WO2021024210A1

WO2021024210A1 - Genu-varum corrective exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021024210A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/057418
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masha SAJADPOUR; Mahshad DAMARI; Marjan INANLOO
Original assignee: KORDI, Tahere
Priority date: 2019-08-06
Filing date: 2020-08-05
Publication date: 2021-02-11

Abstract

A corrective exercise apparatus for a leg alignment disorder correction of a user comprises a seat, a game board, a right pedal configured to place a right knee of the user, and a left pedal configured to place a left knee of the user, the pedals are located on two sides of the game board, wherein an applied pressure of the knees or the legs of the user on the pedals configured to control the game board.

Description

Genu-Varum Corrective Exercise Apparatus

The present disclosure application claims priority from IR Patent Application, Application No 139850140003003991, filed on August 06, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present disclosure is related to a corrective exercise apparatus to correct a leg alignment disorder, and more particularly, related to a corrective exercise apparatus to correct a Genu-Varum utilizing a corrective movement.

Legs do not function properly when they have musculoskeletal disorders so that these disorders affect the knees, pelvis, and spine.

When a leg alignment is abnormal it causes some disorders that affect the angle of knees or ankles. Genu-Varum and Genu-Valgum are two common knee angular deformity that result in an abnormal leg alignment. In Genu-Varum the lower leg is angled inward in relation to the thigh's axis, giving the limb overall the appearance of an archer's bow while a Genu-Valgum is a condition in which the angle of knees in and touch each other when the legs are straightened.

Different factors play a role in causing Genu-Varum that include weight gain, Blount's disease, metabolic diseases such as osteomalacia, genetic factors, and the like. In some region, since most people have vitamin D deficiency, osteomalacia is a more prevalent factor. Weakness in the outer hamstring muscle (biceps femoris muscle) or shortness in the inner hamstring muscle (semitendinosus and semimembranosus), as well as tear in the lateral collateral ligament of the knee can also cause Genu Varum. Genu-Varum can occurs in a period of the life of any child, especially before the age of two. This disease can occur in newborns, children in school ages, and teenagers. This disorder has the highest rate of prevalence in very obese children. Genu-Varum commonly does not cause pain, but a prolonged bow condition can cause irritations in thighs or cause pain in knees or ankles due to increase of stress in these joints.

Two of the most exploited treatments include corrective movements and surgery. Surgery can cause undesirable side effects such as the fracture of removal of parts of bones during surgery, osseous infection, neural damage, or the risk of using metal staples in the leg, as well as heavy treatments costs for families, and lead to a frequent return to healthcare centers plus orthopedic and physiotherapy centers. Therefore, this disease can be treated by working out and corrective movements without causing any side effects or complications. This disease is considered normal before the age of two and a half years, and treatment and performing corrective movements are recommended for children after the age of three. Moreover, since bone plates start to close after the age of six, the time period between the age of three and six is recommended for performing the corrective movements. Since children cannot be forced to perform severe movements, fussiness causes the treatment of the child to cease and bring about problems in later stages of life. Hence, the combination of an effective corrective movement and a purposeful game, which enhances the willingness and interest of children through higher appeal and variety of games, decrease the treatment duration and can make the process of treatment desirable through performing corrective movements continuously. Therefore, a development of an apparatus that has this combination together is required to correct a leg alignment, specially Genu-Varum.

This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this application, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of this patent may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

In one general aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an exemplary corrective exercise apparatus to correct a leg alignment disorder of a user. The exemplary corrective apparatus may comprise a seat, a game board, a right pedal may configure to place a right knee of the user, and a left pedal may be configured to place a left knee of the user. Also, the pedals of the exemplary apparatus may be located on two sides of the game board such that an applied pressure of the knees of the user on the pedals may be configured to control the game board.

The above general aspect may have one or more of the following features. In an exemplary implementation, the game board may be located in front of the user. In an exemplary implementation, the exemplary apparatus may further comprise at least two wires and at least two springs such that the wires and springs may be located on a bottom surface and at two sides of the game board. In an exemplary implementation, the wires may be configured to connect the springs to the pedals. In an exemplary implementation, a downward movement of the pedals may be configured to incline the game board to a left side or a right side. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the right pedal toward to the left pedal may be configured to move the game board to the right side. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the left pedal toward to the right pedal may be configured to move the game board to the left side. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the right pedal away from the left pedal may be configured to move the game board to the right side. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the left pedal away from the right pedal may be configured to move the game board to the left side. In an exemplary implementation, the game board may be a maze game, including parallel routes, holes, a final destination, and a ball. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the right and left pedals toward to each other may be configured to stop the ball on the game board. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the right pedal toward to the left pedal may be configured to move the ball to a right side of the game board. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the left pedal toward to the right pedal may be configured to move the ball to a left side of the game board. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the right and left pedals away from each other may be configured to stop the ball on the game board. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the right pedal away from the left pedal may be configured to move the ball to the right side of the game board. In an exemplary implementation, a movement of the left pedal away from the right pedal may be configured to move the ball to the left side of the game board. In an exemplary implementation, the game board may be interchangeable. In an exemplary implementation, the game board may produce a sound. In an exemplary implementation, the game board may be a video game. In an exemplary implementation, a distance between the seat and the game board, a height of the game board, a height of the seat, a distance between the pedals to the board game, and/or a slope of the game board may adjust according to a physical condition and an age of the user. In an exemplary implementation, the leg alignment disorder may be a Genu-Varum or a Genu-Valgum disorder.

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

Fig.1A

illustrates an isometric view of a corrective exercise apparatus to correct a leg alignment disorder a user, consistent with one or more exemplary of the present disclosure.

Fig.1B

illustrates a front view of a corrective exercise apparatus for to correct a leg alignment disorder of a user, consistent with one or more exemplary of the present disclosure.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known methods, components, elements, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.

The following description is of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure describes an exemplary corrective exercise apparatus to correct a leg alignment disorder, especially Genu Varum. In this disclosure, the exemplary corrective exercise apparatus may be designed base on the knowledge and data related to the Genu-Varum and evidences available for corrective movements. Some benefits from utilizing exemplary apparatus described within the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, diminishing Genu-Varum in younger ages and moreover, creating willingness and interest for children to perform corrective movements using hereof. In fact, this apparatus may be attempted to improve the willingness and acceptability of children to perform corrective movements to prevent Genu-Varum before the age of bone growth is over. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, this apparatus may admittedly use to prohibit this osseous disorder facilely in younger ages to prevent the necessity of surgery.

Through the science of ergonomics and psychology and understanding the physical and physiological conditions of children between the age of three and six, it was discovered that children start to sit behind desks, walk, run, and play games that commonly involve high mobility in this period. Hence, in an exemplary embodiment, the corrective exercise apparatus may comprise a position configured to sit a user accompanied by a desk in front of the subject, and the user may apply the corrective exercise apparatus at home by performing the corrective movements of Genu-Varum while sitting and drawing the knees close to each other. In this exemplary embodiment, the corrective exercise apparatus further may engage the knees while playing and the corrective movements that fundamentally may correct the Genu-Varum by utilizing a purposeful game that increases the balance and concentration of the user. In an exemplary, the user may be a child, an adolescent, a young person, or an adult. In an exemplary embodiment, the child may be in age of about three to six.

Fig.1 A illustrates an exemplary isometric view of the exemplary corrective exercise apparatus 100 to correct a leg alignment disorder a user, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments. Fig.1B illustrates an exemplary front view of the exemplary corrective exercise apparatus 100 to correct a leg alignment disorder a user, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary corrective exercise apparatus 100 may comprise a seat 101, a game desk 102, a game board 105, and two pedals, a right pedal 10 4 may configure to place a right knee of the user and a left pedal 10 3 may configure to place a left knee of the user, on the two sides of the game desk such that located near two knees of the user such that the user can control the game desk 102 by utilizing the knees and putting a pressure on two

pedals

103,104 and play while performing corrective movements and drawing the knees closer to each other In an exemplary embodiment, the user may be able to locate the knees on the positions assigned for legs and knees while sitting on the seat, and then may place the hands on two

handles

106,107 on two sides of a board of the game desk 102 while have a clear and vivid sight on a first surface of the game board 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise two wires and four springs 108, the springs 108 may be placed on the game desk 102 and under the board game 105 between a first surface of the game desk 102 and a second surface of the game board 105 on two corner sides of the game desk 102 and the game bord 105 such that the springs 108 may be connected to the

pedals

103,104 by utilizing the wire so that when each knee applies the force, the wire connected to the knee pedal may move downward and may cause the springs stretching, so that the game board 105 may be able to incline to a left side or a right side. In an exemplary embodiment, a movement of the right pedal toward the left pedal because of an applied pressure of the user's right knee may be configured to tilt the game board 105 to the right side. In another exemplary embodiment, a movement of the left pedal toward the right pedal due to applying a pressure utilizing the left knee may be configured to tilt the game board 105 to the left side. In an exemplary embodiment, the game desk 102 may be located under the game board 105.

In an exemplary embodiment, the game board 105 which may be located in front of the user may be a maze game, including parallel routes, specified holes, and a small ball, in which the user guides the ball to the right route by drawing each of the knees closer to each other and passes the ball over the holes to reach a final destination while by a movement of the right knee toward the left knee, the ball may tilt to a right side of the game board 105, and in a case of a movement of the left knee toward the right, the ball may incline to a left side of the gam board 105. In this exemplary embodiment, a movement of the right pedal and the left pedal towards each other may be stopped the ball on the game board 105.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plinth under a second surface of the game desk 102 may comprise a shaft 109 such that a first surface of the shaft 109 directly may be connected to the second surface of the game desk 102, a height regulator shaft 110 which a first surface of the height regulator shaft 110 may be connected to a second surface of the shaft 109 such that the height regulator shaft 110 may move within the shaft 109 to adjust a height level in a perpendicular direction of the desk 102, a base connector shaft 111, and a desk base bar 112 that a first surface of the base connector shaft 111 may be coupled to a second surface of the height regulator shaft 110 and a second surface of the base connector shaft 111 may be coupled to a middle position of the desk base bar 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the height regulator shaft 110 may be configured to adjust a height level from the second surface of the game desk 102 to the desk base bar 112.

In an exemplary embodiment, the seat 101 may comprise a perch 113, a coupling shaft 114, a seat height regulator shaft 115, and a seat base bar 116.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the

knee pedals

103 or 104 may be connected through a horizontal bar 117 that may configure to join to a middle of the

knee pedals

103 or 104 and a shaft connecting part 118 that may be configure to join to the horizontal bar 117 to the shaft 109 of the game desk 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire that may configure to connect the springs 108 to the

knee pedal

103, 104 may be located inside the horizontal bar 117 and the shaft connecting part 118 or may be directly connected from the

knee pedals

103 and 104 to the springs 108.

In an exemplary embodiment, the corrective exercise apparatus 100 may further comprise a desk base connector bar 119, a desk distance regulator bar 120 such that the desk base connector bar 119, the desk distance regulator bar 120 may configure to connect the desk base part 112 to the seat base part 116,and a foot pedal 121 that may be located on a top surface of the desk base connector bar 119 may configure to place soles of the feet on a top surface of the foot pedal 121.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the corrective exercise apparatus 100 to correct Genu Varus in children accompanied by play for diminishing the bow leggedness disorder in children (three to six years) may include the seat components 101, the game board 105, the

handles

106 and 107, and two

pedals

103,104 for knees or legs.

In an exemplary embodiment, the board game 105 may incline towards a right side by a movement of a right pedal, and the board game 105 may incline towards a left side by a movement of a left pedal. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the pedals are drawn towards each other simultaneously, the game board 105 may be place in a horizontal flat position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the corrective exercise apparatus 1 00 may be configured to correct a Genu-Valgum disorder of a user. In an exemplary embodiment, the user may be able to locate the knees on the positions assigned for legs and knees (the pedals 103,104) while sitting on the seat 101, and then may place the hands on two

handles

106,107 on two sides of a board of the game desk 102 while have a clear and vivid sight on a first surface of the game board 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise two wires and four springs 108, the springs 108 may be placed between a first surface of the game desk 102 and a second surface of the game board 105 such that the springs 108 may be connected to the

knee pedals

103,104 by utilizing the wire so that when each knee applies the force, the wire connected to the knee pedal may move downward and may cause the springs stretching, so that the game board 105 may be able to incline to a left side or a right side. In an exemplary embodiment, a movement of a right knee of the user away from a left knee of the user may configure to tilt the game board 105 to the right side while a movement of the left knee away from the right knee may configure to tilt the game board 105 to the left side. In an exemplary embodiment, a simultaneously movement of the right and the left side away from each other may configure to put the game board 105 in the horizontal flat position. In an exemplary embodiment, the game desk 102 may be located under the game board 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the user may be a child, an adolescent, a young person, or an adult. In an exemplary embodiment, the child may be in an age of two to six.

In an exemplary embodiment, the game board 105 which may be located in front of the user may be a maze game, including parallel routes, specified holes, and the small ball, in which the user guides the ball to a certain route by drawing one of the knees away from the other knee and passes the ball over the holes to reach a final destination while by a movement of the right knee away from a left knee, the ball may tilt to a right side of the game board 105, and in a case of a movement of the left knee away from the right, the ball may incline to a left side of the game board 105. In this exemplary embodiment, when both knees are moved away from each other, the ball may be stopped on the game board 105.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the board game 105 may be interchangeable and may be changed according to an age of a user, a visual appeal, and like. In an exemplary embodiment, changing colors or producing sounds may be possible for the game board 105. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, a video game may be utilized on the game board 105.

In one or more embodiment of the present disclosure, a distance between the seat 101 and the game desk 102, a height of the game desk, a slope of the game board 105, and a height of the seat 101 may be adjustable according to a physical condition and also an age of a user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, utilizing the corrective exercise apparatus 100 may lead to continuity in performing the corrective movements and may decrease a treatment duration. In addition, it may lead to raise focus on a coordination in a body muscle in a younger age and hence may increase a concentration and balance of the user in the future.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, utilizing the corrective exercise apparatus 100 may lead to improve a strength of a weak muscle around a knee.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the corrective exercise apparatus 100 may be made of a plastic, a wood, a metal, or other materials that are known by those skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, in a case of the maze game, the bord game 105 may be made of a plastic, a wood, a metal, a paper, a cardboard, and/or other materials that are known by those skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the maze game may be replaced with another game so that a specific movement of the game board may be a key factor in advancing the game.

In an exemplary embodiment, the corrective exercise apparatus 100 to correct a leg alignment disorder of a user may prevent a severe treatment procedure, especially for children, and exploiting games while treating a disorder intelligently, may create appeal and variety in a treatment procedure. Hence, a corrective movement may be performed continuously, and a treatment duration may decrease. Furthermore, due to focus on a coordination of a body muscle at a young age, a concentration and balance of the user may increase in the future.

In an exemplary embodiment, the game board 105 may be changed according to an age of the user, the game board 105 may be interchangeable for a continual appeal, the game board 105 may be changed for each age period, and it may be possible to change a color and produce a sound in the game board 105. In another exemplary embodiment, the game board 105 may also be designed in a digital mode.

In an exemplary embodiment, according to a physical condition and also an age of a user, a distance between the seat 101 and the game board 105, a height of the game board 105, a slope of the board 105, a height of the seat 101, an orientation of the

pedals

103, 104, a distance of pedals 103,104 to the board game 105, and an amount of a pressure that may be applied on the pedals 103,104 may be adjustable for the corrective exercise apparatus 100 as a gaming apparatus.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the corrective exercise apparatus 100 may further comprise a connection instrument such that the connection instrument may be configured to send a quality and a quantity of an activity of the user. in an exemplary embodiment, the connection instrument may comprise one or more processors, at least one memory, a charger port, a wireless connectivity, a connection port, and a data transferring platform. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection instrument may be, for example, not limited to, a computer, a smart-phone, a tablet, a smart watch, and other instruments that are known by those skilled in the art.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first, second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including, ” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, apparatus, or device that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, apparatus, or device. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that comprises the element. Moreover, “may”, “can” and other permissive terms are used herein for describing optional features of various embodiments. These terms likewise describe selectable or configurable features generally, unless the context dictates.

Claims

A corrective exercise apparatus to correct a leg alignment disorder of a user comprising:
a seat;
a game board;
a right pedal configured to place a right knee of the user; and
a left pedal configured to place a left knee of the user,
the pedals are located on two sides of the game board, wherein an applied pressure of the knees of the user on the pedals configured to control the game board.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the game board is located in front of the user.
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least two wires and at least two springs, wherein the wires and springs are located on a bottom surface and at two sides of the game board.
The apparatus of according to claim 3, wherein the wires are configured to connect the springs to the pedals.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a downward movement of the pedals is configured to incline the game board to a left side or a right side.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a movement of the right pedal toward to the left pedal is configured to move the game board to the right side.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a movement of the left pedal toward to the right pedal is configured to move the game board to the left side.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a movement of the right pedal away from the left pedal is configured to move the game board to the right side.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a movement of the left pedal away from the right pedal is configured to move the game board to the left side.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the game board is a maze game, the maze game including parallel routes, holes, a final destination, and a ball.
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a movement of the right and left pedals toward to each other is configured to stop the ball on the game board.
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a movement of the right pedal toward to the left pedal is configured to move the ball to a right side of the game board.
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a movement of the left pedal toward to the right pedal is configured to move the ball to a left side of the game board.
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a movement of the right and left pedals away from each other is configured to stop the ball on the game board.
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a movement of the right pedal away from the left pedal is configured to move the ball to the right side of the game board.
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a movement of the left pedal away from the right pedal is configured to move the ball to the left side of the game board.
The apparatus according to claims 1 and 3, wherein the game board is interchangeable.
The apparatus according to claims 1 and 3, wherein the game board produces a sound.
The apparatus according to claims 1 and 3, wherein the game board is a video game.
The apparatus according to claims 1 and 3, wherein a distance between the seat and the game board, a height of the game board, a height of the seat, a distance between the pedals to the board game, and/or a slope of the game board adjust according to a physical condition and an age of the user.
The apparatus according to claim 1, 3 and 10, wherein the leg alignment disorder is a Genu-Varum or a Genu-Valgum disorder.
The apparatus according to claim 1, 3 and 10, further comprising a connection instrument configured to send a quality and a quantity of an activity of the user.