Isokinetic exercise and monitoring machine

Claim 2

An isokinetic exercise and monitoring machine adapted to exercise and monitor an individual, the individual having a midsagittal plane, a front surface, a rear surface, a first body portion and a second body portion, and having a first axis located generally in a transverse plane between the body portions and about which the body portions can rotate with respect to one another, said machine comprising: (a) first means for restraining the first body portion; (b) second means for restraining the second body portion, said second restraining means being configured for movement with respect to said first restraining means about a second axis, said second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis and the midsagittal plane intersecting said second restraining means at a midpoint of said second restraining means when the individual is restrained by said first and second restraining means; (c) a dynamometer having a first member and a second member, said second member being configured for movement with respect to said first member; (d) first means for operatively connecting said first dynamometer member to said first restraining means; and (e) second means for operatively connecting said second dynamometer member to said second restraining means, said second connecting means being operatively connected to said second restraining means substantially at said midpoint, whereby movement of said second body portion about the first axis causes movement of said second restraining means about said second axis causing said second dynamometer member to move relative to said first dynamometer member.

Claim 3

The machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said first dynamometer member comprises a dynamometer base and said first connecting means comprises a support frame.

Claim 4

The machine as recited in claim 2, wherein said second dynamometer member comprises a lever arm configured for rotational movement with respect to said dynamometer base, said lever arm having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally connected to said dynamometer base, and said second connecting means comprising means for length adjustment, said length adjustment means being pivotally connected to said second end of said lever arm and pivotally connected to said second restraint means, whereby said length adjustment means permits adjustment of a distance between said second end of said lever arm and said second restraint means.

Claim 5

The machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said length adjustment means comprises a first link rod having a first end and a second end, a turnbuckle, and a second link rod having a first end and a second end, said second ends of said link rods being in threaded engagement with said turnbuckle, said first end of said first link rod being pivotally connected to said second end of said lever arm, and said first end of said second link rod being pivotally connected to said second restraining means, whereby axial rotation of said turnbuckle in a first direction causes said length adjustment means to increase said distance between said second end of said lever arm and said second restraining means, and axial rotation of said turnbuckle in a second direction causes said length adjustment means to decrease said distance between said second end of said lever arm and said second restraining means.

Claim 6

The machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said second restraining means comprises means for pivoting said second restraining means about said second axis, wherein said pivoting means comprises a swing arm, means for operatively connecting said swing arm to said second restraining means, and means for pivotally connecting said swing arm to said support frame.

Claim 7

The machine as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for limiting the rotational movement of said swing arm.

Claim 8

The machine as recited in claim 6, wherein said movement limiting means comprises a stop, said stop connected to said support frame and configured to engage said swing arm at a predetermined point in the rotational movement of said swing arm.

Claim 9

The machine as recited in claim 7, wherein said stop comprises a spring, said spring being deformed upon engagment of said swing arm and said stop.

Claim 10

The machine as recited in claim 8, wherein said machine further comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to said support frame, said wheels being adapted to support said machine, thereby making said machine rollable on a substantially planar and horizontal surface.

Claim 11

The machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said second restraining means comprises a first crosspiece assembly, a second crosspiece assembly, and a crosspiece assembly interconnection link, said crosspiece assemblies configured to sandwich the individual and having crosspiece assembly longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the first axis when the individual is sandwiched therebetween, said interconnection link connecting a first end of said first crosspiece assembly to a first end of said second crosspiece assembly, said axes being substantially perpendicular to said interconnection link, and said second connecting means being connected to said first crosspiece assembly.

Claim 12

The machine as recited in claim 10, wherein said first and second crosspiece assemblies are configured for rotation about said crosspiece assembly axes.

Claim 13

The machine as recited in claim 11, wherein each of said first and second crosspiece assemblies comprises a crosspiece rod having means for adjustment at a first end, said first ends of said crosspiece rods being proximate to said first ends of said crosspiece assemblies, said first ends of said crosspiece rods operatively connected to said interconnection link, and each of said first and second crosspiece assemblies comprising a crosspiece pipe, said crosspiece pipes being concentric to said crosspiece rods and configured to freely rotate thereupon, and each of said crosspiece pipes having a cushion roller attached to and substantially encircling an outside surface of said respective crosspiece pipe, wherein said adjustment means allows said crosspiece assemblies to be repositioned along a longitudunal axis of said interconnection link.

Claim 14

The machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said first connecting means comprises a support frame and said interconnection link is operatively coupled to said support frame by a means for pivoting said second restraining means about said second axis.

Claim 15

The machine as recited in claim 13, wherein said second connecting means is operatively connected to said first crosspiece pipe.

Claim 16

The machine as recited in claim 14, wherein said machine further comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to said support frame, said wheels being adapted to support said machine, thereby making said machine rollable on a substantially planar and horizontal surface.

Claim 17

The machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the first body portion comprises the individual's inferior body with respect to the transverse plane, the second said portion comprises the individual's superior body with respect to the transverse plane, the individual's inferior body being oriented in a substantially upright orientation, said first restraining means adapted to restrain the individual's inferior body in a substantially vertical plane, said machine further comprising means for vertically moving the individual with respect to said first and second restraining means, and said vertical moving means being operatively connected to said first connecting means.

Claim 18

The machine as recited in claim 16, wherein said first connecting means comprises a support frame, and said vertical moving means comprises a substantially horizontal platform adapted to support the individual and means for vertically adjusting said platform.

Claim 19

The machine as recited in claim 17, wherein said platform vertical adjustment means comprises a vertically-oriented worm gear having a male worm thread and rotatably connected to said support frame, a driven block having a female worm thread in threaded engagement with said worm gear, said driven block being operatively connected to said platform.

Claim 20

The machine as recited in claim 18, wherein said worm gear is operatively connected to an output shaft of an electric motor, whereby rotation of said output shaft causes said worm gear to rotate.

Claim 21

The machine as recited in claim 19, wherein said first restraining means comprises an inferior rear restraint adapted to engage the individual's inferior rear surface, an inferior front restraint being adapted to engage the individual's inferior front surface, and means for attaching said inferior rear restraint to said inferior front restraint, whereby the individual's inferior body is sandwiched between said inferior rear restraint and said inferior front restraint.

Claim 22

The machine as recited in claim 20, wherein said inferior rear restraint comprises a substantially planar back board and said inferior front restraint comprises a strap attached at its ends to said back board.

Claim 23

The machine as recited in claim 21, further comprising means for horizontally adjusting said first restraining means in a direction parallel to the individual's midsagittal plane when the individual's inferior body is restrained by said first restraining means.

Claim 24

The machine as recited in claim 22, wherein said horizontal adjustment means comprises an adjustment member fixedly attached to said back board in perpendicular relation thereto, and a means for engaging said adjustment member, said engaging means being operatively connected to said support frame.

Claim 25

The machine as recited in claim 23, wherein said machine further comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to said support frame, said wheels being adapted to support said machine, thereby making said machine rollable on a substantially planar and horizontal surface.

Claim 26

An isokinetic exercise and monitoring machine adapted to exercise and monitor an individual, the individual having a midsagittal plane, a front surface, a rear surface, a first body portion and a second body portion, and having a first axis located generally in a transverse plane between the body portions and about which the body portions can rotate with respect to one another, said machine comprising: (a) first means for restraining the first body portion; (b) second means for restraining the second body portion, said second restraining means being configured for movement with respect to said first restraining means about a second axis, said second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis and the midsagittal plane intersecting said second restraining means at a midpoint of said second restraining means when the individual is restrained by said first and second restraining means; (c) first means for operatively connecting a first dynamometer member to said first restraining means; and (d) second means for operatively connecting a second dynamometer member to said second restraining means, said second connecting means being operatively connected to said second restraining means substantially at said midpoint, whereby movement of said second body portion about the first axis causes movement of said second restraining means about said second axis causing said second dynamometer member to move relative to said first dynamometer member when said dynamometer is operatively connected to said machine.

Claim 27

An isokinetic exercise and monitoring machine adapted to exercise and monitor an individual, the individual having a midsagittal plane, a front surface, a rear surface, a first body portion and a second body portion, and having a first axis located generally in a transverse plane between the body portions and about which the body portions can rotate with respect to one another, said machine comprising: (a) first means for restraining the first body portion; (b) second means for restraining the second body portion, said second restraining means being configured for movement with respect to said first restraining means about a second axis, said second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis and the midsagittal plane intersecting said second restraining means at a midpoint of said second restraining means when the individual is restrained by said first and second restraining means; (c) first means for operatively connecting a first dynamometer member to said first restraining means; and (d) second means for operatively connecting a second dynamometer member to said second restraining means, said second connecting means being operatively connected to said second restraining means substantially at said midpoint, whereby movement of said second body portion about the first axis causes movement of said second restraining means about said second axis causing said second dynamometer member to move relative to said first dynamometer member when said dynamometer is operatively connected to said machine.

Claim 28

The machine as recited in claim 25, wherein said first dynamometer member comprises a dynamometer base and said first connecting means comprises a support frame.

Claim 29

The machine as recited in claim 26, wherein said second dynamometer member comprises a lever arm configured for rotational movement with respect to said dynamometer base, said lever arm having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally connected to said dynamometer base, and said second connecting means comprising means for length adjustment, said length adjustment means being pivotally connected to said second end of said lever arm and pivotally connected to said second restraint means, whereby said length adjustment means permits adjustment of a distance between said second end of said lever arm and said second restraint means.

Claim 30

The machine as recited in claim 27, wherein said length adjustment means comprises a first link rod having a first end and a second end, a turnbuckle, and a second link rod having a first end and a second end, said second ends of said link rods being in threaded engagement with said turnbuckle, said first end of said first link rod being pivotally connected to said second end of said lever arm, and said first end of said second link rod being pivotally conencted to said second restraining means, whereby axial rotation of said turnbuckle in a first direction causes said length adjustment means to increase said distance between said second end of said lever arm and said second restraining means, and axial rotation of said turnbuckle in a second direction causes said length adjustment means to decrease said distance between said second end of said lever arm and said second restraining means.

Claim 31

The machine as recited in claim 28, wherein said second restraining means comprises means for pivoting said second restraining means about said second axis, wherein said pivoting means comprises a swing arm, means for operatively connecting sad swing arm to said second restraining means, and means for pivotally connecting said swing arm to said support frame.

Claim 32

The machine as recited in claim 29, further comprising means for limiting the rotational movement of said swing arm.

Claim 33

The machine as recited in claim 30, wherein said movement limiting means comprises a stop, said stop connected to said support frame and configured to engage said swing arm at a predetermined point in the rotational movement of said swing arm.

Claim 34

The machine as recited in claim 31, wherein said stop comprises a spring, said spring being deformed upon engagment of said swing arm and said stop.

Claim 35

The machine as recited in claim 32, wherein said machine further comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to said support frame, wheels being adapted to support said machine, thereby making said machine rollable on a substantially planar and horizontal surface.

Claim 36

The machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the first body portion comprises the individual's inferior body with respect to the transverse plane, the second said portion comprises the individual's superior body with respect to the transverse plane, the individual's inferior body being oriented in a substantially upright orientation, said first restraining means adapted to restrain the individual's inferior body in a substantially vertical plane, said machine further comprising means for vertically moving the individual with respect to said first and second restraining means, and said vertical moving means being operatively connected to said first connecting means.

Claim 37

The machine as recited in claim 34, wherein said first connecting means comprises a support frame, and said vertical moving means comprises a substantially horizontal platform adapted to support the individual and means for vertically adjusting said platform.

Claim 38

The machine as recited in claim 35, wherein said platform vertical adjustment means comprises a vertically-oriented worm gear having a male worm thread and rotatably connected to said support frame, a driven block having a female worm thread in threaded engagement with said worm gear, said driven block being operatively connected to said platform.

Claim 39

The machine as recited in claim 36, wherein said worm gear is operatively connected to an output shaft of an electric motor, whereby rotation of said output shaft causes said worm gear to rotate.

Claim 40

The machine as recited in claim 37, wherein said first restraining means comprises an inferior rear restraint adapted to engage the individual's inferior rear surface, an inferior front restraint being adapted to engage the individual's inferior front surface, and means for attaching said inferior rear restraint to said inferior front restraint, whereby the individual's inferior body is sandwiched between said inferior rear restraint and said inferior front restraint.

Claim 41

The machine as recited in claim 38, wherein said inferior rear restrant comprises a substantially planar back board and said inferior front restraint comprises a strap attached at its ends to said back board.

Claim 42

The machine as recited in claim 39, further comprising means for horizontally adjusting said first restraining means in a direction parallel to the individual's midsagittal plane when the individual's inferior body is restrained by said first restraining means.

Claim 43

The machine as recited in claim 40, wherein said horizontal adjustment means comprises an adjustment member fixedly attached to said back board in perpendicular relation thereto, and a means for engaging said adjustment member, said engagement means being operatively connected to said support frame.

Claim 44

The machine as recited in claim 41, wherein said machine further comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to said support frame, said wheels being adapted to support said machine, thereby making said machine rollable on a substantially planar and horizontal surface.

Claim 45

An isokinetic exercise and monitoring machine adapted to exercise and monitor an individual, the individual having a midsagittal plane, a lower body portion, an upper body portion and a coronal plane, the upper body being rotatable with respect to the lower body about a first axis located substantially in the coronal plane, said machine comprising: (a) a support frame; (b) first means for restraining the lower body portion, said first means operatively connected to said support frame; (c) second means for restraining the upper body portion, said second means being pivotally connected to said support frame, allowing said second restraining means to pivot with respect to said support frame about a second axis, said second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis and the midsagittal plane intersecting said second restraining means at a midpoint of said second restraining means when the individual is restrained by said first and second restraining means; (d) a dynamometer having a base and a lever arm, said lever arm being pivotally connected to said dynamometer base; (e) first means for fixedly connecting said dynamometer base to said support frame; and (f) second means for pivotally connecting said lever arm to said second restraining means, said second connecting means being operatively connected to said second restraining means substantially at said midpoint, whereby movement of the individual's upper body portion causes movement of said second restraining means about said second axis causing said lever arm to pivot on said dynamometer base.

Claim 46

An isokinetic exercise and monitoring machine adapted to exercise and monitor an individual, the individual having a midsagittal plane, a lower body portion, an upper body portion and a coronal plane, the upper body being rotatable with respect to the lower body about a first axis located substantially in the coronal plane, said machine comprising: (a) a support frame; (b) first means for restraining the lower body portion, said first means operatively connected to said support frame; (c) second means for restraining the upper body portion, said second means being pivotally connected to said support frame, allowing said second restraining means to pivot with respect to said support frame about a second axis, said second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis and the midsagittal plane intersecting said second restraining means at a midpoint of said second restraining means when the individual is restrained by said first and second restraining means; (d) a dynamometer having a base and a lever arm, said lever arm being pivotally connected to said dynamometer base; (e) first means for fixedly connecting said dynamometer base to said support frame; and (f) second means for pivotally connecting said lever arm to said second restraining means, said second connecting means being operatively connected to said second restraining means substantially at said midpoint, whereby movement of the individual's upper body portion causes movement of said second restraining means about said second axis causing said lever arm to pivot on said dynamometer base.

Claim 47

The machine as recited in claim 43, wherein said second restraining means comprises a first crosspiece assembly having a longitudinal axis, a second crosspiece assembly having a longitudinal axis, and an interconnection link, said crosspiece assemblies operatively connected by said interconnection link and being adapted to sandwich the individual's upper body portion, said longitudinal axes being substantially parallel to the first and said second axes.

Claim 48

The machine as recited in claim 44, wherein said second restraining means comprises a swing arm, said swing arm being fixedly attached to said interconnection link and pivotally connected to said support frame.

Claim 49

The machine as recited in claim 45, said machine further comprising a spring-loaded stop fixedly attached to said support frame, said stop engaging said swing arm at a predetermined point in the rotation of said swing arm about said second axis.

Claim 50

The machine as recited in claim 46, said machine further comprising a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to said support frame, said wheels being adapted to support said machine, thereby making said machine rollable on a substantially planar and horizontal surface.

Claim 51

The machine as recited in claim 47, said machine further comprising a vertically adjustable platform operatively attached to said support frame, said platform being adapted to support the individual.

Claim 52

The machine as recited in claim 48, said machine further comprising an electric motor, said electric motor operatively connected to said platform, whereby said platform is vertically adjusted in response to rotational movement of an output shaft of said electric motor.

Claim 53

The machine as recited in claim 49, further comprising means for horizontally adjusting said first restraining means in a direction parallel to the individual's midsagittal plane when the individual's lower body portion is restrained by said first restraining means.

Claim 54

The machine as recited in claim 50, said horizontal adjustment means comprising an adjustment member fixedly attached to said first restraining means, and a means for releasably engaging said adjustment member, said engaging means being operatively connected to said support frame.

Claim 55

An isokinetic exercise and monitoring machine adapted to exercise and monitor an individual's back muscles, the individual having a midsagittal plane, a lower body and an upper body, and having a first axis located generally at the intersection of the individual's coronal plane and a transverse plane separating the upper and lower body portions and about which the body portions can rotate with respect to one another, said machine comprising: (a) a support frame; (b) means for restraining the individual's lower body adjustably connected to said support frame, said lower body restraining means being horizontally adjustable in a direction parallel to the individual's midsagittal plane when the individual's lower body is restrained by said lower body restraining means; (c) means for restraining the individual's upper body comprising a swing arm, said swing arm being pivotally connected to said support frame, and said swing arm being pivotable about a second axis; (d) a dynamometer having a base and a lever arm, said lever arm being pivotally connected to said base, said base being fixedly connected to said support frame and said lever arm being pivotally connected to said upper body restraining means; (e) a spring-loaded stop fixedly attached to said support frame and positioned to engage said swing arm at a predetermined point in said swing arm's rotational movement about said second axis; and (f) vertical adjustment means comprising a platform adapted to support the individual, said platform being operatively connected to a reversible electric motor, energization of said electric motor causing its output shaft to move in either a first or a second direction causing said platform to move either up or down, whereby movement of the individual's upper body about the first axis causes movement of said second restraining means about said second axis causing said lever arm to rotate about said dynamometer base.

Claim 56

An isokinetic exercise and monitoring machine adapted to exercise and monitor an individual's back muscles, the individual having a midsagittal plane, a lower body and an upper body, and having a first axis located generally at the intersection of the individual's coronal plane and a transverse plane separating the upper and lower body portions and about which the body portions can rotate with respect to one another, said machine comprising: (a) a support frame; (b) means for restraining the individual's lower body adjustably connected to said support frame, said lower body restraining means being horizontally adjustable in a direction parallel to the individual's midsagittal plane when the individual's lower body is restrained by said lower body restraining means; (c) means for restraining the individual's upper body comprising a swing arm, said swing arm being pivotally connected to said support frame, and said swing arm being pivotable about a second axis; (d) a dynamometer having a base and a lever arm, said lever arm being pivotally connected to said base, said base being fixedly connected to said support frame and said lever arm being pivotally connected to said upper body restraining means; (e) a spring-loaded stop fixedly attached to said support frame and positioned to engage said swing arm at a predetermined point in said swing arm's rotational movement about said second axis; and (f) vertical adjustment means comprising a platform adapted to support the individual, said platform being operatively connected to a reversible electric motor, energization of said electric motor causing its output shaft to move in either a first or a second direction causing said platform to move either up or down, whereby movement of the individual's upper body about the first axis causes movement of said second restraining means about said second axis causing said lever arm to rotate about said dynamometer base.