The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 13, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2002
John M. Steinbach, Charlotte, NC (US);
Kevin F. Bulson, Charlotte, NC (US);
Elbert D. Turner, Iii, Charlotte, NC (US);
John M. Steinbach, Charlotte, NC (US);
Kevin F. Bulson, Charlotte, NC (US);
Elbert D. Turner, III, Charlotte, NC (US);
Bedside Rehabilitation Technology, Inc., Charlotte, NC (US);
Abstract
A versatile health care apparatus that can be used for physical therapy, or to exert a desired pulling force on a patient's body and maintain the pulling force, is disclosed. Beneficially, in a first aspect, the apparatus includes a power spring, a pull-line connected to the power spring, and mounting apparatus for securing the apparatus to varied support structures. Beneficially, this apparatus further includes when used for physical therapy, a pair of ergonomically spaced apart guide wheels. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a pull-line, and a rotatable pull-line wheel mounted on an axle and operatively connected to a power spring in connection with the axle, and the pull-line has an end in connection with the pull-line wheel. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the exercise load for physical therapy may advantageously be increased or a desired pulling force may be exerted on a patient's body, by rotating the axle in an appropriate direction so that energy is applied to the power spring, and an axle rotation-preventing element of the apparatus is thereafter engaged to maintain the increased load or to maintain the pulling force.