Balance re-trainer

• US 7,086,996 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2001
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medica Medizintechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Medica Medizintechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Matjacic, Zlatko, Sinkjaer, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/311,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20030181299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,883 Days
• Field of Search: 482/69, 482/148, 482121-129, D12/130, 472/1, 135/67
• US Class Current: 482/69
• 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 for supporting an individual with a limited liability to maintain his or her on balance has a pair of vertical support rods connected to a base by joints which include lower elastic parts tending to bias the user into an upright position. The two support rods are connected by a brace for supporting the pelvis of the user and knee supports are provided between the two support rods for yieldably pressing the knees of the user.

Claims

1. A balance training apparatus comprising

a base;

two vertical supporting rods, each connected at a lower end to said base by a joint having two degrees of freedom;

a brace for supporting the pelvis of a user standing between the two vertical supporting rods, the brace being connected to an upper end of each of the vertical supporting rods by a joint having one degree of freedom allowing mutual movement between the brace and the vertical rods in a plane of the two vertical rods,

means for biasing comprising a lower elastic part on at least one of the vertical rods and connecting a semi-rigid upper part of one of said rods to said base for biasing the user towards an upright position when deviating therefrom in a frontal plane as well as in a sagittal plane of the user, said lower elastic part constituting the joint between the base and the lower end of said one of said rods; and

an adjustment device for adjusting the stiffness of the lower elastic part.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the two vertical rods has a respective said lower elastic part connecting said semi-rigid upper part of the respective rod to the base and connecting the joint therebetween as well as biasing the user toward the upright position.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the elastic parts are connected to respective vertical helical springs.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising respective limitators for limiting the angle of inclination from vertical for each of the vertical rods.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the adjustment device configured to adjust the stiffness of the lower elastic part by adjusting an effective length thereof.

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

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

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising locking means for temporarily locking each of the vertical rods in a vertical position.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the locking means are connected to the sleeves and are displaced together therewith.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising knee supports arranged to support the front side of both legs of the user near an upper end of the shanks, the knee supports being arranged to follow the movements of the user in the frontal plane as well as in the sagittal plane.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the knee supports are compliant.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the compliance of the knee supports is adjustable.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising sensors for measuring the inclination of in the frontal plane as well as in the sagittal plane of the vertical rods and producing an output.

14. A balance training apparatus comprising two vertical supportive rods, each connected at a lower end to a base by a joint having two degrees of freedom, a brace for supporting the pelvis of a user standing between the two vertical supporting rods, the brace being connected to an upper end of each of the vertical supportive rods by a joint having one degree of freedom allowing mutual movement between the brace and the vertical rods in a plane of the two vertical rods,

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

compliant knee supports arranged to support the front side of both legs of the user near an upper end of the shanks, the knee supporting means being arranged to follow the movements of the user in the frontal plane as well as in the sagittal plane.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the compliance of the knee supports is adjustable.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the knee supports are connected to at least one of the vertical rods.