The present disclosure relates generally to equipment for exercising. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a device that can be used by a mobility-impaired user, such as user of a wheelchair.
Various exercises have been utilized to develop and train various areas of the body. Exercises have historically been performed with resistance provided by free weights, such as barbells or machines, or even using a user's body as resistance.
Many exercise devices contain adjustment features allowing a user to adapt the exercise devices for a particular exercises. Many of the adjustment features are not accessible to users with impaired mobility. Further, many areas of the assembly will not accommodate devices, such as wheelchairs, frequently utilized by users with impaired mobility. Thus, a mobility-impaired user cannot effectively train on many exercise devices.
An apparatus according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an exercise device providing an exercise area configured to receive a wheelchair, at least one primary handle moveable by a first user in the wheelchair from a first position to a second position, and a resistance assembly that opposes movement of the at least one primary handle. At least one spotter handle is coupled to move together with the at least one primary handle. The at least one spotter handle is accessible by a second user from a position outside the exercise area.
In another example of the foregoing apparatus, the primary handle comprises a first primary handle to be positioned on a first lateral side of the first user and a second primary handle to be positioned on an opposing, second lateral side of the first user. The spotter handle comprises a first spotter handle to be positioned on the first lateral side and a second spotter handle to be positioned on the second lateral side.
In another example of any of the foregoing apparatus, the apparatus further comprises a wheelchair guide to position the wheelchair within the exercise area.
In another example of any of the foregoing apparatus, the apparatus further comprises a link coupling movement of the at least one primary handle together with movement of the at least one spotter handle. The wheelchair guide is positioned between the link and the exercise area.
In another example of any of the foregoing apparatus, the apparatus further comprises a second exercise area that is separate and distinct from the first exercise area, and a pick accessible from the second exercise area. Exercises using the pick are resisted with the resistance assembly.
In another example of any of the foregoing apparatus, the resistance assembly comprises a weight stack.
In another example of any of the foregoing apparatus, the apparatus further comprises a lap pad configured to stabilize a user between the lap pad and the wheelchair when the user is utilizing the pick.
In another example of any of the foregoing apparatus, the lap pad is pivotable back and forth between a first position where the lap pad extends substantially vertically and a second position where the lap pad extends substantially horizontally.
An exercise device for a user in a wheelchair according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an automatically adjustable pick.
In another example of the foregoing exercise device, a belt is secured to the pick. The belt is configured to be driven to move the pick.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the belt is looped such that opposing ends of the belt are secured to the pick.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the belt is clamped to the pick.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the belt is a toothed belt.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the device comprises a sprocket to drive the belt to move the pick.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the pick is configured to adjust between a first position that is vertically above a head of a user during use, and a second position that is vertically below a knee of the user during use.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the pick is configured to be infinitely adjustable between the first position and the second position.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, a lap pad is configured to stabilize a user between the lap pad and a wheelchair.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the lap pad is pivotable back and forth between a first position where the lap pad extends substantially vertically and a second position where the lap pad extends substantially horizontally.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the lap pad is pivotable about a pivot location on a first side of the user to a selectively engage a support on a second side of the user that is opposite the first side.
An exercise device for a user in a wheelchair according to yet another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a pivotable lap pad configured to stabilize a user between the lap pad and a wheelchair.
In another example of the foregoing exercise device, the lap pad is pivotable back and forth between a first position where the lap pad extends substantially vertically and a second position where the lap pad extends substantially horizontally.
In another example of any of the foregoing exercise devices, the lap pad is pivotable about a pivot location on a first side of the user to a selectively engage a support on a second side of the user that is opposite the first side.
A method of exercising when positioned within a wheelchair includes, among other things, positioning a user and the wheelchair within an exercise area of an exercise device, and moving a primary handle of an exercise device. The moving of the primary handle is resisted by a resistance device. The method includes moving a spotter handle to assist the moving of the primary handle. The spotter handle is coupled in movement together with the primary handle.
In another example of the foregoing method, the moving of the primary handle is a pivoting movement around a first axis, and the moving of the spotter handle is a pivoting movement around a second axis spaced from the first axis.
In another example of the any of the foregoing methods, the method comprises moving to another exercise area and automatically adjusting a height of a pick.
In another example of the any of the foregoing methods, the method comprises pivoting a lap pad from a first position where the lap pad extends substantially vertically and a second position where the lap pad extends substantially horizontally, stabilizing the user between the lap pad and a wheelchair, and exercising using the pick.
The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The figures that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
Referring to
Exercise, in this disclosure, encompasses training, therapy, drills, calisthenics, and other pursuits requiring physical effort.
Referring now to
The row bars 32 are coupled to chest press bars 40 via a linking member 42. The chest press bars 40 are attached to a weight stack 44 via a belt 46. When the user pivots the row bars 32 about the pivot Rp, the linking member 42 pulls the chest press bars 40 causing the chest press bars 40 to pivot about a chest press pivot Cp. The weight stack 44 provides resistance to the rowing exercise through the belt 46, the chest press bars 40, the linking member 42, and the row bars 32.
Notably, a trainer (not shown) may press and pull on the chest press bars 40 to assist or “spot” the user during the rowing exercise as needed. This assistance can be provided in an area clear from the wheelchair 26 and outside the exercise area 18. When used for spotting, the chest press bars 40 are considered spotter handles.
The user may adjust the position of the pad 34 via a pin and socket type attachment to place the rowing handles 30 at a desired location relative to the user when the user's chest is pressed against the pad 34.
Referring to
When performing the chest press, the user grasps chest press handles 43 extending from the chest press bars 40. The pivoting movement of the chest press bars 40 as the user pushes the chest press handles 43 forward pulls the row bars 32 forward via the linking member 42. Forward movement of the chest press handles 43 and chest press bars 40 is resisted by the weight stack 44, which, again, is coupled to the chest press bar 40 via the belt 46. The trainer may manipulate the position of the rowing handles 30 to assist the user when performing the chest press. During this exercise, the chest press handles 43 act as user handles, and the rowing handles 30 act a spotter handles.
The chest press handles 43 are moveable between the retracted position of
Referring to
The first exercise area 14 may include guides 56 to help position the user, and the user's wheelchair, within the first exercise area 14. The guides 56 also prevent the wheelchair 26 from interfering with the moveable linking member 42 and other moveable structures. Many exercises are possible within the first exercise area 14. These exercises are accessible to the user confined to a wheelchair.
Referring now to
One of the supports 58′ is hingably secured to the tower 60. The user may pivot the support 58′ by moving the handles 62. The user may pivot the support 58′ when entering or leaving the second exercise area 18. In other examples, both supports 58, 58′ may pivot relative to the tower 60.
Handles 62 extend vertically upward from the supports 58, 58′. A lap pad 68 is hingably connected to the supports 58. The lap pad 68 can be rotated to lift the lap pad 68 vertically. This allows user to enter the second exercise area 18. When the wheelchair 26 and user are properly positioned within the second exercise area 18, the user rotates the lap pad 68 from the position in
The user then rotates the support 58 in a direction S (
If a vertical height adjustment of the lap pad 68 is required, the supports 58, 58′ may be adjusted between one of several positions on the tower 60 by selectively engaging with one of several apertures 74.
After the user has appropriately positioned themselves within the second exercise area 18, the user may adjust a location of the adjustable pick 22. In this example, the user presses one of two buttons 78 positioned on each of the supports 58, 58′ to adjust the vertical height of the adjustable pick 22. Actuating the button 78 causes a motor 84 to rotate and move a belt 80 (see
The adjustable pick 22 is effectively infinitely adjustable between a lowest position that is, in this example, below the knees of the user (see
As can be appreciated, various exercises may be performed using a cable 88 that is attached to the weight stack 44. Example exercises include the overhead rope pull shown in
Other example exercises include the bicep curl shown in
The adjustable pick 22 rides along the rail 86 when moved by the motor 84 and the adjustment belt 80. The example belt 80 is a toothed belt, which helps avoid slippage of the motor 84 on the rail 86. The motor 84 turns a sprocket 82 to drive the belt 80. The cable 88 loops over the top of the belt 80 through two horizontally spaced guide pulleys 90.
Features of the disclosed examples include an automatically, infinitely adjustable pick point location. Also, two primary belts and a single weight stack are used for effectively three machines—a row, chest press, and overhead press. The adjustable pick exercises are also off of the same weight stack.
A single user, such as a user seated within a wheelchair, can complete an effective workout, including making desired adjustments to weights and positions, without requiring a spotter or training partner.
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/855,066, which was filed on 7 May 2013 and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61855066 | May 2013 | US |