US4572501A — Exercise device for attachment to a wheelchair

Claim 1

Independent Claim 336 words

An exercise device of the type which is removably attached to wheelchairs and used for exercising the limbs of disabled or partially paralyzed persons, said device comprising: (a) a support frame having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, both of said portions having height and length dimension balanced to the dimensions of the wheelchair for stability; said horizontal portion having a pair of guide wheels mounted on the leading end thereof, and a pair of drive wheels mounted a prescribed distance rearwardly from said guide wheels toward the wheelchair; said vertical portion extending substantially perpendicularly upwardly from a point near the rearward end of said horizontal portion adjacent the wheelchair when the device is connected to the chair; (b) a pair of rotatable foot pedals mounted one on either side of said horizontal portion and a pair of rotatable handle bars mounted one on either side of said vertical portion; (c) means for operatively connecting said foot pedals to said handle bars such that rotation of either the foot pedals or handle bars imparts rotation to the other of said foot pedals or handle bars; (d) means for operatively connecting said foot pedals and handle bars to said drive wheels on said exercise device; (e) means for connecting said exercise device to the wheelchair; (f) means for converting said exercise device and the wheelchair from a stationary operative position with said drive wheels elevated from the ground, to a movable position with the drvie wheels engaging the ground wherein the device and the chair are mobilized by the person's use of the exercise device; whereby the person confined to the wheelchair is positioned therein and when the exercise device is connected to the chair said vertical portion of said frame is substantially between the person's legs and adjacent the seat of the wheelchair such that said vertical portion aids in stabilizing the person during an exercise operation which may be mobile or stationary as related to simultaneous movement of the exercise device and the wheelchair.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 336 words

An exercise device of the type which is removably attached to wheelchairs and used for exercising the limbs of disabled or partially paralyzed persons, said device comprising: (a) a support frame having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, both of said portions having height and length dimension balanced to the dimensions of the wheelchair for stability; said horizontal portion having a pair of guide wheels mounted on the leading end thereof, and a pair of drive wheels mounted a prescribed distance rearwardly from said guide wheels toward the wheelchair; said vertical portion extending substantially perpendicularly upwardly from a point near the rearward end of said horizontal portion adjacent the wheelchair when the device is connected to the chair; (b) a pair of rotatable foot pedals mounted one on either side of said horizontal portion and a pair of rotatable handle bars mounted one on either side of said vertical portion; (c) means for operatively connecting said foot pedals to said handle bars such that rotation of either the foot pedals or handle bars imparts rotation to the other of said foot pedals or handle bars; (d) means for operatively connecting said foot pedals and handle bars to said drive wheels on said exercise device; (e) means for connecting said exercise device to the wheelchair; (f) means for converting said exercise device and the wheelchair from a stationary operative position with said drive wheels elevated from the ground, to a movable position with the drvie wheels engaging the ground wherein the device and the chair are mobilized by the person's use of the exercise device; whereby the person confined to the wheelchair is positioned therein and when the exercise device is connected to the chair said vertical portion of said frame is substantially between the person's legs and adjacent the seat of the wheelchair such that said vertical portion aids in stabilizing the person during an exercise operation which may be mobile or stationary as related to simultaneous movement of the exercise device and the wheelchair.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 105 words

An exercise device according to claim 1 wherein said means for operatively connecting said foot pedals and said handle bars comprises: (a) a first shaft connecting said pair of handle bars and a second shaft connecting said foot pedals; (b) a first sprocket wheel mounted on said first shaft, and a second sprocket wheel mounted on said second shaft; (c) a first chain means having links to engage said sprocket wheels, said chain means being operatively connected to said first and second sprocket wheels, whereby rotation of said handle bars or foot pedals imparts rotation to the other of said handle bars or foot pedals.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 89 words

An exercise device according to claim 2 wherein said means for connecting said drive wheels to said foot pedals and handle bars includes: (a) an axle extending between said guide wheels, third and fourth sprocket wheels mounted in horizontally spaced relationship on said axle; (b) said first chain means being operatively connected to said first and third sprocket wheels, and a second chain means operatively connecting said second and fourth sprocket wheels; whereby rotation of either said handle bars or foot pedals will impart rotation to said drive wheels.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 184 words

An exercise device according to claim 1 wherein said means for converting said exercise device to a selected one of said mobile or stationary operations includes a lift mechanism for selectively engaging or disengaging said drive wheels of said exercise device from the surface on which the apparatus sets, said lift mechanism including: (a) an elongated, externally threaded rod having a handle on the upper end and a rotation wheel on the opposite, lower end; (b) an elongated, internally threaded shaft for receiving said rod in a threaded, screw-type engagement therein having open ends such that said handle extends above said shaft and said rotation wheel is mounted below said shaft; (c) said shaft further being mounted on a portion of said apparatus frame, positioned substantially adjacent said drive wheels such that rotation of said threaded rod in one direction moves said rotation wheel into engagement with the surface on which said apparatus and wheelchair set, thereby lifting said drive wheels out of such surface engagement; and rotation of said rod in the opposite direction disengages said rotation wheel and engages said drive wheels.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

An exercise device according to claim 1 and further including a means for stabilizing the front guide wheels of the wheelchair to prevent the guide wheels from pivoting in a side to side motion.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1989-02-24	1989-08-26	1990-02-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1993-02-24	1993-08-26	1994-02-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1997-02-24	1997-08-26	1998-02-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Exercise device for attachment to a wheelchair

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