Active seating exercise & therapy system

Abstract

An active seating exercise and therapy system 100 with adjustable footrest comprising a rocking chair 20. The rocking chair comprises a backrest and seat each with respective massagers and heating and

Description

The present invention relates generally to seating exercise and therapy system. More particularly, to an active seating exercise and therapy device, which can be affixed to a chair and provides adjustability in the foot rest to align the feet’s acupoints based upon reflexology, size and gait of the user’s feet and to maximize the effectiveness of the workout without walking. Background of the Invention It is often advised by doctors, physicians and health expert to perform activities and movement which enhances the muscle strength, calorie burn and joint moveability for maintaining overall fitness. However, it is not possible for everyone to maintain such level of physical activity on their own, especially during the recovery phase after an accident or injury, as a person may be restricted to perform any physical activity or may require guidance. Similarly, after certain age it is not possible for everyone to perform strenuous physical activities without some kind of support and monitoring that helps them to enhance muscle strength, burn calorie and joint moveability. At present, various therapeutic devices are available that augment functional exercises and specific movements of different muscle groups for users in therapy. These therapeutic devices are calibrated to execute prescribed restrained movement that allow the users to target a specific group of muscles to facilitate recovery by constant training. These devices are affordable and popular as it allows users to execute the movement without any supervision of a doctor or a physician. In general, the modern-day functional exercise and therapy devices are focuses on the science of movement and helps people to restore, maintain and maximise their physical strength, function, motion, and overall well-being by addressing the underlying physical issues, and mental issues. Moreover, the modern-day functional exercise and therapy devices are IOT enabled that facilitate functional exercise and therapy that can be customized or tailored to a user’s needs. At present, functional exercise and therapy devices are preferred by a lot of people and the market offers several models that comprehensively provide coverage from user’s head to toe. In most general configuration, all the available functional exercise and therapy devices have a controller with application, computing processors, communication unit and memory. Further, the controller can be connected and synchronised to any compatible smart device of the user, to control and adjust intensity of functional exercise. The state-of-the-art functional exercise and therapy devices are restricted in terms of the ability to adjust in accordance to the size, reflexology and gait of the feet, and are therefore limited in performance due to inability to exert pressure at the right pressure points. Since, the foot size and gait and intern the sensitive reflex points of each person is different, therefore there is a disadvantage that it is impossible to provide customized acupuncture point massages to the user’s feet. The present invention provides an active seating exercise and therapy device with adjustability in the foot rest to align the feet’s acupoints based upon reflexology, size and gait of the user’s feet and to maximize the effectiveness of the workout. Summary of the Invention According to the first aspect of the present invention, the invention provides an active seating exercise and therapy device installed to a rocking chair; an extendable leg rest; an active seating exercise and therapy module; and a computer application capable of adjusting and controlling the features of active seating exercise and therapy device. In another preferred embodiment, the extendable leg rest is coupled beneath the seat of the rocking chair using a securing mechanism that allows extension and curtailment of leg rest. The securing mechanism is either manual or automatic type. The manual type employs securing mechanisms such as but not limited to mechanical sliders, gas cylinders, etc., and the automatic type employs mechanisms such as but not limited to motor drive, hydraulics, etc. In another preferred embodiment, the active seating exercise and therapy module comprises of a base having linear tracks; a pair of foot rest having phalanges and adjustable heel portion with their respective independent fastening means, and air cushions to deliver customizable pressure; plurality of sensor and a controller for controlling the linear tracks to transmit the resistance to the foot rest when the user moves the foot rest and the resistance due to the pressure of air cushions. In another preferred embodiment, the active seating exercise and therapy device can be controlled via a computer application, which can be installed on any smart device such as but not limited to smart phone, laptop, iOS or Android computer. This feature vastly enhances the customisation, usefulness and positive health impact of the active seating exercise and therapy device. Further, the computer application communicates and transmits the user's exercise or movement data to the smart device and allows connection to other third-party smart devices such as but not limited to virtual reality accessories, gaming consoles, etc. In another preferred embodiment, the linear tracks of the active seating exercise and therapy module are provided to extend and retract the pair of foot rest in the horizontal direction and have pressure means that applies an elastic force to act on the feet. In another preferred embodiment, the foot rest of the active seating exercise and therapy device are equipped with mechanism that allows the foot rest to be tilted in multiple angles while the foot is engaged in the foot rest to obtain a forced exercise effect. Brief Description of the Figures Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiments of the active seating exercise and therapy system with a rocking chair; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4A and 4B are sectional views of the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is top view of the feet rest of the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is the sectional view of the feet rest of the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is side view of the feet rest of the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is crop-out view of the adjustable heel portion of the feet rest of the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is an exemplary working environment of the active seating exercise and therapy device with rocking chair and computer application according to the embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrative of a method of operating the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The object of the invention may be understood in more detail and more particularly the description of the invention briefly summarized above by reference to certain embodiments thereof (which are illustrated in the appended drawings), which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective equivalent embodiments. Detailed Description An active seating exercise and therapy device with rocking chair will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings a particular embodiment of the active seating exercise and therapy device with rocking chair is shown. This active seating exercise and therapy device may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Referring to Fig. 1, a perspective view shows the preferred embodiments of the active seating exercise and therapy system 100 associated to a rocking chair 20. The rocking chair 20 comprise of a backrest with massagers and heating / cooling modules; a seat with massagers and heating / cooling modules; a pair of side frames with arm rest; and a pair of rockers. The backrest and seat are fixed into the side frames with arm rest to create a robust structure and fastened together by means of fasteners that can be easily operated using hand tools or power tools. Similarly, a pair of rockers are fixed at the bottom of the side frames with arm rest. Each of the backrest and seat have removable cushions equipped with massagers and heating / cooling modules. Further, each of the removable cushions have inbuilt rechargeable batteries to provide power to the massagers and heating / cooling modules and is equipped with electronic circuitry to communicate with the computer application for customizable operation. The active seating exercise and therapy device 10 is fixed to the rocking chair 20 having an extendable leg rest 30. The extendable leg rest 30 comprises of a base platform 31 and pair of linear motion shaft with support 32. The base platform 31 has space to securely accommodate the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 and the pair of linear motion shaft with support 32 ensure the stability and alignment of the base platform 31, which maintains integrity of the structure during repetitive motion. The extendable leg rest 30 is coupled beneath the seat of the rocking chair 20 using the pair of linear motion shaft with support 32 that allows movement of the extendable leg rest 30, in extendable and retracted position. In a preferred embodiment, the extendable leg rest 30 can be operated manually or automatic configuration. The manual type configuration employs mechanisms such as but not limited to mechanical sliders, gas cylinders, etc., and the automatic configuration employs mechanisms such as but not limited to motor drive, hydraulics, etc. Referring to Fig. 2, a perspective view showing the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The active seating exercise and therapy device 10 comprises of the base 11 which comprise of a plurality of walls to define a uniform structure. The top of the base 11 has opening to accommodate a linear track 12 along with foot rest 13. The linear tracks 12 of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 are provided to extend and retract the pair of foot rest 13 in the horizontal direction and have pressure means that applies an elastic force to act on the leg. The pair of foot rest 13 incorporates phalanges 13a and adjustable heel portion 13b with their respective independent fastening means 13c, and air cushions 13d to deliver customizable pressure. Referring to Fig. 3, a block diagram showing the structure of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The active seating exercise and therapy device 10 also incorporates plurality of sensor 14 and a controller 15. In preferred embodiment, the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 comprises of plurality of sensor 14 for various purposes. For example, the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 includes a position sensor for recording position of foot rest 13; an accelerometer sensor to measures the acceleration of foot rest 13 in its instantaneous rest frame; and force-sensing resistor for measuring resistance changes when a force or pressure is applied on the foot rest 13. The controller 15 performs various functions such as but not limited to controlling the pressure means of the lineartracks 12 to transmit the resistance to the foot rest 13 when the user moves the foot rest by controlling the pressure of air cushions 13d according to the user’s preferred settings, and recording inputs from plurality of sensor 14 and processing them, and functions alike. The active seating exercise and therapy device 10 also incorporates accessories 16 comprises of equipment such as but not limited to air pump, valves, power source, memory and memory slot, communication ports and communication units (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), etc. All of the accessories 16 are controlled by the controller 15 to perform and assist various function of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 and help user in addressing the underlying physical issues, and the like. Referring to Fig. 4A and 4B, sectional views of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This sectional view is intended to show the attachment the foot rest 13 with the base 11. The foot rest 13 of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 are equipped with ball head pin 17 that allows the foot rest 13 to be tilted in multiple angles while the foot is engaged in the foot rest 13 to obtain a forced exercise effect. The ball head pin 17 have a base 17a which slides into the linear tracks 12, an elongated shaft portion 17b and have a ball head 17c which rest into the base of the foot rest 13 base. Further, the foot rest 13 has pressure exerting means 18 such as but not limited air cushions, electro-magnet, etc. The pressure exerting means 18 are derived to exert resistance to the ball head 17c in order to adjust the movement of the foot rest 13 according to the user like. The spherical configuration ball head 17c allows user to tilt or rotate the foot rest 13 in multiple angles without any obstruction. Similarly, the lineartracks 12 have pressure means 19 such as but not limited air cushions, electro-magnet, etc. The pressure means 19 can be derived to exert resistance to the base 17a in order to adjust the movement of the foot rest 13 according to the user like. Referring to Fig. 5, top view of the feet rest 13 of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Detail of the phalanges 13a, adjustable heel portion 13b with their respective independent fastening means 13c, and air cushions 13d to deliver customizable pressure is already provided in description of Fig. 2. This view highlights incorporation of track 13e provided for the adjustment of the adjustable heel portion 13b. Referring to Fig. 6, sectional view of the foot rest 13 of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The sectional view shows assembly of the adjustable heel portion 13b with the track 13e. The adjustable heel portion 13b have protruding extended flanges 13f which lock to the slots 13g provided in the track 13e. This engagement of the extended flanges 13f with the slots 13g confirms uniformity of motion and keep the adjustable heel portion 13b parallel to the base when load is applied by the user’s feet. In preferred embodiment, the extended flanges 13f or the slots 13g have bearing at its mating face which ensure smooth and jerk free movement of the feet rest 13. Referring to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, illustrates the side view of the foot rest 13 of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. The figure highlights the driving mechanism of the adjustable heel portion 13b with respect to the track 13e. The track 13e has gear protrusions which mates with a motor driven gear 13h fixed on the bottom of the adjustable heel portion 13b. Referring to Fig. 9, shows an exemplary working environment of the active seating exercise and therapy device with rocking chair and computer application according to the embodiment of the present invention. Present invention provides a computer application that can be installed on any smart device such as but not limited to a smart phone, a laptop, iOS or Android computer and vastly enhance the usefulness and positive health impact of the active seating exercise and therapy device. The computer application allows various functions such as but not limited to registering user, tracking the user's exercise or movement data, communicating and transmitting the data between the active seating exercise and therapy device and user’s smart device, enabling connection of other 3rd party smart devices such as but not limited to virtual reality accessories, gaming consoles, etc. and allowing customization of adjustable heel of the feet rest, allowing adjustment of the pressure means and air cushions of the active seating exercise and therapy device according to the user like, etc. Referring to Fig. 10, illustrates a flow chart of a method of operating the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, a user will place its feet into the foot rest 13 of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10. The user will place feet into phalanges 13a and adjust the adjustable heel portion 13b as per guidance of the computer application through a smart device. After, right placement of the feet into the feet rest 13, the user can start performing the exercise by moving feet rest 13 in horizontal direction and by moving the feet rest 13 forward or backward. The user's exercise or movement data got tracked by the various sensor 14 provided and communicated to the smart device. Based upon the tracked data the computer application allows user to modify parameters of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to their like or as per the guidance of the computer application. The adjustment of the feet into the feet rest 13 is the most important feature of the invention and it is based upon the data of acquired by the force-sensing resistor during the foot placement. The change in the resistance of the forcesensing resistor allow the controller 16 and computer application to perform a reflexology of the user fit and helps in decide gait pattern of the feet. Once the right gait pattern of the foot is captured by the controller 16, the air cushions 13d are guided to exert pressure on the right pressure points on the user feet. Further, the generation of gait pattern using force-sensing resistor data immediately identify asymmetries in the user feet and the controller allow two different adjustments to the feet rest 13 for a single user. While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of, and not restricted to, the broad invention, and that this invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described embodiments that can be configured without departing materially from the scope and spirit of the 5 invention. The invention has been described by way of examples only. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction 10 and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An active seating exercise and therapy system 100 with adjustable foot rest to maximize the effectiveness of the workout without walking, comprising:a rocking chair 20 further comprises of a backrest with massagers, and heating 5 and cooling modules; a seat with massagers, and heating and cooling modules;a pair of side frames with arm rest; and a pair of rockers;an extendable leg rest 30 comprises of a base platform 31 and pair of linear motion shaft with support 32;an active seating exercise and therapy device 10 fixed to the rocking chair 20 io attached to the extendable leg rest 30 and comprises of a base 11 havingprovisions to accommodate a linear track 12 along foot rest 13 which incorporates phalanges 13a and adjustable heel portion 13b having independent fastening means 13c, and air cushions 13d to deliver customized pressure; and15 a computer application to facilitate customisation of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 and communicates the exercise or movement data to any smart device; wherein,the heel portion 13b is adjusted on reflexology, gait and size of the feet;the guidance of feet placement in phalanges 13a and adjustable heel portion 20 13b is based upon the change in the resistance of the force-sensing resistor;the pressure of the pressure means 18,19 to the feet rest 13 is customized or adjusted through computer application; andthe pressure of the air cushions 13d is based upon the gait pattern generated by the force-sensing resistor data.

2. The active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor 14 comprises a position sensor for recording position of foot rest 13; an accelerometer sensor to measures the acceleration of foot rest 13 in its instantaneous rest frame; and force-sensing resistor for measuring 5 resistance changes when a force or pressure is applied on the foot rest 13.

3. The active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change in the resistance of the force-sensing resistor allow the controller 16 and computer application to perform a reflexology of the user’s io feet and helps in decide gait of the feet.

4. The active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein asymmetries in the user feet are immediately identified and the controller allow two different adjustments to the foot rest 13.

155. The active seating exercise and system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer application performs functions of registering a user, tracking the user's exercise or movement data, communicating and transmitting the data between the active seating exercise and therapy system 100 and user’s smart 20 device, and enabling connection of other third-party smart devices.

6. The active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer application allows customization of adjustable heel 13b of the foot rest 13, allowing adjustment of the pressure means 18,19 and air 25 cushions 13d according to the user’s preference.

7. A method of operating active seating exercise and therapy system 100 with adjustability in the foot rest 13 based upon reflexology, gait and size of the feet and to maximize the effectiveness of the workout without walking, comprisingsteps of:placing the user’s feet in the foot rest 13 of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10;adjusting the adjustable heel portion 13b as per the inputs of the computer 5 application through a smart device;performing the exercise by moving feet rest 13 in horizontal direction and by moving the feet rest 13 forward or backward;tracking the user's exercise or movement data by the various sensor 14 provided and communicated to the smart device; andio allowing user to modify parameters of the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 according to tracked data; wherein,the adjustable heel portion 13b is adjusted according to the reflexology, gait and size of the feet of the user to properly align the acupoints;the guidance of feet placement in phalanges 13a and adjustable heel portion 15 13b is based upon the change in the resistance of the force-sensing resistor;the pressure of the pressure means 18,19 to the feet rest 13 can be adjusted through computer application; andthe pressure of the air cushions 13d is based upon the gait pattern generated by the force-sensing resistor data.

208. The method of operating active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sensor 14 comprises a position sensor for recording position of foot rest 13; an accelerometer sensor to measures the acceleration of foot rest 13 in its instantaneous rest frame; and force-sensing resistor for measuring resistance changes when a force or pressure is appliedon the foot rest 13.

9. The method of operating active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the change in the resistance of the force-sensing 5 resistor allow the controller 16 and computer application to perform a reflexology of the user’s feet and helps in decide gait of the feet.

10. The method of operating active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein asymmetries in the user feet are immediately io identified and the controller allow two different adjustments to the foot rest 13.

11. The method of operating active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the computer application performs functions of registering a user, tracking the user's exercise or movement data, 15 communicating and transmitting the data between the active seating exercise and therapy device 10 and user’s smart device, and enabling connection of other third-party smart devices.

12. The method of operating active seating exercise and therapy system 100 as 20 claimed in claim 7, wherein the computer application allows customization of adjustable heel 13b of the feet rest 13, allowing adjustment of the pressure means 18,19 and air cushions 13d according to the user’s settings.

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