Posture training machine and related operating method of the same

Abstract

A posture training machine comprises a vertical support structure ( 12 ) for resting the back of the user in erected position, such a vertical support structure ( 12 ) being of adjustable height and comprising at least five rest elements ( 18 ), of which at least three longitudinally positioned at the user's vertebral column and at least a respective one on each side arranged in transversal direction close to the user's shoulders, in which each of the rest elements ( 18 ) is adjustable in height in relation to the plane of the vertical support structure ( 12 ) in an independent manner to identify a correct posture and is equipped at the free end with a contact sensor ( 19 ), connected with means for the audio/visual signalling ( 14 ) of which and/or how many rest elements ( 18 ) are activated.

1 . Posture training machine characterised in that it comprises a vertical support structure ( 12 ) for resting the back of the user in erected position, said vertical support structure ( 12 ) being of adjustable height and comprising at least five rest elements ( 18 ), of which at least three longitudinally positioned at the user's vertebral column and at least a respective one on each side arranged in transversal direction close to the user's shoulders, wherein each of said rest elements ( 18 ) is adjustable in height with respect to the plane of said vertical support structure ( 12 ) in an independent manner to identify a correct posture and is also equipped at its free end with a contact sensor ( 19 ), connected with means for the audio/visual signalling ( 14 ) of which and/or how many rest elements ( 18 ) are activated. 
     
     
         2 . Training machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises adjustment means ( 20 ,  21 ) of the position of the rest elements ( 18 ) in the plane of the vertical support structure ( 12 ). 
     
     
         3 . Training machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that said adjustment means of the position of the rest elements in the plane of the support structure comprise a plurality of holes ( 20 ) for the positioning of said rest elements ( 18 ) in discrete positions. 
     
     
         4 . Training machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that said adjustment means of the position of the rest elements in the plane of the support structure comprise grooves ( 21 ) in which said rest elements ( 18 ) are slidingly housed, lockable in continuously identifiable positions. 
     
     
         5 . Training machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that a plurality of said rest elements ( 18 ) are longitudinally and/or transversally distributed in positions brought closer to form a continuous curve of modulable curvature. 
     
     
         6 . Training machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that a plurality of said rest elements ( 18 ) are distributed on a surface of said support structure ( 12 ) to form a three-dimensional plane of modulable shape. 
     
     
         7 . Training machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that it comprises a footboard ( 13 ) provided with foot position control means adaptable to different users ( 17 ,  23 ). 
     
     
         8 . Training machine according to  claim 7 , characterised in that said footboard ( 13 ) comprises electronic means for the control of the position of the feet and the balancing of the load between the right and left feet ( 23 ). 
     
     
         9 . Training machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that said means for the audio/visual signalling of which and/or how many rest elements are activated comprise a screen ( 14 ), supported by an arm ( 15 ) in a user-visible position, wherein said screen ( 14 ) comprises an LED indicator ( 22 ) equipped with a number of LEDs equal to said rest elements ( 18 ), capable of selectively lighting during the pressure of the corresponding contact sensor ( 19 ). 
     
     
         10 . Training machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that it comprises an electronic control unit connected to a programming interface ( 25 ) and to a memory support interface ( 26 ). 
     
     
         11 . Training machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that at least two further rest elements ( 18 ) are positioned longitudinally at the user's vertebral column in a lower portion of said vertical support structure ( 12 ), suitable for being adjusted on the intended lumbar zone in seated training. 
     
     
         12 . Operating method of a posture training machine according to  claim 1  comprising the steps of: —adjusting said rest elements ( 18 ) in a three-dimensional position that constitutes a reference for a subjective correct posture;
 signalling to the user the contact with a sensor ( 19 ) of each of said support elements ( 18 ) and the time for which the pressure lasts. 
 
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 12 , characterised in that said step of adjusting the position of said rest elements ( 18 ) provides for: —adjusting the height of each of said rest elements ( 18 ) in relation to the plane of said vertical support structure ( 12 ) and
 adjusting the position of said rest elements ( 18 ) in the plane of the support structure ( 12 ). 
 
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 13 , characterised in that in an electronic-control machine there is added the step of comparing the signal of the effective execution of an exercise with a target and showing such difference. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said adjustment step is carried out on a user in standing or seated position.