US20100173747A1 - Upper-limb training apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An upper-limb training apparatus allows a user's two upper limbs to independently and actively perform flexion and extension along a round track, so that the user's the two upper limbs can receive proper training, respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Technical Field
• The present invention relates to physical training equipments, and more particularly, to a training apparatus for strengthening human upper-limb muscle strength and motion coordination.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• A conventional upper-limb training apparatus is schematically depicted inFIG. 1. In the training apparatus, a crank1 has its middle portion settled in abase2 and is allowed to rotate in either direction. Each of two ends of the crank1 is attached thereto ahandle3 that rotatable around the corresponding end of the crank1. A resistance module4 provides an adjustable resistance to rotation movement of the crank1.
• To use the apparatus, a user holds the handles with his/her two hands and exerts a force to rotate the crank1 so that his/her upper limbs perform alternate flexion and extension following the moving trace of the crank1.
• Due to the limited moving mode of the crank1, when a user exercises with the conventional apparatus, his/her upper limbs are not exercising independently but subject to a mutually driven mechanism. If the user's two upper limbs are unequal in motion capability, the stronger limb may continuously, actively drive the crank1 while the weaker limb can do noting but be driven by the crank1. In such case, both the limbs are not properly trained. Besides, though the resistance module4 provides the adjustable resistance to the crank1, it fails to provide different scales of resistance to two upper limbs unequal in motion capability at the same time, thus failing to satisfy the respect needs of the two upper limbs, resulting in inferior training efficiency.
• In addition to the above problem, another reason for inferior training efficiency of the traditional training apparatus is its machine-like and dull operation. The immutable reciprocal movement between two upper limbs can soon bore a user, and even make the training course an antipathy to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The primarily objective of the present invention is to provide an upper-limb training apparatus that allows a user's two upper limbs to independently and actively perform flexion and extension along a round track, so as to free the two upper limbs from the aforesaid mutually driven mechanism in training.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide an upper-limb training apparatus that allows a user's two upper limbs to receive different degrees of muscle strength training according to the respect needs thereof.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide an upper-limb training apparatus that connects to an interactive software program or an evaluation software program so as to train and assess motion coordination between a user's two upper limbs.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide an upper-limb training apparatus that connects to an interactive software program so as to add an entertaining effect in training course.
• An upper-limb training apparatus comprise:
• a first resistance device and a second resistance device, controlling motion resistance of a first operation module and a second operation module that are to be operated by a user's two upper limbs, respectively, and a resistance control system allowing the user to set resistance loads provided by the first resistance device and the second resistance device to the first operation module and the second operation modules, respectively.
• Besides, a first sensor and a second sensor are provided in the upper-limb training apparatus to detect rotational directions, rotational angles and rotational speeds of the first operation module and the second operation modules, respectively, and to transmit related signals to an interactive software program. The interactive software program presents a dynamic scene controlled thereby in a display and moves a subject in the dynamic scene according to the signal it receives from the first sensor and the second sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing a conventional upper-limb training apparatus;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper-limb apparatus according to the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the upper-limb apparatus according to the present invention showing the inner structure thereof;
• FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a first operation module, wherein a handle member thereof is a horizontal handle; and
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating systemic configuration of the training apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• While a preferred embodiment is provided herein for illustrating the concept of the present invention as described above, it is to be understood that the components in these drawings are made for better explanation and need not to be made in scale. Moreover, in the following description, resemble components are indicated by the same numerals.
• FIGS. 2,3 and5 cooperatively describe an upper-limb training apparatus of the present invention, wherein components and structure of the upper-limb training apparatus will be given in detailed below according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• Amain body11 has abase10 that stably position themain body11 on a substantial surface.
• Afirst operation module21 and asecond operation module22 are assembled at two sides of themain body11. Thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation module22 are to be separately operated by a user's right and left upper limbs.
• Adisplay14 is such settled that a user of the training apparatus can easily watch contents it displays. In the present embodiment, thedisplay14 is arranged on asupport13 that extends upward from themain body11.
• Afirst resistance device31 and asecond resistance device32 are positioned inside themain body11 by aframe15. Thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation module22 are linked to thefirst resistance device31 and thesecond resistance device32 byshafts41, respectively, and allowed to rotate in either direction. Thefirst resistance device31 and thesecond resistance device32 provide rotational resistance loads to theshafts41 so that thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation module22 bear respective rotational resistance independently.
• Aresistance control system50 mainly comprises a firstresistance adjusting unit51, a secondresistance adjusting unit52, a firstresistance setting unit53 and a secondresistance adjusting unit54. The firstresistance adjusting unit51 is coupled to thefirst resistance device31. The firstresistance adjusting unit51 receives a resistance information input from the firstresistance setting unit53 and adjusts the rotational resistance load thefirst resistance device31 applies to thefirst operation module21 according to the received resistance information. The secondresistance adjusting unit52 is coupled to thesecond resistance device32. The secondresistance adjusting unit52 receives a resistance information input from the secondresistance setting unit54 and adjusts the rotational resistance load thesecond resistance device32 applies to thesecond operation module22 according to the received resistance information. The first and secondresistance setting units53,54 may be realized by any known input device. In one aspect of the present invention, the first and secondresistance setting units53,54 are first and second adjustingelements531,532 settled on themain body11. Thus, a user can operate the first and second adjustingelements531,532 to input desired resistance information so as to make the operation resistance of thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation module22 changed. In another aspect of the present invention, the first and secondresistance setting units53,54 are presented in thedisplay14 having a touch screen. Resistance setting is exhibited in thedisplay14 in a programmable manner so that a user can input his/her desired resistance values through the touch screen to change the operation resistance of thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation module22. In still another aspect of the present invention, a remote control is implemented to input the resistance information.
• Aninteractive control system60 primarily comprises afirst sensor33, asecond sensor34 and aninteractive software program55. Thefirst sensor33 and thesecond sensor34 detect rotational directions, rotational angles and rotational speeds of thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22, respectively. Then thefirst sensor33 and thesecond sensor34 convert sensing results into specific signals and transmit the signals to theinteractive software program55. Theinteractive software program55 presents a dynamic scene controlled thereby in thedisplay14. In addition, theinteractive software program55 receives the signals from thefirst sensor33 and thesecond sensor34 and uses the signals as moving parameters to move a subject in the dynamic scene. In the present embodiment, thefirst sensor33 and thesecond sensor34 are arranged at two sides of theframe15, while sensing components thereof are set on theshafts41 of thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22, respectively.
• Thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 of the disclosed training apparatus provide round moving tracks so as to allow a user to perform flexion and extension with his/her two upper limbs. Since thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 are two independent components, the user's two upper limbs move independently but not in a mutually driven relation. Moreover, thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 have their resistance loads controlled by thefirst resistance device31 andsecond resistance device32, respectively. Thereby, the user's can train his/her upper limbs with their respectively proper resistance loads, so as to strength his/her shoulder joints, elbow joints, wrist joints, upper-limb muscle groups and chest-and-back muscle groups.
• Theinteractive control system60 enables a user to operate thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 according to the circumstances provided in the dynamic scene. An example will be described below.
• When thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 rotate forward simultaneously, the subject in the dynamic scene in thedisplay14 moves forward.
• When thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 rotated backward simultaneously, the subject in the dynamic scene in thedisplay14 moves backward.
• When thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 rotated forward simultaneously, while thefirst operation module21 runs faster than thesecond operation modules22, the subject in the dynamic scene in thedisplay14 moves rightward. Otherwise, the subject in the dynamic scene in thedisplay14 moves leftward.
• When thesecond operation modules22 stays still and thefirst operation module21 rotates forward, the subject makes a stop turn to left. Otherwise, the subject makes a stop turn to right.
• Basing on the above basic operation modes, in cooperation with program control, other movements of the subject, such as stopping, jumping, rolling, etc., would be possible.
• Theinteractive control system60 enables interactive operation of the disclosed training apparatus, so as to add an entertaining effect in training, and, more important, train a user's hand-brain connection and upper-limb motion coordination. By using theresistance control system50 to set the resistance of thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 and then operating theinteractive control system60, a user can receive triple training courses including muscle strength, hand-brain connection and upper-limb motion coordination at the same time. Alternative, when thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22 with the resistance thereof set as zero, a user can use theinteractive control system60 to train hand-brain connection and upper-limb motion coordination.
• Anevaluation software program56 may be implemented in theinteractive control system60 for evaluating a user's moving capability. Thefirst sensor33 and thesecond sensor34 detect rotational directions, rotational angles and rotational speeds of thefirst operation module21 and thesecond operation modules22, respectively. Then thefirst sensor33 and thesecond sensor34 convert sensing results into specific signals and transmit the signals to theevaluation software program56. Theevaluation software program56 serves to take the signals received in a certain period as materials for evaluation and determination and present results of the evaluation and determination in thedisplay14 in the form that the user or a professional would understand.
• WhileFIG. 4 only illustrates thefirst operation module21, it is to be understood that thesecond operation modules22 shares the identical configuration withfirst operation module21 and needs not to be repeatedly illustrated.
• Thefirst operation module21 comprises theshaft41 that has a first end and a second end opposite at an axis thereof. The first end of theshaft41 pierces into thefirst resistance device31.
• Ajoint element42 is fixed to the second end of theshaft41.
• Ashank43 is coupled to thejoint element42 and positioned perpendicular to theshaft41. Thejoint element42 has a plurality ofholes431 in additional to a radially extending throughhole421 that allows theshank43 to pass therethrough. Apositioning element44 is detachably settled on apositioning hole422 formed on thejoint element42. Thepositioning element44 has a positioning pin411 at an end thereof. The positioning pin411 is inserted into one saidhole431 to fix theshank43. Theholes431 located differently enable a changeable distance between ahandle end432 of theshank43 and thejoint element42, so as to make a force arm and the round moving track of thefirst operation module21 adjustable.
• Ahandle46 is affixed to thehandle end432 of theshank43, allowing a user to hold and exert a force to operate the training apparatus. Thehandle46 may be of any type, as long as it is easy to hold by a user. For example, as shown inFIG. 4, thehandle46 is ahorizontal handle47. Arotation element45 is pivotally connected to thehandle end432 of theshank43 and thehorizontal handle47 is mounted around therotation element45 so that a user can hold thehorizontal handle47 to operate the training apparatus horizontally.
• The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment and it is understood that the embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Moreover, as the contents disclosed herein should be readily understood and can be implemented by a person skilled in the art, all equivalent changes or modifications which do not depart from the concept of the present invention should be encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. An upper-limb apparatus, comprising:

a) a first operation module and a second operation module settled at two sides of a main body of the upper-limb training apparatus;

b) a first resistance device and a second resistance device settled in the main body, each of the first operation module and the second operation module being linked to the first resistance device and the second resistance device by a shaft, respectively, and being allowed to rotate in either direction, the first resistance device and the second resistance device providing rotational resistance loads to the shafts so that each of the first operation module and the second operation module bears respective rotational resistance independently, each of the first resistance device and the second resistance device being self-contained and free of external bands so as to be readily interchangeable and readily replaceable;

c) a resistance control system comprising a first resistance adjusting unit, a second resistance adjusting unit, a first resistance setting unit, and a second resistance setting unit, wherein the first resistance adjusting unit is coupled to the first resistance device and receives a resistance information input from the first resistance setting unit so as to adjust the rotational resistance load that the first resistance device applies to the first operation module according to the received resistance information, and the second resistance adjusting unit is coupled to the second resistance device and receives a resistance information input from the second resistance setting unit so as to adjust the rotational resistance load that the second resistance device applies to the second operation module according to the received resistance information; and

d) a display being such settled that a user of the training apparatus can easily watch contents displayed in the display.

2. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising an interactive control system that primarily comprises a first sensor, a second sensor, and an interactive software program, the first and the second sensor detecting rotational directions, rotational angles, and rotational speeds of the first operation module and the second operation module, respectively, converting sensing results into specific signals, and transmitting the signals to the interactive software program, the interactive software program then presenting a dynamic scene controlled thereby in the display.

3. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising an interactive control system that primarily comprises a first sensor, a second sensor, and an evaluation software program, the first sensor and the second sensor detecting rotational directions, rotational angles, and rotational speeds of the first operation module and the second operation module, respectively, converting sensing results into specific signals, and transmitting the signals to the evaluation software program, the evaluation software program then presenting evaluation results to the display.

4. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first resistance setting unit and the second resistance setting unit are a first adjusting element and a second adjusting element settled on the main body.

5. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first resistance setting unit and the second resistance setting unit are presented in the display, and the display has a touch screen.

6. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first operation module and the second operation module generates a respective round moving track defined by a rotational movement thereof.

7. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein each said shaft has a first end and a second end positioned opposite at an axis thereof, in which the first end pierces into the first resistance device or the second resistance device, and the second end is assembled perpendicular to a corresponding shank, each said shank having affixed thereto a handle.

8. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein a joint element fixedly attached to the second end of each said shaft has a radially extending through hole that receives one end of the shank, and a positioning element detachably coupled to the joint element to fix the shank with respect to the joint element.

9. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the shank has a plurality of holes aligned as a line, and the positioning element has a positioning pin so that when the positioning pin is inserted into one said hole, the shank is fixed to the joint element.

10. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the handle is a horizontal handle so as to allow a user to hold it horizontally and actively operate the first operation module and the second operation module.

11. The upper-limb training apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein a rotation element is pivotally connected to an opposite end of the shank, and the horizontal handle is mounted around the rotation element.

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