Therapy device

Abstract

A therapy device for treating left-side and right-side body parts comprises a single-piece base plate having a left surface and a right surface, a moving segment having a support surface for a left- or right-side body part to be treated, and a drive for pivoting the moving segment back and forth relative to the base plate. The moving segment is fastened to the base plate so as to be pivotable around an axis of rotation. The left surface of the base plate is shaped for supporting thereon a left-side body portion assigned to a left-side body part to be treated. The right surface of the base plate is shaped for supporting thereon a right-side body portion assigned to a right-side body part to be treated.

Claims

1. A therapy device for selectively treating a left-side body part and a right-side body part, comprising: a single-piece base plate having a left surface and a right surface, the base plate being configured to be flipped over such that selectively one of the left surface or the right surface is a top side of the base plate and the other of the left surface or the right surface is a bottom side of the base plate; a moving segment having a support surface configured for receiving the left-side body part when pivotally mounted to the base plate in a first configuration or configured for receiving the right-side body part when pivotally mounted to the base plate in a second configuration; and a drive for pivoting the moving segment back and forth relative to the base plate in each of the first and second configurations, wherein the drive is housed within the single-piece base plate, wherein the moving segment is fastened to the base plate so as to be pivotable around an axis of rotation in each of the first and second configurations, wherein the left surface is the top side of the base plate and the right surface is the bottom side of the base plate in the first configuration, and the left surface is the bottom side of the base plate and the right surface is the top side of the base plate in the second configuration, wherein the left surface of the base plate is shaped for supporting thereon a left-side body portion that includes the left-side body part to be treated on the moving segment, and wherein the right surface of the base plate is shaped for supporting thereon a right-side body portion that includes the right-side body part to be treated on the moving segment.

2. The therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the moving segment is equipped with a fastening apparatus for fastening the left-side body part or the right-side body part being treated to the support surface of the moving segment.

3. The therapy device according to claim 1, comprising a holding apparatus designed to hold the left-side body portion on the left surface of the base plate when in the first configuration and to hold the right-side body portion on the right surface of the base plate when in the second configuration.

4. The therapy device according to claim 3, wherein the holding apparatus comprises a strap, wherein the strap is equipped at each longitudinal end with a fastening structure and the base plate is equipped on two opposite sides with a fastening structure that is complementary to the fastening structure of the strap, and wherein the strap is configured to be releasably fastened to the base plate by means of the fastening structure of the base plate and the fastening structure of the strap in such a way that it extends either transversely over the left surface of the base plate when in the first configuration or transversely over the right surface of the base plate when in the second configuration.

5. The therapy device according to claim 4, wherein the strap is adjustable in length.

6. The therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the moving segment is releasably fastened to the base plate in a first position for left-side body parts when in the first configuration and is releasably fastened to the base plate in a second position for right-side body parts when in the second configuration.

7. The therapy device according to claim 6, comprising a pivot pin having an insert portion, wherein the base plate is equipped with a first pin receptacle into which the insert portion of the pivot pin is configured to be inserted, passing through a hole in the moving segment, such that the moving segment is fastened to the base plate in the first position when in the first configuration, and is equipped with a second pin receptacle into which the insert portion of the pivot pin is configured to be inserted, passing through the hole in the moving segment, such that the moving segment is fastened to the base plate in the second position when in the second configuration.

8. The therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the drive comprises an electric motor and a rod assembly, wherein the rod assembly is coupled to the electric motor in such a way that the rod assembly is configured to be moved forwards and backwards substantially in translation by the electric motor.

9. The therapy device according to claim 8, wherein the electric motor comprises a rotary shaft to which the rod assembly is connected lying eccentrically, in a jointed manner and transversely to an axis of the shaft, such that rotation of the shaft causes the rod assembly to move forwards and backwards.

10. The therapy device according to claim 8, wherein the rod assembly is connected to the moving segment eccentrically, in a jointed manner and transversely to the axis of rotation.

11. The therapy device according to claim 1, comprising a radio unit by means of which the drive is configured to be controlled.

12. The therapy device according to claim 11, wherein the radio unit is designed to be connected to a portable computer device, wherein the drive is configured to be controlled by means of the portable computer device via the radio unit.

13. The therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the drive is equipped with an overload safety system.

14. The therapy device according to claim 1, comprising a cover, wherein the cover is fastened on the left surface or the right surface of the base plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description of embodiments of the invention with the aid of the schematic drawings. In particular, the therapy device according to the invention is described in more detail below on the basis of embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a therapy device according to the invention for treating a big toe;

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of the therapy device from FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of the therapy device from FIG. 1 without upper plate part, cover or holding strap;

(5) FIG. 4 is a partly sectional side view along the line A-A from FIG. 3, in which a moving segment is in a horizontal position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a partly sectional side view along the line A-A from FIG. 3, in which the moving segment is in a position deflected outwards; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a partly sectional side view along the line A-A from FIG. 3, in which the moving segment is in a position deflected inwards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

(8) Some expressions are used in the following description for practical reasons and should not be understood as limiting. The words to the right, to the left, on the bottom and on the top refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The expressions inwards, outwards, below, above, left, right or the like are used to describe the arrangement of labelled parts relative to one another, the movement of labelled parts relative to one another, and the directions towards or away from the geometric centre of the therapy device and of designated parts thereof, as shown in the figures. These relative spatial details also include different positions and orientations from those shown in the figures. For example, if a part shown in the drawings is flipped over, elements or features described as below are then above. The terminology includes the words mentioned explicitly above, derivatives thereof and words with similar meanings.

(9) To avoid repetitions in the figures and the relevant description of the various aspects and embodiments, certain features should be understood as being common to different aspects and embodiments. If one aspect is omitted from either the description or a figure, this does not necessarily mean that said aspect is missing from the embodiment in question. Instead, an omission of this kind can be used for reasons of clarity and to avoid repetitions. In this respect, the following statement applies to the entirety of the further description: If a figure contains reference numbers to aid clarity in the drawings but these are not mentioned in the directly relevant description, reference is made to the explanation thereof in previous descriptions of figures. In addition, if the text of description directly relating to a figure mentions reference numbers that are not included in the relevant figure, reference is made to the preceding and subsequent figures. The same reference numbers in two or more figures denote similar or identical elements.

(10) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a therapy device 1 according to the invention. The therapy device 1 comprises a base plate 2 having a flat right-hand surface 21 and a flat left-hand surface 22 that is different from the right-hand surface 21. In FIG. 1, the right surface 21 is on top and the left surface 22 is on the bottom. The base plate 2 consists of two flat plate parts 28 that are stacked one on top of the other and are interconnected with a fixed connection and thus form a unit, meaning that the base plate 2 is a single piece. A moving segment 3 is mounted directly on the base plate 2 by means of a pivot pin 41 of a drive 4. The pivot pin 41 has a handle portion 411 by which it can be manually held and rotated in order to be screwed in or unscrewed.

(11) A right support 51 made of a foamed synthetic material is placed on the right surface 21 of the base plate 2. Similarly, a left support 52 made of a foamed synthetic material is placed on the left surface 22 of the base plate 2. The two supports 5 are cut to size such that they completely cover the respective left or right surfaces 21, 22. The synthetic material from which the supports are made is relatively soft and thus comfortable for a user of the therapy device 1. In addition, they are washable and thus simple to clean with soap. In addition, the synthetic material has adhesive properties that make it possible for the supports 5 to be held sufficiently firmly on the base plate 2 by being pressed thereon.

(12) A strap 61 of a holding apparatus 6 extends transversely over the right surface 21 of the base plate 2 or the right support 51. At both of its longitudinal ends, the strap 61 is equipped with two fastening pins 62 that act as a fastening structure and are inserted into two corresponding pin receptacles formed on the longitudinal sides of the base plate 2 and acting as a fastening structure. Together, the fastening pins 62 and the pin receptacles form a reversible plug-and-socket connection. This allows the strap 61 to be reversibly fastened to the base plate 2 and removed again. In particular, the strap 61 can thus be fastened to the base plate 2 in a simple manner so as to extend over either the right support 51 or the left support 52. The strap 61 is formed in two parts and the two parts can be interconnected differently. In this way, the length of the strap 61 can be conveniently adjusted.

(13) The moving segment 3 comprises a toe support 31 having a slightly rounded support surface adapted to a big toe. A fastening strap 32 acting as a fastening apparatus extends transversely over the support surface of the toe support 31 and is connected at its longitudinal ends to the toe support 31. Like the strap 61 of the holding apparatus 6, the fastening strap 32 is formed in two parts and is thus adjustable in length. Adjacent to the side of the moving segment 3, a lateral guide 23 extends upwards perpendicularly to the right surface 21 of the base plate 2.

(14) As can be clearly understood in the plan view in FIG. 2, the right surface 21, which is below the right support 51 shown in FIG. 2, has a basic shape adapted to the sole of a foot. At the point at which the big toe would come to rest, there is a recess formed in the base plate 2, into which the moving segment 3 is inserted. By means of the holding apparatus 6 or the associated strap 61, the right foot of a user can be held on the right support 51 in such a way that the big toe of the user is located precisely on the support surface of the toe support 31 of the moving segment 3. By means of the fastening strap 32, the big toe of the user can be fastened on the moving segment 3.

(15) FIG. 3 shows the therapy device 1 from above, the upper plate part 28 of the base plate 2, the holding apparatus 6 and the supports 5 all being removed. It can be seen in this figure that the base plate 2 has a hollow inner chamber 27 in which several component parts of the therapy device 1 are arranged securely and enclosed. In particular, the drive 4 is arranged in the inner chamber 27 of the base plate 2.

(16) The drive 4 comprises an electric motor 42 and a rod assembly 43. The electric motor 42 is permanently fixed in the base plate 2 by means of two side fins inserted into corresponding gaps in the inner chamber 27. The motor has a shaft 421 and an eccentric portion 422. The eccentric portion 422 is mounted on the shaft 421 at one longitudinal end thereof.

(17) The rod assembly 43 has a first rod 431 and a second rod 432, which are interconnected at one of their longitudinal ends by means of a pivot joint 436. The pivot joint 436 makes it possible for the first rod 431 and the second rod 432 to be folded towards one another at said longitudinal ends and to describe a variable angle relative to one another. The first rod 431 extends through a rod assembly guide 26 of the base plate 2.

(18) In the region of its longitudinal end facing away from the second rod, the first rod 431 is connected to the eccentric portion 422 by means of a shaft connector 434. The shaft connector 434 is clamped between two coil springs 433 wound around the first rod 431. On the outside, the two coil springs 433 are each held by a spring securing mechanism 435 that is pushed onto the first rod 431 and connected thereto by a fixed connection.

(19) The pivot pin 41 has an insertion portion 412 opposite the handle portion 411, and the base plate 2 has a pin receptacle 25 corresponding to the insertion portion 412. The insertion portion 412 is inserted into the pin receptacle 25. In the process, the insertion portion 412 and the pin receptacle 25 can be equipped with corresponding threads such that the pivot pin 41 can be screwed into the pin receptacle 25.

(20) A controller 45, a power supply 44 and a radio unit 7 are also arranged in the inner chamber 27 of the base plate 2. The power supply 44 includes a battery 441 and the switch 442. The power supply is coupled to all the energy-consuming components, such as, in particular, the motor 42, the controller 45 and the radio unit 7.

(21) The controller 45 controls the motor 42 such that movement parameters of the moving segment 3 can be adjusted via said motor. In addition, the controller 45 is connected to the radio unit 7. By means of the radio unit 7, an external portable computer device, such as a smartphone, can access the controller 45 and adjust or program it such that a movement program specific to the use can be implemented. In addition, data, e.g. data regarding the progress of the therapy, can be transmitted to the portable computer device via the radio unit 7. The computer device can then analyse and/or display the transmitted data.

(22) FIGS. 4 to 6 show the therapy device 1 in operation. In FIG. 4, the drive 4 is deflected outwards such that the support surface of the support element 31 of the moving segment 3 is oriented horizontally. It can be seen that the moving segment comprises a base 33 carrying the support portion 31. The pivot pin 41 passes through a hole in the base 33 and the moving segment 3 can pivot around the pivot pin 41 relative to the base plate 2.

(23) The second rod 432 of the rod assembly 43 is connected at a pivot joint 437, at its longitudinal end facing away from the pivot joint 436, to the base 33 of the moving segment 3. At the same time, the second rod 432 is secured to the base 33 so as to be offset from the pivot pin 41 or from the axis of rotation of the moving segment. The second rod 432 is thus connected at the Divot joint 437 to the moving segment 3 so as to be disposed eccentrically, in a jointed manner and transversely to the axis of rotation thereof.

(24) The first rod 431 passes through the shaft connector 434, said rod being able to move axially through said connector. This axial movement is, however, absorbed and limited by the coil springs 433. The shaft connector 434 is fastened to the eccentric portion 422 in such a way as to be offset from the shaft 421 and rotatable about its axis. The first rod 431 is thus connected to the shaft 421 eccentrically, in a jointed manner and transversely to an axis of rotation thereof.

(25) The rod assembly guide 26 comprises an upper guide lug formed in the upper plate part of the plate parts 28 and a lower guide lug formed in the lower plate part of the plate parts 28. The first rod 431 runs through a gap formed by the guide lugs. The first rod is thus supported vertically and a vertical movement of the first rod 431 can be prevented or minimised by the rod assembly guide 26.

(26) As shown in FIG. 5, an anti-clockwise rotational movement of the shaft 421 of the motor 42 leads to the shaft connector 434 being moved eccentrically in relation to the axis of rotation of the shaft 421. As a result, an axial movement of the first rod 431 towards the moving segment 3 is produced by means of the coil springs 433. The second rod 432 is thus also moved, the second rod being moved to the left in FIG. 5 and angled upwards in relation to the first rod 431. As a result, a force acts on the base 33 of the moving segment 3 eccentrically in relation to the pivot pin 41, and the moving segment is pivoted clockwise upwards.

(27) The lateral guide 23 can also be clearly seen in FIG. 5. It is panel-shaped and inserted into a corresponding insertion holder of the base plate 2. The base plate 2 comprises two identical, opposing insertion holders, so the lateral guide 23 can be mounted on either side of the base plate 2 as required. The guide can thus protrude from either the left surface 21 or the right surface 22, as required.

(28) FIG. 6 shows the therapy device 1 in a position rotated further. In this case, the motor 42 rotates its shaft 421 further anti-clockwise until the shaft connector 434 is positioned on the opposite side, i.e. to the right of the shaft axis, eccentrically to the axis of rotation. As a result, an axial movement of the first rod 431 in the opposite direction to the moving segment 3 or to the right is produced by means of the coil springs 433. The second rod 432 is thus also moved, the second rod being moved to the right in FIG. 6 and angled downwards in relation to the first rod 431. As a result, a force acts on the base 33 of the moving segment 3 eccentrically in relation to the pivot pin 41, and the moving segment is pivoted anti-clockwise downwards.

(29) As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the rotational movement driven by the motor 42 produces a translational or axial movement of the rod assembly 43, as a result of which an up-and-down or back-and-forth movement of the moving segment 3 is produced. At the same time, the rotational movement of the shaft 421 of the motor 42 is transmitted to the first rod 431 of the rod assembly 43 in a cushioned manner. This makes it possible for the movement of the moving segment 3 to be triggered in a relatively gentle manner adapted to the resistance. In this way, a big toe that is fastened on the support surface of the moving segment 3 and belongs to a right foot held on the right support 51 can be comfortably moved together with the segment and thus treated.

(30) Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail by means of the figures and the relevant description, this illustration and detailed description should be understood as illustrative and an example and not limiting to the invention. To avoid making the invention seem more than it is, well-known structures and techniques may not have been shown or described in detail in some cases. It goes without saying that persons skilled in the art can make modifications and changes without departing from the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features, which may differ from the combinations of features explicitly described.

(31) The present disclosure also includes embodiments with any combination of features which have been stated or disclosed above or below in relation to different embodiments. It also includes individual features in the figures, even if these are shown therein in relation to other features and/or are not named above or below. The alternative embodiments described in the figures and description, individual alternatives and the features thereof can also be excluded from the subject matter of the invention or from the disclosed subject matter. The disclosure includes embodiments that only have the features described in the claims or in the embodiments, as well as those that have additional other features.

(32) In addition, the expression comprise and derivatives thereof does not exclude other elements or steps. Likewise, the indefinite article a or an and derivatives thereof does not exclude a plurality. The functions of several features set out in the claims can be fulfilled by one unit or one step. The terms substantially, roughly, approximately and the like in connection with a property or a value also in particular define precisely that property or that value. The terms roughly and approximately in relation to a given numerical value or range can relate to a value or range that is within 20%, within 10%, within 5% or within 2% of the given value or range. None of the reference numbers in the claims should be understood as limiting the scope of the claims.