Powered antithrombotic foot mobility device

• US 20030036462A1
• Filed: 10/29/2001
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Paul Dowd, Sundaram Ravikumar, Will Isaksson
• Original Assignee: Paul Dowd, Sundaram Ravikumar, Will Isaksson
• Inventors: Dowd, Paul, Ravikumar, Sundaram, Isaksson, Will
• Application Number:
  US10/021,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20030036462A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0266 Foot
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0169 Noise reduction
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1215 Rotary drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/14 Special force transmission means, i.e. between the driving means and the interface with the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1676 Pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0431 in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2209/00 Devices for avoiding blood stagnation, e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00178 for active exercising, the apparatus being also usable for passive exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0429 with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by being cantilevered about a horizontal axis

Abstract

A foot mobility device includes a body, two pedals rotatable about an axis in opposition to each other and relative to the body, and a motor drive assembly. The feet of a user are placed on the pedals, and the motor drive assembly is powered to move the pedals even while the user is completely passive; i.e., without any active participation by the user. Moreover, the sensation received by the use, rather than being one of typical “exercise”, is massage-like and therapeutic, all while providing the same benefit of increased blood circulation due to contraction and relaxation of the calf muscle. The device may also be used in an active mode, pedaled by the user. Moreover, the foot mobility device may be moved between an open configuration adapted for use of the device and a collapsed configuration having a low profile and adapted for storage and portability.

Claims

1. A foot mobility device, comprising:

a) first and second pedals each rotatable about respective axes;

b) a housing; and

c) a motor assembly within said housing, said motor assembly mechanically coupled to said pedals such that said motor assembly can rotate said pedals about said axes,

said pedals and said housing relatively movable between an open configuration, in which said pedals are adapted to receive feet of a user and said motor assembly is adapted to move said pedals in a reciprocating motion about said axes, and a collapsed configuration in which said pedals and said housing together define a relatively compact size and shape which facilitates portability.

2. A foot mobility device according to claim 1, wherein:

said pedals are movable relative to said housing in a manner other than rotation about said axis such that the pedals and housing can assume the collapsed configuration.

3. A foot mobility device according to claim 1, wherein:

in said collapsed configuration, said foot mobility device is relatively flat.

4. A foot mobility device according to claim 1, wherein:

said respective axes are coaxial.

5. A foot mobility device according to claim 4, wherein:

said axes extend through or adjacent a heel portion of said pedals.

6. A foot mobility device according to claim 1, wherein;

said motor assembly is mechanically decouplable from said pedals permitting the pedals to rotate under a force of the feet of the user.

7. A foot mobility device according to claim 1, wherein:

in said collapsed configuration, said motor assembly is mechanically decoupled from said pedals.

8. A foot mobility device according to claim 1, wherein:

said pedals and said housing are coupled to a floor of a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

9. A foot mobility device according to claim 8, wherein:

said vehicle is one of a car, a truck, an airplane, and a train.

10. A foot mobility device, comprising:

a) first and second pedals each rotatable about an axis;

b) a housing; and

c) a motor assembly within said housing, said motor assembly being mechanically couplable to said pedals such that said motor assembly can rotate said pedals about said axis, and said motor assembly being mechanically decouplable from said pedals thereby permitting the pedals to rotate under a force of the feet of the user.

11. A foot mobility device according to claim 10, wherein:

said pedals and said housing are relatively movable between an open configuration, in which said pedals are adapted to receive feet of a user and said motor assembly is adapted to move said pedals, and a collapsed configuration in which said pedals and said housing together define a relatively compact size and shape which facilitates portability.

12. A foot mobility device according to claim 11, wherein:

in said collapsed configuration, said motor assembly is mechanically decoupled from said pedals.

13. A foot mobility device according to claim 11, wherein:

said pedals are movable relative to said housing in a manner other than rotation about said axes such that said pedals and said housing can assume said collapsed configuration.

14. A foot mobility device according to claim 11, wherein:

in said collapsed configuration, said foot mobility device is relatively flat.

15. A foot mobility device according to claim 10, wherein:

said respective axes are coaxial.

16. A foot mobility device according to claim 10, wherein:

said pedals and said housing are coupled to a floor of a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

17. A foot mobility device according to claim 16, wherein:

said vehicle is one of a car, a truck, an airplane, and a train.

18. A foot mobility device, comprising:

a) a base;

b) a pair of pedals rotatably coupled relative to said base;

c) a housing coupled to said base and movable between a folded position and an upright position; and

d) a motor assembly in said housing, said motor assembly including a motor which is mechanically coupled to said pedals to rotate said pedals.

19. A foot mobility device according to claim 18, wherein:

said motor is mechanically decouplable from said pedals.

20. A foot mobility device according to claim 18, wherein:

said motor assembly includes a pulley and a rope having two ends, said rope extending about said pulley and having a pedal attached to each of its end.

21. A foot mobility device according to claim 18, wherein:

said motor assembly includes two ropes partially extending about a pulley, each rope having two ends, one end of each rope attached to said pulley and the other end of each rope being attached to a respective one of said pedals.

22. A foot mobility device according to claim 18, wherein:

said base is coupled to or integrated into a floor of a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

23. A foot mobility device according to claim 22, wherein:

said vehicle is one of a car, a truck, an airplane, and a train.

24. A foot mobility device, comprising:

a) a housing;

b) first and second pedals each coupled to said housing and rotatable about respective axes,

wherein said pedals and said housing are relatively movable between an open configuration, in which said pedals are adapted to receive feet of a user, and a collapsed configuration in which said pedals and said housing together define a relatively compact size and shape which facilitates portability.

25. A foot mobility device according to claim 24, wherein:

said pedals are rotatable in a non-pedaling motion.

26. A foot mobility device according to claim 24, wherein:

said pedals have heel portions, and said axes extend through or adjacent said heel portions.

27. A foot mobility device according to claim 24, wherein:

when feet of a user are positioned on said pedals, said axes extend through or adjacent ankles of the feet of the user.