Multi-functional therapeutic workstation kit

• US 5,435,728 A
• Filed: 06/29/1994
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith and Nephew Rolyan Inc (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith and Nephew Rolyan Inc (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Fula, Karen A., Krippendorf, Carl E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US08/267,494
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 434/258, 434/247, 434/259, 446/108, 446/110-115, 446/118, 446/122, 446/123, 312/213, 312/257.1
• US Class Current: 434/258
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/12 Perforated strips or the like assembled by rods, bolts, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

Abstract

A multi-functional therapeutic workstation which can simulate a multitude of job tasks. The workstation kit includes five panel designs, right angled elbows, nuts and bolts, and can be assembled into a variety of modules requiring the exercise of varying levels of cognitive and motor skills. Depending upon the position of the patient relative to the workstation kit, and the module that the patient is required to construct, the assembly rehabilitates both muscles as well as neurological pathways.

Claims

1. A multi-functional workstation kit for rehabilitation of patients that have suffered muscular or neurological trauma, said workstation kit being adapted for assembly into a variety of modules and comprising a selection of panels capable of being manipulated by hand, said panels having a plurality of holes for accepting bolts and threading wire, said workstation kit comprising:

(1) a planar side panel having a straight top edge, a straight bottom edge, and two straight sides of length unequal to the top and bottom edges, and having a slot for grasping and lifting, said side panel further having spaced holes at least along the perimeter of the panel for accepting bolts to allow connection to another panel with right angled elbows, the side panel further having a plurality of holes sized for threading wire by a patient to rehabilitate the patient'"'"'s fine motor skills;

(2) a middle panel having top edge, a bottom edge, and two sides, and having at least one aperture sized to permit the insertion of a patient'"'"'s hand or arm therethrough, said middle panel being provided with spaced holes for bolts at least along the perimeter of the panel to allow connection of the middle panel to another panel with right angled elbows; and

(3) a square top panel, said top panel having sides equal in length to the top bottom edges of the side and middle panels so that the top panel may be affixed at right angles and flush with the top or bottom edges of said middle and side panels with right angled elbows.

2. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a shelf for fitting into a shelf bracket when the panels are assembled into a module, said shelf restricting workspace within the module thereby causing the patient constructing the module to therapeutically exercise muscles and neurological pathways.

3. A multi-functional workstation kit for rehabilitation of patients that have suffered muscular or neurological trauma, said workstation kit being adapted for assembly into a variety of modules and comprising a selection of panels capable of being manipulated by hand, said panels having a plurality of holes for accepting bolts and threading wire, said workstation kit comprising:

(a) a planar side panel having a straight top edge, a straight bottom edge, and two straight sides of length unequal to lengths of the top and bottom edges, said panel comprising a slot for grasping and lifting, and a plurality of holes in the planar panel sized for accepting bolts and threading wire by a patient to rehabilitate said patient'"'"'s fine motor skills;

(b) a planar middle panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two sides, and having at least one aperture sized to permit the insertion of a hand or arm therethrough, said middle panel being provided with a plurality of holes sized for accepting bolts and threading wire by a patient to rehabilitate said patient'"'"'s fine motor skills; and

(c) a planar square top panel, the panel having sides equal in length to the top edges of the side and middle panels so that the top panel may be affixed at right angles and flush with the top edges of said middle and side panels with right angle elbows, the top panel further being provided with a plurality of holes sized for accepting bolts and threading wire therethrough by a patient to rehabilitate said patient'"'"'s fine motor skills.

4. The kit of claim 3 further comprising a shelf for fitting into a shelf bracket when the panels are assembled into a module, said shelf restricting workspace within the module thereby causing the patient constructing the module to therapeutically exercise muscles and neurological pathways.