Training Device

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for controlling of movement of limbs of a user in a substantially mirror symmetrical manner, a user's limb or limbs being held in position via support arms, said device comprising a bar (or bars) adapted to move about a point of rotation, said bar (or bars) having a first end and a second end, said ends separated by the point of rotation, a first support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards one end of said bar and a second support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards a different end of the bar wherein the first and second support arms are adapted to substantially support and/or hold the limbs of a user of said device, the first and second support arms and the bar (or bars) configured such that, in use, as the bar (or bars) rotate(s) the supports arms move in a substantially tandem synchronised manner with respect to each other.

1 . A device for controlling of movement of limbs of a user in a substantially mirror symmetrical manner, a user's limb or limbs being held in position via support arms, said device comprising:
 a bar (or bars) adapted to move about a point of rotation, said bar (or bars) having a first end and a second end, said ends separated by the point of rotation,   a first support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards one end of said bar and a second support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards a different end of the bar   wherein the first and second support arms are adapted to substantially support and/or hold the limbs of a user of said device,   the first and second support arms and the bar (or bars) configured such that, in use, as the bar (or bars) rotate(s) the supports arms move in a substantially tandem synchronised manner with respect to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, with respect to each other, the support arm(s) is controlled to move in a substantially mirror symmetrical manner. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the bar is or are one or more of: a flywheel including an eccentrically mounted flywheel, an unequal distribution of mass about a longitudinal length. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support arm(s) has a distal and a proximal end, the proximal end operatively coupled to the bar(s). 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the distal ends of the support arm(s) pivots about a fixed point of rotation. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 4  or  claim 5 , wherein the support arm(s) is articulated and/or pivotable about a point between the distal and proximal ends of each of the support arms. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support arm(s) is an articulated linkage. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bar comprises one or more magnetic devices having an opposing magnetic field to one or more other magnetic devices located upon a substrate to which the device is attached. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more other magnetic devices are located in a substantially commensurate position or proximity to the bar's opposing magnetic devices that the respective magnetic fields oppose and interfere with one another. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 8  or  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic devices are operatively controlled such that generated electromagnetic pulses assist with a rotational propulsion of the bar. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a direct drive means is connected to the bar(s) or to one or both of the support arms. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the direct drive means initiates or assists with rotation of the bar, the direct drive means comprising one or more of the following: an electric motor, a manually manipulated drive handle, such as a crank operated by a third party (i.e. a non-user of the device). 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support arms comprise a limb support(s) adapted to substantially support and/or hold and/or position the limb(s) of a user of said device. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the limb supports comprises a static part and a moveable part. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the moveable part is connected to the support arms by a pivoting joint. 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the static part is configured to receive a first portion of a user's limb(s) in a fixed position relative to the device. 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 14  or  15 , wherein the moveable part is configured to receive a second portion of the user's limb(s) in a position moveable relative to the device. 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the static part and moveable part are configured relative each other to allow a user to immobilise a first portion of a limb in a static position and to immobilise a second portion of the users limb in the moveable part, the moveable part moveable by the first or second or both support arms. 
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bar(s) and the support arm(s) are arranged such that the bar moves through at least a 360° revolution uninhibited. 
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first support arm is operatively coupled at or towards one end of said bar on a first side of the bar and a second support arm(s) is operatively coupled at or towards a different end of the bar and on a different or opposite side of the bar. 
     
     
         21 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in use, a rotational movement of the bar or bars is generated by imputing a driving force to one or both of the support arms sufficient to initiate and/or maintain rotational movement of said bar about the point of rotation. 
     
     
         22 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a counter, the counter indicative of a number of mirror symmetrical limb movements performed by the device or the user. 
     
     
         23 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device is portable. 
     
     
         24 . A device for controlling of movement of limbs of a user in a substantially mirror symmetrical manner, a user's limb or limbs being held in position via support arms, said device comprising:
 a bar (or bars) adapted to move about a point of rotation, said bar (or bars) having a first end and a second end, said ends separated by the point of rotation,   a first support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards one end of said bar and a second support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards a different end of the bar   wherein the first and second support arms are adapted to substantially support and/or hold the limbs of a user of said device,   the first and second support arms and the bar (or bars) configured such that, in use, as the bar (or bars) rotate(s) the supports arms move in a substantially tandem synchronised manner with respect to each other, and   wherein the bar comprises one or more magnetic devices having an opposing magnetic field to one or more other magnetic devices located upon a substrate to which the device is attached.   
     
     
         25 . The device as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the one or more other magnetic devices are located in a substantially commensurate position or proximity to the bar's opposing magnetic devices that the respective magnetic fields oppose and interfere with one another. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of moving limbs of a user comprising the steps of:
 providing a device as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 24 ;   supporting limbs of a user in said device; and   operating said device to control movement of the user's limbs in a substantially mirror symmetrical manner.