DE202020002842U1 - Spring trainer for balance and coordination, for movement and stochastic-resonant vibration - Google Patents

Abstract

Exercise device for holistic training of balance and coordination, movement and stochastic-resonant vibration, designed for a two-footed but leg-independent leg axis training, consisting of a lower, horizontally lying base plate (1) and two above it spring-elastic systems located in the form of two individual, horizontally aligned plates (2), on the underside of which a waisted double-cone spring (3), preferably made of spring steel wire, is attached as an elastic element with the upper end (4) . The upper sides of the two plates (2) each serve as a base for the two-footed leg training and can be freely positioned on the base plate (I) independently of one another and without additional aids. The size of the standing areas (2) is adapted to the size of the feet.

Description

SCOPE OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a spring-supported exercise device for training balance and coordination. Numerous sports and therapy devices are known from literature and commercial offers, which are designed on the basis of mechanical compression springs for balance and coordination training. The training or therapy effect consists in the fact that a leg axis training is superimposed by multi-axial movements, which in turn cause instabilities on the standing surfaces and activate the sensorimotor control of the practitioner's equilibrium system.

STATE OF THE ART

The structure of these devices basically consists of two horizontally stacked plates - in round or square design - of which the lower plate rests on a solid base. Vertically aligned compression springs are attached between the lower and upper plates. The practitioner stands with both legs on the upper plate that serves as a standing surface and performs swinging and tilting movements with both legs. The patent registrations are representative of the numerous explanations DE 10 2009 035 809 A1 or. DE 10 2007 048 399 B4 referenced.

In an extended form, the leg axis training is distributed over two standing areas, each for one foot, as in the utility model specification DE 20 2005 010 813 U1 suggested. The DE 20 2005 010 813 U1 describes an arrangement in which the two standing surfaces are fixedly positioned relative to one another and connected in a fixed manner to the base plate.

DISADVANTAGE

• • So zeigen Zylinder-Federn wegen ihrer linearen Feder-Kennlinie insbesondere bei Schwing-Übungen eine geringe Dynamik auf.
• • Ferner beschränkt die grosse Blockhöhe den frei nutzbaren Feder-Weg für eine elastische Verformung, so dass bei starken Belastungen, wie sie bei Schwing-Übungen auftreten, die Federn bis zum sog. Federblock zusammengedrückt werden können und die Übungs-Plattform hart aufsetzt.
• • Als besonders nachteilig erweist sich die geringe Stand- und Knicksicherheit bei Schwing- und Balance-Übungen.
• • Das ist auch ein Grund dafür, dass für eine Übungs-Plattform - ob ein- oder beid-füssig verwendet - stets mehrere Zylinder-Federn, in der Regel 4 Federn, erforderlich sind.

The conventional spring-based designs of sports and therapy devices known from patent applications or from the trade use exclusively cylindrically shaped helical compression springs as elastic elements. Despite their widespread use, these - also called cylinder springs - are only of limited use as elastic elements for some applications in sports and therapy equipment:

• • Because of their linear spring characteristic, cylinder springs show low dynamics, especially during swing exercises.
• • Furthermore, the large block height limits the freely usable spring path for elastic deformation, so that under heavy loads, such as those occurring during swing exercises, the springs can be compressed up to the so-called spring block and the exercise platform touches down hard.
• • A particularly disadvantageous aspect is the poor stance and buckling stability during swing and balance exercises.
• • That is one of the reasons why several cylinder springs are always used for an exercise platform - whether it is used with one or both legs, as a rule 4th Springs, are required.

Furthermore, in the conventional arrangements, the spring elements are firmly connected to the underside of the standing surface as well as to the upper side of the base plate, i. the springs are fixed at the upper and lower ends. The upper base plate and the lower base plate are thus firmly positioned relative to one another and connected in a fixed manner. The fixation of the spring elements restricts the exercise forms and it takes considerable effort to position the springs in a different formation, e.g. to change the swing or balance behavior.

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

On the basis of the above description of conventional, spring-based training and therapy devices, the object on which the invention is based is to present an easy-to-use exercise device with versatile and easily adjustable application options in the fitness sector as well as in physio-therapeutic practice .

The present invention relates to a spring-supported exercise device for holistic training of balance and coordination, movement and vibration. The device is designed for a two-footed but leg-independent leg axis training according to 1 from a horizontally lying base plate ( 1 ) and two spring-elastic systems above it in the form of two individual, horizontally aligned plates ( 2 ), on the underside of which there is a tapered double cone spring ( 3 ), preferably made of spring steel wire, is attached as an elastic element in vertical alignment with the upper end ( 4th ). The lower end of the spring ( 3 ) stands freely and without any fixation on the top of the base plate ( 1 ).

The test person walks with both feet on these platforms, which each serve as a stand ( 2 ) do his exercises while standing upright. The size of the stand areas ( 2 ) corresponds roughly to the size of the foot and enables on the one hand a secure stance and on the other hand free exercise of swinging and especially tilting movements.

The two exercise platforms ( 2 ) with the double cone springs ( 3 ) stand independently of each other on the base plate ( 1 ), which is equipped with a non-slip coating, and can be freely positioned without additional tools, so that any number of exercise forms can be set without any effort.

Another special feature of the training device is that on the top of the base plate (I) by means of a device ( 6th ), preferably by means of a screw or plug connection, 2 elastic-flexible rods ( 5 ) made of flexible material, preferably made of glass or carbon fiber, are attached at the lower end in a vertical orientation to the base plate. The upper end of the rods allow free bending movements. The practitioner stands on the two spring-supported standing surfaces ( 2 ), grab the sticks ( 5 ) and moves the upper end with the arms alternately in time with the swinging movements of the legs, so that the arm and shoulder muscles are activated parallel to the proprioceptive mechanisms of the lower extremities and the whole body is transformed into a movement-oriented strength and coordination training is involved. For easier handling and adjustment to the body size, the rods are each provided with handles that can be moved along the rod axis ( 7th ).

As an alternative to elastic-flexible rods ( 5 ) leg springs made of spring steel can be used in such a way that the two legs form a right angle to each other and one leg is horizontal on the base plate ( 1 ) is attached, while the other, free leg is vertical to the base plate ( 1 ) is aligned so that the practitioner can grip the upper end with his hands and perform rhythmic bending exercises.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT

• • TDK-Federn zeichnen sich durch eine progressive Feder-Kennlinie aus, die eine grössere Dynamik ermöglicht, was sich besonders vorteilhaft bei wechselnden Belastungen wie Schwing-Übungen auswirkt.
• • TDK-Federn können idealerweise bis auf den untersten bzw. obersten DrahtDurchmesser zusammengedrückt werden. Einerseits verringert sich dadurch die Blockhöhe erheblich, andererseits vergrössert sich der freie, elastische Feder-Weg, vorteilhaft für Schwing-Übungen mit grossen Amplituden. Zudem wirkt der exponentielle Anstieg der Feder-Kennlinie gegen ein Zusammendrücken der Feder auch bei starken Belastungen.
• • Die hohe Quer-Federrate der TDK-Federn bedingt eine wesentlich höhere Stand- und Knicksicherheit, besonders vorteilhaft bei seitlichen Belastungen, wie sie bei Balance- und Stabilitäts-Übungen auftreten. In der medizinischen Praxis verbessert das starke Abknicken der Standfläche die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten bei Verletzungen des Sprunggelenkes.
• • Aufgrund der grossen Stand- und Knicksicherheit genügt eine einzige TDK-Feder je Übungs-Plattform, um die erforderliche Standfestigkeit zu gewährleisten. Damit reduziert sich im Vergleich mit den bekannten Trainings-Geräten die Anzahl der erforderlichen Feder-Elemente je Übungs-Plattform erheblich.
• • Die hohe Standsicherheit ermöglicht, dass die Federn ohne weitere Fixierung auf der Grundplatte zu Übungs-Zwecken benutzt werden können.
• • Ein weiterer Vorteil des der Erfindung zugrunde liegenden Übungs-Gerätes besteht darin, dass die beiden Übungs-Plattformen und die Grundplatte relativ zueinander nicht orts-fest verbunden sind und die beiden Übungs-Plattformen unabhängig voneinander und ohne zusätzliche Hilfsmittel frei auf der unteren Basis-Plattform positioniert werden können, so dass ohne Aufwand beliebig viele Übungs-Formen eingestellt werden können.

The present invention avoids the disadvantages or limitations of conventional spring trainers by using tapered double cone springs (hereinafter abbreviated to TDK springs):

• • TDK springs are characterized by a progressive spring characteristic, which enables greater dynamics, which is particularly beneficial in the case of changing loads such as swing exercises.
• • TDK springs can ideally be compressed down to the lowest or highest wire diameter. On the one hand, this reduces the block height considerably, on the other hand, the free, elastic spring path increases, which is advantageous for swing exercises with large amplitudes. In addition, the exponential increase in the spring characteristic acts against compression of the spring, even under heavy loads.
• • The high transverse spring rate of the TDK springs results in a significantly higher level of stability and security against buckling, which is particularly advantageous for lateral loads such as those that occur during balance and stability exercises. In medical practice, the sharp kinking of the standing surface improves the therapeutic options for injuries to the ankle joint.
• • Due to the great stability and buckling resistance, a single TDK spring per exercise platform is sufficient to ensure the required stability. This significantly reduces the number of spring elements required per exercise platform compared with the known training devices.
• • The high level of stability means that the springs can be used for training purposes without further fixing on the base plate.
• Another advantage of the exercise device on which the invention is based is that the two exercise platforms and the base plate are not connected in a fixed location relative to one another and the two exercise platforms can be freely positioned on the lower base independently of one another and without additional aids. Platform can be positioned so that any number of exercise forms can be set without effort.

• • TDK-Federn zeichnen sich durch eine hohe Quer-Empfindlichkeit aus. Dadurch sind TDK-Federn in der Lage, die randomisierten, horizontalen wie vertikalen Balance-Instabilitäten mit dem natürlichen, reflektorischen Muskel-Tonus des Übenden zu synchronisieren und zu einem multi-axialen Bewegungs-Muster zu verbinden. Dieses komplexe, mehrdimensionale Schwingungs-Feld löst stochastisch-resonante Vibrations-Reize aus und aktiviert über die gelenk-nahen Rezeptoren die neuromuskuläre Körper-Stabilisation. Therapeutisch wird dieser Effekt der Stochastischen Resonanz-Vibration bisher nur mithilfe aufwendiger Vibrations-Geräte angewendet, bei denen der Muskulatur des Übenden allerdings eine von aussen, elektro-motorisch erzeugte Vibration aufgeprägt wird.

• • Ein weiterer Vorteil der TDK-Federn ergibt sich dadurch, dass das Abknicken der Übungs-Plattformen bei gleichzeitiger Standsicherheit das beid-füssige Bein-Training in der Art erweitert, dass freie Bein-Bewegungen wie beim Laufen ermöglicht werden. Dazu ist auf jeder Standfläche jeweils eine schuh-ähnliche Vorrichtung montiert, in der der Fuss des Übenden fixiert ist. In Verbindung mit den elastischen Stangen ergibt sich ein Bewegungs-Ablauf, der vom „Nordic Walking“ her bekannt ist, allerdings ohne Vorwärts-Bewegung.

In addition, the exercise and therapy device on which the invention is based, with the use of TDK springs, offers additional advantages over devices with conventional cylinder springs:

• • TDK springs are characterized by high transverse sensitivity. TDK springs are therefore able to synchronize the randomized, horizontal and vertical balance instabilities with the natural, reflex muscle tone of the exerciser and to combine them into a multi-axial movement pattern. This complex, multi-dimensional oscillation field triggers stochastic-resonant vibration stimuli and activates neuromuscular body stabilization via the receptors close to the joint. Therapeutically, this effect of stochastic resonance vibration has so far only been used with the help of complex vibration devices, in which the muscles of the practitioner are, however, impressed with an externally generated electric motor vibration.

• • Another advantage of the TDK springs is that the kinking of the exercise platforms with simultaneous stability extends the two-footed leg training in the way that free leg movements like running are made possible. For this purpose, a shoe-like device is mounted on each stand, in which the foot of the exerciser is fixed. In connection with the elastic rods, a sequence of movements results that is known from "Nordic Walking", but without any forward movement.

SUMMARY

• ( 1 ) The present invention relates to a spring-assisted exercise device according to 1 , consisting of a horizontally lying base plate ( 1 ) and 2 plates arranged above ( 2 ), on which a two-footed but leg-independent leg axis training is carried out. Waisted double cone springs ( 3 ), which are fastened under the plates that serve as the base ( 4th ). The stand areas ( 2 ) can be freely positioned on the base plate without additional fixation.
• ( 2 ) There are bars on the base plate ( 6th ) made of flexible material vertically attached to the lower end ( 5 ). The upper end of the rods allow free bending movements. The practitioner grabs the sticks and moves the upper end with his arms in time with the spring-supported swinging movements of the legs, so that in addition to the lower extremities, the arm and shoulder muscles are also trained.
• ( 3 ) In addition to activating the sensory motor skills through balance and coordination exercises, the double cone springs are able to combine the vibrations of the natural muscle tone into a multi-axial movement pattern, the randomized, stochastic, resonant vibration Triggers stimuli.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102009035809 A1 [0002]
• DE 102007048399 B4 [0002]
• DE 202005010813 U1 [0003]

Claims (9)

Exercise device for holistic training of balance and coordination, movement and stochastic-resonant vibration, designed for a two-footed but leg-independent leg axis training, consisting of a lower, horizontally lying base plate (1) and two above it spring-elastic systems located in the form of two individual, horizontally aligned plates (2), on the underside of which a waisted double-cone spring (3), preferably made of spring steel wire, is attached as an elastic element with the upper end (4) . The upper sides of the two plates (2) each serve as a base for the two-footed leg training and can be freely positioned on the base plate (I) independently of one another and without additional aids. The size of the standing areas (2) is adapted to the size of the feet. Exercise device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the two plates (2) serving as a base for the two-legged leg training, together with the double-cone springs (3) attached to the underside, independently of the base plate (1) as a spring-elastic training Device can be used. Exercise device after the Claims 1 and 2 , characterized in that the base plate (1) and the standing surfaces (2) are made of wood, plastic or metal, preferably wood, and the shape of the same is angular or round, preferably rectangular. Exercise device after the Claims 1 and 3 , characterized in that on the base plate (1) several, preferably 2, elastic-flexible rods (5), advantageously made of glass or carbon fiber material, in a vertical alignment to the base plate with the lower end by means of a fastening device (6) , preferably by means of a screw or plug connection, releasably attached and each provided with a displaceable handle (7). Exercise device after the Claims 1 and 3 , characterized in that several, preferably 2, leg springs made of spring steel with legs perpendicular to one another are used on the base plate (1) in such a way that one of the legs is positioned horizontally on the top of the base plate (I) by means of a Fastening device, preferably by means of a plug-in mechanism, is releasably fastened, while the free leg is oriented vertically to the base plate. Exercise device after the Claims 1 , 3 to 5 , characterized in that the exercise rods (5) or the leg springs on the base plate (1) can be replaced by elastic tension elements, preferably tension springs or rubber bands. Exercise device after the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that on the underside of the two plates (2) serving as a base for the two-legged leg training, several - at least two - waisted double cone springs are attached in a linear or centrally symmetrical arrangement. Exercise device after the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that a shoe-like device is attached to each of the two plates (2) serving as a standing surface for the two-footed leg training, in each of which a foot of the exerciser can be fixed. Exercise device after the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that one of the standing areas (2) is designed as an exercise platform for use on both legs.

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