US20100173747A1

US20100173747A1 - Upper-limb training apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20100173747A1
Application number: US12/319,658
Authority: US
Inventors: Wei-Long Chen; Chia-Chang Chang
Original assignee: Cycling and Health Tech Ind R&D Center
Current assignee: Cycling and Health Tech Ind R&D Center
Priority date: 2009-01-08
Filing date: 2009-01-08
Publication date: 2010-07-08

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 in FIG. 1. In the training apparatus, a crank 1 has its middle portion settled in a base 2 and is allowed to rotate in either direction. Each of two ends of the crank 1 is attached thereto a handle 3 that rotatable around the corresponding end of the crank 1. A resistance module 4 provides an adjustable resistance to rotation movement of the crank 1.
To use the apparatus, a user holds the handles with his/her two hands and exerts a force to rotate the crank 1 so that his/her upper limbs perform alternate flexion and extension following the moving trace of the crank 1.
Due to the limited moving mode of the crank 1, 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 crank 1 while the weaker limb can do noting but be driven by the crank 1. In such case, both the limbs are not properly trained. Besides, though the resistance module 4 provides the adjustable resistance to the crank 1, 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 and 5 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.
A main body 11 has a base 10 that stably position the main body 11 on a substantial surface.
A first operation module 21 and a second operation module 22 are assembled at two sides of the main body 11. The first operation module 21 and the second operation module 22 are to be separately operated by a user's right and left upper limbs.
A display 14 is such settled that a user of the training apparatus can easily watch contents it displays. In the present embodiment, the display 14 is arranged on a support 13 that extends upward from the main body 11.
A first resistance device 31 and a second resistance device 32 are positioned inside the main body 11 by a frame 15. The first operation module 21 and the second operation module 22 are linked to the first resistance device 31 and the second resistance device 32 by shafts 41, respectively, and allowed to rotate in either direction. The first resistance device 31 and the second resistance device 32 provide rotational resistance loads to the shafts 41 so that the first operation module 21 and the second operation module 22 bear respective rotational resistance independently.
A resistance control system 50 mainly comprises a first resistance adjusting unit 51, a second resistance adjusting unit 52, a first resistance setting unit 53 and a second resistance adjusting unit 54. The first resistance adjusting unit 51 is coupled to the first resistance device 31. The first resistance adjusting unit 51 receives a resistance information input from the first resistance setting unit 53 and adjusts the rotational resistance load the first resistance device 31 applies to the first operation module 21 according to the received resistance information. The second resistance adjusting unit 52 is coupled to the second resistance device 32. The second resistance adjusting unit 52 receives a resistance information input from the second resistance setting unit 54 and adjusts the rotational resistance load the second resistance device 32 applies to the second operation module 22 according to the received resistance information. The first and second resistance setting units 53, 54 may be realized by any known input device. In one aspect of the present invention, the first and second resistance setting units 53, 54 are first and second adjusting elements 531, 532 settled on the main body 11. Thus, a user can operate the first and second adjusting elements 531, 532 to input desired resistance information so as to make the operation resistance of the first operation module 21 and the second operation module 22 changed. In another aspect of the present invention, the first and second resistance setting units 53, 54 are presented in the display 14 having a touch screen. Resistance setting is exhibited in the display 14 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 the first operation module 21 and the second operation module 22. In still another aspect of the present invention, a remote control is implemented to input the resistance information.
An interactive control system 60 primarily comprises a first sensor 33, a second sensor 34 and an interactive software program 55. The first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 detect rotational directions, rotational angles and rotational speeds of the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22, respectively. Then the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 convert sensing results into specific signals and transmit the signals to the interactive software program 55. The interactive software program 55 presents a dynamic scene controlled thereby in the display 14. In addition, the interactive software program 55 receives the signals from the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 and uses the signals as moving parameters to move a subject in the dynamic scene. In the present embodiment, the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 are arranged at two sides of the frame 15, while sensing components thereof are set on the shafts 41 of the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22, respectively.
The first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 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 the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 are two independent components, the user's two upper limbs move independently but not in a mutually driven relation. Moreover, the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 have their resistance loads controlled by the first resistance device 31 and second resistance device 32, 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.
The interactive control system 60 enables a user to operate the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 according to the circumstances provided in the dynamic scene. An example will be described below.
When the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 rotate forward simultaneously, the subject in the dynamic scene in the display 14 moves forward.
When the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 rotated backward simultaneously, the subject in the dynamic scene in the display 14 moves backward.
When the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 rotated forward simultaneously, while the first operation module 21 runs faster than the second operation modules 22, the subject in the dynamic scene in the display 14 moves rightward. Otherwise, the subject in the dynamic scene in the display 14 moves leftward.
When the second operation modules 22 stays still and the first operation module 21 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.
The interactive control system 60 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 the resistance control system 50 to set the resistance of the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 and then operating the interactive control system 60, a user can receive triple training courses including muscle strength, hand-brain connection and upper-limb motion coordination at the same time. Alternative, when the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22 with the resistance thereof set as zero, a user can use the interactive control system 60 to train hand-brain connection and upper-limb motion coordination.
An evaluation software program 56 may be implemented in the interactive control system 60 for evaluating a user's moving capability. The first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 detect rotational directions, rotational angles and rotational speeds of the first operation module 21 and the second operation modules 22, respectively. Then the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 convert sensing results into specific signals and transmit the signals to the evaluation software program 56. The evaluation software program 56 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 the display 14 in the form that the user or a professional would understand.
While FIG. 4 only illustrates the first operation module 21, it is to be understood that the second operation modules 22 shares the identical configuration with first operation module 21 and needs not to be repeatedly illustrated.
The first operation module 21 comprises the shaft 41 that has a first end and a second end opposite at an axis thereof. The first end of the shaft 41 pierces into the first resistance device 31.
A joint element 42 is fixed to the second end of the shaft 41.
A shank 43 is coupled to the joint element 42 and positioned perpendicular to the shaft 41. The joint element 42 has a plurality of holes 431 in additional to a radially extending through hole 421 that allows the shank 43 to pass therethrough. A positioning element 44 is detachably settled on a positioning hole 422 formed on the joint element 42. The positioning element 44 has a positioning pin 411 at an end thereof. The positioning pin 411 is inserted into one said hole 431 to fix the shank 43. The holes 431 located differently enable a changeable distance between a handle end 432 of the shank 43 and the joint element 42, so as to make a force arm and the round moving track of the first operation module 21 adjustable.
A handle 46 is affixed to the handle end 432 of the shank 43, allowing a user to hold and exert a force to operate the training apparatus. The handle 46 may be of any type, as long as it is easy to hold by a user. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the handle 46 is a horizontal handle 47. A rotation element 45 is pivotally connected to the handle end 432 of the shank 43 and the horizontal handle 47 is mounted around the rotation element 45 so that a user can hold the horizontal handle 47 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

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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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.