Isoped-pedestal providing circulatory help for those who are chair-bound or have limited mobility

Abstract

A disclosure for a limited motion exerciser has been provided. The device as presently conceived is entirely driven by the user in a sitting position only. It would be placed on the floor, slightly forward of the knees such that movement of either leg away from the chair will be met with a predetermined resistance. Its physical size dictates a stroke of approximately 10 inches. Two traction elements are provided, one positioned beneath each foot. The elements are mechanically independent, allowing use of one or the other. Ideally both feet and lower legs would be active, employing equal and opposite motion, similar to normal walking. As designed, there is sufficient interior volume to install a user-adjustable load resistance that will be battery powered and recharged by the energy expended by the user. This feature (user-adjustability) will be covered by a subsequent patent application and is not detailed herein.

1 . A self-powered exercise machine of the type encompassing two reinforced endless belts which are physically separated and loaded internally to provide a resistance to motion that is independent of direction and velocity imposed by the user. 
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1  being flexible in operation in that either traction element (belt) can be operated independently or both simultaneously in opposition or in tandem. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1  being insensitive to orientation, being placed on a steady support any angle between +/−60 degrees with respect to gravity, secured to said support by friction between the support and the four elastomeric pads upon which the machine rests. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 1  adapted to support the full weight of the user up to a limit of 250 pounds while standing motionless. Unassisted operation while standing will be accommodated by the device but discouraged owing to concerns over safety and liability. Such concerns may lead to incorporation of a braking system that prevents operation with vertical loads in excess of 25 pounds per element. 
     
     
         5 . That the traction elements are reinforced by continuous fiber cords aligned in the direction of motion. The diameter of said cords to be no larger than necessary to prevent elongation of 0.25 inches over a period of 2.5 years with a constant tensile load of 50 pounds. Said cords will be placed 0.01 to 0.02 inches away from the installed radius of curvature afforded by roller assemblies  4 . 1  and  4 . 2 . 
     
     
         6 . That the traction elements (belts) are formed with a uniform pattern of translational ribs which will provide a comfortable grip to the user and accommodate bending around the roller radius of curvature (1.4 inches). 
     
     
         7 . That the machine of  claim 1  incorporates an underlying support consisting of two telescoping elements (inner support assembly, item  6 . 0 , and outer support, item  5 . 0 ). 
     
     
         8 . That the telescoping assembly of  claim 7  provides a low friction, sliding resistance to motion of the traction element and that this resistance is no greater than 30 percent of the total resistance to motion; that is directly proportional to the vertical load imposed by the user, dictating a maximum friction coefficient of 0.1 for the light duty version and 0.18 for the heavy duty version—both achievable by ordinary means. 
     
     
         9 . That the telescoping assembly of  claim 7 , by virtue of sliding contact between the Cylindrical surface of outer support, item  5 . 0 , and roller assembly, item  4 . 2 , provides no greater than 70 percent of the total resistance to motion equivalent to 5.6 pounds for the light duty version and 10.5 pounds for the heavy duty version: both resulting from the separating force of each load spring, item  11 . 0 . 
     
     
         10 . That the telescoping assembly of  claim 7  will be self-leveling by virtue of one liner contact (with roller assembly  4 . 2 ) and localized, rolling contact with the notch of roller assembly  4 . 1 , floating in the vertical axis between the traction elements. 
     
     
         11 . That the consistent operating performance of  claim 9  is achieved over the life of the machine by material selection and surface treatments making the need for synthetic or organic based lubricating materials completely unnecessary. 
     
     
         12 . That the telescoping assembly of  claim 7  is of modular construction, easily replaceable by the user, to obtain higher or lower resistance to motion owing to the stored energy of item  11 . 0  helical spring. 
     
     
         13 . That the telescoping assembly of  claim 7  is self-centering in two planes (vertical and lateral) by virtue of single point contact between roller assembly item  4 . 1  and follower assembly, item  7 . 0 , positioned centrally between the linear segments of each traction element.