Iso-energetic ankle exerciser

• US 4,306,714 A
• Filed: 04/07/1980
• Issued: 12/22/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daniel P. Riley, Joseph L. Loomis, Walter J. Hochberg
• Original Assignee: Daniel P. Riley, Joseph L. Loomis, Walter J. Hochberg
• Inventors: Riley, Daniel P., Hochberg, Walter J., Loomis, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US06/137,853
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 272/126, 272/96, 272/97, 272/130, 272/137, 272/132, 272/125, 272/145, 128/25 B
• US Class Current: 482/79
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/08 for ankle joints

Abstract

This is an ankle and/or wrist exercising device capable of simultaneous rotational movement about any single axis and/or any combination of two or three axes with the resistance to movement provided by the opposite limb, ergometer or a second person and with the motion being synchronized for each foot or hand relative to the opposite foot or hand.

The device is comprised of two U-shaped yokes rotatably mounted upon a base, adapted to rotate about a Y axis and rotatably coupled to one another. There are two U-shaped brackets rotatably coupled to each of said U-shaped yokes, adapted to rotate about a Z axis perpendicular to said Y axis and rotatably coupled to one another. Two U-shaped gimbals are integrally coupled to each of said U-shaped yokes. Two stirrups are rotatably mounted upon each of said U-shaped gimbals and adapted to rotate about an X axis. The X axis is perpendicular to the Y axis and the Z axis. Each of said stirrups is coupled to the other by a beam adapted to transmit X axis motion.

Claims

1. An exercise device adapted to actuation by the feet, comprising in combination:

a base board;

two U-shaped yokes rotatably mounted on said base board, adjacent to one another;

two U-shaped brackets each rotatably mounted upon said U-shaped yokes;

two U-shaped gimbals rotatably mounted upon a U-shaped bracket;

two stirrups each rotatably mounted upon a U-shaped gimbal;

two boot holders each mounted upon a stirrup and adapted to securely hold a foot thereon;

an X axis fulcrum integrally mounted upon said base board and positioned between said U-shaped yokes;

an X axis beam rotatably mounted upon said X axis fulcrum;

a lock pin extending through said X axis fulcrum and said X axis beam and adapted to prevent the rotation of said X axis beam.

stirrup contactor means integrally positioned on the end portions of X axis beam, each stirrup contactor means in contact with the bottom portion of said stirrup;

a Y axis fulcrum integrally connected to said base board and positioned between said U-shaped yokes;

a Y axis tie rod, the end portions of which are rotatably connected to said U-shaped yokes whereby Y axis motion of one of said U-shaped yokes is transmitted to the other of said U-shaped yokes;

a central pillar integrally connected to said base board and positioned between said U-shaped yokes;

a Z axis tie rod, the end portions of which are rotatably connected to each of said U-shaped gimbals, whereby Z axis rotation of one of said U-shaped gimbals is transmitted to the other of said U-shaped gimbals.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 having a Y axis lock pin extending through said Y axis tie rod and said Y axis fulcrum and adapted to prevent the motion of said Y axis tie rod.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 having a Z axis lock pin extending through said central pillar and through said Z axis tie rod adapted to prevent the motion of said Z axis tie rod.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 3 having indicator means upon said X axis fulcrum adapted to indicate the degree of tilt of said X axis fulcrum.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 4 having indicator means upon said Y axis fulcrum for indicating the degree of Y axis rotation of said stirrups.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 having indicator means upon said central pillar adapted to indicate the degree of Z axis rotation of said stirrups.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 6 having a hand grip attached to each of said stirrups adapted to rotate said stirrups about any axes.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 7 providing a device useful in exercise and rehabilitation to extend both range of motion and to increase strength of the involved muscles.