A method and apparatus for simulating the act of walking by holding a knee substantially stationary while sequentially elevating a heel of a foot associated with the knee, depressing the unsupported arch, and flexing the toes. The foot is moved during the sequential operations in a direction parallel to a line through the toes and heel thereof, and is raised so that the arch returns to its normal position and returned to its original position following the sequential operations. Apparatus for carrying out the method has a pair of spaced members for engaging a leg and controlling the movement of the knee thereof, and a plate adapted to receive the foot associated with the knee for performing the sequential operations. Cams are provided for imparting motion to the plate for carrying out the sequential operations. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and apparatus for simulating the act of walking by causing the foot to move as it would when walking. In particular, it relates to an exerciser method and apparatus for use by invalids, semi-invalids and the like. 2. Description of the Prior Art Motor operated exercising devices are known which move the feet of a sitting person back and forth. Examples of such devices may be found in, for example, U. S. Pat. No. 3,419,001. issued Dec. 31, 1968 to J. F. Woods, U.S. Pat. No. 3,316,898 issued May 2, 1967 to J. W. Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 2,924,214 issued Feb. 9, 1960 to A. J. Zak, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,416, issued Nov. 4, 1952 to J. A. Gillmeier. Foot-exercising devices are known in which the heel is retained while the toes are exercised. An example of such a device may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,397,428, issued Mar. 26, 1946 to C. C. Moshier. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for simulating the act of walking that overcomes the disadvantages discussed above with the foot being bare or provided with a covering that does not support the arch thereby enabling depression of the arch in a sequential manner to act somewhat in the nature of a pumping device to facilitate blood circulation in the feet and legs. This and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a method having the steps of holding a knee substantially stationary, and sequentially elevating the heel of a foot associated with the knee, depressing the arch thereof, and flexing the toes thereof. The step of sequentially operating on the foot includes the step of moving the foot in a direction parallel to a line through the toes and heel thereof and in the direction of the heel. The method according to the present invention further includes the step of raising the knee and moving the foot to its original position. Both legs may be exercised by performing the above steps with the other leg of the person in opposed phase with the one leg. Exercising apparatus for carrying out the method according to the present invention has means for controlling the movement of a knee, and means for sequentially elevating the heel of a foot associated with the knee, depressing the arch thereof, and flexing the toes thereof while the knee is held substantially stationary. In a preferred embodiment of the exercising apparatus according to the present invention, the sequential means has a plate adapted to receive the sole of the foot. The sequential means further has means for imparting motion to the plate. Preferably, this imparting means has cam surfaces, and means for moving the plate relative to the cam surfaces. This means for moving may have a crank, means for turning the crank, and a link pivotally mounted to the crank and plate. A plurality of rollers may be connected to the plate and arranged to engage the cam surfaces. A preferred embodiment of the means for controlling has a pair of spaced members arranged to engage front and rear surfaces of a leg adjacent to and above the knee. The means for controlling further has means for reciprocating the members in a direction generally perpendicular to the plate. This means for reciprocating may have a crank, means for turning the crank, a link pivotally connected to the crank, and a longitudinally extending rod pivotally connected to said link and restrained for longitudinal movement. The spaced members are rigidly connected to the rod. Apparatus may be provided for a pair of legs to be engaged and their feet moved in opposed phase. These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
A foot and leg exerciser comprises an inclinable base, at least one foot pad for supporting and moving the foot of the user, and means for moving the foot pads in a pattern to provide mild exercise which simulates normal walking. The heel ends of the foot pads are moved in a vertical plane by revolving cranks driven by an electric motor through reduction gears, while the toe ends of the foot pads are supported on adjustable rocker arms. Starting, stopping and speed of the motor are controllable by the user through a remote control box. A number of features of the design are directed to safety in the operation of the exerciser.
A motorized exercise and rehabilitation chair for pacing controlled movements of the legs and arms of a disabled user includes a chair supported above a reciprocating platform having a frontal spring biased footrest for exercising the knee and ankle joints and armrest that orbit in a circular pattern for exercising the elbow and shoulder joints of the user. The user may select and vary the operating speeds of the platform and armrests from a control unit swivel mounted in front of the chair.
An exercising machine for especially training the muscles of the leg includes a base on which a pair of support tables is rotatably carried, one for each foot, a vertical standard on the base adapted to provide fixed hand grips for a standing user or a seat for a sitting user, and a pair of resistance devices preferably formed by a selectable number of weights. Each resistance device is respectively connected by a cable and pulley system to one of the support tables to provide a variable reactive force as the associated support table is moved out of a neutral position. The seat and hand grips can be set at a selected height, the hand grips can be set at three positions in one horizontal plane, and the foot-supporting portion of each support table can be placed in a selected angular position by which the neutral or starting position is picked. The machine can be used close to a wall.
The apparatus comprises a U-shaped base member which defines the place where the golfer stands and adjustably supports one or more masts with boom extending therefrom toward the golfer, each boom carrying at its extended end, a member contacting the golfer's body. One such member is positioned from the rear between the golfer's knees so that on his swing, one side of the member touches the inside of his left knee on his backswing only and the other side of the member touches the inside of his right knee on his downswing only. Another such member is positioned from the rear to contact the outside of the golfer's left knee on his downswing only. Another such member is positioned from the front against any side of the golfer's head. Another such member is positioned from the rear against the outside of the golfer's right knee so as to keep his weight on the inside of his right foot. The apparatus also includes a flexible, elongated curtain supported at a low height in front of the place where the golfer stands on the far side of his ball whereby, by swinging his club on his downswing so as to travel parallel to that curtain but without striking it, the golfer swings in an "inside-out" arc.
A system is provided for persons who must remain seated for extended periods of time, such as persons working in offices and the like. The system includes one or two support surfaces for the feet of the user, which are moved by a motor driven base. The support surfaces perform an alternating longitudinal movement, a lifting and lowering movement or a movement combining the two movements. The support surfaces are moved by, in one example, support rods hingedly connected to a central point of the support surfaces and at the other end to eccentric pivots allocated to respective toothed wheels which are mounted so at to rotate about their respective axis. An intermediate motor-driven pinion conveys rotational movement in the opposite direction to the wheels and are placed between the wheels. The support surfaces may be a bar that is transverse relative to the motor-driven base, which is preferably used in mass transit vehicles such as motor coaches, airplanes, etc.
