GB2568472A

GB2568472A - Equipment for proprioception, balance and agility training, and rehabilitation

Info

Publication number: GB2568472A
Application number: GB1718864.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Margaret Ross Drusilla
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-15
Filing date: 2017-11-15
Publication date: 2019-05-22
Also published as: GB201718864D0

Abstract

A device with a flat top 1 and a base 2 which is either curved around one axis or is dome/hemispherically shaped, whereby base 2 is typically continuous to the edge of flat top 1, enabling the unit to tilt and rock without percussive noise. The device is particularly aimed at the rehabilitation of quadrupeds, – dogs, cats, horses – following an injury or surgery, whereby skills such as proprioception, balance and agility need relearning or improving. Flat top 1 is a hard, non-slip top, and may have a stiffening board 3 between top 1 and base 2. Suitably, the device also has a hard non-slip surface 4 on base 2 so that it can be used upside down.

Description

Field of the invention

The equipment is a tool for the rehabilitation of quadrupeds - dogs, cats, horses - following an injury, surgery or other event or condition that compromises proprioception, balance, agility and related faculties, and for use in the training of the same when undertaking agility, flyball and similar animal sporting activities.

Background

The equipment is a development of the rocker boards that are used by veterinary physiotherapists during the rehabilitation of, principally, dogs following injury or surgery, and by those training their dogs for athletic activities such as heelwork to music, cani-cross, bikejoring, agility, flyball and similar activities that require the dogs to be athletically fit.

The existing equipment available to those in the veterinary and animal sporting and pastime sectors is limited in its functionality and is difficult to use with nervous animals. Its use is restricted to the latter stages of rehabilitation. It can difficult for the handler to simultaneously control the rocking action and the dog’s position.

The design of existing equipment means it is difficult to control of the rate at which the board tips without intervention, either by a wedge or by the user placing a foot under the edge of the board. It is easy for the board to tip in an uncontrolled fashion, banging the ground and startling the animal.

Description of the equipment

The equipment, and its variants, presented here is safer and easier to use. The principle difference it presents is that the base curve is continuous to edge of the equipment creating a smooth non-percussive, tilting action. This is the case whether the equipment is rectangular or circular in its external profile. The continuous curve ensures that the tipping action is always gentle and controlled. It is impossible for the equipment to hit the ground with force when in use, or for it to create any significant noise as it tips. Should the animal jump off the equipment, it will not tip uncontrollably or bang.

The rectangular version is designed to tilt along its long axis. A square variant is designed for use by smaller dogs - it is wide enough to accommodate small dogs facing any direction, but the shorter radius of the curve enables it to tilt more easily with a lighter weight dog, than does the rectangular variation. The circular variation comprises a button or domed curve that enables the rocker to move in any direction, but still maintain the essential characteristic of a smooth, gentle action.

The curve radius of individual examples of the equipment can be varied to provide a more or less significant athletic challenge through presenting a greater or lesser degree of maximum slope to the animal. Wedges may be used to maintain the equipment in a fixed position, enabling the therapist or trainer to work with an animal on a static slope.

A second significant benefit of the equipment is that the curved face may also be used by therapist and trainers as a working surface. That is to say, it may be used either way up. In this sense, it is an extremely flexible piece of equipment, providing therapists and trainers with many opportunities to present different challenges to the animal undergoing rehabilitation or training.

For the purposes of this description, and because the equipment may be used both as a rocker and as a static piece of equipment, the curved face is termed the base and the flat surface as the top. However, this is purely for convenience since the equipment can be employed either way up.

List of Figures

Figure 1 illustrates the side view of the invention in the rocking position. It is not to scale. The top nonslip surface 1 is secured to the base curved element 2 either directly or with a stiffening board 3 between. The surface of the curved element (base) is likewise covered with a nonslip surface 4. Handle or handles 5 may or may not be present.

Figure 2 illustrates the equipment in its other mode of operation as a curved working surface. Each component is as indicated in Figure 1. Top nonslip material on the flat surface 1, body of rocker with curved surface 2, stiffening board (where present) 3, nonslip material on the curved surface 4, handle(s) 5.

Figure 3 provides a top view of two examples of the equipment - the rectangular variant and the circular variant. The top nonslip material is indicated by the number 1 in both.

Claims

1. Physiotherapy or fitness and agility training equipment comprising a hard, flat non-slip top and a bottom, curved about one or two axes, such that the unit can tilt freely without percussion and stabilise at any angle up to the point where the rim is touching the ground.

2. Equipment according to claim 1, that also has a hard, non-slip surface on the bottom, such that when the unit is placed upside down, it can be used to provide variable slopes for such exercises as the practitioner sees fit.

Intellectual Property Office