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Stationary pedal exerciser with handle

Stationary pedal exerciser with handle description/claims

This applications claims the benefit of the provisional application Ser. No. 60/941,428 filed Jun. 1, 2007.

The present application relates to the field of pedal exerciser devices. Specifically, the subject apparatus provides a stationary pedal exerciser having a handle to provide additional functionality and use for a pedal exerciser user. The additional handle allows a user to easily transport, hold steady the device during use, and/or to otherwise engage the upper body of the user.

Many patients receive significant therapeutic benefits from the use of stationary pedal exercisers. These pedal exercisers are a convenient for use and may be easily stored away. Essentially, a user is reclines in a chair of their choosing. Without having to mount a piece of exercise equipment, such as a stationary bike, the exerciser can be placed in front of the user wherein the exerciser pedals are engaged by the user. The user rotates the pedals via their feet to receive therapeutic, aerobic or other benefits. The rotational resistance of the pedals is adjustable to match the user's abilities or preferences. In some instances, a user will place the stationary pedal exerciser on a table and rotate the pedals by hand. This provides an upper-body workout or other therapeutic benefits.

While pedal exercisers typically have rubber-tipped supports to keep the device stationary, these exerciser devices may accidentally slip on a surface on which it is positioned. This is especially true when the exerciser is placed on a polished floor. The pedal exercise must be repositioned so that the user can engage the device. Unfortunately, many of the users for which these exercisers are intended are unable to retrieve the exercise on their own. Limited mobility and flexibility can, therefore, deter a user from following a prescribed exercise routine.

Displacement of the exerciser during use is also likely to happen if the exerciser device is initially positioned slightly away from a patient/user. The resulting natural tendency is to then accidentally push away the exerciser from the patient during use. This is problematic for users, particularly for users or patients that might already be physically limited. There is a need for a pedal exerciser that can be more securely held in place during use or that is more easily repositioned by the user.

For users who wish to rotate the pedal exerciser by hand, physical limitations may also prevent them from being able to bend to pick the exerciser up to place into a position for hand pedaling. As a result, many patients forgo the user of the exerciser and do not receive the benefits associated with the use of the exerciser. This can lead to a declining level of mobility, flexibility, or overall health. There is a need for a pedal exercise that is more accessible to patients/users.

Accordingly, there is a need for pedal exerciser with additional structure that addresses the above and other needs associated with typical pedal exerciser devices. Ideally, the additional structure and functionality would be adjustable to accommodate many types of users. In addition, the structure would more securely position the exerciser during use. It might also engage a user's upper body. In at least one embodiment, a new pedal exerciser would provide additional access or ease of portability relative to traditional exercisers. The subject pedal exerciser with a handle addresses at least one of these or other needs.

In accordance with the subject apparatus, a pedal exerciser that includes a handle is provided. In at least one embodiment of the apparatus, the handle is adjustable so as to be customizable for a particular user. The adjustability occurs in both the lateral and vertical directions. The adjustability allows the owner/user of the exerciser to maximize their comfort of using the exerciser handle. The adjustability also allows institutional owners (hospitals, retirement homes, assisted living communities, etc.) to provide an exerciser that is customizable for more than one user.

The stationary pedal exerciser, as disclosed herein, includes an elevated handle attached to or integral with the exerciser base. The exerciser further comprises a tubular frame including at least two tubular support feet and a tubular body joining the support feet. Each support foot or foot bar has rubber caps optionally mounted on each end of the foot. The inverted U-shaped body, which can comprise one or two pieces, is connected to approximately the middle of each support foot. However, it is also envisioned that multiple body members could connect the feet together and that a body member(s) could be connected to various points along the tubular feet.

Affixed to the frame, generally at the top of the body member, which might be an inverted-U shape, is a pedal apparatus. The pedal apparatus includes a short barrel enclosing one or more bearing. The bearings carry an axle that is configured between the opposite pedals. In at least one embodiment, a knob is connected to the barrel. The knob includes a threaded screw or other adjustable member that allows the user to adjustably apply, vary or remove the friction applied to the axle. Therefore, the knob allows the user to adjust the rotational force necessary to rotate the pedal apparatus.

Connected to the body of the frame is an elevated handle. In at least one embodiment, the elevated handle is directly connected to one or more of the body members of the frame. The elevated handle might be positioned at an angle of greater than 30 degrees relative to the support surface upon which the exerciser rests. The handle includes a grip portion. Optional grip pads or material can be placed about the grip for the user's comfort.

In another embodiment, the handle comprises three components and a single horizontal grip portion. The three components include first, second and third tubes. The first tube is connected to a body member of the frame at approximately a forty-five degree (45°) angle from the prospective surface upon which the exerciser will be placed. The first tube is straight and hollow. Additionally, there are holes in the first tube along the longitudinal length of the tube. The second tube is also a hollow tube. The second tube is a male insert into both the first and third tubes. In the illustrated embodiment, the second tube is straight. In at least one other embodiment, the second tube is not straight. Therefore, the second tube can optionally comprise an angle along the length of the second tube. Further, the second tube includes a pin and spring construction on each respective end of the second tube. The third hollow tube has fixed on one end of it a horizontal grip portion. The other end of the third hollow tube is a female receiving portion that receives the second tube on the opposite end of the second tube from the first tube. The third hollow tube also has holes along its longitudinal length.

The pin and spring features in the second tube interact with the openings along the longitudinal length of the first and third tubes. This allows a user to variably position the grip portion of the handle. The variability between the first and second tubes and between the second and third tubes includes some variability in both the vertical and lateral directions with respect to the user. Therefore, the user can vary both the height and lateral closeness to the user of the grip portion of the handle of the pedal exerciser. In this way, a user may grasp the grip portion of the handle and hold the pedal exerciser in a fixed position. In other words, they can keep the pedal exerciser from accidentally moving away from the user when in use. The handle also provides a convenient prop for a user to transport and stow away or otherwise move the pedal exerciser.

Alternatively, instead of the pin and spring configuration, other types of friction collars or other releasably fixable fasteners may be used to allow a patient to variably adjust the length of the respective components of the handle of the pedal exerciser. Still further, two or more types of releasable fastening mechanisms may be employed to redundantly fix the length of the handle versus the base portion of the pedal exerciser. In at one embodiment, the first and third tubes are directly but adjustably mated. For instance, the first tube of this embodiment might be a hollow tube with at least one of the releasable fastening mechanisms, such as a pin and spring mechanism. The first tube in this embodiment is inserted into the female end of the third tube. The third tube including apertures spaced to engage the releasable fastening mechanism of the first tube. In this embodiment, the second tube of the handle is eliminated.

Other embodiments include a pedal exerciser having a handle of a single, fixed size or length. In another example, the handle may be two parts and be variable in length in only one direction. In a further example, the handle may be curved and bent in multiple directions. There may be multiple different components of the handle that increases the variability of position of the grip component of the handle. Still further, the grip component of the handle may simply be the end portion of the vertical tubes that make up the handle. In other words, it is not required that the handle have a horizontal grip portion.

In another embodiment, the handle portion of the exerciser may be inserted or mounted in the tube of the body portion of the frame. Alternatively, the handle may be fixed to one of the foot portions of the frame. Alternatively, it may be simply fixed or attached to top of the body portion of the frame.

In a still further embodiment, the handle component may be pivotally attached to the frame. This pivotal attachment allows a user to variably fix the angle of the handle with respect to the user. In another example, the handle may be pivotally attached to the frame to allow a user to add arm movement to the exercise options of a pedal exerciser. This embodiment may have a knob or other friction modifier whereby a user can adjust the friction of the pivotal rotation of the handle.

It is also envisioned that pedometers, pedal counters, or other devices may be attached to the exerciser to track the use or condition of the exerciser or patient. Therefore, timers, pulse counters, or the like could be associated with the exerciser.

In summary, a pedal exerciser in accordance with the present invention efficiently addresses at least one of the problems associated with prior art pedal exercisers. The use of additional structure to steady the exerciser and to provide additional portability and ease of use for patients will encourage use of the device compared to traditional stationary pedal exercisers lacking the new and unique structure. The subject exerciser is easier to use, more stable, more portable, and otherwise improves upon the traditional pedal exercisers. The foregoing and additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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