Device for supporting at least one arm

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for supporting at least one arm of a user, wherein the device has at least one arm support element with at least one spacer element and an arm shell arranged on the spacer element for application to an arm, at least one passive actuator which is designed to exert a force in a force direction on the at least one arm support element, and at least one counter-bearing for the force to be exerted with at least one counter-bearing element and at least one force transmission element for transmitting compressive forces, wherein the spacer element is arranged pivotably on the force transmission element by means of a pivot joint, wherein at least a part of the arm shell which is applied to the arm is movable in at least one further degree of freedom relative to the pivot joint.

[0002] Such a device is known, for example, from EP 3 278 938 A1. A similar device is known, for example, from the unpublished DE 10 2017 112 436. EP 3 189 945 A1 and WO 2016 / 065350 A1 each describe arm support devices having arm shells that are movable relative to the arm support element on which they are arranged. US 2016 / 339 583 A1 describes a device in which the arm shell is designed to be pivotable about its longitudinal axis.

[0003] Devices for supporting arms are known from various documents. The device described in US 2016 / 0081871 A1, for example, has a counter-bearing element in the form of a belt that can be placed around the user's torso. Attached to this are two support struts running along the back to the shoulder, each connected to a joint above and to the side of the user's shoulders, allowing the arm to be raised. These are the force transmission elements. Spring elements are arranged at the corresponding joints, which can exert an upward force on the armrests, allowing the arms to be supported, for example, when lifting heavy objects or working overhead.If the arms are to be lowered, the arms must exert pressure on the armrests that exceeds the force applied by the spring elements, so that the arms sink.

[0004] Similar devices are known from WO 2014 / 0093408 A1 and US Pat. No. 9,427,865 B2, in which a spring, in particular a tension spring, is provided as the mechanical energy storage device. This spring is connected to a Bowden cable and acts as a passive actuator. The Bowden cable is guided over a deflection pulley, so that when an arm is pivoted, corresponding to a movement of the arm support element, the spring is stretched, thus charging the mechanical energy storage device with energy.

[0005] Further support devices, which particularly assist when lifting heavy objects or when working overhead, are known from WO 2014 / 195373 A1 and US 2016 / 339583 A1.

[0006] In the aforementioned devices, the arm shell of at least one arm support element must fit tightly against the arm in order to transmit the forces that occur. A disadvantage of this force transmission, however, is that shear forces can be transmitted to the skin, which can lead to skin irritation or reduce wearing comfort. DE 10 2016 104 879 A1 discloses a device in which the distance between the arm shell and the connection point between the spacer element and the force transmission element is adjustable and variable in order to compensate for incongruities that arise due to the arrangement of the joint of the device above or next to the shoulder joint. A disadvantage, however, is that rotations of the arm, which can be caused, for example, by movements of the shoulder or the arm itself, cannot be mapped.

[0007] A pivot joint within the meaning of the present invention is, in particular, any joint that allows a pivoting movement of the two components connected to each other by the pivot joint about at least one pivot axis. Preferably, a pivot joint is a joint that allows pivoting of the connected components about exactly one pivot axis.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of further developing a corresponding device in such a way that it restricts the natural freedom of movement of a shoulder joint as little as possible.

[0009] The invention solves the stated problem by a device according to the preamble of claim 1, which is characterized in that the at least one spacer element is elastic at least in sections and at least in a direction perpendicular to the direction of force. The arm shell can be composed of several parts. In this case, the invention provides that at least the part that is applied to the arm when the device is used as intended can be moved in the further degree of freedom. This means, in particular, a mobility that goes beyond the pivoting about a pivot axis enabled by the pivot joint. The degree of freedom can be rotation or translation or a combination of several degrees of freedom.

[0010] According to the invention, the at least one spacer element is elastic, at least in sections and at least in a direction perpendicular to the direction of force. As a result, the arm shell, which is spaced from the pivot joint by the spacer element, is movable relative to the pivot joint by deforming the spacer element. In conventional devices of the type described here, which are known from the prior art, a joint that connects different components of the device to one another must be arranged in the region of the user's shoulder. This is often done next to the natural shoulder joint and preferably in such a way that the pivot axis of the artificial joint runs through the pivot axis of the natural joint. In this way, incongruities are prevented or at least reduced.However, the human shoulder not only offers the freedom of movement of a ball and socket joint, but can also be moved by the shoulder girdle itself. This allows the shoulder to be pulled forwards or backwards. In prior art devices, these movements often result in the movement itself being restricted or completely prevented, or at least a support strut, such as a force transmission element or a spacer element, coming into contact with a part of the body, which can lead to uncomfortable disturbances, if movement is not even restricted. This is prevented by this design of the device. Since the spacer element of the arm support element is designed to be deformable at least in the direction perpendicular to the direction of force, it can be bent in this direction and describe a curve so that it does not come into contact with a part of the user's body.

[0011] Preferably, the at least one spacer element is deformable over its entire length.

[0012] According to the invention, the at least one spacer element is elastic, at least in sections and at least in the direction perpendicular to the direction of force. In this way, on the one hand, mobility in the direction perpendicular to the direction of force is ensured and, on the other hand, the supporting effect intended to be produced by the spacer element can be achieved. Mobility, for example a flexible design, in the direction of the direction of force would result in the supporting force intended to relieve the arm not being able to be exerted on the arm, or not being able to be exerted optimally. It is therefore advantageous not to provide any mobility, i.e. in particular no flexibility or elasticity, of the spacer element in this direction.

[0013] If the spacer element is designed to be flexible, at least in the direction perpendicular to the force direction, it can be easily adjusted to the desired shape by moving the arm. With an elastic design, a restoring force is simultaneously generated, which returns the arm support element to its original position, which can also be referred to as the zero position.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the spacer element can also comprise multiple spacer elements, each connected to one another by a hinge. The section elements can also be flexible and / or elastic, or even rigid. The hinges themselves can have a preload force to return the spacer element to a desired original shape, which can in turn be referred to as the zero position. The greater the number of section elements, each connected to one another by a hinge, the better the spacer element adapts to the desired shape caused by the movement of the body.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the device has at least one stop element, preferably two stop elements, which ensure that a deformability of the spacer element is limited in at least one direction, preferably in two directions, which are particularly preferably opposite.

[0016] Preferably, the armrest is arranged on the spacer element in at least one section so that it can be longitudinally displaced, preferably against a restoring force. In this way, incongruities caused because the joint axis of the device does not necessarily coincide with the joint axis of the shoulder joint can be at least partially, preferably completely, compensated for. The joint axis of the device is understood to mean, in particular, the joint axis of the joint with which the arm support element, in particular the spacer element, is arranged on the force transmission element. If the armrest is displaced against a restoring force, it is returned to the desired starting position. Such a restoring force can be caused, for example, by an elastic element and / or a spring element.

[0017] Advantageously, the armrest is mounted on a movable, preferably rollable carriage. This carriage is arranged so that it can, for example, slide along part or all of the spacer element. This design also allows the armrest to be moved relative to the pivot joint. The additional degree of freedom in this case is a translational movement along the spacer element.

[0018] Preferably, the spacer element is designed to be adjustable in length, advantageously against a restoring force. This also allows the distance between the pivot joint, with which the spacer element is arranged on the force transmission element, and the armrest to be adjusted, thus compensating for the aforementioned incongruities. This design also allows the armrest to be moved relative to the pivot joint. Of course, a length-adjustable spacer element can also be combined with a movable armrest.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one armrest has a support element arranged on the spacer element. In addition, the armrest has an armrest element into which the arm can be inserted. It has proven advantageous if the armrest element is arranged on the support element so that it can pivot about a pivot axis at least over an angular range, but advantageously freely. The pivot axis particularly preferably runs within the armrest element, particularly preferably in its center. The part of the armrest that is movable relative to the pivot joint is in this case the armrest element. The further degree of freedom is a rotational movement about the pivot axis.

[0020] An armrest element that can be pivoted against a support element is also advantageous without a deformable spacer element and, in particular, forms a separate invention with the other features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0021] The pivoting arrangement of the armrest element on the support element also allows for the compensation of rotation of the upper arm around its longitudinal axis when the arm is in the armrest. This not only increases wearing comfort but also further increases the versatility of the possible movements. By positioning the pivot axis, around which the armrest element pivots relative to the support element, in the center of the armrest element, this pivot axis runs at least approximately, but preferably as precisely as possible, along the rotation axis of the upper arm.

[0022] Preferably, the arm shell element has a closure element, preferably a belt, which can be placed around the wearer's arm when worn.

[0023] Advantageously, the armrest is pivotably mounted on the spacer element over an angular range. The pivot axis about which the armrest is pivotably mounted on the spacer element is advantageously perpendicular to the pivot axis about which the armrest element is pivotable relative to the support element. In this way, many of the possible movements of an upper arm relative to the shoulder are supported and are also possible when the device is in place.

[0024] Preferably, the armrest is attached to the spacer element by means of a pivot joint or an elastic element. This makes pivoting particularly easy.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the angular range in which the armrest can pivot relative to the spacer element is limited by at least one stop, preferably at least two stops. The limitation can occur in only one pivoting direction, but particularly preferably, the pivoting movement is limited by the stops in both opposing pivoting directions.

[0026] Regardless of whether a stop limits the pivoting of the armrest relative to the spacer element or the deformability of the spacer element, the stop can be designed in different ways. Elastic stops are conceivable, which are compressed when the respective stop position is reached. This dampens the stop, which prevents an overly abrupt braking and a perceived shock, especially if the stop position is reached quickly. Of course, a rigid stop can also be used. In this case in particular, but not limited to it, additional damping elements, such as springs, can be provided to dampen and cushion the stop.

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. It shows: Figures 1 and 2- the schematic representation of two embodiments of the present invention and Figures 3 to 5- detailed views of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 1 shows part of a device for supporting a user's arm. It shows an arm support element 2, which has a spacer element 4 and an arm shell 6. The arm support element 4 has two section elements 8, which are connected to one another by a hinge 10. By pivoting the two section elements 8 relative to one another about the hinge axis of the hinge 10, the spacer element 4 is designed to be deformable. The arm shell 6 has a slide 12, which is mounted on the Figure 1right-hand section element 8. For this purpose, it has rollers 14 with which it can slide along a side edge of the section element 8. A support element 18 is attached via a pivot joint 16, to which the actual armrest element 20 is pivotable about a longitudinal axis (not shown). The armrest 6 can be attached to the wearer's arm by means of a fastening element 22 in the form of a strap.

[0029] Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment. Here, too, the carriage 12, to which the support element 18 and the armrest element 20 are attached via the pivot joint 16, is fixed. Unlike in the Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, however, the spacer element 4 does not have section elements, but is elastically formed in a region 24. This can also lead to deformation of the spacer element 4.

[0030] Figure 3shows schematically the spacer element 4, on which the carriage 12 with the rollers 14 is located. The support element 18 is arranged on the pivot joint 16, which, unlike in the Figures 1 and 2 It has two slots 26 in which guide elements arranged on the armrest element 20 can be guided. However, this is Figure 3 not shown. Figure 3 also shows a cushioning element 28 which is used to cushion the closure element 22.

[0031] Figure 4 shows the components from Figure 3 in a side view. The armrest element 20 is also shown, which is located on the support element 18. In Figure 4 It can be seen that the carriage 12 has rollers 14 both above and below the carriage, which can slide along the spacer element 4.

[0032] Figure 5shows the illustration in a frontal view. The carriage 12 with the rollers 14 is shown on the right. The swivel joint 16 is Figure 3 A guide element 30 is attached to the armrest element 20 and slides into the Figure 5 slots 26 (not shown), so that the armrest element 20 can be rotated by a Figure 5 can rotate relative to the support element 18 along a pivot axis marked by a cross. Inside the armrest element 20 there is a further cushioning element 28, which increases wearing comfort. List of reference symbols

[0033] 2Arm support element 4Spacer element 6Arm shell 8Section element 10Hinge 12Slide 14Roller 16Pivot joint 18Support element 20Arm shell element 22Closing element 24Area 26Slot 28Cushion element 30Guide element

Claims

1. A device for supporting at least one arm of a user, the device comprising a. at least one arm support element (2) with at least one spacer element (4) and an arm shell (6) arranged on the spacer element (4) for placing on an arm, b. at least one passive actuator i. that is configured to apply a force in a force direction on the at least one arm support element (2), and at least one counter bearing for the force to be applied with at least one counter bearing element and at least one force transmission element for transmitting compressive forces, wherein the spacer element is arranged on the force transmission element such that it can be swivelled by means of a swivel joint, wherein at least one part of the arm shell (6) placed on the arm can be moved in at least one further degree of freedom relative to the swivel joint, characterised in that the at least one spacer element (4) is designed to be elastic at least in sections and in at least one direction perpendicular to the direction of force.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the device comprises at least one end stop element, preferably two end stop elements, so that a deformability of the spacer element (4) is limited in at least one direction, preferably in two directions.

3. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one arm shell (6) is arranged on the spacer element (4) such that it can be longitudinally displaced in at least one section, preferably against a restoring force.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterised in that the arm shell (6) is arranged on a moveable, preferably rollable, slide (12).

5. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spacer element (4) is designed to be length-adjustable, preferably against a restoring force.

6. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one arm shell (6) comprises a carrier element (18), which is arranged on the spacer element (4), and an arm shell element (20), which is arranged on the carrier element (18) in such a way that it can be swivelled about a swivel axis at least over an angular range, the swivel axis preferably extending within the arm shell element (20), particularly preferably in the centre thereof.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterised in that the arm shell element (20) comprises a sealing element (22), preferably a strap, which can be placed around an arm of the wearer in the mounted state.

8. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the arm shell (6) is arranged on the spacer element (4) such that it can be swivelled across an angular range.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterised in that the arm shell (6) is arranged on the spacer element (4) by means of a swivel joint (16) or by means of an elastic element.

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the angular range in which the arm shell (6) can be swivelled relative to the spacer element (4) is limited by at least one, but preferably two end stops.