EP1541112B1 - 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 stimulating and massaging device.

In the fitness and therapy area, devices are used which generate vibrations which are transmitted via a contact surface to the person to be treated or exercising. The vibrations can have a positive effect on both muscles and bones. Effective stimulation of muscle fibers is possible when the muscle fibers can be oscillated from a fundamental tone into a threshold area with increased tension. The fundamental tone depends on the constitutional tone and the bias selected during treatment. The bias arises on the one hand because of the weight, or, the selected attitude, and on the other by a voluntary tension of the muscles. The stimulation by the vibration is optimal if it can be transmitted with a large proportion of movement in the direction of the muscle fibers to be stimulated on the body, or a muscle to be treated. To increase the effect of the treatment, the treated muscles can be massaged during treatment. Therefore, the muscle stimulation device should be designed so that the treated muscles are easily accessible for a massage. When treating bones, the vibration should be transmitted to the body with the greatest possible proportion of movement in the direction of the bone.

The vibration should be transmitted to 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 hands, Accordingly, the person to be treated in a standing, sitting or hanging posture.

The vibration should have frequencies or periods in the range of response and decay times of muscle fibers. The common applications provide excitation frequencies in the range of 1 to 60 Hz. Devices with an adjustable frequency allow adjustment of the frequency to the purpose of treatment and thus 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 needs to be vibrated is in the range of 10 to 150 Kg.

The EP 0 929 284 describes a muscle stimulation device with two mutually moving away foot plates, which are pivotally mounted on a horizontally extending central axis and displaceable via a respective shaft by means of each eccentric transmission in pivotal movements. To avoid unwanted imbalance of the waves, the waves are balanced by the attachment of balancing mass. Nevertheless, the device generates unwanted loud noises, which are emitted as airborne sound directly and as structure-borne noise above the ground. The vibrations underlying the noise are generated by inertial forces of the up and down pivoted footplates, these forces being applied to the apparatus and from there to the ground, against the forces of acceleration. Another disadvantage of this solution is that the foot plates due to their pivotal movements have the tendency to also put the legs of the person standing on the plates in pivotal movement. This pivotal portion of the stimulation must be absorbed proportionately by the ankles of the knees and the hip joints, which is associated with the risk of adverse effects on the joints. Devices according to EP 0 929 284 are limited to stimulation of the muscles in the body longitudinal direction and in particular on the leg muscles. Vibrations which should act on muscles of the trunk and the arms would have to act due to the damping in the ankles, knees and hip joints with undesirably large amplitudes on the legs and be transferred by these on the trunk. This indirect stimulation can lead to problems in the joints and ensures no defined excitation in the trunk muscles.

The US 5 500 002 describes one of the remarks of the EP 0 929 284 Similar solution with two adjustable in pivoting foot plates, wherein the foot plates with different and adjustable amplitudes are excitable. This solution also has the disadvantages described above.

The US 5,273,028 describes a solution with a parallel vibrating plate, wherein the vibration does not have a rotating shaft but electromagnetic Actuators are generated. The application is limited to stimulation via the feet and legs. In addition, the electromagnetic actuators generate new outgoing noise.

Another solution with electromagnetic actuators is from the US 5,484,388 known. It is an application in the field of bone treatment whereby a bone loaded with a static force is subjected to force jolts in the direction of the static force. The design is complicated, complex in use and not aligned to the vibrating muscle stimulation.

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

From the trade, a device is known, the contact surface performs a forward and backward movement with a Kippanteil. In addition to the unacceptable generation of sound and the Kippanteil of vibration is an undesirable disadvantage of this solution. The device comprises a linkage that can be attached to the contact surface and that extends beyond the body surface of a person to be treated. Handles are placed at the top end of the boom, allowing a person to hold onto the handles to stimulate arm muscles with preloaded muscles. The amplitude of the tilting portion of the vibration is linearly increased by the linkage. This creates a movement in the handles that is not suitable for the desired treatment.

The DE-195'17'866 C1 shows a massager with a swing head, which is adjustable in height on vertically mounted on a wall rails. It is rotatable about a horizontal axis. A massage pad is set in vibration. It is connected via push rods with an eccentric shaft. The push rods are mounted in rubber sleeves in the housing cover respectively passed through the housing cover. Thus, the vibrations are not too strong on the whole device, counterweights are provided, which are offset by 180 ° driven by the eccentric shaft.

DE-20 1'16'277-U1 shows a device for biomechanical stimulation, in particular for introducing vibration movements in the arm of a masseur when treating patients. It includes a vibration device, which is mounted on the top of a telescopic column. The telescopic column is centered on a H-shaped foot, which is provided with foot rollers. The vibration device has a housing which is pivotally mounted about an axis in a bracket. The bracket is attached to the telescopic column. In the housing of the vibration device is a drive with an eccentric shaft. The eccentric shaft brings a massage pad in vibratory motion via a connecting rod. The connecting rod extends through an opening in the vibrator housing, where it is supported on a flexible rubber mat. This rubber mat is the only guide for the connecting rod and thus the only holder for the vibrated massage pad.

NL-C-1018370 shows a simple block, on the cross bar a drive is present. The drive sets a bar in motion, which is connected to a training clip. The training hanger is pivotally attached to the side supports of the buck. The drive thus sets the training hanger in an up and down movement.

FR-A-1'457'046 shows a well-known vibration device. On a stand, a drive is arranged height adjustable. He sets two laterally protruding from the housing eccentric discs in rotation. At these eccentric discs, a webbing is hung.

A person puts the webbing around the body part, which is to be massaged. After switching on the drive, the strap is set in reciprocating motion by the eccentric discs and massages the desired body parts.

DE-A-102'01'255 shows a vibration platform which is mounted on a stationary chassis by means of silent blocks. An eccentric drive makes the vibrating platform vibrate. Next projects a drawbar with a handle on the side of the vibrating plate. One person is now standing on the vibration platform for stimulation, holding on to the handle. The platform is now vibrated with controllable amplitude.

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

This object is achieved by the features of the invention specified in the claims.

An additional advantage of the invention is that the muscle stimulation and massaging device according to the invention can also be equipped as a basic device for further applications 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 FIG. 2 :

A muscle stimulation and massaging device according to the invention, in the FIGS. 1a and 1b includes a foot plate 3, a column 2 and a vibration unit 1. The foot plate 3 circumscribes a rectangular area. In the region of the corners of the rectangular surface rollers and / or runners 32 are mounted. 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 can be moved up and down on the guide rails 21, 22, so that it can be brought to different heights in relation to the foot plate 3 and locked here. The lift has the form of a U-shaped support frame with two lateral arms. Between the open ends, outside the region of the guide rails 21,22, the vibration unit 1 is attached. At the upper end of the column 2, an evaluation and display unit 5 may be present. On it, for example, the number of oscillations, the duration of treatment, etc. read. It can also be installed a pulse control, which works on the known principle with the wireless heart rate monitor.

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

The lift 4 is slidably mounted by means of rollers or plain bearings on the guide rails. The rollers or slide bearings guarantee that the lift can be positioned as desired and is also held there securely. 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 massaging device remains deep. He drives the lift by means of a 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 may be toothed, wherein the drive 41 is provided with a gear which engages in the toothing.

The vibration unit 1 is fixed to the frame of the lift 4 or pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivot axis. In the case of the pivotal attachment, it must be fixable in all pivot states. For this purpose, for example, the lateral frame parts of the lift 4 may be provided with circular grooves or cut-outs, in which locking means run displaceably. By means of quick levers, wing nuts and the like, the vibration unit is locked in the desired pivot position.

A cross section through the vibration unit is in the FIG. 2 shown. The vibration unit 1 has approximately the shape of a cuboid. A housing 12 comprises a bottom, two parallel side walls and two parallel end walls. One side of the housing 12, here the upper, is open. A vibration plate or a vibration pad 11 with a rectangular base and an upwardly curved surface protrudes partially 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 get in between with a finger or object and get trapped. This is for the safety of the person to be treated and the therapist. Injuries are excluded.

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. It has at least one eccentric 141. On the eccentric 141 a coupling rod 142 is articulated. The coupling rod 142 connects the eccentric 141 with the vibration plate or the vibration pad 11, where it ends at a pivot joint 111. The rotational movement of the drive shaft is thus in a linear movement of the vibration pad 11 transmits and thereby generates the vibrations of the vibration pad 11. The stroke of the vibration pad is selected between about 1 and 6 mm. The eccentric can be designed according to known construction so that the stroke can be varied as agreed. The stroke of the vibration pad is advantageously chosen between about 1 and 6 mm. After per se known construction, for example with variable cams, the eccentric can be designed so that the stroke can be preset or even varied during operation. There may be several eccentrics 141, each with a coupling rod 142, which allows smaller dimensioning of the individual elements. In the embodiment with a vibration plate, a vibration pad, a vibration rod, vibration fuss or the like can be plugged.

Housing 12 has an intermediate bottom 121. It is provided with recesses through which the coupling rod 142 passes. On the intermediate bottom 121 at least one spring unit 13 is attached. The spring unit 13 advantageously consists of a spring unit 130, which is divided in one piece or in several flat segments. In the Variant FIG. 2 it has a lower spring plate 132 and an upper spring plate 131. The lower spring plate 132 rests on the intermediate bottom 121 and is there fastened with a spring holder 136. It also has a recess for the movement of the coupling rod 142 here. The upper spring plate 131 is fixed to the underside of the vibration pad 11 with a spring attachment 135, screws, rivets or the like. Between the upper and the lower spring plate 131, 132, the spring unit 130 has at least one spring angle 133 as a resilient connection of the upper and lower spring plate 131, 132. The spring unit 130 has a rectangular to square plan view from above. It corresponds in area to the maximum approximately the base of the vibration pad 11. The spring unit 130 may, as shown, transversely to the drive shaft 14 or rotated by 90 °, be installed parallel to the drive shaft. Of course, the spring unit 130 may be divided into a plurality of individual leaf spring elements. This geometric design ensures the exact guidance of the vibration pad 11 during actuation. The leaf spring 130 not only takes over the guidance of the vibration pad, but also the damping of the vibrations and accelerations in the upper and lower regions of the movement of the vibration pad and thus also significantly dampens the noise generated by the vibrations and the mechanics.

The noise and Vibratonsverhalten the vibration unit 1 with the housing 12 is further improved by attaching a stabilizer body 122 on the intermediate bottom 101. The stabilizer body 122 has a relatively large mass. It is attached to the front sides of the housing 12 and at several points on the intermediate bottom 121. With him, on the one hand, the stability of the housing 12 with the intermediate bottom 121 and on the other hand, the ratio of moving mass, the vibration plate, the immobile mass, the housing and drive improved. It is preferably made of correspondingly heavy material, possibly even with a filling of lead. Of course, the stabilizer body 122 has a central recess through which the coupling rod 142 passes. The recess is dimensioned accordingly.

The intermediate bottom 121 can also take on the function of the stability body 122 by being performed with the necessary mass and thus thickness. In a preferred embodiment serve stability body 122 and intermediate bottom 121 for receiving the entire drive inlusive electric motor, storage and drive shaft 14 with the eccentrics. For added convenience, a vibration balance shaft of known type may be present in the vibration unit 12.

Another embodiment of the leaf spring is made FIG. 4 seen. The leaf spring here consists of a simple spring plate 138. It can be flat, flat or curved and possibly biased. It can be made of one piece or multi-layered and also consisting of different materials. Since the overall height is smaller, it is advantageously fixed on a bearing block 137 on the intermediate floor 121 with a spring holder 136. On the underside of the vibrating plate 11 are laterally upper spring attachments 135 'present, which are each provided with a receiving groove 139. The simple spring plate is mounted with its lateral edges on the circumference in these grooves 139. For the movement of the simple spring plate 138 is provided between it and the receiving 139 something game. The simple spring plate 138 may, like the spring unit 13 described above, extend in one piece over approximately the entire surface of the virion plate 11. Like the spring unit 13, it can be divided in several parts into individual segments arranged side by side. As an extreme case, it can even consist of a plurality of thin spring rods.

The vibration pad has a hard core. It can consist of a metal, wooden or plastic body. This is provided on the top and sides with a padding of leather or other suitable material known type.

The drive shaft 14 may be laterally extended to the front sides of the housing 12 or even beyond. At these ends are then attachable accessories, which are also rotated by the drive shaft in rotation. The accessories can be screwed or, provided with a bayonet-like or similar quick release 61, be plugged.

As such accessory (see FIG. 3 For example, sheaves 62 can be plugged onto the drive shaft 14 on both sides. You can also ever use an eccentric disc on which other modules such as hand straps, freely rotating sheaves and the like can be plugged.

Since the vibrating plate or the vibration pad 11 is usually moved with an amplitude of about 5 mm, the design of the eccentric discs, a suitable for certain therapies other deflection resp. Amplitude can be achieved. It is possible to choose in a wide range. The eccentric discs can be fastened in the same direction or in a rotationally offset manner. For example, at 180 ° rotatably mounted eccentrics a belt can be hung on it. So you can perform a vibration massage, as known from well-known belt vibrators.

Another accessory (see FIG. 3 ) forms a vibration rod 71, which is attached laterally to the vibration pad 11. The vibration bar is then at a distance above the support of the vibration pad 11. Here, too, hand straps or pulleys 72 can be hung. Thus, the vibration stimulation of extremities of the person to be treated is selectively possible. The hand straps can also be used by a therapist to assist in massaging a person to be treated the massage by vibrating movement of the device. To do this, he guides his hand through the wrist strap, so that his forearm rests in the wrist strap and is moved through it, while he performs the massage with his palm.

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

An additional extension of the field of application of the muscle stimulation device is obtained by combining the vibratory movement with a movement of the lift 4. For this purpose, the lift is provided with a program control. It can thus be continuously moved up and down over a certain height range during a definable therapy time while the vibration unit 1 is in action. As an example, a stimulation of the thigh muscles is called transversely to the muscle longitudinal fiber. For this purpose, the vibration unit is pivoted so that the vibration movement is performed perpendicular to the column 2. The lift is programmed so that it simultaneously moves up and down over the area just above the knee to just below the loins. Of course, this range of motion must be adjusted differently for each person and each muscle area.

To further simplify and improve the therapy 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 (9)

1. A muscle stimulation and massage device comprising a footplate (3) which is provided with rollers or skids (32), and comprising a column (2) arranged perpendicular to the footplate (3) and a vibration unit,
   the vibration unit (1) being arranged on a lift (3), the lift (3) being fastened so as to be able to travel on guide rails (21, 22) of the column and so as to be able to be locked in position at different heights, so that the vibration unit (1) is located on one side of the column (2) and outside the region of the column (2), the vibration unit (1) comprising a housing (12) with an intermediate base (121) and a vibration plate (11), and the vibration plate (11) being connected by means of at least one spring unit (13) to the intermediate base (121) and in that in the housing (12) a drive shaft (14) is present which has at least one eccentric (141) which is pivotably connected to the vibration plate (11) via a coupling rod (142), and the spring unit (13) being a leaf spring (130, 138) configured in a planar manner, which is fastened to the intermediate base (121) and to the vibration plate so that it guarantees the lateral guidance of the vibration plate (11) and prevents the vibration plate (11) from moving laterally relative to the housing, and the vibration plate (11) also protruding partially into an interior of the housing (12), the spacing between a housing inner wall and the vibration plate (11) being minimal so that it is not possible for an object or finger to become lodged therebetween.
2. The muscle stimulation and massage device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the leaf spring (130) comprises an upper spring plate (131) and a lower spring plate (132), the lower spring plate (132) being provided with an opening through which the coupling rod (142) is guided.
3. The muscle stimulation and massage device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the leaf spring comprises at least one angled spring portion (133) as a resilient connection of the upper spring plate (131) and the lower spring plate (132).
4. The muscle stimulation and massage device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the leaf spring (130, 138) consists of a number of leaf spring elements.
5. The muscle stimulation and massage device according to Claim 1, characterised in that a stabilisation body (122) is fastened to the front faces of the housing (12) and to the intermediate base (121).
6. The muscle stimulation and massage device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the drive shaft is laterally guided out of the housing (12) and is provided at the lateral ends with receivers for receiving additional elements for vibration therapy.
7. The muscle stimulation and massage device according to Claim 1, characterised in that a vibration rod may be attached to the vibration plate (11), said vibration rod being moved with the vibration plate (11) and being able to be provided with additional elements.
8. The muscle stimulation and massage device according to Claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the additional elements are eccentric disks, pulleys or wrist straps.
9. The muscle stimulation device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the footplate (3) has a fork-like design on the side of the column (2) on which the vibration unit (1) is located and has two fork ends (31) spaced apart from one another, the spacing between the two fork ends (31) corresponding at least to the width of the vibration unit (1), so that the vibration unit (1) may travel down with the lift (4) between the fork ends.

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