Classifications

• • 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
  • A63B23/08—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for lower limbs for ankle joints
• • 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
  • A61H1/008—Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
  • A63B2208/12—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player specially adapted for children

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus for ankle pump exercise, and more particularly to an automatic apparatus enabling users to readily perform ankle pump exercise.
• Ankle pump exercise is an exercise method for moving legs of a user up and down in a pimp motion.
• a towel is put around a bamboo or a log having a length of about 30cm and a diameter of about 6-10cm.
• a user stretches user's leg while lying down or sitting on a floor, and the bamboo or the log is placed on the floor corresponding to a predetermined part of the user's leg between the calf of the leg and Achilles tendon.
• the user lifts the user's leg up to a height of about 20 to 30cm and drops the leg suddenly in such a manner that Achilles tendon of the user collides with the bamboo or the log covered with the towel.
• Inagaki Amisakura who suffers from kidney trouble and diabetes from his childhood, suggests the ankle pump exercise for the first time. Inagaki Amisakura searches for a method for keeping his health in the nature and finds the ankle pump exercise from leaves swaying in the wind.
• the ankle pump exercise promotes the blood circulation in a human body, thereby not only preventing waste materials from being built up in the human body, but also removing the waste materials from the human body. Therefore, the ankle pump exercise represents an excellent effect for diseases related to the circulation blood. For instance, the ankle pump exercise represents an excellent effect in diabetes, amblyopia, hepatocirrhosis, high blood pressure, gout, heart failure, constipation, lumbago derived from diet, nerve paralysis, prostatomegaly, itchiness, hemorrhoids, athlete's food, and bowel cleansing.
• FIG. 1 is a side view showing a conventional ankle pump exercise device, which was filed before the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 25, 2003 and assigned Serial No. 2003-58901.
• the conventional ankle pimp exercise device includes a guide frame 10, a foot receiving section 20, a conveyance unit, and an ankle supporter 60.
• the guide frame 10 is vertically installed on a base.
• Two guide frames 10 are provided corresponding to two legs of a user.
• the conveyance unit is installed in the guide frame 10.
• the conveyance unit includes a moving frame 52 directly coupled to the foot receiving section 20 so as to move up and down along the guide frame 10, a guide wheel 44 rotatably mounted on an upper portion of the guide frame 10, a driving wheel rotatably mounted at a lower portion of the guide frame 10, a belt 46 for transferring force between the driving wheel 42 and the moving frame 52 through the guide wheel 44, and a driving unit 32 for selectively transferring driving force to the driving wheel 42.
• the driving unit 32 generates driving force and transfers the driving force to the moving frame 52 through the driving wheel 42, the belt 46 and the guide wheel 44, thereby moving the moving frame 52 up and down.
• the user can perform the ankle pump exercise.
• the moving frame 52 includes a support rod 54 coupled to a body of moving frame 52.
• the support rod 54 is connected to the body of the moving frame 52 through a joint section such that the support rod 54 can move forward and backward directions.
• the support rod 54 is provided at an end portion thereof with a bending section for supporting the foot receiving section 20.
• the joint section includes a torsion spring 56 so as to allow the support rod 54 to rotatably move in a predetermined direction.
• the user must know a way to use the ankle pump exercise unit in order to effectively perform the ankle pump exercise.
• the user may not be taught the way to use the ankle pump exercise unit. That is, the user must personally learn the way to use the ankle pump exercise unit. Thus, the user is not assured of whether it is the right way to use the ankle pump exercise unit.
• the ankle pump exercise device shown in FIG. 1 can solve the above problem, it has a large volume and a taller-height, so the ankle pimp exercise device is not adaptable for home use.
• the ankle pump exercise device shown in FIG. 1 has a complex structure so an operation thereof is complicated and a malfunction or an error may occur due to interference between parts thereof. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
• the present invention has been made in view of solving the above- mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic apparatus for ankle pump exercise enabling a user to readily perform ankle pump exercise even if the user does not lift and drop user's legs by himself.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for ankle pump exercise allowing unskilled users to effectively perform ankle pump exercise by automatically guiding a way to use the apparatus for ankle pimp exercise.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus ankle pump exercise allowing a user to effectively use the apparatus for ankle pump exercise at home or in hospital.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for ankle pump exercise , which can be stably operated in a small volume and a simple structure while minimizng an error thereof.
• a n apparatus for ankle pump exercise comprising: a base; a driving unit installed on the base; a rotating shaft rotated by receiving driving force from the driving unit; an intermittent driving unit installed between the driving unit and the rotating shaft so as to intermittently transfer the driving force of the driving unit to the rotating shaft; a leg supporter fixed to the rotating shaft so as to lift and thereafter drop a leg of a user at a high speed while rotating together with the rotating shaft; and an ankle supporter installed on the base so as to support an ankle part of the leg of the user when the leg falls down with the leg supporter.
• the base is horizHitally aligned on a floor.
• the driving unit and the rotating shaft are aligned on the base in parallel to each other.
• the intermittent driving unit is installed between the driving unit and the rotating shaft so as to transfer driving force.
• the rotating shaft intermittently receives driving force from the driving unit. If the driving unit does not transfer the driving force to the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft rotates freely.
• the leg supporter is coupled with the rotating shaft so that the leg supporter lifts the leg of the user while rotating together with the rotating shaft and drops the leg of the user when the rotating shaft freely rotates in the opposite direction.
• the ankle supporter is installed on the base so as to support the ankle part of the leg of the user when the leg falls down with the leg supporter at a high speed as well as lifts up by the leg supporter.
• the driving unit, the rotating shaft and the leg supporter are positioned below the leg of the user so the apparatus for ankle pump exercise does not occupy a large space letting it portable and easy to be kept.
• the apparatus for ankle pump exercise is stably operated in a small volume and a simple structure while rninimiang an error thereof.
• FIG. 1 is a side view showing a conventional apparatus for ankle pump exercise
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a first embodiment of the present invention
• FIGS. 3a and 3b are side views for explaining an operation of an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a first embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a second embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a torque transferring section of an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a second embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a third embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an ankle supporter of an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode [30]
• Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a first embodiment of the present invention
• FIGS. 3a and 3b are side views for explaining an operation of an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
• the apparatus for ankle pump exercise 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a base 110, a driving unit 120, a rotating shaft 130, an intermittent driving unit 140, a leg supporter 150 and an ankle supporter 160.
• the base 110 is fiorixHitalry installed on a floor.
• the driving unit 120, the rotating shaft 130 and the ankle supporter 160 are mounted on the base 110.
• a damping member 112 is attached to a lower surface of the base 110 so as to dampen shock caused by an ankle pump exercise action.
• the driving unit 120 generates driving force by receiving power from an external power source.
• a control unit 170 is installed on the base 110 in order to control power and an operation mode of the driving unit 120.
• the rotating shaft 130 is mounted on the base 110 in parallel to a shaft of the driving unit 120. Both ends of rotating shaft 130 are supported by means of a shaft supporting section 132.
• the shaft supporting section 132 includes a roller bearing or a journal bearing for smoothly rotating the rotating shaft 130.
• the driving unit 120 and the rotating shaft 130 are coupled to each other through the intermittent driving unit 140.
• the intermittent driving unit 140 includes first and second gears 142 and 144, which are intermittently engaged with each other so as to intermittently transfer driving force.
• the first gear 142 has a diameter smaller than that of the second gear 144.
• the first gear 142 has gear teeth, which are irregularly formed around an outer peripheral portion of the first gear 142. That is, the first gear 142 is provided at the outer peripheral portion thereof with a non-tooth area.
• the second gear 144 has gear teeth, which are regularly formed around an outer peripheral portion of the second gear 144.
• the leg supporter 150 is welded to the rotating shaft 130.
• the leg supporter 150 supports legs of a user and lifts up the user's leg after the rotating shaft 130.
• a cylindrical rolling part 152 is mounted at a center of the leg supporter 150 so as to support the legs of the user when the legs of the user are lifted up.
• the ankle supporter 160 is installed on the base 110 corresponding to an ankle of the user.
• the ankle supporter 160 supports the ankle of the user falling down onto the ankle supporter 160.
• the ankle supporter 160 instantly stops the downward movement of the ankle of the user, thereby improving an effect of the ankle pump exercise.
• a damping plate 162 is attached to a lower surface of the ankle supporter 160 so as to dampen shock applied to the ankle of the user.
• the ankle supporter 160 is in the form of convex up thereof with a curvature in a size of about 6 to 15cm.
• the driving unit 120 generates driving force in a counterclockwise direction so that the first and second gears 142 and 144 rotate accordingly. Since the first gear 142 is engaged with the second gear 144, the second gear 144 may rotate together with the first gear 142. As the second gear 144 rotates, the rotating shaft 130 rotates in a clockwise direction, so the leg supporter fixed to the rotating shaft 130 rotates together with the leg supporter 150, thereby lifting up the leg of the user.
• the control unit 170 may control an operation and driving force of the driving unit 120 so as to adjust the number and time of ankle pump exercise.
• the user can perform the ankle pump exercise while exchanging one leg with other leg after the ankle pump exercise for one leg has been completed.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a second embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a torque transferring section of the apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
• the apparatus for ankle pimp exercise 200 includes a base 210, a driving unit 220, a rotating shaft 230, an intermittent driving unit 240, leg supporters 250, ankle supporters 260, and a torque transferring unit 280.
• the base 210 is horixHitally installed on a floor.
• the driving unit 220, the rotating shaft 230 and the ankle supporters 260 are mounted on the base 210.
• the driving unit 220 generates driving force by receiving power from an external power source.
• a control unit 270 is installed on the base 210 in order to control power and an operation mode of the driving unit 220.
• the rotating shaft 230 is mounted on the base 210 in parallel to a shaft of the driving unit 220. Both ends of rotating shaft 230 are supported by means of a shaft supporting section 232.
• the shaft supporting section 232 includes a roller bearing or a journal bearing for smoothly rotating the rotating shaft 230.
• the driving unit 220 and the rotating shaft 230 are coupled to each other through the intermittent driving unit 240.
• the intermittent driving unit 240 includes first and second gears 242 and 244, which are intermittently engaged with each other so as to intermittently transfer driving force.
• the first gear 242 has a diameter smaller than that of the second gear 244.
• the first gear 242 has gear teeth, which are irregularly formed around an outer peripheral portion of the first gear 242. That is, the first gear 242 is provided at the outer peripheral portion thereof with a non-tooth area.
• the second gear 244 has gear teeth, which are regularly formed around an outer peripheral portion of the second gear 244.
• Each of the leg supporters 250 has a substantially ' c ' shape and both ends thereof are provided with shaft bosses 254 so as to allow the leg supporters 250 to be rotatably fixed to the rotating shaft 230.
• the leg supporters 250 can rotate about the rotating shaft 230 by means of the shaft bosses 254.
• two leg supporters 250 are coupled to the rotating shaft 230 as above.
• a key slot 284 is formed in the rotating shaft 230 between two leg supporters 250.
• a key slot 286 is formed in the shaft boss 254 adjacent to the key slot 284.
• a T-shaped key 282 is provided between key slots 284 and 286, which are longitudinally aligned.
• the T-shaped key 282 moves in left and right directions along a key slot 234 formed in the rotating shaft 230 so as to selectively couple the shaft bosses 254 to the rotating shaft 230. That is, the torque transferring unit 280 may select one of the leg supporters 250 according to a position of the T-shaped key 282, so the user can exchange legs by changing the position of the T-shaped key 282.
• the leg supporters 250 coupled to the rotating shaft 230 can lift up the leg of the user by receiving driving force from the driving unit 220. Both ends of the leg supporter 250 are fixed to the rotating shaft 230 and a cylindrical rolling part 252 is mounted at a center of the leg supporter 250 so as to support the legs of the user when the legs of the user are lifted up.
• the ankle supporter 260 is installed on the base 210 corresponding to an falling ankle of the user.
• the ankle supporter 260 supports the ankle of the user falling down onto the ankle supporter 260.
• the ankle supporter 260 instantly stops the downward movement of the ankle of the user, thereby improving an effect of the ankle pump exercise.
• a damping plate 262 is attached to a lower surface of the ankle supporter 260 so as to dampen shock applied to the ankle of the user.
• the ankle supporter 260 is in the form of convex up thereof with a curvature in a size of about 6 to 15cm.
• the driving unit 220 generates driving force so that the first and second gears 242 and 244 rotate. Since the first gear 242 is engaged with the second gear 244, the second gear 244 may rotate together with the first gear 242. As the second gear 244 rotates, the rotating shaft 230 rotates together with the leg supporters 250, thereby lifting up the leg of the user.
• the legs of the user may drop onto the ankle supporter 260 so that ankles of the user are stopped and supported by means of the ankle supporters 260. In this manner, the ankle pump exercise is repeatedly carried out.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• the apparatus for ankle pump exercise 101 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is identical to a structure, in which a pair of apparatus for ankle pump exercise 100 according to the first embodiment is symmetrically aligned except control unit 170.
• control unit 170 the same reference numerals are used to refer the same elements and repeated explanation thereof will be omitted in order to avoid redundancy.
• the apparatus for ankle pump exercise 101 includes a base 110. Pairs of driving units 120, rotating shafts 130, intermittent driving units 140, leg supporters 150 and ankle supporters 160 are symmetrically mounted on the base 110.
• Driving force generated from the driving unit 120 is transferred to the leg supporter 150 by way of first and second gears 142 and 144 and the rotating shaft 130, thereby lifting up legs of the user.
• a control unit 170 is installed on the base 110 so as to control power and an operation mode of the driving unit 120.
• the rotating shafts 130 and the intermittent driving units 140 are connected to the two driving units 120.
• the control unit 170 can select one of the driving units 120 so as to perform the ankle pump exercise with respect to one leg, and then, select the other of the driving units 120 so as to perform the ankle pump exercise with respect to the other leg.
• Both ends of the rotating shafts 130 are supported by means of shaft supporting sections 132.
• the leg supporters 150 are welded to the rotating shafts 130.
• Cylindrical rolling parts 152 are mounted at centers of the leg supporters 150 so as to support the legs of the user when the legs of the user are lifted up.
• Each of the intermittent driving unit 140 includes first and second gears 142 and 144.
• the first gear 142 has a diameter smaller than that of the second gear 144.
• the first gear 142 has a non-tooth area.
• the ankle supporters 160 are installed on the base 110 corresponding to ankles of the user.
• the ankle supporters 160 support the ankles of the user falling down onto the ankle supporters 160.
• the ankle supporters 160 instantly stop the downward movement of the ankle of the user, thereby improving an effect of the ankle pump exercise.
• a damping plate 162 is attached to a lower surface of the ankle supporter 160 so as to dampen shock applied to the ankle of the user.
• the ankle supporter 160 is in the form of convex up thereof with a curvature in a size of about 6 to 15cm.
• the control unit 170 selects one of two driving units 120 or alternately operates two driving units 120, while controlling the driving force and operating time of the driving unit 120.
• the user can perform the right ankle pimp exercise according to a programmed operation mode by using the automatic apparatus for ankle pimp exercise 101 while lying on a floor with a comfortable posture.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an ankle supporter of an apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• the ankle supporter has various shapes and structures according to embodiments thereof.
• the ankle supporter 360 may include a plurality of support members coupled with each other. That is, the ankle supporter 360 includes a semicircular upper member 361 making contact with the ankle of the user, a middle member 363 detachably attached to a lower surface of the semi-circular upper member 361, and a lower member 365 installed on a base and detachably attached to a lower surface of the middle member 363.
• the semi-circular upper member 361 is formed at a center of the lower surface thereof with a slot 371 having a reverse-trapez ⁇ d shape.
• the middle member 363 is formed at a center of the lower surface thereof with a slot 373 having a reverse-trapexrid shape.
• the middle member 363 is formed at a center of an upper surface thereof with a protrusion 381 having a reverse-trapea ⁇ d shape corresponding to the slot 371, so that the protrusion 381 is slidably inserted into the slot 371.
• a protrusion 385 having a reverse-trapea ⁇ d shape is formed on a center of an upper surface of the lower member 365 corresponding to the slot 373, so that the protrusion 385 is slidably inserted into the slot 373.
• the number of the middle members 363 may increase, if it is necessary to increase the total height of the ankle supporter.
• the apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to the present invention operates by means of mechanical power, so the user can readily perform the ankle pump exercise even if the user does not lift or drop the user's leg by oneself.
• a rehabilitant can effectively use the apparatus for ankle pump exercise according to the present invention.
• the apparatus for ankle pimp exercise allows unskilled users to effectively perform the ankle pump exercise by automatically guiding a right way to use the apparatus for ankle pimp exercise.
• the apparatus for ankle pump exercise enables users to effectively use the apparatus for ankle pump exercise at home or in hospital.
• the ankle pump exercise apparatus can be stably operated in a small volume and a simple structure while minimizng an error thereof.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

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• 2003
  • 2003-11-24 KR KR1020030083432A patent/KR100469996B1/ko active IP Right Grant
• 2004
  • 2004-10-14 WO PCT/KR2004/002633 patent/WO2005049150A1/en active Application Filing

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