STABILOMETRIC BOARD FOR BALANCE TRAINING

Abstract

 Device for the training of a user balance and for rehabilitation, comprising a platform (1) fastened to the floor by means of an elastic element (2) and configured to allow a user to stand on the same platform, characterized in that it comprises also a couple of supporting rods (3) laterally positioned, one for each side, with respect to the position taken by the user standing on said platform and connected to said platform by means of a connection of elastic kind.

Description

[0001] Object of the present invention is a stabilometric platform optimized for carrying out exercises aiming at the rehabilitation of subjects with balance difficulties.

State of the art

[0002] At the state of the art, there are known many devices thought for carrying out functional rehabilitation exercises of the lower limbs, and in particular for carrying out exercises aiming at regaining a stable postural balance.

[0003] An example is described in the application WO201212861, where it is shown a training system comprising a vibrating platform on which the user can be standing and two handles connected to elastic cables, the user can grasp by hands, configured to induce a state of pre-tensioning in the user's muscles.

[0004] Another example is shown in the application WO2014085732, where it is described a device for training comprising a platform that can rotate around two axes and a system of actuation configured to apply forces to said platform to make it rotate, or to hinder the rotation of the same. Another device is shown in the application EP3102294, where it is described a machine for postural training of a user comprising a platform provided with a plurality of charge cells, extendible cables provided with handles and means to recharge said cables in addition to computing means configured to detect parameters relating to the user dynamic posture.

Technical problem

[0005] Anyway, these and other devices known at the state of the art are limited since they do not allow the user to train his own balance in ever more difficult situations.

[0006] In particular, all the devices known at the state of the art either allow the user to help oneself with the hands to keep the balance only by means of an upwards pulling movement (it is the case of all the devices using cables provided with handles) or offer the user rigid supports to which he can lean with the hands.

[0007] In the first case, the user can never lean with the hands and discharge a portion of his own weight to help oneself to keep the balance.

[0008] In the second case, instead, the user has an excessively stable support, that induces him to rely on his arms excessively to keep the balance, thus reducing the training efficiency.

Aim of the invention

[0009] So, aim of the present invention is to provide a device for the training and rehabilitation of a user, which overcomes the limits linked to the embodiments known at the state of the art.

[0010] More in particular, the present invention provides a device for postural balance stimulation, provided with stiffness adjustable supports for the hands.

Brief description of the invention

[0011] The invention realizes the prefixed aims since it is a device for the training of a user balance and for rehabilitation, comprising a platform (1) fastened to the floor by means of an elastic element (2) and configured to allow a user to stand on the same platform, characterized in that it comprises also a couple of supporting rods (3) laterally positioned, one for each side, with respect to the position taken by the user standing on said platform and connected to said platform by means of a connection of elastic kind.

[0012] These and other advantages will be clear from the following detailed description of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0013] As it is shown in the appended figure 1, the device according to the invention comprises a platform (1) fastened to the floor by means of an elastic element (2) and configured to allow a user to stand on the same platform. It is to be specified that, without departing from the aims of the invention, said platform can be fastened by means of said elastic element (2) directly to the floor or to a base provided with sufficient stability.

[0014] The elastic element (2) is preferably made up of a suitably dimensioned torsion spring, integral to the floor (or to a base with sufficient stability) and to the lower portion of the platform (1).

[0015] The device is characterized in that it comprises also a couple of supporting rods (3) for the user's hands, positioned laterally, one for each side, with respect to the position taken by the user standing on said platform.

[0016] Said supporting rods (3) are introduced inside through-holes (1) provided on said platform (1) and are fastened to said platform by interposition of at least two elastic elements (6, 8), positioned on and under the same platform respectively.

[0017] In this manner, when the user discharges a portion of his own weight on one of the two arms, the weight is transferred to the platform (1) by means of the corresponding supporting rod (3).

[0018] Anyway, this transfer does not occur by means of a stiff connection, but by means of an elastic connection, since an elastic element (6) is provided between the platform and the supporting rod.

[0019] Similarly, when the user pulls upwards one of the two supporting rods, the supporting rod will not react stiffly since a spring (8) is interposed also under the platform between the supporting rod and the surface of the platform.

[0020] Conveniently, both in the upper portion and in the lower portion with respect to the platform, the supporting rod (3) is provided with a section with diameter greater than the spring (6, 8) interposed between the supporting rod (3) and the platform (1). Moreover, preferably, both in the upper portion and in the lower portion the supporting rod (3) is provided with adjusting means of the pre-load applied to the spring.

[0021] In the preferred embodiment, said adjusting means comprise pushing pans and a screwable ring nut.

[0022] When the ring nut is screwed to compress the spring, this latter is pre-loaded. The spring can also be brought in its maximum compression configuration, and act as a stiff connection means.

[0023] Clearly, such action is adjustable independently in the two directions of possible action of the force by adjusting the two springs differently.

[0024] As it is shown in the figures, each rod (3) is preferably of telescopic way. That it, it is provided with an element (4) which can be removed, so that it can be possible to manage the height of the hands support as a function of the height of the user.

[0025] Preferably, moreover, each telescopic rod (3) comprises a spherical element (9) on the top. This element allows the patient to grasp from the top instead of laterally. This measure changes the kind of supporting the user, thus providing a support of vertical kind. On the contrary, the support offered is of lateral kind when the sticks are grasped as skis.

[0026] Without this limiting the aims of the invention, the platform (1) can comprise pressure sensors (12) positioned at the supporting position of each foot, and deformation sensors, for example, extensometers, configured to provide an indication of the vertical displacement of each one of the two rods.

[0027] If the pre-load on the elastic elements (6, 8) is known, to the indication relating to the vertical displacement of the rods an indication can be associated relative to the direction and the intensity of the force exchanged between the user and the platform by means of each one of the rods. The signals deriving from this kind of sensors can be used as interaction means with a multimedia device.

[0028] For example, they can be used to control a character in a videogame, so that the user can enjoy the exercise the most.

[0029] Moreover, by the provision of these sensors it is possible a feedback about the behaviour and the answers of the patient.

Claims

1. Device for the training of a user balance and for rehabilitation, comprising a platform (1) fastened to the floor by means of an elastic element (2) and configured to allow a user to stand on the same platform,
characterized in that it comprises also a couple of supporting rods (3) laterally positioned, one for each side, with respect to the position taken by the user standing on said platform and connected to said platform (1) by means of a connection of elastic kind.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises further a base provided with sufficient stability to keep the device still during usage, to which said platform is fastened by means of said elastic means.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that between the platform (1) and each supporting bar (3) at least a spring is interposed.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting rods (3) are introduced inside through-holes (1) provided on said platform (1) and are fastened to said platform by interposition of at least two elastic elements (6, 8), positioned on and under the same platform respectively.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both in the upper portion and in the lower portion with respect to the platform, the supporting rod (3) is provided with a section with diameter greater than the spring interposed between the supporting rod and the platform.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both in the upper portion and in the lower portion the supporting rod (3) is provided with adjusting means of the pre-load applied to the spring (6, 8).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said adjusting means comprise pushing pans and a screwable ring nut.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each rod (3) is of telescopic kind.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each telescopic rod comprises a spherical grasping element on the top.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said platform (1) comprises pressure sensors (12) positioned at the supporting position of each foot, and deformation sensors configured to provide an indication of the vertical displacement of each one of the two rods.

Drawing