Foot exercising device

Claim 1

An improved foot exercise device comprising a pair of foot pedal structures operatively mounted for pivotal movement 180* out of phase with each other about a front pivot axis oriented transversely of the plane of pivotal movement of said foot pedal structures, a first shaft journalled for rotation along a second motion axis disposed rearwardly and substantially parallel to said front pivot axis, a powering motor and a cranking mechanism disposed at opposite ends of said first shaft, a second shaft disposed along a third motion axis above and substantially parallel to said second motion axis and operatively connected to be actuated in oscillating movement by said cranking mechanism of said first shaft, link means connected between said second shaft and said foot pedal structures for transmitting oscillating movement of said second shaft so as to cause 180* out of phase pivotal movement in said foot pedal structures, said link means including two cooperating first links which are each connected to extend radially of said first pivot axis in 180* out of phase relationship, and two second links which are each connected from said second shaft to each of said first links, a counting switch means mounted in counting relation adjacent one end of said second shaft to record each oscillating traverse of said second shaft, and a movement-opposing device mounted adjacent the opposite end of said second shaft to selectively resist oscillating movement thereof, whereby said motor operates said exercise device during a passive phase and at other intervals the patient operates said device using an effort dictated by said selected resistance to movement of said second shaft.