Self-exercise device for limited mobility patients and method of exercise

Abstract

A device for use by an individual with limited mobility to engage in self-exercise while confined to a bed or wheelchair. A mobile platform carries a support frame having a horizontal beam which can be moved into position over the individual. A plurality of openings formed are formed at spaced-apart positioned along the beam to enable releasable fitment of one or more exercise strap units into selected ones of the openings. The strap units include flexible elastic strands which can be arranged in supporting relationship with an anatomical structure, such as the arm, leg or torso, of the individual. While lying in bed or sitting in a wheelchair, the individual can repetitively pull on and stretch the strands for self-exercise.

1 . A device for use in self-exercise by an individual with limited mobility, the device comprising the combination of a platform for placement over a floor or other underlying surface, a support frame comprising an upright column carried on the platform and a beam having a proximal end mounted on the column, the beam having a distal end which extends horizontal, the distal end being formed with a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart openings, a strap unit comprising an eyelet having upper and lower ends, the lower end having an aperture and the upper end being sized and shaped sufficient for releasable fitment within the opening, a flexible strand having an upper portion which extends through the aperture and a lower portion which is shaped sufficient for supporting and enabling exercise of an anatomical structure of the individual.  
   
   
       2 . A device as in  claim 1  in which the strand is sufficiently elastic for enabling the individual to repetitively stretch the lower portion for exercise.  
   
   
       3 . A device as in  claim 2  in which the lower portion is formed in a loop which is sufficiently sized for supporting an arm, leg or torso of the individual.  
   
   
       4 . A device as in  claim 1  and further comprising a hand-hold carried by the lower portion.  
   
   
       5 . A device as in  claim 1  in which the strap unit further comprises a pulley mounted on the eyelet, and the strand is reeved around the pulley with the lower portion supporting an arm, leg or torso of the individual and the upper portion being shaped sufficient for being held by a hand of the individual.  
   
   
       6 . A device as in  claim 1  in which at least two of the openings are key-hole shaped for enabling fitment of the eyelet within selected ones of the two openings as desired for enabling the individual to self-exercise the anatomical structure.  
   
   
       7 . A method for enabling self-exercise by an individual with limited mobility comprising the steps of providing a frame having an overhead beam in which at least first and second fitment openings are provided at spaced positions horizontally along the beam, providing an eyelet having a lower end and an upper end which is shaped for fitment within the openings, fitting the upper end of the eyelet within the first opening, providing a stretchable strand having upper and lower ends, suspending the upper end of the strand from the lower end of the eyelet, supporting an anatomical structure of the individual on the lower end of the strand, and enabling the strand to stretch responsive to the individual applying a force on the strand through the anatomical structure.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 7  and further comprising the steps of releasing the upper end of the strand from the first opening and fitting the upper end of the strand into the second opening.