EP0240497B1 - Apparatus for proprioceptive reeducation and/or physical training - Google Patents

Abstract

The appts. consists of an inclined base and a board that turns on this. The board rotates 360 deg. on a pivot, or ball bearings. The board has grooves across it that allow accessories to be attached e.g. a handle or a sphere, for doing different exercises. - The base has a brake that acts on the board to progressively increase its gyratory resistance. The appts. may be put on the ground or it may be fixed vertically.

Description

The present invention relates to a device intended for proprioceptive, versatile reeducation which also allows training as well as the conditioning of sportsmen and the application of sports disciplines generally called according to the English names “bodybuilding and” power training "

Document FR-A-1 565 725 discloses a rehabilitation device which comprises a base on which is rotatably housed a plate and an adjustable brake. This prior art shows a pivot, or small plate, provided with two loops through which passes a strap or any other fastening system. However, this attachment system does not allow the adaptation of a varied number of accessories whose support or support points may vary.

The document CH-A-609 869 describes a similar device mounted on an inclined base. However, it does not mention the adaptation of various accessories or the variable inclination to a desired degree of inclination and does not therefore allow the use for many rehabilitation exercises for which it is necessary to '' use one or more different devices.

The documents US-A-2,827,894 DE-A-2,420,826, FR-A-2,045,215 and GB-A-403,165 relate to rehabilitation devices of a different type.

The present invention relates more particularly to an apparatus of the above-mentioned type comprising at least one base which can be tilted according to a desired degree of inclination, the plate being provided with parallel grooves equidistant from each other, said grooves preferably having a profile of the dovetail, grooves in which are adapted attachment means to which members of the human body can be attached.

According to the present invention, the apparatus can be mounted horizontally or inclined to a horizontal plane, on the floor or on a table; it can also be mounted vertically or at an angle to a vertical plane, on a wall or a vertical wall or structure.

The adjustable brake according to the effort that we want to see provided by the user can be manually adjusted in particular by rotation of a threaded rod which compresses a spring whose pressure force applies pads more or less strong on the axis of rotation of the plate.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the brake can be of the electromagnetic type acting on a disc coaxial with the plate and integral with the latter. In this case, the braking force is advantageously electronically controlled.

• une poignée parallèle au plateau qui selon son emplacement permet une multitude de mouvements rééducatifs ou de musculation des mèm- bres supérieurs et du tronc ;
• une poignée perpendiculaire au plateau munie d'un manchon libre en rotation, qui permet des exercices des membres supérieurs ;
• une sphère pivotant sur un axe perpendiculaire au plateau ou fixe permet encore d'élargir les possibilités d'exercices au niveau de la main et du poignet ;
• des sangles permettant de fixer certaines parties du corps ;
• des moyens de fixation d'un tabouret sur le plateau afin de travailler plus spécifiquement les muscles du tronc ;
• des dispositifs de fixation et/ou de sustentation du talon et/ou du pied sur le plateau, permettant des exercices de flexion et extension de chevilles ;
• un dispositif de rallonge destiné à fixer la partie distale des membres hors du plateau, la racine de ceux-ci se trouvant au niveau de l'axe central dudit plateau ; avantageusement, ledit dispositif de rallonge permet également la fixation d'accessoires tels que ceux qui sont cités ;
• au moins un axe de pédale portant une plaque montée elle-même sur rotule ou sur un axe et pouvant recevoir un équipement ou un pédalier ;
• deux tétons soudés chacun sur une plaque de base permettant de monter un plateau de free- man.

Thanks to the use of a series of accessories intended to be rigidly fixed on the tray, a large number of proprioceptive and / or physical training exercises can be provided. By way of non-limiting example, the following accessories may be cited, for example:

• a handle parallel to the tray which, depending on its location, allows a multitude of rehabilitative or muscular movements of the upper limbs and the trunk;
• a handle perpendicular to the plate provided with a free rotating sleeve, which allows exercises of the upper limbs;
• a sphere pivoting on an axis perpendicular to the plate or fixed further widens the possibilities of exercises at the level of the hand and the wrist;
• straps to secure certain parts of the body;
• means for fixing a stool on the tray in order to work more specifically the trunk muscles;
• devices for fixing and / or supporting the heel and / or the foot on the platform, allowing flexion and ankle extension exercises;
• an extension device intended to fix the distal part of the members outside the plate, the root of these being at the level of the central axis of said plate; advantageously, said extension device also allows the attachment of accessories such as those mentioned;
• at least one pedal axle carrying a plate itself mounted on a ball joint or on an axle and capable of receiving equipment or a pedal unit;
• two nipples welded each on a base plate to mount a freeman tray.

Combinations of the aforementioned accessories are also possible and the accessories can be fixed by screwing, tightening, clips or other equivalent means.

The adjustable brake can gradually increase the resistance to rotation of the plate in order to ask the user for greater power to execute the various movements or else block the rotation movement of the plate, for certain limit angular positions.

It is obvious that other braking devices can be provided which possibly act on linear movements of accessories in the grooves of the plate.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plate as described above is controlled for example by a programmable control device for example of the microprocessor type or any other equivalent means, which can control the brake action according to a possibly repetitive predetermined cycle. In this case, the plate is still provided with probes which make it possible to detect the angular position of the plate, the speed of rotation of the latter as well as possibly the number of movements carried out.

A display and / or a recording of the exercises performed is possible according to the invention, just as it is possible to display at the start of the exercise, the type of movements to perform and the number of these for a specific patient and specific preparation of an athlete or sportsman.

• les figures 1 et 2 représentent, respectivement, une vue en plan et une vue latérale de l'appareil selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe partielle schématique de l'appareil selon l'invention muni d'un frein électromagnétique ;
• les figures 4, 5 et 6 illustrent l'utilisation de certains accessoires montés sur l'appareil selon l'invention ;
• les figures 7, 8, 9, 10 et 11 montrent d'autres accessoires adaptables à l'appareil selon l'invention ;
• la figure 12 représente le mécanisme d'inclinaison du plateau ;
• la figure 13 représente un dispositif de suspension de l'appareil selon l'invention à un espalier ; et
• la figure 14 donne un exemple d'un tableau d'affichage combiné à un microprocesseur qui est associé à l'appareil selon l'invention.

The invention will be described in more detail below, in support of the drawings in which:

• Figures 1 and 2 show, respectively, a plan view and a side view of the apparatus according to the invention;
• Figure 3 is a schematic partial sectional view of the apparatus according to the invention provided with an electromagnetic brake;
• Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the use of certain accessories mounted on the device according to the invention;
• Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 show other accessories adaptable to the device according to the invention;
• Figure 12 shows the tilt mechanism of the tray;
• FIG. 13 represents a device for suspending the device according to the invention from a wall bar; and
• FIG. 14 gives an example of a display panel combined with a microprocessor which is associated with the apparatus according to the invention.

In the figures, identical reference marks represent identical or analogous elements.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the proprioceptive rehabilitation device and / or physical training 1 comprises a base 3, a plate 5 and a brake 7. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the base 3 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane 9. The plate 5 is provided with parallel grooves 11 having an inverted T-shaped profile. According to Figure 2, the brake 7 can be manually actuated by means of the handwheel 13 secured to a threaded rod 15 which compresses a spring whose force applies pads 17 against the axis of rotation of the plate.

Figure 3 relates to another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention which uses an electromagnetic brake 7 known per se. The plate 5 provided with its grooves 11 is secured to its rotation shaft 21 by means of a flange 23 and screws 24. Said shaft 21 is rotatably housed in the base 3 by means of suitable conventional bearings 25. The electromagnetic brake integral with the base acts on the flange 23 to brake or even block the rotation of the latter and therefore of the plate 5. Conventionally, the electromagnetic brake 7 is concentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the plate 5 and is integrated into the base by being attached to it by two rings 27 and 29 assembled on either side thereof.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show several applications of the apparatus according to the invention to particular exercises and movements, with the use of certain accessories. In the embodiments shown, the base 3 greatly exceeds the turntable in order to ensure good support thereof. In addition, the apparatus according to the invention is controlled by an electronic servo 50 which will be described in more detail later.

In FIG. 4, the accessory used consists of a handle 31 fixed to the periphery of the plate by means of two standard type plates 32 secured in the grooves 11.

In FIG. 5, the plate is provided with an extension 33 consisting of two parallel rails possibly having a groove similar to the grooves 11 and which can be provided with other accessories such as for example the handle 31. Furthermore, the end of this extension 33 may include two perpendicular rails 39 of the same type.

Figure 6 shows accessories 35 for fixing a stool 35 'on the plate 5. Such an accessory consists for example of a socket having a clamping screw.

FIG. 7 represents a vertical handle 36 which can be mounted on the plate 5 by means of the same standard plate 32 integral with said handle. It can also be wrapped in a suitable socket to facilitate certain specific movements.

FIG. 8 represents an accessory similar to the previous one provided with a sphere 37 in order to allow certain movements of the wrist. Said sphere 37 can be made integral with its axis of rotation 38 by means of a clamping screw 39 which can be engaged in a groove 40.

FIG. 9 shows a support 41 coated with a protective material 42 and mounted on the plate by means of the plate of standard size 32. Said support can be provided with a strap which makes it possible to attach a member.

The accessory 43 shown in Figure 10 is similar to the previous one but is better suited to the heel, because of its trapezoidal shape.

A last accessory described from the non-limiting list cited is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 11. It consists of a semicircular plate 44 articulated on standard size plates 31, which can be positioned at a particular angle relative to the plate 5. Said plate 44 can also be provided with grooves similar to the grooves 11 in the plate 5.

As already mentioned, the base 3 can be positioned at various inclinations. According to one embodiment, the base 3 is articulated on a base 45 and can be held in position relative to the latter by means of a system of rods or telescopic rods 45 ′ comprising stop lugs 45 " for a few determined positions. As a variant, the device 1 can be suspended from a wall bar 46 (FIG. 13), by a suitable suspension frame 47 which comprises, in addition to an upper hooking device 49, a device for adjustable lower hooking 49 ′. This suspension frame is provided with at least two pairs of hooks 48 in which the base is anchored provided with lugs for hooking the device 1. The whole can be adjusted in height according to needs.

It is particularly preferred to associate a programmable control device or a microprocessor with the device according to the invention. A such a device can be controlled and programmed by means of a display panel 50 as shown in FIG. 14.

In this case, a number of functions can be provided as described below.

The display panel 50 advantageously comprises three displays known per se comprising three units each. The displays 51 and 52 indicate in each direction the number of turns or fractions of turns that remains to be done. The display 53 allows the introduction. data, the display of the amplitude of the movement to be traversed in each direction, the display of the number of laps remaining to be done - in the case of complete revolutions in one direction - and of the speed of rotation. A 16-key keyboard 54 allows data entry by the physiotherapist for example. The potentiometers 55 and 56 make it possible to adjust the braking torque, in each direction. One can also provide other conventional means such as sound or light signals 57, 58 in order to signal the end of the exercise.

It is also possible to vary the braking torque during the same cycle or during the entire exercise, with adequate programming.

In the case of an embodiment as described, the plate must of course be equipped with various probes such as probes for measuring the speed of rotation, positioning probes, etc.

It is therefore possible, from a determined zero point to program a number of angular movements for example (amplitude, speed, number) with a constant or variable braking force during the movement.

The data formed by the probes can also be recorded and memorized in a computer which allows the physiotherapist to follow the progress of the patient.

The apparatus of the invention allows a large number of different exercises and is compact. It can be used in particular by a physiotherapist at the bedside or in patients' homes. It is adaptable to the physical condition of the user and allows the user to quickly improve this physical condition through easily programmable progressive exercises.

Claims (12)

1. Proprioceptive rehabilitation and/or physical training apparatus comprising a base and a turntable rotatably sealed thereon as well as an adjustable brake, characterized in that the base (3) is inclinable to a desired inclination degree and in that the said turntable is provided with parallel grooves (11) equidistant from one another and having a profile of the dovetail type, said grooves being intended for receiving means of fastening accessories to which limbs of human body are fastenable.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is suspended on wall-bars (46) by means of a suspension frame (47) which has, in addition to an upper attachment device (49), an adjustable lower attachment device (49'), this suspension frame being equipped with at least two pairs of hooks (48), in which the rest (45) belonging to the base (3) is anchored, the height of the assembly as a whole being adjustable.

3. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brake (7) is adjusted manually as a result of the rotation of a threaded rod (15) which compresses a spring, the pressing force of which lays blocks (17) against the axle of the turntable (5).

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the brake (7), consists of an electromagnetic brake adjusted manually or electronically.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with an accessory composed of a lengthening piece (33) which consists of two parallel rails having a slot similar to the grooves (11) for fastening other accessories.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that one end of this lengthening piece (33) has two perpendicular rails (34) of the same type.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it has a pedal- bearing assembly or a pedal axle carrying a plate which is itself mounted on a ball or an axle which can receive an item of equipment.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is associated with a programmable control device, the program of which is adapted to the desired movements of the turntable, such as complete or partial rotation, if appropriate alternating.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the turntable has positioning and/or rotational speed-measuring probes.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it has a display and/or recording of the exercises carried out.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the type of exercises to be carried out and their number are displayed at the start of each series of exercises.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the claims, characterized in that it has sound and/or light signalling devices.

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