Training apparatus for hip movement

Abstract

The invention relates to a training device (53) for the muscle groups used to move the human hip, with a standing surface (6) for the foot of one supporting leg and with a rotatable rail (8) which can be actuated about an axis (7) against a restoring force from the other leg to be trained, wherein the axis (7) of the rail (8) is arranged horizontally and at a distance from the standing surface (6) and wherein the rail (8) is arranged at a radial distance from the axis (7) to receive the foot when the thigh of the leg is angled forwards and is designed in a stirrup-like manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a training device for the muscle groups used to move the human hip (e.g. US000010814163B2)

[0002] Around the human hip joint, several muscles of varying sizes, forming a relatively complex network, enable movement. They allow for diverse forms of mobility, the most frequent and common of which is walking. Lateral steps, jumps, turns, and numerous other movements utilize the full range of this network of five hip flexor muscles. This occurs through various movement patterns, which can generally be categorized into six types: Flexion and extension => Bending and straightening of the lower extremities; Abduction and adduction => Lateral movement of the lower extremities; Internal and external rotation => Rotational movements in coordination between the upper and lower body

[0003] While exercises and equipment already exist for the first two complexes mentioned (flexion and extension / abduction and adduction), support for targeted training of the rotational muscles has so far been sought in vain.

[0004] Physiotherapy offers various exercises for training the muscle groups in the hip area. However, these exercises, which often require the use of aids such as resistance bands, are very demanding for both the therapist and the patient. Exercises that must be performed while sitting or lying on the floor are particularly difficult or even impossible for patients with limitations.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a training device for the muscle groups used to move the human hip, especially for patients with limitations (e.g. knee problems, osteoarthritis, etc.).

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a training device for the muscle groups used to move the human hip, with a standing surface for the foot of one supporting leg and with a rotatable rail which can be actuated about an axis against a restoring force by the other leg to be trained, wherein the axis of the rail is arranged horizontally and at a distance from the standing surface and wherein the rail is arranged at a radial distance from the axis in the manner of a pendulum and is designed in a stirrup-like manner to receive the foot when the thigh of the leg is angled forward.

[0007] For all therapy devices according to the invention, the following applies: to exclude any limitations for patients during use, the therapy devices must all be operated while standing, and with movement sequences that allow use by all conceivable user groups. A breakdown follows.

[0008] In this embodiment of the invention, the user stands facing the weights and positions one leg with the thigh angled upwards in a guide rail. As with other devices, this guide rail is connected to the training weights via a gear train. The position of the guide rail can be flexibly adjusted in a circular motion to predetermine internal and external rotation, adjust it to the side being trained (left / right), and generate the appropriate pre-tension in the muscle. Rotation in this device occurs via a horizontally mounted axis to which a plate extending radially to one side is attached, similar to a pendulum. At the end of this plate is a stirrup-like rail for the foot. To perform the exercise, the thigh of the leg is rotated inwards or outwards in a circular motion, similar to a pendulum movement, either clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0009] The invention can advantageously be provided with a disc rotatable around the axis against the restoring force, to which the rail is rigidly connected, with the plate then being designed for the detachable attachment of a projecting training lever. This lever can be covered with a foam roller. Since many physiotherapy practices have limited space available, making the separate use of multiple devices difficult to implement, this design, in the alternative embodiment, allows all hip muscle groups to be trained with just a single therapy device. A removable lever, optionally covered with a foam roller, for performing the movements is attached to the disc in such a way that all necessary training movements can be carried out without the need for multiple devices.The removable lever with foam roller allows for various other forms of exercise that serve to train the muscles in the hip area.

[0010] The additional axis allows for flexible training of further movements via the rotation mechanism, such as leg lifting. For this, the user stands at a right angle to the side. If necessary, they can use the handles positioned higher and to the side for support while performing the exercise.

[0011] Overall, the invention provides a concept for holistic training of the muscles in the hip area, particularly for use with patients in rehabilitation / physiotherapy, but also generally in the areas of general fitness, strengthening and health maintenance.

[0012] Further embodiments and developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims.

[0013] An exemplary embodiment is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. This shows: Figure 1 a training device in schematic side view, in a first embodiment; Figure 2 a modified embodiment of the training device according to Figure 1 , in schematic front view and Figure 3 A schematic side view of an embodiment of the training device according to the invention.

[0014] The training device 51 according to Figure 1This device is used for training the muscle groups responsible for moving the human hip. It has a platform 6 for the foot of one leg and a rotatable rail 8 that can be actuated around an axis 7 against a restoring force from the other leg being trained. The axis 7 of the rail 8 is vertically oriented. The rail 8 is designed to accommodate the foot when the other leg is extended, at the height of the platform 6. Rotation of the foot causes the rail 8 to rotate around the axis 7. This rail 8 is connected to training weights inside the rearmost support 9 via a gear train (not shown here) to generate the restoring force.

[0015] So that the test subject can train on the training device 51 according to Figure 1 To ensure that one can always stand securely, a handrail 10 is provided in the upper area.

[0016] According to Figure 1A modified embodiment of a training device 52 in a schematic front view shows Figure 2 , where identical reference numerals represent identical details. In contrast to embodiment 51, the axis 7 extends upwards approximately knee-high above the base 6 to the rail 8, which is also designed to accommodate the posteriorly angled lower leg – instead of the foot – when the knee of the other leg is bent.

[0017] An embodiment of a training device 53 according to the invention shows Figure 3 in schematic side view.

[0018] This training device 53 also serves to train the muscle groups responsible for moving the human hip. It also has a standing surface 6 for the foot of one leg and is equipped with an axis arranged parallel to it and with (in contrast to embodiments 51, 52, with a vertically arranged axis) Figures 1 and 2) horizontal axis 7, rotatable rail 8 which can be actuated against a restoring force by the other leg to be trained, wherein the axis 7 of the rail is arranged horizontally and at a distance from the standing surface 6, and wherein the rail 8 is arranged at a distance from the axis and is designed in a stirrup-like manner to receive the foot when the angled thigh of the leg is pulled forward upwards.

[0019] Furthermore, a disc 11, rotatable about the axis against the restoring force, is provided, to which the rail 8 is rigidly connected via a radially extending plate 12. The plate is designed for the detachable fixing of a projecting training lever 13, which is at least partially encased in a foam roller 14.

Claims

1. Training device (53) for the muscle groups used to move the human hip, comprising a standing surface (6) for the foot of one supporting leg and a rotatable rail (8) which can be actuated about an axis (7) against a restoring force by the other leg to be trained, wherein the axis (7) of the rail (8) is arranged horizontally and at a distance from the standing surface (6) and wherein the rail (8) is arranged at a radial distance from the axis (7) to receive the foot when the thigh of the leg is angled forward and is designed in a stirrup-like manner.

2. Training device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that a radially extending plate (12) is attached to the axis (7), at the end of which the stirrup-shaped rail (8) is provided.

3. Training device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by the fact thata disk (11) is provided which can be rotated about the axis (7) against the restoring force, with which the rail (8) is rigidly connected via the plate (12).

4. Training device according to claim -3, characterized by the fact that the plate (12) is designed for the detachable fixing of a protruding training lever (13) which is at least partially covered with a foam roller (14).

5. Training device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the distance of the axis (7) of the rail (8) from the base (6) is adjustable.

6. Training device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the rotatable rail (8) which can be actuated about an axis (7) against a restoring force by the other leg to be trained is connected via a gear train to training weights which are known per se.

7. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by at least one handhold (10).

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