Simplified-type movement assistance device, method for using movement assistance device, and columnar body

Abstract

To achieve "simplification of a structure," "cost reduction" and the like by holding the trunk of a user whose center of gravity is located in front of a position where the floor is stepped on, using a main body and a holding body.SOLUTION: A movement assistance device 1 which includes a main body 3 and a holding body 4 above a floor F, and which holds the trunk T of a user S whose center of gravity G is located in front of a position P where the floor F is stepped on using the holding body 4, regulates the forward inclination of the user S whose trunk T is held while relatively moving the holding body 4 with respect to the main body 3. Also, the holding body 4 may be attached to the main body 3 via a support arm member 5 that is extendable and contractible. The main body 3 may have a contact surface 3a that can abut a wall K. The annular holding body 4 may be attached to the main body 3 via a string-like member 6 that is extendable and contractible. A columnar body 10 that is extendable and contractible being the movement assistance device 1 may be configured such that one end part 10A is concave in the plan view, another end part 10B is convex in the side view, the other end part 10B is brought into contact with a wall K in a swingable manner, and the one end part 10A holds the trunk T of the user S from the front surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise support device that has a main body and a support body and supports the trunk of a user whose center of gravity is forward of the position where the user steps on the floor, a method of using the same, and a columnar body. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Exercise assistance devices are known in the art (see Patent Document 1). This exercise support device has a platform-like body on which the user steps, a main body that supports the platform-like body from below, and a holder arranged above the main body, and this holder holds the user's torso, whose center of gravity is forward of the position at which the platform-like body is stepped on.When the user, whose torso is held, steps on the stepping position on the platform-like body and moves their center of gravity forward, the platform-like body moves up and down relative to the main body and the holder moves back and forth relative to the main body, thereby restricting the user's forward lean. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5213086 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the exercise assist device described in Patent Document 1 has a complex structure and is heavy, which leads to an increase in size of the device. Furthermore, the exercise assist device of Patent Document 1 has problems such as increased manufacturing costs, transportation costs, and maintenance costs.

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide an exercise support device, a method for using the exercise support device, and a columnar body that can achieve "simplification of structure" and "reduction of costs" by using a main body and a holder to support the torso of a user whose center of gravity is located forward of the position where the user steps on the floor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The exercise support device 1 of the present invention has a main body 3 arranged above a floor F and a holder 4 attached to the main body 3, and is an exercise support device that holds the torso T of a user S, whose center of gravity G is forward of the position P at which the user steps on the floor F, with the holder 4. A first feature of the exercise support device 1 is that the holder 4 is moved relative to the main body 3 to regulate the forward lean of the user S, with the torso T held thereon.

[0007] A second feature of the exercise support device 1 of the present invention, in addition to the first feature, is that the holder 4 is attached to the main body 3 via a support arm material 5 that is extendable and contractible along the longitudinal direction, and the support arm material 5 attaches the holder 4 to the main body 3 so that it can move freely in approximately the vertical direction and remain in a predetermined position.

[0008] A third feature of the exercise support device 1 of the present invention is that, in addition to the second feature described above, the main body 3 is provided with a contact surface 3a on the side opposite to the side to which the holding body 4 is attached, which is capable of contacting a wall K erected from the floor F.

[0009] A fourth feature of the exercise support device 1 of the present invention is that, in addition to the first feature described above, the holder 4 is annular in shape so as to be capable of surrounding the torso T of the user S, and the annular holder 4 is attached to the main body 3 via a string-like material 6 that is stretchable along the longitudinal direction.

[0010] A fifth feature of the exercise support device 1 of the present invention, in addition to the first feature described above, is that the holding body 4 is one end 10A that is concave in a planar view of a columnar body 10 that is expandable and contractable along the longitudinal direction, the main body 3 is the part of the columnar body 10 other than the one end 10A, the other end 10B of the columnar body 10 that is convex in a side view is in free swinging contact with a wall K that stands upright from a floor F, and the one end 10A holds the torso T of the user S from the front.

[0011] A method of using the exercise support device 1 of the present invention is a method of using an exercise support device that holds the trunk T of a user S whose center of gravity G is forward of the position P where the user steps on a floor F, and a first feature of the exercise support device is that the exercise support device is a columnar body 10 that can expand and contract along the longitudinal direction, one end 10A of the columnar body 10 is concave in a plan view and the other end 10B is convex in a side view, the other end 10B is brought into swingable contact with a wall K erected from the floor F, and the one end 10A holds the trunk T of the user S from the front, and the forward lean of the user S with the trunk T held is restricted as the columnar body 10 expands and contracts and / or as the columnar body 10 swings against the wall K.

[0012] The columnar body 10 according to the present invention is a columnar body that is expandable and contractable along the longitudinal direction, and its first feature is that one end 10A is concave in a plan view and the other end 10B is convex in a side view.

[0013] Due to these features, by having a main body 3 and a holder 4 and holding the torso T of a user S whose center of gravity G is located forward of the position P at which the user steps on the floor F, it differs from Patent Document 1 in that it does not have a platform-like body because the user S steps on the floor F, and by not having a platform-like body, the structure is simpler, the weight can be reduced, the device can be made smaller, and manufacturing costs, transportation costs, and maintenance costs can be reduced ("simplified structure" and "reduced costs", etc.). Incidentally, this exercise support device 1 can be said to be a "simplified exercise support device" since it does not have a platform-shaped body.

[0014] Furthermore, by attaching the holder 4 to the main body 3 with an expandable support arm material 5 between the holder 4 and the main body 3 so that it can move freely in approximately the vertical direction while remaining in a predetermined position, unlike Patent Document 1, the structure is further simplified because it does not have multiple links, and costs can be kept low (further ``simplification of structure'' and ``reduction of costs'').In addition, even a slight misalignment of the multiple links does not significantly change the movement of the platform or holder, making adjustments easier (``improved maintainability'').

[0015] Furthermore, by providing an abutment surface 3a capable of abutting against a wall K on the side of the main body 3 opposite to the side on which the holder 4 is attached, when the user S uses the exercise support device 1, the user S will push the entire main body 3 forward via the holder 4, support arm material 5, etc., but the abutment surface 3a can receive the pushing force by abutting against the wall K, thereby preventing the exercise support device 1 from shifting in position.

[0016] Furthermore, by attaching the annular holder 4, which can surround the torso T of the user S, to the main body 3 via an elastic string-like material 6, unlike Patent Document 1, the device does not have multiple links, which not only further "simplifies the structure" and "reduces costs," but also "improves maintainability" as even a slight misalignment of the multiple links does not significantly change the movement of the platform or holder.

[0017] Furthermore, by making the holding body 4 one end 10A of the expandable columnar body 10, making the main body 3 the part other than the one end 10A of the columnar body 10, and having the other end 10B of the columnar body 10 abut against the wall K so as to be able to swing freely, and having the one end 10A hold the torso T of the user S from the front, a very simple structure can be obtained, which can greatly simplify the structure and reduce costs.

[0018] In addition, as a method of using the columnar body 10 which is the exercise support device 1, the other end 10B of the extendable columnar body 10 is brought into swingable contact with a wall K, and one end 10A holds the torso T of the user S from the front, and the forward lean of the user S with the torso T held is regulated by extending and contracting the columnar body 10 or swinging the columnar body 10. Also, unlike Patent Document 1, since the user S stands on the floor F, it differs in that it does not have a platform-like body, and since it does not have a platform-like body, it has a very simple structure, which can achieve a great deal of "simplification of the structure" and "reduction in costs". Furthermore, since the method of using this exercise support device 1 does not have a platform body and has a simple structure, it can be said to be a "method of using a simplified exercise support device," and since the exercise support device 1 is a cylindrical body 10, it can also be said to be a "method of using a cylindrical body." Also, it can be said that the columnar body 10 itself, unlike Patent Document 1, can achieve a great deal of "simplification of structure" and "reduction of costs." Effect of the Invention

[0019] The exercise support device, method of using the exercise support device, and columnar body of the present invention can achieve "simplification of structure" and "reduction of costs" by using the main body and holder to support the torso of a user whose center of gravity is forward of the position where the user steps on the floor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of an exercise support device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a second embodiment of an exercise support device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 11 is a side view showing a third embodiment of an exercise support device according to the present invention, a method of using the exercise support device according to the present invention, and a columnar body according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a third embodiment of a columnar body, in which (a) is a plan view, (b) is an oblique view, and (c) is a perspective view from above of one end side of the third embodiment of the columnar body in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <Overall configuration of exercise support device 1> As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the exercise support device 1 of the present invention has a main body 3, which will be described later, and a holder 4, which will also be described later, and is a device that holds the torso T of a user S, whose center of gravity G is located forward of the position P at which the user steps on a floor F, using the holder 4. The exercise support device 1 regulates the forward inclination of a user S, whose torso T is supported, by moving a support body 4 relative to a main body 3. It can be said that the exercise support device 1 does not have a platform-shaped body on which the user S steps. First to third embodiments of such an exercise support device 1 will be described below.

[0022] First Embodiment 1 and 2 show an exercise support device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This exercise assist device 1 has a main body 3, a holder 4, and a support arm member 5 which will be described later. Moreover, the exercise assist device 1 of the first embodiment may have a contact surface 3a, which will be described later. The main body 3, the holder 4, the support arm member 5, the contact surface 3a, etc. in the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0023] <Main body 3 in the first embodiment> As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the main body 3 in the first embodiment is disposed above a floor F, and is a member for mounting a holder 4, which will be described later. The holder 4 can be moved relative to the main body 3. The main body 3 may have a contact surface 3a, which will be described later.

[0024] The specific configuration of the main body 3 is not particularly limited, but may be composed of a plurality of frames (rods), for example, left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b extending forward and backward, left and right upper and lower frames 32a, 32b standing upward from the front ends of the left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b and extending vertically, an upper frame 33 connecting the upper ends of the left and right upper and lower frames 32a, 32b, a lower frame 34 connecting the lower ends of the left and right upper and lower frames 32a, 32b, and left and right diagonal frames 35a, 35b diagonally connecting the rear ends of the left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b to the upper ends of the left and right upper and lower frames 32a, 32b. The cross-sectional shape of these frames 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b, 33, 34, 35a, and 35b is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, substantially rectangular, substantially square, substantially circular, or substantially elliptical. The left and right diagonal frames 35a, 35b can also be said to be fall prevention members that prevent the user S from falling while using the exercise support device 1, and the main body 3 does not necessarily have to have the left and right diagonal frames 35a, 35b. Furthermore, the main body 3 may have a central upper and lower frame (upper and lower frame for holder) 36 extending vertically between approximately the center positions in the left-right direction of the upper frame 33 and the lower frame 34 (see the second embodiment).

[0025] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the main body 3 may be made up of multiple plate materials (not shown), and may, for example, have left and right horizontal plates shaped like a right-angled triangle when viewed from the side, and a front plate that is approximately rectangular when viewed from the front and connects the front ends of the left and right horizontal plates. In addition, the specific configuration of the main body 3 may be made up of multiple plate materials and multiple frames (not shown), for example, it may have the above-mentioned left and right side panels, an upper frame connecting the upper front ends of the left and right side panels, and a lower frame connecting the lower front ends of the left and right side panels, or it may have the above-mentioned front panel, left and right front and rear frames extending rearward from the left and right lower ends of the front panel, and left and right diagonal frames diagonally connecting the rear ends of the left and right front and rear frames to the left and right upper ends of the front panel.

[0026] The main body 3 may be fixed to the floor F by fixing means such as screws or stakes, and the fixing means may be provided on the parts that come into contact with the floor F (for example, the left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b or the lower frame 34). Conversely, the main body 3 does not have to be fixed to the floor F. In this case, a non-slip material such as rubber may be attached to the underside of the part that comes into contact with the floor F, and the underside of the main body 3 or the underside of the non-slip material may have an uneven surface or may be approximately flat.

[0027] <Contact surface 3a in the first embodiment> 1 and 2, the contact surface 3a in the first embodiment is a surface (so to speak, a wall contact surface 3a) that can contact a wall K erected from a floor F, and is provided on the side of the main body 3 opposite to the side on which a holder 4, which will be described later, is attached. It can also be said that the user S, when using the exercise support device 1, presses the wall K via the contact surface 3a of the exercise support device 1. The specific configuration of the abutment surface 3a is not particularly limited, but for example, in the case where the main body 3 is composed of multiple frames, the front surface of each component (the front end surfaces of the left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b, the front surfaces of the left and right top and bottom frames 32a, 32b, the front surface of the upper frame 33, the front surface of the lower frame 34, the front surfaces of the left and right diagonal frames 35a, 35b, etc.) may correspond to the abutment surface 3a. In addition, when the main body 3 is composed of multiple plate materials or multiple plate materials and multiple frames, the front surface of each component (the front surface of the front plate, the front end surfaces of the left and right side plates, the front surface of the front plate, the front end surfaces of the left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b, the front surfaces of the left and right diagonal frames 35a, 35b, etc.) may correspond to the abutment surface 3a.

[0028] A cushioning material such as rubber, foam made of expanded synthetic resin such as polyurethane (PU), or gel for absorbing shock may be attached to the contact surface 3a. The contact surface 3a does not have to be fixed to the wall K, but on the contrary, it may be fixed by a fixing means.

[0029] <Holding body 4 in the first embodiment> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support body 4 in the first embodiment is a member that is attached to the main body 3 described above and supports the torso T of a user S whose center of gravity G is located forward of the position P at which the user steps on the floor F. The holder 4 can be moved relative to the main body 3 and is, for example, a pad-like member that abuts against and holds the torso T of the user S from the front, and has a contact surface (in other words, a holding contact surface) 4a that abuts against the front of the waist and front of the chest of the torso T of the user S. The holder 4 may be attached to the main body 3 via a support arm member 5 which will be described later.

[0030] The specific configuration of the holder 4 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, of a shape and size that supports the center of gravity G of the user S without restricting the swing of the arms or the trajectory of the legs of the user S. Furthermore, the shape of the holder 4 when viewed from the front may be a generally vertically elongated (long in the vertical direction) rectangular shape, with the lower part of the rectangular shape being narrower than the upper part, and the lower left and right corners of the rectangular shape being rounded. Alternatively, the shape of the holder 4 when viewed from the front may be a substantially rectangular shape that is horizontally elongated (long in the left-right direction) or a substantially circular shape. Furthermore, the front view shape of the holder 4 may be such that the forward inclination angle of the contact surface 4a of the holder 4 is large (i.e., the contact surface 4a faces approximately upward from the upper rear) so that the user S can exercise with the exercise support device 1 while leaning forward, thereby reducing the burden on the legs of the user S, and it may also be useful for rehabilitation of the elderly.

[0031] The shape of the holder 4 in a plan view is not particularly limited as long as it abuts against and holds the torso T of the user S from the front, but may be, for example, a substantially horizontally elongated (long in the left-right direction) rectangular shape. In addition, the planar shape of the holder 4 may be such that the central portion in the left-right direction is recessed forward in order to reduce pressure on the torso T (chest, abdomen, etc.) of the user S, or this recess may be a gently curved shape. In addition, the planar shape of the holder 4 may be a shape that supports only the left and right front faces of the pelvis at the torso T of the user S, in particular, in which case the parts supporting the pelvis may be separate left and right bodies, or conversely, the parts supporting the left and right pelvis may be integrated (i.e., as described above, the central part in the left-right direction may be recessed). When the holding body 4 is recessed forward in the left-right central portion when viewed in a plane as in these cases, the holding body 4 may be provided with a separate belt-like member (in other words, a fall prevention member) that wraps around the user S who fits into this recess.

[0032] The holder 4 may be made of any material and configuration, for example, a foam made from a synthetic resin such as polyurethane (PU), or a gel-like material that absorbs shock, covered with a sheet-like skin, or it may be made of an elastic material such as rubber, and will be sufficiently recessed to flexibly support the user S even when the weight of the user S leans forward is applied to it. In addition, the material of the holder 4 may be composed of a low-resilience material, a high-resilience material, or a gel-like material, and it can be said that the pressure (impact) on the torso T of the user S (chest, abdomen, etc.) can be adjusted. In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the holder 4 may have air inside the sheet-like skin. In the case of a holder 4 containing air, it is possible to adjust the pressure on the torso T of the user S, and when the user S applies his / her weight to the holder 4, it is easier for the holder 4 to sway left and right. Conversely, it can be said that this improves the user S's ability to maintain left and right balance. Furthermore, in order to suppress the movement of air in the left-right direction inside the air-filled holder 4, the inside of the holder 4 may be blocked off (isolated) on the left and right, or the holder 4 may be configured with one air-filled holder 4 on each side (i.e., a total of two air-filled holders 4 lined up on the left and right). In addition, the user S may wear a supporter that covers his / her torso T (chest, abdomen, etc.), and since the supporter is part of what contacts and supports the torso T of the user S from the front, it can also be said to be included in the support body 4.

[0033] <Support arm member 5 in the first embodiment> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support arm material 5 in the first embodiment is an arm-shaped member that attaches the above-mentioned holder 4 to the main body 3, and the holder 4 is attached to the rear end of this support arm material 5. The support arm material 5 is expandable and contractable along its longitudinal direction (so to speak, it has an expandable section 7), and the members and mechanisms (of the expandable section 7) that generate the expansion and contraction are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, spring members, air cylinder mechanisms, oil cylinder mechanisms, materials such as foamed synthetic resins such as polyurethane (PU), mechanical members such as a biasing device having a drive source such as a motor, or a combination of these members and mechanisms. To explain in more detail an example of the expansion and contraction mechanism of the support arm material 5, for example, the support arm material 5 has a front tube and a rear tube, the rear tube is slidably fitted (or fitted) on the outside (or inside) of the front tube, and the rear tube is pushed rearward by the front tube by the above-mentioned spring member or the like, and the cross-sectional shapes of both the rear tube and the front tube may be approximately square, approximately rectangular, approximately circular, approximately elliptical, etc.

[0034] Incidentally, since the extension direction of the support arm material 5 can also be said to be substantially the front-rear direction, it can also be said that the support arm material 5 moves the holder 4 substantially in the front-rear direction. In addition, the support arm material 5 is attached to the main body 3 so that the holder 4 can move freely in an approximately vertical direction and remain in a predetermined position (for example, approximately in the center position in the vertical direction). This approximately vertical direction may be a strict vertical direction (vertical direction) or a direction approximately perpendicular to the extension and contraction direction of the support arm material 5. Furthermore, the support arm material 5 may be attached to the main body 3 so that the holder 4 is movable left and right and remains in a predetermined position (for example, approximately in the center position in the left and right direction), or conversely, it does not have to be able to move freely left and right. The member for attaching the holder 4 to stay at a predetermined position is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a spring member, etc., as described above. To explain in more detail an example of the mechanism of the member for attaching the holder 4 to the support arm material 5 to stay at a predetermined position, for example, a movable support frame extending substantially along the vertical direction is provided at the rear end of the support arm material 5, an insertion hole corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the support frame and a substantially cylindrical portion forming the insertion hole are provided at the front end of the holder 4, which is inserted into the support frame so as to be substantially movable vertically, and the above-mentioned spring member, etc., which pushes the substantially cylindrical portion substantially downward is provided above the substantially cylindrical portion at the front end of the holder 4, and the above-mentioned spring member, etc., which pushes the substantially cylindrical portion substantially upward is provided below the substantially cylindrical portion, so that the holder 4 is attached to the support arm material 5 so as to stay at a predetermined position where the pushing forces of the upper and lower spring members, etc., are counterbalanced. In addition, the support arm member 5 may be attached to the above-mentioned upright portion of the main body 3 (the left and right upper and lower frames 32a, 32b, the front plate, etc.) so that the upper and lower position can be freely adjusted by an arm height adjustment part 5A. The specific configuration of the arm height adjustment unit 5A is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, an adjustment frame 5A1 attached to the upright portion of the main body 3 so as to be freely movable up and down, and an adjustment screw (not shown) that screws into this adjustment frame 5A1.

[0035] For example, if the erected part of the adjustment frame 5A1 is the left and right upper frames 32a, 32b, it is inserted into the left and right upper frames 32a, 32b so as to be freely movable up and down and is connected between the left and right upper frames 32a, 32b, and insertion holes (for example, approximately circular insertion holes) corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the left and right upper frames 32a, 32b are provided on the left and right.If the erected part is a front panel, a support frame (not shown) extending up and down may be provided in a hollowed-out part such as the approximate center of the front panel, and the adjustment frame 5A1 may be inserted into this support frame so as to be freely movable up and down and insertion holes corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the support frame may be provided. The front end of the support arm member 5 is attached to approximately the center in the left-right direction of this adjustable frame 5A1. The adjustment screw is screwed into a substantially cylindrical portion (so to speak, the adjustment cylindrical member (support height adjustment cylindrical member) 5A2) that forms an insertion hole in the adjustment frame 5A1, and depending on the degree of screwing, the vertical position of the adjustment frame 5A1 relative to the left and right upper and lower frames 32a, 32b, etc. is fixed or allowed to move up and down. If the adjustment screw is screwed in deeply so that the tip of the screw abuts against the upper and lower frames 32a, 32b, etc., the adjustment frame 5A1 will be fixed at a predetermined vertical position, and if the adjustment screw is screwed in shallowly so that the tip of the screw is separated from the upper and lower frames 32a, 32b, etc., the adjustment frame 5A1 will be allowed to move up and down.

[0036] <Second embodiment> 3 and 4 show an exercise support device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the holder 4 is an annular member, which will be described later, and that the holder 4 is attached to the main body 3 via a string-shaped material 6, which will be described later. If the direction in which the user S faces forward during use is defined as the forward direction of the exercise support device 1, then the main body 3 in the second embodiment can be said to be reversed in front and rear from the main body 3 in the first embodiment. When the main body 3 in the second embodiment is reversed in front and rear from the main body 3 in the first embodiment, the pair of left and right members (left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b, etc.) would also be reversed in left and right in the first embodiment, but in Figures 3 and 4 showing the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the pair of left and right members.

[0037] <Holding body 4 in the second embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holder 4 in the second embodiment is an annular member capable of surrounding the trunk T of the user S. The specific configuration of the holder 4 is not particularly limited, but may be of a shape and size that can surround the torso T of the user S without restricting the swing of the user S's arms or the trajectory of the legs. For example, it may be in the form of a belt worn around the waist (with or without a buckle that allows the length to be adjusted), a belly band worn around the abdomen, a simple string or belt (wrapped horizontally anywhere from the chest to the waist, or wrapped across the body, etc.), or it may be in the form of a vest, running gear, sleeveless jacket, harness (used in wire action, etc.), or other member worn around the upper torso T (torso) of the user S. The holding body 4 in the second embodiment may also be of any material and configuration, and may be, for example, a fabric (knitted fabric, woven fabric, or nonwoven fabric) that is knitted, woven, or made from threads that include stretchable elastic threads, a synthetic resin film, synthetic leather, etc.

[0038] The annular holder 4 may have the front end of a string-like material 6, which will be described later, attached to its rear portion, or may be integrated with the string-like material 6, which will be described later, to form an annular member that can surround the torso T of the user S (see Figure 4 in particular). Furthermore, when the holder 4 and the string-like body 6 are integrated, the holder is a member that surrounds at least the front and sides of the torso T of the user S in a planar view (in other words, a semi-annular member), and such a semi-annular member is also included in the holder 4 in the second embodiment.

[0039] <String-shaped material 6 in the second embodiment> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the string-shaped material 6 in the second embodiment is a string-shaped member that attaches the above-mentioned holder 4 to the main body 3, and as described above, the holder 4 is attached to the front end of this string-shaped material 6. The string-like material 6 is a string-like member that is stretchable along its longitudinal direction, and the members and mechanisms that generate the stretching are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the string-like material 6 made of an elastic material such as rubber (a rubber tube or a strip-shaped rubber) or a spring member (when the string-like material 6 itself is stretchable, in which case the string-like material 6 can also be said to be the stretching section 7), or a reel mechanism that can wind and unwind a non-stretchable synthetic resin string-like material or a metal wire and is biased in the winding direction by a spring member or the like, or a mechanism that connects a non-stretchable synthetic resin string-like material or a metal wire to a weight of a predetermined weight via a pulley that can wind and unwind and is biased in the winding direction (in this case, the reel mechanism or the mechanism biased in the winding direction can be said to be the stretching section 7), or a combination of these members and mechanisms.

[0040] The cross-sectional shape of the string-shaped material 6 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, substantially circular, substantially elliptical, substantially rectangular, or substantially square. The number of string-like members 6 in one exercise support device 1 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one or a plurality of strings, such as two. In addition, the string-shaped material 6 may be attached to the upright parts of the main body 3 described above (such as the central upper and lower frames 36 or the front panel (which in the second embodiment can also be called the rear panel)) so that its upper and lower positions can be freely adjusted by the string height adjustment part 6A. The specific configuration of the string height adjustment part 6A is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, an adjustment tubular member (string height adjustment tubular member) 6A1 attached to the upright portion of the main body 3 so as to be freely movable up and down, and an adjustment screw (not shown) that screws into this adjustment tubular member 6A1.

[0041] For example, if the erected part of the adjustable cylindrical material 6A1 is a central upper and lower frame 36, it is inserted into the central upper and lower frame 36 so as to be freely movable up and down, and insertion holes (for example, approximately circular insertion holes) corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the central upper and lower frame 36 are provided on the left and right sides; if the erected part is a front plate, a support frame (not shown) extending up and down is provided in a hollowed-out part at approximately the center of the front plate, and the adjustable cylindrical material 6A1 is inserted into this support frame so as to be freely movable up and down, and insertion holes corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the support frame are provided. The rear end of the string-shaped material 6 is attached to the adjustment cylindrical material 6A1. The adjustment screw is screwed into the adjustment cylindrical material 6A1, and depending on how it is screwed in, the vertical position of the adjustment cylindrical material 6A1 relative to the central vertical frame 36, etc. is fixed, or the adjustment cylindrical material 6A1 is free to move up and down. If the adjustment screw is screwed in deeply and the tip of the screw abuts against the central vertical frame 36, etc., the adjustment cylindrical material 6A1 is fixed at a predetermined vertical position, and if the adjustment screw is screwed in shallowly and the tip of the screw is separated from the central vertical frame 36, etc., the adjustment cylindrical material 6A1 is free to move up and down. Incidentally, the main body 3 in the second embodiment does not necessarily have to have the contact surface 3a. Other configurations, effects, and usage modes of the exercise support device 1 are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0042] <Third embodiment, columnar body 10> 5 and 6 show an exercise support device 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments is that the exercise support device 1 is a columnar body 10, which will be described later. The specific configuration of the cylinder 10 which is the exercise support device 1 is not particularly limited, but its length and thickness may be such that it supports the center of gravity G of the user S without restricting the swing of the arms or the trajectory of the legs of the user S, and its cross-sectional shape may be, for example, substantially circular or elliptical, substantially square, substantially rectangular, or substantially triangular. The cylinder 10 is mainly straight (not curved), but the middle part 10C may be curved. The cylinder 10, which is the exercise support device 1, is freely expandable and contractable along its longitudinal direction (its length (height) is variable), and the expandable part (which can be called the expansion and contraction section 7) may be a part of the cylinder 10 or the entire cylinder 10.

[0043] When the expandable portion of columnar body 10 is only a portion (see Figures 5 and 6), the position of the expandable portion may be, for example, on the side of one end 10A of columnar body 10 (a portion from one end of columnar body 10 to a predetermined length) described below, or may be anywhere in middle portion 10C of columnar body 10. The number of the expandable portions in one column 10 may be one or more. Furthermore, it can be said that the parts of a single column 10 other than the stretchable parts are non-stretchable parts, and the position of the non-stretchable parts may be parts other than one end 10A of the column 10 (the other end 10B or the middle part 10C described below). In the expandable portion of the columnar body 10, the members and mechanisms that generate the expansion and contraction are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a (non-rigid) foam made from a synthetic resin such as polyurethane (PU), a gel-like material that absorbs shock, a low-resilience material, or a high-resilience material covered with a sheet-like skin, or may be made of an elastic material such as rubber, or may have air inside the sheet-like skin, or may be a spring member, an air cylinder mechanism, an oil cylinder mechanism, a mechanical member such as a biasing device having a driving source such as a motor, or a combination of these members and mechanisms. The material of the non-stretchable portion of the columnar body 10 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a rigid foamed synthetic resin such as rigid polystyrene foam (rigid foamed polystyrene (PS)) or rigid foamed polyolefin resin such as rigid foamed polyethylene (PE), or a non-foamed synthetic resin such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin, covered with a sheet-like skin.

[0044] In the case where the entire columnar body 10 expands and contracts (not shown), the entire columnar body 10 is composed of the members and mechanisms that generate the expansion and contraction described above, and the degree of expansion and contraction may be uniform throughout the entire columnar body 10, or there may be parts with a higher degree of expansion (than other parts), and so on, and the degree of expansion and contraction may vary within a single columnar body 10. When there is a difference in the degree of expansion and contraction within a single column 10, the position of the part with a higher degree of expansion and contraction may be, for example, on the side of one end 10A of column 10 (a portion from one end of column 10 to a predetermined length) described below, or it may be anywhere in middle portion 10C of column 10. The number of the portions with a high degree of elasticity in one column 10 may be one or more. Furthermore, it can be said that the parts of a single column 10 other than the part where the degree of expansion and contraction is higher (than other parts) are parts where the degree of expansion and contraction is lower (than other parts), and the location of the part where the degree of expansion and contraction is lower may be a part of the column 10 other than one end 10A (the other end 10B or the middle part 10C described below). The degree of expansion and contraction may be expressed by the depth of the indentation when the member or mechanism that generates the expansion and contraction is pressed with a specified area and force, or by the rebound resilience defined in JIS-K-6400-3:2011.

[0045] <Holding body 4 and one end 10A of columnar body 10 in the third embodiment> As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the holder 4 in the third embodiment is configured at one end 10A of the above-mentioned columnar body 10, and this end 10A is concave in a planar view, and holds the torso T of the user S from the front by this concave end 10A in a planar view. The specific configuration of the concave shape in a planar view at one end 10A, which is the holding body 4, is not particularly limited, but may be an approximately circular concave shape or an approximately elliptical concave shape (i.e., a round concave shape) in a planar view, or an approximately trapezoidal (isosceles trapezoidal) concave shape, such as a shape in which the end face on the one end 10A side (i.e., the one-end holding abutment surface 10a (or the holding abutment surface 4a)) abuts against the front surface of the waist or front surface of the chest of the torso T of the user S. In addition, if the one end 10A is concave in plan view, the central axis of the concave shape (central axis of the round concave shape) Ca extends substantially along the up-down direction (vertical direction). Furthermore, one end 10A of the columnar body 10 can be said to be integrated with the middle portion 10C and the other end 10B described below. In other words, the exercise support device 1 of the third embodiment can be said to be integrated with the holding body 4 and the main body 3.

[0046] <Main body 3 and part of columnar body 10 other than one end 10A in the third embodiment> As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the main body 3 in the third embodiment is configured of the above-mentioned columnar body 10 other than one end portion 10A, and this part other than one end portion 10A is the other end portion 10B and the middle portion 10C. Of the portion other than one end 10A of the columnar body 10 which is the main body 3, the other end 10B is convex in side view, and this convex other end 10B in side view abuts against a wall K standing upright from a floor F in a manner allowing it to swing freely. The specific configuration of the other end 10B, which is the main body 3 and has a convex shape in side view, is not particularly limited, but may be a substantially circular convex or substantially elliptical convex (so-called round convex) in side view, or may be a substantially trapezoidal (isosceles trapezoidal) convex shape in which the two upper corners of the substantially trapezoid are rounded (rounded), as long as the end face on the other end 10B side can be in a shape that can swingably abut against a wall K erected from a floor F. Note that a non-slip material such as rubber may be attached to the end face on the other end 10B side (so-called the other end wall abutting surface 10b (or the wall abutting surface 3a)), and the surface of the abutting surface on the other end 10B side or the surface of the abutting surface of the non-slip material may be uneven or substantially flat. Here, the contact height when the other end 10B is brought into contact with the wall K in a freely swinging manner is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, approximately the same height as the center of gravity G of the user S (e.g., the waist or navel), a height slightly lower or higher than the center of gravity G of the user S, or approximately the same height as the hip joint or base of the leg of the user S. In addition, if the other end 10B is convex in side view, the central axis Cb of the convex shape (central axis of the round convex shape) extends substantially along the left-right direction (horizontal direction), and the central axis Ca of the concave shape of the one end 10A extends substantially along the up-down direction (vertical direction), so that the central axes Ca and Cb are in a twisted position. Note that the central axes Ca and Cb in the twisted position may or may not be substantially perpendicular to each other in the end view of the columnar body 10 (longitudinal view of the columnar body 10). Furthermore, it can be said that the other end 10B of the columnar body 10 is integrated with the middle portion 10C and one end portion 10A (as described above, in the exercise support device 1 of the third embodiment, the holder 4 and the main body 3 are integrated). Other configurations, effects, and usage modes of the exercise support device 1 are similar to those of the first and second embodiments.

[0047] <Method of Using the Exercise Support Device 1 and the Columnar Body 10 of the Third Embodiment> FIG. 5 also shows a method of using the cylindrical body 10 which is the exercise support device 1 of the third embodiment (hereinafter, the method of using). Since it can be said that the third embodiment is characterized by the way in which the cylindrical body 10 which is the exercise support device 1 is used, the method of using the cylindrical body 10 will be described in detail below using the above-mentioned one end 10A and the other end 10B of the cylindrical body 10 instead of the terms holding body 4 and main body 3. This method of use is a method of using the exercise support device 1 of the third embodiment, i.e., the columnar body 10, which holds the trunk T of a user S whose center of gravity G is located forward of the position P where the user steps on the floor F, in which the other end 10B of the columnar body 10 is brought into swingable contact with a wall K, and the one end 10A holds the trunk T of the user S from the front. The contact height of the other end 10B with the wall K is as described above. Furthermore, in this method of use, the columnar bodies 10 restrict the forward lean of the user S, whose torso T is supported, while expanding and contracting and / or while the columnar bodies 10 swing relative to the wall K. Here, "regulating while the columnar body 10 expands and contracts and / or while the columnar body 10 oscillates against the wall K" includes three cases: regulating only while the columnar body 10 expands and contracts, regulating only while the columnar body 10 oscillates against the wall K, and regulating both while the columnar body 10 expands and contracts and / or while the columnar body 10 oscillates against the wall K. Other aspects of the exercise assist device 1, particularly the manner of use of the columnar body 10, are similar to those of the first to third embodiments described above.

[0048] <Other> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The exercise support device 1, the method of using the exercise support device 1, each component of the columnar body 10, etc., or the overall structure, shape, dimensions, etc. can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. In the exercise assist device 1 of the first embodiment, the main body 3 does not have to have the contact surface 3a, and the support arm member 5 does not have to have the arm height adjustment portion 5A. In the exercise support device 1 of the second embodiment, the string-shaped member 6 does not need to have the string height adjustment portion 6A. The exercise support device 1 and the columnar body 10 of the first to third embodiments may have a display unit, and this display unit may be configured to display a menu that the user S can perform, input personal data (attributes) of the user S such as weight, gender, age, etc., and control TV viewing, music playback, etc. In the exercise support device 1 of the first and second embodiments, multiple holders 4 may be attached to one main body 3, and even in this case, the specific configuration of the main body 3 in the first embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, the main body 3 may be a frame having the above-mentioned left and right upper and lower frames 32a, 32b, upper frame 33, and lower frame 34, but not having the above-mentioned left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b and left and right diagonal frames 35a, 35b, and having a substantially rectangular (i.e., horizontally long) frame body that is long in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and has multiple upper and lower frames for holders (i.e., similar to the above-mentioned central upper and lower frames 36) extending up and down at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction between the upper frame 33 and the lower frame 34. With a holder 4 attached to each of the multiple upper and lower frames of the frame which is the main body 3 via the support arm material 5 and the contact surface 3a side of the frame fixed to the wall K by fixing means, multiple users S may use each of the multiple holders 4 to perform actions that are as close as possible to actual actions such as running and walking. Note that the upper and lower frames of each holder in the frame may be multiple frames at a predetermined interval, and may have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately rectangular, approximately square, or approximately elliptical (it can be said that by having multiple frames, even if each user S pushes each holder 4 biased to the left or right, it becomes difficult for the support arm material 5 to rotate around the upper or lower frames of the holder). Furthermore, when multiple holders 4 are attached to one main body 3, the specific configuration of the main body 3 in the second embodiment is not particularly limited, but for example, the frame described above in the first embodiment may be used as the main body 3, and with the holders 4 attached to each of the multiple upper and lower frames for the holders in the frame that is the main body 3 via string-like materials 6 and the contact surface 3a side of the frame fixed to the wall K by fixing means, multiple users S may use each of the multiple holders 4 to perform movements that are as close as possible to actual movements such as running and walking. In the second embodiment, the upper and lower frames for each holder in the frame do not necessarily have to be multiple frames spaced at a predetermined interval, and the cross-sectional shape does not have to be approximately rectangular, square, or elliptical; they may be one frame spaced at a predetermined interval, or the cross-sectional shape may be approximately circular (in the second embodiment, each user S will, so to speak, pull each holder 4, and even if they pull slightly to the left or right, it can be said that the string-like material 6 will rotate less around the upper and lower frames for the holder than in the first embodiment). Furthermore, even when multiple holders 4 are attached to one main body 3, in the first and second embodiments, an arm height adjustment unit 5A and a string height adjustment unit 6A may be provided (an arm height adjustment unit 5A and a string height adjustment unit 6A may be provided for each upper and lower frame for each holder), or conversely, they may not be provided. The floor F and the wall K relating to the exercise support device 1 and the columnar body 10 described above will be described below.

[0049] <Floor F> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the floor F is a substantially flat and substantially horizontal surface located below indoors (inside a building or a room), and may also be the ground outdoors. The floor F is disposed above the main body 3 of the exercise support device 1 described above. In the case of the exercise support device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the main body 3 is disposed (placed or installed, so to speak) in direct contact with the floor F from above. In the case of the cylindrical body 10 which is the exercise support device 1 of the third embodiment, the part of the cylindrical body 10 which is the main body 3 other than one end 10A (the other end 10B and the middle part 10C) does not directly contact the floor F, but is disposed above the floor F (located above, so to speak). The floor F is stepped on directly by the user S (as the exercise support device 1 does not have a platform-shaped body), and the torso T of the user S, whose center of gravity G is located forward of the position P at which the user S steps on the floor F, is supported by the support body 4 of the exercise support device 1. In the case of the exercise support device 1 of the first and second embodiments, since the main body 3 is composed of multiple frames and multiple boards, the position P of the floor F that the user S steps on is the floor F that is located between (exposed between) the left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b, or the floor F that is located between the left and right horizontal boards, or the floor F that is located rearward from between (exposed at the rear) the left and right front and rear frames 31a, 31b, etc.

[0050] <Wall K> As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the wall K stands upright on the floor F described above, and like the floor F, it does not matter whether it is located indoors or outdoors. Although the wall K is usually erected perpendicular to the floor F, the wall K may be erected at an angle to the floor F. Furthermore, when the wall K is erected perpendicular to the floor F, the abutment surface 3a of the exercise support device 1 can also be said to be a surface perpendicular to the floor F (a vertical surface). When the wall K is erected obliquely to the floor F, the abutment surface 3a may also be oblique to the floor F at an angle corresponding to the wall K (or may be approximately parallel to the oblique wall K). [Industrial Applicability]

[0051] The exercise support device, the method of using the exercise support device, and the columnar body according to the present invention not only enable the user to perform movements that are extremely similar to actual movements such as running and walking, but can also be used to learn actual take-off movements in other track and field events (long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault, etc.) and to stretch the user's hip joints. Furthermore, the cylindrical body of the present invention not only allows the user to perform movements that are extremely similar to the actual movements such as running and walking described above and stretches the hip joints, but can also be used to stretch each of the user's joints (including the hip joints) and each part of the body, like a stretch pole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Exercise aid device 3. Main unit 3a Contact surface 4 Holding body 5 Support arm material 6 Cord material 10 columnar body 10A One end of columnar body 10B Other end of columnar body F floor P Position to step on floor S user G User's center of gravity T User's trunk K wall

Claims

1. An exercise support device comprising a main body (3) disposed above a floor (F) and a support body (4) attached to the main body (3), the support body (4) supporting the trunk (T) of a user (S) whose center of gravity (G) is located forward of a stepping position (P) on the floor (F), This exercise support device is characterized in that the forward lean of a user (S) whose torso (T) is supported is regulated by moving a support body (4) relative to the main body (3).

2. The holding body (4) is attached to the main body (3) via a support arm member (5) that is extendable along the longitudinal direction, 2. The exercise assist device according to claim 1, wherein the support arm member (5) is attached to the main body (3) so that the holder (4) is movable in a substantially vertical direction and remains at a predetermined position.

3. 3. The exercise support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the main body (3) is provided with an abutment surface (3a) capable of abutting against a wall (K) erected from the floor (F) on the side opposite to the side on which the holding body (4) is attached.

4. The holding body (4) is annular and can surround the trunk (T) of the user (S), 2. The exercise support device according to claim 1, wherein the annular holder (4) is attached to the main body (3) via a stretchable string-like material (6) along the longitudinal direction.

5. The holding body (4) is one end (10A) of a columnar body (10) that is extendable and contractable along the longitudinal direction and has a concave shape in a plan view, The main body (3) is a portion of the columnar body (10) other than the one end (10A), 2. The exercise support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the other end (10B) of the columnar body (10), which is convex in side view, is in swingable contact with a wall (K) standing upright from a floor (F), and the one end (10A) holds the trunk (T) of a user (S) from the front.

6. A method of using an exercise support device that supports the trunk (T) of a user (S) whose center of gravity (G) is located forward of a stepping position (P) on a floor (F), comprising: The exercise support device is a columnar body (10) that is extendable and contractable along a longitudinal direction, The columnar body (10) has one end (10A) that is concave in plan view and the other end (10B) that is convex in side view, The other end (10B) is brought into swingable contact with a wall (K) erected from a floor (F), and the one end (10A) holds the trunk (T) of a user (S) from the front, A method for using an exercise support device, characterized in that the forward lean of a user (S) whose torso (T) is supported is restricted by the columnar body (10) expanding and contracting and / or by the columnar body (10) swinging against a wall (K).

7. The columnar body is extensible and expandable along the longitudinal direction, characterized in that one end (10A) of the columnar body is concave in plan view and the other end (10B) is convex in side view.

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