Motorized Lower Body Rehabilitation Device and Method

Abstract

Disclosed is a motorized rehabilitation apparatus and method for disabled, impaired or injured individuals, which trains a proper gait, increases blood flow, relieves stress, and reconditions lower body muscles and joints. The device comprises a powered stationary bicycle having a seat, handle grips, and rotating foot pedals that receive motive input from an electric motor and user input. The device further includes a pair of thigh braces that are connected together between the user's thighs via a hingeable link and chain that controls and trains an individual's limbs through the pedal rotation. The disclosed method further combines the present bicycle device for rehabilitation in conjunction with visual stimuli in the way of a three dimensional television display that stimulates endorphins, relieves mental stress and allows the motive input from the bicycle and mild user input to exercise the limbs of a user without focusing on the rehabilitation activity.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 500,327 filed on Jun. 23, 2011, entitled “Mobilizer 1.” The patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field Of The Invention[0003]The present invention relates to exercise and rehabilitation equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a powered stationary bicycle and method of rehabilitation that trains a proper gait and provides exercise and rehabilitation for impaired, injured or disabled individuals.[0004]Stationary bicycles and exercise machines are utilized extensively for rehabilitation sessions to build strength, increase range of motion and mobility, and to further introduce muscle activity to individuals to improve fitness or to recover physical ability. These devices are generally stationary bicycles and similar devices tha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of motorized stationary bicycles now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new device and method associated with a motorized stationary bicycle, wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when correcting a user's walking gait, rehabilitating impaired or injured users, and further for introducing exercise to those unable to utilize standard stationary bicycles.

[0017]Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized stationary bicycle that is particularly suited for injured or impaired users requiring exercise and muscle development prior to walking or exercising independently of motorized input.

[0018]Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized stationary bicycle that is particularly suited for elderly individuals that may have muscle and joint pain, wherein exercise and increased blood flow facilitates pain relief and improve motor function.

[0019]Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized stationary bicycle having a means to control a user's upper legs for properly training and controlling the thigh region through each pedal rotation.

[0020]A final object of the present invention is to provide a motorized stationary bicycle having a visual stimulus to encourage users, release endorphins and to redirect attention away from the exercise at hand for increased effectiveness thereof and compliance with regular exercise routines.

Problems solved by technology

While these devices provide novel means of exercise, they fail to contemplate the unique aspects that allow the present device to successfully train and exercise an impaired or disabled user.

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