FR3064702A1 - VERIN INTENDED TO BE IMMERSE IN A LIQUID - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a jack intended to be immersed in a liquid, comprising a cylinder inside which is located a piston connected to a hollow rod, the cylinder having at one of its ends a rod bearing and at its opposite end a bottom, so that in the cylinder there is a compartment said first chamber and another compartment said second chamber, a spring being located inside one of these chambers, the circulation of the liquid between the first chamber, the second chamber and the outside being permitted by a set of orifices made in at least one of the elements of the jack, one of the orifices being provided with a non-return valve, one of the orifices being equipped with a valve whose liquid flow rate is adjustable, the effort required to compress and / or extend the cylinder being a function of the flow rate of this valve.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of apparatus for sport and physical medicine and rehabilitation. More particularly, the invention relates to a jack intended to be installed in a sports or medical exercise device intended to be immersed in a liquid. According to another aspect, the invention relates to a fixed sports or medical exercise device intended to be immersed in a liquid comprising a jack.

STATE OF THE ART

For people who have undergone surgery, following an injury or after an accident, or for people with disabilities, physical exercise in water is very beneficial. For example, a person walking in a swimming pool is weightless. It is therefore possible for this person to work his lower limbs without them having to support the weight of his body. This can be useful in the case of people with weak limbs. But the benefits of exercising in the water don't stop with physical medicine and rehabilitation, and many able-bodied athletes also train in this way.

For this purpose, there are several devices for sport and physical medicine and rehabilitation in water. In particular, the prior art proposes a sports or medical exercise device simulating walking or running, called a stepper, which can be used in water. When the user presses the device with one of their feet, it causes the extension of an oil cylinder. This cylinder recompresses spontaneously when the user reduces the force on this foot, under the action of a spring.

This type of device has drawbacks. The use of oil, even when confined, leads to the risk of leakage, contamination of a swimming pool, as well as significant manufacturing costs to guarantee the tightness of the piston seals. In addition, this type of device requires regular and costly maintenance.

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the solutions proposed by the prior art for sports and physical medicine devices and rehabilitation in the aquatic environment, by proposing a jack intended to be immersed in a liquid which is simple to manufacture. and inexpensive, which does not require any particular maintenance and which presents no risk of contamination of the surrounding liquid.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention relates firstly to a cylinder intended to be immersed in a liquid. This cylinder has a cylinder inside which is located a piston linked to a hollow rod. The rod and the piston are movable in sliding. The cylinder comprising at one of its ends a wall called a rod bearing pierced with a through hole through which the rod passes. The cylinder comprising at its opposite end a wall called the bottom. So that the volume inside the cylinder is separated by the piston into two separate compartments, a compartment on the side of the bottom said first chamber, and another compartment on the side of the rod bearing said second chamber. Elastic return means are located inside at least one of these chambers. The circulation of liquid between the first chamber, the second chamber, the inside of the rod and the outside of the jack is allowed by a set of holes. One of the ports has a non-return valve. One of the orifices is fitted with a valve whose liquid flow rate is adjustable. The effort required to compress and / or extend the cylinder depends on the flow rate adjustment of this valve.

By cylinder, we mean a surface, meeting of all parallel lines intersecting a given curve.

By cylinder is meant a device comprising a cylinder in which a piston moves under the action of a fluid, and comprising a rod linked to the piston. When the length of the cylinder increases we speak of extension. When the length of the cylinder decreases we speak of compression.

By non-return valve is meant a mechanism which allows the flow of liquid in a pipe in one direction, but prevents any flow of liquid in this pipe in the opposite direction.

By valve is meant a mechanism which allows an operator to vary the flow of a fluid in a pipeline.

The cylinder according to the invention has the advantage of using a single fluid, the liquid in which it is immersed. In fact, all the volumes of the jack, the first chamber, the second chamber and the hollow rod are naturally filled with the surrounding liquid when the jack is immersed therein. The manufacture of the jack is thus simplified since it does not use any fluid. The cylinder is robust and requires very little maintenance, compared to a cylinder that should be regularly recharged with oil. The cylinder according to the invention presents no risk of contamination of its environment.

Adjusting the valve flow rate to adjust the force required to compress and / or extend the cylinder has the advantage of allowing, by a simple action on the valve tap, to adapt the difficulty of the force to supply, when the cylinder is mounted in some apparatus for sport and physical medicine and rehabilitation in water. This advantageously allows the use of these devices by athletes of all levels, and also by people in rehabilitation, whose muscle strength can be very reduced.

The non-return valve has the advantage of making one of the cylinder movements, compression or extension, easier than its opposite movement, respectively extension or compression. This can be very useful when the cylinder is mounted in some devices for sports and physical medicine and rehabilitation in water.

According to particular embodiments, the invention also meets the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically operating combinations.

In a particular advantageous embodiment, the valve regulates a circulation of the liquid between the inside of the rod and the outside of the jack.

It is by regulating the output of the liquid flow from the inside of the rod towards the outside of the jack that the valve makes it possible to adjust the force necessary to compress or extend the jack. In fact, since liquids are generally incompressible, increasing or decreasing the output rate of the liquid present in one of the chambers makes it possible to increase or decrease the effort required to compress or extend the actuator.

In one embodiment, the joints between the piston and the cylinder, and / or the joints between the rod and the rod bearing are not leaktight.

By joints, we mean the parts of the cylinder where two mechanical parts are in contact, or are very close. This is usually the outer surface of the piston, which touches the inner surface of the cylinder, and the outer surface of the rod, which touches the inner surface of the through hole passing through the rod bearing.

Like the first chamber, the second chamber, the interior of the hollow rod and the exterior of the cylinder are filled with the same liquid, the sealing of the joints is not of great importance. Indeed, small liquid flows through these joints do not modify the general operation of the jack. These joints can therefore be machined relatively roughly. This constitutes an important advantage in terms of simplicity of manufacture and therefore of low cost of the jack. In comparison, the technical difficulty and therefore the main cost in the manufacture of a traditional oil cylinder is to seal the joints.

In one embodiment, the normal stroke of the piston does not reach the bottom on the one hand, and does not reach the rod bearing on the other hand.

In the frequent embodiment where the return means comprise a spring, limiting the stroke of the piston to the central zone of the jack has the advantage of avoiding non-linearities in the force exerted by this spring. Indeed, these non-linearities would be sensitive at the end of travel if the spring approached a fully compressed position, or on the contrary a too distended position. The linearity of the force exerted by the spring guarantees its longevity, and a good functioning of the jack, adapted to human morphology.

In one embodiment, the return means are located inside the second chamber. The non-return valve allows the flow of liquid from the first chamber towards the inside of the rod and prevents the flow of liquid in the opposite direction. At least one orifice called the rod orifice allows the circulation of the liquid between the second chamber and the interior of the rod. The bottom is pierced with at least one orifice called the bottom orifice allowing the circulation of the liquid between the outside of the jack and the first chamber.

When the cylinder is extended, the first chamber naturally fills with liquid coming from outside, via the bottom orifice, under the effect of the depression due to the movement of the piston. When the cylinder is in extension, the liquid present in the second chamber undergoes an overpressure under the effect of the movement of the piston. This liquid is then expelled to the hollow rod via the rod hole. This liquid introduced into the rod cannot escape to the first chamber, because the check valve prevents it. The liquid introduced into the rod is discharged to the outside via the valve which regulates its flow. In this case, only the valve therefore regulates the emptying speed of the second chamber. The speed of movement of the piston inside the cylinder is therefore a function of the flow rate of the valve.

When the cylinder is in compression, the first chamber naturally empties of its liquid towards the outside, via the bottom orifice, under the effect of the overpressure due to the movement of the piston. When the cylinder is in compression, the liquid present in the second chamber undergoes a depression under the effect of the movement of the piston. The liquid present in the hollow rod therefore flows naturally into the second chamber via the rod opening. The external liquid is introduced into the rod via the valve. And the liquid present in the first chamber is also introduced into the rod via the non-return valve.

Thus, the filling of the second chamber is carried out using liquid introduced via the valve and via the non-return valve, while the emptying of the second chamber is carried out using liquid expelled only through the valve. It is understood that the filling of the second chamber is faster than its emptying. As a result, extending the piston is more difficult than compressing it.

In one embodiment, the return means are located inside the first chamber, the non-return valve allowing the flow of liquid from the outside of the jack to the first chamber and preventing the flow of liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice called the rod end orifice allowing the circulation of the liquid between the first chamber and the interior of the rod, the cylinder being pierced with at least one orifice called the cylinder orifice allowing the circulation of the liquid between the outside of the cylinder and the second chamber.

When the cylinder is in compression, the second chamber naturally fills with liquid coming from outside, via the cylinder orifice, under the effect of the depression due to the movement of the piston. When the cylinder is in compression, the liquid present in the first chamber undergoes an overpressure under the effect of the movement of the piston. This liquid cannot escape to the outside, as the non-return valve prevents it. This liquid is then expelled to the hollow rod via the rod end hole. The liquid introduced into the rod is discharged to the outside via the valve which regulates its flow. In this case, only the valve therefore regulates the emptying speed of the first chamber. The speed of movement of the piston inside the cylinder is therefore a function of the flow rate of the valve.

When the cylinder is in extension, the second chamber naturally empties of its liquid towards the outside, via the cylinder orifice, under the effect of the overpressure due to the movement of the piston. When the cylinder is in extension, the liquid present in the first chamber undergoes a depression under the effect of the movement of the piston. The liquid present in the hollow rod therefore flows naturally into the first chamber via the end of the rod opening. The external liquid is introduced into the rod via the valve. And the liquid present outside also enters the first chamber via the non-return valve.

Thus, the filling of the first chamber is carried out using liquid introduced via the valve and via the non-return valve, while the emptying of the first chamber is carried out using liquid expelled only via the valve. It is understood that the filling of the first chamber is faster than its emptying. Consequently, compressing the piston is more difficult than extending it.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a sports or medical exercise device simulating walking or running, called a "stepper", intended to be immersed in a liquid, comprising at least one jack according to one of the embodiments of the invention.

The use of one or more cylinders according to the invention in a stepper intended to be immersed in a liquid has many advantages. First of all, the difficulty of pushing in the foot supports is easily adjustable by the user, thanks to the valve. Thus, all individuals can use the device, from the most athletic to the weakest. In addition, for the same person in rehabilitation, it is possible to increase the difficulty as his muscular strength in the lower limbs is recovered. In addition, once the user has stopped applying his weight to one of the foot supports, the pedal rises faster than it went down, thanks to the non-return valve. This allows a pleasant and optimal use of the stepper.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a sports or medical exercise device intended to be immersed in a liquid comprising at least one actuator according to one of the embodiments of the invention.

The cylinder according to the invention, simple to manufacture, robust and functional, has the advantage of being versatile. It can be mounted in all kinds of devices intended to be immersed in a liquid. For example, one or more jacks according to the invention can be mounted in a sports or medical exercise device simulating the action of rowing, or rowing machine.

In one embodiment of the sports or medical exercise device intended to be immersed in a liquid, its use does not cause its displacement.

Fixed exercise equipment has the advantage of being easy to use and practical for exercising the sick, injured or disabled in rehabilitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given for explanatory purposes and in no way limiting with regard to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a particular embodiment of a jack according to the invention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of another embodiment of a jack according to the invention,

- Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a sports or medical exercise device comprising intended to be immersed in water and comprising two cylinders according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

We note, as of now, that the figures are not to scale.

The invention finds its place in the context of devices for sport and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a sports or medical exercise device intended to be immersed in a liquid and comprising at least one jack 8.

In one embodiment, the exercise apparatus is stationary. Its use does not cause its displacement. In one embodiment, the exercise apparatus is configured to be installed submerged in a pool filled with water.

In an embodiment not shown, the sports or medical exercise device simulates for a user the action of rowing, it is said to be a rower. It then has a sliding seat and a handle connected to at least one jack that the user pulls to exercise his back, legs and arms.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the sports or medical exercise device simulates walking or running, it is said to be stepper 89.

In one embodiment, the stepper 89 comprises a left foot support 85 and a right foot support 86 on which the user comes to put his feet when he uses the stepper 89. Each of the foot supports is linked to a crank which is rotating about an axis, called the axis of the supports S. The rise and fall of the left foot support 85 and the right foot support 86 is slowed down by two jacks 8. A jack 8 is linked to one of its ends to the left foot support 85, and at its other end to a handlebar 87 of the stepper. The other jack 8 is linked at one end to the right foot support 86 and at its other end to the handlebar 87. This handlebar 87 comprises two handles 88 which the user can hold with his hands. In one embodiment, this handlebar 87 includes a valve 15 that the user can adjust to adjust the difficulty of the effort to be made to lower the left foot support 85 and the right foot support 86. In another mode not shown, the handlebar 87 comprises two valves 15, a left valve and a right valve. The left valve can be adjusted to adjust the difficulty of the effort to bring down the left foot support 85. The right valve can be adjusted to adjust the difficulty of the effort to bring down the right foot support 86. The stepper also has a structure allowing it to rest in a stable and fixed manner on the bottom of the pool during use. The stepper may include casters to facilitate its transport in and out of the pool.

In one embodiment, the stepper made from one or more materials resistant to prolonged stay in water or near water, such as stainless steel, plastics, an aluminum alloy , or another metal.

The water level in which the device is located must be large enough for the jacks 8 to be fully submerged. The water level should not be too high, so that the user has his head above the surface and can breathe.

In one embodiment, the stepper 89 has an adjustable height structure in order to allow ideal comfort of use in terms of height of the user relative to the surface of the water.

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a jack 8 intended to be immersed in a liquid, illustrated by FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. This jack 8 comprises a cylinder 4 inside which is located a piston 3 linked to a rod 1 hollow, the rod 1 and the piston 3 being movable in sliding, the cylinder 4 comprising at one of its ends a wall called the bearing of the rod 5 pierced with a through hole traversed by the rod 1, the cylinder 4 comprising at its end opposite a wall called the bottom 6, so that the volume inside the cylinder 4 is separated by the piston 3 into two separate compartments, a compartment on the side of the bottom 6 called the first chamber 96, and another compartment on the side of the rod bearing 5 said second chamber 91, elastic return means 10 being located inside at least one of these chambers, the circulation of the liquid between the first chamber 96, the second chamber 91, the interior of the rod 1 and the outside of the jack 8 being permitted by a set of orifices, one of the orifices being provided with a non-return valve 2, one of the orifices being provided with a valve 15 whose liquid flow rate is adjustable, l effort required to compress and / or extend the actuator 8 being a function of the adjustment of the flow rate of this valve 15.

In one embodiment, the return means 10 comprise one or more springs. In one embodiment, the return means 10 comprise one or more elastic bands.

According to the embodiment, the jack 8 and the various elements which compose it can be of any size and functional shape.

In one embodiment, the joints between the piston 3 and the cylinder 4, and / or the joints between the rod 1 and the rod bearing 5 are not leaktight.

The joints do not necessarily need to be perfectly sealed, given that the first chamber 96, the second chamber 91, the interior of the rod 1 and of the handlebar 87, are filled with the same fluid in which is immersed the cylinder 8 during its use.

According to the embodiment, the cylinder can be cylindrical, elliptical, square, rectangular, or have a base of any other shape. The poor tightness of a non-cylindrical base cylinder is not a problem.

In one embodiment, the valve 15 regulates a circulation of the liquid between the inside of the rod 1 and the outside of the jack 8.

In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the inside of the rod 1 is connected to a pipe of the handlebar 87, the valve 15 then regulating a circulation of the liquid between this pipe of the handlebar 87 and the outside.

In one embodiment, the normal stroke of the piston 3 does not reach the bottom 6 on the one hand, and does not reach the rod bearing 5 on the other hand.

In another embodiment, the normal stroke of the piston 3 reaches the bottom 6. In one embodiment, the normal stroke of the piston 3 reaches the rod bearing 5.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the return means 10 are located inside the second chamber 91, the non-return valve 2 allowing the flow of the liquid from the first chamber 96 towards the inside of the rod 1 and preventing the flow of liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice called rod orifice 77 allowing the circulation of the liquid between the second chamber 91 and the interior of rod 1, the bottom 6 being pierced with at least an orifice called the bottom orifice 76 allowing the circulation of the liquid between the outside of the jack 8 and the first chamber 96.

In an embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2, the return means 10 are located inside the first chamber 96, the non-return valve 2 allowing the liquid to flow from the outside of the jack 8 to the first chamber 96 and preventing the flow of liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice called the rod end orifice 78 allowing the circulation of the liquid between the first chamber 96 and the interior of the rod 1, the cylinder 4 being pierced with at least one orifice said cylinder orifice 74 allowing the circulation of the liquid between the outside of the jack 8 and the second chamber 91.

Claims (9)

1 - Cylinder (8) intended to be immersed in a liquid, comprising a cylinder (4) inside which is located a piston (3) linked to a hollow rod (1), the rod (1) and the piston ( 3) being movable in sliding, the cylinder (4) comprising at one of its ends a wall called the rod bearing (5) pierced with a through hole traversed by the rod (1), the cylinder (4) comprising at its end opposite a wall called the bottom (6), so that the volume inside the cylinder (4) is separated by the piston (3) into two separate compartments, a compartment on the bottom side (6) called the first chamber ( 96), and another compartment on the side of the rod bearing (5) called the second chamber (91), elastic return means (10) being located inside at least one of these chambers, characterized in that the circulation of the liquid between the first chamber (96), the second chamber (91), the inside of the rod (1) and the outside of the v erin (8) is allowed by a set of orifices, one of the orifices being provided with a non-return valve (2), one of the orifices being provided with a valve (15) whose liquid flow rate is adjustable, the force necessary to compress and / or extend the cylinder (8) being a function of the adjustment of the flow rate of this valve (15). 2 - Cylinder (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (15) regulates a circulation of the liquid between the interior of the rod (1) and the exterior of the cylinder (8). 3 - Cylinder (8) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the joints between the piston (3) and the cylinder (4), and / or the joints between the rod (1) and the bearing of rod (5) are not waterproof. 4 - Cylinder (8) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the normal stroke of the piston (3) does not reach the bottom (6) on the one hand, and does not reach the bearing of rod (5) on the other hand. 5 - Cylinder (8) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the return means (10) are located inside the second chamber (91), the non-return valve (2) allowing the flow of liquid from the first chamber (96) towards the inside of the rod (1) and preventing the flow of liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice called rod orifice (77) allowing the circulation of the liquid between the second chamber (91) and the inside of the rod (1), 5 the bottom (6) being pierced with at least one orifice called the bottom orifice (76) allowing the circulation of the liquid between the outside of the jack (8) and the first chamber (96). 6 - Cylinder (8) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the 10 return means (10) are located inside the first chamber (96), the non-return valve (2) allowing the liquid to flow from the outside of the jack (8) to the first chamber (96 ) and preventing the flow of liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice called the rod end orifice (78) allowing the circulation of the liquid between the first chamber (96) and the interior of the rod (1), 15 the cylinder (4) being pierced with at least one orifice said cylinder orifice (74) allowing the circulation of the liquid between the outside of the jack (8) and the second chamber (91). 7 - Sports or medical exercise device simulating walking or running, says 20 "stepper" (89), intended to be immersed in a liquid, comprising at least one jack (8) according to one of claims 1 to 6. 8 - Sports or medical exercise device intended to be immersed in a liquid comprising at least one jack (8) according to one of claims 1 to 6. 9 - Sports or medical exercise device intended to be immersed in a liquid according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that its use does not cause its displacement. 1/2