ITMO20150012A1 - EQUIPMENT FOR TRAINING BALANCE - Google Patents

Description

Description of Patent for Industrial Invention entitled:? EQUIPMENT FOR TRAINING? BALANCE ?.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to an apparatus for training balance, which can be used in particular to promote motor rehabilitation.

AND? I note that proprioception (from the Latin propius, belonging to itself)? defined as the sense of position and movement of the limbs and body that occurs independently of sight. It allows control of movement and standing.

The proprioceptors are specialized sensitive organs, which give information both on the positions assumed by the body in conditions of rest (proprioception proper), and on the dynamic parameters of movement (kinesthesia). The proprioceptive receptors send to the higher nervous centers a series of information on the state of tension of the muscles, ligaments and joint capsules. On the basis of the sensations received, the higher nerve centers send stimuli to the muscles to make the necessary corrections both in static and in dynamics.

AND? therefore this is the system that regulates posture (function of stabilization, consolidation and maintenance of balance), and, therefore, bad proprioceptive sensations are responsible for postural alterations.

AND? it is also known and established that proprioceptive training, generally carried out through the use of specific tablets with one or two points of support, mats and balls of different consistencies, is of fundamental importance for obtaining functional recovery after a trauma of the patient. musculoskeletal system. It also plays a crucial role in the prevention of injuries, representing an important component of the sportsman's training.

In this regard, it is recommended that proprioceptive training is carried out by all athletes who practice an activity? sports characterized by a large number of jumps and changes of direction, where the risk of trauma such as ankle and knee sprains? high (football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, etc.).

The risk of trauma and falls? also high in other segments of the population, much more? large compared to those of athletes, for reasons not related to? intensity of the activity motor developed, but? to the poor efficiency of the muscular condition, that is of the central control of posture and movement: this happens both in elderly, deconditioned subjects, and in subjects with disabilities? chronic motor. These subjects, in fact, are exposed to a high risk of falls and consequent trauma.

The proprioceptive training, in general, allows all individuals who practice it to obtain an improvement in motor control and balance.

In technical terms, proprioceptive training? set on situations that induce a destabilization, stimulating the individual to activate the muscles quickly and correctly to avoid falling. The improvement of postural control occurs through the constant sensitization of the system that compares the motor program activated with the error (loss of balance) and activates more and more? quickly the postural adaptations necessary to maintain balance. Normally the training technique is based on controlled stresses applied to the joints, using both unloading and natural load exercises, resting on the ground or on oscillating surfaces of varying difficulty, such as tablets, bouncers, balls, mats and many others. . All the exercises are usually proposed to the barefoot person, in order to enhance the foreign and proprioceptive sensations.

A further exaltation of training? obtained by asking the subject to perform the exercises with his eyes closed, forcing him to rely mainly on vestibular exteroceptors, which receive information from the outside world and which together with proprioceptors, give exact information on the position of the body. Eyes closed exercises are used to disrupt balance information systems, and force the individual to be more comfortable. sensitive to the other information channels that have remained operational.

Having therefore established the importance, for all individuals, of always maintaining adequate proprioceptive training,? right to consider that these stimuli are the most? various and? physiological? possible.

A walk on rough terrain can? be more? useful of an exercise with complicated substitute aids. It for? can be impractical for elderly or disabled individuals, for whom safe and slow training is necessary, under controlled conditions, in order to avoid the same traumas that it is intended to prevent from occurring.

AND? noteworthy to consider that an added benefit of walking on rough terrain? to tone the muscles of the legs, thighs and buttocks, as the contractions last much longer? of those necessary to proceed on a land devoid of roughness ?. For the same reason, on uneven ground the energy cost becomes higher as it is also necessary to contract more? muscle fibers to control the various steps, always different from each other.

AND? therefore felt the need to develop new tools for proprioceptive training that are easy to use, which do not require the constant supervision of an instructor and which, at the same time, are safe while obtaining the same effect as a barefoot walk (even with eyes closed) on soils that differ in consistency, morphology and inclination. To meet this need, treadmills are known that can simulate walking on uneven ground.

For example, documents US 2005/0170935 A1, US 2011/0152038 A1, WO 2007/061317 A2 and US 2004/0192511 A1 describe different solutions suitable for obtaining a treadmill provided with asperit? on the mat.

However, none of the above solutions allows you to obtain a treadmill capable of producing an uneven carpet surface, in which the irregularities? they remain integral with the step of the user, without using fixed elements on the belt, in order to be able to modify from time to time and in an automated way P asperit? produced.

The main task of the present invention? to devise an equipment for the training of? safe balance and easy to use, which does not require the constant supervision of an instructor and which, at the same time, allows to obtain the same effect as a walk on different terrains in consistency, morphology and inclination.

Another purpose of the present invention? to devise an equipment for balance training that allows you to improve tonicity? muscle of a user in a quick, effective and safe way.

Another purpose of the present invention? that of devising an apparatus for balance training which allows to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the known techniques in the context of a simple, rational, easy and effective solution to use.

Are the purposes set out above? achieved by the present equilibrium training apparatus according to claim 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of two preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a balance training apparatus, illustrated by way of indication, but not of limitation, in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show, respectively, an axonometric, plan and side view of two possible shaped elements of the? apparatus of figure 1;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates possible means of rotation of the shaped elements of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the? apparatus according to the invention;

Figures 7 and 8 schematically illustrate the operation of the apparatus of Figure 6;

Figure 9 illustrates means for adjusting the height of the shaped elements of the apparatus of Figure 6.

With particular reference to these figures, yes? generally indicated with 10 and 20, respectively, a first and a second embodiment of an apparatus for training the balance, usable in particular to favor motor rehabilitation.

In particular, the equipment 10, 20? consisting of a treadmill designed to simulate a walk on rough and uneven ground, in order to force a support of the feet PD, PS always different.

The apparatus 10, 20 therefore allows a generally slow walking, such as to offer a highly physiological and efficient stimulus for an improvement of proprioception, posture and tonicity. muscular.

In particular, with reference to both embodiments, the apparatus 10, 20 comprises a bearing structure, schematized in the figures and indicated with the references 11 and 21, and a substantially horizontal support surface 12, 22, made of substantially material elastic, supported by the supporting structure 11, 21 and movable along at least one substantially horizontal direction of advancement D.

However, the presence of means of variation of the? inclination of the support surface 12, 22.

For example, the supporting structure 11, 21 can? be connected solidly to an adjustable platform with two degrees of freedom? (pitch for slope, roll for lateral slope) or three degrees of freedom? (pitch for the slope, roll for the lateral inclination, yaw for the variation of the walking direction) controlled by as many electric motors.

In this way, in addition to the generation of a bumpy and variable texture profile,? It is also possible to vary the spatial orientation of the support surface 12, 22 in a controlled manner.

Preferably, the supporting surface 12, 22? consisting of a carpet in elastomeric material closed in a ring, stretched along the horizontal direction D, wound at the ends? around a drive roller 13, 23 and an idle roller 14, 24 supported by the supporting structure 11, 21.

However, different implementations of the support plan 11, 21 are not excluded.

Advantageously, the apparatus 10, 20 comprises a plurality of of shaped elements 15, 25 supported by the bearing structure 11, 21 and positioned in contact with at least a portion of the lower surface of the belt 12, 22 to define a surface profile of the belt itself that is irregular and movable along the direction of advance D.

Advantageously, moreover, the apparatus 10, 20? provided with variation means 16, 26 suitable for varying the position and / or orientation and / or conformation of the shaped elements 15, 25 for modifying the surface profile of the carpet 12, 22.

In particular, the apparatus 10, 20 keeps the modified surface profile portion of the carpet 12, 22 constant during the execution of an entire step, from the contact phase with the heel of the foot PD, PS to the release phase with the toe. of the foot PD, PS.

In fact, during a walk carried out by a user, a walk that develops progressively through an alternating support of the feet PD, PS on the walkable area of the carpet 12, 22, the equipment 10, 20 allows an advancement of the surface profile that the foot PD, PS perceives in the support, so that the shape that the foot PD, PS meets on the support surface remains integral with it.

The geometry of the surface profile of the carpet 12, 22 is then mechanically modified before the subsequent support by means of the variation means 16, 26.

In fact, advantageously, the apparatus 10, 20 comprises processing means 17, 27, schematized in the figures, suitable for processing sequences of predefined and / or random surface profiles.

In particular, such processing means 17, 27 can be constituted by an electronic processing unit of the apparatus 10, 20.

The variation means 16, 26 are operatively connected to the electronic processing unit 17, 27 to vary the surface profile of the carpet 12, 22 according to the sequences processed.

AND? The first embodiment of the apparatus 10 is described in detail below, schematically illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.

According to this first embodiment, the apparatus 10 provides for the use of means 18 for moving the shaped elements 15 along the direction of advancement D, at the same speed. of the carpet 12.

In particular, the shaped elements 15 are constituted by modular elements of known geometry in translation under the carpet 12, moved at the same speed. and along the same direction of advancement D of the carpet itself.

With non-exclusive reference to the particular embodiment, the handling means 18 move the shaped elements 15 along a closed loop path, in which a portion of the path extends below the belt 12 and along the direction of advancement D.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the apparatus 10 preferably provides two series (two exemplary types of which are shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4) of shaped elements 15 movable along the direction of advancement D in correspondence with respective adjacent areas of the belt 12 designed to support, respectively, the right foot PD and the left foot PS of a user. However, the use of pi? series of 15 shaped elements for each of the feet PD, PS.

Specifically, therefore, these shaped elements 15 move along respective closed-loop paths, each concerned with a foot PD or PS of a user, allowing a continuous feeding of the shaped elements underneath the walkable carpet 12.

Conveniently, as schematically illustrated in Figure 1, each of the feet PD, PS of a user is positioned at one or more? shaped elements 15, in which the particular surface geometry of each of the shaped elements determines always different support conditions.

Conveniently, the shaped elements 15 are moved synchronously with respect to the carpet 12 by means of mechanical coupling between the movement means 18 and the drive roller 13, not shown in the figures.

Preferably, each of the shaped elements 15 comprises a substantially plate-like and substantially horizontal support element 151.

For example, the support element 151 can? have a substantially discoidal conformation.

Each support element 151 has an upper surface provided with at least one inclined and / or curved and / or protruding and / or re-entering portion 152. Furthermore, each shaped element 15 comprises at least one support stem 153 which extends from the lower surface of the support element 151 and which? associated with the handling means 18.

In particular, the support stem 153 can? be anchored in correspondence with suitable seats of the handling means 18.

In particular, figures 2, 3 and 4 show different views of possible shaped elements 15.

Specifically, a first shaped element 15? provided with a flat support element 151, on which? made a pair of portions 152 protruding, rounded and side by side.

A second shaped element 15, on the other hand, has a bearing surface provided with an inclined and curved portion 152.

However, different conformations of the shaped elements 15 are not excluded.

Usefully, the shaped elements 15 can be made using different materials.

In figure 5? on the other hand, the operating principle of the variation means 16 responsible for the variation of the surface profile before entering the trampling area of the carpet 12 is shown.

Advantageously, the variation means 16 consist of means for rotating the shaped elements 15 around a substantially vertical axis of rotation Z1.

Preferably, the rotation means 16 comprise at least one electric motor, not shown in Figure 5, and means 161, 162 for transforming the motion generated by the electric motor into the rotational motion of the shaped elements 15.

For example, the transformation means 161, 162 can be constituted by a first friction or toothed wheel 161 operatively connected to the electric motor and rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation Z2, and by a second integral friction or toothed wheel 162 associated with it. and coaxial to the shaped element 15, rotatable around the rotation axis ZI, and coupled to the first wheel 161.

Therefore, the first small friction (or toothed) wheel 161? rotatable around a respective vertical axis of rotation Z2 and d? controlled by the small electric motor so as to allow the controlled orientation of the shaped elements 15 with respect to the relative axis of vertical rotation ZI.

So, rotating 15 contiguous shaped elements? infinite support surface configurations can originate from their combination.

Usefully, the equipment 10 can? comprising means for quick coupling / unhooking of the shaped elements 15 to the handling means 18.

In this way, by using interchangeable shaped elements 15? It is possible to modify the sequence of the shaped elements themselves on the two paths through a manual replacement.

In the lateral areas of the? equipment 10? in fact, it is possible to allow the opening of a compartment with access to the handling means 18, which is also useful for the maintenance of the shaped elements 15 and of the carpet 12 itself.

Alternatively, the equipment 10 can? comprise a tank for the automatic and controlled replacement of the shaped elements 15, so as to make the resting surface of the carpet 12 further variable. With reference to the second possible embodiment, illustrated in figures 6 to 9, the apparatus 20 comprises a plurality? of shaped elements 25 arranged side by side in a matrix under the carpet 22.

Preferably, the shaped elements 25 are arranged below the entire walkable portion of the carpet 22.

Advantageously, the variation means 26 consist of means for adjusting the height of each of the shaped elements 25 arranged in a matrix.

Therefore, variations in the surface profile of the carpet 22 are obtained by raising and lowering, by means of a controlled system, the shaped elements 25 arranged side by side in a matrix, under the carpet 22. In this case, each of the shaped elements 25 moves only vertically and the surface profile of the carpet 22 translates thanks to a controlled action on the shaped elements themselves.

In particular, with reference to the particular embodiment illustrated, the height adjustment means 26 consist of a cam system operatively connected to the shaped elements 25 and adapted to regulate the height of each matrix of shaped elements 25 in a controlled manner. cam system 26 allows to realize a surface support profile that translates at the same speed. of the carpet 22, through an appropriate control of a plurality? of cams 261 and, therefore, of the height of each of the shaped elements 25.

The cam system 26 comprises a plurality of of rods 262 associated with the bearing structure 21, sliding along a substantially vertical direction and provided at a first end? top of respective shaped elements 25, and a plurality of of cams 261 operatively connected to an electric motor and engaged on respective second ends? lower rods 262.

Advantageously, each shaped element 25? consisting of a rolling body rotatable around a substantially horizontal axis X.

In particular, this rolling element 25 can? be spherical or cylindrical.

In practice, as illustrated schematically in figure 9, the generation of the asperities? on the belt 22 takes place by means of the independent cams 261 which control the translation of the rods 262, on the end of which? the rolling bodies 25, spherical or cylindrical, are hinged, free to rotate around their own horizontal axis of rotation X.

The belt 22 made of elastomeric material is deformed assuming a tangent profile to the rolling elements 25 and, thanks to the free rotation of the latter, can? flow without significant friction phenomena.

Conveniently, the rolling bodies 25 can be made of elastic material. For example, each of the rolling elements 25 can? be made of rigid rubber.

Usefully, each of the auctions 262 can? be equipped with a suitable shock absorber 263 which, together with the? elasticity intrinsic to the material of the carpet and the rolling elements 25, it makes the response of the supporting surface elastic.

The shock absorbers 263 can be constituted, for example, by a suitable compression spring. However, different embodiments are not excluded, for example in which the shock absorbers 263 make it possible to achieve a viscous effect by replacing the spring with damping rubber cylinders or by adding a damper in parallel.

The movement of the cams 261 must be such as to generate a wave of variable amplitude and frequency, programmable by means of the electronic control unit 27 of the? equipment 20.

As shown schematically in Figures 7 and 8, the height of the wave determines the entity? dell? asperit? simulated, while the speed? of propagation of the wave? equal to the speed? of advancement of the carpet 22, in such a way that the asperit? is integral with the carpet itself and, therefore, also with the footprint.

Preferably, again with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 9, each camshaft 261, with the relative motor, simultaneously adjusts the height of a module consisting of three stems 262 and three balls 25, arranged side by side along a direction transverse to the direction of travel D.

Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 6, more? independent modules of three spheres 25 are arranged in sequence in two rows side by side, so as to make the right and left side of the carpet perfectly decoupled from each other.

Usefully, through? the use of 261 cams with a suitable shape can you? create a curvature also along the transverse direction.

Furthermore, it can generate both asperit? which depressions through the use of cams 261 with positive lift in one direction of rotation and negative in the other.

Yup ? in practice it has been found that the described invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, it is emphasized that the apparatus according to the invention allows to keep the support geometry constant as long as the foot? in contact with the carpet, through the joint movement of the carpet, the surface profile and the foot resting on it.

In addition, the equipment allows you to reconfigure the surface profile of the carpet in a random or controlled way. that the support surface is totally unpredictable for the user.

Furthermore, the variability? the footprint of the treadmill? such as to be able to recreate even a walk with closed eyes. In fact, the carpet initially appears flat and hides the variable geometry beneath it. Only when the foot rests does the carpet conform to the underlying geometry.

Claims (22)

CLAIMS 1) Equipment (10, 20) for training the balance, comprising a bearing structure (11, 21), at least one substantially horizontal support surface (12, 22), made of substantially elastic material, supported by said bearing structure (11, 21) and movable along at least one direction of advance ( D) substantially horizontal, characterized by the fact that it includes: - at least one shaped element (15, 25) supported by said bearing structure (11, 21) and positionable in contact with at least a portion of the lower surface of said supporting surface (12, 22) to define a surface profile of said supporting surface irregular and mobile support (12, 22) along said direction of advancement (D); - means (16, 26) for varying the position and / or orientation and / or conformation of said at least one shaped element (15, 25) for modifying said surface profile of the supporting surface (12, 22). 2) Apparatus (10, 20) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises processing means (17, 27) of at least one sequence of predefined and / or random surface profiles, said variation means (16, 26) being operationally connected to said processing means (17, 27) to vary said surface profile according to said sequence. 3) Apparatus (10, 20) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support surface (12, 22) comprises at least one carpet (12, 22) closed in a ring, stretched along a substantially horizontal direction, wound at one end? around at least one drive roller (13, 23) and moved along said direction of advancement (D). 4) Apparatus (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (18) for moving said at least one shaped element (15) along said direction of advancement (D) at the same speed? of said support surface (12). 5) Apparatus (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said handling means (18) move said at least one shaped element (15, 25) along a closed loop path, in which at least a portion of said path develops below said support surface (12, 22) and along said forward direction (D). 6) Apparatus (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least two shaped elements (15) movable along said direction of advancement (D) in correspondence with respective side-by-side areas of said support surface (12) adapted to support the right foot respectively (PD) and the left foot (PS) of a user. 7) Apparatus (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it includes a plurality of of said shaped elements (15). 8) Apparatus (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one shaped element (15) comprises a substantially plate-like and substantially horizontal resting element (151). 9) Apparatus (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that said support element (151)? substantially discoid. 10) Apparatus (10) according to one or more? of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said support element (151) has an upper surface provided with at least one inclined and / or curved and / or protruding and / or re-entering portion (152). 11) Apparatus (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said variation means (16) comprise means for rotation (16) of said at least one shaped element (15) around a substantially vertical axis of rotation (ZI). 12) Apparatus (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that said rotation means (16) comprise at least one electric motor and means (161, 162) for transforming the motion generated by said electric motor into the rotational motion of said element shaped (15). 13) Apparatus (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that said transformation means (161, 162) comprise at least a first clutch or toothed wheel (161) operatively connected to said electric motor and a second gear wheel (162) associated clutch or toothed gear integral and coaxial to said shaped element (15) and coupled to said first wheel (161). 14) Apparatus (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for quick coupling / unhooking of said at least one shaped element (15) to said handling means (18). 15) Apparatus (20) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it includes a plurality of of shaped elements (25) arranged side by side in a matrix under said support surface (22). 16) Apparatus (20) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said variation means (26) comprise means for adjusting the height (26) of at least one of said shaped elements (25). 17) Apparatus (20) according to claim 16, characterized in that said height adjustment means (26) comprise a cam system (26) operatively connected to said shaped elements (25) and adapted to regulate the height in a controlled manner of at least one of said shaped elements (25). 18. Apparatus (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that said cam system (26) comprises a plurality of of rods (262) associated with said bearing structure (21), sliding along a substantially vertical direction and provided at a first end? of said shaped elements (25), and a plurality of of cams (261) operatively connected to at least one electric motor and engaged on respective second ends? of said rods (262). 19) Apparatus (20) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one shaped element (25) comprises at least one rolling body (25) which can be moved around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (X). 20) Apparatus (20) according to claim 19, characterized in that said rolling body (25)? substantially spherical or substantially cylindrical. 21) Apparatus (10, 20) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for varying the inclination of said support surface (12, 22). 22) Apparatus (10, 20) according to claim 21, characterized in that said means of variation of the? inclination include at least one adjustable platform at pi? degrees of freedom.