DE20104131U1 - Device especially for lumbar extension - Google Patents

Description

Device especially for lumbar extension

The invention relates to a device, in particular for lumbar extension, with a frame, a couch mounted on the frame for the user of the device and with means for fixing the pelvis and the legs of the user.

It is known that strengthening the lumbar extensors can significantly reduce pain and improve mental well-being in cases of chronic back pain. Active training measures to strengthen the muscular corset of the spine have therefore established themselves as an important therapeutic measure. The importance of such measures arises from the fact that 60 to 80% of people suffer from back pain temporarily and 20 to 30% suffer from it chronically.

To carry out the training and therapy measures mentioned, a device is known in which the patient is fixed at the legs and in the pelvic area and carries out a so-called extension with the upper body against a retroactive force. In practice, this device has proven itself. A treatment with this device includes, for example, twelve to eighteen sessions, which are monitored by a therapist. After therapy has been completed, the result should be consolidated through further exercises, but this is often not possible for cost reasons. These consolidating exercises could be carried out on a simpler but nevertheless

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a device suitable from a therapeutic point of view. Such a device was missing until now.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device of the type mentioned, which is particularly suitable for home use and can be produced relatively inexpensively. The device should nevertheless allow for training that is suitable for health and be usable by the user or patient without further assistance.

The problem is solved in a device of this type in that the bed is arranged so that it can move on a guide that is inclined to the horizontal, and in that force transmission means are provided with which, in particular, a lumbar extension is translated into a movement of the bed, whereby the bed is moved upwards against gravity. In the device according to the invention, the resistance force is exerted by the weight of the bed and the user. When the upper body is moved backwards, i.e. a so-called lumbar extension, the user is moved upwards at an angle together with the bed. The force that is necessary to move the user and the bed upwards represents the resistance force that must be applied during the lumbar extension. This force can be changed in a simple manner by adjusting the inclination. This design of the resistance force enables a particularly simple and yet functionally reliable construction of the device.

The device can also be used for training in which the user performs a flexion movement against a resistance force. Here, too, the user is moved upwards at an angle with the table. During this flexion movement, the upper body is swung forwards against a resistance force.

Such a device is particularly easy to manufacture if, according to the development of the invention, the force transmission means have a bracket which is in the area

of the user's pelvis and is to be placed in an upper area for a lumbar extension on the back and for a flexion movement on the chest of the user. The pivot axis of the bar preferably coincides essentially with the pivot axis of the upper body and thus passes through the

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User's pelvis.

According to a further development of the invention, the force transmission means have at least one disc, by means of which a swivel movement of the user is converted into a sliding movement of the lounger by means of a pulling element. This disc is preferably arranged laterally next to the pelvis. According to a further development, the bracket can be designed to be connectable to the disc in different positions. This is possible, for example, with a pin that is attached to the bracket and can be inserted into a hole in the disc. The user can manually set the appropriate starting position of the bracket by moving the pin. The disc preferably has several such holes.

It is essential for the invention that the device can be used without outside help. The user can fix himself to the couch by means of suitable straps on the pelvis and legs. Preferably, there is a cushion on the couch that is designed so that the legs are slightly bent. This is a particularly suitable position for performing the exercises mentioned.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. They show:

Figure 1 shows schematically a side view of a device according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a view of a part of the device according to Figure 1,

Figure 3 is another schematic view of the device according to Figure 1,

Figures 4 and 5 schematically show the operation of the device according to the invention in

a lumbar extension, and
Figure 6 schematically shows a side view of a variant of the inventive

device,

Figure 7 is a plan view of the device according to Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a front view of the device according to Figures 6 and 7 and

Figure 9 shows schematically a side view of the device according to Figure 6, where

Parts have been omitted for illustrative purposes.

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The device 1 shown in Figure 1 has a frame 22 which, as can be seen, is inclined towards a building floor 20 and is placed on the floor with feet 12 and a stand 3. The stand 3 has a series of recesses 3a into which a connecting element 23 engages depending on the inclination of the frame 22. The inclination of the device 1 to the horizontal can thus be adjusted in stages in a simple manner.

A bed 21 is arranged on the frame 22, which is supported on the frame 22 so that it can move, for example, with rollers 28. A cushion 10 is arranged on the top of the bed 21. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, straps 11 for securing the feet of a user 26 and straps 19 for securing the pelvis of the user 26 are attached to the bed. At the lower end of the bed 21 there is an upwardly projecting rod 13 onto which a weight body 15 can be attached. This allows the weight of the bed 21 to be increased.

At the upper end of the bed 21, as shown in Figure 3, a transversely extending support 30 is arranged, to which discs 5 are attached in a rotationally fixed manner at the side of the bed 21. According to Figures 1 and 2, these discs have a series of holes 18. The discs 5 are arranged such that their center 16 essentially coincides with the axis of the pelvis of the user 26. The pivot axis of the upper body of the user 26 thus passes essentially through these centers 16. Two seat cushions 8 are arranged on the bed between the discs 5, which are used to support the back of the user 16.

A substantially U-shaped bracket 6 is pivotably mounted on the two discs 5. The pivot axis of the bracket 6 passes through the centers 16 of the discs 5. This bracket 6 has a back cushion 4 in the middle and at the top and a counterweight 7 at each end. The bracket 6 can be made, for example, using a bent rod or a tube. The weights 7 ensure that the bracket 6 is essentially vertically aligned when not in use.

At the upper end of the frame 22, a deflection roller 17 is mounted, around which a traction element 2,

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for example a rope is laid. This pulling element 2 is attached at one end 2a to the bed 21 and at two ends 2b to the disks 5. When the bracket 6 is rotated anti-clockwise about the centers 16, the disks 5 are rotated in the same direction and the bed 21 is thus moved upwards on the frame 22 via the pulling element 2. The connection of the bracket 6 to the disks 5 is ensured according to Figure 2 by means of pins 14 which are attached to the bracket 6 and engage in one of the holes 18. The pin 14 can be moved by hand and thus the position of the pin 14 can be changed. The disks 5 are thus fixed and the bracket 6 can be pivoted in one direction or the other about the center 16.

The operation of device 1 is explained below using Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 4 shows the starting position of a user 26 for a lumbar extension. The legs of the user 26 are connected to the

Straps 11 and 19 are fixed. Due to the shape of the pad 10, the legs are slightly angled, as can be seen. The user 26 is supported on the back by the pad 8. These pad 8 are attached to the couch 21. The pelvis of the user 26 is in the area of the discs 5. To strengthen the back muscles, the user 26 performs a movement in which the upper body is pivoted backwards in the direction of the arrow 31. The bar 6 resting on the back with the pad 4 is pivoted with the discs 5 about the center point 16. As explained above, the couch 21 together with the user 26 is moved upwards on the frame 22 in the direction of the arrow 32 via the traction element 2. This movement requires a force corresponding to the inclination of the frame 22. This force forms the resistance force which the user 26 must exert during the lumbar extension.

Figure 5 shows the user 26 after a lumbar extension. The inclination of the upper body is of course different here. The end position shown in Figure 5 can be maintained by pulling the upper body against the bar 6 or the pad 4. If the tension is released and the upper body is moved forwards, the bar 6 follows this movement and at the same time the carriage 21 moves with the user to the right on the inclined plane of the frame 22. The bar is then moved back into the position shown in Figure 4.

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shown starting position. The movement can now be repeated in the same way, whereby, as mentioned, the user 26 is moved with the couch 21 into the position shown in Figure 5. The movements mentioned can of course be repeated as desired.

As shown in dashed lines in Figure 5, the bracket 6' can be arranged so that the pad 4' rests against the chest of the user 26. If the user 26 now moves his upper body clockwise, the bracket 6' and the discs 5 are also moved clockwise and at the same time the carriage is moved to the left and thus upwards in Figure 5 via the pulling element 2 on the inclined plane of the frame 22. The resistance force is thus also caused here by raising the couch 21. After a session has ended, the frame 22 can be removed from the stand 3 and thus stored in a space-saving manner. When assembling the device 1, the inclination of the frame 22 and thus the force to be exerted can be selected by selecting the appropriate recess 3a. The resistance force can also be increased by placing an appropriate weight 15 on the rod 13.

According to the invention, a device is created that can be manufactured inexpensively and is very easy to operate by the user.

The device 50 shown in Figures 6 to 9 has a two-armed lever 51 which can be pivoted about a joint 80 in the direction of arrow 73 as shown in Figure 9. The lever 51 is provided with a weight 70 at its lower end and with a handle 56 at its upper end. In addition, a back cushion 58 is attached to the lever 51 at a suitable height. A lever 57 is attached near the handle 56, with which a locking pin 54 can be actuated via a bottom pull 81. An angle scale 55 is attached in the area of this pin 54. This pin 54 can be used to lock or release any pivot position of the lever 51.

A seat cushion 59 is attached to a seat 60 and a footrest 64 is attached at a distance from the seat. This footrest 64 is adjustable. Thigh cushions 62 and knee cushions 63 are arranged near the seat cushion 59, on which the user can

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legs can be supported. The thigh pads 62 can be pivoted by means of a locking lever 65.

The seat 60 is mounted on a frame 68 and forms a carriage with rollers 75 (Figure 9) which is mounted on two roller guides 76 and 72 so that it can move to a limited extent. These roller guides 66 and 72 each have an inclined plane 67 on which the rollers 75 are supported. These roller guides 66 and 72 can be adjusted by means of a crank 71. The inclination of the inclined planes 67 can thus be adjusted continuously.

The functioning of the device 5 is briefly explained below with reference to Figure 9. The lever 51 is mounted via the joint 80 on a web 61 fixed to the frame. Above the joint 80, a bearing plate 77 is attached to the lever 51 and is connected to another bearing plate 78 via a hinge pin 79. This bearing plate 78 is firmly connected to the seat 60. Preferably, two bearing plates 78 are arranged on the sides of the seat 60, each of which is hingedly connected to a bearing plate 77. If the lever 51 on the back cushion 58 is now pivoted around the joint 80 in the direction of the arrow 73, the bearing plate 77 takes the seat 60 with it via the bearing plate 78 and moves it diagonally upwards in the direction of the arrow 74. The seat 60 is thus moved backwards and upwards at the same time in Figure 9. The direction is determined by the inclination of the two roller guides 66 and 72. These can be adjusted using the crank 71 as explained. For example, the inclined plane 67 could be set steeper than shown in Figure 9. The seat 60 is then raised accordingly. The person sitting on the seat 60 must therefore lift their weight and the weight of the seat at the same time when pivoting the lever 51. The seat 60 can only be raised when the pin 54 is loosened. Any position of the seat 60 can be fixed by operating the lever 57 or the locking pin 54.

As shown in Figure 9, a plate 82 is attached to the seat 60, which has an arcuate slot 84. In addition, the upwardly projecting plate is also firmly connected to the seat 60 and has locking holes 87, into which the aforementioned locking pin 54 releasably engages. A lever 88 can be pivoted about a pivot axis 79 when the locking pin 54 is released. This pivot axis 79 connects the plate 78 to the plate 77, which is firmly connected to the two-armed lever 51. A slot 83 is drilled into the plate 77.

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incorporated, in which a bearing roller 86 of the web 61 engages.

If the locking pin 54 is in a locking position and a force is exerted on the back cushion 58 in the direction of the arrow 73, the two levers 51 are pivoted about the pivot point 79 in the direction of the arrow 73. The plate 77 is pivoted anticlockwise about the pivot point 79 and in doing so lifts the plate 82 and with it the seat 60 via the bearing 86. Since the person (not shown here) is on the seat 60, he or she must lift his or her own weight, which creates a corresponding counterforce on the back cushion 58. If the locking pin 54 is released, the two levers 51 can be pivoted without lifting the seat 60.

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Claims (14)

1. Device in particular for lumbar extension, with a frame ( 22 ), a couch ( 21 ) attached to the frame ( 22 , 68 ) for the user ( 26 ) of the device and with means ( 11 , 19 ) for fixing the pelvis and the legs of the user ( 26 ), characterized in that the couch ( 21 ) is arranged to be movable on a guide inclined to the horizontal and that force transmission means ( 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ) are provided with which in particular a lumbar extension is transmitted into a movement of the couch ( 21 ), the couch ( 21 ) being moved upwards against gravity, preferably on an inclined plane. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the force transmission means ( 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ) have a bracket ( 6 ) or a lever ( 51 ) which is pivotally mounted in the region of the user's pelvis and which is provided in an upper region with a back cushion ( 4 , 58 ) and/or handles ( 57 ) for a lumbar extension on the back and for a flexion movement of the user ( 26 ). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the frame ( 22 ) is inclined and forms the inclined plane for the movement of the bed ( 21 ). 4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the bed ( 21 ) is designed as a seat ( 60 ) and that the frame ( 68 ) has at least one inclined roller guide ( 66 , 72 ) in which the seat ( 60 ) is slidably mounted as a carriage by means of rollers ( 75 ). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lever ( 51 ) is articulated by means of a joint ( 80 ) on a web ( 61 ) fixed to the frame. 6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that a crank ( 71 ) is provided for adjusting the inclination of the roller guides ( 66 , 72 ). 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that a plate ( 82 ) is fastened to the seat ( 60 ), which plate has an arcuate elongated hole ( 84 ), wherein a bearing roller ( 86 ) of the web ( 61 ) fixed to the frame engages in the arcuate elongated hole ( 84 ). 8. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the force transmission means ( 2 , 4 , 6 ) comprise at least one disc ( 5 ) with which a pivoting movement of the user ( 26 ) is converted into a sliding movement of the lounger ( 21 ) by means of a pulling element ( 2 ). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the bracket ( 6 ) and the at least one disc ( 5 ) have a common pivot point or axis of rotation ( 16 ). 10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that two discs ( 5 ) arranged at a distance from one another are provided and that these discs ( 5 ) are arranged laterally next to the pelvis of the user ( 26 ). 11. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the bracket ( 6 ) can be connected to at least one of the discs ( 5 ) by means of a manually displaceable pin ( 14 ). 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the force transmission means ( 2 , 4 , 6 ) comprise a cable pull ( 2 ) which is connected to the bed ( 21 ) and the pivotable part ( 5 ). 13. Device according to claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the means ( 11 , 19 ) for fixing the user ( 26 ) are attached to the couch ( 21 ). 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a support ( 13 ) is arranged in the lower region of the bed ( 21 ) and that weight bodies ( 15 ) are provided which can be applied to the support ( 13 ) in order to increase the force to be exerted by the user.