Knee manipulating device

Abstract

A device for exercising and manipulating a knee after reconstructive knee surgery has a seating portion and an angled bar pivotally coupled to the seating portion. A leg pad is provided at one end of the angled bar and a handle is provided at the other end. Manipulation of the handle rotates the angled bar through a pivot axis to move the leg pad and thereby manipulate or exercise the knee.

1 . A device for manipulating the knee comprising:
 a seating portion;   a mounting bar coupled to said seating portion to extend between the legs of a person on said seating portion, said mounting bar extending forward from said seating portion and having a pivot axis, said mounting bar adjustably attached to said seating portion such that said pivot axis can be approximately aligned with the user's knee;   an angled bar rotatably coupled to said mounting bar at said pivot axis, said angled bar having an upper component above said pivot axis and a lower component below said pivot axis;   a handle attached to said upper component of said angled bar; and   a leg engaging pad attached to said lower component of said angled bar;   wherein said device extends the knee of the user to a substantially straight orientation when the user sits on said seating portion and pulls on said handle.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said angled bar presents an angle between said upper component and said lower component in the range of approximately 120 degrees to approximately 150 degrees. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a receiver on said seating portion, said receiver having a plurality of holes;   at least one aperture in said mounting bar;   a pin sized to be received by a selected one of said plurality of holes and a selected one of said apertures in said mounting bar to adjustably attach said mounting bar to said seating portion.   
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a receiver on said seating portion, said receiver having at least one hole;   a plurality of apertures in said mounting bar;   a pin sized to be received by a selected one of said plurality of apertures in said mounting bar, and a selected one of said holes in said receiver, to adjustably attach said mounting bar to said seating portion.   
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said angled bar presents an angle between said upper component and said lower component of about 135 degrees. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said leg engaging pad is adjustable to be located on one of oppositely facing sides of said lower component for engaging either leg of the user. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said leg engaging pad is adjustable along said lower component of said angled bar to conform to a length of the user's leg. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said leg engaging pad comprises an axle and a foam pad overlying said axle, said foam pad rotatably coupled to said axle. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap coupled to said seating portion for securing at least one of said user's legs to said seating portion. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle is attached proximate an end of said upper component of said angled bar. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said pivot axis is proximate an end of said mounting bar. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pinch guard proximate said pivot axis. 
   
   
       13 . A device for manipulating the knee comprising:
 a seating portion having a centerline, a forward edge, a receiver on top of said centerline proximate said forward edge, said receiver having at least one receiver hole;   a first pin sized to be received into said receiver hole;   a mounting bar having a first end with at least one first hole, and a second end, said mounting bar slidable in said receiver such that said first hole in said first end can be aligned with said receiver hole in said receiver and said first pin can be inserted through a selected receiver hole in the receiver and a selected first hole, said mounting bar extending forward from said seating portion so that said second end is exterior to said receiver;   an angled bar rotatably coupled to said second end of said mounting bar, said angled bar having an upper component and a lower component disposed at an angle of approximately 120 degrees to approximately 150 degrees to said upper component, and further comprising a handle on said upper component, and a leg engaging pad on said lower component;   whereby a user's knee is manipulated by the user when said handle is pushed or pulled when the user's leg is in contact with said leg engaging pad.   
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said angle is about 135 degrees. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a second pin, a hole in said second end of said mounting bar sized to receive said second pin, and a hole in said angled bar adapted to rotate around said second pin to rotatably couple said angled bar to said mounting bar. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said mounting bar has a non-circular cross section. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said cross section of said mounting bar is rectangular. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said mounting bar comprises a hollow tube of rectangular cross section, said mounting bar further comprising a top notch and a bottom notch proximate said second end to allow said upper component of said angled bar and said lower component of said angled bar to rotate about said pivot axis within said hollow tube. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said leg engaging pad is adjustable along said lower component of said angled bar. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said lower component of said angled bar further comprises a plurality of holes, and said leg engaging pad further comprises a retained pin sized to engage said plurality of holes, and a spring biased to engage said retained pin in said plurality of holes.