 6, adjusted by a button or other means over which the individual or patient works out, or the health professional or care provider helps the patient with the exercise; said unit 1 further comprises a casing 7 where the whole mechanism is housed and mounted, and the unit is further provided with a support part 8, which is mounted on a corresponding support part of the frame 20, which receives the unit 1.

According to an embodiment (fig. 1), the apparatus is wall mounted, features height adjustment means, and the frame 20, which receives the unit 1 comprises essentially a fixed basis 21 , which is mounted on the wall 22 and provided with a guide-shaped support part 23, which receives the support part 8 of unit 1 provided with through holes for height adjustment 24. In this case, the support part 8 of unit 1 is a column whose upper end is mounted perpendicularly to the unit 1, regularly spaced through holes for height adjustment 9 are provided in said column and said column is arranged between the guide-shaped support part 23; said holes 9 of the support part 8 of unit 1 and holes 24 of the guide-shaped support part 23 of the frame 20 can be aligned selectively according to the height intended for the unit 1 and receive a locking pin 25, which locks the unit 1 at the selected height. In this case, the individual or patient is located in front of the apparatus and exercises their upper limbs by driving the handles 2 of the unit 1.

According to another embodiment (fig. 2), the apparatus is substantially formed by the association of the unit for exercising the upper limbs 1 with the frame 20 formed by a part of an exercise bike. In this case, the exercise unit itself 1 features a support part 8 comprising essentially a column provided with through holes for height adjustment 9. The frame 20 is formed by part of an exercise bike and comprises essentially: floor supporting shoes 21; a mechanism for setting the exercise load for the lower limbs moved by pedals 26, housed in a casing arranged over shoes 21; a height adjustable saddle 27 settled at the upper posterior corner of the casing; column 23 arranged in front of the saddle provided with height adjustment holes 24 and where the column-shaped support part 8 of unit 1 is mounted and capable of being slid (telescopic); said holes 9 and 24 for height adjustment can be selectively aligned according to the height intended for the unit 1 and receive a locking pin 25 at the selected height. Thus, the apparatus is formed substantially by an exercise bike 20, which instead of featuring a handle bar includes the unit 1 itself for exercising the upper limbs.

Such apparatus is used just like an exercise bike. The individual or patient sits on the saddle 27 and exercises their legs by means of the mechanism which sets the exercise load for lower limbs moved by pedals 26 and exercises the upper limbs by means of the unit 1 mounted in the place of the handle bar. According to another possible embodiment (fig. 3), the apparatus is a column formed by the unit for exercising the upper limbs 1 provided with a support part 8 comprising essentially a column having through holes for height adjustment 9. In this case, the frame 20 comprises essentially: a fixed column 23 at whose upper end the column-shaped support part 8 of unit 1 is inserted and slidable (telescopic), height adjustment holes 24 are provided along said fixed column 23 and the lower end of said fixed column 23 is fastened to a platform 21 supported on the floor and a triangular bracket 21 ' is provided between said lower end and the platform 21 to give more stability to the column; said columns 8 and 23 are provided with height adjustment holes 9 and 24, which can be selectively aligned according to the height intended and receive a locking pin 25 at the selected height.

In this case the individual or patient is placed on the platform and exercises by turning the handles 2 of the unit 1. According to another possible embodiment of the invention (fig. 4), the apparatus is a column featuring a bench for the individual or patient. This version is substantially the same as that shown in figure 3 added by an adjustable bench 28 arranged in front of the fixed column 23, which supports the unit for exercising the upper limbs 1 mounted over the platform 21. The bench 28 height and position between the seat and backrest and backrest inclination may be adjustable in order to best fit the user.

In this case, the patient or individual exercises substantially the same way as in the version shown in figure 3, except that they sit on the adjustable bench 28. According to another possible embodiment (fig. 5), the apparatus is mounted in a bed and formed by the unit itself 1 for exercising the upper limbs provided with a lower, posterior support part 8 and with a frame 20 formed by an oblique arm 23, whose lower end is articulated at a fixed basis 21, the intermediate section has a safety bar 21 ' for supporting the equipment in the event it may fall and the upper end of said oblique arm 23 receives a telescopic arm section whose intermediate section is articulated at a substantially beam-shaped frame 29 and the unit 1 is mounted at the free end; the vertical sections of said beam 29 are finished with shoes 30, which are supported on the floor. The whole assembly is sized in order to work in cooperation with a bed or similar where the patient lies and so that unit 1 remains overhead in the region of the patient's thorax. In this case, the patient lies in bed or similar and holds the handles 2 of the unit 1 and works out.

According to another possible embodiment (figs. 6 and 7), the apparatus is similar to an exercise bike, but unlike what is shown in Figure 2, the apparatus is not provided with a mechanism for exercising the lower limbs. In this case, the apparatus is formed by the association of the unit for exercising the upper limbs 1 with a frame 20 similar to an exercise bike without the mechanism for exercising the legs. Thus, the apparatus consists of unit 1 formed by: the pair of opposite handles 2, axis 3 integral to the handles; exercise load mechanism comprising at least a toothed wheel 5 integral to the axis 3; a chain 10 engaged with the toothed wheel 5; and the load wheel mounted in the axis (not shown), the axis engaged with the chain 10 and a torque adjusting device 6 is still provided to be associated with the load. In this case, the frame 20 is essentially in the form of an exercise bike, but without the pedals, comprising essentially: shoes 21 supported on the floor; a casing mounted over the shoes, the mechanism which sets the exercise load housed and mounted in the casing, such mechanism being subject to the handle assembly 2, toothed wheel 5 and chain 10; stirrups 31 arranged at opposite sides of the casing and over lateral extensions of the shoes; a height adjustable saddle 27 arranged at the upper posterior corner of the casing; an anterior column 23 arranged in front of the saddle and where the unit 1 is mounted; and fairing 32 which covers the toothed wheel and chain. Thus, the apparatus is substantially formed by an exercise bike 20, and in the place of the handle bar, it includes the unit for exercising the upper limbs 1 without pedals for exercising the lower limbs.

From the above-mentioned basic construction, the apparatus object of the present patent can incorporate changes of materials, dimensions, constructive details and/or functional and/or ornamental configuration without departing from the scope of protection requested. In view of the foregoing, and according to a preferred construction of the mechanism, the unit for exercising the upper limbs 1 (fig. 8A ,8B) comprises essentially: the pair of opposite handles 2; the axis 3 supported over bearings of casing 7, and at whose ends the handles 2 are integral; toothed wheel 5 integral to the axis 3; driving chain 10 coupled with the toothed wheel; second toothed wheel 11 where the chain 10 is coupled; wheel for setting the exercise load 12; second axis 13, where the toothed wheels 11 and the wheel for setting the exercise load 12 are integrally mounted, and said axis mounted at casing 7 by means of a chain stretching device; torque adjusting device 6 formed by: adjustment screws 14 screwed in the seat of the upper face of the casing 7 and provided with a gauntlet outside it; a tightening belt 15, an end fastened to the screw end 14 inside the casing and opposite to the gauntlet, the body of said belt holding tight one sector of the wheel for setting the exercise load 12 and the opposite end being anchored to the lower face of the casing 7, said casing comprising a case containing the mechanism and the inner posterior corner of the case incorporating a support part 8 in the foπn of a column section, which can be mounted according to the different forms that frame 20 can take over.

Claims

I)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", characterized essentially by: the unit itself for exercising the upper limbs (1), over which the individual or patient works out directly; and a frame (20) where the unit (1) is mounted suitably according to the individual's or patient's disability, and which facilitates the access of the individual or patient to the unit (1) during exercise; said unit (1) consisting essentially of: a pair of opposite handles (2) integral to an axis (3) over which the individual or patient works out; a mechanism for setting the exercise load comprising wheel(s) (5) subject to the handles and torque adjustment device (6) adjusted by means of a button or other means; said unit (1) further comprising a casing (7) where the whole mechanism is housed and mounted, said casing being provided with a support part (8), which is mounted on the corresponding support part of the frame (20), which receives the unit (1).

2)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it is wall mounted with height adjustment and provided with a frame (20), which receives the unit (1) comprising essentially a fixed basis (21), which is mounted on a wall (22) and provided with a guide-shaped support part (23) which receives the support part (8) of the unit (1) and is provided with through holes for height adjustment (24); the supporting wall (8) of the unit (1) is a column at whose upper end the unit (1) is perpendicularly mounted, and regularly spaced through holes for height adjustment (9) are provided along the column, and said column is arranged in the guide-shaped support part (23); said holes (9) of the support part (8) of unit (1) and holes (24) of the guide-shaped support part (23) of the frame (20) can be selectively aligned according to the height intended for the unit (1) and receive a locking pin (25), which locks the unit (1) at the selected height.

3)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 1 characterized by the association of the unit for exercising the upper limbs (1) with the frame (20) consisting of an exercise bike, without the handle bar, which is instead replaced by the unit (1).

^" 4)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF

PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 3 characterized in that the unit for exercising (1) features a support part (8) comprising essentially a column provided with through holes for height adjustment (9); the frame (20) is formed by part of an exercise bike and comprises essentially: shoes (21) supporting on the floor; pedal driven mechanism for setting the exercise load for the lower limbs (26), the mechanism being housed in the casing arranged over the pads (21); height adjustable saddle (27) arranged at the upper, posterior corner of the casing; column (23) arranged in front of the saddle, provided with height adjustment holes (24) and where the column-shaped support part

(8) of the unit (1) is mounted capable of being slid (telescopic); said holes

(9) and (24) for height adjustment can be selectively aligned according to the height intended for the unit (1), and receive a pin (25) for locking the unit at the selected height. 5)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that it is a column apparatus formed by the unit for exercising the upper limbs (1) provided with a support part (8) comprising essentially a column provided with through holes for height adjustment (9) and the frame (20) comprising essentially: a fixed column (23) at whose upper end the column-shaped support part (8) of the unit (1) is inserted and slidable (telescopic), and height adjustment holes (24) are provided along said fixed column (23) and the lower end of said fixed column (23) is fastened to a platform (21) supported on the floor; said columns (8) and (23) are provided with height adjustment holes (9) and (24), which can be selectively aligned according to the height intended and receive a pin (25) for locking the unit at the selected height.

6)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 1 or 5 characterized in that it is a column apparatus provided with an adjustable bench (28) for the individual or patient placed in front of the fixed column (23), which supports the unit for exercising the upper limbs (1); said fixed column (23) and the bench (28) are mounted over the platform (21). I)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that it is a bed apparatus formed by the unit for exercising the upper limbs (1) provided with a lower, posterior support part (8) and the frame (20) formed by an oblique arm (23), whose lower end is articulated at a fixed basis (21), the intermediate section featuring a safety bar (21 ') and the upper end receiving a section of the telescopic arm whose intermediate section is articulated at a substantially beam-shaped frame (29) and the unit (1) is mounted at the free end; the vertical sections of said beam (29) are finished with shoes (30), which are supported on the floor, and the whole assembly is sized to work in cooperation with a bed or similar where the patient lies and so that the unit (1) remains overhead substantially above the region of the patient's thorax. 8)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 1 characterized by the association of the unit for exercising the upper limbs (1) with a frame (20) similar to an exercise bike without the pedals.

9)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 8 characterized by the unit (1) formed by: the pair of opposite handles (2), the axis (3) integral to the handles; the exercise load mechanism comprising at least a toothed wheel (5) integral to the axis (3); chain (10) engaged with the toothed wheel (5); and load wheel mounted at the axis engaged with the chain (10), and a torque adjusting device (6) associated with the load is also provided; the frame (20) has essentially the form of an exercise bike, but without the pedals, comprising essentially: shoes (21) supported on the floor; casing mounted over the shoes and housing the mechanism for setting the exercise load, which in its turn is mounted in the case and subject to the assembly including handle (2), toothed wheel (5) and chain (10); stirrups (31) arranged at the opposite sides of the casing and over lateral extensions of the shoes; height adjustable saddle (27) arranged at the upper, posterior corner of the casing; anterior column (23) arranged in front of the saddle and where the unit (1) is mounted; and fairing (32) which covers the toothed wheel and chain. 10)- "APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE UPPER LIMBS OF PEOPLE OR PATIENT WITH DIVERSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS", as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 or 6 or 7 characterized in that the mechanism of the unit for exercising the upper limbs (1) comprises essentially: the pair of opposite handles (2); the axis (3) supported over bearings of the casing (7) and at whose ends handles (2) are integral; toothed wheel (5) integral to the axis (3); driving chain (10) coupled with the toothed wheel; second toothed wheel (11) where the chain is coupled (10); wheel for setting the exercise load (12); second axis (13) where the toothed wheel (11) and the wheel for setting the exercise load (12) are integrally mounted and said axis is mounted by means of the chain stretching device on the casing (7); the torque adjusting device (6) formed by: adjustment screws (14) screwed to the seat of the upper face of the casing (7) and provided with a gauntlet outside it; tightening belt (15), whose one end is fastened to the end of the screw (14) inside the casing and opposite to the gauntlet, the body of said belt holds tight one sector of the wheel for setting the exercise load (12), and the opposite end is anchored to the lower face of the casing (7), said casing comprising a case containing the mechanism and at whose lower, posterior corner a support part (8) in the form of a column section is incorporated, which can be mounted according to the different forms that frame (20) can take over.