US20100022370A1 - Exercise assisting device - Google Patents

Exercise assisting device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100022370A1
US20100022370A1 US12/521,031 US52103107A US2010022370A1 US 20100022370 A1 US20100022370 A1 US 20100022370A1 US 52103107 A US52103107 A US 52103107A US 2010022370 A1 US2010022370 A1 US 2010022370A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
foot support
right foot
assisting device
exercise assisting
inclination
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/521,031
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kazuhiro Ochi
Youichi Shinomiya
Takahisa Ozawa
Takao Goto
Atsuhiro Saitou
Haruo Sugai
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Panasonic Corp
Original Assignee
Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/JP2007/068558 external-priority patent/WO2008041554A1/ja
Application filed by Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd filed Critical Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Assigned to PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD. reassignment PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GOTO, TAKAO, OCHI, KAZUHIRO, OZAWA, TAKAHISA, SAITOU, ATSUHIRO, SHINOMIYA, YOUICHI, SUGAI, HARUO
Publication of US20100022370A1 publication Critical patent/US20100022370A1/en
Assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION reassignment PANASONIC CORPORATION MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO.,LTD.,
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/04—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable multiple steps, i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
    • A61H1/02—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
    • A61H1/0237—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising for the lower limbs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
    • A61H1/02—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/04—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for lower limbs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/12—Driving means
    • A61H2201/1207—Driving means with electric or magnetic drive
    • A61H2201/1215—Rotary drive
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/14—Special force transmission means, i.e. between the driving means and the interface with the user
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/14—Special force transmission means, i.e. between the driving means and the interface with the user
    • A61H2201/1418—Cam
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2203/00—Additional characteristics concerning the patient
    • A61H2203/04—Position of the patient
    • A61H2203/0406—Standing on the feet

Definitions

  • the devices are designed to require the user to take different postures depending upon the muscles to be stretched.
  • One example of the devices is to simulate a walking by the user at a standing posture mainly for the purpose of preventing osteoarthritis or walk-training, as proposed in JP 2003-290386 A and JP10-55131 A.
  • JP 2003-290386 A and JP10-55131 A are respectively called as PATENT DOCUMENT 1 and PATENT DOCUMENT 2.
  • PATENT DOCUMENT 1 discloses a training device which includes a pair of steps bearing thereon left and right feet of the user, and is configured to interlock the reciprocating movements of the left and right steps for providing a skating simulation exercise to the user.
  • This device is designed to adjust a phase difference of 0 to 360 degrees between the left and right steps with regard to the forward/rearward movements as well as to the lateral movements, and is initially set to have the phase difference of 180 degrees and to vary the phase difference in a direction of increasing a period in which the left and right steps moves forward/rearward together.
  • the steps are driven by a driving unit to move so that the user can enjoy the passive exercise simply by placing one's feet on the steps and without making an effort or active movement.
  • the device of PATENT DOCUMENT 1 is configured to vary user's center of gravity forward/rearward and leftward/rightward in order to cause the neural reflex for keeping balance of the user. According to the neural reflex, the user's muscles are stretched. Therefore, the exercise assisting device is designed to move the steps along the trajectory being approximately paralleled such that the user's steps moves frontward/rearward as well as leftward/rightward at the same time.
  • the device of PATENT DOCUMENT 2 is designed for walking training or virtual-reality exercise, and includes a pair of left and right foot plates driven by a horizontal driving unit, and means for rotating the foot plates in left-and-right directions in order to vary their position with respect to the forward/rearward direction as well as to vary their orientation, and also for varying the height and the inclination of the foot plates.
  • the device of PATENT DOCUMENT 1 comprises a driving mechanism for moving the left and right steps leftward and rightward, and a driving mechanism for moving the left and right steps frontward and rearward.
  • These driving mechanisms are arranged with respect to each step.
  • Both driving mechanisms have servomotors. Therefore, the device requires four servomotors.
  • the four servomotors makes it possible to move the steps frontward/rearward and leftward/rightward with freedom.
  • the device faces a problem that the device requires the four servomotors.
  • the device of PATENT DOCUMENT 2 is configured to simulate walking so as to stretch the user's leg muscles. Therefore, the device comprises extremely complicated components for moving the left and right steps. Consequently, there is a necessity that the device requires a plurality of the driving unit for generating driving force.
  • An object in this invention is to provide an exercise assisting device which is configured to stimulate the leg muscles, while the device comprises a single driving source for generating driving force.
  • An exercise assisting device in claim 1 comprising a left foot support, a right foot support, a guide, a driving unit, and a frame.
  • the left foot support and the right foot support are respectively configured to bear a user's left foot and right foot.
  • the guide is configured to restrict travel paths respectively of the left foot support and the right foot support.
  • the driving unit is configured to move the left and right foot supports in a mutually linked manner.
  • a frame mounts the left foot support, the right foot support, the guide, and the driving unit.
  • the driving unit comprises a driving source, a router, and a reciprocator.
  • the driving source is configured to generate a driving force.
  • the router is configured to provide two routes for distributing the driving force respectively to the left foot support and the right foot support.
  • the reciprocator is configured to reciprocate the left and right foot supports in at least one of a forward/rearward direction and a lateral direction by the driving force.
  • the driving force of the single driving source is distributed into two routes.
  • the divided driving force allows the left foot support and the right foot support to reciprocate.
  • the right foot support and the left foot support respectively have the travel path which is restricted by the guide. Therefore, the exercise assisting device with the single driving source is capable of stimulating each of the leg muscles individually. Consequently, the exercise assisting device with the single driving source is capable of stimulating each of the leg muscles by the exercise.
  • the right foot support and the left foot support are respectively reciprocated by the different route. Therefore, the single driving source that driving force generates is capable of applying the different motion to the right foot support and the left foot support.
  • the invention in claim 2 discloses the exercise assisting device according to claim 1 , wherein the driving source is a rotary motor.
  • the router includes a first gear and a pair of second gears.
  • the rotary motor has an output shaft.
  • the first gear is fixed to the output shaft of the rotary motor.
  • a pair of the second gears is meshed with the first gear.
  • the reciprocator includes a translation mechanism of translating rotary motions of the second gears into reciprocatory motion of the left foot support and the right foot support respectively.
  • the first gear is fixed to the output shaft of the rotary motor.
  • the first gear meshes with a pair of the second gears.
  • a pair of the respective second gears is translated into reciprocatory motion of the left foot support and the right foot support by the translation mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to cause the phase difference between the left foot support and the right foot support by only varying the mesh position between the first gear and the second gears.
  • the first gear meshes with the second gears. Therefore, an amount of displacement that is caused by the mesh between the first gear and the second gears is smaller than an amount of slip displacement caused by a belt which is provided for dividing the driving force into two routes. That is, this configuration makes it possible to move the right foot support and the left foot support as planned. In addition, this configuration also makes it possible to prevent the displacement between the first gear and the second gears due to temporal change.
  • the invention in claim 3 discloses the exercise assisting device according to claim 1 , wherein the first gear is a worm gear.
  • the second gears are worm wheels which mesh with the worm gear.
  • the translation mechanism includes a crank rode for translation of rotary motion of the worm wheel to the reciprocatory motions of the left foot support and the right foot support.
  • the worm gear meshes with the worm wheels. Therefore, the worm gear generates the rotary force which is divided by the worm wheels. These worm wheels generate rotations which are translated into reciprocatory motion of the left foot support and the right foot support. Therefore, it is possible to dispose the output shaft along a plane that the left foot support and the right foot support reciprocate. Consequently, this configuration makes it possible to reduce a thickness size along a direction which intersects with top faces of the right foot support and the left foot support. That is, this configuration makes it possible to reduce size of the exercise assisting device.
  • the invention in claim 4 discloses the exercise assisting device as set forth in any one of claim 1 to 3 , wherein the router is configured to give a phase difference between the movements of the left foot support and the right foot support.
  • the invention in claim 5 discloses the exercise assisting device as set forth in any one of claim 1 to 3 , further includes an inclination provider which is configured to vary a top surface angle of each of the left foot support and the right foot support with respect to a reference plane in an interlocked manner with the reciprocatory movement of the left foot support and the right foot support.
  • the inclination provider comprises a guide face and a follower projection.
  • the guide face is formed on one of the foot support and the frame to have at least an inclination surface inclined with respect to the direction of the movement of the left foot support and the right foot support
  • the follower projection is formed on the other of the foot support and the frame to come into sliding contact with the guide face while the left foot support and the right foot support are driven to move in order to vary the top surface angle of each of the left foot support and the right foot support with respect to the reference plane.
  • the follower projection has its tip with the roller which comes into the rolling contact with the guide face. Therefore, this configuration makes it possible to smoothly move the following projection while the left foot support and the right foot support receives user's load.
  • FIG. 1 is a planer view of the embodiment in this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the above.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a main part seen from rear.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the main part of the above.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the main part of the above seen from right.
  • FIG. 8 ( b ) is a side view of the main part of the above.
  • FIG. 9 ( b ) is a side view of the main part of another embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the above showing the position of the foot in using the device.
  • FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shows the exercise assisting device which comprise a base plate 1 a which defines a frame for disposing on the floor.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 shows the base plate 1 a which is formed to have rectangular.
  • the circumference shape is not limited to the rectangular.
  • the base plate 1 has a top face parallel to the floor in a condition where the base plate 1 a is disposed on the floor. Therefore, an upper direction and a lower direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 are defined as an upper direction and a lower direction when the exercise assisting devices is used.
  • An upper plate 1 b is disposed above the base plate 1 a, and is coupled thereto to constitute a housing 1 .
  • the base plate 1 a is provided with a left foot support 2 a and a right foot support 2 b adapted respectively for bearing left and right feet of a user.
  • a drive unit 3 is disposed on the base plate 1 a for moving the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b.
  • an arrow X in FIGS. 1 and 2 denotes a forward direction of the device. This applies to any other figure which includes the arrow X.
  • an arrow X in the other figures similarly denotes a forward direction of the device.
  • the upper plate 1 b is formed with two openings 11 a and 11 b extending in a thickness direction of the plate to expose the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b, respectively.
  • the openings 11 a and 11 b are each formed into a rectangular shape.
  • the openings 11 a and 11 b have their longitudinal center lines extending in a crossing relation with respect to the forward/rearward direction of the housing 1 such that the distance between the center lines is greater at the front ends of the openings than at the rear ends thereof.
  • slide grooves 12 are provided on opposite width ends of each of the openings 11 a and 11 b in communication therewith for receiving a flange 22 b formed on each of footrest covers 22 .
  • Each of the footrest covers 22 is cooperative with a foot plate 21 to define each of the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b, and is composed of a main section 22 a in the shape of a rectangular barrel and is formed with the flange 22 b extending around an open face (upper face) over the entire periphery of the main section 22 a .
  • the footrest cover 22 has an integrally formed attachment plate 22 c at a lower end within the main section 22 a.
  • the main section 22 a has its lengthwise as well as the width dimensions respectively less than those of the openings 11 a and 11 b, while the flange 22 b has such dimensions larger than those of the openings 11 a and 11 b.
  • the slide groove 12 has its opposed bottom spaced by a distance greater than a corresponding distance between the opposite edges of the flange 22 b.
  • the foot plate 21 is formed into a rectangular plate slightly smaller than the inner periphery of the main section 22 a of the footrest cover 22 to have such dimensions as to bear the entire foot of the user.
  • the foot plate 21 is made of a material or shaped to have a large coefficient of friction.
  • the foot plate 21 is integrally formed around its lower periphery with generally U-shaped cover members 21 a and 21 b.
  • the foot plate 21 is integrally formed on its bottom at a portion surrounded by the cover members 21 a and 21 b with a pair of bearings 21 c spaced in the width direction of the foot plate 21 .
  • a bearing plate 23 of U-shaped cross section is fixed to the top of the attachment plate 22 c of the footrest cover 22 to have its open end oriented upwardly, and has its opposed legs 23 a in contact respectively with the outer faces of the bearing 21 c of the foot plate 21 .
  • An axle 24 penetrates through the legs 23 a of the bearing plate 23 and the bearings 21 c to extend in the width direction of the foot plate 21 .
  • the foot plate 21 is allowed to swing about the axle 24 in such a manner that the foot plate 21 moves up and down at its lengthwise forward and rearward ends.
  • the cover members 21 a and 21 b are provided to conceal a gap formed between the foot plate 21 and the footrest cover 22 while the foot plate 21 swings relative to the footrest cover 22 .
  • a truck 41 of U-shaped cross section is fixed to the bottom of the attachment plate 22 c of the footrest cover 22 to have its open end oriented downwardly, and is provided on each exterior face of its legs 41 a with two wheels 42 .
  • the base plate 1 a is formed with two fixed rails 43 for each of the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b such that the truck 41 is placed on the rails 43 with the wheels 42 roll in the rail grooves 43 a in the upper end of the rails 43 .
  • a derailment prevention plate 18 is provided on top of the rail 43 for preventing the wheels 42 from running off the rail grooves 43 a (see FIG. 4 ).
  • the rails 43 extend in a direction different from the lengthwise direction of directions crossing with the lengthwise direction of the openings 11 a and 11 b . That is, the truck 41 cooperates with the wheels 42 , the rail 43 , and the derailment prevention plate 44 to act as a guide 4 which restrict the travel path of the left foot support 2 a and the right foot support 2 b.
  • the drive unit 3 which shifts the positions of the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b includes a driving source 31 of generating a driving force, a router 32 for transmitting the driving force of the driving source 31 to the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b, and reciprocators 33 for using the driving force to reciprocate the trucks 15 respectively along the rails 43 .
  • the present embodiment is configured to divide the driving force at the router 32 and transmit the divided driving force to the reciprocators 33 , as shown in FIG. 5( a ), it is equally possible to generate the reciprocating driving force at the reciprocator 33 and divide the same at the router 32 , as shown in FIG. 5( b ).
  • the driving source 31 is a rotary motor 31 .
  • the motor 31 has an output shaft 31 a which is coupled to the router 32 .
  • the router 32 includes a worm gear 32 a coupled to an output shaft 31 a of the motor 31 , and a pair of worm wheels 32 b.
  • the worm gear 32 a is composed of a first gear 32 a.
  • the worm wheels 32 b are composed of second gears 32 b.
  • the worm gear 32 a and the two worm wheels 32 b are held within a gearbox 34 fixed to the base plate 1 a.
  • the gearbox 34 is composed of a gear case 34 a with a top opening, and a lid 34 b fitted in the opening of the gear case 34 a.
  • a pair of bearings 32 c is mounted between the gear case 34 a and the lid 34 b to bear the opposite longitudinal ends of the worm gear 32 a.
  • a rotary shaft 35 Extending through the worm wheel 32 b is a rotary shaft 35 which is held the openings 11 a and 11 b in the housing 1 .
  • the openings 11 a and 11 b have their individual longitudinal center lines inclined with respect to each other so as to be spaced by a larger distance at the forward ends than at the rearward ends.
  • the rails 43 have their individual longitudinal directions crossed with each other in the like manner.
  • the rails 43 are inclined in relation to the forward/rearward direction of the housing 1 at a large angle than the openings 11 a and 11 b.
  • the rails 43 have its length inclined at an angle of 45 degrees.
  • the rails 43 are oriented to such a direction as to prevent an increase of shearing force acting on the knee joints while the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b are moved along the rails 43 in a condition that the user's feet are placed thereon with each center line of the feet aligned with each of the length of the openings 11 a and 11 b .
  • the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b are allowed to move respectively along the lengths of the rails 43 . Because of that the rails 43 have their lengths inclined respectively with respect to the lengthwise center lines of the openings 11 a and 11 b, the foot plate 21 and the footrest cover 22 are allowed to move within the openings 11 a and 11 b along the by the gear case 34 a and the lid 34 b and is coupled to the worm wheel 32 b to be driven thereby to rotate.
  • the rotary shaft 35 is formed at its upper end with a coupling section 35 a with non-circular cross-section (rectangular one in the illustrated instance).
  • the motor 31 is mounted on a holder member 34 c of the gear case 34 a and on a holder plate 13 a secured to the base plate 1 a , and is fixed to the base plate 1 a by means of the lid 34 b fitted over the gear case 34 a and a retainer plate 13 b coupled to the holder plate 13 a.
  • the reciprocator 33 includes a crank plate 36 coupled at its one end to the coupling section 35 a of the rotary shaft 35 , and a crank rod 38 coupled to the crank plate 36 by means of a crank shaft 37 .
  • the crank shaft 37 has its one end fixed to the crank plate 36 and has the other end received in the bearing 38 a carried on one end of the crank rod 38 . That is, the crank rod 38 has its one end rotatively coupled to the crank plate 36 , while the other end of the crank rod 38 is coupled to the truck 41 by means of an axle 38 b so as to be rotatively coupled thereto.
  • the crank rod 38 functions as a translation mechanism to translate the rotary motion of the worm wheel 32 b into a reciprocatory motion of the truck 41 . Since the crank rod 38 is provided for each of the worm wheels 32 b and the trucks 15 are provided respectively to the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b, the crank rods 38 function as the individual translation mechanism for translating the rotary motion of the worm wheels 32 b into the reciprocating motions of the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b.
  • the worm gear 32 a and the two worm wheels 32 b are responsible for routing the driving force into two channels respectively for driving the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b so that the drive unit 3 drives the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b in a manner linked to each other.
  • the worm wheels 32 b are meshed with the worm gear 32 a at different portions spaced apart by 180 degrees such that the right foot support 2 b comes to the forward end of its movable range when the left foot support 2 a comes to the rear end of its movable range.
  • the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b shift in the same direction along the lateral direction.
  • the foot plate 21 provided on each of the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b is allowed to swing about the pivot axis of the axles 24 relative to the footrest cover 22 , enabling to vary the height positions of the forward end as well as the rearward end of the foot plate 21 shown in FIG. 7 .
  • the height positions of the toe and the heel of the foot placed on the foot plate 21 can be varied for enabling the plantarflexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle joint.
  • the follower projection 25 is formed from a material and/or shaped into a configuration to have a tip of small coefficient of friction, the follower projection 25 is preferred to have at its top a roller 25 which comes into rolling contact with the guide surface 14 , as illustrated in the figure.
  • the follower projection 25 which is arranged to come into rolling contact with the guide surface 14 , rides up and down the inclination 14 a while each of the left and right foot supports 24 a is driven by the motor 31 to reciprocates, thereby swinging the foot plate 21 about the axle 24 to vary its tilt angle relative to the base plate 1 a, and therefore enabling the plantarflexion and dorsiflexion at the ankle joint.
  • the illustrated embodiment has the base plate 1 a formed with the guide surface 14 a and the foot plate 21 formed with the follower projection 25 , the same operation can be achieved with a configuration of FIG. 9 in which the foot plate 21 is provided with the guide surface 14 and the base plate 1 a is provided with the follower projection 25 .
  • the router 32 of the drive unit 3 is configured to have the worm gear 32 a and the worm wheels 32 b for realizing the power transmission from the output shaft 31 a of the motor 31 to the rotary shaft 35 of the worm wheel 32 b with speed reduction.
  • a belt can be utilized to transmit the power from the output shaft 31 a of the motor 31 to the rotary shaft 35 perpendicular to the output shaft 31 a.
  • a pulley is utilized to receive the belt while dispensing with the worm 32 a.
  • the motor 31 has its output shaft 31 a extending along the upper surface of the base plate 1 a.
  • spur gearing is adopted to achieve the transmission and routing of the rotary power, instead the combination of the worm 32 a and the worm wheels 32 b.
  • pulleys and a belt may be used in place of the spur gearing for transmission of the rotary power between the pulleys.
  • the reciprocator 33 may be composed of a grooved cam driven to rotate by the motor 31 and a cam follower engaged in a groove of the cam.
  • the grooved cam can be used instead of the worm wheel 32 b and be arranged to have its rotation axis parallel to the output shaft 31 a of the motor for power transmission from the output shaft 31 a to the grooved cam through a pinion.
  • two cam followers can be used for engagement respectively with the cam grooves of the cams such that the grooved cam and the cam followers are cooperative to function as the router 32 as well as the reciprocators 33 .
  • the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b are located at the same level along the forward/rearward direction. That is, the representative points of the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b lie on a line extending along the lateral direction when they are at the initial positions. Accordingly, when the user stands on the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b of the initial positions, a vertical line depending from the weight center of the user passes through a center between the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b.
  • the drive unit 3 can drive the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b to move in the forward/rearward direction and at the same time to move in the lateral direction in the linked manner to each other.
  • the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b are driven to reciprocate linearly along the rails 43 , respectively, so as to move in directions different from the lengthwise directions of the feet.
  • the left and right foot supports 2 a and 2 b move in the directions inclined at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the forward/rearward direction of the housing 1 , over the travel distance of 20 mm, for example.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
US12/521,031 2006-12-25 2007-12-25 Exercise assisting device Abandoned US20100022370A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006-348563 2006-12-25
JP2006348563A JP5032838B2 (ja) 2006-12-25 2006-12-25 運動補助装置
PCT/JP2007/068558 WO2008041554A1 (fr) 2006-09-25 2007-09-25 Dispositif d'aide à l'exercice physique de type mouvement passif
JP2007-068558 2007-09-25
PCT/JP2007/074847 WO2008081782A1 (ja) 2006-12-25 2007-12-25 運動補助装置

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100022370A1 true US20100022370A1 (en) 2010-01-28

Family

ID=39588465

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/521,031 Abandoned US20100022370A1 (en) 2006-12-25 2007-12-25 Exercise assisting device

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20100022370A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP2098207A4 (zh)
JP (1) JP5032838B2 (zh)
KR (1) KR20090101255A (zh)
CN (1) CN101583334A (zh)
TW (1) TWI371294B (zh)
WO (1) WO2008081782A1 (zh)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100234196A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2010-09-16 Youichi Shinomiya Exercise assisting apparatus
US20100248922A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2010-09-30 Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. Exercise assisting apparatus

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103211692A (zh) * 2012-11-12 2013-07-24 王胜豪 一种脚踏运动机
US9586085B2 (en) * 2014-06-04 2017-03-07 Precor Incorporated Exercise apparatus with non-uniform foot pad transverse spacing
KR101553066B1 (ko) * 2014-09-05 2015-09-15 주식회사 에스피글로벌 발끝 치기용 운동 기구
CN105726265A (zh) * 2016-05-06 2016-07-06 李云祥 糖尿病患者用被动式走步机
KR101979937B1 (ko) * 2017-05-10 2019-05-20 에이치엠에이치 주식회사 보행 보조 로봇
KR102012727B1 (ko) * 2017-10-26 2019-10-21 주식회사 유투유 체지방 분해 운동기구
CN112022478B (zh) * 2020-09-23 2022-04-29 南阳市中心医院 一种骨科术后肢体固定装置
CN215916396U (zh) * 2021-07-09 2022-03-01 合肥工业大学 一种训练组件及关节运动康复训练装置
KR102402981B1 (ko) 2021-11-02 2022-05-26 주경리 골반 및 척추 교정을 위한 운동 장치

Citations (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US219439A (en) * 1879-09-09 Improvement in passive-motion walking-machines
US2093830A (en) * 1935-05-28 1937-09-21 James J Flatley Apparatus for treatment of infantile paralysis
US2206902A (en) * 1935-04-29 1940-07-09 Kost Alwin Foot corrective device
US2246689A (en) * 1938-05-09 1941-06-24 Kost Alwin Mechanical movement
US2969060A (en) * 1959-07-13 1961-01-24 Howard F Swanda Exercising machine
US3316898A (en) * 1964-10-23 1967-05-02 James W Brown Rehabilitation and exercise apparatus
US3374782A (en) * 1965-10-22 1968-03-26 Charles P. Izzo Exercising machine for skiers
US3526220A (en) * 1967-03-14 1970-09-01 Samuel N Small Foot exerciser
US3625203A (en) * 1970-03-30 1971-12-07 Donald P Wadelton Foot and leg exerciser
US3774597A (en) * 1972-02-14 1973-11-27 V Root Method and apparatus for simulating the act of walking
US3789836A (en) * 1972-12-07 1974-02-05 Scott J Apparatus for the stimulation of blood circulation in feet and legs
US3917261A (en) * 1974-08-05 1975-11-04 Samuel N Small Foot exercising device
US4185622A (en) * 1979-03-21 1980-01-29 Swenson Oscar J Foot and leg exerciser
US4862875A (en) * 1987-03-31 1989-09-05 Samuel Heaton Leg exercisers
US5049079A (en) * 1988-12-19 1991-09-17 John H. Peterson Closed loop ski simulation and instructional system
US5176598A (en) * 1992-05-07 1993-01-05 Gardner Gordon B Foot ambulator apparatus
US5267924A (en) * 1993-01-07 1993-12-07 Advanced Kinetics, Inc. Apparatus and method for imparting continuous passive motion to the foot
US5304106A (en) * 1993-02-08 1994-04-19 Voit Sports, Incorporated Exercise apparatus having reciprocating platforms movable between a parallel position and an opposed position
US5328427A (en) * 1993-11-15 1994-07-12 Sleamaker Robert H Skating/skiing simulator with ergometric input-responsive resistance
US5902214A (en) * 1996-08-08 1999-05-11 Shiraito Tani Walk simulation apparatus
US6102832A (en) * 1996-08-08 2000-08-15 Tani Shiraito Virtual reality simulation apparatus
US6190289B1 (en) * 1998-05-12 2001-02-20 Epix, Inc. Foldable elliptical exercise machine
US6500096B1 (en) * 2000-11-29 2002-12-31 Sinties Corporation, Inc. Footbed for elliptical exercise machine
US20030036462A1 (en) * 2001-08-20 2003-02-20 Sundaram Ravikumar Powered antithrombotic foot mobility device
US20040053753A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2004-03-18 Galvez Campos Jose Luis System for exercising the lower extremities in seated persons
US6908416B2 (en) * 1998-07-23 2005-06-21 Unisen, Inc. Exercise and therapeutic trainer
US20060293154A1 (en) * 2002-10-09 2006-12-28 Jase Graber Spontaneous symmetrical weight shifting trainer device
US7402126B2 (en) * 2004-09-01 2008-07-22 Huang-Tung Chang Elliptical exerciser with adjustable guiding rails
US7413553B2 (en) * 2006-12-18 2008-08-19 Chin-Te Chen Exercising apparatus
US7510510B2 (en) * 2007-06-15 2009-03-31 Cycling & Health Tech Industry R & D Center Hip-abduction stepper exercise apparatus
US7513854B1 (en) * 2004-06-10 2009-04-07 Stearns Kenneth W Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus
US7556592B2 (en) * 2000-10-04 2009-07-07 Technogym International B.V. Method of using exercise apparatus for simulating skating movement

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2691127B1 (fr) * 1992-05-14 1994-07-22 Sarciron Michel Appareil pour la reeducation ou le renforcement du sens de l'equilibre.
JP2002306630A (ja) * 2001-04-13 2002-10-22 Purotec Fuji:Kk 脚曲補正器具
JP2002325860A (ja) * 2001-05-02 2002-11-12 Taito Corp 歩行運動装置及びその使用方法
JP2003190235A (ja) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-08 Shunichi Iijima 足首回し健康器
JP3991747B2 (ja) * 2002-03-29 2007-10-17 松下電工株式会社 訓練装置
JP4341331B2 (ja) * 2003-07-17 2009-10-07 株式会社安川電機 下肢訓練装置
JP4996062B2 (ja) * 2005-05-26 2012-08-08 パナソニック株式会社 運動補助装置

Patent Citations (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US219439A (en) * 1879-09-09 Improvement in passive-motion walking-machines
US2206902A (en) * 1935-04-29 1940-07-09 Kost Alwin Foot corrective device
US2093830A (en) * 1935-05-28 1937-09-21 James J Flatley Apparatus for treatment of infantile paralysis
US2246689A (en) * 1938-05-09 1941-06-24 Kost Alwin Mechanical movement
US2969060A (en) * 1959-07-13 1961-01-24 Howard F Swanda Exercising machine
US3316898A (en) * 1964-10-23 1967-05-02 James W Brown Rehabilitation and exercise apparatus
US3374782A (en) * 1965-10-22 1968-03-26 Charles P. Izzo Exercising machine for skiers
US3526220A (en) * 1967-03-14 1970-09-01 Samuel N Small Foot exerciser
US3625203A (en) * 1970-03-30 1971-12-07 Donald P Wadelton Foot and leg exerciser
US3774597A (en) * 1972-02-14 1973-11-27 V Root Method and apparatus for simulating the act of walking
US3789836A (en) * 1972-12-07 1974-02-05 Scott J Apparatus for the stimulation of blood circulation in feet and legs
US3917261A (en) * 1974-08-05 1975-11-04 Samuel N Small Foot exercising device
US4185622A (en) * 1979-03-21 1980-01-29 Swenson Oscar J Foot and leg exerciser
US4862875A (en) * 1987-03-31 1989-09-05 Samuel Heaton Leg exercisers
US5049079A (en) * 1988-12-19 1991-09-17 John H. Peterson Closed loop ski simulation and instructional system
US5176598A (en) * 1992-05-07 1993-01-05 Gardner Gordon B Foot ambulator apparatus
US5267924A (en) * 1993-01-07 1993-12-07 Advanced Kinetics, Inc. Apparatus and method for imparting continuous passive motion to the foot
US5304106A (en) * 1993-02-08 1994-04-19 Voit Sports, Incorporated Exercise apparatus having reciprocating platforms movable between a parallel position and an opposed position
US5328427A (en) * 1993-11-15 1994-07-12 Sleamaker Robert H Skating/skiing simulator with ergometric input-responsive resistance
US5902214A (en) * 1996-08-08 1999-05-11 Shiraito Tani Walk simulation apparatus
US6102832A (en) * 1996-08-08 2000-08-15 Tani Shiraito Virtual reality simulation apparatus
US6190289B1 (en) * 1998-05-12 2001-02-20 Epix, Inc. Foldable elliptical exercise machine
US6908416B2 (en) * 1998-07-23 2005-06-21 Unisen, Inc. Exercise and therapeutic trainer
US7556592B2 (en) * 2000-10-04 2009-07-07 Technogym International B.V. Method of using exercise apparatus for simulating skating movement
US6500096B1 (en) * 2000-11-29 2002-12-31 Sinties Corporation, Inc. Footbed for elliptical exercise machine
US20040053753A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2004-03-18 Galvez Campos Jose Luis System for exercising the lower extremities in seated persons
US7179236B2 (en) * 2000-12-07 2007-02-20 Galvez Campos Jose Luis System for exercising the lower extremities in seated persons
US20070179411A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2007-08-02 Galvez Campos Jose L System for exercising the lower extremities in seated persons
US20030036462A1 (en) * 2001-08-20 2003-02-20 Sundaram Ravikumar Powered antithrombotic foot mobility device
US20060293154A1 (en) * 2002-10-09 2006-12-28 Jase Graber Spontaneous symmetrical weight shifting trainer device
US7513854B1 (en) * 2004-06-10 2009-04-07 Stearns Kenneth W Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus
US7402126B2 (en) * 2004-09-01 2008-07-22 Huang-Tung Chang Elliptical exerciser with adjustable guiding rails
US7413553B2 (en) * 2006-12-18 2008-08-19 Chin-Te Chen Exercising apparatus
US7510510B2 (en) * 2007-06-15 2009-03-31 Cycling & Health Tech Industry R & D Center Hip-abduction stepper exercise apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100234196A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2010-09-16 Youichi Shinomiya Exercise assisting apparatus
US7931573B2 (en) * 2007-05-14 2011-04-26 Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. Exercise assisting apparatus
US20100248922A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2010-09-30 Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. Exercise assisting apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2008154879A (ja) 2008-07-10
TWI371294B (en) 2012-09-01
TW200833393A (en) 2008-08-16
CN101583334A (zh) 2009-11-18
JP5032838B2 (ja) 2012-09-26
EP2098207A4 (en) 2010-03-31
KR20090101255A (ko) 2009-09-24
WO2008081782A1 (ja) 2008-07-10
EP2098207A1 (en) 2009-09-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20100022370A1 (en) Exercise assisting device
EP2098208B1 (en) Exercise aid device
CN101516315B (zh) 被动式运动辅助装置
WO2009084574A1 (ja) 他動運動機器
JP5054780B2 (ja) 運動補助装置
US20100279835A1 (en) Auxiliary exercise equipment
EP2213272A1 (en) Passive exercise machine
US20100248922A1 (en) Exercise assisting apparatus
US20120296242A1 (en) Passive exercise equipment
EP2509691B1 (en) Training device for simulating a skiing motion and use thereof
US20100267534A1 (en) Exercise assisting device
EP2179769A1 (en) Exercise aid device
JP5281263B2 (ja) 他動式運動補助装置
JP2010279596A (ja) 他動式運動補助装置
KR100288716B1 (ko) 하체 운동기
JP2008264293A (ja) 運動補助装置
JP2008289869A (ja) 運動補助装置
JP2008264292A (ja) 運動補助装置
JP2009160170A (ja) 運動補助装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OCHI, KAZUHIRO;SHINOMIYA, YOUICHI;OZAWA, TAKAHISA;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022867/0392

Effective date: 20090619

AS Assignment

Owner name: PANASONIC CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO.,LTD.,;REEL/FRAME:027697/0525

Effective date: 20120101

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE