Device and process for adjusting the height of and the relief force acting on a weight

Abstract

A device for adjusting the height of and relief force acting on a weight is especially provided to be used for walking therapy of paraparetic or hemiparetic patients within a locomotion training means. Said weight of the patient is supported by a cable. A first cable length adjustment means provides an adjustment of the length of the cable to define the height of said suspended weight. A second cable length adjustment means provides an adjustment of the length of the cable to define the relief force acting on the suspended weight. This allows a quick and reliable determination and adjustment of the height for different patients and of the relief force within the training program of every patient.

1 . A device for adjusting the height of and the relief force acting on a weight, especially on the weight of a patient within a locomotion training means to be used for walking therapy of paraparetic or hemiparetic patients, comprising 
 a cable supporting said weight,    a first cable length adjustment means to provide an adjustment of the length of the cable to define the height of said suspended weight,    a second cable length adjustment means to provide an adjustment of the length of the cable to define the relief force acting on the suspended weight,    the second cable length adjustment means comprising an elastic means to provide a counter force to the suspended weight with a value in the range of the intended relief force, wherein a bias means is connected in parallel to the elastic means to preadjust the value of the counter force.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first cable length adjustment means comprises a winch means provided at one free end of the cable  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first cable length adjustment means comprises a movable roller means provided upstream or downstream to the engagement point of the second cable length adjustment means  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first cable length adjustment means comprises a displacement means for the second cable length adjustment means.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the device furthermore comprises an actuator providing a force parallel to the direction of the counter force provided by the elastic means, wherein the addition of the two forces determine the value of the intended relief force.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that it further comprises a force transducer connected to a control unit connected to said actuator to control the relief force.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the control unit is a closed loop control unit.  
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bias means is mounted in parallel with the actuator.  
   
   
       9 . A process to adjust the conditions of a weight relieved walking for a patient, wherein said patient is suspended with help of a cable supported means, wherein 
 data relating to the height of the patient and the intended relief force are entered in a control unit,    the control unit activates a first cable length adjustment means to provide an adjustment of the length of the cable to define the height of said suspended weight, and    the control unit activates a second cable length adjustment means to provide an adjustment of the length of the cable to define the relief force acting on the suspended weight.    
   
   
       10 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein a force transducer mounted in series to elastic means of second cable length adjustment means generates force measurement value of the supported weight and transmits said values to the control unit being connected with an actuator of second cable length adjustment means, wherein the control unit controls the actuator to provide a force parallel to the direction of the counter force provided by the elastic means, wherein the addition of the two forces determine the value of the intended relief force at every moment.