Multi-action stationary exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device combining upper and lower body in synchronized movements to encourage neurological development, rehabilitation, learning and orthopedic rehabilitation in children and adults in every situation where appropriately modified stationary exercise equipment can be placed. The exercise device includes a frame; left and right arm assemblies, each supported by the frame and configured to enable pivoting movement relative to the frame; left and right leg assemblies, each supported by the frame and configured to enable rotational movement about a central pivot axis; a drive mechanism supported by the frame and configured to enable contralateral movement of the left arm assembly relative to the right leg assembly, and of the right arm assembly relative to the left arm assembly; where the left and right arm assemblies are adjustable to enable use of the exercise apparatus in both an upright seating configuration and a recumbent seating configuration.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame;   a left arm assembly and a right arm assembly, each supported by the frame and configured to enable pivoting movement of the left arm assembly and right arm assembly relative to said frame;   a left pedal assembly and right pedal assembly, oppositely placed and extending in opposite directions, each supported by the frame and configured to enable rotational movement about a central pivot axis;   a drive mechanism supported by said frame and configured to enable contralateral movement of the left arm assembly relative to the right pedal assembly, the right arm assembly relative to the left pedal assembly, and of the right arm assembly relative to the left arm assembly;   wherein said left arm assembly and right arm assembly are adjustable to enable use of said exercise apparatus in both an upright seating configuration and a recumbent seating configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a moveable seat, wherein:
 in a first seat position said moveable seat is positioned to accommodate a user in the upright seating configuration, and in a second seat position said moveable seat is moved to a position enabling a user to use said exercise apparatus in the recumbent seating configuration while seated in a chair, wheelchair, or scooter positioned behind said exercise apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein in said second seating position said moveable seat is removable from said exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the left arm assembly and right arm assembly are adjustable to increase their effective length when the exercise apparatus is set in the recumbent seat configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the left arm assembly and right arm assembly each comprise a 5-point adjustable lever arm adjustable in translational, rotational, and extendible dimensions. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each 5-point adjustable lever arm comprises an upper lever arm and a lower lever arm, and wherein an angle of the upper lever arm with respect to the lower lever arm is adjustable by use of a hinge with at least 220 degrees of movement. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each of said left arm assembly and right arm assembly can be independently rotated towards the front of the exercise apparatus to a position beyond the reach of a user. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an adjustable boom coupled to said frame; and   a media platform coupled to said adjustable boom;   wherein said adjustable boom and media platform are adjustable to locate media placed upon said media platform in positions facilitating desired head-placement of a user via interaction by said user of media placed thereon, and therapeutic exercise of either upper extremity including cross-body reaching.   
     
     
         9 . A method for performing multiple repetitions of therapeutic actions in a clinic or home situation with minimal intervention by a therapist, comprising the provision, for use by a patient, of:
 an exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame; 
 a left arm assembly and a right arm assembly, each supported by the frame and configured to enable pivoting movement of the left arm assembly and right arm assembly relative to said frame; 
 a left pedal assembly and right pedal assembly, oppositely placed and extending in opposite directions, each supported by the frame and configured to enable rotational movement about a central pivot axis; 
 a drive mechanism supported by said frame and configured to enable contralateral movement of the left arm assembly relative to the right pedal assembly, the right arm assembly relative to the left pedal assembly, and of the right arm assembly relative to the left arm assembly; 
 wherein said left arm assembly and right arm assembly are adjustable to enable use of said exercise apparatus in both an upright seating configuration and a recumbent seating configuration, and wherein the patient: 
   selects a seating configuration;   engages said left and right arm assemblies with his/her hands;   engages said left and right pedal assemblies with his/her feet; and   engages the drive-mechanism to perform said multiple repetitions.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the exercise apparatus further comprises:
 a moveable seat attached to said frame, wherein:
 in a first seat position said moveable seat is positioned to accommodate a user in the upright seating configuration, and in a second seat position said moveable seat is moved to a position enabling a user to use said exercise apparatus in the recumbent seating configuration while seated in a chair, wheelchair, or scooter positioned behind said exercise apparatus. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein in said second seating position said moveable seat is removable from said exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the left arm assembly and right arm assembly are adjustable to increase their effective length when the exercise apparatus is set in the recumbent seat configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the left arm assembly and right arm assembly each comprise a 5-point adjustable lever arm adjustable in translational, rotational, and extendible dimensions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein each 5-point adjustable lever arm comprises an upper lever arm and a lower lever arm, and wherein an angle of the upper lever arm with respect to the lower lever arm is adjustable by use of a hinge with at least 220 degrees of movement. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of said left arm assembly and right arm assembly can be independently rotated towards the front of the exercise apparatus to a position beyond the reach of a user. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said exercise apparatus further comprises:
 an adjustable boom coupled to said frame; and   a media platform coupled to said adjustable boom;   wherein said adjustable boom and media platform are adjustable to locate media placed upon said media platform in positions facilitating desired head-placement of a user via interaction by said user of media placed thereon, and therapeutic exercise of either upper extremity including cross-body reaching.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising adjusting the lever arms in at least one of five translational, rotational, and extendible dimensions to fit the patient's size and specific therapy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein an angle of the upper lever arms with respect to the lower lever arms is adjustable by use of a hinge with at least 220 degrees of movement. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the extendible portion of the lever arms is composed of alternatively short or long pieces, 17″-48″, defined for vertical or recumbent riding, respectively, for children or adults, or for special therapies. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , where in the lever arms can be removed, can be rotated inward for cross-body therapeutic movements, and can be rotated to be used independently of the pedals and so that the pedals can used independently of the lever arms. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the boom can be adjusted in at least  4  translational, rotational, and extendible dimensions to fit patients of varying size, disposition, and therapeutic need, specifically for head placement therapies and reaching activities with either hand, while also enabling convenient location for interacting with the media. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a media platform fixed to the end of the extendible boom arm can be adjusted in at least 4 translational, rotational, and extendible dimensions to permit fine adjustments of the presentation of a range of print and digital media to the patient. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pedals are fixed to blocks which slide along a pedal arm which has been designed with drillings at dimensions specifically to permit adjustment of the pedal crank arm length from about 3″ to about 6″ for therapies which require increasing stroke of the knee and hip, which block is fixed to the pedal by at least one means. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the vertical and recumbent riding positions are interchangeable by removing or replacing the short and long extendible portions of the lever arms and adjusting the angle with the hinge. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein recumbent riding is accommodated by removing the standard seat and alternatively placing it in a fixture attached to the back of the bike or by locking a wheelchair in place behind or by using an appropriate chair. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the rotational properties of the arm-pedal mechanism control digital media screen visual and audio properties, according to target ranges of rpm, to give feedback to the patient, to stress the patient's brain and to train it. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein mechanical riding data such as rpm, duration, distance, and number of times the screen is turned off, are wirelessly communicated to a land- or cloud-based server in the specific patient's file for review and monitoring by a medical professional. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the patient's physiological data (such as pulse, blood oxygen, and others) before, during, and after the ride are wirelessly communicated to a land- or cloud-based server in the specific patient's file for review and monitoring by a medical professional. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a medical professional can set up a video and audio link to monitor the patient's riding in a virtual home visit. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the extended lever arms can control the movement of the pedal forward and backward in cycles and around the pedal rotation to facilitate range of motion therapy for knee rehab therapy. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein specific therapies for disabilities are described, including timing, pace/cadence, set up of the arms, boom, and pedal crank arm length, placement of the head, arms, and legs, and duration of the treatment cycle, among many others.