WO2014136136A1

WO2014136136A1 - Hydromassage gymnastic apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014136136A1
Application number: PCT/IT2014/000068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Caroline Joy BRETT; Ernesto ASCANI
Original assignee: Tecser Onyx S.R.L.
Priority date: 2013-03-08
Filing date: 2014-03-07
Publication date: 2014-09-12
Also published as: ITAN20130053A1

Abstract

A hydromassage gymnastic apparatus (1) comprises a tank (2) provided with: a bottom wall (3), pressurised fluid supply outlets (4), and side walls (5t, 5I) supporting the outlets (4) and together with the bottom wall (3) delimiting a cavity (6) for accommodating the user, which is intended to contain water into which the outlets (4) emit the fluid. A motor-driven conveyor (7) is positioned in the cavity (6) on top of the bottom wall (3) and is provided with an actuator unit (8), movable along a longitudinal line (Y) of the apparatus (1) and designed to support the user positioned with his lower limbs immersed in the water in the tank (2). Control and management means (10; 10c) for the conveyor (7) control the motorised driving of the actuator unit (8), causing the user to walk on the spot in the cavity (6) of the tank (2). The outlets (4) selectively direct the fluid onto specific anatomical areas of the limbs of the user, having a hydromassage action on them which is coordinated with the walking.

Description

DESCRIPTION

HYDROMASSAGE GYMNASTIC APPARATUS

Technical field

This invention generally relates to gymnastic exercises of the human body for physical training, maintenance of wellbeing and of body efficiency in general. This may be for aesthetic reasons and/or play reasons, as well as for sports preparation or preventive and/or rehabilitative physiotherapy. More particularly, the invention relates to a hydromassage gymnastic apparatus for the tower limbs of a person.

Background art

It is known that a combination of exercise, performed in water, and simultaneous hydromassage of the limbs gives the body of the user an extensive set of benefits which, mainly, involve: increased muscle tone, speeded up basal metabolism, reactivation of blood drcutation, lymphatic drainage action, improved muscle elasticity, improved skin tonicity, reduced unsightly cellulite and a better figure.

Within that combined context of gymnastic exercise and Irydromassage there is already a known solution in the name of the Applicant consisting of hydromassage gymnastic exercise equipment comprising a hydromassage tank, in which a piece of exercise equipment consisting of an exercise bike is located and immersed.

However, there is no prior art equipment which allows the combination of gymnastic exercise of the ambulatory type with hydromassage of the lower limbs, except the known method of temporarily sinking a magnetic treadmill in the water of any generic swimming pool in such a way as to alow the user to stand on the bat and, remaining with his body more or less immersed in the water, to push backwards the belt which is subject to a braking action by magnets. The braking resistance of the belt is regulated by moving the magnets towards or away from a flywheel by means of an adjusting command applied using a knob. Such a method involves many limitations and disadvantages.

In fact, concerning gymnastic exercise, the magnetic treadmill only has a passive resistance action, mainly static, substantially allowing only a unidirectional thrust Moreover, it prevents the user from performing any aerobic activity similar to the action of walking, and, still less, similar to a run, even a jog, on the treadmill.

Regarding hydromassage, this is quite approximate both in terms of direction and intensity, being greatly and negatively affected by a significant variability of random factors which interfere with the correct dynamics of the operating fluid. Amongst these factors, significant ones are the actual distance between the hydromassage fluid supply outlets and the position of the treadmill; the extent of the mass of water variably present in the pool; the geometry of the pool, of its walls, and the size of the pool which may vary on each occasion.

A further negative aspect is the fact that, with general, even if sequential, use of a pool, the water used substantially remains the same, except for its quantity being topped up as time passes. That may not always be appreciated by most users. Disclosure of the invention

The aim of this invention is to provide an apparatus for individual use in which gymnastic exercise and hydromassage are summed together in the form of two simultaneous activities which, although being of different types, are targeted and closely complement one another with reference to the specific anatomy of the user so that together they ccfitribute to the achievement of the maximum synergy necessary to satisfy the needs of the user, or the specific needs of each dmerertt user who can access and use the apparatus.

Within the scope of that aim, a further aim of the apparatus is to also provide maximum sanitariness for use if multiple users are to use it one after another, if the apparatus is used for example in a sports, beauty or medical centre, or in any case in a centre for the public.

A further aim of the apparatus is to use the quantity of water as close as possible to that strictly necessary in order to perform its function. All of that to aUow: a complete change of water after each use; maximum sanitisation of the apparatus; minimum water consumption; and minimum energy expenditure for thermal treatment of the water. This, as well as the advantage of minimising running costs, also allows a reduction in the wait time between one use of the apparatus and the next On one hand this make use of the apparatus attractive for users and, on the other hand it makes management of the apparatus economically advantageous within a centre for general access where it can be installed.

Brief description of the drawings

In accordance with said aims, the solution is achieved by an invention whose technical features are described in one or more of the appended claims and whose advantages are more apparent in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an example, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation assembly view, in cross-section, of the apparatus according to this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation view of the apparatus of the previous figures;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus in a condition of use;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the geometry of a first detail of the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the geometry of a second detail of the invention. Detailed description off preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, in Figure 1 the numeral 1 denotes a hydromassage gymnastic apparatus in its entirety.

The apparatus 1 basically comprises a tank 2 and a conveyor 7 contained in a structural casing labelled 16 as a whole.

More particularly, the tank 2 is provided with a bottom wall 3 and with side walls 5t, 51 which, bordering the bottom wall 3, in combination form an inner cavity 6 of the tank 2 intended to contain water.

The tank 2 is provided with pressurised fluid supply outlets 4 supported by the side walls 5t, 51 of the tank 2 and which introduce the pressurised fluid into the water contained in the cavity 6.

Inside the cavity 6 and, on top of the bottom wall 3, is the conveyor 7, which is independently motor-driven from the outside and which is provided with an actuator unit 8, movable along a longitudinal line Y of the apparatus 1.

When using the apparatus 1, the user is housed in the cavity 6, with his lower limbs at least immersed in the water in the tank 2 and standing upright on the conveyor 7, as shown in Figure 4.

The apparatus 1 also comprises control and management means 10 for the apparatus 1 which control the motorised driving of the actuator unit 8 of the conveyor 7. The control means 10 require the user - and depending on an exercise program preset and selectable, for example from a programmable console 10c - to wafl on the spot, in the cavity 6, and to do so at a oontroled speed determined by the speed of motorised driving of the actuator unit 8, and to do so using the lower limbs within the mass of water contained in the tank 2.

Simultaneously with the walking in the water, the user receives from the pressurised fluid, supplied by the outlets 4, a hydromassage action applied to the tow limbs and selectively directed at their clearly delimited and specific anatomical areas in such a way as to apply to them a massage coordinated with the motor activity and with the specific needs of the user. In other words, the hydromassage and the gymnastic exercise can be combined with each other, in different ways, depending whether or not the programme is for rehabilitation, sports and/or wellbeing training, or an aesthetic body treatment.

Figure 2 shows in more detail how the inner cavity 6 of the tank 2 has its own elongate shape in plan view, with the larger dimension along the longitudinal line Y, and the smaller dimension corresponding to a transversal Kne X

Regarding the geometric height extension of the cavity, that is to say, its extension along the vertical line Z, comparative observation of Figures 1 and 2 reveals how said inner cavity 6 is delimited by at least one pair of said side walls 5t which are transversal to the longitudinal line Y, and which are oblique relative to the vertical line Z.

Taking into consideration, as a reference element, the posture adopted by the user when using the apparatus 1, it should be noticed that the transversal wall St which is the most oblique coincides with the transversal wall in front of the user. Said wall is angled backwards and curved so that its shape complements the anatomical extension space of the lower limbs of the user walking on the spot inside the tank, on top of the actuator unit 8 of the conveyor 7.

The wall 5t behind the user which is transversal to the fine Y has a similar set-up. However, in that case, as Figure 1 dearly shows, the rear transversal wall 5t is leaning forwards, is substantially straight and is angled with a smaler slant relative to the vertical kne 7L

To summarise, as shown in Figure 5, the inner cavity 6 of the tank 2 has a shape similar to a solid body which is substantialy frustopyramidal with a rectangular base, having a pair of side walls which are longitudinal 51 relative to the longitudinal line Y and having a pair of side walls 5t which are transversal to the kxxjitudinal fine, the latter being oblique relative to the vertical line Z and one of t em, preferably the front one, being curved. Such a shape of the tank inner cavity 6 advantageously allows calibration of the tank volumetric capacity, and therefore its water content, on the user anatomical extension space, a space which is enclosed within the volume of the geometric solid of Figure 5.

Such a shape allows the following: first, an advantage consisting of a sort of calibration of the resistance offered by the water to walking, and second, another advantage consisting of minimising water consumption, limiting it to what is strictly necessary so as to keep water consumption involved in apparatus 1 operation low, limiting its energy requirements for water thermal treatment, and finally, reducing the time for preparation of the apparatus between one use and the next, which advantageously minimises the wait time for each user who uses the apparatus 1 at a centre with general access.

The conveyor 7 is preferably made in the form of a treadmill, which in particular comprises an actuator unit 8 comprising a continuous belt 13 looped between two rollers 17, 18, one of which is motor-driven, and having branches 14s, 14i, respectively extending in the two directions of the longitudinal line Y.

When the user is on the upper branch 14s of the belt 13 the front part of the lower limbs of the user is opposite the front oblique and curved transversal wall 5t of the cavity 6 and the rear part of his legs is opposite the rear transversal wall 5t.

Since both the front transversal wall 5t and the rear transversal wal St support the pressurised fluid outlets 4, simultaneously wih watong the user receives pulses of pressurised fluid at various heights both on the front part and on the rear part of his lower limbs, pulses which along the imb cause a oombined, gradual pressure action, proceeding rhythmically from the bottom upwards, sonuteneously with the anatomical movement of the imb caused by the gynviasbc exercise.

As shown in Figure 6, the apparatus is provided with a door 15 to facilitate user access to the inner cavity 6 of the tank 2. The door 15 may be located in one of the side walls 51, 5t of the tank 2 and can be reached by means of several steps 19.

Preferably, said access door 15 is located in the rear side wall 5t and as shown in Figure 6 is designed to support at least some of the pressurised fluid supply outlets 4. Obviously, all of that without the intrinsic opening and dosing mobiSty of the door 15 compromising correct operation of the outlets 4, or the pipes which supply them and the service accessories. The invention described above fulfils the aims of this invention.

That is to say, the apparatus 1 allows gymnastic exercise and hydromassage to be combined in a highly synergistic way, modulated depending on user requirements.

In fact, it should be noticed that through modulation of the speed of running of the belt 8 of the conveyor 7, it is possible to modulate ttie intensity of the effort to which the lower limbs of the user are subjected, also taking into account the resistance to the articulation of the limbs applied by the water and, if necessary even contributions adding to and subtracting from said resistance, caused by the pressurised flow supplied by the outlets 4.

It should also be noticed that the shape, dimensions of the tank 2 and the water content of the tank aHow pre-setting of the intensity of the resisting force appSed by the water of the tank 2 to wafting and therefore, they allow correlation of said resisting force with the speed of the belt 8 in a precise, accurately repeatable and programmable way.

As regards the hydromassage action, the presence of the outlets 4 distributed vertically on the side walls of the tank 2 alows graduation, for example, of the angle of the jet of pressurised fluid on the various anatomical zones of the limbs. It is also possible to graduate the flow rate of the pressurised fluid, and to coordinate the massaging action with the speed of the belt 8, making said action gradually extend - at walking pace - from the anatomical areas closest to the feet to those which are highest, such as the thigh and buttock.

In terms of hygiene, the complete change of water between one use and the next of the apparatus 1 provides high level guarantees even if the apparatus 1 is used in a public centre. Regarding water and energy consumption, the apparatus 1 is designed to minimise expenditure of such resources.

The invention described above is susceptible of industrial application and may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A hydromassage gymnastic apparatus comprising a tank (2) provided with a bottom wall (3), pressurised fluid supply outlets (4), and side wads (5t 5 which support the outlets (4) and which together with the bottom wall (3) delimit an inner cavity (6) for accomniodatfng the user and intended to contain water into which the outlets (4) emit the pressurised fluid; the apparatus (1) being characterised in that it comprises a motor- driven conveyor (7), positioned in the cavity (6) on top of the bottom wall (3) of the tank (2), the conveyor being provided with an actuator unit (8) movable along a longitudinal line (Y) of the apparatus (1) and designed to support the user positioned with his lower limbs at least partly immersed in the water in the tank (2); and control and management means (10; 10c) for the conveyor (7) which control the motorised driving of said actuator unit (8), causing the user to walk on the spot in the cavity (6) of the tank (2), at a controlled speed; and in that said outlets (4) supply the fluid into the water of the cavity of the tank (2), selectively directing it onto specific anatomical areas of the limbs of the user, having a hydromassage action on them which is coordinated with the walking.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that said inner cavity (6) of the tank (2) has an elongate shape in plan view, with the larger dimension along the longitudinal ine (Y), and me sinalcr dimension corresponding to a transversal line (X).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in mat said inner cavity (6) is delimitated by at least one pair of said side walls (5t) which are transversal to said longitudinal line (Y), and at least one (5t) of which is oblique relative to a vertical line (Z), said at least one oblique transversal wall (5t) being angled in such a way as to complement the shape of the anatomical extension space described, at least with reference to said longitudinal ine (Y), by the tower limbs of the user waking on the actuator unit (8) of the conveyor (7).

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said inner cavity (6) has the shape of a solid body which is substantially firustopyramidal with a rectangular base and having a pair of longitudinal side walls (5I), and a pair of side walls (5t) transversal to said longitudinal line (Y), at least one of the transversal side walls (5t) being oblique relative to the vertical line (Z).

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said actuator unit (8) of the conveyor (7) comprises a continuous belt (13), having branches (14s, 14i), respectively extending in the two directions of said longitudinal line (Y).

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises two of said side walls (5t), which are opposite one another and transversal to said longitudinal line (Y), said side walls (5t) respectively supporting said pressurised fluid outlets (4).

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that K comprises a door (15) for accessing the inner cavity

(6) of the apparatus (1), the door being positioned in at least one of the side walls (51, 5t) of the tank (2).

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that said access door (15) is supported by one of said side walls (5t) of the tank (2) which are transversal to the longitudinal Gne (Y) of the apparatus (1).

9. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said access door (15) is positioned in a side wall (5t) of the tank (2) which is behind the user, with reference to the posture adopted by the user during use of the apparatus (1 ).

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that said access door (15) supports at least some of said pressurised fluid supply outlets (4).