Jeff L Bean

US Patent:

55014763, Mar 26, 1996

Filed:

Jan 19, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/376128

Inventors:

Glade Howell - Salt Lake City UT
Jeff W. Bean - Kaysville UT
Judith L. Gooch - Salt Lake City UT
Donald Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT
Don R. Brown - Salt Lake City UT

Assignee:

University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

B62M 104

US Classification:

280230

Abstract:

A therapeutic wheeled vehicle particularly suited for strengthening the hip extensor muscles of a user is described. The vehicle combines the therapeutic benefits of conditioning the hip extensor muscles with the enjoyable activity of propelling oneself on a wheeled vehicle. A frame is provided following the general pattern of a tricycle with one steerable wheel and a pair of driving wheels. A seat, a back rest, and at least one strap for holding the user in position on the seat and the back rest are also provided. These user support structures securely hold the user in the proper operating position, even when the user has less than normal muscular control and strength, such as with children with cerebral palsy. Structures are included for receiving at least a portion of the user's leg between the user's knee and the user's hip and for transmitting the extension motion of the user's hips into the rotational movement of the pair of driving wheels. Substantially only the hip extensor group of muscles of the user are used to propel the vehicle.

US Patent:

58489550, Dec 15, 1998

Filed:

Nov 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/740524

Inventors:

Judith L. Gooch - Salt Lake City UT
Donald Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT
Don R. Brown - Salt Lake City UT
Glade Howell - Salt Lake City UT
Jeff W. Bean - Kaysville UT

Assignee:

University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A63B 2304
B62M 120

US Classification:

482 57

Abstract:

A therapeutic system particularly suited for strengthening the hip extensor muscles of a user is described. The vehicle combines the therapeutic benefits of conditioning the hip extensor muscles with the enjoyable activity of propelling oneself on a wheeled vehicle. A frame is provided following the general pattern of a tricycle with one steerable wheel and a pair of driving wheels. A seat, a back rest, and at least one strap for holding the user in position on the seat and the back rest are also provided. These user support structures securely hold the user in the proper operating position, even when the user has less than normal muscular control and strength, such as with children with cerebral palsy. Structures are included for receiving at least a portion of the user's leg between the user's knee and the user's hip and for transmitting the extension motion of the user's hips into the rotational movement of the pair of driving wheels. Substantially only the hip extensor group of muscles of the user are used to propel the vehicle.