JPH08308954A - Sport training/rehabilitation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an improved pool having countercurrents by incorporating a movable floor of which the height is adjustable, for improving rehabilitation sports. CONSTITUTION: The sports training/rehabilitation apparatus comprises a tank having a water circulating means 16 to produce water currents in predetermined directions, and a movable floor having a lock means 14 for moving and locking the floor at any intermediate position between a high position at least at the same level as the tank edge and a low position where the floor is nominally raised from the bottom. The height moving and lock means is constructed outside the tank.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for training (or) rehabilitating an individual in an aqueous medium, as well as a rehabilitation method associated with the apparatus.

[0002]

Rehabilitation pools are well known in the field of medicine, especially for rehabilitation exercises. In fact, individuals who are active in water will feel relieved due to their buoyancy, which reduces their weight and evenly supports all parts of their body. This has a beneficial effect on joints and muscles. Nevertheless, these pools have some problems. These pools have a depth that is approximately equivalent to an average height person's shoulder wear. As a result, short individuals are hampered by their depth, and tall individuals cannot fully access the pool. For large tanks, it may be possible to provide an inclined pool bottom as a solution. For small pools, as a measure for that purpose, a cohesive floor that is movable in height and constitutes a walkway is provided. Such passageways are suspended from an outer arm integral with a screw / nut composition mounted on a pool cradle-like device for water entry.

[0003]

The user walks along the length of the walking path to exercise. This point is US-A-4,712,
It is described in No. 788. However, in this case, it is clear that the rehabilitation effect and various exercises are limited, since only a very limited part of the body is required for that exercise. This means that the French patent FR-A-2,607,
The same is true for issue 389. It describes a tank with a running mat that can be mounted on multiple arms articulated in a sheared state and whose height can be adjusted.

On the running mat that remains permanently in this tank and on the bottom body of the elevator means, all of these mechanical elements will be permanently submerged in water, which violates sanitary regulations. That is clear.

Pools for sportsmen's rehabilitation and / or training are becoming smaller on the one hand to limit investment and running costs, and on the other hand to change uses within the same facility. is there.

[0006] Thus, pools are increasingly equipped with reflux devices that allow high levels of sports training and rehabilitation exercise versatility, despite limited tank space. There is. The force of the flow can be adjusted by a time power cycle and even programmed.

Conventionally, the flow of water generated by forming a flow has been improved, and some pools have a closed loop water circulation device in which an outer wheel is formed at one of tank ends in a casing. The above-mentioned paddle wheel passes below the bottom of the pool, especially in the double bottom provided for this purpose, and then passes through a certain opening or through a lateral waterway created laterally in the pool itself. It is designed to send the flow to the other end. Such pools are especially “Swimex Pool”
Marketed under the registered trademark of

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To improve rehabilitation exercises, the present invention provides an improved pool of the type that provides backflow by combining with a height adjustable movable floor.

In fact, this floor allows the individual to remain constant while moving certain parts of the body by exerting pure resistance to the flow.

In this case, one's body can be orientated in any direction such as front and side, and the target area can be completely determined by the combined effect of height adjustment.

Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the present device allows the apparent weight to approach the actual weight, thus retaining the advantages of a movable floor. Or conversely, this advantage might be well known in bathing therapy.

In the case of the present invention, the effect obtained is even more advantageous because another variable, the force generated by the flow, can be varied.

The device of the present invention may also retain advantages such as gradual water entry and shallow depth for short stature, especially children.

Therefore, the floor can extend into the extended portion of the deck, and the continuity of the surface can be secured. As a result, it becomes easy for a wheelchair to pass directly from a deck to a moving floor, for example, without a lift assist device.

The device according to the invention further comprises quite special means for changing the height of the floor, which limits the body in the height direction. It is easy to manufacture, can provide any security guarantee, and limits the body in the pool.

By these means, the floor can be moved over a height greater than the depth of the tank, and the floor can be translated when needed, as shown below.

Embodiments of the present invention are capable of fully meeting hygiene regulations. Tanks lacking protruding elements that secure to the bottom or wall do not suffer from particle accumulation.

Further, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the periodically required cleaning is facilitated by raising the floor to a maximum height position. This is because the entire tank can be approached from its maximum height position without obstacles.

Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention for carrying out individual sports training and / or rehabilitation in a water medium is a tank provided with means for circulating water to create a flow in a certain direction, and moving the height. A movable floor with means for locking the floor in an intermediate position between a raised position at least aligned with the tank helicopter and a lowered position which is substantially pushed up against the tank bottom. These movement locking means are constructed outside the tank.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the device is characterized in that the flow is directed along the longitudinal axis of the tank,
It is characterized by a surface laminar flow over a predetermined height.

The upper position of the floor is arranged above the helicopter so as to reach the entire tank.

The means for moving the height will be described.
They are articulated at one end with respect to the pool edge and comprise two pairs of support elements provided to interact with the floor at the other end and with the elevator means configured between the fixed support and the arm. Equipped with a bending arm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elevator means comprises a jack for each of the arms, the body of which, when rotating, articulates about a fixed axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the piston, The free ends of are articulated with respect to the corresponding arms. The jack is preferably an electric jack with a ball.

Further, walking end indicators are provided on both sides of the main body of the jack, and are operated while the main body of the jack pivots around a fixed axis according to an angle corresponding to a high position and a low position.

The device further comprises a third travel end indicator which is driven by the jack body when the high position indicator is disengaged. This third indicator corresponds to the floor position at the top of the helicopter and can access the entire tank.

In one structural example of the floor, one side thereof is articulated to one end of one of the two pairs of arms that are locked during translation, and the other side is supported by a second pair of arms that freely translates. It is like this.

In one self-contained example of the above-mentioned apparatus, a support frame for resting on the floor area is further provided, and inside thereof, a tank, its water circulating means, water treatment means, arms and floor, elevator means, tank It incorporates a helicopter and deck to facilitate initial installation and subsequent movement.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in accordance with a particular example with reference to the drawings.

The tank has a substantially rectangular shape for improving the circulation of water when the direction of the flow created by the water circulating means is along the longitudinal axis of the tank.

As shown by the line diagrams in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water circulation means is an outer wheel 18, means 20 for delivering water in a laminar flow into the tank at one end, and water sucking at the opposite end. Means 22
With. The water circulation pipe 23 is provided between the suction means and the delivery means.

A double bottom is provided below the bottom of the tank to allow the return flow to circulate without disturbing the forward flow.

Such tanks are marketed under the registered trademark "Swimex Pool", which produces a laminar flow of the order of 40 cm over a defined and limited height, a few m / m.
The rotation speed of the outer car ranging from h to 20 m / h gives a speed adjustable.

Some tanks have a programmer that records a particular sequence in a pre-determined order.

The circulation flow also enters the tank laterally via both sides, in which case these circulation pipes act as side stands.

In the illustrated example, the floor 12 comprises a plate 24 that is sized to approximately equal the inside dimensions of the tank.

The height moving means 14 comprises two pairs of bending arms 26.
Is provided.

Each of these arms has a shaft 28 in a yoke 29 which is integrated with the tank peripheral edge through one of both ends thereof.
Is articulated around, while the other end supports the floor.

The ends of the pair of arms are articulated directly onto the floor so that these ends do not translate with respect to the floor.

Both ends of the other pair of arms are connected by a transverse axis 30 which passes below the floor and is provided with rollers to allow translation of these arm ends relative to the floor.

The arm is arranged laterally and is housed between the tank edge and the floor edge.

The jack 32 is constructed between each of the arms and the tank edge.

Each of these jacks is a threaded electric jack with a ball, which constitutes the piston 34 of the jack.

The body 36 of the jack is fixed relative to the floor and articulated about the transverse axis 38,
The body is adapted to pivot at an angle that varies as a function of the amount of extension of the piston of this jack, as shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 2, the floor is in a low position, substantially pushed up against the bottom.

In FIG. 3, the floor is in an elevated position aligned with the helicopter so as to form a continuity between the deck and the floor.

In FIG. 4, the floor is located above the tank so that the entire tank can be accessed.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are partial views of an arm 26 having jacks at three extreme positions on the floor, which corresponds to FIGS.

It can be seen that there are running end indicators 40, 42 and 44, which constitute the first indicator on one side of the body of the jack and the other two on the other side.

The first indicator operates when the jack has retracted its piston. The retracted position corresponds to the position of the floor pushed up against the bottom.

The second indicator is activated when the jack has its piston in a partially extended position corresponding to the floor position in alignment with the helicopter 11 of the tank.

This second indicator is disengageable.

The third indicator is activated when the jack piston is pushed to an extreme position corresponding to the position of the floor above the tank helicopter after the second indicator is disengaged.

The improved device of FIG. 8 has all the elements, namely the tank 1.
0, helicopter 11, deck, arm 26, floor 12, jack 32, water circulating means 16, and water treatment means 46 are incorporated in the frame.

The first known application of the device is for the individual
Especially in the case of children it is to regulate the water depth as a function of their height. This is advantageous for remembering swimming, for example.

Another known application of this device is:
The point is that as you gain confidence and skill in the water, you can gradually submerge.

There are many new rehabilitation possibilities offered by the ingenious combination of tanks, artificial flows and movable floors.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the above possibilities can be better understood. In FIG. 9, the flow circulates over a depth h with a force F comparable to the individual's physical ability.

In this case, the floor is in the bottom position which gives the tank its maximum depth.

When the user is squeezed or squeezed, the weight becomes the apparent weight. That is, his weight is reduced by his buoyancy.

Taking into account the force of the flow, the user needs to lean forward to counter it, which results in the movement of certain parts of the body. During this stage, the user does not feel their weight and is free to move.

Furthermore, especially in the case of laminar flow, the flow exerts its effect on the height of the upper chest, so that the reaction force of the user can be localized exactly.

During the above flow action, the floor can be raised to correct the flow impact point on the one hand and, on the other hand, the resistance effort of the user into the effort of picking up his own weight.

Further, in the above method, not only the user may turn his / her face upward, but also the user may turn his / her body in the direction of flow to use almost the entire area of the body. This was not possible before. In fact, the only thing a tired user can do is walk. This was a problem, for example, if the joints did not work properly.

Further, it is difficult to consider walking backward, and in any case, it was impossible to move the muscles of the back by the resistance force, because the force could not be exerted sufficiently.

The possibilities and types of exercise, whether for rehabilitation purposes or sports training, can be increased by utilizing available attachments such as guardrails and transfer mats.

It can be pointed out that when the floor is above the tank, cleaning can be easily carried out by the cleaning personnel from the edges of the tank, especially with the aid of a bottom suction device.

[0067]

Therefore, according to the present invention, another variable which is the force generated by the flow of water can be changed. Further, there are advantages such as gradual water entry and shallow depth for people of short height, especially for children. Also, the body in the pool can be limited by providing a totally special means for changing the height of the floor that limits the body in the height direction.

By these means, the floor can be moved over a height greater than the depth of the tank, and the floor can be translated when necessary.
Also, the present invention is able to fully comply with hygiene regulations. Cleaning, which must be performed periodically, can be easily performed by pulling the floor up to the maximum height position.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a tank of the present invention with empty water and a flow generator shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing two positions, high and low, of a movable floor.

FIG. 3 is another view showing two positions of high and low of the movable floor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram when a movable floor is placed above a helicopter so that the entire tank can be approached.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing various positions of the traveling end indicator and one of the arms with respect to the tank edge and the floor.

FIG. 6 is another view showing various positions of one of the arms and the floor with respect to the traveling end indicator and the tank edge.

FIG. 7 is another view showing various positions of one of the arms and the floor with respect to the traveling end indicator and the tank edge.

FIG. 8 is a modification view in which all the elements attached to the tank are incorporated into one frame.

FIG. 9 shows two stages of implementation of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 10 shows another stage of implementation of the device of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ………… Tank 16 ………… Water circulation means 12 ………… Movable floor 14 ………… Height moving / locking means 26 ………… Bending arm 30 ………… Supporting element

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. Sports training in water /
In a rehabilitation device, a tank provided with a means for circulating water so as to create a flow in a certain direction; moved to a high position at least aligned with the helicopter of the tank, and almost pushed up to the bottom of the tank A movable floor with means for locking the floor in any intermediate position between it and the lower position; and these height movement locking means being arranged outside the tank. 2. The flow is a surface laminar flow over a predetermined height directed along the length of the tank.
Equipment. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper part of the floor is located above the helicopter so that the entire tank can be accessed. 4. The height moving means comprises two pairs of flexing arms that articulate at one of its ends relative to the pool edge, interacting with the floor at the other end and between the fixed support and the arms. 4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a support element arranged to interact with the elevator means provided. 5. Elevator means comprises, for each arm, a jack, the body of which, when rotated, articulates about a fixed axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pitson of the jack, the free end of the piston The device of claim 4 articulated with respect to a corresponding arm. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the jack is an electric jack having a ball. 7. Providing traveling end indicators configured on both sides of the jack body allows them to be activated while the jack body pivots around a fixed shaft according to an angle corresponding to the elevation position. The device according to claim 5 or 6. 8. A floor at the top of the helicopter comprising a third travel end indicator which is actuated by the jack body when the high position indicator is disengaged and which reaches the entire tank. 8. The device of claim 7 in a position corresponding to the position. 9. One side of the floor is articulated at both ends of one pair of two paired arms locked during translation,
9. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 8 supported on the other side by a second pair of arms which are free to move during translation. 10. A support frame mounted on a floor area is further provided, and a tank, a water circulating means therefor, a water treatment means, an arm and a floor, an elevator means, a tank helicopter and a deck are incorporated in the frame. Claims 1-9
Any of the sports training / rehabilitation equipment.