Shuttle training and therapy apparatus

Abstract

A shuttle training and therapy device including in one example: a floor standing fame having a headward end and a footward end; a carriage slidably attached to the frame; a resistance system of elastic cords attached to the footward end of the frame; the elastic cords selectively attached to the carriage; and a range of motion limiting system including a control cord having a first end attached to the carriage, a second end selectively attached to the frame, and an intermediate portion attached to an elastic member attached to the carriage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to an exercise and therapeutic apparatus and more specifically the configuration of elements in addition to a load resistance limiting component.

The disclosure relates to the art of exercise apparatus that consist of a stationary frame, a horizontal moving carriage, a vertical kickplate, a resistance system, a rebound system, and an adjustable range of motion system. The exercising participant is positioned supine on a reciprocating moveable carriage with one or both feet positioned on a vertical kickplate.

The participant self induces an oscillating or reciprocating motion in a longitudinal direction to the carriage against a variable resistance. The kickplate is normally attached to the foot end portion of the frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein is a shuttle training and therapy device comprising in one example: a floor standing fame having a headward end and a footward end; a carriage slidably attached to the frame; a resistance system of elastic cords attached to the footward end of the frame; the elastic cords selectively attached to the carriage; and a range of motion limiting system comprising a control cord having a first end attached to the carriage, a second end selectively attached to the frame, and an intermediate portion attached to an elastic member attached to the carriage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a greyscale side view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side isometric view of a carriage frame sub assembly of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side isometric view of another sub assembly of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a highly schematic side cutaway view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a highly schematic side cutaway view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shuttle training and therapy device 20 is comprised of a support frame 22, a longitudinally rolling/sliding carriage 24, a resistance system 26, a kick plate 28 and further in one form, a range of motion limiting system 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 22 comprises in one form two longitudinally extending frame members 32a and 32b. The frame members 32a and 32b of this example are connected by way of cross members 34a, 34b, and 34c. In this example, there are three cross members 34 employed where the cross member 34c is positioned at the foot end 36 of the frame 22 and the cross member 34a is positioned at the head end 38 of the frame 22. The frame 22 as shown has a foot end 36, a head end 38 and a central region 40. A plurality of legs 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d may be utilized to support the frame members 32a and 32b above a floor 44 (see FIG. 1).

Looking to FIG. 3, it can be seen how the frame members 32a and 32b are formed in this example. As shown in this example, each frame member 32 may have a vertically orientated portion 46 and horizontally extending, vertically offset portions 48a and 48b. As described further herein, each frame member 22 supports and holds wheels 50 of the carriage 24 to maintain the carriage 24 movably positioned upon the frame 22. In this arrangement, the offset portion 48a prohibits upward movement of the wheels 50 relative to the frame 22, and the offset portion 48b prohibits downward movement of the wheels 50 relative to the frame 22. A stopper member 170 may be provided at the head end 38 of the frame 22 to prevent the carriage from longitudinally moving past the head end 38 of the frame 22.

The carriage 24 is movably positioned in a longitudinal direction relative to the frame 22. The carriage 24 of this example is provided with a base member 52 having an upper surface 54 that is adapted to support a patient thereon. In this example, a back rest 56 is attached to the base member 52 to provide padding to conform to the contour of the lower back or other body part of a participant lying thereon. There are numerous orientations an individual can be positioned upon this base member 52, including a sideways orientation where their hips engage the back rest 56, or a downward facing, kneeling like stance where the participant's knees would engage the back rest 56 for comfort and proper support. As further shown the base member 52 can be provided with a removable, sliding, repositionable, or pivoting shoulder rest 58 attached by way of a transversely oriented pivot 60 to the base member 52. The shoulder rest 58 may also utilize an adjustable headrest 62 positioning system which in one form comprises a hook and loop, snap, strap, or equivalent fastening system. In one example, hook and loop fasteners are attached to an upper surface of the shoulder rest 58 and to a lower surface of the headrest 62 thus positionably attaching the headrest 62 to the shoulder rest 58 or back rest 56. Referring to FIG. 3, the headrest 62 is shown with a forward surface 64 adapter to receive force from the exercise participant.

FIG. 2 shows one example of a carriage frame 66 where a lower portion of the carriage 24 with the base member 52 and other components have been removed to show the underlying frame components. In one form, the base member 52 is removable from the carriage frame 66 for maintenance and cleaning. The carriage frame 66 comprises first and second longitudinal carriage frame members 68a and 68b respectively. When assembled, the longitudinal carriage frame members 68a and 68b are positioned laterally inward from the frame members 32a and 32b. These frame members may be connected by one or more laterally extending members such as a foot rest plate 70, rearward cross plate 72, and resistance system engagement plate 74 which may be integral to the rearward cross plate 72. The resistance system engagement plate 74 is utilized to engage the resistance system 26 for application of elastic members 76 attached thereto.

In one form, positioned laterally outwardly from the back rest 56 are first and second guide bars 78a and 78b. User support handles 80a and 80b are optionally attached thereto and can be rotated between an upward pointing orientation, downward pointing orientation or in an outward pointing orientation for grasping by the participant. The handles 80 of one example may also be repositioned longitudinally along the guide bars 78.

In one form, a mobility system 82 comprises of a plurality of vertically rotating weight bearing wheels 50a-d and a plurality of horizontally rotating lateral wheels 84a-d t (two of each not visible in FIG. 2 mirror images of those shown). The mobility system 82 cooperates with the frame 22 in that the wheels 84 are adapted to engage inner surface 86 of the frame 22 to reduce friction, prohibit removal, and allow longitudinal repositioning of the carriage 24 relative to the frame 22. The upper surface of the horizontally extending wheels 84 engage inner surfaces 86 of the horizontal portions 48a and 48b to ensure smooth operation of the device. This arrangement substantially prevents an excessive amount of rotation of the carriage 24 about a vertical axis relative to the frame 22 when the device is operated. It is normally desired to have a minimal amount of “rattling”, undesirable friction or lateral movement of the carriage 24 relative to the frame 22. The horizontally extending wheels 84 may be arranged and installed with a slight interference fit to put a slight outward pressure between the wheels 84 and the inner surface 86 of the frame 22.

The upper surface of the vertically rotating wheels 50 can engage the lower surface of the horizontal portion 48a of the frame members 32 in the presence of a vertical force upon the carriage 22. These horizontal portions 48a and 48b prevent the carriage 24 from lifting, falling or otherwise being separated from the frame 22.

In one form the resistance system includes an attachment system where the resistance system engagement plate 74 comprises surfaces 88 defining a plurality of slots providing an attachment for stops 90 attached to elastic members 76. In one form these slots are vertically extending. In one example, the lateral positioning of the slots at least partially correlates with the orientation of the elastic members 76 attached at 94 to the foot end 36 of frame 22. Between the slots are extension members which may have a slight longitudinal headward extension to more properly engage the stop(s) 90 of the elastic members 76. This attachment system provides a convenient attachment location for the stops 90 of one or more elastic members 76 of the resistance system for providing selective resistance of the carriage 24 in a longitudinal direction with respect to the frame 22 by adjusting the number, operational length, or individual resistance of the elastic members 76.

The cross member 34a in one form provides an anchor points for attachment of a control cord 92 which need not be elastic.

The resistance system 26 operates to provide an adjustable amount of resistance between the carriage 24 and the frame 22 in a longitudinal direction. It is desirable to have a user-friendly, accessible resistance system 26 for adjusting the amount of resistance applied to the carriage 24. One example of a similar resistance system 26 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,297 incorporated herein by reference.

The resistance system 26 of one example is comprised of a plurality of elastic members 76 attached at one end 94 to the foot end 36 frame 22. For convenience purposes each of the members as described herein will be described with the numeral 76 with the alpha character “a”, “b”, etc. following the numeric identifier. As previously described, the surfaces 88 defining the vertically aligned slots are configured to engage the stops 90 of the elastic members 76. It should be noted that the term elastic member is defined broadly for any type of member that resists expansion from a one length to another, either compressive or in tension. In one form, the elastic members are comprised of a conventional bungee cord type material; in other forms various forms of helical springs or the like can be utilized. Further, if the elastic members 76 may be loops, the loop portion could engage for example vertically downward extending portion between two adjacent slots.

It may be desirable to have the elastic member 76 and more particularly the control cord 92 easily reached when in the non-engaged position (not attached to the frame) so the therapist adjusting the tension can more readily grab the central portion of the control cord 76 and reposition the elastic member 76 upward to an engaged orientation where the stop 90 is attached to engagement plate 74 A similar attachment system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,122 incorporated herein by reference.

The range of motion control system 30 effectively limits the range of travel of the carriage with respect to the frame towards the kick plate 28 and may provide a soft stop as the carriage 24 moves in the footward direction. In this example, the range of motion system 30 comprises an adjustment cord 96 attached at one end 98 to the carriage 24 and adjustably attached at the opposing end to the frame 22 at fixing member 100. One such fixing member is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,900 incorporated by reference. The effective length of the adjustment cord 96 may be controlled by adjusting the length of the adjustment cord between the attachment point 98 and the fixing member 100. When using a jam-style cleat, the adjustment cord 96 may be cleated at an unlimited number of positions to fixing member 100 as desired.

An elastic member 102 may be fixed to the carriage such that when the carriage 24 moves toward the foot end 36 of the carriage 36, the distance from the fixing member 100 to the attachment point 98 increases. In this example the elastic member 102 is fixed to the control cord 92 at connection point 104 between the fixing member 100 and the attachment point 98 such that the elastic member will be engaged prior to tensioning of the portion 118 of the control cord 96 between the fixing member 100 and the connection point 104, thus providing increasing resistance opposing the motion of the carriage 24 in the longitudinally foot ward direction. Therefore, it can be appreciated that in one form the range of motion control system 30 will resist motion of the carriage 24 with respect to the frame 22 toward the foot end 36.

As the carriage 24 continues to move toward the foot end 36 as shown in FIG. 5, the carriage 24 will be stopped by the adjustment cord 96 as the distance between the fixing member 100 and the attachment point 98 reaches the effective length of the adjustment cord between the fixing member 100 and the attachment point 98 drawing the adjustment cord 96 taught. The adjustment cord may 96 may be slightly elastic, less elastic than other members, or non-elastic within the force ranges experienced by operation of the device.

FIG. 3 shows a highly schematic representation of the carriage 24 in a headward position 114a far from the foot end 36 where the adjustment cord 96a is loose. As the carriage 24 moves toward the footward end 36 to the position 114b, the elastic member 102 and adjustment cord 96 between connection 104 and fixing member 100 will tighten. The elastic member 102 will continue to stretch to the position 114c where the substantially non-elastic section 116 of the adjustment cord 96 is taught, and the carriage 24 is prohibited from further footward movement by the substantially non-elastic adjustment cord 96. This range of motion control system 30 effectively limits the range of travel of the carriage with respect to the frame towards the kick plate 28 and provides a soft stop to the carriage in the footward direction at a desired location which can be adjusted by repositioning the adjustment cord 96 in the fixing member 100.

The fixing member 100 may alternatively be a hook and loop like attachment mechanism 100′ with one portion 100′a on the adjustment cord 96 and the other portion 100′b attached to the frame 22.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 102 is a length of elastic material such as a length of rubber tubing attached at either end 106a, 106b to the carriage 24 and connected at a middle region to the adjustment cord 96.

The carriage 24 is shown in FIG. 1 sliding on the frame 22 at an incline angle 108 to the floor 44, as the foot end 36 is substantially lower than the head end 38 of the frame 22. In this arrangement, the user may be at a much more comfortable position, and additionally, the inclination 108 may provide for additional resiliency during treatment.

Looking to FIG. 1, the handles 80 are shown pivotably attached to the guide bar 78. In one form, an end knob 110 is rigidly coupled to the extension 112 and threadedly engaged within an end slider, which is operably configured to slide longitudinally along the cylindrical guide bar 78 when released. When the end knob 110 and extension 112 are rotated, tension is released relative to the guide bar 78, such that each handle 80 is permitted to slide longitudinally along the guide bar 78 and may also be permitted to rotate thereabout.

As it is often desired to lock the carriage 24 in relative position to the frame 22, a plurality of extensions 172 may extend laterally from the frame 22. When it is desired to lock the carriage 24 relative to the frame 22, a handle 80 may be released, longitudinally positioned, and simultaneously rotated to fit between the extensions 172 and positioned therebetween while tension is provided between the handle 80 and guide bar 78, such that the handle 78 is temporarily fixed relative to the guide bar 78. This can be accomplished either by substantially tensioning the handle 80 and then rotating it about the guide bar 78 to fit between the extensions, or alternately to position the handle 80 prior to tensioning. The handles 80 are generally provided on both lateral sides of the carriage 24. In practice, a participant may desire to have multiple extensions provided along the frame 22 for even more adjustability; however, it has been found that a single extension pair positioned near the longitudinal centerline of the frame 22 is normally sufficient.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept.

Claims

1. A shuttle training and therapy device comprising: a floor standing frame having a headward end and a footward end;a carriage attached to the frame so as to longitudinally reposition relative thereto;a resistance system of at least one first elastic member attached to the footward end of the frame providing increasing resistance to the carriage as the carriage moves toward the headward end of the frame;the at least one first elastic member selectively attached to the carriage at a first connection point, the resistance system configured to provide the carriage varying resistance toward the headward end of the frame;a range of motion limiting system consisting essentially of a non-elastic control cord having a non-elastic effective length defined by a first end of the non-elastic control cord attached to a second connection point of the carriage, a second end selectively attached to a fixing member near the headward end of the frame, and an intermediate portion attached to a second elastic member at an intermediate point;the second elastic member having a first end directly attached to the carriage;wherein a portion of the non-elastic control cord extends between the intermediate point and the second connection point;wherein the second elastic member is configured to be tensioned between the carriage and the intermediate point prior to tensioning of the portion of the non-elastic control cord between the intermediate point and the second connection point;the range of motion limiting system configured such that movement of the carriage toward the footward end of the frame will be stopped by the non-elastic control cord as a distance between the fixing member and the second connection point reaches the non-elastic effective length of the non-elastic control cord, drawing the non-elastic control cord taught.

2. The shuttle training and therapy device as recited in claim 1 wherein a length of the control cord between the first end and second end is adjustable.

3. The shuttle training and therapy device as recited in claim 2 wherein the control cord comprises a hook and loop system attached thereto such that the hook and loop system positionably attaches the control cord to the headward end of the frame.

4. The shuttle training and therapy device as recited in claim 1 wherein the carriage is positioned on the frame at an incline angle to the floor, wherein the footward end of the frame is substantially lower than the headward end of the frame.