EP1541112A1 - Muscle stimulation and massage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A muscle stimulation and massage assembly has a base-plate (3) supporting an upright column (2), and a vibrator. The rectangular base-plate surrounds a rectangular area and has castors (32) or skids at each corner. The column consists of an elongated inverted U-shaped rod with two shanks 21, 22). The shanks guide a rising/falling lift unit (4) that can be stopped and arrested at any point. The lift (4) is a U-shaped frame holding a vibrator.

Description

The invention relates to a muscle stimulation and massaging device according to the preamble of the independent claim.

In the fitness and therapy area, devices are used that generate vibrations, which via a contact surface on the person to be treated or exercising be transmitted. The vibrations can affect both muscles and bones have a positive effect. Effective stimulation of muscle fibers is possible when the muscle fibers oscillate from a fundamental tone into a threshold range can be brought with increased tension. The basic hue depends on constitutional tone and the bias selected during treatment from. The bias results on the one hand due to the weight, or, the chosen attitude, and on the other hand by a volitional tension of the muscles. The stimulation by the vibration is then optimal, if with a large Movement proportion in the direction of the stimulating muscle fibers on the body, or a muscle to be treated, can be transmitted. To the effect of Strengthening treatment can treat the treated muscles during treatment be massaged. Therefore, the muscle stimulation device should be designed so that the Treated muscles are easily accessible for a massage. In the treatment of bones, the vibration should have the greatest possible amount of movement in Direction of the bone to be transmitted to the body.

The vibration should in a person to be treated at least over a contact surface for the feet and possibly for the buttocks, and in particular handles for the Accordingly, the person to be treated is in one standing, sitting or hanging posture.

The vibration should be frequencies or periods in the range of the response and Have cooldowns of muscle fibers. See the common applications Excitation frequencies in the range of 1 to 60 Hz before. Devices with an adjustable Frequency allow an adjustment of the frequency to the purpose of treatment and thus an optimal treatment. The amplitude of the vibration is in the range, for example from 1-10 mm, but preferably from 4-6mm. The weight that set in vibration must be in the range of 10 to 150 kg.

EP 0 929 284 describes a muscle stimulation device with two away from each other moving foot plates, which pivot on a horizontally extending central axis stored and each have a shaft by means of a respective eccentric transmission in Pivoting movements are displaceable. To get an unwanted imbalance of the waves too avoid, the waves are made by attaching balancing mass balanced. Nevertheless, the device generates unwanted loud noises, as airborne sound be emitted directly and as structure-borne noise over the ground. The sounds too Fundamental vibrations are caused by inertial forces of the up and down down tilted foot plates, which counteract the acceleration forces forces are transferred to the device and from this to the ground. One Another disadvantage of this solution is that the foot plates due to their Pivoting movements tend to have the legs of the people standing on the plates Person also in pivoting motion. This pivotal part of Stimulation must be proportional to the ankles of the knees and the hip joints be absorbed, which is associated with the risk of adverse effects on the Joints is connected. Devices according to EP 0 929 284 are based on the stimulation of Muscles in the body longitudinal direction and in particular limited to the leg muscles. Vibrations that should act on muscles of the trunk and the arms would have to due to the damping in the ankles, knees and hip joints with undesirable large amplitudes act on the legs and transferred from these to the trunk become. This indirect stimulation can lead to problems in the joints and ensures no defined excitation in the trunk muscles.

US 5,500,002 describes a similar to the embodiments of EP 0 929 284 Solution with two pivotable footplates, with footplates are excitable with different and adjustable amplitudes. This solution points also the disadvantages described above.

US 5,273,028 describes a solution with a parallel vibrating plate, wherein the vibration is not about a rotating shaft but about electromagnetic Actuators are generated. The application is based on stimulation via the feet and Legs restricted. In addition, arises from the electromagnetic actuators new outgoing noise.

Another solution with electromagnetic actuators is known from US Pat. No. 5,484,388 known. It is an application in the field of bone treatment, wherein a bone biased with a static force with force in the direction of the static force is applied. The design is complicated, consuming in the application and not on the vibrating muscle stimulation aligned.

US 2 427 053 describes a device with vibrating surfaces in the area a seat and the backrest, wherein the movement is tangential to the surface of the Contact surfaces occurs. Because tangential movements are already in the range of near-surface skin and fat layer can be strongly attenuated, the desired Muscle stimulation can not be achieved to a sufficient extent.

From the trade, a device is known whose contact surface a pre- and Performs return movement with a Kippanteil. In addition to the unacceptable generation of sound is also the Kippanteil the vibration an undesirable disadvantage of this solution. The Device includes a linkage that can be attached to the contact surface and the extends beyond the body surface of a person to be treated. At the upper end of the linkage are arranged handles, allowing a person to stimulate Arm muscles with pre-tensioned muscles can hold on the handles. The amplitude the tilting portion of the vibration is linearly increased by the linkage. This creates with the handles a movement that is not suitable for the desired treatment.

The object of the invention is to provide a muscle stimulation and massaging device, which overcomes the mentioned disadvantages and other fields of application allows.

This object is achieved by the features specified in the claims Invention solved.

An additional advantage of the invention is that the muscle stimulation and Massager according to the invention as a basic unit for other applications can be equipped by means of additional elements.

Figur 1a

Ein erfindungsgemässes Muskelstimulations- und Massagegerät in Seitenansicht;

Figur 1b

ein erfindungsgemässes Muskelstimulations- und Massagegerät von vorne;

Figur 2

die Vibrationseinheit im Querschnitt;

Figur 3

die Vibrationseinheit in Ansicht von vorne mit Anbauelementen; und

Figur 4

ein Variante der Blattfeder von Figur 2:

The invention will be described below in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1a

An inventive muscle stimulation and massaging device in side view;

FIG. 1b

an inventive muscle stimulation and massaging device from the front;

FIG. 2

the vibration unit in cross section;

FIG. 3

the vibration unit in front view with attachments; and

FIG. 4

a variant of the leaf spring of Figure 2:

A muscle stimulation and massaging device according to the invention, in Figures 1a and 1 b, comprises a foot plate 3, a column 2 and a vibration unit 1 Foot plate 3 circumscribes a rectangular area. In the area of the corners of the rectangular Surface rollers and / or skids 32 are attached. On the foot plate 3 is the column 2. The column 2 comprises two laterally spaced guide rail towers each with at least one guide rail 21,22. A lift 4 is on the guide rails 21,22 up and down mobile, so that he in different heights opposite the foot plate 3 brought and locked here. The lift has the shape of a U-shaped Carrier with two side arms. Between the open ends, outside the Area of the guide rails 21,22, the vibration unit 1 is attached. At the top End of the column 2, an evaluation and display unit 5 may be present. On it is For example, the number of oscillations, the duration of treatment, etc. readable. It can In addition, a pulse control to be installed, which according to the known principle with the wireless heart rate monitor works.

The foot plate 3 has the shape of a fork. Two fork ends 31 are like this arranged that the free space between at least the width of the vibration unit 1 corresponds. The vibration unit 1 can be shut down at the lift until it is located between the fork ends 31.

The lift 4 is displaceable by means of rollers or sliding bearings on the guide rails attached. The rollers or sliding bearings guarantee that the lift is positioned as desired can be and is held there firmly. He is provided with a lift drive 41. The lift drive 41 is advantageously arranged within the foot plate 3, so that the Center of gravity of the entire muscle stimulation and massage device remains deep. He is pushing the lift by means of cable, timing belt or spindle in a known manner. It is also possible to arrange the drive 41 in the lift 4 itself. Then at least one of the Guide rails be toothed, the drive 41 is provided with a gear, which intervenes in the gearing.

The vibration unit 1 is fixed to the frame of the lift 4 or a horizontal Swivel axis pivotally mounted. In the case of the pivotal attachment she must be fixable in all pivot states. These can, for example, the lateral Frame parts of the lift 4 be provided with circular grooves or cutouts, in which locking means run displaceably. By means of quick levers, wing nuts and Likewise, the vibration unit is locked in the desired pivot position.

A cross section through the vibration unit is shown in FIG. The Vibration unit 1 has approximately the shape of a cuboid. A housing 12 includes a floor, two parallel side walls and two parallel end walls. One side of the Housing 12, here the top, is open. A vibration plate or a vibration pad 11 with a rectangular base and an upwardly curved surface partially protrudes into the interior of the housing 12. The distance between the housing inner wall and the Vibration pad 11 is minimal. So it is not possible that you accidentally with a finger or object in between can get and pinch. This serves the safety of the person to be treated and the therapist. Injuries are locked out.

In the housing 12 of the vibration unit 1, the vibration drive is arranged. A Drive shaft 14 is present here parallel to the length of the housing 12. She points at least one eccentric 141 on. On the eccentric 141 is a coupling rod 142 hinged. The coupling rod 142 connects the eccentric 141 with the vibrating plate or the vibration pad 11, where it ends at a pivot joint 111. The Rotary movement of the drive shaft is thus in a linear movement of the vibration pad 11 transmits and thus generates the vibrations of the vibration pad 11. The Stroke of the vibration pad is chosen between about 1 and 6 mm. The eccentric can be designed according to known construction so that the hub varies set can be. The stroke of the vibration pad is advantageously between about 1 and 6 mm. After in itself known construction, for example with variable cam, the eccentric can be built so that the hub preset varies or even can be varied during operation. There can be several Excenter 141, each with a coupling rod 142 be present, which is smaller Dimensioning of the individual elements allowed. When running with a one Vibratory plate can be a vibration pad, a vibration rod, vibration footpegs or the like are plugged.

Housing 12 has an intermediate bottom 121. He is provided with recesses, through which the coupling rod 142 extends. On the intermediate floor 121 is at least one spring unit 13 attached. The spring unit 13 is made Advantageously, a spring unit 130, which in one piece or in several divided into two-dimensional segments. In the variant of Figure 2, it has a lower Spring plate 132 and an upper spring plate 131. The lower spring plate 141 rests the intermediate bottom 121 and is there fixed with a spring holder 136. she here also has a recess for the movement of the coupling rod 142. The upper spring plate 131 is at the bottom of the vibration pad 11 with a Spring attachment 135, screws, rivets or the like attached. Between the upper and lower spring plate 142,141, the -Federeinheit 130 each at least a spring angle 133 as a resilient connection of the upper and lower Spring plate 131, 132. The spring unit 130 has a rectangular as seen from above up square plan on. It corresponds in the area at most approximately Base surface of the vibration pad 11. The spring unit 130 may be transverse as shown to the drive shaft 14 or also rotated by 90 °, parallel to the drive shaft be installed. Of course, the spring unit 130 can be divided into several individual ones Be divided leaf spring elements. This geometric design ensures the exact guidance of the vibration pad 11 during actuation. The leaf spring 130 takes over not only the leadership of the vibration pad, but also the damping of the Vibrations and accelerations in the upper and lower part of the movement of the Vibration cushion and dampens it with the vibrations and the mechanics generated noise.

The noise and Vibratonsverhalten of the vibration unit 1 with the housing 12 is again improved by attaching a Stabilitstionskörpers 122 on False floor. The stabilization body 122 has a relatively large mass. He is on the front sides of the housing 12 and at several points on the intermediate bottom 121st attached. With him, on the one hand, the stability of the housing 12 with the Zwischenboden 121 and on the other hand, the ratio of moving mass, the Vibration plate and cushion, to the immobile mass, housing and drive improved. He is preferably made of correspondingly heavy material, possibly even with a Filling made of lead, manufactured. Of course, the stabilizer body has a central one Recess on, through which passes through the coupling rod 142. The recess is dimensioned accordingly.

The intermediate bottom 121 can also itself the function of the stability body 122nd take over, by running it with the necessary mass and thus thickness. In Preferred embodiment serve stability body 122 and intermediate bottom 121 to Inclusion of the entire drive including electric motor, bearing and drive shaft 14 with the eccentrics. For added comfort, a vibration balance shaft known type in the vibration unit 12 may be present.

Another embodiment of the leaf spring is shown in FIG. The leaf spring here is a simple spring plate 138. It can be flat, flat or curved and may be biased. It can be made of one piece odr multilayer and also off be composed of different materials. As the height is smaller, will with advantage on a bearing block 137 on the intermediate floor 121 with a Spring retainer 136 attached. At the bottom of the vibrating plate 11 are laterally upper spring attachments 135 'present, which each with a receiving groove 137th are provided. The simple spring plate is with its lateral edges on the circumference in stored this Aufnhamenuten 137. For the movement of the simple spring plate 138 there is some play between it and the recording groove 139. The simple one Spring plate 138 may, like the spring unit 13 described above, from a Extend piece by piece over the entire surface of the virion plate 11. she can as well as the spring unit 13 in several parts arranged in individual nebenenander Segments be divided. As an extreme case, it can even be made up of a plurality of thin ones There are spring bars.

Instead of a leaf spring 130 or a simple spring plate 138, a construction of at least two torsion springs application. The torsion springs are ever fixed between the intermediate bottom 121 and the underside of the vibrating plate.

The vibration pad has a hard core. It can be made of a metal, wooden or a plastic body. This is on top and side with provided with upholstery of leather or other suitable material of known type.

The drive shaft 14 may laterally to the end faces of the housing 12 or even be extended beyond that. At these ends are then attachable accessories, which are also rotated by the drive shaft. You accessories can be screwed on or, with a bayonet-type or similar quick release 61 provided, be plugged.

As such additional device (see Figure 1 b), for example, pulleys 62 on be attached to both sides of the drive shaft 14. You can also each one Use eccentric disc on which other modules such as hand straps, free rotating pulleys and the like can be plugged.

Since the vibration plate or vibration pad 11 usually with an amplitude of about 5 mm is moved, the design of the eccentric discs one for certain Therapies suitable other deflection respectively. Amplitude can be achieved. she is in wide range selectable possible. The eccentric discs can be in the same direction or else be mounted rotationally offset. For example, can be rotationally offset by 180 ° attached to a belt attached to it. This can be one Perform a vibration massage, as known by well-known belt vibrators.

Another accessory (see Figure 1 b) forms a vibration rod 71, which laterally is attached to the vibration pad 11. The vibration bar is then in Distance above the support of the vibration pad 11. Again, hand straps or pulleys 72 are hung. This is the vibration stimulation of Extremities of the person to be treated selectively possible. The hand straps can can also be used by a therapist to massage while massaging Therapeutic person they massage by vibrating the device too support. To do this, he guides his hand through the wrist strap, leaving his forearm rests in the wrist strap and is moved by it while it is with his Palm carrying out the massage.

Furthermore, for example, a cable is laid over the pulley, at the one end a hand strap or a ring for hands, forearms, etc. and at the other end a replaceable weight or an adjustable load spring is appropriate. This applies to both of the above accessories.

An additional extension of the range of application of the muscle stimulation device results by combining the vibration movement with a movement of the lift 4. To the lift is provided with a program control. He can thus during a determinable therapy time over a certain height range continuously up and while the vibration unit 1 is in action. As an example, be one Stimulation of the thigh muscles called transverse to the muscle longitudinal fiber. To the vibration unit is pivoted so that the vibration movement perpendicular to Pillar 2 is performed. The lift is programmed so that it simultaneously over the area just above the knee, just below the loins. This Of course, range of motion must be different for every person and every muscle area be set.

To further simplify and improve the treatment options, the vibration unit is provided with a programmable controller. Thus, both the duration and the vibration frequency can be preset. Also, the vibration frequency can be changed during a determinable time. This can prevent the musculature from adjusting to the set frequency and reducing the treatment effect. Numbers and their names: 1 vibration unit 2 pillar 3 footplate 4 lift 11 Vibration plate / cushion 12 casing 13 spring unit 14 drive shaft 21 guide rail 22 guide rail 31 fork plate 32 Rollers or runners 41 lift unit 111 pivot 121 false floor 122 Stabilization body 130 leaf spring 131 Upper spring plate 132 Lower spring plate 133 spring angle 135 Upper spring attachment 135 ' Upper spring attachment 136 spring retainer 137 bearing block 138 simple spring plate 139 receiving groove 141 eccentric 142 coupling rod

Claims (14)

Muscle stimulating and massaging device with a foot plate (3) provided with rollers or skids (32) and with a column (2) arranged vertically on the foot plate (3) and a vibration unit,
characterized in that
the vibration unit (1) is arranged on a lift (3), wherein the lift (3) is mounted movably on guide rails (21, 22) of the column and lockable at different heights so that the vibration unit (1) is outside on one side located in the area of the column (2). Muscle stimulating and massaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibration unit (1) comprises a housing (12) with an intermediate bottom (121) and a vibration plate (11), and that the vibration plate (11) by means of at least one spring unit (13) is connected to the intermediate bottom (121), and in that a drive shaft (14) is present in the housing (12), which has at least one eccentric (141) which is pivotally connected via a coupling rod (142) with the vibration pad (11). Muscle stimulation and massage device according to claim 2, characterized in that the vibration unit is provided with a programmable controller, so that time duration and / or vibration frequency are variable. Muscle stimulation and massaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring unit (13) flat leaf spring (130,138) which is attached to the intermediate bottom (121) and to the vibration plate, so that it guarantees the lateral guidance of the vibrating plate (11) and prevents lateral deflection of the vibrating plate (11) relative to the housing. Muscle stimulation and massaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring unit (13) comprises torsion bars. Muscle stimulating and massaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the leaf spring (130) has an upper spring plate (131) and a lower spring plate (132), wherein the under spring plate (132) is provided with an opening through which the coupling rod ( 142) is guided therethrough. Muscle stimulating and massaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the leaf spring (130, 138) consists of a number of leaf spring elements. Muscle stimulation and massaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that the vibration plate is designed as a vibration pad (11) and extends at least partially into the housing (12). Muscle stimulation and massage device according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (12) of the vibration unit (1) on the lift (4) is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis. Muscle stimulation and massage device according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive shaft is led out laterally from the housing (12) and is provided at the lateral ends with receptacles for receiving additional elements for a vibration therapy. Muscle stimulation and massaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that a vibration bar can be connected to the vibration pad (11), which is moved with the vibration pad and which can be provided with additional elements. Muscle stimulation and massaging device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the additional devices are eccentric discs, pulleys or hand loops. Muscle stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the foot plate (3) on the side of the column (2) on which the vibration unit (1) is located, the shape is fork-shaped and has two spaced fork ends (31), wherein the Distance between the two fork ends (31) at least the width of the vibration unit (1) corresponds, so that the vibration unit (1) with the lift (4) is movable down between the fork ends. Muscle stimulation device according to claim 7, characterized in that the lift over a predeterminable height range on programmed during a period of time is continuously movable up and down

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