ES2882555T3 - Apparatus for exercising the lower extremities of the human body - Google Patents

Abstract

Exercising device for the lower extremities of the human body that, from a motor group and by means of connecting rods, transmits back and forth movement to a pair of supports that support the user's feet. The power unit is housed in a grease-sealed compartment sitting on a rubber base plate fixed to the base of the apparatus. The drive shaft is a worm shaft that engages in a toothed wheel attached eccentrically to a set of connecting rods that is fixed to one of the two arms (9) of the apparatus with the capacity to rotate with respect to a fixed central axis (12), and which are fixed by fixing pins (11), located at the ends, to two supports (10). Both the central pin (12) and the fixing pins (11) of each arm (9) have bushings with bearings. radial and sit on respective axial bearings.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Apparatus for exercising the lower limbs of the human body

Object of the invention

The present invention, as expressed in the title of this descriptive memory, refers to an apparatus for exercising the lower limbs of the human body, in order to reactivate and improve blood flow, improving the cardiovascular system and, in general, the user health.

The device is of special application for those elderly and sick people who have affected the motor capacity of their lower extremities, as well as for people who must remain bedridden, as the device can be adapted to a chair or a hospital bed.

Technical problem to be solved and background of the invention

As is known, physical exercise is essential to maintain a good state of health, so that although certain work activities bring with them the necessary practice of physical exercise, however, the number of people who must remain seated in their place is increasing. of work, during practically the entire working day, carrying out exclusively intellectual work, with practically no physical exercise, especially at the level of their lower extremities.

This lack of physical activity has a negative impact on the person's health over time, producing situations of discomfort, fatigue, back pain, neck pain, leg pain, etc.

These situations can be resolved by carrying out physical exercise outside of the working day, so that certain people dedicate time every day, as is advisable, to walking, running, practicing certain sports that require daily training or going to gyms. , while other groups of people do physical exercise, basically on holidays as they have more free time and, finally, there are many people who, due to lack of time or desire, do not do any physical exercise.

On the other hand, we can indicate that, being the practice of the simple exercise of walking one of the most recommended, those who practice it are a large minority. As an alternative, many people regularly attend a gym to perform high-intensity exercises using various specific devices focused on strengthening the body and the upper and lower extremities.

In any case, during the working day, the lack of specific means that allow their use, not to improve, but to maintain physical condition, are focused on passive means, such as static footrests in which the support of the legs is simply allowed. feet to adopt a comfortable and correct position. An existing element on the market, although very unusual, consists of dynamic footrests, which allow the support of the feet and transmit a movement to them.

Thus, we can cite the patent documents ES2178590, EP1350500 of the same holder as the present invention, which describe a footrest to exercise the legs while the user is in a sitting position and which is essentially based on a pair of support supports for the legs. feet to which a back and forth movement is transmitted. This invention, however, due to its configuration and structure, although very useful, produces certain noises and vibrations that are very annoying for the user and his environment. Moreover, when the user is at work, which makes its use quite inappropriate.

Description of the invention

In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the drawbacks mentioned above, the present invention describes an apparatus for exercising the lower extremities of the human body in which, from a motor unit, reciprocating movement is transmitted to a pair of support supports of a user's feet. The apparatus comprises a grease-sealed compartment housing the motor unit, sitting on a rubber base plate fixed to the base of the apparatus, the drive shaft of which is defined by a worm gear meshing with a toothed wheel. In turn, the toothed wheel is attached, eccentrically, to one end of a first rod which, at the other end, is attached, being able to rotate, to one end of a second rod. This, in turn, at the other end, is fixedly attached to one end of a third rod which, at the other end, is attached to one end of a fourth rod which, at the other end, is attached to one of the arms. of a pair that, being able to rotate with respect to a central axis, are fixed by fixing axes, located at the ends, to both support supports for the user's feet.

Each of the supports has a first hub that houses the central shaft with the interposition of a pair of first radial bearings and that sits on a first axial bearing that is, in turn, seated on a first radial projection located in proximity to one end of the central axis. This end of the central shaft is extended with a threaded segment that goes through a seat and is fixed by means of a nut, leaving the seat fixed to the base. of the apparatus.

In the same way, each end of each arm has a second bushing that houses a fixing shaft with the interposition of a second radial bearing and that sits on a second axial bearing that is seated on the upper base of a second radial projection of the fixing shaft. This second radial projection, at its lower base, sits on the arm itself, while the fixing pin extends through the arm in a threaded segment that is fixed by means of a nut.

The second bushings of the pair of arms and the first bushings of the pair of supports have an internal recess on which respective retaining washers are seated together with elastic rings, fixing the fixing pins and the central pins.

The supports on which the user's feet rest have a peripheral projection on which an accessory element configured with a general plan similar to that of the support and provided on the perimeter with an "L"-shaped projection that defines a recess can be attached. female to fit the perimeter projection of the supports. At its external base and close to one of the smaller sides, it is equipped with a curved projection to support the user's feet. On both larger sides it has a pair of slotted orthogonal projections facing each other two by two for the incorporation of a through Velcro® strap for fastening the user's feet.

The device, on its external support base, can have a first pair of fixed blocks and a second pair of adjustable blocks, so that if the user wears shoes with heels, he or she is in a more comfortable position.

Brief description of the figures

To complete the description of the invention and in order to help a better understanding of its characteristics, according to a preferred embodiment of the same, a set of drawings is attached where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, they have been represented the following figures:

- Figure 1 represents a plan view of the apparatus for exercising the invention where the top cover has been removed to display the elements that compose it.

- Figure 2 represents a view of the motor unit and the different rods responsible for transmitting the movement to the user's foot support supports.

- Figure 3 represents a side view of the exercise device where the side cover has been removed to be able to view the elements that compose it.

- Figure 4 represents an enlarged view of the mechanism marked in figure 3.

- Figure 5 represents a plan view of an accessory element to be placed on each of the support supports to be placed on the feet of a user.

- Figure 6 represents a side view of the exercise apparatus adapted to an armchair.

- Figure 7 represents an enlargement of the exercise apparatus adapted to the chair shown in Figure 6. - Figure 8 represents a side view of the exercise apparatus with a tilting mechanism.

A list of the references used in the figures is provided below:

1. Engine unit.

2. Seat plate.

3. Endless.

4. Toothed wheel.

5. First rod.

6. Second rod.

7. Third rod.

8. Fourth rod.

9. Arms.

10. Supports.

11. Fixing axes.

12. Central axes.

13. First hub.

14. First radial bearing.

15. First thrust bearing.

16. First radial projection.

17. First elastic ring.

18. First retaining washer.

19. Seat.

20. Apparatus base.

21. Second hubs.

22. Second radial bearing.

23. Second thrust bearing.

24. Second radial boss.

25. Second elastic ring.

26. Second retaining washer.

27. Highlight.

28. Accessory element.

29. Outgoing.

30. Curved highlight.

31. First wing.

32. Second wing.

33. Skirt.

34. Fixed blocks.

35. Adjustable blocks.

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

Considering the numbering adopted in the figures and, as shown in figure 1, the exercise apparatus of the invention comprises a closed compartment that houses a motor unit (1) whose base sits on a base plate (2), preferably Made of rubber, with the aim of absorbing the vibrations and noises produced in the movement, elements that are so annoying both for the user of the device and for the people in the environment. The rubber base plate (2) is fixed by screws to the base of the motor unit (1) and to the base of the apparatus (20).

In this way, as shown in figure 1 and, more clearly in figure 2, the closed compartment houses the drive shaft of the motor, defined by a worm screw (3), which meshes with a toothed wheel (4). From an eccentric point of the toothed wheel (4) four rods (5, 6, 7, 8) are joined consecutively by their ends, as shown in figure 2. The first rod (5) is articulated to the wheel (4 ) and to the second rod (6). The second rod (6) is fixedly attached to the third rod (7) and both have the possibility of rotating around a fixed pin that joins them. In this way, the rotary movement of the wheel (4) is converted into an angular reciprocating movement in the third rod (7). The fourth rod (8) is articulated to the third rod (7) at one of its ends.

The closed compartment incorporates a grease in which the endless driving shaft (3), the toothed wheel (4) geared to it, the first rod (5), the second rod (6) and the shaft that joins it to the third rod (7), which allows to reduce the possible noise that may be produced, a better functioning of the motor unit (1) and to avoid the accumulation of dirt.

As shown in figure 3, the device also comprises two parallel supports (10) to support the user's feet that are joined by each of the ends of a pair of parallel arms (9) by means of both fixing axes ( 11) that can rotate. The arms (9) are fixed by both central shafts (12) to the casing of the apparatus, so that they can rotate.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the movement of the supports (10) is carried out by joining the fourth rod (8), at its free end, to one of the arms (9) in an area close to one of its ends.

In this way, when the motor is activated, the rotation of the worm drive shaft (3) causes the rotation of the toothed wheel (4) and, with it, the movement of the rods (5, 6) that cause the rotation to and fro, according to the angle XX shown, of the third rod (7). The angular back and forth movement of the third rod (7) is converted into an alternative movement of the fourth rod (8) which, through the arms (9), is converted into an alternative movement of the supports (10) which makes that, due to the fixation of the central axes (12), while one of the supports (10) moves in one direction, the other support moves in the opposite direction.

The fixing of the ends of the arms (9) in the supports (10) produces friction when moving which is normally accompanied by noise. One of the objects of the present invention is to avoid these noises.

To do this, as shown in figure 3 and, more clearly, in the enlargement of figure 4, the arms (9) incorporate a first hub (13) that houses a pair of first radial bearings (14) that adjust in the central axis (12), which passes through the first hub (13). At the same time, the first hub (13) sits on a first axial bearing (15) that is arranged on a first radial projection (16) that incorporates the central axis (12). This, in turn, rests on a seat (17) that is fixed to the internal base (20) of the apparatus by means of screws.

The end of the central axis (12) that is close to the radial projection (16) is threaded and passes through the seat (19) to be fixed by means of a nut that is housed in a hole made in the seat (19) for this purpose.

The central axis (12) is fixed to the arm (9), at its opposite end, by having a first elastic ring (17) and a first retaining washer (18).

On the other hand, the union of the arms (9) to the support supports (10) is materialized by means of second bushings (twenty-one). Each of the second bushings (21) houses a second radial bearing (22) in which a fixing shaft (11) fits and sits on a second axial bearing (23) that is arranged on a second radial projection (24) incorporating the fixing shaft (11) in order to support the weight of the user's legs and reducing motor consumption, as well as reducing noise.

According to Figure 4, it can be seen how the aforementioned fixing axes (11) are attached to the ends of the pair of arms (9) and are anchored by respective nuts, while, at the other end, the aforementioned axes (11) incorporate second elastic rings (25) that through second retaining washers (26) are fixed to the supports (10) that support the user's feet. This figure shows how the retaining washers (26) sit in a small recess that the second bushings (21) have, as well as the first bushing (13).

As can be seen in figure 3, the supports (10) for supporting the user's feet have a small projection (27) on their upper base and around the perimeter, so that when the device is going to be adapted to a reclining chair , as shown in figure 6, or to a hospital bed, an accessory element (28) will be placed based on a platform with dimensions similar to the supports (10) and equipped with an "L"-shaped perimeter projection (29). " which defines a female recess that will receive the projection (27), as seen in figure 7, remaining fixed with the possibility of disassembly.

Also, as shown in figure 5, the aforementioned accessory element (28) has on its external face and in proximity to one of its smaller sides a curved projection (30) in which the user, when lying down, you can place the heel to support the foot and, with a Velcro® strap or similar, hold the user's foot, which represents an important advantage. To do this, the accessory element (28) has, on both larger lateral sides, at least one slotted projection, in an orthogonal position, which, in a preferred execution, are present in number of two facing each other through which some tapes will pass. respective velcro® in order to tie the user's feet.

The adaptation of the exercise device to a reclining chair is carried out by means of a square structure, so that by a first wing (31) it is fixed to the skirt (33) of the recliner and by a second wing (32) the exercise apparatus is assembled, as shown in figures 6 and 7, being able to observe how the square structure has a mechanism that allows the tilting of both wings (31, 32) with respect to each other to adapt it to the needs of the user .

Figure 7 shows in detail the exercise apparatus with the square structure for adaptation to be mounted on a reclining chair or a hospital bed, having shown the motorized tilting mechanism between the wings (31, 32) of the conventional type. Likewise, we can observe how the accessory element (28) has been incorporated into the supports (10) to the exercise apparatus.

On the other hand, the support base of the exercise device has a pair of fixed blocks (34), arranged on the side closest to the user in use, and a pair of adjustable blocks (35) that, for example, can be some threaded screws, located on the opposite side farthest from the user so that if the user wears shoes with heels, the inclination of the device can be adjusted, making its use more comfortable. This can be seen depicted in Figure 8, where the curved highlight has been removed for clarity. The two adjustable blocks (35) can be based on threaded screws. The fixed blocks (34) and the adjustable blocks (35) are preferably non-slip.

Figure 6 shows a real application of the invention, where the apparatus for exercising the lower limbs object of the invention has been adapted to the reclining chair that has a tilting backrest and skirt (33). The back of the chair also incorporates, at least on one of the sides, although preferably on both sides, an apparatus for exercising the upper extremities, which is protected by document ES2499815 of the same owner as the present invention.

Finally, it should be noted that the present invention should not be limited to the embodiment described here. Other configurations can be made by those skilled in the art in view of the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (4)

1. An apparatus for exercising the lower extremities of the human body, where a back and forth movement is transmitted from a motor unit (1) to a pair of supports (10) on which the feet of a user rest, where the apparatus understands: - a closed compartment that incorporates grease that houses the motor unit (1), seated on a rubber base plate (2) fixed to the base of the apparatus (20), whose drive axis is defined by an endless screw (3 ), which meshes with a toothed wheel (4), which is attached eccentrically by means of a shaft to one end of a first rod (5) which, at the other end, is attached, being able to rotate, to one end of a second rod ( 6) which, in turn, at the other end, is fixedly attached to one end of a third rod (7) which, at the other end, is attached to one end of a fourth rod (8) which, at the other end, it is fixed to an arm (9) from a pair of arms (9) that can rotate around a central axis (12), and both arms (9) of the pair are fixed by fixing axes (11), which are located at the ends, to the respective supports (10) where, - each of the supports (10) has a first hub (13) that houses the central shaft (12) with the interposition of a pair of first radial bearings (14) and that sits on a first axial bearing (15) seated on a first radial projection (16) located at one end of the central axis (12), end that extends with a threaded segment that passes through a seat (19) and is fixed by means of a nut, fixing the seat (19) to the base of the apparatus (20); - each end of each arm (9) has a second bushing (21) that houses a fixing shaft (11) with the interposition of a second radial bearing (22) and that sits on a second axial bearing (23) seated on the upper base of a second radial projection (24) of the fixing pin (11), whose lower base sits on the corresponding arm (9) and the fixing pin (11) extends through the arm (9) in a segment threaded and fixed by an additional nut; where, - the second bushings (21) of the pair of arms (9) and the first bushings (13) of the pair of supports (10) have an internal recess on which respective retaining washers (18, 26) sit together with elastic rings (17, 25), fixing the fixing pins (11) and the central pins (12). 2. The apparatus for exercising the lower limbs of the human body, according to claim 1, characterized in that the supports (10) have a perimeter projection (27) and the apparatus comprises an accessory element (28) configured with a general profile similar to that of the support (10) and provided peripherally with an "L"-shaped projection (29) that defines a female recess to fit the perimeter projection (27) of the support (10) and to be able to couple the accessory element (28) to the device while, on its external base, the accessory element (28) is equipped with a curved projection (30) on one of the smaller sides and on both larger sides it has a pair of orthogonal slotted projections facing each other two by two. 3. The apparatus for exercising the lower extremities of the human body, according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus, on its external support base, has a first pair of fixed blocks (34) and a second pair of adjustable blocks (35). ). 4. The apparatus for exercising the lower extremities of the human body, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a mechanical adhesive tape with hooks and loops that pass through the slots of the orthogonal projections facing each other on both sides of the accessory element ( 28).