Compact crank therapeutic exerciser for the extremities

Abstract

A compact, portable, therapeutic exercise apparatus and process designed to address the needs of shoulder and knee surgical rehabilitation is disclosed. Specifically provided is a rehabilitative exercise apparatus which comprises a base or pedestal having a vertically disposed main shaft in the form of a telescoping extension projecting longitudinally therefrom, and a crank assembly supported by the main shaft, the crank having length adjustable moment arms. The exercise device enables specific, convenient and expeditious treatment of post surgical knee and shoulder injuries.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 (i) a horizontally disposed platform;    (ii) a height-adjustable main shaft having one lower end connected in vertical to the platform;    (iii) a shaft beam support means perpendicularly disposed to, and housed in the upper end of, the main shaft, said support having means for imposing force to any supported shaft; and    (iv) a crank assembly comprised of a crank shaft beam rotatably mounted in said shaft support means to define a central horizontal axis of rotation, said crank assembly further comprising a pair of moment arms each attached to opposite ends of the rotatable beam, said pair of moment arms being height adjustable and each having a pair of limb support elements, each one being attached to the moment arms in a manner so as to generate rotation of the assembly upon application of force to the limb supports, wherein the apparatus operates through manipulation of the main shaft height level, rotational resistance of the crank shaft, and differential moment arm radii to effect a disciplined pattern of harmonized motion of the joints in the limbs of a user.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the moment arms of the crank assembly are comprised of male/female linear assemblies, the female member having means for selectively varying the height of the moment arms.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the linear assemblies of the moment arms have a telescoping relationship with on another so as to vary the length and corresponding height of the elongated arm.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the limb support elements are axially disposed pins parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft crank support member so as to act as limb handles and support application of force to cause rotation of the crank.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 4  additionally comprising a limb pedestal assembly connected to the axially disposed pins.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 5  in which the limb pedestal assemblies are comprised of limb rest and straplock to provide a secure handle for limbs during operation of the apparatus.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the limb rest is further comprised of finger slots.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the apparatus platform is metal.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the apparatus platform is aluminum.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the apparatus has maximum cubic dimensions of 6 cubic feet and a weight not exceeding 40 pounds.  
     
     
         11 . A method of exercise of upper extremities comprising: 
 a) providing the apparatus of  claim 1  in which the verticle height is at or below shoulder levels of a user to generate active or passive ranges of rotational motion to create coordinated movements within the shoulder girdle, glenohumeral and upper extremity musculature in the affected anatomical structures; and    b) adjusting the lengths of the moment arms of the crank to cause differential radii in the moment arms of the crank causing greater rotation on one extremity and a co-contraction of force on the other extremity and a force dependent pattern between the two extremities thereby harmonizing motion at both extremities and rehabilitating any damaged muscles or joints of an extremity.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vertical shaft height is above shoulder level.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a bias is applied to the rotational crank shaft to increase resistance to crank rotation and to further discipline one shoulder limb vis a vie the other thereby generating a disciplined pattern of motion of the limbs and creating a rehabilitative coordinated movement between them.  
     
     
         14 . A method for exercising limbs in a coordinated sequence comprising: 
 a. providing a portable limb driven crank system having adjustable height, rotational stress, and moment arm length; and    (b) manipulating each so as to cause a length dependent pattern of limb motion operating on one joint and results in a co-contraction on the other and harmonizing motion in the joints of both limbs.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the limbs are arms and the vertical shaft height is above shoulder level.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a bias is applied to the rotational crank shaft to increase resistance to crank rotation and to further discipline one limb vis a vie the other thereby generating a disciplined pattern of motion of the limbs and creating a rehabilitative coordinated movement between them.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the limbs are arms.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the limbs are feet.