Lower extremity exercise machine and pedal unit

Abstract

A lower extremity exercise machine and a pedal unit that enable supination and pronation of an ankle joint during lower extremity exercise are provided. A foot pedal exercise machine as the lower extremity exercise machine is a lower extremity exercise machine that uses a pair of pedal units to perform lower extremity exercise. Each pedal unit includes a pedal plate portion on which a corresponding foot is placed, a base portion, and a joint portion that is provided between the pedal plate portion and the base portion and links the pedal plate portion and the base portion in a manner that enables the pedal plate portion to perform pitch rotation, roll rotation, and yaw rotation with respect to the base portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a lower limb exercise machine and a pedal unit. BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-526456) discloses a stepping exercise machine capable of realizing plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of an ankle joint, and inversion and eversion of the ankle joint.

[0003] Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-261256) discloses an ankle exercise device capable of realizing plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of an ankle joint, and internal rotation and external rotation of the ankle joint. SUMMARY

[0004] However, when walking, the ankle joint (talocrural joint and talocalcaneal joint) alternately and repeatedly performs supination and pronation.

[0005] Here, supination of the ankle joint refers to a complex motion composed of plantar flexion in the sagittal plane, internal rotation in the transverse plane, and inversion in the frontal plane. On the other hand, pronation of the ankle joint refers to a complex motion composed of dorsiflexion in the sagittal plane, external rotation in the transverse plane, and eversion in the frontal plane.

[0006] In the structures of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, the supination and pronation described above during lower limb exercise cannot be realized.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that realizes supination and pronation of an ankle joint during lower limb exercise.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a lower limb exercise machine is provided, which is a lower limb exercise machine that performs lower limb exercise using a pair of pedal units, wherein each pedal unit includes: a foot pedal portion on which a corresponding foot portion is placed; a base portion; and a joint portion that is provided between the foot pedal portion and the base portion and links the foot pedal portion and the base portion in a manner that enables the foot pedal portion to perform pitch rotation, roll rotation, and yaw rotation with respect to the base portion. According to the above structure, supination and pronation of an ankle joint during lower limb exercise can be realized.

[0009] The joint portion of each pedal unit can also include a roll joint portion for roll rotation, a pitch joint portion for pitch rotation, and a yaw joint portion for yaw rotation.

[0010] The joint portion of each pedal unit can also include a roll joint portion for roll rotation, a pitch joint portion for pitch rotation, and a yaw joint portion for yaw rotation.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pedal unit that is a pedal unit capable of being attached to and detached from a binding pedal, including: a pedal portion on which a corresponding foot is placed; a base portion having a binding stud that is snap-fitted to the binding pedal; and a joint portion that is provided between the pedal portion and the base portion and links the pedal portion and the base portion in such a manner that the pedal portion is capable of roll rotation and yaw rotation relative to the base portion.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, supination and pronation of the ankle joint during lower limb movement are achieved.

[0013] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered illustrative only, and not to be considered as restricting the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 A perspective view of a foot pedal exercise machine. (First embodiment)

[0015] Figure 2 A side view of a foot pedal exercise machine. (First embodiment)

[0016] Figure 3 A plan view of a foot pedal exercise machine. (First embodiment)

[0017] Figure 4 An enlarged side view of a foot pedal exercise machine. (Variation)

[0018] Figure 5 A side view of a pedal unit that is snap-fitted to a binding pedal. (Second embodiment) DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to eliminate the lack of exercise on weekdays accompanying desk work, typically, a pedal exercise machine is preferably provided under a desk. That is, if a pedal exercise machine can be used to perform pedaling while seated during desk work, the lack of exercise on weekdays can be eliminated without having to intentionally secure time for exercise. However, in the existing pedal exercise machine, because supination and pronation of the ankle joint during lower limb exercise cannot be achieved, an effect of improving the flexibility of the ankle joint cannot be expected.

[0020] The flexibility of the ankle joint is indispensable for forming the arch of the foot. Also, the arch of the foot mainly absorbs the impact received from the ground at the time of walking, thereby reducing the burden on the knee. In addition, the flexibility of the ankle joint is also advantageous for stable walking on uneven ground. In light of these circumstances, when performing pedaling using a pedal exercise machine, it is also desirable to achieve supination and pronation of the ankle joint. Further, if supination and pronation at the ankle joint can be achieved, the superior movement chain between the lower limbs and the pelvis can also be generated, and at the same time, the movement of the trunk muscles represented by the rectus abdominis or transverse abdominis, and the erector spinae can be achieved.

[0021] Hereinafter, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for achieving supination and pronation at the ankle joint at the time of lower limb exercise will be described.

[0022] (First Embodiment)

[0023] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1 to 3 , the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0024] In Figures 1 to 3 , a pedal exercise machine 1 is shown as one specific example of a lower limb exercise machine used in the exercise of the lower limbs. The pedal exercise machine 1 is a machine for performing pedaling while seated, and for example, can also be a bicycle, an exercise bike (registered trademark), a recumbent bicycle, or the like having a chair. As a lower limb exercise machine used in the exercise of the lower limbs, in addition to the pedal exercise machine 1, a stepping exercise machine is also considered.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 , the pedal exercise machine 1 includes a machine main body 2, a shaft 3, a pair of cranks 4, a pair of sliding guide units 5, and a pair of pedal units 6.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3As shown, the shaft 3 extends in a direction orthogonal to a sagittal plane of the user, and is rotatably supported on the instrument body 2. The instrument body 2 is provided with a servomotor with electromagnetic brake, which either rotates the shaft 3 at a predetermined speed, or applies a load against the rotation of the shaft 3. A pair of cranks 4 extend from both ends of the shaft 3 in directions orthogonal to the length direction of the shaft 3, toward opposite directions from each other.

[0027] As shown, each of the slide guide units 5 includes a guide base 10 and a guide body 11. Figure 2

[0028] On the front end 10a of the guide base 10, the top end 4a of the corresponding crank 4 is connected in a pitch-rotatable manner. On the rear end 10b of the guide base 10, a wheel 12 is provided, which is pitch-rotatable. The wheel 12 typically rolls on a floor on which the treadmill 1 is installed.

[0029] The guide body 11 extends along the length direction of the guide base 10. The guide body 11 includes a rail support plate 13 provided on the guide base 10, and a rail 14 formed on the rail support plate 13.

[0030] In the above structure, the slide guide unit 5 reciprocates in the front-rear direction in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 3. When the slide guide unit 5 moves forward, the front end 10a of the guide base 10 passes from above the shaft 3. On the other hand, when the slide guide unit 5 moves backward, the front end 10a of the guide base 10 passes from below the shaft 3.

[0031] Next, referring to Figure 2 , the pedal unit 6 is composed of a pedal portion 20 and a base portion 21, and a joint portion 22.

[0032] The pedal portion 20 is a portion on which the foot F of the user U is placed.

[0033] The base portion 21 is supported by the instrument body 2. The base portion 21 is connected to the rail 14 in a manner so as to be slidable with respect to the rail 14. Therefore, the base portion 21 is supported by the instrument body 2 via the slide guide unit 5 and the crank 4, the shaft 3. However, it is also possible that the slide guide unit 5 is omitted, and the base portion 21 is directly supported by the crank 4.

[0034] ​The joint portion 22 links the footboard portion 20 and the base portion 21 in a manner that enables the footboard portion 20 to pitch, roll, and yaw relative to the base portion 21. Specifically, the joint portion 22 includes a yaw rotation portion 30 linked to the base portion 21 in a manner that enables yaw rotation relative to the base portion 21, and a pitch rotation portion 31 linked to the yaw rotation portion 30 in a manner that enables pitch rotation relative to the yaw rotation portion 30. Also, the footboard portion 20 is linked to the pitch rotation portion 31 in a manner that enables roll rotation relative to the pitch rotation portion 31.

[0035] The yaw axis 30X at the time of yaw rotation of the yaw rotation portion 30 is parallel to the plate thickness direction of the rail support plate 13 when the side of the step exercise machine 1 is viewed as shown in FIG. 1. The pitch axis 31X at the time of pitch rotation of the pitch rotation portion 31 is orthogonal to the yaw axis 30X. The roll axis 20X at the time of roll rotation of the footboard portion 20 is orthogonal to the pitch axis 31X. Thus, it can be said that the footboard portion 20 has three-axis degrees of freedom relative to the base portion 21. The yaw axis 30X and the roll axis 20X lie in the same plane. The roll axis 20X extends parallel to the foot length direction. Figure 2

[0036] In the present embodiment, the footboard portion 20 and the pitch rotation portion 31 constitute a roll joint portion 40 for roll rotation of the footboard portion 20 relative to the base portion 21. The pitch rotation portion 31 and the yaw rotation portion 30 constitute a pitch joint portion 41 for pitch rotation of the footboard portion 20 relative to the base portion 21. Also, the yaw rotation portion 30 and the base portion 21 constitute a yaw joint portion 42 for yaw rotation of the footboard portion 20 relative to the base portion 21. Also, the pedal unit 6 includes, in the order of recitation, the roll joint portion 40, the pitch joint portion 41, and the yaw joint portion 42 from the footboard portion 20 toward the base portion 21.

[0037] The footboard portion 20 is disposed rearward of the pitch axis 31X. Also, the footboard portion 20 is fixed to the outsole 51 of the shoe 50 worn by the user U by screwing. Specifically, the footboard portion 20 is screwed to a portion of the outsole 51 that opposes the rear foot of the foot F of the user U. Thus, the middle foot of the foot F of the user U opposes the pitch axis 31X.

[0038] ​In the above structure, when the user U kicks out the right foot in the forward direction, the shaft 3 will rotate in such a manner that the front end 10a of the guide base 10 corresponding to the right foot passes from a position higher than the shaft 3. At this time, supination occurs at the ankle joint of the right foot. That is, in the ankle joint of the right foot, plantar flexion, internal rotation, and varus occur. On the other hand, the left foot is pulled back in the rearward direction. At this time, pronation occurs at the ankle joint of the left foot. That is, in the ankle joint of the left foot, dorsiflexion, external rotation, and valgus occur.

[0039] Next, when the user U kicks out the left foot in the forward direction, the shaft 3 will rotate in such a manner that the front end 10a of the guide base 10 corresponding to the left foot passes from a position higher than the shaft 3. At this time, supination occurs at the ankle joint of the left foot. That is, in the ankle joint of the left foot, plantar flexion, internal rotation, and varus occur. On the other hand, the right foot is pulled back in the rearward direction. At this time, pronation occurs in the ankle joint of the right foot. That is, in the ankle joint of the right foot, dorsiflexion, external rotation, and valgus occur.

[0040] In this manner, when the user U uses the foot exercise machine 1 to alternately kick out the right foot and the left foot in the forward direction, supination and pronation alternately occur at the ankle joint of the right foot, and pronation and supination alternately occur at the ankle joint of the left foot. The motion of the ankle joint at this time faithfully reproduces the motion of the ankle joint at the time of walking, and as a result, an exercise effect of improving the flexibility of the ankle joint can be expected.

[0041] Although the first embodiment has been described above, the above-described embodiment has the following features.

[0042] The foot exercise machine 1 as a lower limb exercise machine is a lower limb exercise machine that exercises the lower limbs using a pair of pedal units 6. Each pedal unit 6 includes a foot pedal portion 20 on which a corresponding foot F is placed, a base portion 21, and a joint portion 22 that is provided between the foot pedal portion 20 and the base portion 21 and links the foot pedal portion 20 and the base portion 21 in such a manner that the foot pedal portion 20 can perform pitch rotation, roll rotation, and yaw rotation with respect to the base portion 21. According to the above structure, supination and pronation of the ankle joint at the time of lower limb exercise can be achieved.

[0043] Further, the joint portion 22 of each pedal unit 6 includes a roll joint portion 40 for roll rotation, a pitch joint portion 41 for pitch rotation, and a yaw joint portion 42 for yaw rotation. Moreover, the joint portion 22 of each pedal unit 6 includes the roll joint portion 40, the pitch joint portion 41, and the yaw joint portion 42 in this order from the foot pedal portion 20 toward the base portion 21. According to the above structure, the joint portion 22 can be achieved with a simple structure.

[0044] However, the joint portion 22 can also be, for example, a ball joint. That is, the pedal portion 20 and the base portion 21 can be coupled to each other via a ball joint as the joint portion.

[0045] The first embodiment described above can be changed, for example, in the following manner.

[0046] That is, as shown in Figure 4 , the shoe 50 is configured to be simply freely attached to and detached from the pedal portion 20 by providing the binding member 60 on the pedal portion 20 and providing a cleat 61 capable of being snap-fitted to the binding member 60 on the outsole 51 of the shoe 50.

[0047] As one example, as the binding member 60 and the cleat 61, SPD (SHIMANO PEDALING DYNAMICS, registered trademark) can be employed. That is, the binding member 60 includes a toe-side hook 62, a heel-side hook 63, and a coil spring 64. The coil spring 64 presses the heel-side hook 63 toward the toe-side hook 62. At the top end of the heel-side hook 63, a fitting guide surface 63a is formed. The cleat 61 includes a support portion 65, a front cleat 66, and a rear cleat 67. The support portion 65 extends downward from the outsole 51. The front cleat 66 extends forward from the support portion 65. The rear cleat 67 extends rearward from the support portion 65. In the above structure, when the foot is stepped into the heel in a state where the front cleat 66 is caught on the toe-side hook 62, the rear cleat 67 retreats the heel-side hook 63 while sliding on the fitting guide surface 63a of the heel-side hook 63. When the rear cleat 67 passes over the fitting guide surface 63a, the heel-side hook 63 advances by the spring restoring force of the coil spring 64. As a result, the rear cleat 67 is caught by the heel-side hook 63. Thus, the cleat 61 is snap-fitted to the binding member 60.

[0048] (Second Embodiment)

[0049] Next, with reference to Figure 5 , a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In Figure 5 , a side view of the pedal unit 101 snap-fitted to the binding pedal 100 is shown.

[0050] The binding pedal 100 is a pedal typically having a binding member 102 suitable for SPD (SHIMANO PEDALING DYNAMICS, registered trademark). Since the structure of the binding member 102 is the same as that of the binding member 60 shown in Figure 4 , the description thereof is omitted.

[0051] The pedal unit 101 includes a foot pedal portion 103, a base portion 104, and a joint portion 105. The foot pedal portion 103 is a portion on which a corresponding foot F is placed. The base portion 104 has a clasp 106 that is snap-fitted to the binding member 102. Since the structure of the clasp 106 is the same as that of the clasp 61 shown in Figure 4

[0052] The joint portion 105 is provided between the foot pedal portion 103 and the base portion 104. The joint portion 105 links the foot pedal portion 103 and the base portion 104 in such a manner that the foot pedal portion 103 is able to perform roll rotation and yaw rotation with respect to the base portion 104.

[0053] Specifically, the joint portion 105 is configured to be able to perform yaw rotation with respect to the base portion 104. Also, the foot pedal portion 103 is linked to the joint portion 105 in such a manner that the foot pedal portion 103 is able to perform roll rotation with respect to the joint portion 105.

[0054] The yaw rotation axis 105X of the joint portion 105 is orthogonal to the pitch rotation axis 100X of the binding pedal 100. The roll rotation axis 103X of the foot pedal portion 103 is orthogonal to the yaw rotation axis 105X. Therefore, it can be said that the foot pedal portion 103 has three-axis degrees of freedom with respect to the pitch rotation axis 100X, the yaw rotation axis 105X, and the roll rotation axis 103X.

[0055] According to the present embodiment, by merely replacing the pedal of the existing lower extremity exercise machine with the binding pedal 100 and snap-fitting the pedal unit 101 to the binding member 102 of the binding pedal 100, the pronation and supination of the ankle joint can be achieved. Therefore, the introduction cost at the time of achieving the pronation and supination of the ankle joint can be suppressed.

[0056] Although the second embodiment has been described above, the above-described second embodiment has the following features.

[0057] That is, the pedal unit 101 that is detachably attached to the binding pedal 100 includes a foot pedal portion 103 on which a corresponding foot F is placed, a base portion 104 that has a clasp 106 that is snap-fitted to the binding pedal 100, and a joint portion 105 that is provided between the foot pedal portion 103 and the base portion 104 and links the foot pedal portion 103 and the base portion 104 in such a manner that the foot pedal portion 103 is able to perform roll rotation and yaw rotation with respect to the base portion 104. According to the above structure, since the binding pedal 100 itself is originally able to perform pitch rotation, the supination and pronation of the ankle joint at the time of lower extremity exercise can be achieved.

[0058] ​From the foregoing description of the disclosure, it will be apparent that variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed can be effected without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Such variations and modifications are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and all such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foot exercise machine, which is a machine for performing a foot exercise on a seat, comprising: a machine body; a shaft rotatably supported on the machine body; a pair of cranks extending in opposite directions from both ends of the shaft in a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the shaft; a pair of slide guide units including a guide base and a rail; a pair of pedal units, a top end of the corresponding crank is connected to the front end of the guide base in a pitch rotationally free manner, a wheel is provided on the rear end of the guide base in a pitch rotationally free manner, the rail extends along the length direction of the guide base and is provided on the guide base, the pair of slide guide units reciprocate in the front and rear directions as the shaft rotates, when the slide guide unit moves forward, the front end of the guide base passes from a position above the shaft, when the slide guide unit moves backward, the front end of the guide base passes from a position below the shaft, each pedal unit includes a pedal portion for placing the corresponding foot, a base portion connected to the rail in a manner capable of sliding with respect to the rail, a joint portion provided between the pedal portion and the base portion and connecting the pedal portion and the base portion in a manner capable of pitch rotation, roll rotation and yaw rotation of the pedal portion with respect to the base portion, the joint portion of each pedal unit includes a roll joint portion for roll rotation, a pitch joint portion for pitch rotation, a yaw joint portion for yaw rotation, the joint portion of each pedal unit includes the roll joint portion, the pitch joint portion, the yaw joint portion in order from the pedal portion toward the base portion, the pedal portion is fixed by screwing on a portion of the outsole of the shoe worn by the user opposite the rear part of the user's foot, when the user uses the foot exercise machine to alternately kick out the right foot and the left foot forward, supination and pronation are alternately generated at the ankle joint of the right foot, and pronation and supination are alternately generated at the ankle joint of the left foot. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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