Physiotherapy apparatus for stretching the rear muscles

Abstract

 A physiotherapy apparatus for stretching the rear muscles comprises two surfaces (1a,1b) which are fastened together by means of hinges (6) and on which a patient (P) rests respectively his/her torso and legs in a supine position, and movement means (2) which can be directly operated by the patient (P) and are able to modify the position of one surface (1a) with respect to the other surface (1b), without interrupting the use of the apparatus itself.

Description

[0001] The invention forming the subject of the present application relates to a physiotherapy apparatus for stretching the rear muscles of a person, i.e. the para-vertebral muscles and the lower limbs.

[0002] Usually, in order to obtain this effect, the person lies down with his/her back on the ground and moves the legs towards the chest without bending the knees: the front muscles (agonistic muscles) contract so as to allow movement of the legs, resulting at the same time in lengthening of the muscles in the rear kinetic chain (antagonistic muscles).

[0003] Remaining in this position therefore produces stretching of the rear muscles.

[0004] The solutions adopted hitherto for this type of stretching relate to expedient methods, such as, for example, extension of the legs against a wall, a tree or another vertical surface and the gradual movement of the pelvis closer; or the use of a towel, belt or rope for pulling the legs towards the chest, or also calling upon the help of another person.

[0005] These solutions, which are obviously of a makeshift nature, do not allow precise definition of the angle of inclination of the legs with respect to the torso and therefore result in difficulty in achieving the correct tension of the muscles to be stretched and, in particular, difficulty in keeping the tension constant during stretching.

[0006] The object of the present invention is that of overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0007] The invention, as characterized by the claims, achieves this object by means of two surfaces which are hinged together and on which the patient rests respectively his/her torso and legs and the relative movement of which is directly controlled by the patient him/herself.

[0008] The main advantage obtained by means of the present invention consists essentially in the fact that the patient performing stretching is able to determine autonomously and gradually the point where he/she perceives a medium tension in the muscles and remain stably there until the sensation of tension diminishes as a result of lengthening of the muscles.

[0009] A further advantage consists in the fact that, once this tensioned position has been reached, the invention allows one to pass to a slightly greater tension by means of small relative angular movements of the two surfaces, which may be precisely determined and in particular directly perceived by the patient so as to avoid the danger of pulled muscles, sprains or other muscular damage.

[0010] Finally, the invention is such that both manual and automated control of its movement may be performed.

[0011] Further advantageous features of the invention are clearly illustrated in the following detailed description provided with reference to the accompanying drawings which show non-exhaustive and non-limiting examples of embodiment thereof and in which:

• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3 shows a variation of the solution according to Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows the invention with an accessory which can be used in all the solutions shown in the preceding figures;

   Figure 5 shows a side view of the invention;
   Figure 6 show the main constituent parts of the invention.

[0012] As can be seen from the figures, the invention relates to a physiotherapy apparatus for stretching the rear muscles, comprising two surfaces (1a,1b) which are fastened together by means of hinges (6) and on which a patient (P) rests respectively his/her torso and legs in a supine position, and movement means (2) which can be operated directly by the patent and are able to modify the position of one surface (1b) with respect to the other surface (1a) without interrupting use of the apparatus (10) itself.

[0013] Although it is theoretically possible to obtain the desired angle between the two surfaces (1a,1b) also by moving both the surfaces, the preferred solution has been shown where the surface (1a) on which the patient (P) rests his/her torso is fixed, while the surface (1b) on which the patient (P) extends his/her legs is movable.

[0014] Without affecting the requirement for direct control by the patient, various solutions which are technically equivalent to each other exist also for the movement means (2).

[0015] Figure 1 shows a first solution in which the movement means (2) comprise at least one crank (2a) which can be directly gripped by the patient (P) and is able to wind or unwind onto two respective pulleys (2b) two cables (2c) which are attached to the movable surface (1b), so as to modify with continuity the inclination of the movable surface (1b) with respect to the fixed surface (1a). At least one of the pulleys (2b) is provided with teeth, the number of which determines in an inversely proportional manner the amplitude of the individual small angular movements. Moreover, the same pulley (2b) comprises a safety stop (2f) so that the movement is permitted only at the discretion of the patient (P).

[0016] Alternatively, a second solution is shown in Figures 2 and 3: in this case the movement means (2) comprise an electric motor (2k), means (2r) for connection between the fixed surface (1a) and the movable surface (1b), able to modify the relative inclination thereof via the action of the electric motor (2k), and a remote control (2t) able to allow the patient (P) to activate the electric motor (2k).

[0017] The connection means (2r) shown in Figure 2 comprise an endless-screw reduction gear (2s) and a piston (2p) having a fixed end (21p) hinged with the fixed surface (1a) and a movable end (22p) hinged with the movable surface (1b); the means shown in Figure 3, on the other hand, envisage means formed by the same hinges (6) for connecting together the fixed surface (1a) and the movable surface (1b) to which the electric motor (2k) is directly attached.

[0018] A particular advantage is obtained if the hinges (6) are installed on the edge of the fixed surface (1a) so as not to occupy the surface area available for the patient (P). As a result of this arrangement, in fact, one leg may be kept extended, for example, while a particular therapy is performed solely for the other leg.

[0019] Figure 6 shows some constructional details of the invention: in particular, Figure 6a shows, in a front view and a cross-sectional view, how the movable surface (1b) comprises guides (3) for the heels of the patient (P), which are able to keep the legs in the correct posture during the exercises.

[0020] Figure 6b shows a shaped lug (8) which is attached to the movable surface (1b) and is arranged between it and the movable end (22p) of the piston (2p) so as to modify the angular range of the relative excursion between fixed surface (1a) and movable surface (1b). Said lug (8) in fact comprises a multiplicity of means (8a) for engagement with the movable end (22p) of the piston (2p) in such a way as to vary the limit angles (A1,A2) between the fixed surface (1a) and the movable surface (1b), keeping constant the amplitude of the angular excursion. The latter is equal to about 75° and allows working angles between the two surfaces (1a,1b) normally of between 60° and 135°. The usefulness of such an arrangement becomes obvious when the patient, owing to his/her physical structure, requires different inclined postures for treatment: for the same length of the piston (2p), in fact, using an engaging means (8a') located at a higher level results in an increase in the limit angles (A1,A2), while use of an engaging means (8a") located at a lower level results in a reduction in the limit angles (A1,A2).

[0021] In all the solutions shown, legs (4) for supporting the fixed surface (1a) may be fitted as an accessory. In Figure 5 they consist of screwable cylinders provided with a support base: they may be supplied in various heights or may also have an adjustable height so as to be able to arrange the fixed surface (1a) with a random height and inclination. In Figure 4, on the other hand, the support legs (4) rotate with respect to the fixed surface (1a) so as to pass from a closed position, where they are aligned with the fixed surface (1a), into an open position, where they support the latter at a certain height, and vice versa.

[0022] The invention thus conceived is subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive idea. Moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0023] In practice, obviously, modifications and/or improvements are possible, nevertheless within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Physiotherapy apparatus for stretching the rear muscles, characterized in that it comprises two surfaces (1a,1b) which are fastened together by means of hinges (6) and on which a patient (P) rests respectively his/her torso and legs in a supine position, and movement means (2) which can be directly operated by the patient so as to modify the position of one surface (1b) with respect to the other surface (1a).

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the surface (1a) on which the patient (P) rests his/her torso is fixed, while the surface (1b) on which the patient (P) extends his/her legs is movable.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movement means (2) comprise at least one crank (2a) which can be gripped directly by the patient (P) and is able to wind or unwind onto two respective pulleys (2b) two cables (2c) which are attached to the movable surface (1b), so as to modify with continuity the inclination of the movable surface (1b) with respect to the fixed surface (1a).

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the pulleys (2b) comprises a series of teeth (9).

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the pulleys (2b) comprises a safety stop (2f).

6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movement means (2) comprise an electric motor (2k), means (2r) for connection between the fixed surface (1a) and the movable surface (1b), able to modify the relative inclination thereof via the action of the electric motor (2k), and a remote control (2f) able to allow the patient (P) to activate the electric motor (2k).

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the connection means (2r) comprise an endless-screw reduction gear (5) and a piston (2p) having a fixed end (21p) hinged with the fixed surface (1a) and a movable end (22p) hinged with the movable surface (1b).

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a shaped lug (8) arranged between the movable end (22p) of the piston (2p) and the movable surface (1b) and able to modify the angular range of the relative excursion between fixed surface (1a) and movable surface (1b).

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that the lug (8) comprises a multiplicity of means (8a) for engagement with the movable end (22p) of the piston (2p) in such a way as to vary the limit angles the fixed surface (1a) and the movable surface (1b), keeping the amplitude of the angular excursion constant.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable surface (1b) comprises guides (3) for the heels of the patient (P), able to keep the legs in the correct posture during use.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises legs (4) for supporting the fixed surface (1a).

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterized in that the support legs (4) have an adjustable height so as to be able to arrange the fixed surface (1a) with a random height and inclination.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterized in that the support legs (4) rotate with respect to the fixed surface (1a) so as to pass from a closed position, where they are aligned with the fixed surface (1a), into an open position, where they support the latter at a certain height, and vice versa.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hinges (6) are arranged on the edge of the fixed surface (1a) so as not to occupy the surface area available for the patient (P).

Drawing