Method and Apparatus for Coupling and Adjusting a Wheelchair to an Exercise Device

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus comprising (a) a main body having at least one limb exercising mechanism; (b) a base for supporting an object; (c) at least one connector secured to the main body and the base, the connector being extendable to vary the distance between the main body and the base; and (d) a control panel for directing the action of the connector such that the control panel can be used to direct extension of the connector and thereby the positioning of the exercising mechanism relative to the base.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a) a main body having at least one limb exercising mechanism;   b) a base for supporting an object;   c) at least one connector secured to said main body and said base, said connector being extendable to vary the distance between said main body and said base; and   d) a control panel for directing the action of said connector;   whereby said control panel can be used to direct extension of said connector and thereby the positioning of said exercising mechanism relative to said base.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said control panel is electric. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said electric control panel is elevated relative to said main body. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base is substantially flat. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base comprises a plate. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said object is a wheelchair. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a stop attached to said base. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said stop is a wheel stop for engaging a wheel of a wheelchair. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein wheel stop comprises a grooved portion for receiving said wheel. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of wheel stops. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said plurality of wheel stops receive two anterior wheels of a wheelchair, each associated with a corresponding wheel stop. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a locking arm for securing said stop to a structural member of the wheelchair. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said structural member is a large posterior wheel of said wheelchair. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said locking arm limits movement of the wheelchair relative to said base. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said limb exercising mechanism is a pedal-type exercise apparatus. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein exercise apparatus is a bicycle assembly. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said connector comprises a telescoping element. 
   
   
       18 . A method of coupling a wheelchair to an exercise apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) positioning an anterior wheel of a wheelchair against a wheel stop of an exercise apparatus; and   b) securing a locking arm between at least one of the large posterior wheels of the wheelchair and said wheel stop, to prevent movement of the wheelchair relative to the exercise device;   wherein said locking arm has locking and releasing positions.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein step a) further comprises positioning said wheelchair such that said anterior wheel is received at least partially within a groove of said wheel stop. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said exercise apparatus comprises a main body comprising at least one limb exercising mechanism. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said exercise apparatus further comprises a base for supporting an object and at least one connector secured to said main body and said base, said connector being extendable to vary the distance between said main body and said base. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said connector comprises a telescoping element. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising a control panel for directing the action of said connector whereby said control panel can be used to direct extension of said connector and thereby the positioning of said exercising mechanism relative to said base. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said control panel is electric. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said electric control panel is elevated relative to said main body. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said limb exercising mechanism is a pedal-type exercise apparatus. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein said exercise apparatus is a bicycle assembly.