Body loosening device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) comprising a frame (20) suitable for resting fixedly on the ground and a ball (10) suitable for supporting the weight of a body part of a user (U) when the body part of the user (U) is pressed against an upper part (412) of the ball while the user (U) keeps at least one foot on the ground. The device further comprises a stabilizing member (30) carried by the frame and designed to hold the ball by contact in order to keep the center of the ball substantially stationary relative to the frame while leaving the ball free to move relative to the frame at least with a first tilting movement (B) about a first horizontal axis (X40) passing through the center of the ball. The device further comprises a movable support member (40) which is motorized and suitable for supporting a lower part (14) of the ball, the lower part of the ball pressing downward against the movable support member under the effect of the user pressing the upper part of the ball, and the movable support member driving the lower part of the ball at least with the first tilting movement (B) relative to the frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a body mobilization device, that is, a device for moving parts of a human subject's body in a controlled manner using the device.

[0002] This invention relates to the fields of functional rehabilitation of patients and physical preparation of healthy subjects. Background Technology

[0003] One of the fundamental techniques practiced by physical therapists in this field is passive mobilization, a technique used in traumatology, rheumatology, neurology, and resuscitation. In this technique, the patient does not perform any voluntary motor action; therefore, the physical therapist may or may not use equipment, such as devices called continuous passive motion machines, to move the patient's joints.

[0004] Mobilization is called active mobilization when joint movement is achieved through the subject's voluntary muscle contractions. Active mobilization allows subjects to exercise with or without the assistance of a physical therapist and with or without stress, depending on the pathology and / or the physical preparation goals to be achieved. Various specialized materials are typically used. Among these materials, balls are known, often called "Swiss balls," "Klein-Vogelbach balls," or "gymballs." These are inflatable, elastic bodies on which subjects place parts of their bodies for physical exercises, particularly joint exercises. For example, a subject sits on a ball with their pelvis directly on the higher part of the ball while their feet remain in contact with the ground: by seeking balance, the subject specifically exercises the joints and muscles of their lower limbs, pelvis, and back. Existing balls are comfortable and come in different diameters, which subjects choose based on their body size and the body parts they wish to rehabilitate or treat. This ball is used to enhance muscle strength, deep muscle proprioception, coordination, flexibility, and core strength. Its advantages and value are well-established, leading to its use in the medical field and among athletes, particularly for muscle building.

[0005] However, existing balls are still inherently unstable devices. Using such devices requires "taming" their instability, which can be difficult, dangerous, or even impossible for some people with limited mobility or physical weakness. Moreover, the amplitude, speed, and other characteristics of existing ball movements are not easy to control, making it impossible to control the effectiveness of loosening exercises with the ball.

[0006] In a distinct field—virtual reality devices—US6135928 discloses a device that allows for natural human movement. This device comprises a sphere and a frame. The frame is positioned below the ground and supports the sphere, with only a small portion of the sphere protruding above the ground through an opening. The device also includes an aerial support vertically held above the sphere by a bracket. This aerial support restrains the user standing on the sphere using a harness. The sphere is accordingly designed to have a diameter between 6 and 7 feet, or 180 to 215 centimeters. The sphere is allowed to rotate freely relative to the frame around its center, allowing the user to walk or run on top of the sphere by rotating the sphere around its center, while the user remains stationary relative to the frame. To this end, the device includes two "idle" casters at the interface between the frame and the sphere, distributed across the entire surface of the sphere below ground level, allowing the sphere to rotate in any direction around its center, and a wheel with a fixed horizontal axis located at the sphere's equator to reduce slippage and involuntary rotation about a vertical axis passing through the sphere's center. The device is designed to operate without a motor. Nevertheless, US6135928 mentions the possibility of motorizing the wheel with the fixed horizontal axis to "accelerate" the sphere's rotation, thereby forcing the user to "walk faster." In this case, US6135928 states that the wheel with the fixed horizontal axis should be in close contact with the outer surface of the sphere, which is equivalent to pressing the wheel with the fixed horizontal axis horizontally against the sphere. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a new body loosening device that is simple and safe to use when using a ball similar to the one mentioned above, and is used for effective and controlled body loosening exercises under passive loosening when appropriate.

[0008] Therefore, the subject of this invention is a body mobilization device, comprising:

[0009] - A frame that is suitable for being fixedly placed on the ground;

[0010] - A ball adapted to support the weight of the user's body parts when the user's body parts are pressed on the upper part of the ball while the user keeps at least one foot on the ground;

[0011] - A stabilizing member, supported by the frame and designed to hold the ball by contact, such that the center of the ball remains substantially stationary relative to the frame, while allowing the ball to move freely relative to the frame at least by a first tilting motion about a first horizontal axis passing through the center of the ball; and - a movable support member, which is motorized and adapted to support the lower part of the ball, wherein, upon the action of the user pressing the upper part of the ball, the lower part of the ball presses down against the movable support member, and the movable support member is adapted to drive the lower part of the ball at least by the first tilting motion relative to the frame.

[0012] One of the basic ideas of this invention is to use an existing ball of the type described above, but by seeking to stabilize the ball's position relative to the ground, particularly to prevent the ball from rolling on the ground, and to make the ball rotate itself in a motorized and thus controlled manner. To this end, the invention provides a method of holding the ball in contact with a dedicated member of the device, called a stabilizing member, which, while keeping the center of the ball fixed relative to the fixed frame of the device, allows the ball to tilt itself relative to the frame, at least about a horizontal axis passing through the center of the ball, or even rotate itself about its center. A user who rests part of their body on the upper part of the ball while keeping at least one foot on the ground does not risk substantial instability. For example, the user can sit on the ball with both feet on the ground, or stand with one foot on the ground and the other foot on the upper part of the ball. Furthermore, the invention proposes that the ball, through a dedicated motorized member of the device, called a movable support member, tilts relative to the frame at least about the aforementioned horizontal axis, or even rotates about its center, with the lower part of the ball resting on the dedicated motorized member. When a user places part of their body weight on the upper part of the ball, the lower part of the ball is pressed against a movable support member, whose motor activates to drive the lower part of the ball in a corresponding manner, causing the ball to enter a controlled motion. More specifically, the motorized motion can, for example, have a small angular amplitude and be relatively fast, or have a large angular amplitude and be relatively slow. The user passively accompanies the motorized motion of the ball, or conversely, attempts to resist it. In both cases, the motorized motion is performed in a pre-programmed manner or in a random manner. The invention can also take the form where the ball is not spherical, but elongated, particularly having a peanut shape centered on the aforementioned horizontal axis. In practice, as discussed in detail later, the stabilizing member and the movable support member can have several embodiments covered by the invention. In all cases, the device according to the invention is generally used under the supervision of a physical therapist for functional rehabilitation exercises, but more generally, for preparatory exercises in the fields of sports and fitness, as discussed in detail below. Healthcare professionals and athletes, in particular, can use the device according to the invention to enable users to work based on precise movements that follow biomechanics, which are controlled according to their characteristics such as time, speed, amplitude, repetition, etc. Therefore, users of the device according to the invention can work in a safe, efficient, and enjoyable manner.

[0013] Advantageous features of the device according to the invention:

[0014] - The sphere as a whole has a spherical shape centered on the center; the stabilizing member is adapted to allow the sphere to rotate freely about the center of the sphere relative to the frame while keeping the center of the sphere substantially stationary relative to the frame; and the movable support member is adapted to drive the lower part of the sphere to rotate about the center of the sphere relative to the frame.

[0015] - The movable support member is adapted to drive the lower part of the ball relative to the frame only with the first tilting motion.

[0016] In addition to driving the lower part of the ball to perform the first tilting movement relative to the frame, the movable support member is also adapted to drive the lower part of the ball to perform a second tilting movement relative to the frame about a second horizontal axis, the second horizontal axis passing through the center of the ball and being different from the first horizontal axis.

[0017] - The second horizontal axis is perpendicular to the first horizontal axis.

[0018] - The sphere has an elongated shape, extends longitudinally along the first horizontal axis, and has a circular outline centered on the first horizontal axis in a cross section perpendicular to the first horizontal axis.

[0019] The diameter of the circular profile varies along the first horizontal axis through the sphere, having a first value in the middle portion of the sphere and a second value at each of the two ends of the sphere, which are located on either side of the middle portion of the sphere along the first horizontal axis, wherein the first value is less than the second value.

[0020] -The movable support component includes:

[0021] -Drive unit;

[0022] - A fixing component rigidly attached to the frame; and

[0023] - A movable component, wherein the lower part of the ball rests on the movable component, and the movable component is mounted movable, in particular translatably or rotatably, on the fixed component and driven by the drive unit.

[0024] - In use, the stabilizing member is fixedly integrated into the frame and slides in contact with the ball.

[0025] - In use, the stabilizing member moves freely relative to the frame and is driven by contact with the ball.

[0026] - The stabilizing member is arranged on the side of the sphere and contacts the middle portion of the sphere over a continuous area of ​​the stabilizing member, the continuous area extending more than 180°, or even 360°, around the sphere in its projection in the horizontal plane.

[0027] The stabilizing member is arranged on the side of the sphere and contacts the middle portion of the sphere in multiple different areas of the stabilizing member, and its size and distribution in the projection on the horizontal plane are designed to surround the sphere so as to keep the center of the sphere substantially stationary relative to the frame.

[0028] - The stabilizing member is arranged below the lower part of the ball and makes mating contact with the lower part of the ball.

[0029] The device includes a control unit adapted to control the movement of the movable support member, and an interface adapted to activate and set the control unit and display values ​​related to the operation of the body loosening device. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The invention will be better understood by referring to the following description, which is given by way of example only, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of plane II-II shown;

[0033] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of line III-III is shown below;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the movable support member of the device shown in the foregoing figures;

[0035] Figure 5 Is with Figure 3 A similar view, showing the same Figures 1 to 3 The configurations shown are different usage configurations;

[0036] Figure 6 Is with Figure 3 A cross-sectional view on the same plane shows another embodiment of the movable support member;

[0037] Figure 7 Is with Figure 2 A similar view shows an alternative embodiment of the stabilizing component belonging to the device shown in the foregoing figures;

[0038] Figure 8Also with Figure 2 A similar view schematically illustrates another alternative embodiment of the movable support member of the device shown in the foregoing figures;

[0039] Figure 9 Is with Figure 3 A similar cross-sectional view illustrates a second embodiment according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Part of the device shown, along Figure 9 A frontal view of arrow X shown; and

[0041] Figure 11 and Figure 12 They are respectively with Figure 1 and Figure 2 A similar view shows a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Figures 1 to 3 A body loosening device 1 designed to enable movement of the user U's body is shown.

[0043] Device 1 includes a sphere 10 with a spherical shape, the center of which is marked with reference numeral 11. In fact, the sphere 10 is composed of a flexible envelope, particularly an elastic envelope, designed to be inflatable and to give the sphere a spherical shape when inflated. The description of the sphere 10 does not limit the invention, as long as the sphere can support the weight of the user U's body resting against the upper part 12 of the sphere, the upper part being the upward-facing portion when device 1 is used. For example, in... Figure 1 In this arrangement, the user sits on the upper part 12 of the ball 10, with their pelvis resting on it, while their feet are directly supported on the ground. The diameter of the ball 10 is, for example, between 50 and 90 centimeters. Considering the flexibility of the ball 10's walls, the upper part 12 tends to be slightly compressed under the weight of the user U, such as... Figure 3 As illustrated schematically, however, it is noteworthy that the ball 10 is designed to maintain its overall spherical shape, particularly in the middle portion 13 where the upper part 12 of the ball connects to the lower part 14.

[0044] Therefore, ball 10 generally corresponds to the ball mentioned in the background section of this application, namely a ball used for physical activities and commercially available under the names "Klein-Vogelbach ball", "fitness ball" or "Swiss ball".

[0045] from Figures 1 to 3As can be clearly seen, device 1 also includes a frame 20, through which device 1 is fixedly placed on the ground. Figures 1 to 3 In the considered embodiment, frame 20 mainly comprises a tubular box 21 centered on a geometric axis, which extends vertically, i.e., perpendicular to the ground, when device 1 is used. In practice, the description of frame 20 is not limited, as long as the frame provides fixed support for device 1 on the ground during use. Therefore, as an advantageous arrangement, frame 20 includes an underframe 22.

[0046] When using device 1, the ball 10 is not directly attached to the frame 20, but rather through the insertion of a stabilizing member 30. The stabilizing member 30 is supported by the frame 20 and is designed to hold the ball 10 by contact, so as to keep the center 11 of the ball 10 stationary relative to the frame 20 while allowing the ball 10 to rotate freely about its center 11 relative to the frame 20. In practice, there are many possible embodiments of the stabilizing member 30.

[0047] exist Figures 1 to 3In the considered embodiment, the stabilizing member 30 includes a component 31, which is fixedly integrated into the frame 10 during use and slides in contact with the ball 10. The component 31 has an open torus shape and is arranged coaxially with the tubular box 21 of the frame 20, located at the end of the tubular box 21 opposite to the ground axis. The toroidal shape of the component 31 allows the stabilizing member 30 to be laterally positioned on the side of the ball 10, and the stabilizing member 30 to contact the middle portion 13 of the ball 10 in a region 32 of the component 31, which extends continuously around the middle portion 13 of the ball 10. Thus, in a projection into a horizontal plane (i.e., parallel to the ground), the region 32 of the stabilizing member 30 that contacts the middle portion 13 of the ball 10 extends continuously around the ball 360 degrees, which physically holds the ball 10 relative to the frame 20 in all horizontal directions. The region 32 of the stabilizing member 30 prevents the center 11 of the sphere 10 from changing position relative to the frame 20 through contact interference with the middle portion 13 of the sphere 10. Naturally, the center 11 of the sphere 10 is thus fixed relative to the frame 20 within functional clearances, more specifically relating to the inherent flexibility of the walls of the sphere 10. In a variant (not shown), region 32 extends continuously around the middle portion 13 of the sphere 10 within a small angular range, assuming that region 32 of the stabilizing member 30 extends continuously around the sphere 10 at a rate exceeding 180° in its horizontal projection.

[0048] Furthermore, the sliding contact provided between region 32 of the stabilizing member 30 and the middle portion 13 of the ball 10 allows the ball 10 to rotate freely about its center 11 relative to the frame 20: in particular, the sliding contact is achieved from, in particular, its geometric profile, its constituent materials, etc., depending on the specific features of the component 31.

[0049] Regardless of the embodiment of the stabilizing member 30, the device 1 is designed to motorize the ball 10 to rotate relative to the frame 20 about its center 11. For this purpose, the device 1 includes a movable support member 40, which... Figures 1 to 3 The diagram is shown only schematically, and many embodiments thereof are conceivable. Regardless of the embodiment, the movable support member 40 is motorized and adapted to support and rotate about the center 11, and in use, the lower portion 14 of the ball 10 is pressed against the movable support member 40, as... Figure 3Clearly visible. Therefore, when using device 1, under the action of the user U pressing against the upper part 12 of ball 10, the lower part 14 of ball 10 presses downward against the movable support member 40. Due to reasons similar to the aforementioned compression of the upper part 12 of ball 10, the lower part 14 of ball 10 tends to undergo slight flexible deformation due to compression. In fact, the effect of pressing the lower part 14 of ball 10 onto the movable support member 40 is to transmit movement from the movable member 40 to the lower part 14 of ball 10, and thus to the entire ball 10.

[0050] according to Figure 4 In one embodiment of the movable support member 40 shown, the movable support member 40 includes a plate 41 on which the lower portion 14 of the ball 10 rests, and the plate is movably mounted on a base 42 of the movable support member 40, guided solely by a linear translational movement T relative to the base 42 and by any suitable guiding device. Compared to the plate 41 forming the movable portion of the movable support member 40, the base 42 is fixedly and rigidly attached to the frame 20, thereby forming the fixed portion of the movable support member 40. Additionally, the movable support member 40 includes a drive unit 43 for controlling the translational movement T of the plate 41 relative to the base 42: Figure 4 In the considered example, drive unit 43 includes an electric motor 44 that outputs a rotating worm screw 45, which is supported by a base 42 via inserted bearings and screwed into a nut 46 rigidly attached to plate 41. By actuating the electric motor 44, the worm screw 45 is screwed into / out of the nut 46, while the nut 46 is locked in rotation, causing the nut 46 to translate, thereby causing plate 41 to translate along a linear translation T. More generally, it should be understood that... Figure 4 The movable support member 40 shown corresponds to a motorized actuator with linear translation output.

[0051] The translational motion T of the movable support member 40 is transmitted to the lower part 14 of the ball 10 and, due to the presence of the stabilizing member 30, is converted into a tilting motion B of the ball 10 about a horizontal axis X40 passing through the center 11 of the ball. The tilting motion B is here the only motion of the lower part 14 of the ball 14 driven by the movable support member 40, and it is oriented in two possible opposite directions in a manner corresponding to the direction of the translational motion T, such as... Figure 3 As shown schematically.

[0052] Regardless of the embodiment of the movable support member 40, its movement is advantageously controlled by the control unit 50 belonging to the device 1. The control unit 50 only... Figure 1 The image schematically shows that it is housed within frame 20, but is not limited to this arrangement. Control unit 50 is used to control the actuation of the movable support member 40. (Applied to...) Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment is an example of this, which is equivalent to saying that the control unit 50 controls the electric motor 44 to control the kinematic characteristics of the translational motion T, thereby controlling the kinematic characteristics of the tilting motion B. In practice, the control unit 50 is typically an electronic device, such as including a microprocessor. More generally, the control unit 50 is connected to the movable support member 40 via a wired or wireless connection for controlling the movable support member 40, particularly regarding the supply of energy, typically electricity, to the movable support member.

[0053] Turning Figure 6 Before presenting the alternative embodiments shown, examples of the use of the above-described apparatus 1 will now be presented in more detail. Therefore, according to Figure 1 The illustrated usage example shows a user U sitting on ball 10 as described above. Actuation of the movable support member 40 by the control unit 50 causes ball 10 to tilt according to a tilting motion B centered on the horizontal axis X40. The tilting motion B is advantageously controlled to move back and forth about the horizontal axis X40 with an angular amplitude controlled by the control unit 50 relative to the initial position of ball 10. The user U can then work passively, following the tilting motion B of the ball, or resisting the tilting motion B. In both cases, the user U mobilizes the joints and muscles of their lower limbs, pelvis, and back to maintain balance in a seated position on the upper part 12 of ball 10. The user U works safely in this manner because even when ball 10 tilts due to the tilting motion B, ball 10 is held in place by the stabilizing member 30, as explained above.

[0054] It should be noted that when user U sits on ball 10 such that the horizontal axis X40 extends substantially perpendicular to the sagittal plane of user U, as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the joints and muscles of user U are oriented relative to the user in the anterior-posterior direction, such as... Figure 3 As indicated by arrow AP. However, this joint and muscle loosening can be oriented differently, particularly for the left-right component, depending on the angle between the horizontal axis X40 and the sagittal plane of the user's U. Thus, as an example, Figure 5 This illustrates a situation where user U sits on ball 10 such that the horizontal axis X40 extends substantially in the sagittal plane of user U. Figure 5Viewed from behind: The user's U-shaped joints and muscles loosen and then orient relative to the user in a mid-lateral direction, such as... Figure 5 As indicated by arrow ML in the diagram. See below. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the user U occupies two different seated positions at 90° to each other. These two configurations are not restrictive, but are preferred in the sense that they allow for loosening only in the front-to-back direction and loosening only in the center-to-side direction, respectively. In fact, to facilitate identification of the two configurations, the frame 20 is advantageously provided with markings or visual indicators associated with each configuration, allowing the user U to easily position themselves relative to the frame, thereby placing themselves on the ball 10 in the selected sitting posture. In all cases, the tilt angle of the ball 10 relative to the aforementioned initial position, as well as the tilt speed and the number of reciprocating movements, can be adjusted by the control unit 50, for example, by defining one or more pre-programmed sequences, or conversely, by authorizing random sequences.

[0055] It should also be noted that user U can use device 1 in positions other than sitting. More specifically, depending on the possibility not shown, user U can stand with one foot pressing down on the upper part 12 of ball 10, so that the ball supports part of the user U's body weight, while the other foot rests directly on the ground. More generally, for the purpose of loosening the user U's body, device 1 can be used in multiple positions, allowing the user to support at least part of their body weight on the upper part 12 of ball 10.

[0056] Based on the explanations given above, it should be understood that in the field of physical therapy, device 1 is used to perform functional rehabilitation on user U through passive mobilization or resistance, along with control over the mobilization of the user's body. In the field of exercise and fitness, device 1 allows user U to exercise their flexibility and muscle strength for stretching, improving their balance, and performing postural gymnastics. In all cases, the mobilization applied to user U by device 1 is performed in a simple and effective manner, without causing concern to the user, even if the user is in a state of reduced mobility or cognitive frailty.

[0057] According to Figure 1In the embodiments considered, an advantageous alternative arrangement is schematically shown, in which device 1 is equipped with an interface 60 connected to control unit 50 for activating and setting control unit 50. Interface 60 includes control elements associated with activation and setting parameters of control unit 50, respectively, and which can be manually actuated. According to an advantageous embodiment, interface 60 includes a display screen 61, which integrates the aforementioned control elements, and furthermore, displays values ​​related to the operation of device 1 to user U, such as the duration of the ongoing exercise, the kinematic characteristics of the motion applied by movable support member 40 to ball 10, details of one or more ongoing sequences, etc. Display screen 61 thereby provides feedback to user U, enabling the user to follow and control the body relaxation applied to them by device 1.

[0058] In the following text, we will focus more on Figure 6 And subsequent figures, used to refer to alternative embodiments of the arrangement of the apparatus 1 described above.

[0059] As described above, the movable support member 40 of device 1 may have, except for Figure 4 Embodiments other than those shown. Therefore, Figure 6 A movable support member 140 is shown as an alternative to the movable support member 40, which is functionally similar to the movable support member 40 but structurally different. More precisely, the movable support member 140 includes a revolving belt 141 on which the lower part 14 of the ball 10 rests. The movable support member 40 also includes rollers 142 and a support shaft 143. The revolving belt 141 is kinetically connected to the rollers 142 and mounted around the rollers 142, which are correspondingly mounted on the support shaft 143 to rotate about its central axis. The support shaft 143 is rigidly attached to the frame 20. The movable support member 140 also includes a drive unit 144, typically electrically powered, for rotating at least one roller 142 and thereby controlling the conveyor belt 141 to move in a linear translational motion relative to a reference... Figure 4 The described translational motion T is similar, and for convenience, in Figure 6 The figure also includes reference numeral T. Thus, the conveyor belt 141 and the roller 142 together form a movable part for the movable support member 140, which functions similarly to the plate 41 of the movable support member 40. In contrast, the fixed part formed by the support shaft 143 and the drive unit 144 correspond to the base 42 and drive unit 43 of the movable support member 40.

[0060] In respectively Figure 4 and Figure 6 The movable support members 40 and 140 shown are not limited, but rather illustrate a variety of possibilities for the embodiments that the movable support members belonging to the device 1 can take in order to support the lower part 14 of the ball 10 and drive the lower part of the ball to rotate relative to the frame 20 about the center 11 of the ball 10, in particular according to the tilting motion B about the horizontal axis X40, or even just according to this tilting motion B.

[0061] As described above, the stabilizing member 30 of device 1 may have, except... Figures 1 to 4 Embodiments other than those shown. Therefore, Figure 7 A stabilizing member 130 is shown as an alternative to the stabilizing member 30, which functions similarly to the stabilizing member 30 but differs from it in several structural aspects.

[0062] More precisely, the stabilizing member 130 comprises three rollers 131 correspondingly centered on axis X131. The rollers 131 are arranged transversely to the sides of the ball 10, contacting the intermediate portion 13 of the ball 10 in three corresponding distinct regions 132. According to a practical and effective arrangement, the respective axes X131 of the rollers 131 extend both horizontally and substantially parallel to the tangent of the intermediate portion 13 of the ball 10. Thus, taking into account the deformability of the ball 10's walls, the three regions 132 of the rollers 131 contacting the intermediate portion 13 of the ball 10 are point-like or nearly point-like. In all cases, the regions 132 of the rollers 131 are regularly distributed around the intermediate portion 13 of the ball 10 in their projection onto the horizontal plane, thereby fixing the center 11 of the ball 10 in place. It should be understood that in variations not shown, the rollers 131 may be provided in a number other than three and may be made as individual bearing elements of various forms belonging to the stabilizing members, provided that the different regions of the bearing members are in contact with the middle portion 13 of the ball 10, and the dimensions and distribution of the bearing members are designed to surround the ball in projection in the horizontal plane to keep the center 11 of the ball substantially stationary relative to the frame 20.

[0063] Furthermore, regardless of the arrangement of the rollers 131 around the ball 10 described in detail above, when using the device 1, each roller 131 is configured to rotate freely about its axis X131. Thus, unlike the component 31 of the stabilizing member 130, which is configured to slide in contact with the ball 10, the rollers 131 can move freely relative to the frame 20 during use, i.e., they can rotate freely about their axis X131. When the ball 10 rotates relative to the frame 20 about its center 11, the rollers 131 are driven by the contact of the ball with the ball about its axis X131.

[0064] Figure 8 As an alternative embodiment of the movable support members 40 and 140 of device 1, a movable support member 240 is shown. Similar to movable support members 40 and 140, movable support member 240, in particular, tilts the lower portion 14 of ball 10 relative to frame 20 about a horizontal axis 240 similar to the horizontal axis X40 via a translational movement T. Furthermore, movable support member 240 is used to tilt the lower portion 14 of ball 10 in a movement other than tilting movement B, i.e., a tilting movement B' about a horizontal axis X240' passing through the center 11 of ball but different from the horizontal axis X240. Horizontal axes X240 and X240' are preferably perpendicular to each other, as... Figure 8 The example considered is as follows. In practice, the tilt of ball 10 according to the tilting motion B' of movable support member 240 can be obtained from the translational motion T' of movable support member 240 relative to frame 20, particularly by integrating an arrangement similar to that described above for movable support members 40 and 140 in conjunction with the translational motion T into movable support member 240. For example, movable support member 240 includes two motorized actuators with linear translational outputs, which are individually coupled with… Figure 4 The linear actuators shown are similar, but arranged in series with each other.

[0065] Regardless of the embodiment of the movable support member 240, in use the movable support member 240 is used to rotate the ball 10 about its center 11 relative to the frame 20 in two different motions, namely tilting motions B and B'. The corresponding kinematic characteristics of these two different motions are advantageously controlled by the control unit 50, which is accordingly adapted to control the motion of the movable support member 240.

[0066] Figure 9 and Figure 10 A body loosening device 301 is shown as an alternative embodiment of the device 1 considered above.

[0067] Device 301 includes the ball 10 mentioned above, as well as frame 320, stabilizing member 330 and movable support member 340. Their functions are similar to those of frame 20, stabilizing member 30 or 130 and movable support member 40 or 140 of device 1, but they are structurally different from the latter.

[0068] More specifically, a stabilizing member 330 is arranged below the lower portion 14 of the ball 10 and forms a bowl 331, which is fixedly integrated into the frame 320. In the hollow of the bowl 331, the lower portion 14 of the ball 10 is introduced into a matching contact. The bowl 331, particularly through its matching with the lower portion 14 of the ball 10, serves to hold the ball by contact while keeping the center 11 of the ball 10 substantially stationary relative to the frame 320, while allowing the ball 10 to rotate freely about its center 11 relative to the frame. For this purpose, the bowl 311 is configured to slide in contact with the ball 10, and the upper surface of the bowl 311 is advantageously covered with sliding contact strips 332, such as... Figure 10 As illustrated in the diagram.

[0069] The movable support member 340 is made in the form of a motorized roller 341 centered on a horizontal axis X341. The motorized roller 341 includes a motorization device, which is typically electric and advantageously integrated inside the roller. This motorization device facilitates the rotation of the motorized roller 341 relative to a fixed support rigidly attached to the frame 320 about its axis X341. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The corresponding rotational motion of the motorized roller 341, marked with reference numeral R in the accompanying drawings, is transmitted to the lower part 14 of the ball 10. Through the flexible deformation of the lower part 14 of the ball 10, the lower part 14 of the ball 10 is pressed against the motorized roller 341, as shown in the figure. Figure 9 As schematically shown in the diagram. Thus, the motorized roller 341 supports the lower part 14 of the ball 10, and when rotating according to the motion R, the motorized roller 341 causes the lower part of the ball to rotate about the center 11 of the ball relative to the frame 320, particularly or even exclusively in a tilting motion, similar to the tilting motion B presented above, and for convenience, it is shown in... Figure 9 The figure also includes the reference numeral B.

[0070] Figure 11 and Figure 12 A body loosening device 401 is shown as an alternative embodiment to the devices 1 and 301 considered above.

[0071] Device 401 includes a ball 410, which, like ball 10, is composed of an inflatable flexible sheath. However, unlike ball 10, ball 410 is not spherical but has an elongated shape. The elongated shape of ball 410 is centered on axis X410, and its length extends along axis X410, and when device 401 is used, the elongated shape extends horizontally. Thus, ball 410 has a center 411 through which the horizontal axis X410 passes, and this center is substantially located midway between the relatively longitudinal ends of ball 410. In a cross-section perpendicular to the horizontal axis X410, the elongated shape of ball 410 has a circular profile centered on the horizontal axis X410, i.e., an outer profile. The circular profile is substantially located at any point along the horizontal axis X410 between the relatively longitudinal ends of ball 410, except locally at the longitudinal ends where appropriate. In fact, based on considerations similar to those described above for ball 10, the upper part 412 of ball 410 (on which the user U rests the weight of at least a part of his body during use) and the lower part 414 of ball 410, which is perpendicular to the upper part 412, tend to deform slightly due to compression during use.

[0072] exist Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the considered embodiment, the diameter of the elongated shape of the ball 410 is not constant in the running part where the relatively longitudinal ends of the ball are connected to each other. Thus, the ball 410 advantageously includes a middle portion 415 and two end portions 416 and 417, with a center 411 located at the middle portion 415 along the horizontal axis X410, and end portions 416 and 417 arranged on either side of the middle portion 415 along the horizontal axis X410. In the middle portion 415, the diameter of the elongated shape of the ball 410 is smaller than the diameter of the contours in the end portions 416 and 417; thus, the ball 410 as a whole has a peanut shape.

[0073] Device 401 also includes a frame 420, which is functionally similar to the frame 20 of device 1, but structurally different from the latter, because the frame 420 is adapted to the elongated shape of the ball 410.

[0074] Device 401 also includes a stabilizing member 430. Similar to the stabilizing member 30 of device 1, the stabilizing member 430 is supported by a frame 420, inserted between the frame 420 and the ball 410 in use, and used to hold the ball 410 by contact. More precisely, for the stabilizing member 30, the stabilizing member 430 keeps the center 411 of the ball 410 substantially stationary relative to the frame 420, while allowing the ball a degree of freedom of motion relative to the frame 420. However, this degree of freedom is less than that left by the stabilizing member 30; in a sense, given the elongated shape of the ball 410, the stabilizing member 430 substantially allows the ball to move freely relative to the frame 420, even exclusively (only) tilting about the horizontal axis X410. This tilting motion is similar to the tilting motion B described above; therefore, for convenience, in Figure 11 and Figure 12 Reference numeral B is also included in the accompanying drawings. In fact, the description of the embodiment of the stabilizing member 430 is not intended to be limiting, and the various considerations above regarding the development of many possible embodiments of the stabilizing member 30 can also be applied to the stabilizing member 430 after necessary modifications.

[0075] Device 401 also includes a movable support member 440, which functions similarly to the movable support members 40 or 140 of device 1. The movable support member 410 is specifically designed to support the lower portion 414 of the ball 410, which is pressed against the ball by the user U pressing the upper portion 412 of the ball, particularly at the ends 416 and 417, to tilt the lower portion 414 in the tilting motion B, thereby tilting the entire ball 410, particularly from the translational motion T, which is similar to the translational motion T described above for movable support members 40 and 140. In fact, the movable support member 440 is structurally similar to the movable support members 40 and 140 discussed in detail above.

[0076] The use of device 401 is similar to that of device 1. For example... Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the example shown, the user U sits on ball 410, more precisely on the middle portion 415 of ball 410, thus benefiting from the anterior-posterior wedging effect of the ends 416 and 417 of the ball on the user's pelvis, such that the horizontal axis X410 extends substantially within the user's sagittal plane: the ball 410 moves according to tilting motion B due to the drive of the movable support member 440 and the constraint guided by the stabilizing member 430, which causes the user U's joints and muscles to loosen in a direction oriented relative to the user's mid-lateral direction. Of course, in light of the foregoing explanation of the use of device 1, it should be understood that device 401 can be used in various other configurations.

[0077] In addition to the descriptions of the different embodiments of the different parts of the body loosening devices 1, 301 and 401 above, it should be understood that these different embodiments can be combined with each other to produce new embodiments of body loosening devices that are functionally similar to devices 1, 301 and 401.

[0078] Finally, various advantageous alternative arrangements can be conceived for the body loosening device according to the invention, examples including:

[0079] The stabilizing components of the device, such as stabilizing components 30, 130, 330, and 430, can be arranged to accommodate balls with different corresponding diameters; in other words, through a specific arrangement, the stabilizing components can be advantageously adjusted to the size of the ball 10 or 410 actually used within the body loosening device, particularly before the user actually uses the device; and / or

[0080] The frame of the device, such as frame 20, 320, or 420, may be provided with fasteners for elastic bands designed to be tightened by the user when using the device as described above; thus, the user U can exercise other parts of his body while exercising his upper limbs, as described above.

Claims

1. A body loosening device (1; 301; 401), including: - Frames (20; 320; 420) suitable for being fixedly placed on the ground; - A ball (10; 410) adapted to support the weight of the user (U)'s body part when the user (U)'s body part is pressed on the upper part (12; 412) of the ball while the user (U) keeps at least one foot on the ground; - A stabilizing member (30; 130; 330; 430), supported by the frame and designed to hold the ball by contact in order to keep the center of the ball (11; 411) substantially stationary relative to the frame, while allowing the ball to move freely relative to the frame at least with a first tilting motion (B) about a first horizontal axis (X40; X240; X410) passing through the center of the ball; and - A movable support member (40; 140; 240; 340; 440), which is motorized and adapted to support the lower part (14; 414) of the ball, which, when pressed by the user on the upper part of the ball, presses the lower part (14; 414) of the ball against the movable support member, and the movable support member (40; 140; 240; 340; 440) is adapted to drive the lower part of the ball at least with the first tilting movement (B) relative to the frame.

2. The body loosening device according to claim 1, wherein the ball (10) is generally spherical with the center (11) as its center. The stabilizing member (30; 130; 330) is adapted to allow the ball to rotate freely about its center relative to the frame while keeping the center of the ball substantially stationary relative to the frame. The movable support member (40; 140; 240; 340) is adapted to drive the lower part (14) of the ball to rotate about the center of the ball relative to the frame.

3. The body loosening device according to claim 2, wherein the movable support member (40; 140; 340) is adapted to drive the lower part (14) of the ball (10) only with the first tilting movement (B) relative to the frame (20; 320).

4. The body loosening device according to claim 2, wherein the movable support member (240) is adapted, in addition to driving the lower part (14) of the ball (10) to perform the first tilting movement (B) relative to the frame (20), to drive the lower part (14) of the ball (10) to perform a second tilting movement (B') relative to the frame about a second horizontal axis (X240'), the second horizontal axis (X240') passing through the center (11) of the ball and being different from the first horizontal axis (X240).

5. The body loosening device according to claim 4, wherein the second horizontal axis (X240') is perpendicular to the first horizontal axis (X240).

6. The body loosening device according to claim 1, wherein the ball (410) has an elongated shape, the ball extends longitudinally along the first horizontal axis (X410), and has a circular profile centered on the first horizontal axis in a cross section perpendicular to the first horizontal axis.

7. The body loosening device according to claim 6, wherein the value of the diameter of the circular profile varies along the first horizontal axis (X410) passing through the ball (410), the diameter having a first value in the middle portion (415) of the ball, and having a second value at each of the two ends (416, 417) of the ball, the two ends being disposed on both sides of the middle portion of the ball along the first horizontal axis, the first value being less than the second value.

8. The body loosening device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the movable support member (40; 140; 240; 340; 440) comprises: -Drive unit (43; 144); -Fixing components (42; 143) rigidly attached to the frame (20; 320); and - Movable component (41; 141; 142), the lower part (14) of the ball (10; 410) rests on the movable component, and the movable component is mounted movably on the fixed component and driven by the drive unit.

9. The body loosening device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in use, the stabilizing member (30; 330; 430) is fixedly integrated into the frame (20; 320; 420) and slides in contact with the ball (10; 410).

10. The body loosening device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in use, the stabilizing member (130) is free to move relative to the frame (20) and is driven by contact with the ball (10).

11. The body loosening device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stabilizing member (30) is arranged on the side of the ball (10) and contacts the middle portion (13) of the ball in a continuous region (32) of the stabilizing member, the continuous region (32) extending more than 180° around the ball in its projection in a horizontal plane.

12. The body loosening device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stabilizing member (130) is arranged on the side of the ball (10) and contacts the middle portion (13) of the ball at a plurality of different regions (132) of the stabilizing member, and its size and distribution in a horizontal projection are designed to surround the ball so as to keep the center (11) of the ball substantially stationary relative to the frame (20).

13. The body loosening device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stabilizing member (330) is arranged below the lower portion (14) of the ball (10) and in mating contact with the lower portion (14) of the ball (10).

14. The body loosening device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device (1; 401) includes a control unit (50) adapted to control the movement of the movable support member (40; 340), and an interface (60) adapted to activate and set the control unit and display values ​​related to the operation of the body loosening device.

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