Apparatus and method for wheelchair aerobic stationary exercise
First Claim
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1. A trainer for a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame comprising an axle or adaptor axle, a pair of front wheels, a first rear wheel, and a second rear wheel, the trainer comprisinga trainer frame;
- an independent flywheel resistance means comprisinga first flywheel assembly comprisinga first axle supported by the trainer frame,a first flywheel which provides a first resistance to the rotation ofthe first rear wheel, anda first roller rear wheel engagement means, anda second flywheel assembly comprisinga second axle supported by the trainer frame,a second flywheel which provides a first resistance to the rotation of the second rear wheel, anda second roller rear wheel engagement means;
a vertical lift supported by the trainer frame, such that the vertical lift has a first lowered position wherethe first rear wheel is resting on the ground in proximity to the first roller,the second rear wheel is resting on the ground in proximity to the second roller, andthe front wheels are resting on the ground, anda second raised position wherethe first rear wheel is lifted 1 to 3 inches off the ground to engage the first roller,the second rear wheel is lifted 1 to 3 inches off the ground to engage the second roller,the front wheels are resting on the ground, such that the wheelchair has an angle of inclination of less than 5 degrees; and
a wheelchair retention means comprising an angularly adjustable retention plate that is pivotal between a disengaged position that allows entry of the wheelchair on the trainer frame and an engaged position wherein the retention plate directly engages the axle or adaptor axle and forces the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel into contact with the flywheel resistance means at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane.
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Abstract
An improved wheelchair trainer with independent flywheel resistance for each wheelchair rear wheel. A lever-operated cam raises the wheelchair rear axle by pushing an inclined block against the axle and forces the rear wheels against wheel engagement means. As one or both rear wheels are turned, each wheel engagement means turns a flywheel in proportion to the speed of the wheel. Force and work may be calculated from the measured rotational speed of the flywheels. A hand-cycle attachment may drive the flywheel resistance.
48 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A trainer for a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame comprising an axle or adaptor axle, a pair of front wheels, a first rear wheel, and a second rear wheel, the trainer comprising
a trainer frame; -
an independent flywheel resistance means comprising a first flywheel assembly comprising a first axle supported by the trainer frame, a first flywheel which provides a first resistance to the rotation of the first rear wheel, and a first roller rear wheel engagement means, and a second flywheel assembly comprising a second axle supported by the trainer frame, a second flywheel which provides a first resistance to the rotation of the second rear wheel, and a second roller rear wheel engagement means; a vertical lift supported by the trainer frame, such that the vertical lift has a first lowered position where the first rear wheel is resting on the ground in proximity to the first roller, the second rear wheel is resting on the ground in proximity to the second roller, and the front wheels are resting on the ground, and a second raised position where the first rear wheel is lifted 1 to 3 inches off the ground to engage the first roller, the second rear wheel is lifted 1 to 3 inches off the ground to engage the second roller, the front wheels are resting on the ground, such that the wheelchair has an angle of inclination of less than 5 degrees; and a wheelchair retention means comprising an angularly adjustable retention plate that is pivotal between a disengaged position that allows entry of the wheelchair on the trainer frame and an engaged position wherein the retention plate directly engages the axle or adaptor axle and forces the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel into contact with the flywheel resistance means at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of providing exercise to a wheelchair occupant, the wheelchair comprising a frame comprising an axle or adaptor axle, a pair of front wheels, a first rear wheel, and a second rear wheel, the method comprising
providing a trainer comprising a trainer frame; -
an independent flywheel resistance means comprising a first flywheel assembly comprising a first axle supported by the trainer frame, a first flywheel which provides a first resistance to the rotation of the first rear wheel, and a first roller rear wheel engagement means, and a second flywheel assembly comprising a second axle supported by the trainer frame, a second flywheel which provides a first resistance to the rotation of the second rear wheel, and a second roller rear wheel engagement means, a cam or gear or hydraulic wheelchair lift supported by the trainer frame, such that the lift includes a first lowered position where the first rear wheel is resting on the ground in proximity to the first roller, the second rear wheel is resting on the ground in proximity to the second roller, and the front wheels are resting on the ground, and a second raised position where the first rear wheel is lifted 1 to 3 inches off the ground to engage the first roller, the second rear wheel is lifted 1 to 3 inches off the ground to engage the second roller, the front wheels are resting on the ground, such that the wheelchair has an angle of inclination of less than 5 degrees; and a wheelchair retention means comprising an angularly adjustable retention plate that is pivotal between a disengaged position that allows entry of the wheelchair on the trainer frame and an engaged position wherein the retention plate directly engages the axle or adaptor axle and forces the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel into contact with the flywheel resistance means; backing the wheelchair so that the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel are in proximity to the flywheel resistance means; raising the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel to a height of less than three inches with the wheelchair lift without substantially moving the pair of front wheels; forcing the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel into the flywheel resistance means, at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane, with the wheelchair retention means; rotating at least one of the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel for a desired period of time; lowering the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel with the wheelchair lift; and moving the wheelchair away from the trainer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification