An exercise machine

Abstract: An exercise machine having first and second platform parts (1 and 2) which form a patient support to support the upper and lower parts of a patient's body. Adjacent ends of the platform parts are pivotally coupled to a reciprocatably movable element (4) which is drivingly connected to prime mover (15). The movable element (4) can reciprocate in a direction generally normal to a base (14) above which the platform parts (1,2) are supported and thereby apply a cyclic movement to platform parts. A support member (12 and 13) is pivotally coupled between each of the platform parts (1 and 2) and said base (14). Adjustment means (20 and 21) provide for adjustment of the angular position of each support member (12 and 13) relative to the base (14) such as to adjust the position of the pivot coupling of the support member to the platform part relative to the pivot coupling (3) of the platform part to the movable member. The adjustment means (20,21) also maintain the angular disposition of each support member relative to the base substantially fixed during cyclic movement being applied to the platform parts.

Description: This invention relates to an exercise machine. It is well known that when a human spinal disc is dislodged from its correct location and remains displaced for a period of time it calcifies, loses its flexibility and causes considerable pain. A treatment procedure that can be carried out by a therapist or by the sufferer himself is to repeatedly flex the spinal column in the same direction as the dislodged disc. When this spinal bending is carried out by a therapist it only takes place during short appointment periods. Neither the treatment procedure of the therapist or the sufferer himself has met with much success because the treatment can not be sustained for long enough. On the one hand short appointment periods do not allow enough time for the therapy to be effective and on the other hand the muscular effort required limits the number of bending movements of which the patient is capable when carrying out an exercise program himself. It is also known that if the patient applies extension by his own effort pressure on the intra vertebral disc is raised. However, if the movement is provided without muscular effort the pressure is consequently lower and more beneficial. It has now been found that if the spine is bent in the appropriate direction hundreds of times within a short time frame of several days the calcified cartilage material of the disc regains its suppleness and is able to return to its original location. This concentrated treatment is not practical or possible without mechanical assistance. In US patent specification 2722929 there is disclosed an exercise machine for applying a degree of stretch to the body of a person along the axis of the spine while the person is lying on his/her back on a support platform and the body is held under tension. The machine includes means for raising and lowering a hinge between two sections of the support platform whereby alternate stretching and relaxing of the body can be achieved. The platform movement is uniform and not capable of adjustment for adjusting the degree of articulation to be induced in the person lying on the platform. The object of the exercise machine according to the present invention is to provide in operation thereof a bending of a patient's spinal column repeatedly to a degree that can be pre-determined and controlled and thus provide cycles of end range passive exercise. Therefore in its preferred form the machine provides extension or flexion to the lumber spine from above or below, or a combination of both is possible. Accordingly in one broad aspect the present invention provides an exercise machine comprising a patient support platform having first and second parts adapted to support the upper and lower parts of a patient's body, a movable member pivotally attached to adjacent parts of said first and second parts, moving means for applying a reciprocating movement to said movable member in a direction substantially normal to a plane defined by the support platform when said first and second parts are aligned end to end, characterised by an elongate support pivotally coupled to each of said first and second platform parts at a point which is spaced from the pivotal attachment of the platform part to the movable member, adjustment means for adjusting the angle of each support relative to that part to which it is attached such that the point of pivotal coupling of each support to said part is adjusted relative to the pivot coupling of said part to said movable member, and means for holding said support fixed against any substantial movement during said reciprocating movement of said movable member. The support can be formed by telescopic members with the extent of telescopic adjustment being preferably achieved by a linear actuator. The telescopic members are preferably coupled to position adjustment means whereby the position of the telescopic members can be adjusted and preferably in unison. In the following more detailed description of the invention reference will be made to the drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a plan view of the exercise machine according to the present invention but with the patient support platforms partially cut away, Figure 2 is an elevation view in the direction of arrow A but with a side panel removed, Figure 3 is an elevation view in the direction of arrow B with a side panel removed, Figure 4 is a partial elevation view of the foot end of the machine, Figures 5-7 are illustrations of the machine when adjusted to provide differing degrees of movement of the first and second parts of the support platform, and Figure 8 is a representation of an example of a chart which can be fixed to the machine showing the motion achieved by each part of the support platform at various settings. The machine according to the illustrated form of the invention incorporates a padded platform forming a patient support surface. The platform is divided into two separate parts which form a head end section 1 and a foot end section 2. Each of sections 1 and 2 is pivotally connected via pivots 3 to a centre column 4 which is mounted for reciprocating vertical movement relative to the base 14 of the machine. This movement is derived from an electric motor 5 coupled to a reduction gearbox 6 which via a chain and sprocket drive 7 moves a shaft 7a to which levers 8a are connected at each end these in turn being coupled to cranks 8. This drive arrangement causes centre column 4 to rise and fall a prescribed distance in a certain time period. In the preferred form of the invention the rise and fall is 150mm eight times per minute. Head end section 1 is fixedly attached to an understructure 9. Foot end section 2 is similarly carried by an understructure 10, however, the platform itself is mounted for sliding movement on the understructure 10 and thus is capable of sliding movement in the order of 150mm. Each of understructures 9 and 10 are pivotally mounted at 11 to respective supports 12 and 13. These supports 12 and 13 are each pivotally coupled at their lower ends to the base 14 of the machine. Supports 12 and 13 are capable of adjustment in two directions. They are telescopic thus can be lengthened or shortened (in the order of 150mm). Also, as they are pivotally coupled to base 14 the upper ends of the supports (and thus pivot couplings 11) can be adjusted either toward or away from the centre of the machine thereby changing the fulcrum point on which the head and foot end sections 1 and 2 pivot. These two adjustments provide for more or less motion of each platform section and allow this movement to be disposed as required above and below the horizontal (the base 14 considered to be located on the horizontal). The length adjustment thus disposes the platform movement to a higher or lower level while the adjustment of the fulcrum point increases or decreases platform movement. These two adjustments can be achieved manually. However, they are preferably both controlled by electric linear actuators. To this end linear actuators 15 are respectively coupled to each support member 12 and 13. Each of supports 12 and 13 are of telescopic construction having a first lower tubular member 16 which is pivotally mounted at its lowermost end to base 14 and an upper inner member 17 which is pivotally coupled to the understructure of the platform sections at pivot 11. Thus the bodies of linear actuators 15 are located adjacent lower member 16 while the piston rod end thereof are coupled to inner member 17. A further linear actuator 18 is located within the machine enclosure and this actuator 18 is coupled via links 19, 20 and 21 to the lower member 16 of supports 12 and 13. As shown in Figure 2 movement of the piston rod of linear actuator 18 causes links 19, 20 and 21 to move in unison toward or away from the centre of the machine. Thus the angle which a support member makes to the base can be adjusted and then held substantially fixed in the adjusted position. Pivots 11 are so constructed as to permit movement of the platform parts as column 4 reciprocates despite the fixed angular location of the support members. The adjustment via supports 12 and 13 causes each end section of the support platform to articulate downwardly or upwardly from the nominal horizontal. Thus according to a preferred form of the invention articulation downwards is by 25° while articulation in the upward direction is by 29°. Movement of end sections 1 and 2 can be adjusted via the fulcrum adjustment from 15° to 28° giving a combined angular movement of 30° to 56°. When the therapist decides on the appropriate treatment to be given it is important that the therapist has absolute control over the location of the patient on the machine, the degree of articulation to be induced and the increased amount of articulation to be applied during treatment. Each of these factors must be able to be recorded so as to achieve a state of progression through the treatment or subsequent treatments. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention the machine incorporates a numerical system that makes this possible. A telescopic member 22 is provided at the outer end of foot end section 2. This telescopic member 22 includes a bar 23 which is engageable with the instep of the patient's feet when the patient is located on the support surfaces 1 and 2. The telescopic member 22 is graduated (preferably both in inches and centimetres) from the centre point of the articulating platform. Accordingly a measurement taken from the floor to the level of the spine of the patient requiring treatment can be set on telescopic member 22 such that when the patient is in position on the machine and his or her feet engage with bar 23 the patient's spine can be precisely located for correct treatment. This particular measurement would be recorded on the patient's chart so that the patient can be correctly located at subsequent treatments. As shown in Figure 4 each support member 12 and 13 has a vertical scale marked on its telescopic upper section 17. The vertical scale is numbered 1 to 8 with setting 1 being the minimum setting and 8 being the maximum setting when the support member is extended to its maximum allowable amount (in the preferred form 150mm). Thus the extent to which the telescopic member 17 is extended can be readily adjusted via linear actuators 15 and the number indicating the adjustments for both foot end and head end settings will appear on the patient's chart. The therapist may decide to raise the foot end less than the head end. For instance, the therapist may set supports 12 and 13 at settings 3 and 6 thereby giving a maximum rise of 22° at the head end and 10° at the foot end (see the chart appearing in Figure 8). Links 20 and 21 which control the fulcrum point of the head and foot end sections are also provided with a scale which provides readings and degrees of articulation. Thus the therapist may begin therapy at 15° of movement and during treatment increase this to say 20°. Such adjustment is achieved via the operation of linear actuator 18 so that the links are extended in unison to setting 15 as shown in Figure 4. In accordance with the above the patient's record therefore would indicate as linear measurements 3-6 showing foot and head end difference and 15-20 being the degree of articulation at the start and completion of treatment. These visual numerical settings provide for accuracy of treatment and in particular accurate progressive treatment. It will be appreciated that these adjustments can be automated. For example, with potentiometers installed with the linear actuators 15 and 18 adjustments to the machine necessary for individual patients and the amount of increased movement during treatment can be controlled by computer means. Manipulative treatment often causes initial pain but this can decrease as the treatment progresses. The machine can thus be controlled to follow the threshold of pain and gradually increase the degree of articulation. The fulcrum points move in unison from the single linear actuator 18 and thus as they withdraw articulation of the platform increases. This adjustment can be made during therapy by the therapist or by a suitably programmed computer control. With the machine in motion the patient's body bends at a higher level than the pivot points of the support surfaces 1 and 2 and linear differences therefore occur. This movement is dissipated by the movable nature of the foot end section 2. Because the upper body weight of a patient predominates the patient's chest remains in place on the head end platform 1 while the foot end 2 being located to the patient's feet slides back and forth. Any minor movement of the upper body which does occur is generally dissipated through frontal body tissue. The patient's face is supported on a low level headrest 24 which is mounted such as to slide back and forth. Referring now to Figures 5, 6 and 7 there are illustrated different degrees of articulation and movement which are achievable via suitable adjustment of the machine. Figure 5 shows the articulation achieved when the support members 12 and 13 are adjusted to 8 on the scale and the fulcrum scale is adjusted to 28°. The left hand view shows centre column 4 at maximum stroke while the right hand view shows the column at minimum stroke. As a result platform sections 1 and 2 move from 1° above horizontal (left hand view) to 29° (right hand view). The arrangement shown in Figure 5 illustrates the most acute extension movement that can be applied. In Figure 6 the support member scales are set at 1 and the fulcrum scales at 15°. When the centre column 4 is at maximum stroke (left hand illustration) the platform sections slope downward at 17° while at minimum stroke (right hand view) they slope downwards at 2°. This setting applies the minimum flexion movement below horizontal, i.e. 15°. This can be increased to 25° by adjusting the fulcrum scale to 28°. Figure 7 provides an illustration of different support member settings at each end. In this instance the foot end support member 13 is set at 2 and the head end support member 12 is set at 7 with the fulcrum setting being at 22°. Consequently both of foot and head ends articulate 22° but the foot end measurement is substantially below horizontal and the head end substantially above horizontal. The foot end moves from -17° to +5° flexion while the head end moves from -2° flexion to +20° extension. Figure 8 is an illustration of a chart which would be fixed with the machine to show the motion achieved by each support section at the various settings. The machine according to the present invention provides a means of repeatedly bending a patient's spine in extension or flexion while all motor control of the patient is in a relaxed state i.e. passive exercise. The motion applied by the machine can be adjusted manually or via computer control to be predominantly above or below horizontal. Each end can be separately adjusted to articulate at higher or lower levels. The degree of articulation can be increased or decreased during treatment. Thus end range passive exercise is achieved by use of the machine. Thus the machine can provide appropriate lengths of therapy without muscular effort from the patient. The exercise achieved on the machine is therefore more beneficial than that which can be achieved during short periods of therapy or exercise programs carried out by the patient. Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appendant claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims: An exercise machine comprising a patient support platform having first and second parts (1 and 2) adapted to support the upper and lower parts of a patient's body, a movable member (4) pivotally attached to adjacent parts of said first and second parts (1 and 2), moving means (5) for applying a reciprocating movement to said movable member (4) in a direction substantially normal to a plane defined by the support platform (1,2) when said first and second parts are aligned end to end, characterised by an elongate support (12,13) pivotally coupled to each of said first and second platform parts (1,2) at a point (11) which is spaced from the pivotal attachment (3) of the platform part to the movable member, adjustment means (20,21) for adjusting the angle of each support relative to that part to which it is attached such that the point of pivotal coupling (11) of each support (12,13) to said part (1,2) is adjusted relative to the pivot coupling (3) of said part to said movable member (4), and means (20,21) for holding said support fixed against any substantial movement during said reciprocating movement of said movable member. An exercise machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the distance between the pivot coupling (11) of the support (12,13) to a base (14) above which the platform parts are supported and said platform (1,2) part is adjustable. An exercise machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein each support is adjustable in length. An exercise machine as claimed in Claim 3 wherein each support is of telescopic construction. An exercise machine as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the extent of telescopic adjustment is controlled by a linear actuator (15). An exercise machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein each support is independently adjustable in length. An exercise machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein said adjustment means (20,21) is coupled via connecting means (19) to each support (12,13) such that it adjusts in unison the angle of each support, said adjustment means (20,21) also providing the means for maintaining the angular disposition of the support in the substantially fixed position. An exercise machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein said support (12,13) and said adjustment means (20,21) each provide visual indications relative to datum points such that predetermined adjustments thereof can be effected by reference to said visual indications. An exercise machine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each support (12,13) comprises a first element (17) coupled via said pivotal coupling (11) to a said platform part (1,2) and slidingly engaged with a second element (16) said second element being pivotally coupled to a base (14), there being control means which controls adjustment of the relative positions of the first and second elements to thereby adjust the distance of the pivot coupling between the first element and platform part relative to said base and thereby adjust the angle of said platform part relative to said plane. An exercise machine as claimed in Claim 9 wherein one of said first and second elements (16,17) is coupled to a control member (20,21) , there being further control means (18,21) which controls adjustment of the angle of the support relative to the base (14) and thereby effect adjustment of the position of the pivot coupling (11) of said support (12,13) to the platform part (1,2) to which it is pivotally coupled relative to said direction of movement. An exercise machine as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said support (12,13) and the control member (20,21) include visual markings which relative to a respective datum point provide a visual indication of adjustments which translate into the extent of movement of the platform part relative to said plane. An exercise machine as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the second platform part (12) is slidingly mounted to a substructure (10) which is in turn coupled to a said support. An exercise machine as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the second platform part (2) includes at its end remote from that which is pivotally coupled (3) to said movable member (4) an engagement element (23) which is engageable with the feet of a patient the position of said engagement element being adjustable relative to said remote end. An exercise machine as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said engagement element (23) includes a support element (22) which is slidingly engaged with said second platform part (2), said support element including visual markings to provide a visual indication of adjustment of the position of the engagement element relative to a datum point.

Inventors: MCKENZIE ROBIN ANTHONY, WRIGHT HOWARD STANLEY, MCKENZIE, ROBIN ANTHONY, WRIGHT, HOWARD STANLEY
Applicants: MCKENZIE ROBIN ANTHONY, MCKENZIE, ROBIN ANTHONY
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61H1
IPC codes: A61H1