FR2841463A1 - Boot sole walking simulator has fluid filled sole with electromagnetic actuators applying successive pressure along sole of foot - Google Patents

Abstract

A boot sole walking simulator has a fluid filled sole (1) with magnet units in the upper part activated successively by a control chip (6) in three groups by rechargeable (9) battery (5) driven electromagnets in the bottom. A boot sole walking simulator has a fluid filled sole (1) with magnet units in the upper part activated successively by a control chip (6) in three groups by rechargeable (9) battery (5) driven electromagnets in the bottom. Includes an INDEPENDENT CLAIM for the provision of muscle stimulation electrodes (8) under the control of the same chip (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a gait simulation device

  applicable on the sole of a user's foot.

  The invention also relates to a shoe equipped with such a device.

  The invention will particularly find its application in the paramedical or medical field to solve the problems of venous stasis caused by the lack of walking or movement in people who

  remain stationary for a long time.

  This venous stasis can ultimately encourage the appearance of varicose veins.

  As a solution to venous stasis, we have already thought of making an inflatable sleeve which surrounds the foot and which helps repel the blood from the plantar ballot.

towards the leg veins.

  We also thought of making a shoe whose sole has electrodes to stimulate the muscles of the foot and thus repel blood

  to the heart via the leg veins.

  Various drugs are also known which improve the

blood circulation.

  The solutions currently proposed in the state of the art are not entirely satisfactory. In particular, electrode systems are complex and

  do not have complete autonomy.

  The invention presented here overcomes the drawbacks of the techniques known up to now and has the advantage of being able to be

  Completely autonomous without peripheral equipment.

  By virtue of its autonomy, the device according to the invention can be used by

anyone and anywhere.

  It can be used by people who work standing or sitting all day, those who make long journeys by plane, train or car, or

  again by people who are bedridden or in a wheelchair.

  Other objects and advantages will appear during the description which follows

  of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is not, however, limiting.

  The present invention relates to a gait simulation device applicable to the sole of a user's foot, characterized in that it has pairs of magnetic members facing each other with opposite polarities, that at least one of the members of each pair can be activated by control means to bring the members closer according to the activation state; and that it includes a sole whose internal volume is filled with a fluid and in the upper part of which is integrated a magnetic member of each pair and in the lower part of which is integrated the other magnetic member of each pair, in order to do

  pressure on a part of the sole of the foot depending on the state of activation of the organs.

  According to preferred variants, this device is such that: * the pairs of magnetic members consist of: - a permanent magnet - an electromagnetic coil supplied by a source of electrical energy E the source of electrical energy is a accumulator placed in the thickness of

the sole.

  the control means include an electronic chip controlling

  the electrical supply of the coils.

  a it comprises at least one muscle stimulation electrode a the fluid is a viscous liquid, conductor of electrical energy and incompressible. a the pairs of organs are formulated in three groups along the length of the sole, the pairs of a group are activated simultaneously and the groups

are activated successively.

  The invention also relates to a shoe characterized in that it

  includes a gait simulation device.

  The attached drawings are given by way of examples and are not limitative of the invention. They represent only one embodiment of the invention and

  will make it easy to understand.

  Figure 1 is a general view of the device of the invention.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a shoe sole equipped with the device of the invention. Figures 3a to 3c illustrate three successive phases of operation of the

device of the invention.

  Referring to Figure 1, the simulation device proposed here can be

  integrated in a sole 1 that can be attached to a shoe.

  By way of example, the sole is made of a resistant elastic material of the rubber type. Its upper part 2, where the foot rests, is quilted so as to

  make it comfortable and antiperspirant.

  The lower part 3 which rests in the user's shoe is

advantageously non-slip.

  This lower part 3 is flexible and relatively thick (5 mm).

  Still with reference to FIG. 1, it has been illustrated that the upper parts 2 and

  s lower 3 are not contiguous so that a space is generated between the two.

  This space defines an interior volume in which a fluid can be placed. This fluid is viscous, conductive of electrical energy and incompressible. he

  may in particular be glycerin.

  It is also possible to use the thickness of the sole and more particularly the lower part 3 to position different operating members of the device. Thus, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the lower part 3 receives two accumulators 5, a socket for recharging the accumulators 9, a switch 7, control means in the form of an electronic chip 6, an electrical outlet for

the connection of an electrode 8.

  The device of the invention is capable of causing pressure on the sole of the foot of a user. This pressure allows blood circulation and more

  especially the rise of blood to the heart.

  To this end, the present device is able to simulate the walking of a user by

  causing successive pressures on different areas of the sole.

  In particular, the device is able to apply pressure first on the heel

  then on the plantar vote, then on the front end of the soles of the feet.

  For this purpose, the device presents pairs of magnetic members making

face with reverse polarities.

  FIGS. 1 to 3 show pairs of members 4a, 4b of this type.

  In each pair of organs, there is a permanent magnet 4a and an electromagnetic coil 4b powered by a source of electricity such as

accumulators 5.

  Control means are also provided for activating the electromagnetic coil. When the coil 4b is crossed by an electric current, it acquires a reverse magnetization to the permanent magnet 4a. Therefore, the magnet 4a sticks to the electromagnetic coil 4b. Thus, when the coils 4b of two groups of pairs of members are crossed by an electric current, the magnets 4a of these two groups stick to the corresponding coils 4b. We will then observe a repression of the viscous liquid towards the zone of the third group which will swell and will be able to exert a pressure on the zone of the sole of the foot.

  of the user on which it relies.

  At the same time as the activation of the coil 4b, it is advantageous to carry out electrical muscle stimulation at the level of the user's calf. To this end, the device further comprises an electrode 8 capable of being connected to the

  level of a socket and electrically powered by accumulators 5.

  The delivery of the electrical pulse by the electrode 8 is also

  controlled by the control means which include the electronic chip.

  The control means and a particular distribution of the pairs of members in several groups allow the realization of an operating cycle of the device. As shown in Figures 3a to 3c, sets of pairs are produced

  organs into three separate groups.

  A first group of pairs of organs is formed at the heel of the user, a second at the level of the plantar vote and a third at the level of

  the front part of the soles of the feet.

  In each of these groups, the pairs of organs 4a, 4b, are activated simultaneously. Initially, the chip controls the electromagnets constituted by the coils 4b located under the plantar vote and under the front part of the plant of the

  feet so that the magnets 4a are pressed against the coils 4b which face them.

  The viscous and incompressible liquid contained in the thickness of the sole is then discharged towards the part located at the heel as shown in FIG. 3a. Due to the elasticity of the upper part of the sole, the area under the heel will then swell and compress the veins in this area. This compression will be followed by stimulation of the calf thanks to the electrode 8 which is also

  managed by the chip 6 and powered by the accumulators 5.

  Secondly and as shown in FIG. 3b, the chip 6 controls the coils 4b located at the heel and at the front end of the

  soles so that they are pressed against the corresponding magnets 4a.

  The liquid can then swell the part of the sole located under the vote

  plantar and thus compress the veins in this area.

  As in the first phase, stimulation of the calf follows.

the electrode 8.

  Finally, in a third step presented in FIG. 3c, the chip 6 controls the coils 4b situated at the level of the plantar vote and the heel to attract the magnets 4a which come to stick to it. The liquid then flows back to the part of the sole located under the soles of the feet, in the front part. The veins of the soles of the feet, at this level, are then

  compressed. The electrode 8 then stimulates the calf.

  It is possible to adjust the frequency of this operating cycle by

  1o via a potentiometer 10 located in the part of the heel of the shoe.

  The cycle thus presented in three stages can be reproduced in numerous

  repeats until user stop command at switch 7.

REFERENCES

  1. Sole 2. upper part 3. Lower part 4a, 4b. pair of components 5. Accumulator 6. chip 7. switch 8. electrode 9. charging socket 1 0. potentiometer 11.12.

13 Groups

Claims (8)

  1. A device for simulating walking applicable to the sole of a user's foot, characterized in that it has pairs of magnetic members (4a, 4b) facing each other with opposite polarities, which at least one (4b) of the members of each pair is electromagnetic and can be activated by control means to bring the members (4a, 4b) closer according to the activation state; That it includes a sole (1) whose internal volume is filled with a fluid io and in the upper part (2) of which is integrated a magnetic member (4a) of each pair and in the lower part (3) of which is integrated the other electromagnetic member (4b) of each pair, in order to put pressure on a part of the sole of the foot according to the state of activation of the organs (4a, 4b).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pairs of magnetic members (4a, 4b) consist of: - a permanent magnet (4a) - an electromagnetic coil (4b) supplied by a source d 'energy electric.   3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the source of electrical energy is an accumulator (5) placed in the thickness of the sole (1).   4. Device according to any one of claims 2 or 3   characterized by the fact that the control means comprise an electronic chip (6)   controlling the electrical supply to the coils (4b).   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized by the fact   That it has at least one muscle stimulation electrode (8).   6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized   by the fact that the fluid is a viscous liquid, conductor of electrical energy and incompressible.   7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized   by the fact that the pairs of organs (4a, 4b) are formulated in three groups (11, 12, 13) along the length of the sole (1), that the pairs (4a, 4b) of a group (11 , 12, 13) are activated simultaneously and that the groups (11, 12, 13) are successively activated.   8. Shoe characterized in that it comprises a device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.