Device used for therapy and for exercising the joints of the human body

Abstract

The present invention introduces a device for therapy and for exercising joints, muscles and the sensitivity for strengthening joints, in particular for strengthening the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. The exercising device is secured on a parallel surface ( 8 ) by means of two parallel rails ( 12, 12 ′). The special advantage of the exercising device ( 1 ) has to be seen in that the swivel arm ( 2 ) as defined by the invention can be brought into any individual spatial position, so that optimal adaptation to the conditions required for the respective ailing part of the body is assured, and that additionally a tractive and compressive load can continuously and/or alternately act upon the joints.

1 . A device ( 1 ) for therapy and exercising of the joints of the human body, in particular of the shoulder joint in a number of directions, comprising at least one swivel arm ( 2 ) which can be brought in any spatial position within the range of action of the swivel arm ( 2 ) and is secured on at least one pivot connection ( 4 ); and an adjustable traction and compression device ( 5 ) arranged on the swivel arm ( 2 ), said device comprising at least one pulling and pressure-applying element ( 28 ,  26 ).  
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the swivel arm ( 2 ) is supported in a rotating manner in the area of the pivot connection ( 4 ), whereby the range of rotation by means of a pivot bearing ( 10 ) is between 0° and 360°.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swivel arm ( 2 ) is displaceable both vertically and horizontally.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the swivel arm ( 2 ) has the shape of a disk on which stop elements ( 16 ,  16 ′) can be arranged in any desired locations.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that drilled holes ( 15 ) are arranged on the disk of the swivel arm ( 2 ), into which the stop elements ( 16 ,  16 ′) are plugged.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to claims  11  and  14 , characterized in that the disk ( 2 ′) comprises at least one recess ( 17 ) located in the edge zone of the disk.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a lever bar ( 19 ) is arranged on the swivel arm ( 2 ), said lever bar being supported in a rotating manner.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to claims  1  and  7 , characterized in that the lever bar ( 19 ) is rotatably supported parallel with the plane of the disk ( 2 ′) and has a swiveling handle ( 23 ).  
     
     
         9 . The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the traction and compression device ( 5 ) is arranged in the point of rotation ( 20 ) and acting on the lever bar ( 19 ).  
     
     
         10 . The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a weight ( 24 ) can be arranged on the side of the lever bar ( 19 ) facing away from the handle ( 23 ).  
     
     
         11 . The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force of the lever arm of the weight ( 24 ) can be completely or partly compensated by a counter force.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized by 
 a pressure-applying element ( 26 ) (pressure spring), said element being secured with its one end on a holding device ( 6 ) in a cylinder; and    a pulling element ( 28 ) forming a counter force to the pressure-applying element.    
     
     
         13 . The device according to claim  25 , characterized in that the pulling and pressure-applying element ( 28 ,  26 ) is arranged in a hydraulic cylinder acting in both directions.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to claim  25 , characterized in that the pulling and pressure-applying forces are adjustable.  
     
     
         15 . The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device ( 6 ) for the elbow of the human arm is arranged in such a way that it can be rotated around its longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         16 . The device according to claim  25 , characterized in that the pulling and pressure-applying element ( 28 ,  26 ) is a motor.