US3540435A - Physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent Inventor Mary G. Slik 905 W. 130|, Wichita, Knus 699,470

Nov. I7, 1970 Appl. No. Filed Patented PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS FOR PERSONS AT BEDREST l0 Claims, 9 Drawing Flp.

U.S. Cl 12s/25, 272/58, 272/73 lnt. Cl. Alh l/00 Field Search 272/73, 58,

[56) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,548,408 4/l95l Tammen l28/25UX 2,648,330 8/l953 Clark l28/25 3,112,108 ll/l963 Hanke 272/58 Primary Examiner-L. W. Trapp Attorney-John H. Widdowson ABSTRACT: A physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest is provided which is adapted to be secured to the bedpost of a bed so that a person in bed can utilize the apparatus without the necessity of the person bein-g moved from the bed to another location. The apparatus is provided with a bicycle-type exerciser` both powerfand manually operated, and coordination restoring attachments thus enabling a person to undergo physical therapy in their own bed.

"i Nov. 17,

Y INVENTOR. MARY G. SMITH f M .Rukh

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 17 E97 Sheet 0f 3 R O T N E V m MARY G. SMITH .Q1-Towns Patented Nov. 17, 1970 INVENTOR.

H9 s '|2 MARY G. SMITH ne BY f l v MMM.

ATTORNEYS 1v PnvsicAL THERAPY APPARATUsroR Pensons Ar l-zvnssr 1 treated in bed. ln another aspect it relates to a bicycleftype lexerciser machinehaving lpower means to drive the pedals and oscillatc the handle bars so that a person at bcdrest having no control over the use ot' their arms and legs can readily-employ the machine. ln another aspect the invention relates to a connecting means mounted on the pedals of 4the bicycle-type exerciscr machine so that persons at bedrest having noicontrol over the coordination of their legs can have their legsfsecured thereto so that 'the same can be exercised by the meansof the exerciser.

ln another aspect theinvention relates to a physical therapy apparatus which includes coordination restoring meansthus enabling persons at 'bedrest to undergo physical therapy in their own bed.

Various types of physical therapy apparatus including socalled bicycle-type exercisers are known. These physical therapy apparatus of the prior art are usually very expensive vand mechanically complicated. Further, the physical therapy apparatus of thc prior artare normally of such size that a separate room is provided for the apparatus thus creating the necessityoftheperson `being moved to the'r other location to use the physical therapy apparatus. The movement of persons at bedrest is often difficult and undesirable. Because of the expense and'size of mo'st of the physical therapy apparatus ofthe prior art it is impossible and/or impractical for the use ofthe restoring means are likewise secured to the basemember of y the physical therapy apparatus so that the person at bedrest is afforded a wide variety of physicaltherapy treatments by the one unit. i

The mechanical means of the bicycle-type physical therapy machine is provided with a foot lpedal crank vassembly rotatably mounted on a suitable frame means and abandlebar post assembly carried by the frame means. ln the drive means of the invention these assemblies are operably connected thereby so that the handlebar post assembly is moved when the foot pedal crank assembly is rotated and vice versa. This interconnection is important in that it allows a person having control of the legs to readily exercise'the arm membe'rsand vice versa. As is readily apparent this'rnovement occurs whether the electric power means drives the foot pedal crank assembly or whether the same is manually powered;

An object ofthe invention is to provide a physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest. l'

Another object of the invention is to provide a'physical therapy apparatus having a bicycle-type machine for exercising the legs and arms of persons at bedrest.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a bicycle-type exercise machine which can b e secured to the end post of the bed so that persons at bedrest 'can readily employ the same in physical therapy treatment and which is provided with connecting means secured to the pedal portions of the bicycletype exercise -machine so that a persons legs can be securely attached to the pedals of the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest having a bicycle-type machine which can be operated with or without the use of power means while the person remains in bed.

sarne in the bedridden persons home, let alone their own bedroom.

ln accordance with the present invention a new physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest has. been provided which overcomes the disadvantages and'deficiencies apparent in the prior art. The physical therapy apparatus for persons at therapy apparatus 'of the present invention thus enabling a person to undergo physical therapy who is completely lacking in muscle controlofthe arms and legs. Further according to 'the invention aphysical therapy` apparatus: for personsat bedrest is provided `wherein thebicycle-type machine cornponentcan be operated with or without. power means,rthus' `making it more versatile and eliminating the need for exces sively large powervmeans.

Furtheraccording to the invention a physical therapy apparatus is providedl which is relatively simple in construction. compact, andinexpensive which enables persons at bedrest to undergov a variety of physical therapy treatments in their own bed thus eliminating the' necessity of moving persons at bedrest from one room to another for treatment.

One preferred specific embodiment of the physical therapy A further object of the invention is to provide mechanical movements and means for driving the foot pedals and handlebar structure of the bicycle-type machine ofthe physical therapy apparatus.

Another object of the inventionl is to provide a physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest having coordination v restoring-means secured thereto'in addition to the'bicycletype machine thus enabling a person to undergo a variety of physical therapy exercises in their own bed. A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest having mounting means for mounting the same on the bed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest which is relatively simple in 'construction and operation, inexpensive, durable,. and which affords persons at bedrest a variety 'of exercising devices employed in physical therapy treatment.

Various other objects. advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. in which:

FIG. -1 is'a perspective view of one embodimentrof the physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest of the invenapparatus for persons at bedrest ofthe invention includes support members mounted on the pedals of thebicycle-type exerciser machine so that a person having no control and'coordination of the leg membersof the body can havetheir feet and legs secured' to the pedals of 'the bicycle-type exerciser machine thusallowing the legs to undergo physical therapy,`v

and at the same time, allowing patient to have a secure feeling by having-their legs'attached thereto. Various coordination FlG 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the-mounting meansemployed to mount the base ofthe physical therapy apparatus ofthe invention to the bedpost of a bed;

FIG., 3 is a rear elevational view ofthe physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest o f the present invention showing the same connected to the bedpost of a bed;

FlG. 4 isla front elevational view of the physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest of the present invention showing the same positioned with respectto a bed;.

FlG. 5 isa top elevational view ofthe physical-therapy ap- FIG. 7 is a 4perspective view of another embodiment of the physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest of 'the present invention showing power means to drive the pedals and oscillate the handlebars of the bicycle-type exerciser machine of the physical therapy apparatus of the present in vention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the power means of FIG. Temployed to drive the pedals and oscillate the handlebars ofthe bicycle-type exerciser machine of the physical therapy apparatus ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 9'is an enlarged top elevational view of the power means connected to the pedals of the bicycle-type exerciser machine of the physical therapy apparatus of the present invention.

The followingl is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the physical therapy. apparatus for persons at bedrest of the invention, such being made with reference to the drawings wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar .parts and/or structures. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and in particularly to FIGS. l, 4 and 5, the physical therapy apparatus for'persons at bedrest, generally'indicated -by a numeral ll, is shownhaving base member 12 secured to end post 13 of bed 14 by mounting means 16. Bicycle-type exerciser machine 17 is secured to the inner surface of base member 12 so that bicycle-type exerciser images ofeach other and are in a facing relationship with each l other as shown.

machine 17 is positioned within bed 14 as shown thusenabling persons at bedrest to operate the same. Coordination restoring means 18, which will be discussed in detail hereinafter is positioned at the upwardly-extending edge portion of base member l2 for storing coordination restoring means I8 when the same is not in use. A pair of target members I9 are positioned at the upwardly extending corner portions-of base member I2 and a pair of pulley means 2l are likewise secured to the upwardly extending portion of base member 12 and positioned in a parallel spaced relationship with each other.

Base member l2 is provided with an opening 22 in the upwardly extending portion thereof and rod member 23 is secured to the upper edge of base member l2 by any suitable means such iis-clamp members 24 thus securing rod member 23 across the top portion of opening 22. A plurality of hook members 26 (see FIG. l) are slidably positioned on rod member 23 and hook members 26 are employed to hold and thus store variousobjects used to entertain persons atbedrest and employed in the exercising of such persons, such as weights, darts, bowling pins, sandbags and the like.

Bicycle-type exerciser machine 17 is provided with forward leg members 27 and'28 each of which is positioned within clamp member 29 at one end. Clamp member 29 is then affixed to base member l2 adjacent opening 22 by any suitable means, such as screws, bolts and the like thus rigidly securing clamp member 29 and the forward leg members 27 and 28 to base member l2. Forward leg members 27 a'nd 28 converge at their other end as shown. Forward leg members 27 and 28 are constructed to be mirror images of each other and are in a facing relationship with each other. A body member 3l, here shown as a substantially Z-shaped member, is secured -at one end to converging end portion of forward leg members 27 and 28 by connecting member 32 and body member 31 is positioned so that its other end extends upwardly so that seat member 33 positioned upon rod member 34 can be slidably positionedv within body member 3l as shown, and then secured in place as by any suitable means such as a bolt, clamp and the like (not shown). One end portion of each of rearward leg members 36and 37 are positioned within clamp member 29 and clamp member 29`is then secured to base member l2 by any suitable means such as screws, bolts, and the like, thus securing rearward leg members 36 and 37 to base member l2. The other end of rearward legmembers 36 and 37 converge until the end portions thereof are adjacent and parallel body member 3l. The upwardly extending end portions ofrearward leg members 36 and 37 are fixably secured'to body-member 3l by any suitable means such as bolt members 38. Rearward leg members 36 and 37 are likewise constructed to be mirror Handlebar means are provided which consist of a handle bar support member 39 which is pivotallyzsecured to connecting means 32 by pin element 41 and two handle members, 42 and 43, which are of substantially L-shaped structure.fas shown, and which are secured to the upwardly extending end portion of handlebar support member 39 b yrany suitable means such as bolts 44. Handle members 42 ands43are covered with collar members 46 and 47, respectively,'.a rlid collar members 46 and 47 are preferably made of a plastic or rubbery material thus enabling the person to readily grasp. handle members 42 and 43 without the persons hands slipping thereon. Linkage means. which will be discussed hereinafter operatively connect the handlebar means and pedal means 52 so that they operate together at all'times. The downwardly extending end portion of handlebar support member 39 is secured to one end of linkage member 48. The other end of linkage member 48 is, in turn, pivotally connected to one end of a second linkage member 49.` The other end of second linkage member 49 is then secured to crank arm 51 of pedal means 52. As is readily apparent from the drawings, opening 22 within base member l2 is necessary invorder to allow unrestricted movement of first and second linkage members 48 and 49 when handlebar support member 39 and pedal means 52 of the bicycle-type exerciser machine 17 are moved.

Pedal means 52 is provided with shaft 53 rotatably mounted onbody member 31 in any suitable manner, such as by the use of pillow block 54. Crank arms 51 and S6 each haveone end portion thereof secured to opposite end portions of shaft 53 and are secured there to so as to extend from shaft 53 180 apart. Foot pedals57 and 58 are secured to the other end portion of crank arms S6 and 5l, respectively. Pedals 57 and 58 can be ofthe conventional bicycle-type pedal but are modified (see FIG. '6) to have coupling means affixed to the lowerI surface of pedals 58 and 59 so that the foot portion of a person positioned within a suit for circulation of hydraulic fluid around the body; such as disclosed in my copending U.S. Pat. application entitled SUIT FOR CIRCULATION OF FLUID AROUND BODY, Ser. No. 689,626, filed Dec. ll, |967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,621, can have their feet secured to pedals 57 and 58. A support member S9 is pivotally connected to pedals 57 and 58 and support members 59 are provided with strap members 61, or any other suitable connecting means, so that the persons legs can be secured to and supported on pedal members 57 and 58. By securing the person's legs to the supports the person is provided with a sense of security even thoughthe person has no control over the muscles in the leg.

Resilient means, such as spring elements 62 are secured at one end to downwardly extending end portion of handlebar support member 39, as shown, and the other end of spring elements 62 are secured to body member 31 of bicycle-type exercising machine 17 at a point adjacent but in front of the pillow block 54.` As is readily apparent, pedals 57 and 58 and handlebar support member 39 cooperate together to move at all times and spring elements 62 add tension to the same so that a person can readily improve muscle tone and coordination by employing bicycle-type exerciser machine 17. The force required to operate pedals 57 and 58 and handlebar support member 3l canreadily be varied by varying the tension on spring elements 62.

Physical therapy apparatus 11 is further provided with a pair of pulley means 2l, each of which are provided with a bracket 63 securely fixed to the inner surface of base member I2. A pulley wheel 64 is then rotatably positioned'within bracket 63 by pin element 66 and belt member 67 is yentrained over pulley wheels 64. Pulley wheels 64 and thus belt'member 67 are employed lto hang sandbags, weights," and the like, thereon so that the patient within a bed can use same to improve strength within various parts of they body bymoving the tient by the throwing of the dart (not shown) at dart targets 19,and, at the same time, entertain persons at bedrest thus preventing boredom so that their willingness to improve can be maintained atthe desired high level, and develop aim and direction.

'I`wo support members 68 and 69 are each provided with a Y body central portion 71 and having end portions 72 and 73 positioned at'substantially 90 with respect to central portion 71'and substantially parallel to each other. Central portion 7l of support members 68 and 69 is slidably positioned parallel to base member 12 by eyelet members 74 and 76 so that support members 68 and 69 can be slidably raised and then rotated so as to be positioned in front of handle members 42 and 43 of handlebar support member 39. As is readily apparent when support members 68 and 69 are raised and rotated as discussed immediately above, end portion 73 of supportmembers 68 and 69 is forced against base member l2 thus maintaining coordination restoring means l8 which is secured to end portion 72 of support members 68 and 69 Ain a stable position infront of the patient lying in bed 14, thus affording the patient access to coordination restoring means 18.

Referring now to FIG. 2, mounting means 16 for mounting base member 12 to end post 13 of bed 14 is shown as U-bolt member 77 positioned over the top rung of end post 13. U-

and thus creating fear within the mind of the patient. Rearf ward leg member 37 and body member 31'of bicycle-type machine 17 are likewise shown in their position'with respect to hed 14. As is readily apparent, by the positioning bicycletype apparatus 17 as shown the apparatus is firmly maintained upon base member l2 and maintained in a parallel spaced relationship butin a close proximity with bed '14.

Referring now `to FIGS. 3 and 4 coordination restoring means 18 is shown having attachment base member 81 positioned upon and secured to end portion 72 of support members 68 and 69. Attachment base member 8l is provided with a plurality of openings 82, 83,84, 86 and 87 therein and a plurality of rib members 88,89, 91, 92 and 93positioned around the circumference of the openings 82,- 83, 84, 86 and 87. Openings 82. 83, 86 and 87 are each provided with threads vtherein (not shown) which mate with correspondingthreads 94 of screw- type block members 96, 97, 98, and 99. Rib members 88, 89, 92 and 93 are likewise provided with mating threadstnot shown). As is readily apparent the various sizes of block members 96, 97, 98 and 99 and openings 82, 83, 86.and 87 vary thus providing variation in coordination-restoring means 1 8. Block members 96, 97, 98 and 99 are preferably formed of a light` durable plastic material and are provided with oversized threads so that the person does not expend excessive energy in handling the block members and also to prevent injury to the Iperson if they should drop one of the block membersAOpening 84 in attachment base member 81 preferably differs from the above-mentioned opening in base member 8l in that opening 84 is a friction-type opening and friction-type block member 101 is adapted so as to be capable of being inserted within opening 84. By employing the threaded and friction-type block member the patientis able to restore coordination within his arms and hands, and, at the same time, is afforded a variety of physical therapy treatment so that the patient does not become bored and thus maintain a good attitude which is necessary if the person is to recover from their physical injuries.

In order to provide stability to coordination restoring at tachment means 18 when the same is in a lowered position for access by a person at bedrest a hook means 102 is pivotally connected at one end to attachment base member 81 by swivel means 104 as shown in FIG. 3. The other end portion prising supportmember 59 and straps 61, positioned thereon. v Support member'59 and straps 61 are very important in that a person having no control or coordinationoverithe feet and legs can have their leg secured to thepedal thus` enabling the person to use the apparatus. Further, a coupling means, such as plate element 106, is affixed to thlower surface of pedal 58 and pedal 57 (not shown). Plate element 106 is provided with two openingstherein which are aligned and communicate with openings'in pedal 58 and pedal 57 (not shown) so that connecting means, su'ch as disclosed in the copending U.S. Pat. application entitled SUIT `FOR CIRCULATION OF FLUID AROUND BODY, Ser. No. 689,626, filed Dec. II` 1967, can be inserted therethrough thus securing the sole portion of the'above-mentioned suit and thus the persons feet to the pedals of thevbicycle-type apparatus.

Referring-nowV to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, a second preferred specific embodiment of the physical therapy apparatus of the invention is shown, In order to more fully understand ythe operation of the-apparatus as depicted in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 wherein a drive and operating means is provided for bicycle'- type exerciser machine 17 described in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the entire apparatus will be described in order to provide a clearer and more descriptive understanding of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9.

Physical therapy apparatus for persons atvb'edrest, generally indicated by numeral l1, is shown having the base Amember 12 secured to end post 13 of bed 14 by mounting means 16. Bicycle-type exerciser machine 17 is secured to thenner surface of base member 12 so that bicycle-type exerciser machine 17 is positioned within bed 14 asshown thus enabling persons at bedrest to operate the same. Coordination restoring means 18,

which was discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, is positioned at the upwardly extending edge portion of base member 1.2 for storing coordination restoring means 18 when the same is not in use. Target. members 19 and pulley means 21 are likewise secured to the upwardly extending portion of base member l2 and positioned so that the persons at bedrest have easy access to the same thus enabling them to employ the same in physical therapy treatment as previously described.

Base member l2 is provided with an opening 22 in the upwardly extending portion thereof and rod member 23 is secured to the upper edge of base member 12 by any suitable means such as clamp members 24 thus securing rod member 23 across the top portion of opening 22. A plurality of hook members 26 are slidably positioned on rod member 23 and hook members 26 are employed to hold and thus store various objects used to entertain the persons at bedrest and employed in the exercising of such persons, such as weights, darts, bowling pins, sandbags, and the like.

Bicycle-type exerciser machine 17 is provided with forward leg members 27 and 28, each of which is positionedwithin clamp member 29 at one end. Clamp member 29 is then'affixed to base member 12 adjacent opening 22 by any suitable means, such as screws, bolts andthe like, thus rigidly securing clamp member 29 and thus forward leg members 27 and 28 to base member 12. Forward leg members 27 and 28 converge at theA other end as shown and are constructed to be mirror images of'each other and are in a facing'relationship with each other. A body member 31, here shown as a substantially Z- shaped member, is secured at one end to converging end portions of forward leg members 27 and 28V by connecting member 32 and body member 31 is positioned so that its other end extends upwardly so that seat member 33 positioned upon rod member 34 can be slidably positioned within body members 31 as shown, and then secured in place by any suitable means such as a bolt, clamp, and the like. On'e end portion of each of the rearward leg members 36- and 37 is positioned within clamp member 29 and clamp member 29 is then secured to base member 12 by any suitable means such as screws, bolts, and the like, thus securing rearward leg members 36 and 37 to base member 12. The other end portion of rearward leg members 36 and 37 converge until the end portions thereof are adjacent and parallel body member 31. The upwardly extending end portions of rearward leg members 36 and 37 are fixably secured to body member 31 by any suitable means such as bolt members 38. Rearward leg members 36 and 37 are likewise constructed to be mirror images of each other and are in-a facing relationship with each other as shown.

Handlebar means are provided which consist ofa handlebar support member 39 which is pivotally secured to connecting means 32 by pin element 41 and two handle members, 42 and 43, which are of a substantially L-shaped structure as shown, and which are secured tothe upwardly extending end portion of handlebar support member 39 by any suitable means such as bolts 44. Handle members 42 and 43 are each covered with collar members 46 and 47. respectively, and collar members 46 and 47 are preferably made of a plastic or rubberlike material thus preventing the persons hands from slipping from handle members 42 and 43. The downwardly extending end portion of handlebar support member 39 is secured to one end of first linkage member 48. The other end of first linkage member 48 is, in turn, pivotally connected to one end of a second linkage member 49. The other end of second linkage member 49 is then secured to crank arm 51 of pedal means 52. As is readily apparent from the drawings, opening 22 within base member 12 is necessary in order to allow unrestricted movement of first linkage member 48 and second linkage member 49 when handlebar support member 39 and pedal means 52 of bicycle-type exerciser machine 17 are moved.

Pedal means 52 is provided with shaft 53 rotatably mounted on body member 31 by any suitable means, such as by the use of pillow block 54. Crank arms 51 and 56 have one end portion thereof secured to opposite end portions of shaft 53 and are secured thereto so as to extend from shaft 53, 180 apart. Foot pedals 57 and 58 are secured to the other end portion of crank arms 56 and 51, respectively. Pedals 57 and 58 can be of the conventional bicycle-type pedal but are modified as shown in FIG. 6 to have a connecting means, such as plate ele-.

ment 106 positioned thereon as previously discussed. Plate element 106 is especially desirable so that persons employing a suit for circulation of fluid around the body, such as disclosed in my copending U.S. Pat. application entitled SUIT FOR CIRCULATION OF FLUID AROUND BODY, Ser. No. 689.626, filed Dec. 1l, 1967, can have their feet secured to the pedals 57 and S8 by connecting means provided on the sole portion of the suit above mentioned. A support member 59 is pivotally connected to each of pedals S7 and 58 and each support member 59 is provided with strap 61, or any other suitable connecting means, so that the persons legs can be secured and supported from vpedal members 57 and S8. By securing the persons legs to the support members, the person is provided with a sense ofsccurity even though the person has no control over thc muscles in the legs.

A resilient means, such as the two spring elements 62 are secured at one end tol downwardly extending end'portion of handle bar support member 39, as shown, and the other end of spring members 62 are secured to body member 31 of bicycletype exercising machine 17 at a point adjacent but in front of pillow block 54. As is readily apparent, pedals 57 and S8 and handlebar support member 39 cooperate together at all times and springs 62 add tension to the same so that the person can readily improve muscle tone and coordination by employing bicycle-type machine 17 previously described. However, the force required to operate pedals 57 and 58 and the handlebar support member 39 is many times too great a force to be exerted by a person at bedrest. When such a case is encountered a drive and operating means 105 is provided and is mounted in operating relationship with pedal means 52 of bicycle-type apparatus 17 sothat the pedal means 52 and handlebar support member 39 can be moved for the patient by a power means, but, at the same time providing the persons at bedrest with the desired exercise of the muscles.

Suitable power means, such as electric motor 107 is mounted on base member 12 in any suitable manner, such as mounting bolts 108. Motor 107 preferably is positioned on the lower portion of base 12 and near rearward leg member 36 as shown in FIG. 7. Motor 107 preferably has two or more speeds which may be varied by a variable speed control means such as switch 109 mounted on handle member 43 or the speed of" motor 107 can be varied by using rheostat 111. As is readilyapparent the speed of motor 107 c an be varied by employing, in combination, both switch 109 and rheostat 111. l

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9 drive and operating means is shown in detail. Pulley 112 is mounted on shaft 113 of electric motor 107. A second shaft 114 is mounted for rotation on base 12in any suitable manner, such as pillow blocks 116. A second pulley 117 is affixed to shaft 114 to turn therewith, Pulley` 117 receives a V-belt 118 which is connected to first pulley 112 on electric motor 107. A third pulley 119 is also affixed to shaft 114 of fourth pulley 121 as affixed to crank arm 56vof pedal means S2 and positioned adjacent pillow block 54 as shown. Fourth pulley 121 receives a second V-belt 122 which is connected to third pulley 119 on shaft 114. As is readily` apparent, the four pulleys 112. 117,119 and 121 andthe two V- belts 118 and 122 cooperate so that as pulleys 112-and shafts 113 are driven by electric motor 107, shaft 114 is also driven thus driving pulleys 117, 119, and 121 thereby rotating pedal means 52 and thus oscillating handlebar support member 39 at the desired rate,

Electric wires (not shown) extend from electric motor 107 through the hollow tubular body structure of bicycle-type machine 17 to switch 109 so that switch 109 is in electrical contact with motor 107. As is readily apparent, the apparatus shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 can be operated without the need for external power. However, by utilizing an electric motor to drive pedal means 52 and oscillate handlebar support member 39 a person havin-g absolutely no control over the'muscles in their arms or legs can utilize the apparatus while remaining in bed and thus allow persons having such a disability to exercise their muscles and thus prevent further deterioration of the muscles.

While'the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various'modifications of this invention can be made or followed in light of this discussion and description, without departing from the spirit ofthe disclosure or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest cornprising, in combination:

a. a base member;

b. a body member;

c. mounting means for mounting said base member in vertical relation to an end of a bed, said mounting means maintaining said base member substantially parallel to said end;

d. a pair of forward leg members each of which is affixed to one end portion of said body member at one end and to said base member at the other end, said forward leg members being constructed and assembled so as to be mirror images and in a facing relationship with each other;

e. a pair of rearward leg members, each of which is affixed to the other end portion of said body member at one end v and tosaid base member at the other end, said rearward leg members being constructed and assembled so as to be mirror images and in a facing relationship with each other', and

f. a bicycle-type excrciser machine mounted on said base member in a facing relationship with said bed, said machine` having a handlebar means pivotally connected Ito the forward portion of said body member, a pedal means operatively connected intermediate said body means, linkage means pivotally connecting the lower end portion of said handlebar means and pedal means so that as said handlebar means is caused to oscillate said pedal means are caused to rotate and vice versa, resilient means secured at one end to the downwardly extending end prton of said handlebar means and to said body member at the other end. and a seat member connected to the rearward portion of said body member, said base member,

-body member, mounting means` and bicycle-type exerciser machine being constructed and assembled so that persons at bedrest can` undergo physical therapy treatment by employing said apparatus while remaining in their bed. 2. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim l wherein said linkage means comprises a first linkage member secured at one end portion to the downwardly extending end portion ofsaid handlebar means and a second linkage member is pivotally connected at one end to said firstlinka'ge member and to a crank arm of said pedal means at the other end, said first and second linkage member being constructed and assembled so as to move to-and-fro through an opening in said base member unrestricted when said handlebar means is oscillated and said pedal means is rotated.

3. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 2 which includes a rod member affixed to said base member so as to enclose said opening therein, and hook members slidably positioned on said rod member, said hook members serving to store sandbags, bowling pins, and the like when same are not being used in conjunction with said apparatus.

4. The physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest according to claim 1 wherein said pedal means comprises:

a. a shaft rotatably mounted intermediate on said body member by a pillow block; v

b. a pair of crank arms` each of said crank arms having one end portion thereof secured to said shaft so that said crank arms extend from said shaft 180 apart;

c. a pair of foot pedals, each of said foot pedals being secured to the other end portion of one of said crank arms; and d. connecting means, each pivotally connected to said pedals, said connecting means being constructed and assem bled so that a persons legs can be secured to and sup-` ported on said pedals. The physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest according to claim 4 wherein said connecting means comprises:

a. a support member pivotally connected to said pedal and extending a sufficient distance perpendicular to said pedals to adequately support a persons legs;

b. members secured to said support member, said strap member being constructed so as to maintain the leg ofa person firmly adjacent said support member and thus on said pedal; and

c. coupling means positioned on and affixed to the lower surface of said pedal, said coupling means having openings therein communicating with openings in said pedal so that pin elements positioned upon the sole portion of the persons clothes can be inserted through said openings thus securing the persons feet to said pedals.

i 6. The physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest according to claim 5 which includes a drive and operating means to oscillate said handlebar support means and rotate said crank arms and thus said pedals of said pedal means comprising:

a. a motor member having a shaft mounted on said base member, said motor member beingv positioned on the lower portion of said base in close proximity with one of said rearward leg members;

b. a first pulley mounted on said shaft;

c. a second shaft mounted for rotation on said base and in a parallel spaced relationship with said shaft of said motor member;

d. a second pulley mounted on said second shaft and fixed thereto so as to turn therewith;

e. a first V-belt connected to said firstpulley and said second pulley; l

f. a third-pulley connected to' said shaft vof said motor member; I I

g. a fourth pulley connected to one of said'crank arms of said pedal means in close proximity with said body member of said bicycle-type exerciser machine; and

ht a second V-belt connected to said third and fourth pulley, said first, second, third and fourth pulleys and said first and second V-belts being connected so that upon activating said motor member said crank arms of said pedal means are caused to rotate and said handlebar support member is caused to oscillate.

7. The physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest according to c laim 6 wherein said drive and operating means further include a variable speed control means for controlling the output of said motor member and thus the speed of rotation of said crank arms of said pedal means and the oscillation of said handlebar means and said variable speed control means is selected from, the group consisting of a multiple switch mounted on a handle member of said handlebar means and operatively connected to said motor member, a rheostat operatively connected to said motor member, and combinations thereof.

8. The physicaltherapy apparatus for persons at bedrest according to claim 7 which includes a coordination restoring means comprising:

a. a support means slidably positioned parallel to the interior surface said base member and said support means is adapted to rotate through a radius of substantially so as to be substantially perpendicular to said base and positioned between said person at bedrest and said bicycletype exerciser machine;

b. an attachment base member positioned upon and secured to the` upwardly extending portion of said support means, said attachment base member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough;

. a plurality of rib members secured to upper surface of said attachment base member and encompassing said opening therein;

d. a plurality of block members, said block members being constructed and adapted to be-inserted within the plurali` ty of openings lin said attachment base member; and

e. a hook means connected to said attachment base member, said hook means being constructed and positioned so as 4to hook over said handlebar means when said support'means and thus said attachment base member are in a lowered position for access of said coordination restoring means by a person at bedrest.

9. The physical therapy apparatus forgpersons at bedrest according to claim 8 which further includes:

a. a plurality of dart targets affixed to said base member and positioned'on the upper corner portion of said base; and

b. a plurality of pulley means secured to said base and positioned intermediate said dart targets, said targets and pulley means'beingconstructed and adapted to allow persons at bedrest to utilize same both for improving coordination and as entertainment` l0. a physical therapy apparatus for persons at bedrest comprising, in combination:

a. abase member; l

b. mounting means for mounting said base member in vertical relationship to an end of a bed, said mounting means maintaining said base member substantially parallel to said end and comprising a plurality of U-bolt 'members having their end portions threaded and adapted to be positioned over the top rung of said end and have their threaded end portions extended through openings within said base member, a plate element having openings therein, said plate element being constructed to pass over the threaded end portions of said U-bolt members and member in aA facing relation vto said bed. said base member. mounting means and said bicycle-type exerciser machine being constructed and assembled so that persons at bedrest can undergo physical therapy treatment by employing said apparatus while remaining in their hed.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 S40 435 Dated November l1: 1 Q70 Inventor(s) Mary G Smith It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9, line S3, before "members" insert strap Signed and sealed this 13th day of April 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, Attestng Officer Commissioner of Pate]

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