EP1813246A1 - Training device for the feet - Google Patents

Abstract

The training device comprises a fluid-containing hollow base body made from flexible plastic material with a profiled upper surface that has two single chamber elements (2, 4) with step areas (6, 8) for left and right feet. The single chamber elements are connected together and are connected via at least one fluid-permeable mount (10, 12). The height of the chamber element reduces in it's height in the longitudinal direction. The chamber elements and the mount may be built as a one-piece unit. The device may have a symmetrical axis (S) running between the chamber elements and there may be numerous pimples (14) on the upper surface on at least one side of the device.

Description

The invention relates to a training device for the feet, comprising two flexible, filled with a fluid chamber elements, wherein the chamber elements are interconnected by at least one fluid-permeable web. The device serves to reciprocate a volume of fluid between the chamber elements with muscular force and to assist the flow of blood backflow from the leg veins through the course of the movement.

Vascular diseases are widespread today and have many different causes. One reason is a malfunctioning of the venous valves, which prevents a return of the venous blood against gravity. One possible consequence of vascular disease is thrombosis of the deep leg veins, which in turn can lead to strokes, embolisms or heart attacks. Another major risk factor for the formation of thrombosis is prolonged sitting, with the lack of movement and squeezing of the leg veins in a sitting position leading to congestion of the venous blood. There are various measures to support blood flow back from the leg veins; one of the most important is the activation of the so-called natural venous pump, whereby movement and contraction of the lower leg muscles by compression of the underlying veins supports the reflux. Both for sick patients and as a precautionary measure for healthy persons, regular limb movement is therefore essential. The movement should be as even as possible and avoid strong shock loads, as they occur in many sports.

From the EP 0769287 A1 A foot massager is already known which also has two separate fluid volumes. Although the sections are connected by a common bottom plate, but have no fluid connection. As a result, only a static massage effect due to the surface nubs of the device is possible.

The object of the invention is therefore to enable a strengthening and movement of the leg muscles with a simple, space-saving and cost-effective means to address a broad user layer. The tool is intended to support the smooth movement of the user and create a counter pressure, against which the user must spend a muscle power.

The object is achieved by a training device according to claim 1. It has according to the invention a fillable with a fluid hollow body made of flexible plastic material with profiled surface, which has two individual chamber elements with treads for the left or right foot. In this case, the chamber elements are connected by at least one fluid-permeable web, and the height of the chamber elements decreases in their longitudinal direction. The user adjusts to those with a fluid, e.g. Air, filled device and performs by two-way weight transfer from one foot to the other a dynamic movement. In this case, the fluid volume is pressed by the body weight of the user from the loaded chamber member via the web or webs in the other chamber, mainly by the preferred small cross-section of the connecting web creates a back pressure against which the user has to press with force. This results in a training effect for the leg muscles and, as a result, activation of the natural venous pump, as described above.

Preferably, the chamber elements and the at least one web are formed integrally with each other, which can be advantageous in the production and provides a stable and tight connection under load.

Preferably, the device has an axis of symmetry extending longitudinally between the chamber elements. This property is also advantageous for the production of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the two chamber elements are by two parallel, spaced-apart webs connected to each other. With two connecting webs at a sufficient distance from each other, one obtains the advantage that the two chambers remain in the same position relative to each other even under load during use and do not strive to diverge at one end by the resulting pressure. In addition, two webs, in contrast to a single web, ensure that the pressure balance and thus the force effect is distributed more uniformly over the surface.

Further, preferably, the surfaces on at least one side of the device are provided with a plurality of nubs. The nubs prevent slipping of the user and provide an additional massage effect of the soles of the feet.

Preferably, the nubs have a conical shape with rounded tips. This nubbly shape is easy to make and causes the mentioned massage effect, without being unpleasant. Preferably, the nubs are distributed uniformly over the surface.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross-sectional area of the at least one web is less than the cross-section of the adjacent chamber element. The cross-sectional area of the web determines, in addition to the amount of fluid, the pressure resistance experienced by the user.

Preferably, the at least one web is concave on both sides. In this way, the contact surface of the web on the chambers is as large as possible and thus ensures a secure and stable connection between web and chamber element, while the small cross-section of the web causes a high fluid pressure at the narrowest point.

Preferably, the device is provided with at least one valve for fluid filling of the chambers. The valve may be specially designed for certain types of air pumps or other types of inflation, so that the user can easily regulate the amount of fluid or air himself.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, on at least one side of the training device, the surfaces of the chambers are each provided with a recess which corresponds approximately to the size of a human foot. This recess offers the advantage of improving the stability of the user and may also aim to give the user a recommended standing position.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the chamber elements are in addition to the at least one web additionally connected by a continuous, flat piece of material. In addition to the at least one web, the piece of material ensures that the two chamber elements maintain their position relative to one another and do not strive to diverge.

Preferably, the device is produced by rotational molding. This manufacturing process is inexpensive and well suited for this type of flexible and elastic plastic parts.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform der Trainingsvorrichtung mit zwei Verbindungsstegen von oben zeigt;
• Fig. 2 einen Längsschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entlang der Schnittlinie A-A aus Fig. 1 zeigt;
• Fig. 3 das Funktionsprinzip der Erfindung skizziert; und
• Fig. 4 eine alternative Ausführungsform der Trainingsvorrichtung mit einem Verbindungssteg und einer zusätzlichen Verbindungsplatte zeigt.

The invention will be described in more detail below by means of exemplary embodiments and drawings, wherein

• Fig. 1 shows an embodiment according to the invention of the training device with two connecting webs from above;
• Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the device along section line AA of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 outlines the operating principle of the invention; and
• Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the training device with a connecting web and an additional connecting plate.

Detailed description of the invention

In Fig. 1 is a view of an embodiment of the invention the hollow body device seen from above. The device has two elongate chamber elements 2, 4 of approximately longitudinal oval design, which are connected to one another by two webs 10 and 12. Both the chamber elements and the webs are hollow. The chamber elements serve as treads and can therefore be adapted in shape and size about the shape of a foot. The webs 10, 12 have a double-concave shape, so that they connect with the largest possible edge surface of the chamber elements, but still have at its narrowest point a small cross section through which the fluid is pressed in the application. Via a valve not visible here, the device is filled with a fluid, preferably by pumping with air, but of course, depending on the embodiment, other fluids are conceivable, such as water.

The degree of filling of the hollow body is variable and can be freely selected by the user; Preferably, the chambers 2, 4 should be filled so far that a secure state is possible, i. that the footprint is preferably not arched outwards, and provide sufficient back pressure for the body weight of the user. In particular, the force that is to be applied by the user during the training is also controlled via the filling, since with a larger volume of fluid, more air has to be forced through the web.

Each of the two chamber elements 2 and 4 has a cross-section, as shown by way of example in Figure 2. The height of the chambers decreases in a longitudinal direction slightly, so that the surface 6 or 8, on which the user stands, slightly inclined is. The forward sloping height of the device results in the user having a secure footing and avoids misalignments of the ankles or promotes natural posture during exercise since standing up, the main body weight load is usually in the rear foot area. In this way, the muscle power can be ideally transferred to the chamber surface.

To better fit the footprint to a user's foot, an edge is formed by having the surface towards the center of an approximately foot-deep depression 16 that can accommodate approximately one foot of the user. For example, the depression 16 may be formed by decreasing the material thickness at this point or by adjusting the shape with a constant material thickness. A part of the surfaces, more precisely the standing surfaces of the chamber elements 2 and 4, can be provided with nubs 14. These nubs 14 may have any shape, for example, as shown in Fig. 2, they may be approximately conical with rounded tips. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the nubs may be restricted to the area of the depression or distributed over a larger part of the surface.

The operation of the device according to the invention will be outlined with the aid of FIG. For training and for an associated activation of the muscle vein pump, the user stands on the base surfaces 6, 8 of the device. When the user exerts pressure on one of the two chamber elements 2 with his foot by muscular force, as illustrated by the large arrow, this ensures that pressure compensation takes place via the hollow webs 10, 12 between the two chambers, i. the volume of fluid (in this example the air) is partially or completely pressed by the webs 10, 12 from one chamber element 2 into the other 4. Since the webs in comparison to the chamber size only have a much smaller cross-section (see Fig. 1, section line B-B), which is available for pressure equalization, creates a back pressure against which the user must press with muscle power. Subsequently, the user with the second foot to compress the now more heavily filled chamber element 4, so that the same process is reversed and the fluid flows back into the other chamber 2. In this way results in a dynamic and smooth pedaling movement against a resistance. The resulting repeated contraction of the calf muscles provides for the desired activation of the venous pump by the venous walls are compressed by the muscle strands.

In the described movement, the pressure distribution on various points of a user's feet constantly changes. In this way, the nubs cause 14 on the Stand surface 6, 8 by changing contact pressure an additional massage effect for the foot areas, which also contributes to blood circulation. In addition, the knobs prevent slipping of the user and ensure a stable footing.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention. Instead of a second web is here between the chambers 2 and 4 and in conjunction with the web 10, a flat piece of material 18 is present, which holds the two chamber elements 2, 4 relative to each other in position. Preferably, this piece of material 18 is formed integrally with the rest of the device, wherein the thickness of the connecting piece is variable. The remaining details are not separately listed here in FIG. 4, but of course the same applies here as regards possible depressions, nubs and the like, as already described for the embodiment from FIG.

The flexible surface of the device made of the plastic material adapts to the foot in use, which is more comfortable compared to a solid surface and can promote natural foot posture. Depending on requirements, the device can also be used while sitting, so that the seated user with the feet alternately exerts pressure on the two chambers. This is conceivable, for example, for long sitting times in a restricted space, such as long-distance flights or long car rides, where usually there is no free space available for movement.

In addition to the venous training, however, the device can also be used for other purposes. It is conceivable, for example, the use in exercises for balance training, since the fluid-filled chambers, depending on the degree of filling the user must constantly actively balance. Also a joint-gentle and gentle endurance training is possible. All uses are interesting both for the therapeutic field as well as in the leisure sector, since the training device is space-saving and inexpensive to manufacture. For use, only one surface is required, which corresponds to the normal footprint of a user. Unfilled or filled with air, the device is very light and can be easily transported.

Of course, the invention may vary in detail within the scope of the invention from the preferred embodiments described above. It is conceivable, for example, that the surface is profiled differently than with the rounded nubs. The shape and arrangement of the two fluid chamber elements may well vary. Instead of one or two webs and more connecting webs between the chamber elements could be attached. All of these modifications do not alter the basic idea of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims (13)

A user's feet training apparatus comprising a fluid-fillable hollow body of flexible plastic material having a profiled surface comprising two discrete chamber members (2,4) having left and right foot tread surfaces (6, 8), the chamber members (2, 4) are interconnected, characterized in that the chamber elements by at least one fluid-permeable web (10, 12) are connected, and that the height of the chamber elements decreases in their longitudinal direction. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber elements (2, 4) and the at least one web (10, 12) are integrally formed with each other. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a longitudinal axis of symmetry between the chamber elements (2, 4) (S). Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two chamber elements (2, 4) by two parallel, spaced apart webs (10, 12) are interconnected. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfaces are provided on at least one side of the device with a plurality of nubs (14). Training device according to claim 5, characterized in that the nubs (14) have a conical shape with rounded tips. Training device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the nubs (14) are evenly distributed over the surface (6, 8). Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-sectional area of the at least one web (10, 12) is less than the cross-section of the adjacent chamber element. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one web (10, 12) is formed double concave. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is provided with at least one valve for fluid filling of the chamber elements (2, 4). Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on at least one side of the training device, the surfaces (6, 8) of the chamber elements (2, 4) are each provided with a recess (16) which corresponds approximately to the size of a human foot. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber elements (2, 4) in addition to the at least one web (10, 12) are additionally interconnected by a continuous, flat piece of material (18), wherein the piece of material (18) with the web (10 ) and both chambers (2, 4) is connected. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is produced by rotational molding.

Images