초록 ▼

An apparatus adapted for use as a therapeutic tricycle; said apparatus including in part, a specialized lever system permitting optimal rider center of mass positioning; an optional steering lock out system; an embodiment prescribing optimized apparatus dimensions based upon rider weight to enhance

An apparatus adapted for use as a therapeutic tricycle; said apparatus including in part, a specialized lever system permitting optimal rider center of mass positioning; an optional steering lock out system; an embodiment prescribing optimized apparatus dimensions based upon rider weight to enhance apparatus stability; an improved chain management system; an improved wheelie bar system; a shock absorbing system; the combination permitting enhanced apparatus stability and ability to perform a varied array of maneuvers providing exercise, therapeutic, and recreational advantages which particularly benefit disabled children. A method of exercising tendons and/or heel cords using a specialized adaptive tricycle.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A therapeutic tricycle comprising: a rigid frame; a fork extending downdwardly from and coupled to said frame; a front wheel coupled to the terminal aspect of said fork; a steering means wherein said fork and said coupled front wheel are pivotable through manipulation of said steering m

I claim: 1. A therapeutic tricycle comprising: a rigid frame; a fork extending downdwardly from and coupled to said frame; a front wheel coupled to the terminal aspect of said fork; a steering means wherein said fork and said coupled front wheel are pivotable through manipulation of said steering means; a pedal powered drive train means coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to a substantially rearward portion of said frame, said rear axle engaging a portion of said drive train means; a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted upon said rear axle wherein said rear wheels are powered through said pedal powered drive train means; a seat coupled in at least one location to said rigid frame; a lever fixedly attached to said rigid frame oriented in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the ground and the lever's long axis being substantially perpendicular to the frame's long axis, wherein a central portion of said lever is affixed to said frame and the terminal aspect of said lever is vertically movable through user applied upward or downward manual force exerted on a substantially terminal aspect of said lever; wherein said lever is clampably coupled to a substantially horizontal portion of said frame, wherein the terminal aspects of said lever are branched to form a pair of forwardmost handles and a pair of lateral handles, said forwardmost handles pointing substantially toward the front of said frame and said lateral handles pointing substantially laterally, wherein said clampably coupled lever is disposed substantially over said rear axle, wherein when said clampable couplers are loosened, said lever is rotatably adjustable about its central axis. 2. A therapeutic tricycle comprising: a rigid frame; a fork extending downdwardly from and coupled to said frame; a front wheel coupled to the terminal aspect of said fork; a steering means wherein said fork and said coupled front wheel are pivotable through manipulation of said steering means; a pedal powered drive train means coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to a substantially rearward portion of said frame, said rear axle engaging a portion of said drive train means; a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted upon said rear axle wherein said rear wheels are powered through said pedal powered drive train means; a seat coupled in at least one location to said rigid frame; a lever fixedly attached to said rigid frame oriented in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the ground and the lever's long axis being substantially perpendicular to the frame's long axis, wherein a central portion of said lever is affixed to said frame and the terminal aspect of said lever is vertically movable through user applied upward or downward manual force exerted on a substantially terminal aspect of said lever; an elongated rigid bar affixed to seat coupling, said bar extending rearwardly from said seat coupling relative to the front end of said frame; a wheelie wheel axle passing horizontally through a substantially terminal aspect of said bar; at least one wheelie bar wheel disposed on said wheelie wheel axle and rotatably mounted thereon; at least two suspension bars affixed to said seat and extending therefrom to terminate secured to said elongated rigid bar. 3. The tricycle according to claim 2, further comprising a shock absorbing means placed under said seat. 4. The tricycle according to claim 3, wherein said shock absorbing means is comprised of a cylindrical front seatpost with a first end and a second end and a cylindrical rear seatpost with a first end and second end, each seatpost coupled to said frame at the first end, wherein the front seatpost is comprised of two fused cylindrical tubular elements containing a biasing member enclosed therein; the rear seatpost having a first washer disposed within the hollow center of said second rear seatpost end; a shock absorbing sphere disposed on top of said washer, a second washer disposed on top of said sphere, and said seat being disposed on top of said second washer and said second end of the front seatpost. 5. The tricycle according to claim 2, further comprising a skid plate affixed to the terminalmost aspect of said elongated rigid bar. 6. The tricycle according to claim 2, further comprising: an integrally formed rigid bracket having a portion of which mounted said frame and a portion disposed substantially perpendicularly, wherein said perpendicular portion has a centermost aperture and two lateral apertures; a removable pin insertable through said centermost aperture the terminal portion of said pin passing through a suitably sized aperture in said fork; a pair of rubberized limiters having a rubberized portion and a threadable bolt portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the end of said rubberized portion wherein said bolt portion of limiters are capable of being inserted through said lateral apertures and screwably attached thereto using at least one washer and a nut. 7. The tricycle according to claim 2, further comprising an upper chain guard affixed to said frame; an elongated tubular member affixed to said upper chainguard, wherein a chain forming part of said pedal powered drive train means is disposed within said elongated tubular member. 8. The tricycle according to claim 2, wherein said tricycle weighs about 30 lbs, and wherein the total wheelie bar length is about 25 inches, wherein the distance between said wheelie bar wheel height defined as the distance from that portion of the wheelie bar wheels closest to the ground to the ground, is about 2-4 inches, wherein the distance between the rear axle and the ground is about 5.5 inches, wherein the distance between the center of each rear tire, is about 20 inches, wherein the distance between the centermost portion of rear wheels and the centermost portion of front wheel is about 26 inches, wherein the centermost portion of rear wheels and the centermost portion of wheelie bar wheels is about 17 inches, wherein front and rear wheel diameter is about 12 inches. 9. The tricycle according to claim 2, wherein said tricycle weighs about 55-60 lbs, and wherein the total wheelie bar length is about 36 inches, wherein the distance between said wheelie bar wheel height defined as the distance from that portion of the wheelie bar wheels closest to the ground to the ground, is about 8 inches, wherein the distance between the rear axle and the ground is about 7.5 inches, wherein the distance between the center of each rear tire, is about 28 inches, wherein the distance between the centermost portion of rear wheels and the centermost portion of front wheel is about 37 inches, wherein the centermost portion of rear wheels and the centermost portion of wheelie bar wheels is about 25 inches, wherein front and rear wheel diameter is about 16 inches. 10. The tricycle according to claim 2, wherein said tricycle weighs about 65-70 lbs, and wherein the total wheelie bar length is about 38 inches, wherein the distance between said wheelie bar wheel height defined as the distance from that portion of the wheelie bar wheels closest to the ground to the ground, is about 1.5-5 inches, wherein the distance between the rear axle and the ground is about 9 inches, wherein the distance between the center of each rear tire, is about 28 inches, wherein the distance between the centermost portion of rear wheels and the centermost portion of front wheel is about 42 inches, wherein the centermost portion of rear wheels and the centermost portion of wheelie bar wheels is about 26 inches, wherein front and rear wheel diameter is about 20 inches. 11. A therapeutic special needs adaptive tricycle comprising: a rigid frame; a fork extending substantially downdwardly from and coupled to said frame; a front wheel coupled to the substantially terminal aspect of said fork; a steering means wherein said fork and said coupled front wheel are pivotably controlled by said steering means; a pedal powered drive train means coupled to said frame; a rear axle coupled to a substantially rearward portion of said frame; a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted upon said rear axle wherein said rear wheels are rotated through said pedal powered drive train means; a seat coupled in at least one location to said rigid frame; a lever affixed to said rigid frame and disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, wherein said lever is clampably coupled to a substantially horizontal portion of a tricycle frame wherein said lever and said horizontal portion are substantially parallel, wherein the terminal aspects of said lever are branched to form a forwardmost handle and lateral handle, said forwardmost handle pointing substantially toward the front of said tricycle frame and said lateral handle pointing substantially laterally, wherein said clampably coupled lever is disposed substantially over a rear axle, wherein when said clampable couplers are loosened, said lever is rotatably adjustable about its central axis, an elongated rigid bar affixed the underside of said seat, extending rearwardly relative to said frame; a wheelie wheel axle passing horizontally through a substantially terminal aspect of said bar; at least one wheelie bar wheel disposed on said wheelie wheel axle rotatably mounted thereon; at least two suspension bars mounted to the undersurface of said seat; a skid plate affixed to the terminal aspect of said elongated rigid bar; an integrally formed rigid bracket having a portion of which mounted said frame and a portion disposed substantially perpendicularly, wherein said perpendicular portion has a centermost aperture and two lateral apertures; a removable pin insertable through said centermost aperture; a pair of rubberized limiters having a rubberized portion and a threadable bolt portion extending substantially perpendicular from the end of said rubberized portion wherein said bolt portion of limiters are capable of being inserted through lateral apertures and screwably attached thereto using at least one washer and a nut, an upper chain guard affixed to said frame; an elongated tubular member which affixed to frame or upper chainguard, wherein a chain forming part of said pedal powered drive train means is disposed within said elongated tubular member.