Training apparatus for the disabled

1. An exercise device for a person having a disability, the device comprising:

a frame including a base portion and a vertically extending support portion;

a chest support coupled to the vertically extending support portion to support the upper part of the person's body;

a pivoting seat positioned to support a hip region of the person, the seat having a surface;

a seat adjustment mechanism connecting the seat to the vertically extending support portion, wherein the seat adjustment mechanism includes a parallelogram operable to adjust the position of the seat to a sitting position in which the surface of the seat is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction of the support portion, and to adjust the position of the seat to a standing position in which the surface of the seat is substantially parallel with to the vertical direction of the support portion;

a motor coupled to the seat adjustment mechanism and configured to provide a force to the seat adjustment mechanism to adjust the seat between the sitting position and the standing position;

a pair of foot supports configured to support the feet of the person;

a motorized elliptical movement device comprising:

at least one disc;

a second motor configured to rotate the at least one disc;

at least two rods, each of the rods including a first end and a second end, wherein the foot supports are each connected to one of the rods between the first end and the second end; and

wherein the rods are pivotally connected at the ends to the at least one disc to cause the foot supports to move the feet of the person in an elliptical movement;

a pair of lower leg supports each configured to support a lower leg of the person; and

a movement guide mechanism including an elongate force transfer device and a tightening device coupled to the frame, wherein the force transfer device is coupled to the lower leg supports and to the tightening device, and wherein the movement guide mechanism guides alternate movement of the lower leg supports.

2. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising wheels coupled to the frame.

3. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one disc pivotally coupled to the frame at an axis, wherein the axis is arranged substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction of the support portion;

a motor coupled to the disc and operable to at least pivot the disc about the axis;

at least two rods having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the base, and the second end being coupled to the at least one disc to cause the at least two rods to move upon pivoting of the at least one disc; and

fastening devices coupled to the at least two rods and configured to support the person's feet to cause the walking movement of the feet using the at least two rods.

4. A method of exercising a person having a disability, the method comprising:

positioning a hip support device in a sitting position;

raising the hip support device to a standing position in which the weight of the person is supported by legs of the person;

supporting a chest region of the person with a chest support device, wherein when the hip support device is in the standing position, the chest support device supports an upper body of the person in an upright position;

providing two lower leg supports devices to support lower legs of the person;

supporting the feet of the person with foot supports;

providing at least two rods, each of the rods including a first end and a second end, wherein the foot supports each rest on one of the rods between the first end and the second end;

moving the ends of the rods in at least an arcuate path using a motorized device wherein the movement of the ends of the rods cause the feet and legs of the person to move with an elliptical movement; and

upon forward movement of one end of one of the rods, applying a rearward force to one end of the other of the rods to guide alternate movement of the lower legs and feet.