Joint flexing apparatus

• US 3,976,057 A
• Filed: 12/23/1974
• Issued: 08/24/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clarence F. Bates, Gerald E. Bates, Irving Mason, William D. Heron
• Original Assignee: Clarence F. Bates, Gerald E. Bates, Irving Mason, William D. Heron
• Inventors: Barclay, Doltie W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Browne, William R.
• Application Number:
  US05/535,704
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 272/79 C, 272/DIG. 1, 272/DIG. 4, 272/72, 272/80, 272/58, 272/67, 272/68, 272/70, 272/76, 128/25 R, 128/25 B, 16/49, 184/18, 251/15
• US Class Current: 601/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0169 with damping means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0125 the device articulating around a single pivot-point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00178 for active exercising, the apparatus being also usable for passive exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 primarily by articulating the elbow joint

Abstract

A flexing apparatus including first and second straps to encircle the body above and below a joint, pivotable links between the straps to maintain alignment between them and piston and cylinder assemblies extending between the straps. Adjustable bleed valves in the cylinder ends provide calibrated leakage to present resistance to flexion and extension of the joint. An air supply and control are attached to the cylinder ends to provide controlled power flexion and extension of the joint for therapy, including a compressor, air filtering, regulating and lubricating devices, a two position solenoid operated valve and an electrical timing and switching circuit for energizing the solenoid.

Claims

1. A device for flexing and extending a body joint such as a knee or elbow comprising:

first strap means for completely encircling the body near and on one side of the joint to be exercised;

second strap means for completely encircling the body near and on the other side of the joint to be exercised;

linkage means extending between said first strap means and said second strap means in predetermined relationship with the joint,

said linkage means having a first link portion rigidly secured to said first strap means and a second link portion secured to said second strap means and means defining a pivot point connecting said link portions substantially aligned with the pivot axis of a joint to be exercised for permitting relative pivotal motion of said link portions, which motion corresponds with motion of a body portions joined at the joint to be exercised;

fluid drive means connected between said first and second strap means to form the third side of a triangle with said first and second link portions for moving said strap means alternately toward and away from each other to flex and extend a body joint and, with said link portions, for minimizing compressive and extensive forces at the body joint;

a source of fluid under pressure;

valve and control means for controlling the application of fluid from said source to said drive means; and

conduit means for interconnecting said source, said valve means and said drive means.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said fluid drive means includes:

at least one pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly, the piston thereof being pivotally connected to said first strap means and the cylinder thereof being pivotally connected to said second strap means; and

said source comprises an air compressor.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said valve and control means includes:

a two position, four-way valve for alternately directing air under pressure to one and the other end of said cylinder;

solenoid means for moving said valve;

a source of electrical energy;

timing switch means for selectively energizing said solenoid means; and

circuit means for interconnecting said solenoid means, said source of energy and said timing switch means.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said valve and control means further includes:

means for adjusting the pressure of air directed to said cylinder;

wherein said solenoid means includes

first and second solenoids, said first solenoid being operative, when energized, to move said valve to one of its two positions and said second solenoid being operative, when energized, to move said valve to the other of its two positions;

and wherein said timing switch means includes

first and second switches connected respectively to said first and second solenoids and to said source of energy to permit energization of said solenoids;

a timing motor;

adjustable speed control means for controlling the speed of said timing motor to permit alteration of the interval between successive energizations of said solenoids.

5. A device according to claim 2 wherein said piston and cylinder assembly includes:

adjustable mechanical stop means for selectably limiting the extent of motion of the piston in the cylinder and thereby limiting the degree of flexion and extension of a joint being exercised.