DE3922538A1 - Foot exercise device with pedal plates - has crank and draw mechanism fitted to ensure identical moment during entire revolution - Google Patents

Abstract

The exercise device for physiotherapy has crank and pedal-like plates to which the feet are strapped whilst a resilient draw means is braced between a fixed point and a plate to produce ankle movement when the crank is turned. The point of engagement (15a) of the draw means (17) on the foot plate (8) is set so that during the entire revolution of the foot plate an identical moment is produced relative to the ankle joint. The point of engagement (15a) can be displaced so that a right or left rotating moment is produced relative to the ankle joint. USE/ADVANTAGE - Exercise device for use in physiotherapy gives improved mobility without allowing faulty ankle positions.

Description

The invention relates to a movement device according to the Generic term of claim 1. Such Movement devices are used especially for used in physiotherapy for the patient either the crank moves in active movement or to passive movement of the legs the crank from an engine is driven.

From DE-OS 32 29 243 it is already known with the help of tension springs attacking the foot shells an in Circular movement of the foot shells back and forth exerting going moment on this. The individual Foot shell has a foot lengthwise over it toe end protruding. Between this and a fixed point is the respective one Tension spring unclamped, with the fixed point approximately in Extension of the extension arranged above the crank is. The main purpose of the mainspring is through an additional one  Moment with changes of direction within one revolution generally loosening more stiff or limited to bring about flexible ankles.

However, the ankle disability is mostly such that the foot is in its middle angular position rather stretched (pointed foot) or rather on the lower leg is bent over.

The invention has for its object a To create motion device with this Misalignment of the ankle with simultaneous Targeted improvement in mobility can.

This task is based on a Movement device of the type described in the introduction solved according to the invention in that the point of application of the Traction means is placed on the foot shell in such a way that during of the entire circulation of the foot shell in the same direction Ankle moment arises. This essentially happens because the direction of pull not in the longitudinal direction of the foot, but more or less strongly inclined, in particular perpendicular, to the bottom of the foot shell runs. In addition to maintaining the direction of rotation, the the size of the on the foot shell and thus on the strapped foot exerted moments contribute significantly to the success of the therapy.

The point of application of the traction means is preferably at the Adjustable footrest so that either a right- or left-turning moment with respect to the ankle arises. You can achieve this by, for example one at the bottom of the foot shell in the longitudinal direction of the foot running guideway, in which one with the traction means articulated spur movable and lockable  is. Another option would be the traction device to engage a lever on the bottom of the foot shell is pivotally and lockably mounted.

In the case of free-standing movement devices that are from Wheelchair users can be used, it is in view to a compact design of particular advantage if the the fixed point determining the direction of the train approximately in extension of the user's lower leg near the ground on Storage frame of the crank is arranged. After one Another suggestion is this benchmark vertically, in front but all adjustable horizontally. These Adjustment is an alternative to the Adjustment of the point of application of the traction device on the To see the foot shell.

It is also proposed that the traction device is a rubber rope which is arranged over a fixed point Deflection roller and then in a length adjustable Expansion loop to an anchor point on the frame is led. A relatively long rubber rope results small traction differences even with a large crank radius, which is sometimes very desirable. The stretch loop enables a fine adjustment of the pulling force in a relatively large area. Conveniently the expansion loops of both ropes are over Deflection pulleys placed on a parallel to the crank axis running, height-adjustable crossbar are stored. This means that both ropes can be used simultaneously and in the same way Adjust dimensions in one operation. But you can also also the length of the individual rope by hanging the Change the rope end at different anchor points.

An embodiment of the invention is as follows explained using the drawing. In detail shows  

Fig. 1 is a side view of a movement device and

Fig. 2 shows the same view in a schematic line representation.

Fig. 1 shows a rectangular, upright drive housing 1 , the thickness measured perpendicular to the plane of the drawing is about 12 cm. It rests on the one hand on a crossbeam 2 made of square tube and on the other hand on small feet 3 , next to which two rollers 4 are attached a few millimeters higher, on which the housing, when it is raised on the left side, can be rolled away. On the left side, a mast 5 , also made of square tube, projects beyond the drive housing 1 . It is shown broken off, but later turns to the right and carries handles and controls at the end.

A crank with a crank axis 6 extending in the transverse direction is mounted in the drive housing 1 . It is driven by an electric motor and has a crank arm 7 on each side of the housing. Foot shells 8 are mounted on the crank arms, which have a U-shaped cross-section and essentially consist of a base 9 , an inner plate 10 facing the drive housing 1 , an outer plate 11 and a heel support 12 . The bearing journal 13 of the foot shell is located on the inner panel 10 at a distance above the floor 9 , which makes it easier for the patient to get in because the foot shell 8 automatically settles into the entry position as a result of gravity.

A guide rail 14 extends parallel to the base 9 of the foot shell in the longitudinal direction of the foot. On this a spur 15 projecting from the bottom is slidably mounted and can be fixed by means of a clamping screw 16 . A rubber cable 17 is articulated on the spur 15 , which is guided to an anchoring point 20 via a deflection roller 18 mounted on the cross arm 2 and a further deflection roller 19 . The deflecting roller 19 and its corresponding deflecting roller on the other side are mounted on a crossmember 21 , which is slidably mounted up and down by means of a sleeve on the mast 5 and can be fastened to the desired height by means of a locking screw 22 .

A patient, whose lower extremities are indicated by dash-dotted lines, sits in a user position in a wheelchair 23 also indicated by dash-dotted lines. The left foot 24 shown alone rests on the floor 9 of the corresponding foot shell and is firmly connected to the foot shell with the help of straps or the like (not shown).

In FIG. 2, which is clearer for the kinematic considerations, the essential individual parts described are designated with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. In addition, there are the ankle 25 , the knee 26 and the hip joint 27 of the patient. In contrast to FIG. 1 of the spur 15 opposite the fixed point 28 is shown in FIG. 2 of the elastic pull string in horizontal and vertical direction adjustable. In Fig. 1 this fixed point 28 corresponds to the pulley 18th

To describe the mode of action, it is assumed that the patient, in addition to paralysis of the lower extremities, has a malposition of the ankle in such a way that the foot is angled relatively far to the lower leg. Therefore, the setting of the movement device in the example is chosen so that a torque is exerted on the foot shell 8 counterclockwise by the pull of the rubber rope, which torque is transmitted to the strapped foot 24 and the latter strives to move into an extended position. The torque remains in this direction even when the crank rotates over the full circle of 360 °. Only the magnitude of the torque fluctuates during this rotation. The fluctuation range can be changed by changing the length of the expansion loop of the rubber rope 17 , ie by adjusting the height of the deflection roller 19 .

If the spur 15 is moved into the opposite end position near the heel, a torque is exerted clockwise. In the intermediate positions, torques with alternating directions of rotation can also be generated during a crank revolution.

Alternatively, a change in the direction of torque can also be brought about by leaving the point of application 15 a of the traction means on the foot shell and placing the fixed point 28 at a different location, for example moving horizontally to the right, as indicated in FIG. 2.

Reference symbol list

1 drive housing
2 cross arms
3 feet
4 roll
5 mast
6 crank axle
7 crank arm
8 foot shell
9 floor
10 inner sheet
11 outer sheet
12 heel support
13 journals
14 guide rail
15 spur
15 a point of attack
16 locking screw
17 rubber rope
18 pulley
19 pulley
20 anchor point
21 traverse
22 locking screw
23 wheelchair
24 feet
25 ankle
26 knees
27 hip joint
28 benchmark

Claims (7)

1.Movement device with a crank and pedal-type foot rests, to which the feet can be strapped, and with elastic traction means, each of which is stretched between a fixed point and a foot rest to bring about an ankle movement when turning the crank with strapped feet, characterized in that the The point of application ( 15 a) of the traction means ( 17 ) is placed on the foot shell ( 8 ) in such a way that a moment of the same direction arises with respect to the ankle joint ( 25 ) during the entire circulation of the foot shell. 2. Movement device according to claim 1, characterized in that the point of attack ( 15 a) of the traction means ( 17 ) on the foot shell ( 8 ) is adjustable in such a way that a right-hand or left-hand turning moment arises with respect to the ankle joint ( 25 ). 3. Movement device according to claim 2, characterized in that on the bottom ( 9 ) of the foot shell ( 8 ) a in the longitudinal direction of the guide track ( 14 ) for an articulated with the traction means ( 17 ) spur ( 15 ) is attached. 4. Movement device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed point ( 18 ; 28 ) is arranged approximately in the extension of the relevant lower leg of the user near the ground. 5. Movement device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed point ( 28 ) is adjustable in the horizontal and / or vertical direction. 6. Movement device according to claim 1, characterized in that the traction means ( 17 ) is a rubber rope, which is guided over a deflection roller arranged at the fixed point ( 18 ) and then in a length-adjustable expansion loop to an anchoring point ( 20 ). 7. Movement device according to claim 6, characterized in that the expansion loops of both ropes are placed over deflection rollers ( 19 ) which are mounted on a height-adjustable crossmember ( 21 ) running parallel to the crank axis.