Patent · US Expired

Wheelchair ergometer

US4233844A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
5References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 1978
Grant dateNov 18, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 21, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S482/909
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A wheelchair ergometer provides for the stationary exercise of a subject in a wheelchair and includes a wheelchair mounted on a support with the driving wheels mounted on an elongated central shaft. A set of flywheels is mounted at either end of the central shaft and has provision for mounting weights corresponding to the weight of the subject. The flywheels load the central shaft and simulate the translational inertia present in a moving wheelchair. A torque platform is supported by bearings from the central shaft and is coupled to a friction type brake which may be selectively tightened about the central shaft to cause the brake and platform to deflect in relation to the torque applied to the central shaft. A scale fixedly mounted adjacent the torque platform measures the deflection to indicate the torque on the shaft. A magnetic disc type speedometer and a magnet and reed switch type odometer measure the speed and distance traveled; which permit the calculation of energy the subject supplies to the ergometer during an exercise bout.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.