RU2841975C1 - Gravitational spinal traction exercise machine - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical science.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to medical equipment, particularly to stationary exercise machines for treating and preventing spinal diseases based on thoracic, lumbosacral spine extension by body weight. Disclosed is a gravitational spinal traction exercise machine comprising a bearing telescopic vertical support mounted on a base with a movable upper part. To lower part of support is connected support platform for feet with possibility of adjustment of its position in height. Movable upper part is connected with traction drive unit arranged on base. To the movable upper part is vertically attached the spinal exposure device made convex towards the user with the upper part for the thoracic spine exposure and the lower part for the lumbar spinal exposure. Lower part of the spinal exposure means is connected to the movable upper part of the vertical support by a pivot assembly for backward inclination of the above means. On the rear side of the exercise machine, a locking rod is installed to rotate the means to act on the spine backwards around the rotary unit and to tilt this means to act on the spine backwards, ends of which are fixed on upper part of means for action on spine and on fixed part of vertical support. Drive unit for forearm fixation and tension is connected to an upper portion of the apparatus for acting on the spine through a guide arm.

EFFECT: more effective thoracic and lumbosacral spine extension.

5 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The invention relates to medical equipment, in particular to stationary exercise machines for the treatment and prevention of spinal diseases, based on the stretching of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine under the action of the body's own weight.

The prior art includes devices for spinal traction. For example, patents RU 2 299 046 C1, IPC class A61F 5/01, A61H 1/02, published 20.05.2007 and RU 2 366 396 C1, IPC class A61H 1/00, published 10.09.2009, include devices for traction of the cervical and thoracic spine. However, these solutions do not use gravity.

Also known from patent RU 2 368 368 C1, class IPC F61R 1/02, published on 27.09.2009 is a spinal rehabilitation stand, which is made in the form of a frame, the working surface of which is made in the form of a lifting platform consisting of two movable parts and a fixed part for laying the head. An automatic lock is installed between the movable parts, which, in the case of stretching the cervical region, fixes the movable parts together, and in the case of stretching the lumbar region, automatically disconnects them. To fix the head on the frame, cervical supports, a cervical roller and a forehead belt are installed. On one of the movable parts, there are slots in which soft axillary supports are installed with the possibility of movement. To adjust the supports in width, separate electric drives are used between the cervical and axillary supports, connected to a control unit fixed to the frame. A platform lifting mechanism is installed on the base of the frame, including an electric drive and a drive shaft.

The design of this device involves using the patient's body weight, but the solution does not provide the ability to pull the forearms upward, fix the user in this position and simultaneously stretch the spine.

Thus, the technical problem is to create an effective spinal traction machine that uses gravity.

The technical result consists in increasing the efficiency of traction of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine.

For this purpose, the gravity spinal traction exercise machine comprises a load-bearing vertical support with a movable upper part, a support platform for the feet with the ability to adjust its position by height is connected to the lower part of the support, the movable upper part is connected to a traction drive unit located on the base, a means for influencing the spine, made convex towards the user, is vertically attached to the movable upper part, with an upper part for influencing the thoracic spine and a lower part for influencing the lumbar spine, wherein the lower part of the means for influencing the spine is connected to the movable upper part of the vertical support by a rotary unit for tilting this means backwards, a locking rod is installed on the rear side of the exercise machine for rotating the means for influencing the spine backwards around the rotary unit and tilting this means for influencing the spine backwards, the ends of which are fixed to the upper part of the means for influencing the spine and to the fixed part of the vertical support, a drive unit for fixing and tensioning is connected to the upper part of the means for influencing the spine through a guide bracket forearms.

In a particular case of implementing the invention, the means for influencing the spine is provided with a massage coating.

In a particular case of implementing the invention, the upper part of the means for influencing the spine has a hinged connection with an element of the lower part of the platform and is designed with the possibility of performing a rotary movement of the spine around a vertical axis.

In a particular case of implementing the invention, the exercise machine is equipped with a drive unit that ensures the lifting or lowering of a support platform intended for placing the user's legs, with the purpose of positioning the user's lumbar spine opposite the lower part of the means for influencing the spine, made in a shape that responds to the deflection of the lumbar spine.

In a particular case of implementing the invention, the movable part of the vertical support, connected to the drive unit, ensuring its vertical movement, is designed with the possibility of positioning the lumbar spine of the user opposite the lower part of the means for influencing the spine, made in a shape that responds to the deflection of the lumbar spine before the start of the session.

Equipping the simulator with a drive device for fixing and tensioning the forearms allows for preliminary stretching of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine, which increases the effectiveness of the simulator.

The execution of the surface of the back platform in a convex shape, the upper part of which is intended for the location of the thoracic spine, and the lower part is intended for the location of the lumbar spine of the user, as well as the execution of the shape of the surface of the lower part of the platform in a form that responds to the deflection of the lumbar spine, allows you to repeat the anatomical shape of the spine, which increases the efficiency of the simulator due to the maximum fit of the spinal column to the upper and lower parts of the platform.

The simulator is equipped with a rotary unit located in the lower part of the platform, which allows the platform to be tilted backwards, lifting the user with previously fixed forearms, during which, under the weight of the user's body, due to the action of gravitational forces, the spinal column is effectively relaxed and stretched.

Providing the load-bearing vertical support with a movable part located in its upper part, connected to a drive unit that ensures its vertical movement, connecting the lower part of the platform with the movable part of the vertical support with a rotary unit for tilting the platform backwards, as well as providing the exercise machine with a rod, the upper end of which is secured to the upper part of the platform, and the lower end - to the vertical support, makes it possible to implement the purpose of the invention and ensure the possibility of rotating the platform for the back with the help of a rotary unit and tilting it backwards when lifting the movable part of the vertical support.

Providing the exercise machine in a particular case of implementing the invention with a drive unit that ensures the lifting or lowering of the support platform intended for placing the user's feet, as well as the implementation of a movable part of the vertical support with the possibility of vertical movement, facilitates more precise positioning of the user's spinal column relative to the platform, which facilitates an additional increase in the effectiveness of stretching the spinal sections.

Providing the back platform with a massage coating in a particular case of implementing the invention also helps to increase efficiency due to the additional relaxing effect on the back muscles.

Providing the upper part of the platform with a hinged connection with an element of the lower part of the platform and its implementation with the possibility of performing a rotary movement of the thoracic spine around a vertical axis relative to the lumbar spine allows for additional spinal traction at different positions of the upper part of the spine relative to the vertical axis, which helps to increase the effectiveness of the procedure.

Efficiency and positive results are also achieved by simultaneously pulling the forearms upward and fixing them in this position with the help of a forearm fixation and tension device and performing cyclical rotational movements of the platform with the user.

The essence of the invention is explained by the drawing.

Fig. 1 shows the general diagram of the simulator.

The gravitational spinal traction trainer comprises a load-bearing vertical support 1 having a movable part 1.1 located in its upper part. A platform 2 of a convex shape is fixed to the vertical support 1, the upper part 2.1 of which is intended for the location of the thoracic spine, the lower part 2.2 of the platform is intended for the location of the zone of maximum deflection of the user's lumbar spine, wherein the shape of the surface of the lower part of the platform is made in a shape corresponding to the shape of the deflection of the lumbar spine. The lower part 2.2 of the platform 2 is connected to the movable part 1.1 of the vertical support 1 by a rotary unit 3 for tilting the platform 2 backwards. The movable part 1.1 of the vertical support 1 is connected to a drive unit 4 providing its vertical movement.

The traction drive unit 4 is equipped with a gear motor consisting of a kinematically connected electric motor, a worm and a worm wheel mounted on the "screw" of the "screw-nut" mechanism. A flywheel with an eccentric is installed on the output shaft of the gear motor, to which the end of the traction cable 5 is attached, the second end of the traction cable 5 is attached to the movable part 1.1 of the load-bearing vertical support 1. When the electric motor is switched on from the control panel through the gear motor, due to the circular rotation of the flywheel and the eccentric installed on it, an effect is exerted on the traction cable 5, which transmits force to the movable part 1.1 of the load-bearing vertical support 1, as a result of which the movable part 1.1 of the load-bearing vertical support 1 begins to move up and down depending on the position of the flywheel and the eccentric fixed to the flywheel.

Also, to enable the platform 2 to tilt backwards, the exercise machine is equipped with a rod 6, the upper end of which is secured to the upper part 2.1 of platform 2, and the lower end to the fixed part of vertical support 1.

Any actuator can be used as a drive unit - electric, pneumatic or hydraulic, controlled by a remote control.

The exercise machine is also provided with a support platform 7, intended for placing the user's feet. The support platform 7 can be provided with a drive unit 8, made with the possibility of adjusting its position in height to ensure the possibility of positioning the user's body in the required position of the back relative to the platform 2. For this purpose, an electric drive, a pneumatic drive or a hydraulic drive controlled by means of a remote control can be used. The traction drive of the drive unit 8 is provided with a gear motor consisting of a kinematically connected electric motor, a worm and a worm wheel mounted on the "screw" of the "screw-nut" mechanism. When the electric motor of the drive unit 8 is switched on from the remote control, the platform 7 is raised or lowered due to the kinematic diagram of the unit.

In addition, the exercise machine is equipped with a drive unit 9 for fixing and tensioning the forearms, which ensures movement using a remote control of a cable or cord 10, thrown over a guide bracket 11 and equipped at the free end with a carabiner 12, intended for fastening to a vest 13, which the user puts on the forearms before the session.

The traction drive of the drive unit 9 is equipped with a gear motor consisting of a kinematically connected electric motor, a worm and a worm wheel mounted on the "screw" of the "screw-nut" mechanism. The operation of the drive 9 is carried out from the control panel: the cable is either tightened or released.

The function of this unit is to stretch the spine by pulling the user's forearms upward and fixing them in this position.

For the operation of the drive unit 9 for fixing and tensioning the forearms, the presence of a vest is not necessary, since the cable can be equipped with loops that the user puts on, threading the forearms through them, or a lightweight vest made of tapes, secured to the end of the cable 10.

In addition, the simulator can be equipped with an additional function consisting in turning the forearms (rotation) using the drive unit 14 when switched on from the remote control. The angle of maximum rotation of the upper part of the platform relative to the vertical axis is no more than 90°. This function allows for rotation of the vertebral discs, which improves the quality and efficiency of the procedure.

Below is an example of using a gravity spinal traction machine according to the invention.

The user steps onto the support platform 7, puts on the vest 13, the loops of which pass through the armpits. The cable 10 is fastened to the vest 13 with a carabiner 12, kinematically connecting the cable with the drive unit 9 for fixing and tensioning the forearms. Then, depending on the user's height, the exercise machine is adjusted. The exercise machine is adjusted as follows. For the precise positioning of the user's lumbar spine (lordosis) opposite the lower part of the platform 2.2, made in a shape that responds to the deflection of the lumbar spine, the support platform 7 with the user is raised or lowered using the drive 8, by pressing the corresponding buttons on the remote control. In the second embodiment of the invention, the movable part 1.1 of the load-bearing vertical support, connected to the platform 2, is raised or lowered using the drive 4 in order to position the lower part 2.2 of the platform 2 opposite the user's lumbar spine. The simulator can also be adjusted using both drives 4 and 8 in turn.

Next, on the signal from the drive control panel 9, the cable 10 is pulled in such a way that the user’s forearms and shoulders are pulled up and pressed against the surface of the upper part of the platform 2.1, simultaneously stretching the thoracic, lumbar and sacral sections of the spine.

After which, using the drive 4, a cyclic process of lifting and lowering the upper part 1.1 of the load-bearing vertical support 1 is started, as a result of which, when moving upwards, under the action of the traction cable 5 through the support roller 15, it begins to lift the platform 2, which, due to the retention of the locking rod 6, secured at one end to the upper part 2.1 of the platform under the back, with the other end - to the fixed part of the vertical support 1, begins to rotate backwards around the rotary unit 3: when lifting the movable part 1.1 of the load-bearing vertical support 1, the platform 2 tilts backwards at an angle of up to 35°, when lowering - returns to its original position.

In a particular case of implementing the invention, after tensioning the cable 10 and fixing the forearms on the upper part 2.1 of the platform 2, using the drive unit 14, the upper part 2.1 of the platform 2 is rotated at an angle of up to 45°. to the left or to the right of the vertical axis, after which, using drive 4, platform 2 is tilted backwards and returned to its original position.

As a result, the surface of platform 2 impacts the user's back from the spinous processes of the spine. As a result of cyclical bending of the spine and cyclical impacts on the user's shoulder blades with simultaneous dosed lifting, under the influence of gravity, the muscles of the spine stretch (relax), which in turn predetermines the removal of compression from the intervertebral discs and nerve roots.

It has been proven experimentally that the cycle of the platform’s deviation from the initial position and its return to the initial position is from 5 to 10 seconds and is individual in terms of the duration of the procedure.

In addition, the back platform can be equipped with any massage surface to ensure a deeper impact on the consumer’s body and achieve a relaxing effect and, accordingly, increase the efficiency of using the exercise machine.

Claims (5)

1. A gravitational spinal traction exercise machine comprising a load-bearing telescopic vertical support with a movable upper part mounted on a base, a support platform for the feet with the ability to adjust its position in height connected to the lower part of the support, the movable upper part is connected to a traction drive unit located on the base, a means for influencing the spine, made convex towards the user, with an upper part for influencing the thoracic spine and a lower part for influencing the lumbar spine is vertically attached to the movable upper part, wherein the lower part of the means for influencing the spine is connected to the movable upper part of the vertical support by a rotary unit for tilting this means backwards, a locking rod is installed on the rear side of the exercise machine for rotating the means for influencing the spine backwards around the rotary unit and tilting this means for influencing the spine backwards, the ends of which are fixed to the upper part of the means for influencing the spine and to the fixed part of the vertical support, to the upper part of the means for influencing the spine through a guide bracket The drive unit is connected to fix and tension the forearms. 2. The exercise machine according to item 1, characterized in that the means for influencing the spine is provided with a massage coating. 3. The exercise machine according to item 1, characterized in that the upper part of the means for influencing the spine has a hinged connection with an element of the lower part of the platform and is designed with the possibility of performing a rotary movement of the spine around a vertical axis. 4. The exercise machine according to item 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a drive unit that ensures the lifting or lowering of the support platform intended for placing the user's legs, with the purpose of positioning the user's lumbar spine opposite the lower part of the means for influencing the spine, made in a shape that responds to the deflection of the lumbar spine. 5. The exercise machine according to item 1, characterized in that the movable part of the vertical support, connected to the drive unit that ensures its vertical movement, is designed with the possibility of positioning the lumbar spine of the user opposite the lower part of the means for influencing the spine, made in a shape that responds to the deflection of the lumbar spine before the start of the session.