FR3064702B1 - 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 devices 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 apparatus intended to be immersed in a liquid comprising a jack.

STATE OF THE ART

For people who have undergone surgery, injury or accident, or for people with disabilities, exercise in the water is very beneficial. For example, a person walking in a swimming pool is in a weightless state. It is therefore possible for this person to work his lower limbs without them have to bear the weight of his body. This can be useful in the case of people with weak limbs. But the benefits of exercise in the water do not stop at physical medicine and rehabilitation alone, and many good sportsmen 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 provides a sports or medical exercise device simulating walking or running, said stepper, which can be used in water. When the user presses the device with one of his feet, he causes the extension of an oil cylinder. This cylinder recomprime spontaneously when the user reduces the effort on this foot, under the action of a spring.

This type of device has disadvantages. The use of oil, even confined, entails risks of leakage, contamination of a pool, as well as significant manufacturing costs to ensure the sealing of the piston seals. In addition, this type of equipment requires regular and expensive maintenance.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the solutions proposed by the prior art for sports equipment and physical medicine and rehabilitation in the aquatic environment, by proposing a cylinder intended to be immersed in a liquid that is simple to manufacture and inexpensive, which does not require special maintenance and which poses no risk of contamination of the surrounding liquid.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention relates for this purpose in the first place a jack intended to be immersed in a liquid. This cylinder comprises a cylinder inside which is located a piston connected to a hollow rod. The rod and the piston are movable in sliding. The cylinder having at one of its ends a so-called rod bearing wall pierced with a through hole traversed by the rod. The cylinder having at its opposite end a so-called bottom wall. So that the volume inside the cylinder is separated by the piston into two separate compartments, a compartment on the bottom side said first chamber, and another compartment on the side of the stem bearing said second chamber. Elastic return means are located inside at least one of these chambers. The flow of liquid between the first chamber, the second chamber, the inside of the rod and the outside of the jack is enabled by a set of orifices. One of the orifices is provided with a non-return valve. One of the orifices is provided with a valve whose liquid flow rate is adjustable. The effort required to compress and / or extend the cylinder is a function of the flow rate setting of this valve.

By cylinder, we mean a surface, meeting all the 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 having a rod connected to the piston. When the length of the cylinder increases we speak of extension. When the length of the cylinder decreases it is called compression.

By check valve means a mechanism that allows the flow of a liquid in a pipe in one direction, but prevents any flow of liquid in this pipe in the opposite direction.

Valve means a mechanism that allows an operator to vary the flow rate of a fluid in a pipe.

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

Adjusting the flow rate of the valve to adjust the force required to compress and / or extend the cylinder has the advantage of allowing, by a simple action on the valve valve, to adapt the difficulty of the effort to provide, when the jack is mounted in some apparatus for sport and physical medicine and rehabilitation in the 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 check valve has the advantage of making one of the movements of the jack, the compression or the extension, easier than its opposite movement, respectively the extension or the compression. This can be very useful when the jack is mounted in some devices for sport and physical medicine and rehabilitation in the water.

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

In a particular advantageous embodiment, the valve regulates a flow of liquid between the inside of the rod and the outside of the jack. By regulating the output of the liquid flow from inside the rod to the outside of the cylinder, the valve makes it possible to adjust the force required to compress or extend the cylinder. Since the liquids are generally incompressible, increasing or decreasing the flow rate of the liquid present in one of the chambers makes it possible to increase or decrease the force required to compress or extend the jack.

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

By joins means 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.

As the first chamber, the second chamber, the inside of the hollow stem and the outside of the cylinder are filled with the same liquid, the sealing of the joints is not very important. Indeed, low liquid flows through these joints do not change the general operation of the cylinder. These joints can be machined relatively roughly. This is an important advantage in terms of simplicity of manufacture and therefore low cost of the cylinder. 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 the race if the spring approached a completely compressed position, or on the contrary of a position too distended. The linearity of the force exerted by the spring guarantees its longevity, and a good functioning of the cylinder, adapted to the human morphology.

In one embodiment, the return means are located inside the second chamber. The check valve allows the flow of liquid from the first chamber to the inside of the stem and prevents the flow of liquid in the opposite direction. At least one orifice called stem orifice allows the flow of liquid between the second chamber and the inside of the rod. The bottom is pierced with at least one orifice called bottom hole allowing the flow of liquid between the outside of the cylinder and the first chamber.

When the cylinder is extended, the first chamber naturally fills with liquid from the outside via the bottom hole, under the effect of the depression due to the movement of the piston. When the jack is extended, the liquid in the second chamber is overpressured by the movement of the piston. This liquid is then forced towards the hollow stem via the stem orifice. This liquid introduced into the rod can not escape to the first chamber because the non-return 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 rate of the second chamber. The speed of displacement 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 its liquid to 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 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 stem orifice. The external liquid is introduced into the stem via the valve. And the liquid in the first chamber is also introduced into the rod via the non-return valve.

Thus, the filling of the second chamber is effected by means of liquid introduced via the valve and via the non-return valve, whereas the emptying of the second chamber is effected by means of liquid expelled only via the valve. It is understood that the filling of the second chamber is faster than its emptying. Therefore, the extension of the piston is more difficult than its compression.

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 into the first chamber. in the opposite direction, at least one orifice called stem end orifice allowing the flow of liquid between the first chamber and the inside of the rod, the cylinder being pierced with at least one orifice called 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 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 in the first chamber is overpressured by the movement of the piston. This liquid can not escape to the outside because the check valve prevents it. This liquid is then flushed to the hollow stem via the stem end port. 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 rate of the first chamber. The speed of displacement of the piston inside the cylinder is therefore a function of the flow rate of the valve.

When the jack is extended, the second chamber naturally empties its liquid to the outside, via the cylinder orifice, under the effect of the overpressure due to the movement of the piston. When the cylinder is extended, the liquid in the first chamber undergoes a depression under the effect of the movement of the piston. The liquid in the hollow rod thus flows naturally into the first chamber via the stem end orifice. The external liquid is introduced into the stem via the valve. And the liquid on the outside is also introduced into the first chamber via the non-return valve.

Thus, the filling of the first chamber is effected by means of liquid introduced via the valve and via the non-return valve, whereas the emptying of the first chamber is effected by means of liquid expelled only via the valve. It is understood that the filling of the first chamber is faster than its emptying. Therefore, the compression of the piston is more difficult than its extension.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a sports or medical exercise device simulating walking or running, said "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 in driving the foot supports is easily adjustable by the user, thanks to the valve. Thus, all individuals can use the device, from the sportiest to the weakest. In addition, for the same person in rehabilitation, it is possible to increase the difficulty as his muscle strength in the lower limbs is recovered. Moreover, once the user has stopped applying its weight on one of the foot supports, the pedal goes back up faster than it came 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 apparatus intended to be immersed in a liquid comprising at least one jack 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 cylinders according to the invention can be mounted in a sports or medical exercise device simulating the action of rowing, or rowing.

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

Fixed exercise machines have the advantage of being simple to use, and practical for the exercise of the sick, injured or disabled rehabilitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other advantages, aims and features of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given for explanatory and non-limiting purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of FIG. a particular embodiment of a jack according to the invention, - Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of another embodiment of a jack according to the invention, - Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a device. exercise or medical exercise device intended to be immersed in water and comprising two cylinders according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As of now, we note 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 apparatus 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 entail its displacement. In one embodiment, the exercise apparatus is configured to be installed submerged in a pool filled with water.

In a non-illustrated embodiment, the sports or medical exercise device simulates for a user the action of rowing, it is said rower. It then comprises a sliding seat and a handle connected to at least one cylinder that the user pulls to exercise his back, legs and arms.

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

In one embodiment, the stepper 89 includes a left foot support 85 and a right foot support 86 on which the user comes to rest his feet when using the stepper 89. Each of the foot supports is connected to a crank which is rotated about an axis, said axis of the supports S. The raising and lowering of the left foot support 85 and the right foot support 86 is slowed by two jacks 8. A jack 8 is linked to one of its ends at the left foot support 85, and at its other end to a handlebar 87 of the stepper. The other cylinder 8 is connected at one end to the right foot support 86 and at its other end to the handlebar 87. The handle 87 comprises two handles 88 that the user can hold with his hands. In one embodiment, this handlebar 87 comprises a valve 15 that the user can adjust to adjust the difficulty of the effort to be provided to lower the left foot support 85 and the right foot support 86. In another mode embodiment 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 be made to lower the left foot support 85. The right valve can be adjusted to adjust the difficulty of the effort to be provided to lower the right foot support 86. The stepper also has a structure allowing it to rest stably and fixed on the bottom of the pool during its use. The stepper can have wheels to facilitate its transport in and out of the pool.

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

The water level in which the device is to be large enough so that the cylinders 8 are fully immersed. The height of the water 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 to provide an ideal user comfort 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 slidably movable, the cylinder 4 having at one of its ends a so-called rod bearing wall 5 pierced with a through hole through which the rod 1, the cylinder 4 having at its end opposed a so-called bottom wall 6, so that the volume included inside the cylinder 4 is separated by the piston 3 into two separate compartments, a compartment on the bottom side 6 said first chamber 96, and another compartment on the side of the rod bearing 5 said second chamber 91, resilient biasing means being located within at least one of these chambers, the circulation of liquid between the first chamber 96, the second chamber 91, the interior of the stem 1 and the outside of the jack 8 being enabled 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 required to compress and / or extend the cylinder 8 being a function of the flow control of this valve 15.

In one embodiment, the return means 10 comprise one or more springs. In one embodiment, the recall means 10 comprise one or more elastics.

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

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 sealed.

The joints do not necessarily need to be perfectly sealed, considering that the first chamber 96, the second chamber 91, the interior of the rod 1 and 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 may be cylindrical, elliptical, square, rectangular, or have a base of any other shape. The low 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 interior of the rod 1 is connected to a pipe of the handlebar 87, the valve 15 then regulating a flow of liquid between the 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 prohibiting the flow of the liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice said rod orifice 77 allowing the flow of liquid between the second chamber 91 and the inside of the rod 1, the bottom 6 being pierced with at least an orifice called bottom opening 76 allowing the flow of liquid between the outside of the jack 8 and the first chamber 96.

In one embodiment illustrated in 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 prohibiting the flow of the liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice said stem end port 78 allowing the flow of liquid between the first chamber 96 and the inside of the rod 1, the cylinder 4 being pierced with less an orifice called cylinder orifice 74 allowing the flow of liquid between the outside of the cylinder 8 and the second chamber 91.

Claims (9)

1 - Jack (8) intended to be immersed in a liquid, comprising a cylinder (4) inside which is located a piston (3) connected to a hollow rod (1), the rod (1) and the piston ( 3) being slidably movable, the cylinder (4) having at one of its ends a said stem bearing wall (5) pierced with a through hole through which the rod (1), the cylinder (4) having at its end opposite a so-called bottom wall (6), so that the volume inside the cylinder (4) is separated by the piston (3) into two separate compartments, a compartment of the bottom side (6) said first chamber ( 96), and another compartment on the side of the stem bearing (5) said 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 interior of the rod (1) and the outside of the v erin (8) is 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, the force necessary to compress and / or extend the cylinder (8) as a function of the flow regulation of this valve (15). 2 - Cylinder (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (15) regulates a flow of liquid between the inside of the rod (1) and the outside 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 the liquid from the first chamber (96) towards the inside of the rod (1) and preventing the flow of the liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice called stem orifice (77) allowing the circulation of the liquid between the second chamber (91) and the inside of the rod (1), the bottom (6) being pierced with at least one orifice called bottom opening (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 return means (10) are located inside the first chamber (96), the non-return valve (2) allowing the flow of liquid from the outside of the cylinder (8) to the first chamber (96) and preventing the flow of the liquid in the opposite direction, at least one orifice called stem end port (78) allowing the circulation of the liquid between the first chamber (96) and the inside of the rod (1), the cylinder (4) being pierced with at least one orifice called cylinder orifice (74) allowing the flow of liquid between the outside of the cylinder (8) and the second chamber (91). 7 - Sports or medical exercise device simulating walking or running, said "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.