EP3993883B1 - Exercise apparatus for exercising the neck muscles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a training device for training the neck muscles.

In order to prevent neck pain, degenerative changes in the cervical spine or occupational neck pain (for example in jet pilots, helicopter pilots or athletes), as well as to treat balance disorders and degenerative and traumatic neck pain, it is necessary to train the neck muscles. The movement of the cervical spine is extremely complex. The movement does not take place on an isolated axis, but in several planes with several degrees of freedom, which also change their position relative to each other during head movement. The physiological head rotation is therefore made up of the sum of a combination of rotation, lateral flexion and flexion/extension components of each individual vertebral body of the cervical spine that changes during the movement.

Known training devices for replicating the natural movement of the cervical spine are mechanically complex and large. They do not take into account the complex topology changes of the individual vertebral bodies during the physiological head movement of healthy people and the increased sensitivity or pain of the neck to load-dependent movements in sick people. Training with known purely mechanical constructions also usually requires the acceleration of considerable masses. The associated inertia runs counter to physiological training and can be perceived as unpleasant and unnatural.

Known training devices with electromagnetic force generation pose risks in the event that malfunctions and undesirable forces are exerted on the sensitive structures of the cervical spine of the person training. A design with purely mechanical (passive) force generation does not pose risks of this kind.

The US 2004/0 220 500 A1 shows a training device for diagnosing and training the cervical spine with a frame and a training mechanism attached to the frame, which can be coupled to a head holder. A cross slide provides two translation axes and is mounted on a rail so that it can be adjusted in height. The head holder is mounted on the cross slide via a pin, so that the head holder can be rotated about three rotation axes and translated along three translation axes with regard to the training mechanism.

The US 2004/0 033 863 A1 discloses an exercise machine which is adjustable in any direction in the x or x-plane. The exercise machine comprises a frame on which an arm is mounted in a height-adjustable manner, the arm being coupled to a first arch. A second arch is in turn coupled to rollers which are displaceable along the first arch, so that movement of the head holder along three translation axes and around two rotation axes is possible.

The US 6 551 214 B1 shows a training device for training the neck muscles. A seat is mounted on a frame, whereby the seat is adjustable along a first translation axis and is height-adjustable. In addition, the frame of the seat is connected to another frame on which a helmet is mounted.

The US 5,252,070 A discloses a flight simulator for determining the G-force acting on a pilot.

The US 5,928,117 A shows a training device in which a head can be accommodated in a head element in a frame and a rack. The Head element can be adjusted to different positions using different cables.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a training device which enables a physiologically effective training of the neck muscles and reduces or eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages.

The object is achieved by a training device with the features of claim 1. In particular, the training device for training the neck muscles has a frame and a training mechanism attached to the frame, which can be coupled to a coupling member that can be worn on or around the head of a person exercising. The training mechanism comprises a cross slide for providing two translation axes, with a rail that is height-adjustable and rotatable on the cross slide, such that the coupling member can be rotated about three rotation axes and translated along three translation axes by means of the training mechanism.

This enables a coupled movement of the neck muscles and the cervical spine and thus a physiological training of the neck muscles, in which a flexion/extension, lateral flexion and rotation movement can be trained with just one device. This enables free mobility of the cervical spine in all degrees of freedom for a physiologically desirable mobility.

In this case, it is particularly provided that the cross slide comprises a first slide and a second slide arranged orthogonally to the first slide and displaceable on the first slide. In addition, it is preferred if a translation means is present which is displaceably mounted on the first slide. This enables a translational movement of the coupling member along a first translation axis and a second translation axis arranged orthogonally to the first translation axis and thus a training of the neck muscles and/or the cervical spine along the first translation axis and the second translation axis. The translation means is preferably indirectly connected to the coupling element. In one embodiment, the two carriages can be arranged in the same plane, while in a second embodiment they can be arranged in two different planes. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, it is also possible for the two carriages not to be orthogonal to one another, but rather at an angle to one another.

The height-adjustable rail is preferably guided in a guide. Furthermore, the rail and the guide are arranged at an angle, preferably orthogonal to the cross slide, i.e. the rail and the guide are arranged orthogonally to the first slide and orthogonal to the second slide. The orthogonal arrangement of the rail and the guide to the cross slide enables training of the neck muscles and/or the cervical spine around a third translation axis. In this arrangement, the intersection point of the three translation axes is at a fastening point of the rail or the guide on the translation means. The rail and/or the guide is preferably arranged centrally on the translation means. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rail is mounted on the translation means so that it can rotate about a first of the rotation axes. This also enables the coupling member to rotate about the first rotation axis, and thus the neck muscles to be trained about the first rotation axis, i.e. a lateral flexion movement.

In order to enable physiologically optimal training, it is preferred that the rotation axes have a common intersection point in the area of the cervical spine of the trainee. The positional relationships of the individual rotation axes can dynamically follow the individual cervical spine mobility during the head movement of the trainee, with the rotation axes remaining in a narrow area near the cervical spine during the movement in order to enable physiological training. This also prevents the coupling element from coming loose from the trainee during certain movements and/or injuries from occurring. In this context, it is particularly intended that the The intersection point of the rotation axes is located at the center, particularly near the center of the base of the dens axis (dental process of the 2nd cervical vertebra). It should be noted that the intersection point is not to be understood as a rigid point in the strict mathematical sense, but can also be described as moving in the skull in the space below the region of the stella turcica.

In a particularly easy-to-implement embodiment, the coupling member can rotate around the three axes of rotation using a ball joint or a cardanic suspension. In order to make training the neck muscles even gentler, however, it is preferred if the rail carries a frame that provides a second of the axes of rotation and a third of the axes of rotation. The rail itself is thus mounted on the translation means so that it can rotate around a first of the axes of rotation and is directly or indirectly connected to a frame that enables the coupling member to rotate around the second and third axes of rotation.

The frame is preferably formed as an arch running horizontally at the level of the cervical spine of the trainee or as a U-piece, which is directly or indirectly connected to the rail by means of a swivel joint. The frame, i.e. the arch or the U-piece, is thus preferably guided horizontally around the coupling element at the level of the cervical spine and thus at least partially around the trainee. This enables the coupling element to rotate about the second axis of rotation. In order to enable the coupling element to rotate about the third axis of rotation, it is preferred if the arch or the U-piece can be coupled to the coupling element at at least one of its free ends so that it can rotate about the third axis of rotation, preferably at the level of an auditory canal of the trainee. In particular, the arch or the U-piece can be coupled to the coupling element at both free ends at the level of an auditory canal of the trainee. This arrangement enables the three axes of rotation to have a common intersection at the level of the cervical spine, thus reducing the risk of injury during training.

The connection between the bend or the U-piece and the rail is preferably made via an angled connecting piece, preferably angled at 90°.

Furthermore, there is at least one training resistance, the force transmitted to the coupling member being adjustable depending on the movement and/or the angular position of the coupling member. The at least one training resistance can preferably be formed as a spring or as a weight. Alternatively, the training resistance can be designed as a hydraulic element, as a linear motor, eddy current brake or another means that generates mechanical resistance. It is also preferred if the at least one training resistance is arranged outside the cross slide in order to keep the mass to be moved low and thus minimize the risk of injury.

The adaptability of the force acting on the coupling link is preferably made possible by the fact that the at least one training resistance transmits the force to the coupling link by means of a cable pull.

In this context, it is particularly provided that a length compensation means is present, over which the cable pull is guided in such a way that the length of the cable pull and thus the force transmitted to the coupling member by means of the at least one training resistance is adjusted depending on the translational movement and/or the rotational movement.

The at least one length compensation means can be formed as a plate, for example a trapezoidal plate, on which two pivotally mounted cable guides are arranged that guide the cable pull and can be pre-tensioned by means of a spring force. In this case, one end of each cable guide is preferably adjustably guided in a receptacle, preferably in a slot, wherein a spring force is also adjustably guided in the receptacle. Preferably, one cable guide is connected to one of the spring forces or The cable guide and/or the spring force can preferably also be fixed within the holder.

Alternatively or additionally, the length compensation means can be formed as a disk, preferably as an elliptical disk, on the outer circumference of which a groove is formed in which the cable is guided. This enables a length compensation means that is particularly easy to manufacture.

In an alternative embodiment, it is preferred if the at least one training resistance is formed by a means which generates a resistance against a force by changing the position of at least one end of it, the other end of which is eccentrically attached to a disk. In other words, the force generating the training resistance is generated by at least one means, the other end of which is preferably suspended and eccentrically attached to a disk in such a way that a rotation of the disk generates an up and down movement of the means or at least one end of the means against gravity. This enables physiological training with a particularly advantageous force curve. The cable is guided around this disk in such a way that a change in the angle of the coupling member causes a rotation of the disk. The diameter of the disk is preferably selected such that a fully executed training movement results in a rotation of the disk by less than 180 degrees.

Alternatively, it is provided that the at least one training resistance is formed by a means which generates a resistance against a force by changing the position of at least one end thereof, the other end of which is attached to a non-circular disc that is force-fitted to a disc via another cable pull. The non-circular disc can be formed as an elliptical disc or as a square disc. This enables a different force-angle curve to be generated depending on the shape of the non-circular disc.

The means can be produced as a weight or as a spring, as at least one hydraulic element, as at least one linear motor, as at least one eddy current brake or at least one other means producing a mechanical resistance.

In order to ensure that the rotational movements of the coupling link, but not the translational movements of the carriages, cause a movement and/or change in the length of the cable pull, it is particularly provided that a bridge structure with cable deflection rollers is arranged on or on the frame via a bridge structure which is articulated to the carriage and also consists of articulated elements for length compensation of the cable pull for the rotational movements, which compensates for the changes in length of the cables coming from the coupling link caused by simultaneous translational movements of the carriage.

In order to improve and stabilize the force transmission to the neck muscles, it is preferred if the coupling member is formed as a helmet. Alternatively, the coupling member can also be formed from at least two shells connected to one another, which are preferably adjustable by means of a ring.

In order to expand the training options and also to train situations in which the head movement is triggered by a perception of the sensory organs, it is planned to have an optical stimulus device for optically triggering the head movement.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht des Trainingsgeräts,

Fig. 2

eine Detailansicht des Kreuzschlittens,

Fig. 3

eine Detailansicht der Trainingsmechanik

Fig. 4

eine Rückansicht eines Teils des Gestell und der Trainingsmechanik des Trainingsgeräts,

Fig. 5

eine Detailansicht der Rückansicht mit dem Längenausgleichsmitteln und den Trainingswiderständen,

Fig. 6

eine Ausführungsform für die Erzeugung des Trainingswiderstands, und

Fig. 7

eine alternative Ausführungsform für die Erzeugung des Trainingswiderstands.

The invention is shown below using an embodiment shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1

a front view of the training device,

Fig. 2

a detailed view of the cross slide,

Fig. 3

a detailed view of the training mechanics

Fig. 4

a rear view of part of the frame and the training mechanism of the training device,

Fig. 5

a detailed view of the rear view with the length compensation devices and the training resistances,

Fig. 6

an embodiment for generating the training resistance, and

Fig. 7

an alternative embodiment for generating training resistance.

Figure 1 shows the training device 1 for training the neck muscles, which has a frame 2 and a training mechanism 3 attached to the frame 2. The coupling element (not shown in detail), which can be worn on or around the head of a trainee, can be coupled to the training mechanism 3. The coupling element can be formed as a helmet or as at least two shells connected to one another and adjustable by means of a ring. In the present embodiment, the device has a seat 21 or a chair, so that the trainee trains while sitting. In a particularly simple embodiment, only a seat or a stool can be provided. Furthermore, it is alternatively also possible for the trainee to train while standing or kneeling.

The training mechanism 3 comprises a cross slide 4, which is Figure 2 is shown in more detail. The cross slide 4 has a first slide 6 and a second slide 7 arranged orthogonally to the first slide 6 and displaceable on the first slide 6. A translation means 8 is displaceably arranged on the first slide 6, so that the translation means 8 can be displaced along a first translation axis T1 on the first slide 6 and, via the movement of the first slide 6 on the second slide 7, can also be displaced along a second translation axis T2, which lies orthogonally on the first translation axis T1.

In the present case, the two carriages 6, 7 and the translation means 8 are arranged in one plane. However, it is also possible to arrange the carriages 6, 7 one above the other or one below the other. In the middle of the translation means 8, a rail 5 guided in a guide is rotatable and mounted about a first of the rotation axes. The rail 5 is also guided in the guide so that its height is adjustable, which enables an up and down movement of the coupling member, i.e. a translational movement along a third translation axis T3. In the present case, the rail 5 is arranged centrally with respect to the translation means 8 and centrally with respect to the coupling member or the head of the trainee. This enables the head of the trainee or the coupling member to move to the right and to the left, so that the first rotation axis R1 corresponds to the anatomical rotation axis of the cervical spine.

The rail 5 and/or the guide also carry a frame 9, which provides a second rotation axis R2 and a third rotation axis R3. For this purpose, the free leg of the rail 5 is connected via a connecting piece 12, preferably angled at 90°, to a U-piece 10 that is at least partially guided around the coupling member. The U-piece 10 runs horizontally at the level of the cervical spine of the person exercising. The free end of the connecting piece 12 is connected to the U-piece 10 by means of a swivel joint 11, so that a rotational movement about the second rotation axis R2, which is orthogonal to the first rotation axis R1, is possible.

On the free legs of the U-piece 10, as shown in Fig. 3 As can be seen, a further rotary joint 22 or a rotary disk is arranged, by means of which the U-piece 10 can be coupled to the coupling element, preferably at the level of an auditory canal of the trainee. By means of this further rotary joint 22, a rotation of the coupling element, ie the head of the trainee, around the third rotation axis R3, which in turn is orthogonal to the other rotation axes R1, R2, is enabled. This arrangement makes it possible for the coupling element to be rotatable by means of the training mechanism 3 around the three rotation axes R1, R2, R3 and to be translated along three translation axes T1, T2, T3. Furthermore, the rotation axes R1, R2, R3 have a common intersection point, which is in the area of the Cervical spine of the trainee, preferably at the center of the base of the dens axis of the trainee. This prevents injuries or incorrect training and also simulates the natural movement of the head and neck muscles consisting of flexion/extension/rotation and lateral flexion movements.

The neck muscles are preferably trained by means of a training resistance 13. For this purpose, the training device 1 has at least one training resistance 13, which can be formed, for example, as a spring or as a weight. In the present case, the training resistance 13 is formed as a weight, namely as a disk 19 and as a plate 16, in the present case as a trapezoidal plate, as shown in the Figures 4 and 5 shown in more detail. The plate 16 and the disc 19 are mounted outside the cross slide 4 on a further rail 23 so that they can move. The further rail 23 is arranged on a rear wall of the frame, i.e. behind the coupling element or behind the person exercising. Fig. 4 It can also be seen that the frame can have a second or several further rails 23 on which a further plate 16 and/or a further disc 19 is movably mounted. This increases the number of training resistances 13.

In order to adjust the force transmitted to the coupling link depending on the angular position of the coupling link, the weight of the training resistances 13 is transferred to the coupling link by means of a cable 14. In the present case, the training resistances 13 are simultaneously formed as a length compensation means 15, over which the cable 14 is guided in such a way that the length of the cable 14 and thus the force transmitted to the coupling link by means of the training resistances 13 is adjusted depending on the translational movement and/or the rotational movement. A groove is formed on the outer circumference of the disk 19, around which the cable 14 is guided to the trapezoidal plate 16.

The trapezoidal plate 16 has, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 5 in detail, two cable guides 17, each of which is inserted into a receptacle 24 formed laterally from the axis of symmetry of the trapezoidal plate 16, is movably guided. The receptacle 24 is formed as an elongated hole which extends parallel to the longer base side of the trapezoidal plate 16. The cable guides 17 have rollers 25, 26 at their respective ends, on which a groove is preferably formed on the outer circumference. The cable of the cable pull 14 is guided from the outside of the first roller 25, which is not arranged in the receptacle 24, to the inside of the second roller 26. By mounting the cable guides 17 in the respective receptacle 24, the cable guide 17 is pivotally mounted. The first rollers 25 are pivotally mounted on the plate 16. Furthermore, an elastic spring force 18 connected to the cable guide 17 is arranged in the receptacle 24, which is also displaceable in the receptacle and can be fixed in place by means of a screw. This enables the cable guide 17 to be pre-tensioned by means of the spring force 18. By means of the movable and pre-tensionable cable guide 17, it is thus possible to compensate for the length of the cable pull 14 depending on the rotational and translational movement.

In an alternative embodiment, the disc 19 can also be elliptical or guided not in its center but laterally offset in the further rail 23, so that rotating the disc 19 results in an elliptical movement. This also leads to a length compensation in the cable pull 14. The length compensation leads to a physiological force curve, so that the force of the training resistances 13 transferred to the coupling link changes depending on the angle of movement.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment for generating the training resistance 13. The training resistance 13 is generated by a means 28, in this case a weight, one end of which is eccentrically attached to the disk 19 by means of a pin 27. To vary the training resistance 13, the pin 27 can also be inserted into differently positioned pin receptacles of the disk 19. The rotation of the disk 19 moves the weight 28 against gravity and thereby generates a resistance. The angular extent of the training movement preferably corresponds to a rotation of the disk 19 by less than 180°. The change in height of the means 28 corresponds approximately to the sine of the Angle change of the disc 19, which in turn approximately corresponds to a force curve that is advantageous for physiological training. The means 28 can be formed as a weight or as a spring or as a rubber band or as a hydraulic system or the like.

Figure 7 shows a further alternative embodiment for generating the training resistance. A non-circular disk 29, in this case an elliptical disk 29, is attached to the round disk 19 with a groove formed on the outer circumference, over which a further cable 30 is guided, one upper end of which is attached to the non-circular disk 29. At the lower end of the further cable 30 a means 28, in this case a weight, is attached, which is moved against gravity when the disk 19 rotates. An advantage of this embodiment is that the curve of the change in height of the weight 28 relative to a floor is determined by the change in angle and the angular position of the disks 19, 29 and by the outer (non-circular) shape of the non-circular disk 29. Differently shaped non-circular disks 29 therefore produce different force-angle curves.

In order to achieve a change in length and movement of the cable pull 14 during rotational movements, but not during translational movements of the coupling link, a tapered bridge structure 20 is arranged on one side of the cross slide 4, namely on the top of the frame 2, i.e. on the side of the frame 2 facing away from the ground, the two elements of which are connected to one another in an articulated manner, over which the cable pull 14 is guided in particular via deflection rollers. The cable pull 14 is guided from the plate 16, over the bridge structure 20 around a deflection pulley 27 formed on the translation means 8. The deflection pulley 27 is arranged on a swivel joint between the translation means 8 and the rail 5.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST:

1

training device

2

frame

3

training mechanics

4

cross slide

5

rail

6

First sled

7

Second sled

8

translation tool

9

Frame

10

U-piece

11

swivel joint

12

connector

13

training resistance

14

cable pull

15

length compensation device

16

plate

17

rope guide

18

spring force

19

disc

20

bridge construction

21

seat

22

Additional swivel joint

23

Additional track

24

Recording

25

First Role

26

Second Role

27

deflection pulley

28

Medium

29

uneven writing

30

additional cable pull

31

Pen

T1

first translation axis

T2

second translation axis

T3

third translation axis

R1

first axis of rotation

R2

second axis of rotation

R3

third axis of rotation

Claims (16)

1. A training device (1) for training the neck muscles, having a training mechanics (3) which can be coupled to a coupling member which can be carried on or around a head of a trainee, the coupling member being rotatable about axes of rotation (R1, R2, R3), and the training mechanics comprising a cross slide (4) for providing two axes of reception (T1, T2), characterized in that the training device (1) has a frame (2) to which the training mechanics (3) is attached, a rail (5) is mounted on the cross slide (4) so as to be height-adjustable and rotatable in such a way that the coupling member can be rotated about the three axes of rotation (R1, R2, R3) by means of the training mechanics (3) and can be translated along three translation axes (T1, T2, T3).
2. The training device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross slide (4) comprises a first slide (6) and a second slide (7) arranged orthogonally to the first slide (6) and displaceable on the first slide (6), and in that a translation tool (8) is provided which is displaceably mounted on the first slide (7).
3. The training device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rail (5) is guided in a guide, in that the rail (5) is arranged orthogonally to the cross slide (4), and in that the rail (5) is mounted on the translation tool (8) so as to be rotatable about a first of the axes of rotation (R1).
4. The training device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the axes of rotation (R1, R2, R3) have a common point of intersection located in the region of the cervical spine of the exerciser.
5. The training device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the point of intersection of the axes of rotation (R1, R2, R3) is located near the midpoint of the base of the dens axis of the exerciser.
6. The training device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rail (5) carries a frame (9) which provides a second of the axes of rotation (R2) and a third of the axes of rotation (R3).
7. The training device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the frame (9) is formed as an arc extending horizontally at the level of the cervical spine of the trainee or as a U-piece (10), which is connected directly or indirectly to the rail (5) by means of a swivel joint (11) for rotation of the coupling member about the second axis of rotation (R2).
8. The training device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the arc or the U-piece (10) can be coupled at at least one of its free ends about the third axis of rotation (R3) to the coupling member at the level of an ear canal of the trainee.
9. The training device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the arc or the U-piece (10) is connected to the rail (5) via an angled connecting piece (12).
10. The training device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one training resistance (13) is present, the force of which transmitted to the coupling member can be adjusted as a function of the movement and/or the angular position of the coupling member.
11. The training device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one training resistance (13) transmits the force to the coupling member by means of a cable pull (14).
12. The training device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one length leveller (15) is provided, via which the cable pull (14) is guided in such a way that the length of the cable pull (14) and thus the force transmitted to the coupling member by means of the at least one training resistance (13) is adjusted as a function of the translational movement and/or the rotational movement.
13. The training device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one length leveller (15) is formed as a plate (16) on which two pivotably mounted rope guides (17) guiding the cable pull (14) are arranged, which can be pretensioned by means of a spring force (18).
14. The training device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the length leveller (15) is formed as a disc (19), on the outer circumference of which a groove is formed, in which the cable pull (14) is guided.
15. The training device (1) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the at least one training resistance (13) is formed by a means (28) which generates a resistance by changing the position of its at least one end against a force, its other end being eccentrically attached to a disc (19).
16. The training device (1) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the at least one training resistance (13) is formed by a means (28) which generates a resistance by changing the position of its at least one end against a force, its other end being attached via an additional cable pull (30) to a non-circular disc (29) which is connected in a force-locking manner to a disc (19).

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