WALKING TRAINING SYSTEM

• US 20160158622A1
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: YAMAZAKI, Seisuke
• Granted Patent: US 9,782,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0092 for training agility or co-ordination of movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0094 for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/285 in cooperation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0064 Attachments on the trainee preventing falling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00

Abstract

A walking training system according to the present invention includes a belt conveyor on which a trainee walks, a frame, a sensor, and a control device. The frame, positioned on both sides of the belt conveyor, allows an assistant to place each of the feet thereon. The sensor measures the presence state of a foot on the frame. The control device determines whether there are three or more feet on the frame based on the measurement result of the sensor and, if it is determined that there are three or more feet, performs abnormal-time control.

Claims

1. A walking training system comprising:

a belt conveyor on which a trainee walks;

a pair of frames being positioned on both sides of the belt conveyor, one frame on each side, to allow an assistant to place each of both feet thereon;

a sensor configured to measure a presence state of a foot on the frame; and

a control device configured to

determine whether there are three or more feet on the frame based on a measurement result of the sensor and

perform abnormal-time control when the control device determines that there are three or more feet.

2. The walking training system according to claim 1 wherein

the sensor measures a load from a foot onto the frame and

the control device is configured to determine that there is a foot on the frame when the sensor measures the load.

3. The walking training system according to claim 2 wherein

the sensor measures a load distribution from the foot onto the frame and

the control device is configured to

determine that there are two feet when a length between two load distributions is longer than a predetermined length and

determine that there is one foot when the length between two load distributions is equal to or shorter than the predetermined length.

4. The walking training system according to claim 3 wherein

the sensor includes a plurality of load sensors each of which measures the load distribution from the foot onto the frame, and the plurality of load sensors are arranged close together on the frame within a predetermined range on a side in a direction opposite to a direction of movement of the trainee.

5. The walking training system according to claim 4 wherein

the sensor includes an ON/OFF sensor, the ON/OFF sensor being turned on when a foot is placed, and being turned off when a foot is not placed, in a part outside the range in which the plurality of load sensors are arranged on the frame and

the control device is configured to determine that there are three or more feet on the frame when the control device determines that there are two feet on the frame based on a measurement result of the plurality of load sensors and when the ON/OFF sensor is turned on.

6. The walking training system according to claim 1 wherein

the sensor includes a plurality of photo-electronic sensors, the photo-electronic sensors observing a boundary between the belt conveyor and the frame and

the control device is configured to determine that there is a foot on the frame if a blocking of light is detected by the photo-electronic sensors.

7. The walking training system according to claim 6 wherein

the control device is configured to

determine that there are two feet when a length of a blocked light is longer than a predetermined length and

determine that there is one foot when the length of the blocked light is equal to or shorter than the predetermined length.

8. The walking training system according to claim 1 wherein

the sensor includes at least one camera capturing the frame and

the control device is configured to determine that there is a foot on the frame when a foot is recognized by analyzing an image generated by the capturing by the camera.

9. The walking training system according to claim 1 wherein

the control device is configured to decelerate the belt conveyor or stops the belt conveyor as the abnormal-time control.

10. A walking training system comprising:

a belt conveyor on which a trainee walks;

a pair of frames being positioned on both sides of the belt conveyor, one frame on each side, to allow an assistant to place each of both feet thereon;

a sensor configured to measure a presence state of a foot on the belt conveyor; and

a control device configured to

determine whether there are three or more feet on the belt conveyor based on a measurement result of the sensor and

perform abnormal-time control when the control device determines that there are three or more feet.