Rehabilitation leg press apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for rehabilitation of a patient sitting in a wheelchair, the apparatus having a passive support, an active support, a vertical motion restricting device, a wheelchair securing device, a horizontal motion device with respect to the passive support, and a horizontal motion device with respect to the vertical motion restricting device. Also, a method for rehabilitation of a patient when the patient is sitting in a wheelchair, the method having the steps of passively supporting the wheelchair, actively supporting the wheelchair, vertically restricting motion of the wheelchair, securing the wheelchair, and horizontally moving the wheelchair.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus for strengthening and rehabilitating the lower portion of the human body. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rehabilitation leg press apparatus, useable with a wheelchair, such that people that use and need wheelchairs can exercise and rehabilitate their lower bodies while remaining seated in a wheelchair with minimum risk.[0002]The prior art discloses various apparatuses in which the wheelchair functions as a support seat for the exercise apparatus. The wheelchair is often static or stationary. In many cases, the wheelchair is fastened to pedal assemblies for a bicycle-type of exercise. Many prior exercise apparatuses make accommodations for a wheelchair in upper body exercise equipment, or include a wheelchair treadmill-type exercise apparatus, in which the wheelchair rolls on rollers when the operator pushes the large wheels of the wheelchair for upper body exercise. ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

None of the prior art devices includes the wheelchair as a moving part of the exercise apparatus.

Although many devices have been proposed for accommodating a patient in a wheelchair, none of these prior devices are particularly suited for use with bariatric rehabilitation patients who are regaining the ability to stand and walk, where the patient can stay in the wheelchair while exercising their legs, where the wheelchair is stabilized during exercise and prevented from tipping, especially tipping backward, where the patient can exercise in a manner that simulates and develops sit-to-stand motions and ability in patients, and where the patient can exercise so as to strengthen muscles and achieve a cardiovascular workout.

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