Balance re-trainer

• US 20030181299A1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medica Medizintechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Medica Medizintechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Matjacic, Zlatko, Sinkjaer, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,086,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/146
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/00 Exercising apparatus not covered by groups A63B1/00 - A63B25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00

Abstract

A balance training apparatus is disclosed for supporting individuals with a reduced ability to maintain balance while standing, comprising means for biasing a user towards an upright position when deviating therefrom in two planes. The apparatus comprises a variable spring system that combines a 2-degrees-of-freedom joint with said biasing means into a single element in a simple and advantageous construction.

The apparatus comprises two vertical supportive rods connected to a base by said joints and a bracing for support of the pelvis of a user. The bracing is connected to the upper end of the rods by joints having one degree of freedom. The vertical rods has a lower, elastic part that connects a stiffer, upper part of the rod to the base and constitutes the joint there between as well as constitutes the biasing means.

Further is disclosed a balance training apparatus comprising compliant knee supporting means arranged to support the front side of the upper end of the shanks and following the movements of the individual in the said two planes, so as to assisting the knee extensor muscles for retraining purposes.

Claims

1. A balance training apparatus (1) comprising

two vertical supportive rods (6), each connected at a lower end to a base (3) by a joint (4) having two degrees of freedom,

a bracing means (7) suitable for supporting the pelvis of a user (2) standing between the two vertical supporting rods (6), the bracing means (7) being connected to an upper end of each of the vertical supportive rods (6) by a joint (5) having one degree of freedom allowing mutual movement between the bracing means (7) and the vertical rods (6) in the plane of the two vertical rods (6),

biasing means (12) for biasing the user (2) towards an upright position when deviating therefrom in a frontal plane as well as in a sagittal plane of the user (2),

characterised in that

at least one of the vertical rods (6) has a lower, elastic part (12) connecting a stiffer, upper part (13) of the rod (6) to the base (3) and constituting the joint (4) there between as well as constituting the biasing means (12), and that the apparatus further comprises

adjustment means (14) for adjusting the stiffness of the lower, elastic part (12).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the two vertical rods (6) has a lower, elastic part (12) connecting a stiffer, upper part (13) of the rod (6) to the base (3) and constituting the joint (4) there between as well as constituting the biasing means (12).

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic part is constituted by a vertical, helical spring (12).

4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising limitators (10) for limiting the angle of inclination from vertical for each of the vertical rods (6).

5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the adjustment means (14) may adjust the stiffness of the lower, elastic part (12) by adjusting the effective length thereof.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the adjustment means (14) for each vertical rod (6) comprises an outer mantle (14) arranged around the elastic part (12) with an inner, vertical surface of the mantle (14) fitting around the outer side of the elastic part (12), the mantle (14) being vertically displaceable such that the effective length of the elastic part (12) is adjusted thereby.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the limitators (10) define circular openings (17) through which the vertical rods (6) pass, and wherein the limitators (10) are connected to the mantles (14) and are displaced together therewith.

8. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising locking means (18) for temporarily locking each of the vertical rods (6) in a vertical position.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the locking means (18) are connected to the mantles (14) and are displaced together therewith.

10. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising knee supporting means (8) arranged to support the front side of both legs of the user (2) near an upper end of the shanks, the knee supporting means (8) being arranged to follow the movements of the user (2) in the frontal plane as well as in the sagittal plane.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the knee support means (8) are compliant.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the compliance of the knee supporting means (8) is adjustable.

13. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising sensor means (19, 20, 21) for measuring the inclination of in the frontal plane as well as in the sagittal plane of the vertical rods (6) and producing an output accordingly.

14. A balance training apparatus (1) comprising

two vertical supportive rods (6), each connected at a lower end to a base (3) by a joint (4) having two degrees of freedom,

a bracing means (8) suitable for supporting the pelvis of a user (2) standing between the two vertical supporting rods (6), the bracing means (8) being connected to an upper end of each of the vertical supportive rods (6) by a joint (5) having one degree of freedom allowing mutual movement between the bracing means (8) and the vertical rods (6) in the plane of the two vertical rods (6),

biasing means (12) for biasing the user (2) towards an upright position when deviating therefrom in a frontal plane as well as in a sagittal plane of the user (2),

characterised in that

the apparatus (1) further comprises compliant knee supporting means (8) arranged to support the front side of both legs of the user (2) near an upper end of the shanks, the knee supporting means (8) being arranged to follow the movements of the user (2) in the frontal plane as well as in the sagittal plane.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the compliance of the knee supporting means (8) is adjustable.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the knee supporting means (8) are connected to at least one of the vertical rods (6).