Exercise chair and lower limb exercise system

Abstract

To provide a technique stabilizing a trunk without inhibiting a kinematic chain between the lower limb and the trunk when performing lower limb exercise in a seated state.SOLUTION: An exercise chair 3 is for a user U to perform lower limb exercise in his / her seated state. The exercise chair 3 includes: a seating part 14 allowing the user U to seat; a first stable part 4 coming in contact with the user U seated on the seating part 14 at a position facing a first specific part which is either one of a fifth thoracic spine or a ninth thoracic spine of the thoracic spines of the user U to suppress the movement of the first specific part. The exercise chair 3 is structured not to suppress movements of parts other than the first specific part of the thoracic spines of the user U.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheelchair and a lower limb exercise system.

Background Art

[0002] Although moderate exercise is essential for maintaining health, in order to exercise regularly, it is necessary to secure regular time for exercise, and the busier a person is, the more likely they are to be lacking in exercise. However, even if regular time cannot be secured, if it is possible to move the lower limbs even while sitting, it can be said that a certain degree of exercise has been achieved. A pedal exercise device is known as a lower limb exercise device that enables movement of the lower limbs while sitting. The inventors of the present application focused on the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk in order to enhance the exercise effect obtained by moving the lower limbs while sitting. If this movement chain is induced, first, a waist size reduction effect can be expected. Second, since the rectus abdominis muscle, the transverse abdominal muscle, and the erector spinae muscle are exercised, it becomes easier to maintain a posture with the pelvis tilted forward, which will also contribute to the elimination of hunchback and straight neck. Third, if the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk can be realized, the pelvis will move actively, so mainly the flexibility of the iliopsoas muscle will increase, and improvement of chronic low back pain can also be expected.

[0003] The inventors of the present application state in Patent Document 1 that when moving the lower limbs while sitting, if the seat portion on which the user sits is fixed, the movement of the pelvis becomes dull, which inhibits the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk, and that the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk can be realized by deliberately making the seat portion unstable.

[0004] Specifically, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a pedal exercise system including a chair having a seat portion on which a user sits, and a pedal exercise device for performing a pedal exercise while sitting on the seat portion. And the seat portion is configured to be rotatable at least in any one of roll rotation, pitch rotation, or yaw rotation. By deliberately making the seat portion on which the user sits unstable in this way, the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk is realized.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, it is further stated that by fixing the base of the user's torso (the joint between the 7th cervical vertebra and the 1st thoracic vertebra) and the scapulae to the backrest with a belt, it is possible to effectively suppress the movement of the user's head and both arms.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] By the way, in order to efficiently exert muscle output during exercise, it is necessary to stabilize the torso. As a method of stabilizing the torso, it is conceivable to fix the torso to the backrest with a belt as in the above - mentioned Patent Document 1. However, when the torso is fixed to the backrest with a belt, there is a risk of losing the flexibility of the torso and the interlocking between the lower limbs and the torso. That is, the movement chain between the lower limbs and the torso and stabilizing the torso are in a trade - off relationship.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for stabilizing the torso without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the torso when performing lower - limb movement in a seated state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] From the perspective of the present invention, there is provided an exercise chair for a user to perform lower - limb movement in a seated state, including a seating portion on which the user can sit, and a first stabilizing portion that contacts the user sitting on the seating portion at a position facing the first specific portion, which is either the 5th thoracic vertebra or the 9th thoracic vertebra of the user's thoracic vertebra, in the front - rear direction to suppress the movement of the first specific portion, and is configured not to suppress the movement of the portions other than the first specific portion of the user's thoracic vertebra. According to the above configuration, when performing lower - limb movement in a seated state, it is possible to stabilize the torso without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the torso. The first stabilizing portion is configured to contact the user seated on the seating portion from the ventral side. The exercise chair further includes a support portion that holds the first stabilizing portion so that the first stabilizing portion can be switched between a contact position and a retracted position, and a restricting portion that restricts the first stabilizing portion from switching from the contact position to the retracted position. The contact position is a position where the first stabilizing portion can contact the user seated on the seating portion at a position facing the first specific portion in the front-rear direction, and the retracted position is a position different from the contact position and may be a position where the user retracts to sit on the seating portion. According to the above configuration, it becomes easier for the user to sit on the seating portion. By contacting the user seated on the seating portion at a position facing the second specific portion, which is either the first cervical vertebra or the fourth cervical vertebra among the user's head or the user's cervical vertebrae, in the front-rear direction, a second stabilizing portion that suppresses the movement of the second specific portion is further included, and among the user's head and the user's cervical vertebrae, the movement of the portion other than the second specific portion may be configured not to be suppressed. According to the above configuration, when performing lower limb movement in a seated state, the trunk can be stabilized without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk. When the first stabilizing portion contacts the user from the ventral side, the second stabilizing portion may contact the user from the dorsal side. According to the above configuration, the first stabilizing portion and the second stabilizing portion can stably contact the user. When the first stabilizing portion contacts the user from the dorsal side, the second stabilizing portion may contact the user from the ventral side. According to the above configuration, the first stabilizing portion and the second stabilizing portion can stably contact the user. The first stabilizing portion may be configured to be convex toward the user. According to the above configuration, a configuration can be realized in which the movement of the portion of the user's thoracic vertebra other than the first specific portion is not suppressed. The seating portion may be configured to perform at least one of roll rotation, pitch rotation, or yaw rotation. According to the above configuration, the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk can be effectively realized. A lower limb exercise system including the above-described wheelchair and a lower limb exercise device is provided. According to the above configuration, a lower limb exercise system capable of stabilizing the trunk without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk when performing lower limb exercises in a seated state is realized. The lower limb exercise device may be at least a device that applies a load to the flexion and extension movements of the hip joint and knee joint of the user. According to the above configuration, effective lower limb exercises are realized. The lower limb exercise device may be a foot trough exercise device or a foot stepping exercise device. According to the above configuration, effective lower limb exercises can be realized with a simple configuration.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, when performing lower limb exercises in a seated state, the trunk can be stabilized without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] (First Embodiment) Figures 1 and 2 show the lower limb exercise system 1. As shown in Figure 1, the lower limb exercise system 1 includes a foot sculling exercise device 2, an exercise chair 3, a first stabilizer 4, and a second stabilizer 5. Hereinafter, the foot sculling exercise device 2, the exercise chair 3, the first stabilizer 4, and the second stabilizer 5 will be described in detail in this order.

[0013] (Foot sculling exercise device 2) The foot sculling exercise device 2 is an example of a lower limb exercise device for a user U to perform a foot sculling exercise in a seated state. That is, the foot sculling exercise device 2 is a specific example of a lower limb exercise device that realizes a lower limb movement repeatedly accompanied by extension and flexion of the knee joint, hip joint, and ankle joint. The foot sculling exercise device 2 includes a device main body 6, a pair of cranks 7, and a pair of pedals 8. The pair of pedals 8 are respectively provided on the pair of cranks 7 so as to be pitch-rotatable. The pair of cranks 7 are provided on the device main body 6 so as to be pitch-rotatable. The user U sits on the exercise chair 3 and places both feet F on the pair of pedals 8 respectively, and performs a so-called foot sculling exercise of alternately stepping out the right foot RL and the left foot LL. At this time, the extension and flexion of the knee joint, hip joint, and ankle joint of the right foot RL and the left foot LL are repeated. Typically, when the knee joint of the right foot RL extends, the knee joint of the left foot LL flexes. When the hip joint of the right foot RL extends, the hip joint of the left foot LL flexes. When the ankle joint of the right foot RL extends, the ankle joint of the left foot LL flexes. As a result, the pair of pedals 8 rotate around the crank axis 7a in opposite phases to each other. That is, the foot sculling exercise device 2 realizes a lower limb movement in which both feet F draw a circular orbit centered on the crank axis 7a. The device main body 6 is configured to be able to adjust the load on the rotation of the crank axis 7a. The user U can perform a foot sculling exercise with a preferred exercise load by adjusting the load on the rotation of the crank axis 7a.

[0014] Note that the foot sculling exercise device 2 is only an example of a lower limb exercise device. The lower limb exercise device may be at least a device that alternately applies a load to the right and left feet with respect to the flexion and extension movements of the hip joint and knee joint of the user U. Examples of the lower limb exercise device include a foot stepping exercise device in addition to the foot sculling exercise device 2. The foot sculling exercise and the foot stepping exercise are specific examples of lower limb exercises.

[0015] (Exercise chair 3) Figure 3 shows a front view of the exercise chair 3. The exercise chair 3 is a chair on which the user U sits during the pedaling exercise. In the present embodiment, the exercise chair 3 is separate from the pedaling exercise device 2. Therefore, the distance between the pedaling exercise device 2 and the exercise chair 3 is adjustable. However, alternatively, the exercise chair 3 may be integrally configured with the pedaling exercise device 2.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the exercise chair 3 includes a movable part 10, a support part 11, and a restoring unit 12.

[0017] The movable part 10 includes a seating part 14 on which the user U sits.

[0018] The support part 11 supports the movable part 10 so as to be movable left and right. Here, "left and right" is defined as the left and right as viewed from the user U. Similarly, "front and back" is defined as the front and back as viewed from the user U.

[0019] The restoring unit 12 biases the movable part 10 toward the neutral position in the left - right direction. In FIG. 3, the movable part 10 is located at the neutral position. The neutral position is a specific example of a reference position. When the movable part 10 on which the user U is sitting is located at the neutral position, the heights of the user U's left and right hip joints are equal to each other. And the support part 11 supports the movable part 10 such that the movable part 10 descends as the movable part 10 moves away from the neutral position to the right or left. Specifically, when the movable part 10 moves away from the neutral position to the right, the user U's right hip joint becomes lower than the left hip joint. Conversely, when the movable part 10 moves away from the neutral position to the left, the user U's right hip joint becomes higher than the left hip joint. Thus, when a difference occurs in the heights of the user U's left and right hip joints when the movable part 10 moves away from the neutral position to the left and right, it can be said that the movable part 10 rolls and turns.

[0020] The user U performs pedaling exercise using the pedaling exercise device 2 while sitting on the seating part 14 of the wheelchair 3. Since the movable part 10 is configured to roll and turn, when the user U performs pedaling exercise using the pedaling exercise device 2 while sitting on the seating part 14 of the wheelchair 3, a movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk occurs. In addition, instead of the movable part 10 rolling and turning, when the movable part 10 yaws or pitches, a movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk may also occur.

[0021] (Support part 11) The support part 11 is fixedly installed with respect to the floor surface. The support part 11 includes a leg part 20, a frame 21, and two rails 22. Since the two rails 22 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3, only one of the two rails 22 is depicted in FIG. 3.

[0022] The leg part 20 is the part that contacts the floor surface on which the wheelchair 3 is installed.

[0023] The frame 21 is supported by the leg part 20 and supports the two rails 22.

[0024] The two rails 22 define the trajectories of the left - right movement of the movable part 10. As described above, the two rails 22 are arranged apart from each other in the front - rear direction. Each rail 22 is bent so as to be convex upward. That is, each rail 22 is inclined so as to descend from the center CE in the longitudinal direction of each rail 22 toward the end EN. Each rail 22 is inclined so as to approach the floor surface from the center CE in the longitudinal direction of each rail 22 toward the end EN. In the present embodiment, each rail 22 is formed in a V - shape that is convex upward and opens downward. Therefore, the movable part 10 is guided to descend as it moves left - right along the two rails 22 away from the neutral position. In other words, the support part 11 supports the movable part 10 so that the movable part 10 swings left - right about the roll axis 10R that extends in the front - rear direction, that is, so that the movable part 10 rolls around the roll axis 10R. The roll axis 10R is set below the movable part 10 when the movable part 10 is in the neutral position. The center - of - gravity point of the movable part 10 is guided to descend as the movable part 10 moves left - right along the two rails 22 away from the neutral position. Each rail 22 includes a left - rail part 22c that extends from the center in the longitudinal direction of each rail 22 to the left, and a right - rail part 22d that extends from the center in the longitudinal direction of each rail 22 to the right.

[0025] In the present embodiment, each rail 22 is in a V - shape that is convex upward and opens downward, but the shape of each rail 22 is not limited to this. Each rail 22 may be in a U - shape that is convex upward and opens downward, or may be curved so as to be convex upward and open downward. Each rail 22 may typically extend in an arc or elliptical - arc shape so as to be convex upward and open downward.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the left - rail part 22c and the right - rail part 22d that constitute each rail 22 are integrally formed. However, instead of this, the left - rail part 22c and the right - rail part 22d may be separate and arranged apart from each other.

[0027] (Movable part 10) Continuing with reference to FIG. 3, the movable part 10 will be described.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the movable part 10 includes a movable part main body 30, a seating part 14, a universal joint 31, a coil spring 32, and a pair of coupling parts 33.

[0029] The pair of coupling parts 33, the movable part main body 30, and the seating part 14 are arranged in this order in the direction away from the floor surface. The universal joint 31 and the coil spring 32 are arranged between the movable part main body 30 and the seating part 14.

[0030] The movable part main body 30 is a plate body interposed between the support part 11 and the seating part 14. A pair of coupling parts 33 are provided on the lower surface of the movable part main body 30. One of the pair of coupling parts 33 is slidably coupled to the left rail part 22c, and the other is slidably coupled to the right rail part 22d. Each coupling part 33 may include a wheel as shown by a broken line that rolls on the corresponding rail, and a bracket that rotatably holds the wheel.

[0031] The seating part 14 and the movable part main body 30 are connected by a universal joint 31. Therefore, the seating part 14 is supported by the movable part main body 30 so as to be rotatable about the yaw axis with respect to the movable part main body 30. That is, the seating part 14 is configured to be yaw-rotatable. Yaw rotation means rotation about the yaw axis. Here, the "yaw axis" means an axis extending along the vertical direction, which is the direction in which gravity acts. However, alternatively, the "yaw axis" may be an axis extending along the thickness direction of the movable part main body 30. Similarly, the seating part 14 is supported by the movable part main body 30 so as to be tiltable back and forth with respect to the movable part main body 30. That is, the seating part 14 is configured to be pitch-rotatable. Pitch rotation means rotation about the pitch axis. Here, the "pitch axis" means an axis extending left and right. The pitch axis passes through the universal joint 31. Therefore, the pitch axis is set below the seating part 14. Similarly, the seating part 14 is supported by the movable part main body 30 so as to be tiltable left and right with respect to the movable part main body 30. That is, the seating part 14 is configured to be roll-rotatable not only by the movable part main body 30 and the support part 11 but also by the universal joint 31. The roll rotation of the seating part 14 by the universal joint 31 means rotation about the roll axis passing through the universal joint 31. Here, the "roll axis" means an axis extending back and forth.

[0032] Between the seating part 14 and the movable part main body 30, a coil spring 32 that suppresses tilting of the seating part 14 with respect to the movable part main body 30 is disposed. The upper end of the coil spring 32 is in contact with the seating part 14, and the lower end of the coil spring 32 is in contact with the movable part main body 30. In the present embodiment, the coil spring 32 is disposed coaxially with the universal joint 31. In other words, the coil spring 32 is disposed so as to accommodate the universal joint 31 within the spiral structure of the spring. For example, when the seating part 14 tilts forward with respect to the movable part main body 30, the upper end of the coil spring 32 elastically displaces forward as well, and the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 32 attempts to return the seating part 14 to the state before tilting. Note that the upper end of the coil spring 32 is not fixed to the seating part 14 so as not to impede the turning of the seating part 14 about the yaw axis with respect to the movable part main body 30.

[0033] The user U sits on the seating part 14. The seating part 14 has a seating surface 14a facing the buttocks of the user U. The seating surface 14a is inclined forward so that the pelvis of the user U tilts forward when the user U sits on the seating part 14. That is, the front portion of the seating surface 14a is lower than the rear portion.

[0034] (Restoring unit 12) The restoring unit 12 is a specific example of the biasing means. The restoring unit 12 biases the movable part 10 toward the neutral position in the left - right direction. In the present embodiment, the restoring unit 12 is an elastic body. That is, the restoring unit 12 includes a pair of restoring coil springs 40. The pair of restoring coil springs 40 are respectively spanned between the center CE of each rail 22 and the pair of coupling parts 33. When the movable part 10 moves to the left, the left - hand restoring coil spring 40 extends, and the elastic restoring force of the left - hand restoring coil spring 40 biases the movable part 10 toward the neutral position. Similarly, when the movable part 10 moves to the right, the right - hand restoring coil spring 40 extends, and the elastic restoring force of the right - hand restoring coil spring 40 biases the movable part 10 toward the neutral position.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the elastic body constituting the restoring unit 12 is a coil spring, but other elastic bodies such as rubber may be used instead.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the restoring unit 12 is configured by a pair of restoring coil springs 40. However, instead of this, it may be configured by one coil spring. In this case, typically, one coil spring is spanned between the pair of coupling portions 33, and the center in the longitudinal direction of one coil spring is fixed to the center CE. Instead of being spanned between the rail 22 and the movable portion 10, the restoring unit 12 may be spanned between the frame 21 and the movable portion 10.

[0037] With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, when the user U kicks out the left foot, the pelvis slightly moves to the left, and thus the movable portion main body 30 slightly moves to the left. At this time, since each rail 22 is inclined so as to descend from the center CE toward the end EN, the movement of the movable portion main body 30 moving to the left is amplified, and the amount of movement of the pelvis increases. Since the amount of movement of the pelvis is large, the trunk muscles of the user U are activated in conjunction with the stepping motion of the lower leg of the user U, and thus the movement of the trunk muscles is realized. The same applies when the user U kicks out the right foot.

[0038] Also, when the user U kicks out the left foot, the pelvis rotates clockwise around the yaw axis in a plan view. Since the seating portion 14 is configured to be rotatable around the yaw axis with respect to the movable portion main body 30, this rotational movement of the pelvis is smoothly performed. The same applies when the user U kicks out the right foot. Thus, when the pelvis moves left and right and rotates around the yaw axis, the forward tilt of the pelvis is promoted, and thus it can become an opportunity to get used to a good standing posture of the pelvis.

[0039] Here, the significance of the restoration unit 12 will be described. Suppose the restoration unit 12 is omitted. Once the movable part 10 deviates from the neutral position to the left or right, it becomes difficult to return the movable part 10 to the neutral position. Specifically, although the user U can instantaneously remove the load on the movable part 10, it is difficult to return the movable part 10 to the neutral position at that timing. On the contrary, if the restoration unit 12 is provided, the user U only needs to instantaneously remove the load on the movable part 10, and the movable part 10 will be biased toward the neutral position. Therefore, the movable part 10 can be easily returned to the neutral position by utilizing the inertia obtained during the biasing of the movable part 10. However, it is preferable that the elastic restoring force of the restoration unit 12 can be changed according to the physique and muscle strength of the user U. That is, when the user U who is not accustomed to using the trunk muscles uses the wheelchair 3, the spring constant of the restoration unit 12 may be set large so that the movable part 10 actively returns to the neutral position. On the other hand, when the user U who is accustomed to using the trunk muscles uses the wheelchair 3, the spring constant of the restoration unit 12 may be set small. When the spring constant of the restoration unit 12 is small, the movable part 10 will not try to return to the neutral position so much, and activation of the trunk muscles will be required each time the movable part 10 is returned to the neutral position. Thus, by changing the spring constant of the restoration unit 12, the load on the trunk muscles can be adjusted. Note that the restoration unit 12 can also be omitted according to the proficiency of the user U.

[0040] In addition, in this embodiment, when the movable part 10 moves to the right, the seat surface 14a of the seating part 14 will tilt to the right. Similarly, when the movable part 10 moves to the left, the seat surface 14a of the seating part 14 will tilt to the left. The tilt angle of the seat surface 14a at this time does not necessarily match the natural tilt angle of the pelvis. Therefore, in this embodiment, the seating part 14 can tilt left and right with respect to the movable part main body 30 by the universal joint 31. Therefore, the tilt angle of the seat surface 14a of the seating part 14 follows the natural tilt angle of the pelvis of the user U, and thus the sitting comfort of the seating part 14 during exercise is not impaired.

[0041] (First Stabilizing Portion 4) Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first stabilizing portion 4 contacts the user U seated on the seating portion 14 at a position facing the first specific portion, which is either the fifth thoracic vertebra or the ninth thoracic vertebra of the thoracic vertebrae of the user U, in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the first specific portion.

[0042] The first stabilizing portion 4 is supported by the frame 21 of the wheelchair 3 via the support portion 50. The support portion 50 is provided with a yaw joint 51. The support portion 50 includes a movable support portion 50a closer to the first stabilizing portion 4 than the yaw joint 51 and a fixed support portion 50b farther from the first stabilizing portion 4 than the yaw joint 51. The movable support portion 50a is configured to be yaw-rotatable with respect to the fixed support portion 50b via the yaw joint 51.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the movable support portion 50a has a movable shaft 50c protruding upward. The fixed support portion 50b has a bracket 50d that rotatably supports the movable shaft 50c. The yaw joint 51 is constituted by the movable shaft 50c and the bracket 50d. Due to the presence of the yaw joint 51, the movable support portion 50a is yaw-rotatable with respect to the fixed support portion 50b.

[0044] The yaw joint 51 is provided with a restricting portion 52. The restricting portion 52 includes a positioning hole 52a provided in the movable support portion 50a, a positioning hole 52b provided in the bracket 50d, and a positioning pin 52c. When the positioning pin 52c is inserted into the positioning hole 52a and the positioning hole 52b with the positioning hole 52a and the positioning hole 52b aligned with each other, the yaw rotation of the movable support portion 50a with respect to the fixed support portion 50b is prohibited. Conversely, when the positioning pin 52c is removed from the positioning hole 52a and the positioning hole 52b, the yaw rotation of the movable support portion 50a with respect to the fixed support portion 50b is allowed.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the support portion 11 holds the first stable portion 4 so as to be switchable between a contact position and a retracted position. The restricting portion 52 restricts the first stable portion 4 from switching from the contact position to the retracted position. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the contact position is a position where the first stable portion 4 can contact the user U seated on the seating portion 14 at a position facing the first specific portion in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the retracted position is a position different from the contact position and is a position where the user U retracts in order to sit on the seating portion 14.

[0046] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the first stable portion 4 is located at the contact position. The joint 51 at this time is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the first stable portion 4 is located at the contact position, by inserting the positioning pin 52c into the positioning hole 52a and the positioning hole 52b, the state where the first stable portion 4 is located at the contact position can be maintained. That is, even if an external force acts on the first stable portion 4 in a state where the first stable portion 4 is located at the contact position, the first stable portion 4 does not move.

[0047] On the contrary, in the state shown in FIG. 4, by removing the positioning pin 52c from the positioning hole 52a and the positioning hole 52b, the first stable portion 4 can move. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 2, by removing the positioning pin 52c, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the first stable portion 4 can be retracted to the right as viewed from the user U. As a result, the user U can smoothly sit on the seating portion 14.

[0048] Hereinafter, the suppression of the movement of the first specific portion by the first stable portion 4 contacting the user U seated on the seating portion 14 at a position facing the first specific portion, which is either the fifth thoracic vertebra or the ninth thoracic vertebra of the thoracic vertebra of the user U, in the front-rear direction will be described in detail.

[0049] That is, there are individual differences in the way a person moves their body, and according to this individuality, which joints are moved preferentially varies, as known as the 4 stance theory. For example, when performing a sitting motion, there are types such as sitting while extending the knees forward (pelvic posterior tilt type) and sitting while bending the waist (in the form of bowing) and protruding the buttocks (pelvic anterior tilt type). In the pelvic posterior tilt type, the center of gravity is often at the rear, and when sitting while extending the knees forward, the quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gluteus maximus are preferentially used to maintain the standing stable posture. On the other hand, in the pelvic anterior tilt type, the center of gravity is often at the front, and to maintain the standing stable posture, the hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and iliopsoas are used.

[0050] When a human realizes the function of sitting with a skeleton composed of multi-degree-of-freedom redundant joints, multiple movements can be selected. And since the muscle groups that are preferentially used become muscle groups that are easy to exert muscle strength, it is said that there are differences in daily movements between the pelvic anterior tilt type and the pelvic posterior tilt type.

[0051] Fig. 5 shows a front view of the human skeleton. In Fig. 5, the parts enclosed by squares indicate the xiphoid process, elbow joint, knee joint, and midfoot joint of the heel, and the parts enclosed by circles indicate the hip joint, shoulder joint, talocrural joint, and sternoclavicular joint. And people with the pelvic anterior tilt type tend to move with the parts enclosed by squares as joints and the parts enclosed by circles as the abdomen. In other words, people with the pelvic anterior tilt type tend to move actively the parts enclosed by circles without moving the parts enclosed by squares.

[0052] Therefore, when the user U with the pelvic anterior tilt type performs lower limb movement in a sitting state, fixing the xiphoid process is effective in stabilizing the trunk without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a human body skeleton diagram in a side view. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the first stabilizing portion 4 is specifically disposed at a position facing the user U seated on the seating portion 14 in the front-rear direction with respect to the ninth thoracic vertebra, and is arranged to contact the user U seated on the seating portion 14. The first stabilizing portion 4 is in contact with the user U from the ventral side. Since the ninth thoracic vertebra cannot be directly positioned and fixed, the first stabilizing portion 4 indirectly positions and fixes the ninth thoracic vertebra by contacting the user U at a position facing the ninth thoracic vertebra in the front-rear direction.

[0054] However, instead of contacting the user U at a position facing the ninth thoracic vertebra in the front-rear direction, the first stabilizing portion 4 may contact the user U at a position facing the fifth thoracic vertebra in the front-rear direction. Among humans of the same pelvic anterior tilt type, there are humans in whom the ninth thoracic vertebra becomes the joint during movement, and there are also humans in whom the fifth thoracic vertebra becomes the joint during movement. In short, the aforementioned first specific portion becomes either the fifth thoracic vertebra or the ninth thoracic vertebra.

[0055] And the exercise chair 3 is configured not to suppress the movement of the portion other than the first specific portion of the thoracic vertebra of the user U. That is, at a position facing the user U in the front-rear direction with respect to the portion other than the first specific portion of the thoracic vertebra of the user U, nothing that contacts the user U is provided. Thereby, the torsional movement of the thoracic vertebra with the first specific portion as the joint during the pedaling movement is not inhibited.

[0056] The first stabilizing portion 4 is made of a material having cushioning properties. And the first stabilizing portion 4 is typically formed to be convex toward the user U. Thereby, a configuration that does not suppress the movement of the portion other than the first specific portion of the thoracic vertebra of the user U can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0057] (Second stabilizing portion 5) Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second stabilizing portion 5 suppresses the movement of the second specific portion by contacting the user U seated on the seating portion 14 at a position facing the second specific portion, which is either the first cervical vertebra or the fourth cervical vertebra, of the head of the user U or the cervical vertebra of the user U, in the front-rear direction.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the second stabilizing portion 5 is supported by the frame 21 of the wheelchair 3 via the second support portion 55.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the second stabilizing portion 5 contacts the user U seated on the seating portion 14 at a position facing the first cervical vertebra of the user U in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the first cervical vertebra. That is, in the case of the above-described pelvis anterior tilt type person, the user U moves with either the first cervical vertebra or the fourth cervical vertebra of the head of the user U or the cervical vertebra of the user U as a joint. The second stabilizing portion 5 is configured not to suppress the movement of portions other than the second specific portion among the head of the user U and the cervical vertebra of the user U. That is, the wheelchair 3 does not have a configuration for suppressing the movement of portions other than the second specific portion. Therefore, when the second stabilizing portion 5 contacts the user U seated on the seating portion 14 at a position facing the second specific portion, which is either the first cervical vertebra or the fourth cervical vertebra, of the head of the user U or the cervical vertebra of the user U in the front-rear direction, the position of the head can typically be stabilized without inhibiting the movement of the user U. By stabilizing the position of the head, it is possible to suppress the shaking of the line of sight of the user U and not impair the workability of the desk work of the user U.

[0060] The second stabilizing portion 5 is made of a material having cushioning properties. And the second stabilizing portion 5 is typically formed to be convex toward the user U. Thereby, it is difficult for the second stabilizing portion 5 to suppress the movement of portions other than the second specific portion among the head of the user U and the cervical vertebra of the user U.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the second stabilizing portion 5 contacts the user U seated on the seating portion 14 from the dorsal side. In this way, by configuring the first stabilizing portion 4 to contact the user U from the ventral side and the second stabilizing portion 5 to contact the user U from the dorsal side, the first stabilizing portion 4 and the second stabilizing portion 5 sandwich the user U front and back, so that the first stabilizing portion 4 and the second stabilizing portion 5 can stably contact the user U.

[0062] In addition, in a side view of the human body, it is desirable that the foot is positioned on the line connecting the second specific part and the first specific part when the knee joint is extended. According to this, during the rowing motion, the muscles of the trunk can be effectively utilized to perform the rowing motion.

[0063] The first embodiment has been described above. The above embodiment has the following features.

[0064] The exercise chair 3 is for the user U to perform lower limb exercises in a seated state. The exercise chair 3 includes a seating part 14 on which the user U can sit, and a first stabilizing part 4 that contacts the user U sitting on the seating part 14 at a position facing the first specific part, which is either the fifth thoracic vertebra or the ninth thoracic vertebra of the thoracic vertebra of the user U, in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the first specific part. The exercise chair 3 is configured not to suppress the movement of the part other than the first specific part of the thoracic vertebra of the user U. According to the above configuration, when performing lower limb exercises in a seated state, the trunk can be stabilized without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk.

[0065] In addition, the first stabilizing part 4 is configured to contact the user U sitting on the seating part 14 from the ventral side. The exercise chair 3 further includes a support part 11 that holds the first stabilizing part 4 so that the first stabilizing part 4 can be switched between a contact position and a retracted position, and a restricting part 52 that restricts the switching of the first stabilizing part 4 from the contact position to the retracted position. According to the above configuration, it becomes easier for the user U to sit on the seating part 14.

[0066] In addition, the exercise chair 3 further includes a second stabilizing part 5 that contacts the user U sitting on the seating part 14 at a position facing the second specific part, which is either the first cervical vertebra or the fourth cervical vertebra of the head or cervical vertebra of the user U, in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the second specific part. The exercise chair 3 may be configured not to suppress the movement of the part other than the second specific part of the head and cervical vertebra of the user U. According to the above configuration, when performing lower limb exercises in a seated state, the head can be stabilized without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk.

[0067] Further, the first stabilizing portion 4 is in contact with the user U from the ventral side, and the second stabilizing portion 5 is in contact with the user from the dorsal side. According to the above configuration, the first stabilizing portion 4 and the second stabilizing portion 5 can stably contact the user U.

[0068] Further, the first stabilizing portion 4 may be configured to be convex toward the user. According to the above configuration, a configuration can be realized that does not suppress the movement of portions other than the first specific portion of the thoracic vertebra of the user U.

[0069] Further, the seating portion 14 may be configured to perform at least one of roll rotation, pitch rotation, or yaw rotation. According to the above configuration, an effective movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk can be realized.

[0070] The lower limb movement system 1 includes the above-described moving chair 3 and a foot trough exercise device 2 as a lower limb exercise device. According to the above configuration, a lower limb movement system 1 can be realized that can stabilize the trunk without inhibiting the movement chain between the lower limbs and the trunk when performing lower limb movement in a seated state.

[0071] Further, the foot trough exercise device 2 is at least a device that applies a load to the flexion and extension movements of the hip joint and knee joint of the user. According to the above configuration, effective lower limb movement can be realized.

[0072] (Second Embodiment) Next, referring to FIG. 7, the second embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences between the present embodiment and the above-described first embodiment, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0073] In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the first stabilizing portion 4 is configured to contact the user U from the ventral side, and the second stabilizing portion 5 is configured to contact the user U from the dorsal side.

[0074] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first stabilizing portion 4 is configured to contact the user U from the dorsal side, and the second stabilizing portion 5 is configured to contact the user U from the ventral side. Even in this case, the first stabilizing portion 4 and the second stabilizing portion 5 can stably contact the user U.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0075] 1 Lower limb exercise system 2 Foot paddling exercise device 3 Exercise chair 4 First stabilizing portion 5 Second stabilizing portion 6 Device main body 7 Crank 7a Crankshaft 8 Pedal 10 Movable portion 10R Roll shaft 11 Support portion 12 Restoration unit 14 Seating portion 14a Seat surface 20 Leg portion 21 Frame 22 Rail 22c Left rail portion 22d Right rail portion 30 Movable portion main body 31 Universal joint 32 Coil spring 33 Coupling portion 40 Restoration coil spring 50 Support portion 50a Movable support portion 50b Fixed support portion 50c Movable shaft 50d Bracket 51 Y joint 52 Regulation portion 52a Positioning hole 52b Positioning hole 52c Positioning pin 55 Second support portion

Claims

1. An exercise chair for a user to perform lower limb movements in a seated state, comprising: a seating portion on which the user can sit; a first stabilizing portion that contacts the user seated on the seating portion at a position facing the first specific portion, which is either the fifth thoracic vertebra or the ninth thoracic vertebra of the user's thoracic vertebra, in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the first specific portion; and configured not to suppress the movement of portions other than the first specific portion of the user's thoracic vertebra. An exercise chair.

2. The first stabilizing portion is configured to contact the user seated on the seating portion from the ventral side, and the exercise chair further comprises: a support portion that holds the first stabilizing portion so that the first stabilizing portion can be switched between a contact position and a retracted position; a restricting portion that restricts the first stabilizing portion from switching from the contact position to the retracted position; and the contact position is a position where the first stabilizing portion can contact the user seated on the seating portion at a position facing the first specific portion in the front-rear direction, and the retracted position is a position different from the contact position and is a position where the user retreats to sit on the seating portion. The exercise chair according to Claim 1.

3. further comprising a second stabilizing portion that contacts the user seated on the seating portion at a position facing the second specific portion, which is either the first cervical vertebra or the fourth cervical vertebra of the user's head or the user's cervical vertebra, in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the second specific portion, and configured not to suppress the movement of portions other than the second specific portion of the user's head and the user's cervical vertebra. The exercise chair according to Claim 1.

4. When the first stabilizing portion contacts the user from the ventral side, the second stabilizing portion contacts the user from the dorsal side. The exercise chair according to Claim 3.

5. When the first stabilizing portion contacts the user from the dorsal side, the second stabilizing portion contacts the user from the ventral side. The exercise chair according to Claim 3.

6. The first stabilizing portion is configured to be convex toward the user. The exercise chair according to Claim 1.

7. The seating portion is configured to perform at least one of roll rotation, pitch rotation, or yaw rotation. The exercise chair according to Claim 1.

8. An exercise chair according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, and a lower limb exercise device. A lower limb exercise system.

9. The lower limb exercise device is at least an exercise device that applies a load to the flexion and extension movements of the hip joint and knee joint of the user. The lower limb exercise system according to claim 8.

10. The lower limb exercise device is a foot trough exercise device or a foot stepping exercise device. The lower limb exercise system according to claim 9.

Images