Rehabilitation device

An improved rehabilitation device for treating a hump back and forward drooping shoulders has a base section with a support which can be put on the back of a patient. The support is arranged or configured in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the rehabilitation device. A function unit is provided above the support, including two counter supports that face the support and are offset in relation to one another. The rehabilitation device is provided with a release section by which the two counter supports can be swiveled around the swivel axis formed by the support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The device relates to a rehabilitation device for straightening a hump back and/or to stretch and straighten the front shoulder part.

Back and shoulder stretching devices have already become known, such as from DE 298 18 369 A1, that are used to be able to perform self treatment when there are back pains caused by strain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

But such training devices are not suitable for use if a so-called hump-back or drooping shoulders are to be treated.

Thus the object of the invention is to provide a rehabilitation device with which it is possible again to straighten a dorsal spine curved due to illness. The same also applies if drooping shoulders are to be treated.

The object is achieved according to the invention according to the features indicated in claim1. Advantageous configurations of the invention are indicated in the subclaims.

The invention proposes a rehabilitation device that is designed relatively simply and with which the patient also can do exercises on his own to slowly, increasingly straighten his more or less greatly curved dorsal spine (hump back) and/or drooping shoulders.

The rehabilitation device is thus built like a rocker that can be swiveled around a support that can be put on the back, and the support or the swivel axis formed by it lies crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the body. Pulling elements can be provided or made in various ways at the top end of the rehabilitation device so that, in conjunction with a counter-support, they press on the upper front part of the drooping shoulder part. For example, the patient himself can raise the pressure on the shoulder part by lower actuation or pulling elements so that the drooping shoulder is straightened relative to the support placed on the back.

The rehabilitation device can be designed in many ways.

In a simple embodiment, the pulling elements that act on the shoulder part can consist of loops. But also possible are designs using rods, straps, etc., that are guided to the front over the shoulder from the back side of the base section of the rehabilitation device and on whose ends are placed the mentioned counter-supports acting on the shoulder.

The strap design here can consist of several adjustable individual straps to be able to optimally adjust the support in height and relative position according to individual needs.

As an actuation device, for example, actuation rods passing by the side of the body going forward can be connected with the rehabilitation device's base section, which includes the rear support. A slight pulling can then appropriately raise and lower the corresponding pressure on the forward-drooping shoulder part to straighten the back. Likewise, cords, for example, can be put on these actuations sections, and they are fastened for example to corresponding hooks on a wall so that a slight rearward movement automatically places tension on the actuation elements and thus the desired pressure is raised on the left and right drooping shoulder area as well as on the hump back.

The rehabilitation device according to the invention is distinguished, inter alia, for example in preferred embodiments, by the following characteristics or features:The rehabilitation device can consist of a double arc, both of whose individual arc sections are stabilized with one another by cross struts. Padding can preferably be attached, in particular on the inner side of the curve in each case, at the intersections of the two.The double arcs consisting of two individual arcs can exhibit a narrow semicircle curve and a broad semicircle curve, and both arc sections can run at least approximately parallel and be open toward one side (namely toward the front).The arc sections can have one or more holes to which, for example, the mentioned cross struts and/or the padding can be attached in various positions to arcs or struts.To brace it on the shoulder area and/or on the back, the padding can be supported in each case by a lath. The padding, in particular the part lying against the chest, can be fitted to the chest part. The padding that can be put crosswise over the back and act as a rocker support can, with the struts running lengthwise and designed as a semicircular curve, be attached facing inward (i.e., facing the back) on the side struts and thus span the overall crosswise distance between the side struts or double arcs. Preferably here also a support base is used that supports the rocker-like support.On the lower end of the lateral struts, in particular of the struts describing large curves, loops or rings can be made or attached, to which pulling devices can be attached.The individual parts mentioned, in particular the lateral struts also in the shape of arcs, and the one or more cross struts, can consist of metal, plastic, or wood. They can be solid or be equipped like pipes or the like. The mentioned padding preferably comprises an elastic core and can be covered with fabric, leather, plastic, or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen fromFIG. 1, the rehabilitation device according to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2consists of a base section1that essentially comprises a support3. In the embodiment shown, support3is placed crosswise to the longitudinal axis or lengthwise dimension5of the rehabilitation device. When placed on a patient, longitudinal axis or lengthwise dimension5runs parallel to the lengthwise dimension of the body, i.e., generally parallel to the vertical direction.

Support3can be provided with a continuous, crosswise support surface3′ that has a convex, light padding in the vertical cross section. But likewise it can also consist of at least two individual padded elements placed offset in the crosswise direction or, for example, of several individual padded elements3placed next to one another in the crosswise direction.

In the embodiment shown, the soft or elastic support is supported and braced by a base plate4.

A support3designed this way is held and fastened by a suitable supporting structure, in the embodiment shown by a connecting strut7located on the inner side or on the rearward back side of support3or base plate4and attached to actuation struts9lying opposite one another essentially in the longitudinal direction and running parallel to one another.

In the embodiment shown according toFIG. 1, both actuation struts9, placed laterally offset to one another, are designed the same way and exhibit a stirrup-like, i.e., curved shape. Connecting strut7mentioned in support3can be fixed by a suitable detachable and attachable adjusting mechanism11in various positions along actuation struts9, to be able to adapt to individual needs.

For this purpose, holes10, for example, can be made in the longitudinal arcs or in actuation struts9and/or in mentioned cross strut7, holes through which the screw-shaped fixed means can be inserted and fastened. In this way, the relative position of cross struts7can be variably adjusted in a different position in the longitudinal direction of actuation struts9and/or the spacing distance between both lateral actuation struts9can be variably adjusted by bringing corresponding holes10in the cross strut or holes10′ in the longitudinal struts into the desired relative position in corresponding alignment and by inserting the fixing device, preferably consisting of screw bolts, and securing them from the rear side by nuts.

It can be seen fromFIG. 1that actuation struts9are shaped in a narrower arc section12on top and in a broader arc section14on the bottom. In the embodiment shown, actuation struts9go toward the front in an arc shape on their top end. There, counter-supports13are made or provided, and in the embodiment shown they can consist of a pressure or support base15opposite which corresponding padded elements17are located in padded support surface3′ of support3.

Counter-supports13can also be adjusted by suitable adjusting and fixing devices19in a variable relative position relative to actuation struts9to make it possible to adapt to individuals.

To secure both actuation struts9, in addition to mentioned connecting strut7one or more additional connecting struts can be provided at suitable points, for example, in the embodiment shown according toFIG. 1, in the front end area of arc-shaped actuation struts9, and specifically here, for example, at the height of counter-supports13. This makes it possible for counter-supports13to be attached, for example, not necessarily to actuation struts9directly but, e.g., to an ancillary strut21attached to them by mentioned adjustment and fixing device19, so that counter-supports13can be attached by their adjustment and fixing device19at varying lateral distance from one another and fixed to connecting strut21and, for example, connecting strut21can be attached by another adjustment and fixing device in varying longitudinal position to actuation struts9. The mentioned fixing device also consists here, like, e.g., the device that fastens cross strut7to lateral, arc-shaped longitudinal struts9, of numerous holes20in both longitudinal struts and holes20′ that are made in connecting strut21at a lateral interval from one another. In this way also, the lateral separation between both actuation struts9and the relative position of connecting strut21can be adjusted and fixed in varying longitudinal direction relative to lateral actuation struts9and, further, mentioned shoulder padding13can also be adjusted and fixed in varying relative position.

FIG. 2shows the rehabilitation device being worn. It can be seen from it that padded support3comes to lie on back25of a patient and there a swivel axis (articulation) running crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the body, i.e., generally in the standing position in the horizontal direction, forms the fulcrum and both upward-going, arc-shaped sections of actuation struts9run over the shoulders so that mentioned counter-supports13lie in each case on the left and right in the front shoulder area. By grasping release sections27, which project on the bottom beyond support3downward and to the front, the rehabilitation device can be tipped around its horizontal swivel axis29, formed by support3, so that function unit31made above support3tilts associated counter-supports13according to arrows33toward the back. Likewise, for example, pull cords35can be attached to release sections27(for example to rings28that are made on the end of actuation struts9) and be fastened at their other end for example to hooks37on a stationary wall38or the like, so that when the person in question moves backward slightly, the forward and/or upward swiveling motion of release sections27thus produced exerts the corresponding tipping movement and thus the pressure of counter-supports13on the front shoulder area and the hump back in the desired way.

This procedure thus presses padded elements17against the front right and left shoulder part and stretches the front chest and straightens the lateral (i.e., left and right) front shoulder part and simultaneously the hump back.

A modification of the rehabilitation device is shown in FIG.3.

It can be seen from the embodiment according toFIG. 3that both laterally offset actuation struts9are not necessarily arc-shaped but, for example, can be constructed also only with one or more narrow arc sections or sharp curves. In this case, function unit31located above support3can exhibit not arc-shaped, but rather straight end sections of actuation struts9. Actuation struts9can, in the rear area, thus be made vertical and straight. For further stabilization, two connecting struts21are provided above support3, offset in the vertical direction and running crosswise, and they can also be fastened in their height position by suitable adjustment or fixing devices23in various relative positions (i.e., in the longitudinal direction of actuation struts9and/or with varying lateral displacement of both actuation struts). Attachment or fixing devices23can also consist of numerous correspondingly offset holes through which the corresponding screw and fixing means are inserted, as was explained based on the attachment of cross strut7with reference to FIG.1.

Used as counter-supports13in this embodiment are shoulder straps that can be made as loops, belts, etc. Such a loop-shaped counter-support13, made for example of textiles or leather, therefore does not need to be provided with any further padding elements17. But of course, especially in the inner area of the loop, further padding can naturally be provided. When worn, the arms thus go through these loops and, by corresponding height adjustment of both crosswise-running connecting struts21and end sections39of the loops attached to them, the position of the loops can be adjusted optimally by varying height adjustment and fixing of cross struts21not only in the lateral distance to one another (by adjusting their fixing elements on connecting struts21) but also in the desired height position relative to support3.

Corresponding action on release sections27by grasping or pivoting or by the mentioned use, for example, of release cords35in turn produces the desired rocking and swiveling movement while generating the desired pressure to straighten the shoulder part and the hump back30, and support3lies against the hump back to be treated, forming swivel axis29.

Yet other additional particularities can be drawn fromFIGS. 3 and 4, which will be discussed briefly below.

Reference symbol52inFIGS. 3 and 4reflects a semicircular rear side of support3that makes it possible for this support to be used without the frame shown even during floor exercises, so that support3can be used as a tipping element for treatment while lying on the floor or even on a separate couch.

Reference symbol53further shows a bracing belt between counter-supports13and adjusting harness45;54shows an elongated strut9;55shows a cross strut for stabilizing elongated strut54and62shows an adjustable connection point that acts between the laterally offset struts running upward on the back and elongated struts9that can be attached to lengthen them, to be able to fix the latter in varying lengths.

Elongated struts54, optionally with or without cross strut55, can also be used, for example, to walk forward slowly toward a door until approximately in the door frame, until the elongated struts strike an upper door lintel. Going slightly forward or rocking also induces the corresponding forces on the front shoulder part and the hump back, to straighten them.

Only for the sake of clarity at this point will it be mentioned that the mentioned connecting points between the vertical and horizontal support struts can also exhibit, for example, adjustable connecting points at suitable places to be able to perform a faster alignment and precision adjustment according to individual needs with respect to the width adjustment or the height adjustment of the individual longitudinal struts and cross struts.

The embodiment according toFIGS. 5 and 6corresponds in its basic design to that according toFIGS. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, instead of the loop-shaped counter-supports still drawn in dashed lines inFIG. 5, the counter-support is made by additional, insertable or connectable supplementary harnesses. In this embodiment, straight actuation struts9are provided on their upper end with a corresponding plug junction41into which insertable end42of attachable strut43, running in a large arc over the shoulders toward the front, is shown inserted, on whose front, downward running ends an adjustable harness45, U-shaped in top view, is anchored at varying height. This adjustable harness45can further be anchored corresponding to arrow47in varying relative position so that counter-supports13located on its end can be adjusted in varying relative position closer or further in the direction of rearward support3by means of a go pressure support base15and padded elements17usually attached there. This design makes it possible for a patient to more easily put on the device since, because of the distance between attachable struts43and adjustable struts45, enough open space is left so that the rehabilitation device made this way can be put on over the head.

Also the horizontal distance between both attachable struts43can, for example, be changed by pivoting them around their insert axes41. To make it possible here to adapt to adjustable strut45, adjustable strut45is divided into two parts and comprises two halves45′ and45″ of a U-shape that are provided on their base section45awith a telescoping adapter section45bthat can be inserted into, and pulled out from, one another.

Otherwise, adjustable strut45and/or attachable strut43are provided, in the area of their crossing points50, with numerous holes51lying offset to one another in the longitudinal direction, which make it possible to fasten adjustable harness45and attachable struts43onto one another in varying height position and also in varying relative position with respect to arrow47according to individual requirements and wishes, for example also by the mentioned adjustment and fixing devices, e.g., consisting of screw bolts and nuts.

FIG. 6here also shows that otherwise the further design and functioning is comparable to the preceding embodiments.

The fact that the vertical elongation using longitudinal struts54and connecting struts55can be provided only as an alternative, but does not have to be provided and can be inserted supplementarily in the other struts or again removed is shown, for example, based onFIG. 6, in which, departing fromFIG. 5, vertical elongation struts54with connecting strut55are not shown.

Only for the sake of completeness is it mentioned that function unit31with the corresponding sections of actuation struts9or optionally provided attachable struts43or one or more adjustable struts45can also be designed so that these struts, starting from rear base section1, can run not over the upper shoulder area but on the side, on the outside around the shoulder and arm area or even under the shoulder, and on each front shoulder area a corresponding counter-support can be made and/or fixed in various adjustment positions.

FIGS. 2 and 4show that, on the lower end of actuation struts9, cords35can be attached, for example to a stationary wall or a stationary piece of furniture, to induce the corresponding forces on the shoulder area and hump back by forward and rearward movement. Naturally, corresponding cords can also be attached above rocker-shaped support3on the so-called function unit and its free ends can also be attached to a wall or a closet. In this case, the patient need go only forward to induce the rearward-directed forces on the shoulder area to straighten the hump back. In this case, detachable sections27are placed above support3that forms swivel axis29.