Lower limb support orthosis and method for wearing lower limb support orthosis

Abstract

To provide a lower limb support orthosis although having a lightweight and compact structure, capable of raising a lower limb of a wearer high and easily taking the wearer's foot off from the ground or a floor, and method for wearing the lower limb support orthosis.SOLUTION: A lower limb support orthosis 21 includes: a torso-worn part 22 configured to be worn around a part of a torso including an abdominal area and a pelvis of a human body; a knee-worn part 23 configured to be worn around the knee of the human body; and a knee outer coupling part 25 and a knee inner coupling part 26, string-like coupling parts with elasticity, configured to couple a torso front surface 22F coming into surface contact with the front surface of the torso, a knee outer front surface coming into surface contact with a lower outward side of the patella of the knee or in the vicinity thereof, and a knee inner front surface coming into surface contact with a lower inward side of the patella of the knee or in the vicinity thereof, respectively. The knee outer coupling part and the knee inner coupling part are configured to pass through a rear side of the leg of the human body and cross each other at the rear side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lower limb support device and a method for wearing a lower limb support device. In particular, the present invention relates to a lower limb support device that can be worn on a human body to mainly support the lower limbs of the human body upward, and a method for wearing this lower limb support device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a device that can be worn on a user to mainly support the user's body upward, thereby reducing the force applied to the knees, which are prone to pain due to aging or the like (Patent Document 1). For example, in the case of patients with osteoarthritis, which is likely to develop with aging, the cartilage of the knee wears out, resulting in pain, swelling, and deformation of the knee, along with limitations in bending and straightening. On the other hand, in the standing position such as the walking state, by mainly supporting the body upward against the gravity applied to the body, the pain in the knees can be alleviated and the burden on the knees can be reduced.

[0003] Therefore, depending on the conventional device, for users who feel pain in their knees even when just standing, the body can be supported upward by a rod-shaped link surrounding the legs and a gas spring arranged in the vertical direction, thereby reducing the pain in the users' knees.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] With the conventional orthosis described above, a user who is tormented by various symptoms accompanied by severe knee pain can stand up with the pain alleviated to some extent. On the other hand, for example, a patient in the early stage of osteoarthritis of the knee can still manage to be self-reliant while feeling some knee pain. For such mild cases as these early-stage patients or those who do not suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee but sometimes feel unsteady on their feet due to muscle weakness or the like, conversely, the members such as links and gas springs provided in such conventional orthoses are heavy and bulky, which may interfere with independent walking.

[0006] Also, for such mild cases, it is actually more effective to prevent osteoarthritis of the knee by exercising the muscles through walking and movement that actively raise the lower limbs high and moving the knees well. And when performing such walking and movement, it is important to move the lower limbs so as to firmly lift the feet below the ankles from the ground or the floor to avoid getting injured by tripping over small steps.

[0007] In order to solve such problems, the present invention aims to provide an orthosis having a lightweight and compact structure while being able to raise the lower limbs high and easily lift the feet from the ground or the floor, and a method of wearing such an orthosis.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] (1) The present invention includes a body-wearing part configured to be worn around a part of the body including the abdomen and the pelvis of the human body, and a knee-wearing part configured to be worn around either the left or right knee of the human body or around each of the left and right knees. An elastic string-like connecting part is provided to connect a front body part of the body-wearing part that makes surface contact with the front surface of the body, a lateral knee front part of the knee-wearing part that makes surface contact with the outside or near the outside of the patella of the knee, and a medial knee front part of the knee-wearing part that makes surface contact with the inside or near the inside of the patella of the knee. The lateral knee connecting part and the medial knee connecting part are provided. In the wearing state of the body-wearing part and the knee-wearing part with respect to the human body, the lateral knee connecting part and the medial knee connecting part are configured to pass through the rear side of the leg of the human body and cross at the rear side to connect the body-wearing part and the knee-wearing part. The present invention provides a lower limb support device characterized by this configuration.

[0009] That is, since the string-like lateral knee connecting part and medial knee connecting part connect the front body part to the lateral knee front part and the medial knee front part respectively and have elasticity, they can urge the front body part and the lateral knee front part or the medial knee front part to approach each other. Thereby, the lateral knee connecting part and the medial knee connecting part can apply an upward tensile force to the lateral knee front part or the medial knee front part against the gravity applied to the lower limb, and can easily lift the lower limb by applying a greater upward tensile force. By these, the lower limb support device of the present invention can support the lower limb upward against gravity and can assist in lifting the lower limb.

[0010] In addition, since the lateral knee connecting portion and the medial knee connecting portion that are connected to the front portion of the lateral knee or the front portion of the medial knee are joined to the front portion of the torso, the tensile force generated by these connecting portions can assist in the flexion of the hip joint. By the way, among the quadriceps femoris muscles, the vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis, which do not originate from the pelvis like the rectus femoris, cannot contribute to the flexion of the hip joint because they each originate from the femur. Therefore, the lateral knee and medial knee connecting portions can play a role in compensating for the functions of these quadriceps femoris muscles by assisting in the flexion of the hip joint. Thus, the lower limb support device of the present invention can more effectively raise the lower limbs high and easily lift the feet off the ground or the floor.

[0011] And since each connecting portion is arranged corresponding to the front portion of the lateral knee and the front portion of the medial knee of the knee mounting portion, each connecting portion can expand and contract individually according to the movement of the wearer's lower limbs. For example, even when the walking style of the wearer is a duck gait or a pigeon-toed gait, by adjusting the length of each connecting portion, each connecting portion can expand and contract so as to apply an optimal tensile force. Thus, since each connecting portion can apply a tensile force to the wearer's lower limbs via the knee mounting portion, the lower limb support device of the present invention can raise the lower limbs high and easily lift the feet off the ground or the floor.

[0012] In addition, the lateral knee connecting portion connected to the front portion of the outer side of the knee and the medial knee connecting portion connected to the front portion of the inner side of the knee each pass through the rear side of the leg and reach the front portion of the torso so as to wrap around the thigh. As a result, the front portion of the outer side of the knee and the front portion of the inner side of the knee are pulled backward. Thereby, the lateral knee connecting portion and the medial knee connecting portion can apply a rotational force that bends the wearer's knee joint and rotates the lower leg backward with respect to the knee. Further, since these front portions of the outer side of the knee and the front portion of the inner side of the knee are in surface contact with the outside and inside below the patella, respectively, the wearer can adjust the lower end of the lateral knee connecting portion and the lower end of the medial knee connecting portion to the lower side of the lateral condyle, which is the outer side surface of the upper end of the wearer's tibia, and the lower side of the medial condyle, which is also the inner side surface of the upper end, during wearing. Accordingly, the knee mounting portion of the portion connecting the lower end of the lateral knee connecting portion and the lower end of the medial knee connecting portion can push the tibia backward and is easily rotated backward about the knee joint.

[0013] Moreover, in the lower limb support device of the present invention, since the lateral knee connecting portion and the medial knee connecting portion pass through the rear side of the leg and intersect at the rear side, the connecting portion intersection region, which is the intersection region between these connecting portions, mainly abuts above the popliteal fossa of the wearer. Therefore, the lateral knee connecting portion and the medial knee connecting portion apply a tensile force to the inner and outer sides of the knee, respectively, and at the same time, the connecting portion intersection region applies an upward tensile force to above the popliteal fossa. When the lower limb is lifted, the hip joint bends and the thigh rotates forward about the waist.

[0014] (2) Further, an elastic string-shaped connecting portion, that is, a knee connecting portion configured to connect the front portion of the torso and the front knee portion that is in surface contact with the upper part of the patella of the knee or the vicinity thereof in the knee mounting portion may be further provided.

[0015] That is, since the string-like knee connecting part connects the front part of the torso and the front part of the knee and has elasticity, it can bias them to approach each other. At this time, the knee connecting part can elastically deform and extend at the normal standing position by making its length shorter than the length in the normal standing position of the wearer. Thereby, the knee connecting part can apply an upward tensile force to the front part of the knee against the gravity applied to the lower limb on the side where this lower limb support device is worn among the left and right lower limbs at the normal standing position. Thus, the lower limb support device of the present invention can support the lower limb upward against gravity.

[0016] Also, when the wearer lifts the lower limb on the side where this lower limb support device is worn upward for walking or exercise, by making the length of the knee connecting part even shorter, the knee connecting part can apply a greater upward tensile force, enabling the wearer to easily lift the lower limb. Therefore, the lower limb support device of the present invention can assist in lifting the lower limb. In this way, the knee connecting part that connects the front part of the torso and the front part of the knee starts as if from the ilium, which is part of the pelvis, and the patellar ligament, which is the lower end part, can apply a tensile force so as to supplement the rectus femoris muscle that stops at the tibial tuberosity, which is the front upper end part of the tibia. And this tensile force helps the flexion of the hip joint. Thus, even a user whose rectus femoris muscle has weakened due to reasons such as aging, lack of exercise, or injury can easily support and lift the lower limb.

[0017] Also, although the upward tensile force applied by this knee connecting part may be compensated by the tensile force applied to the connecting part intersection area, which is the intersection area of these, by the knee outer and knee inner connecting parts, it will not be offset. In this way, by the cooperation of each connecting part, since a tensile force and a rotational force can be applied to the wearer's lower limb through the knee wearing part, the lower limb support device of the present invention can lift the lower limb high and easily lift the foot from the ground or the floor.

[0018] (3) Further, an auxiliary connecting part may be further provided, which is one or more connecting parts for reinforcing the other connecting parts, and is an elastic string-shaped connecting part configured to connect the body mounting part and the knee mounting part.

[0019] That is, when the lower limb support device of the present invention includes an auxiliary connecting part in addition to the lateral knee connecting part and the medial knee connecting part, or in addition to the knee connecting part, the lateral knee connecting part, and the medial knee connecting part, the effects originally obtained by including the knee connecting part, the lateral knee connecting part, or the medial knee connecting part can be enhanced, and the wearer can more easily raise the lower limbs high and easily lift the feet from the ground or the floor.

[0020] (4) The present invention provides a lower limb support device comprising a body mounting part configured to be mounted around a part of the body including the abdomen and the pelvis of the human body, a knee mounting part configured to be mounted around either the left or right knee of the human body or around each of the left and right knees of the human body, and a knee connecting part which is an elastic string-shaped connecting part configured to connect a front body part of the body mounting part that is in surface contact with the front surface of the body and a front knee part of the knee mounting part that is in surface contact with above or in the vicinity of the patella of the knee.

[0021] That is, since the string-shaped knee connecting part connects the front body part and the front knee part and has elasticity, it can urge them to approach each other. At this time, the knee connecting part can be elastically deformed and extended by making its length shorter than its length in the wearer's normal standing position. Thereby, the knee connecting part can apply an upward tensile force to the knee mounting part against the gravity applied to the lower limb on the side where the knee mounting part and the knee connecting part are mounted or the lower limbs on both the left and right sides where these are mounted among the left and right lower limbs in the normal standing position. Thus, the lower limb support device of the present invention can support the lower limbs upward against gravity.

[0022] Also, when the wearer lifts the lower limb on the side where this lower limb support device is worn upward for walking or exercise, by further shortening the length of the knee connection part, the knee connection part can apply a greater upward tensile force, enabling the wearer to easily lift the lower limb. Therefore, the lower limb support device of the present invention can assist in lifting the lower limb. As described above, the knee connection part that connects the front part of the torso and the front part of the knee can apply a tensile force as if it supplements the rectus femoris muscle that originates from the ilium, which is part of the pelvis, and stops at the tibial tuberosity, which is the front upper part of the upper end of the tibia. And this tensile force helps the flexion of the hip joint. By these means, even a wearer whose rectus femoris muscle has weakened due to reasons such as aging, lack of exercise, or injury can easily support and lift the lower limb.

[0023] (5) Further, it may further include an auxiliary connection part which is a connection part for reinforcing the knee connection part and is an elastic string-like connection part configured to connect the torso mounting part and the knee mounting part.

[0024] That is, when the lower limb support device of the present invention includes an auxiliary connection part in addition to the knee connection part, the effect originally brought by having the knee connection part can be enhanced, enabling the wearer to more easily lift the lower limb higher and easily lift the foot off the ground or floor.

[0025] (6) Also, at least one set of a first buckle and a second buckle that can be detachably coupled to the first buckle may be attached between the torso mounting part side and the knee mounting part side to a part or all of the connection parts provided.

[0026] That is, by attaching a buckle between the trunk mounting portion side and the knee mounting portion side of the connecting portion, the user does not need to wear the trunk mounting portion and the knee mounting portion simultaneously. After wearing one mounting portion, the user can wear the other mounting portion and then complete the wearing of the entire lower limb support device by connecting the first buckle and the second buckle. Further, for example, when two sets of buckles are attached to one connecting portion, after wearing the trunk mounting portion and the knee mounting portion first, the portion sandwiched between the first set of buckles and the second set of buckles may be connected between the trunk mounting portion side and the knee mounting portion side. By these means, the trunk mounting portion and the knee mounting portion can be worn at the timing preferred by the user, and the handling is easy.

[0027] (7) The present invention provides a lower limb support device including a trunk mounting portion configured to be worn around a part of the trunk including the abdomen and the pelvis of the human body, a knee mounting portion configured to be worn around either the left or right knee of the human body or around each of the left and right knees of the human body, and an elastic string-like connecting portion configured to connect the knee front surface portion that is in surface contact with the upper part or the vicinity of the patella of the knee among the trunk mounting portion and the knee mounting portion. The lower limb support device further includes an elastic string-like connecting portion configured to connect the trunk mounting portion and the outer knee front surface portion that is in surface contact with the outer side below the patella of the knee or the vicinity thereof and the inner knee front surface portion that is in surface contact with the inner side below the patella of the knee or the vicinity thereof among the knee mounting portions, respectively. A method of wearing the lower limb support device on the human body is provided, characterized in that the lower limb support device is worn such that the outer knee connecting portion and the inner knee connecting portion pass through the rear side of the leg of the human body and cross at the rear side of the leg.

[0028] That is, depending on the method of wearing the lower limb support device of the present invention, the lateral knee connecting portion connected to the front portion of the outer knee and the medial knee connecting portion connected to the front portion of the inner knee are each passed to the rear side of the leg, and then wound around the thigh to reach the front portion of the torso. As a result, the front portion of the outer knee and the front portion of the inner knee are pulled backward. Thereby, the lateral knee connecting portion and the medial knee connecting portion can apply a rotational force that bends the wearer's knee joint and rotates the lower leg backward with respect to the knee.

[0029] Moreover, depending on the method of wearing the lower limb support device of the present invention, the lateral knee connecting portion and the medial knee connecting portion are passed to the rear side of the leg and crossed at the rear side. Therefore, the connecting portion crossing region, which is the crossing region between these connecting portions, mainly abuts above the popliteal fossa of the wearer. Therefore, the lateral knee connecting portion and the medial knee connecting portion each apply a tensile force to the inner and outer sides of the knee, and at the same time, the connecting portion crossing region applies an upward tensile force to above the popliteal fossa. When the lower limb is lifted, the hip joint bends and the thigh rotates forward around the waist. Therefore, the tensile force applied to the connecting portion crossing region does not cancel out, although it may supplement the upward tensile force applied by the knee connecting portion. In this way, by the cooperation of each connecting portion, tensile force and rotational force can be applied to the lower limb of the wearer via the knee mounting portion. Therefore, by the method of wearing the lower limb support device of the present invention, the lower limb can be lifted high and the foot can be easily lifted off the ground or the floor.

[0030] As described above, the present invention provides a device that can lift the lower limb high and easily lift the foot off the ground or the floor, and a method of wearing such a device. Moreover, in order to achieve these purposes by the torso mounting portion, the knee mounting portion, and the connecting portion connecting these, the device has a lightweight and compact structure. Therefore, even for an elderly wearer, the device can be worn daily because it is lightweight and compact. In addition, a person with mild knee pain can easily wear it to prevent osteoarthritis and the like.

[0031] Furthermore, even those who do not feel knee pain can easily raise their lower limbs and lift their feet off the ground or floor by wearing the lower limb support device of the present invention, and can thus enjoy sports such as hiking and mountain climbing more easily.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower limb support device is denoted by reference numeral 11. Hereinafter, an example of the lower limb support device 11 and an example of a lower limb support device wearing method 110S for wearing the lower limb support device 11 will be described. The lower limb support device 11 includes a body mounting portion 12, a knee mounting portion 13, and a knee connecting portion 14, a knee outer connecting portion 15, and a knee inner connecting portion 16 that connect the body mounting portion 12 and the knee mounting portion 13. FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the lower limb support device 11 viewed obliquely from above in the front, and FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the same viewed obliquely from above in the back. The direction of arrow U indicates the upward direction of the lower limb support device 11, and the direction of arrow D indicates the downward direction. The direction of arrow L indicates the leftward direction of the lower limb support device 11, and the direction of arrow R indicates the rightward direction. Also, the direction of arrow F indicates the forward direction of the lower limb support device 11, and the direction of arrow B indicates the backward direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, in the lower limb support device 11, the body mounting portion 12 is mounted around a part of the body of the wearer, and the knee mounting portion 13 is also mounted around the knee of the human body. The body here includes the abdomen FB in the range denoted by reference numeral FB in FIG. 3 and the pelvic region KBs in the range denoted by reference numeral KBs. In FIG. 3, the skeleton of the human body including the pelvis KB is represented by an imaginary line. The knee mounting portion 13 may be mounted around both the left and right knees as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may be mounted around either the left or right knee. When the knee mounting portion 13 is mounted on the left and right knees of the wearer as shown in each figure, the lower limb support device 11 includes a knee mounting portion 131 and connecting portions 141, 151, 161 mounted on the left leg, and a knee mounting portion 132 and connecting portions 142, 152, 162 mounted on the right leg.

[0035] Although not shown, in the lower limb support device 11, the knee mounting portion 13 may be mounted on only one of the left and right knees of the wearer. At this time, the lower limb support device 11 includes only the body mounting portion 12 and the knee mounting portions 131, 132 and connecting portions 141, 142, 151, 152, 161, 162 mounted on the left or right leg.

[0036] The body mounting part 12 and the knee mounting part 13 are formed of a flexible material. For example, they are formed of a woven fabric woven from synthetic fiber yarns such as cotton yarn and nylon, a blended yarn, etc., a knitted fabric knitted from these, a mesh or a net. Since these have flexibility in addition to strength, they can be closely attached to and worn on the surfaces of the body and knees of the wearer respectively. Also, if they have sufficient strength and flexibility, they may be formed using materials such as synthetic resin and rubber.

[0037] The front body part 12F, which is the front of the annular body mounting part 12 shown in FIG. 1, is in surface contact with the front of the wearer's body. Also, the rear body part 12B, which is the rear of the body mounting part 12, is in surface contact with the rear of the wearer's body. The body mounting part 12 has a lateral knee connection part upper end attachment point 12b, which is a location for attaching the upper end 15j of the lateral knee connection part 15, which is the upper end of the lateral knee connection part 15, in order from the true front at positions closer to the left and right than the true front in the front body part 12F, a knee connection part upper end attachment point 12a, which is a location for attaching the upper end 14j of the knee connection part 14, which is the upper end of the knee connection part 14, and a medial knee connection part upper end attachment point 12c, which is a location for attaching the upper end 16j of the medial knee connection part 16, which is the upper end of the medial knee connection part 16. Each of the connection parts 14 to 16 is sewn and attached to the front body part 12F at their respective attachment points 12a, 12b, 12c.

[0038] The body mounting part 12 is formed by first preparing a belt, which is a single strip of woven fabric, knitted fabric, etc., and joining both ends of this belt by joining means such as Velcro (registered trademark). In addition to Velcro (registered trademark), for example, both ends may be joined so as not to separate by passing pins through belt holes.

[0039] The knee mounting part 13 is cylindrical and is configured to be deformed following the shape of the leg after being formed into a substantially straight cylindrical shape due to being formed of a flexible material. Also, the knee mounting part 13 may be formed into a cylindrical shape by first preparing a planar woven fabric, knitted fabric, etc. and joining two opposing sides of this planar body.

[0040] The front knee portion 13a, which is the front face of the knee mounting portion 13, is the front face of the wearer's knee and is in surface contact with the upper part of the patella, above the patella. In FIG. 3, the patella SG is represented by an imaginary line. Further, the outer front knee portion 13b, which is the front and outer diagonal side of the knee mounting portion 13, is the outward and forward face of the wearer's knee and is in surface contact with the lower and outward direction of the patella, the lower and outward direction LO of the patella SG. And the inner front knee portion 13c, which is the front and inner diagonal side of the knee mounting portion 13, is the inward and forward face of the wearer's knee and is in surface contact with the lower and inward direction of the patella, the lower and inward direction LI of the patella SG. In the case of the left leg, since the knee mounting portion 131 is mounted on the left knee of the wearer, the outer front knee portion 13b is located lower right in the figure than the front knee portion 13a, and the inner front knee portion 13c is located lower left in the figure than the front knee portion 13a. In the case of the knee mounting portion 132 mounted on the right knee, the outer front knee portion 13b and the inner front knee portion 13c are located on the opposite sides of these left and right.

[0041] At the front knee portion 13a, the outer front knee portion 13b, and the inner front knee portion 13c of the knee mounting portion 13, the lower end of the knee connection portion 14, the knee connection portion lower end 14k, the lower end of the outer knee connection portion 15, the outer knee connection portion lower end 15k, and the lower end of the inner knee connection portion 16, the inner knee connection portion lower end 16k are respectively attached.

[0042] At this time, it is desirable that the lower end 15k of the outer knee connection portion and the lower end 16k of the inner knee connection portion be attached at positions of substantially the same height in the vertical direction. By attaching the lower end 15k of the outer knee connection portion and the lower end 16k of the inner knee connection portion at substantially the same height, as described below, these lower ends 15, 16 can be respectively arranged immediately below the outer condyle of the tibia and immediately below the inner condyle of the tibia of the wearer. Further, it is desirable that the lower end 14k of the knee connection portion be attached at a position higher than the lower end 15k of the outer knee connection portion and the lower end 16k of the inner knee connection portion in the vertical direction. Thereby, the lower part of the knee connection portion 14 is less likely to interfere with the lower part of the outer knee connection portion 15 or the lower part of the inner knee connection portion 16.

[0043] Each connecting part 14, 15, 16 is formed in a strip shape by an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin. Also, it does not necessarily have to be a flat strip shape, and it may have a cross-sectional shape such as circular or angular. Further, if it has sufficient elasticity, it may be a woven fabric or a knitted fabric. Additionally, it may have a multilayer structure in which multiple types of materials are stacked.

[0044] The knee connecting part 14 has the upper end 14j of the knee connecting part connected to the attachment location 12a of the upper end of the knee connecting part on the front part 12F of the body, and the lower end 14k of the knee connecting part connected to the front part 13a of the knee mounting part 13. The outer knee connecting part 15 has the upper end 15j of the outer knee connecting part connected to the attachment location 12b of the upper end of the outer knee connecting part on the front part 12F of the body, and the lower end 15k of the outer knee connecting part connected to the front part 13b of the outer knee of the knee mounting part 13. Also, the inner knee connecting part 16 has the upper end 16j of the inner knee connecting part connected to the attachment location 12c of the upper end of the inner knee connecting part on the front part 12F of the body, and the lower end 16k of the inner knee connecting part connected to the front part 13c of the inner knee of the knee mounting part 13.

[0045] Also, the connecting parts 14, 15, 16 are divided into three parts vertically, and between their upper ends 14j to 16j side and lower ends 14k to 16k side, two sets of insertion buckles 14b to 16b are respectively interposed, and the first buckle and the second buckle of each insertion buckle 14b to 16b may be engaged. For example, the knee connecting part 14 for the left leg in FIG. 1 is divided into an upper end part 14i continuous with the upper end 14j of the knee connecting part, a lower end part 14iii continuous with the lower end 14k of the knee connecting part, and an intermediate part 14ii located between these upper end part 14i and lower end part 14iii through a pair of upper and lower buckles 14b, 14b. Although not labeled, the outer knee connecting part 15 and the inner knee connecting part 16 are also divided into an upper end part 15i, 16i, an intermediate part 15ii, 16ii, and a lower end part 15iii, 16iii in the same manner as the knee connecting part 14. Further, although not labeled, the knee connecting part 14 for the right leg, each outer knee connecting part 15 of both legs, and each inner knee connecting part 16 of both legs are also divided into an upper end part 14i, 15i, 16i, an intermediate part 14ii, 15ii, 16ii, and a lower end part 14iii, 15iii, 16iii through a pair of upper and lower buckles 14b, 14b, 15b, 15b, 16b, 16b.

[0046] Among these, as an example, Fig. 4 shows a front view of the middle part 14ii of the knee connecting part 14 for the left leg. At both upper and lower ends of the middle part 14ii, first buckles 14b1, 14b1 are respectively connected. Also, at the lower end of the upper end part 14i (not shown) and the upper end of the lower end part 14iii (not shown), second buckles 14b2, 14b2 are respectively connected. The first buckle 14b1 and the second buckle 14b2 facing each other vertically can be detachably coupled, and a set of the first and second buckles 14b1, 14b2 is simply referred to as a set of buckles 14b. And one knee connecting part 14 has two sets of buckles 14b, 14b vertically. Although not labeled, the remaining connecting parts 15, 16 also have two sets of buckles 15b, 15b, 16b, 16b respectively, and each set of buckles 15b, 16b is constituted by a first buckle 15b1, 16b1 and a second buckle 15b2, 16b2. Also, although not shown, the knee connecting part 14 for the right leg has a similar configuration.

[0047] Note that even when the lower limb support device 11 includes only one of the knee mounting parts 13 for the left leg and the right leg and each connecting part 14, 15, 16, the upper end parts 14i~16i on both the left and right sides are attached to the body mounting part 12, and second buckles 14b2~16b2 may be connected to each upper end part 14i~16i. Also, the lower end parts 14iii~16iii are respectively attached to both the left and right knee mounting parts 131, 132, and second buckles 14b2~16b2 may be connected to each lower end part 14iii~16iii. Thus, even when the user intends to additionally wear the other knee mounting part 13 for the left leg or the right leg and each connecting part 14, 15, 16, by preparing the middle parts 14ii~16ii of each connecting part 14, 15, 16 and the upper and lower first buckles 14b1~16b1 connected thereto and coupling them to the corresponding second buckles 14b2~16b2 respectively, the knee mounting part 13 and each connecting part 14, 15, 16 can be worn on both the left and right legs.

[0048] The knee connecting portion 14 connects the body mounting portion 12 and each knee mounting portion 13 in a substantially vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 when the wearer is viewed from behind, in the wearing state of the body mounting portion 12 and the knee mounting portion 13 with respect to the wearer, the outer knee connecting portion 15 and the inner knee connecting portion 16 pass through the rear side of each leg and intersect at the rear side to connect the body mounting portion 12 and the knee mounting portion 13. In this way, the region where the outer knee connecting portion 15 and the inner knee connecting portion 16 intersect is called the connecting portion intersection region 17. The intersection region on the rear side of the left leg is called the left side connecting portion intersection region 171, and the intersection region on the rear side of the right leg is called the right side connecting portion intersection region 172. These connecting portion intersection regions 17 are in surface contact with the upper side of the popliteal fossa SK of the wearer via the knee mounting portion 13. The position of the popliteal fossa SK is represented by the rectangle shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6.

[0049] The method 110S for wearing the lower limb support device 11 by a user includes a step of wearing the body mounting portion 12 around a part of the body and passing the legs through the knee mounting portion 13. At this time, since the body mounting portion 12 is initially a belt-shaped belt, both ends are joined by Velcro (registered trademark). Also, when the knee mounting portion 13 is formed in a single planar body, it may be wound around the knee by joining two opposing sides of this planar body with Velcro (registered trademark). Further, after wearing the body mounting portion 12 and the knee mounting portion 13, the first buckles 14b1 to 16b1 connected to the intermediate portions 14ii to 16ii are coupled to the second buckles 14b2 to 16b2 connected to the upper end portions 14i to 16i of the respective connecting portions 14 to 16 attached to the body mounting portion 12, and the first buckles 14b1 to 16b1 connected to the intermediate portions 14ii to 16ii are coupled to the second buckles 14b2 to 16b2 connected to the lower end portions 14iii to 16iii attached to the knee mounting portion 13. By coupling the paired first buckles 14b1 to 16b1 and the second buckles 14b2 to 16b2, the intermediate portions 14ii to 16ii can be engaged between the upper end portions 14i to 16i and the lower end portions 14iii to 16iii. As a result, the body mounting portion 12 and the knee mounting portion 13 can be connected by the respective connecting portions 14 to 16. At this time, the outer knee and inner knee connecting portions 15, 16 are passed to the rear side of the user's leg and crossed at the rear side of this leg.

[0050] The user wears the body mounting portion 12 around a part of the body including the abdomen FB and the pelvis periphery KBs. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the body mounting portion upper end 12p, which is the upper end of the body mounting portion 12, is disposed at a position higher than the highest position of the pelvis KB, and the body mounting portion lower end 12q, which is the lower end of the body mounting portion 12, is preferably worn at a height such that it is disposed at a position lower than the highest position of the pelvis KB.

[0051] With the above configuration, since the string-like knee connecting portion 14 connects the front body portion 12F and the front knee portion 13a and has elasticity, it can bias them to approach each other. At this time, the knee connecting portion 14 can elastically deform and extend during the normal standing position by making its length shorter than the length in the wearer's normal standing position. Thereby, the knee connecting portion 14 can apply an upward tensile force to the front knee portion 13a against the gravity applied to the lower limb on the side where the lower limb support device 11 is worn in the normal standing position. In this way, the lower limb support device 11 can support the lower limb upward against gravity.

[0052] Also, when the wearer lifts the lower limb on the side where the lower limb support device 11 is worn upward for walking or exercise, by making the length of the knee connecting portion 14 even shorter, the knee connecting portion 14 can apply a greater upward tensile force, enabling the wearer to easily lift the lower limb. Therefore, the lower limb support device 11 can assist in lifting the lower limb. As described above, the knee connecting portion 14 that connects the front body portion 12F and the front knee portion 13a starts from the ilium CK, which is a part of the pelvis KB shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 3, and the patellar ligament, which is the lower end portion, can apply a tensile force so as to supplement the rectus femoris muscle that stops at the tibial tuberosity KS, which is the front upper end portion of the tibia KK. And this tensile force helps the flexion of the hip joint. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the thigh A of the wearer rotates in the direction of arrow R1 due to the flexion of the hip joint. Thus, even a user whose rectus femoris muscle has weakened due to reasons such as aging, lack of exercise, or injury can easily support and lift the lower limb.

[0053] Furthermore, similar to the knee connecting portion 14, the lateral knee connecting portion 15 and the medial knee connecting portion 16 can apply an upward tensile force to the lateral front knee portion 13b or the medial front knee portion 13c against the gravity applied to the lower limb, and can also enable the lower limb to be easily lifted by applying a greater upward tensile force.

[0054] In addition, not only the knee joint connecting portion 14 but also the knee outer connecting portion 15 and the knee inner connecting portion 16 that are connected to the knee outer front portion 13b or the knee inner front portion 13c are joined to the front portion 12F of the trunk. Therefore, the tensile forces by these knee outer and knee inner connecting portions 15 and 16 can assist in the flexion of the hip joint. By the way, among the quadriceps femoris muscles, the vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis other than the rectus femoris that originates from the pelvis KB cannot contribute to the flexion of the hip joint because they each originate from the femur DT. Therefore, the knee outer and knee inner connecting portions 15 and 16 can play a role in compensating for the functions of these quadriceps femoris muscles by assisting in the flexion of the hip joint. Thus, the lower limb support device 11 can more effectively raise the lower limbs high and easily lift the feet from the ground or the floor.

[0055] And since each of the connecting portions 14, 15, and 16 is arranged corresponding to the knee front portion 13a, the knee outer front portion 13b, and the knee inner front portion 13c of the knee mounting portion 13, respectively, each of the connecting portions 14, 15, and 16 can expand and contract individually according to the movement of the wearer's lower limbs. For example, even when the walking style of the wearer is a wide gait or a narrow gait, by adjusting the lengths of the respective connecting portions 14, 15, and 16, each of the connecting portions 14, 15, and 16 can expand and contract so as to apply an optimal tensile force. Thus, since each of the connecting portions 14, 15, and 16 can apply a tensile force to the wearer's lower limbs via the knee mounting portion 13, the lower limb support device 11 can raise the lower limbs high and easily lift the feet from the ground or the floor.

[0056] Next, depending on the lower limb support device 11 and the lower limb support device wearing method 110S, the lateral knee connecting portion 15 connected to the front lateral knee portion 13b and the medial knee connecting portion 16 connected to the front medial knee portion 13c each pass through the rear side of the leg and reach the front body portion 12F so as to wrap around the thigh. As a result, the front lateral knee portion 13b and the front medial knee portion 13c are pulled backward. Thereby, the lateral knee connecting portion 15 and the medial knee connecting portion 16 can apply a rotational force in a direction that bends the wearer's knee joint and rotates the lower leg L backward with respect to the knee. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8 which is a front view of the knee mounting portion 131 worn on the left leg viewed from the front, FIG. 9 which is a right side view of the knee mounting portion 131 viewed from the outside, and FIG. 10 which is a left side view of the knee mounting portion 131 viewed from the inside, since the front lateral knee portion 13b and the front medial knee portion 13c are pulled backward, the wearer's lower leg L rotates in the direction of arrow R2. Also in FIG. 7 mentioned above, a state in which the lower leg L rotates in the direction of arrow R2 is schematically shown.

[0057] Further, since the front lateral knee portion 13b and the front medial knee portion 13c are in surface contact with the lower outer direction LO below the patella and the lower inner direction LI below the patella, respectively, the wearer can adjust the lower end 15k of the lateral knee connecting portion and the lower end 16k of the medial knee connecting portion at the time of wearing so that they are respectively arranged below the lower edge of the lateral condyle GS which is the outer side surface of the upper end of the wearer's tibia KK and below the lower edge of the medial condyle NS which is the inner side surface of the upper end. Thereby, the knee mounting portion 13 of the portion connecting the lower end 15k of the lateral knee connecting portion and the lower end 16k of the medial knee connecting portion can push the tibia KK backward and is easily rotated backward about the knee joint. The knee mounting portion 13 of the portion connecting the lower end 15k of the lateral knee connecting portion and the lower end 16k of the medial knee connecting portion is indicated by reference numeral 13g in FIG. 8 and corresponds to the middle portion between the front lateral knee portion 13b and the front medial knee portion 13c. As described above, the front lateral knee portion 13b and the front medial knee portion 13c are pulled backward, and the knee mounting portion 13g of the portion connecting the lower end 15k of the lateral knee connecting portion and the lower end 16k of the medial knee connecting portion pushes the tibia KK backward, whereby the wearer's lower leg L rotates in the direction of arrow R2.

[0058] Moreover, depending on the lower limb support device 11 and the lower limb support device wearing method 110S, since the lateral knee connecting portion 15 and the medial knee connecting portion 16 pass through the rear side of the leg and intersect at the rear side, the connecting portion intersection region 17, which is the intersection region between these connecting portions, mainly abuts above the popliteal fossa SK of the wearer. Therefore, while the lateral knee connecting portion 15 and the medial knee connecting portion 16 each apply a tensile force to the inner and outer sides of the knee, the connecting portion intersection region 17 applies an upward tensile force above the popliteal fossa SK. And when the lower limb is lifted, the hip joint flexes and assists the rotation of the thigh A in the direction of arrow R1 shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, the lateral and medial knee connecting portions 15, 16 that attempt to rotate the lower leg L in the direction of arrow R2 do not cancel out the upward tensile force applied by the knee connecting portion 14. Thus, by the cooperation of each connecting portion 14, 15, 16, tensile force and rotational force can be applied to the lower limb of the wearer via the knee mounting portion 13, so that the lower limb support device 11 can lift the lower limb high and easily lift the foot off the ground or the floor.

[0059] Furthermore, the elastic lateral and medial knee connecting portions 15, 16 are worn so as to wrap around the thigh, and can maintain a state of generally wrapping around the thigh without being greatly separated from the surface of the lower limb even when the wearer bends the knee joint. Therefore, the wearer can wear clothes such as trousers, pants, and skirts on the lower limb support device 11, for example, as represented by the imaginary line marked with reference numeral C in FIG. 3. Also, even when the wearer bends the knee joint, there is little interference between the lateral and medial knee connecting portions 15, 16 and these clothes. As a result, clothes can be worn over the lower limb support device 11.

[0060] Further, by interposing two sets of snap buckles 14b to 16b respectively between the upper ends 14j to 16j and the lower ends 14k to 16k of each connecting part 14, 15, 16, the user does not need to wear the body mounting part 12 and the knee mounting part 13 simultaneously. After wearing one of the mounting parts 12, 13, the user wears the other mounting part 12, 13, and then connects the first buckle 14b1 to 16b1 and the second buckle 14b2 to 16b2 to insert the intermediate parts 14ii to 16ii between the upper end parts 14i to 16i and the lower end parts 14iii to 16iii, thereby completing the wearing of the entire lower limb support device 11. As a result, the user can wear the body mounting part 12 and the knee mounting part 13 respectively at a timing preferred by the user, and the handling is easy.

[0061] In addition, when the body mounting part 12 is worn at a height such that the upper end 12p of the body mounting part is arranged at a position higher than the highest position of the pelvis KB and the lower end 12q of the body mounting part is arranged at a position lower than the highest position of the pelvis KB, the user can wear the lower limb support device 11 so as not to slip downward as much as possible and can wear it more comfortably. That is, by arranging the upper end 12p of the body mounting part at a position higher than the highest position of the pelvis KB, it is possible to reduce the downward slipping of the lower limb support device 11 due to the upper end 12p of the body mounting part being caught by the pelvis KB. Further, by wearing the body mounting part 12 at a height such that the lower end 12q of the body mounting part is arranged at a position lower than the highest position of the pelvis KB, a part of the body mounting part 12 is worn around a part or all of the pelvis KB. Therefore, by the body mounting part 12 pressing not only the abdomen FB but also the pelvis KB, the pressure on the abdomen FB can be relieved.

[0062] [Modification Example 1] Figs. 11(a) and (b) illustrate a modification example 1 related to the first embodiment of the lower limb support device according to the present invention. In the figure, 111 is the lower limb support device. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the lower limb support device 111 in this modification example 1 is common to the configuration of the lower limb support device 11 in the above-described embodiment.

[0063] The knee joint part 114, the lateral knee joint part 115, and the medial knee joint part 116 are respectively attached to the body mounting part 112 and the knee mounting part 113 via a pair of upper and lower D-rings for the knee joint part, namely the upper D-ring 112f and the lower D-ring 113f for the knee joint part, the upper D-ring 112g and the lower D-ring 113g for the lateral knee joint part, and the upper D-ring 112h and the lower D-ring 113h for the medial knee joint part. Each of the D-rings 112f - 112h, 113f - 113h has its straight part sewn to the body mounting part 112 or the knee mounting part 113. The D-ring is a connecting tool made of metal or plastic formed in a D shape, which can swing around the straight part of the D shape, and by connecting each of the connecting parts 114, 115, 116 to the curved part, the connecting parts 114, 115, 116 can be directed in any radial direction of the curve.

[0064] When the knee mounting part 113 is worn on the right knee of the wearer, the upper D-ring 112g for the lateral knee joint part, the lower D-ring 113g for the lateral knee joint part, the upper D-ring 112h for the medial knee joint part, and the lower D-ring 113h for the medial knee joint part are located on the side opposite to that shown in FIGS. 11(a) and (b).

[0065] Each of the connecting parts 114, 115, 116 may be fixed to the proximal end side after folding back with the tip passed through the D-ring. At this time, by attaching each of the D-rings 112f - 112h, 113f - 113h such that the semi-circular side faces the side of each of the connecting parts 114, 115, 116, even when each of the connecting parts 114, 115, 116 swings left and right, the tensile force of each of the connecting parts 114, 115, 116 is transmitted to the body mounting part 112 and the knee mounting part 113. Also, by sewing the straight parts of the D-rings 112f - 112h, 113f - 113h, these D-rings can swing around the side of each of the mounting parts 112, 113. For these reasons, each of the mounting parts 112, 113 and each of the connecting parts 114, 115, 116 can always follow the wearer's body, appropriately support the wearer's lower limbs, and also lift them.

[0066] In addition, scale marks indicating the distance from each end may be provided near both ends of each connecting part 114, 115, 116. By providing such scale marks, when the wearer fixes the tips of the connecting parts 114 to 116 through the D-ring, the connecting parts 114 to 116 can be folded back at the location of a predetermined scale mark, or at the location of a scale mark longer or shorter than the predetermined scale mark, so that the strength of the tensile force of each connecting part 114 to 116 during wearing can be easily adjusted.

[0067] [Modification Example 2] FIG. 12 shows a modification example 2 related to the first embodiment of the lower limb support device according to the present invention. In the figure, 211 is a lower limb support device. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the lower limb support device 211 in this modification example 2 is common to the configuration of the lower limb support device 11 in the above-described embodiment or the lower limb support device 111 in the above-described modification example 1.

[0068] The knee connecting part 214, the knee outer connecting part 215, and the knee inner connecting part 216 are attached to the body wearing part 212 and the knee wearing part 213 via an upper D-ring 212o sewn to the body wearing part 212, and a lower D-ring 213f for the knee connecting part, a lower D-ring 213g for the knee outer connecting part, and a lower D-ring 213h for the knee inner connecting part, which are respectively sewn to the knee wearing part 213. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, each connecting part 214, 215, 216 converges at one point at its upper end. At this time, the upper ends of each connecting part 214, 215, 216 are connected by passing through a single upper D-ring 212o.

[0069] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 13 to 19. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the lower limb support device is denoted by reference numeral 21. Hereinafter, an example of the lower limb support device 21 and an example of a lower limb support device wearing method 210S for wearing the lower limb support device 21 will be described. The lower limb support device 21 includes a body mounting portion 22, a knee mounting portion 23, and a knee connecting portion 24, a knee outer connecting portion 25, a knee inner connecting portion 26, an outer auxiliary connecting portion 28, and an inner auxiliary connecting portion 29 that connect the body mounting portion 22 and the knee mounting portion 23. FIG. 13 shows the front of the lower limb support device 21 in a state of being worn on the human body, and FIG. 14 shows the back thereof.

[0070] Each of the auxiliary connecting portions 28, 29 is formed in a belt shape by an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin, similarly to the other connecting portions 24, 25, 26. Also, the cross section may have a shape such as a circular shape or a rectangular shape. Further, if it has sufficient elasticity, it may be a woven fabric or a knitted fabric. Furthermore, it may have a multilayer structure in which a plurality of types of materials are laminated.

[0071] The lower limb support device 21 includes outer auxiliary connecting portions 28, 28 respectively attached to each of the pair of left and right knee mounting portions 231, 232, and includes an outer auxiliary connecting portion 281 attached to the left leg and an outer auxiliary connecting portion 282 attached to the right leg. Also, it is similarly the inner auxiliary connecting portions 29, 29, and includes an inner auxiliary connecting portion 291 attached to the left leg and an inner auxiliary connecting portion 292 attached to the right leg. Each of the auxiliary connecting portions 28, 29 has an upper end portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower end portion, similarly to the other connecting portions 24 to 26. And, similarly to the other connecting portions 24 to 26, by connecting a first buckle and a second buckle connected to these upper end portion, intermediate portion, and lower end portion, the body mounting portion 22 and the knee mounting portion 23 are connected. Note that the lower limb support device 21 may include only one of the left and right knee mounting portions 231, 232 and the respective connecting portions 24 to 26, 28, 29 on that side. Also, at that time, for each of the auxiliary connecting portions 28, 29, similarly to the other connecting portions 24 to 26, only the upper end portion and the lower end portion may have the upper end portions and the lower end portions on both the left and right sides attached thereto.

[0072] The body mounting portion 22 has, at positions on the front surface portion 22F of the body that are closer to the left and right sides than the true front, a knee outer connection portion upper end attachment portion 22b, which is a location for attaching the upper end 25j of the knee outer connection portion 25, which is the upper end of the knee outer connection portion, in order from the true front, a knee connection portion upper end attachment portion 22a, which is a location for attaching the upper end 24j of the knee connection portion 24, which is the upper end of the knee connection portion, and a knee inner connection portion upper end attachment portion 22c, which is a location for attaching the upper end 26j of the knee inner connection portion 26, which is the upper end of the knee inner connection portion. Then, in order from the true front, above the approximate middle position of the knee outer connection portion upper end attachment portion 22b and the knee connection portion upper end attachment portion 22a, there is an inner auxiliary connection portion upper end attachment portion 22e, which is a location for attaching the upper end 29j of the inner auxiliary connection portion 29, which is the upper end of the inner auxiliary connection portion, and above the approximate middle position of the knee connection portion upper end attachment portion 22a and the knee inner connection portion upper end attachment portion 22c, there is an outer auxiliary connection portion upper end attachment portion 22d, which is a location for attaching the upper end 28j of the outer auxiliary connection portion 28, which is the upper end of the outer auxiliary connection portion. Each of the connection portions 24, 25, 26, 28, 29 is sewn and attached to the front surface portion 22F of the body at its respective attachment locations 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e. At this time, since the outer auxiliary connection portion upper end attachment portion 22d and the inner auxiliary connection portion upper end attachment portion 22e are located above the above-mentioned middle positions, respectively, the auxiliary connection portions 28, 29 are less likely to interfere with the other connection portions 24 to 26.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 15, which represents the front of the knee mounting part 231 worn on the left leg, the knee mounting part 23 has a knee front part 23a, a knee outer front part 23b, and a knee inner front part 23c, to which the knee connecting part lower end 24k, which is the lower end of the knee connecting part 24, the knee outer connecting part lower end 25k, which is the lower end of the knee outer connecting part 25, and the knee inner connecting part lower end 26k, which is the lower end of the knee inner connecting part 26, are respectively attached. And to the outer front part 23d adjacent to the outer side in the left - right direction and the inner front part 23e adjacent to the inner side in the left - right direction of the knee front part 23a, the outer auxiliary connecting part lower end 28k, which is the lower end of the outer auxiliary connecting part 28, and the inner auxiliary connecting part lower end 29k, which is the lower end of the inner auxiliary connecting part 29, are respectively attached. Figs. 16(a) and 16(b) are respectively a right - side view of the knee mounting part 231 worn on the left leg viewed from the outside and a left - side view of the same knee mounting part 231 viewed from the inside. In this way, since the outer front part 23d and the inner front part 23e are respectively located adjacent to the left and right of the knee front part 23a, the auxiliary connecting parts 28 and 29 are less likely to interfere with the knee connecting part 24.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 13, the knee connecting part 24 and each of the auxiliary connecting parts 28 and 29 connect the body mounting part 22 and each knee mounting part 23 in a substantially vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 14, in the wearing state of the body mounting part 22 and the knee mounting part 23 with respect to the wearer, the knee outer connecting part 25 and the knee inner connecting part 26 pass through the rear side of each leg and cross on this rear side to connect the body mounting part 22 and the knee mounting part 23. Thus, the region where the knee outer connecting part 25 and the knee inner connecting part 26 cross is called the connecting part crossing region 27.

[0075] The lower - limb support device wearing method 220S, which is a method for the user to wear this lower - limb support device 21, includes a step of auxiliary connecting the body mounting part 22 and each knee mounting part 23 by each of the auxiliary connecting parts 28 and 29 by engaging the middle part of each of the auxiliary connecting parts 28 and 29 between the upper end part and the lower end part after engaging the middle part of the knee connecting part 24 between the upper end part and the lower end part. Or, it may include a step of engaging the middle part of each of the knee connecting part 24, the knee outer connecting part 25, and the knee inner connecting part 26 between the upper end part and the lower end part and then engaging the middle part of each of the auxiliary connecting parts 28 and 29 between the upper end part and the lower end part.

[0076] Other configurations are common to the first embodiment.

[0077] With the above configuration, when the lower limb support device 21 includes each auxiliary connecting portion 28, 29 in addition to the knee connecting portion 24, the knee outer connecting portion 25, and the knee inner connecting portion 26, the effects originally achieved by including the knee connecting portion 24, the knee outer connecting portion 25, or the knee inner connecting portion 26 can be enhanced, enabling the wearer to more easily raise the lower limbs higher and easily lift the feet off the ground or floor.

[0078] Although the form in which the lower limb support device 21 has a pair of left and right auxiliary connecting portions 28, 29 is shown, the lower limb support device of the present invention may have only one auxiliary connecting portion. Also, by separating the buckle from the lower limb support device 21 of this embodiment and removing the intermediate portion of each auxiliary connecting portion 28, 29, the same use as the lower limb support device 11 of the first embodiment can be performed.

[0079] [Modification Example 1] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate Modification Example 1 regarding the second embodiment of the lower limb support device according to the present invention. In the figures, 121 is the lower limb support device. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the lower limb support device 121 in this Modification Example 1 is common to the configuration of the lower limb support device 21 in the above-described present embodiment or the configuration of the lower limb support device 111 in Modification Example 1 regarding the first embodiment.

[0080] The knee connecting portion 124, the knee outer connecting portion 125, the knee inner connecting portion 126, the outer auxiliary connecting portion 128, and the inner auxiliary connecting portion 129 are attached to the body mounting portion 122 and the knee mounting portion 123 via upper D-rings 122f, 122g, 122h, 122m, 122n respectively sewn to the body mounting portion 122 and lower D-rings 123f, 123g, 123h, 123m, 123n sewn to the knee mounting portion 123.

[0081] Note that each upper D-ring 122f, 122g, 122h, 122m, 122n may be arranged at positions having substantially the same height in the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 18(a), and may be arranged at different positions in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 18(b) as long as the respective connecting portions 124 to 126, 128, 129 do not interfere with each other.

[0082] [Modification Example 2] FIG. 19 illustrates Modification Example 2 relating to the second embodiment of the lower limb support device according to the present invention. In the figure, 221 is the lower limb support device. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the lower limb support device 221 in this Modification Example 2 is common to the configuration of the lower limb support device 21 in the above-described present embodiment, the configuration of the lower limb support device 121 in the above-described Modification Example 1, or the configuration of the lower limb support device 211 in the Modification Example 2 relating to the first embodiment.

[0083] The knee connecting portion 224, the knee outer connecting portion 225, the knee inner connecting portion 226, the outer auxiliary connecting portion 228, and the inner auxiliary connecting portion 229 are attached to the trunk body mounting portion 222 and the knee mounting portion 223 via one upper D-ring 222o sewn to the trunk body mounting portion 222 and lower D-rings 223f, 223g, 223h, 223m, 223n sewn to the knee mounting portion 223, respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, each connecting portion 224, 225, 226, 228, 229 converges at one point at its respective upper end. At this time, the respective upper ends of the connecting portions 224, 225, 226, 228, 229 are connected by passing them through one upper D-ring 222o.

[0084] [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be exemplified with reference to FIG. 20. In FIG. 20, a lower limb support device is denoted by reference numeral 31. The lower limb support device 31 includes a body wearing part 32, a knee wearing part 33, and a knee connection part 34 that connects the body wearing part 32 and the knee wearing part 33. In the figure, both a knee wearing part 331 and a knee connection part 341 attached to the left leg and a knee wearing part 332 and a knee connection part 342 attached to the right leg are provided. In addition to this, the lower limb support device 31 may include only either the knee wearing part 331 and the knee connection part 341 attached to the left leg or the knee wearing part 332 and the knee connection part 342 attached to the right leg.

[0085] The knee connection part 34 is attached to the front body part 32F of the body wearing part 32 and the front knee part 33a of the knee wearing part 33 via upper and lower D-rings in FIG. 20. However, without using D-rings, as in other embodiments, after being divided into an upper end part, an intermediate part, and a lower end part, these parts may be connected by a buckle. That is, the upper end part and the lower end part may be attached to the front body part 32F and the front knee part 33a, respectively, and the intermediate part may be inserted between the upper end part and the lower end part by two sets of upper and lower buckles.

[0086] Other configurations are common to the first embodiment, including the method of wearing the lower limb support device 31.

[0087] With the above configuration, since the string-like knee connection part 34 connects the front body part 32F of the body wearing part 32 and the front knee part 33a of the knee wearing part 33 and has elasticity, it can urge them to approach each other. At this time, the knee connection part 34 can be elastically deformed and extended by making its length shorter than the length in the wearer's normal standing position. Thereby, the knee connection part 34 can apply an upward tensile force to the knee wearing part 33 against the gravity applied to the lower limb on the side where the knee wearing parts 331, 332 and the knee connection parts 341, 342 are worn or both the left and right lower limbs where the knee wearing parts 331, 332 and the knee connection parts 341, 342 are worn in the normal standing position. In this way, the lower limb support device 31 can support the lower limbs upward against gravity.

[0088] Further, when the wearer lifts the lower limb on the side where the lower limb support device 31 is worn upward for walking or exercise, by further shortening the length of the knee connecting portion 34, the knee connecting portion 34 can apply a greater upward tensile force, enabling the wearer to easily lift the lower limb. Therefore, the lower limb support device 31 can assist in lifting the lower limb. As described above, the knee connecting portion 34 that connects the front body portion 33F and the front knee portion 33a starts from the ilium CK, which is part of the pelvis KB, and the patellar ligament, which is the lower end portion, can apply a tensile force so as to supplement the rectus femoris muscle that stops at the tibial tuberosity KS, which is the front upper end portion of the tibia KK. And this tensile force helps the flexion of the hip joint. As a result, even a wearer whose rectus femoris muscle has weakened due to reasons such as aging, lack of exercise, or injury can easily support and lift the lower limb.

[0089] In addition, by separating the buckle from the lower limb support device 11 according to the first embodiment or the lower limb support device 21 according to the second embodiment and removing the intermediate portions of the outer knee connecting portions 15, 25, the inner knee connecting portions 16, 26, the outer auxiliary connecting portion 28, and the inner auxiliary connecting portion 29, the same use as the lower limb support device 31 of the present embodiment can be performed. Further, by separating the buckle from the lower limb support device 51 according to the fifth embodiment described later and removing the intermediate portions of the outer auxiliary connecting portion 58 and the inner auxiliary connecting portion 59, the same use as the lower limb support device 31 of the present embodiment can be performed.

[0090] [Fourth Embodiment] The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. In FIGS. 21 and 22, the lower limb support device is denoted by reference numeral 41. Hereinafter, an example of the lower limb support device 41 will be described. The lower limb support device 41 includes a body mounting portion 42, a knee mounting portion 43, and an outer knee connecting portion 45 and an inner knee connecting portion 46 that connect the body mounting portion 42 and the knee mounting portion 43. FIG. 21 shows the front of the lower limb support device 41 in a state of being worn on the human body, and FIG. 22 shows the back thereof.

[0091] Each connecting part 45, 46 has an upper end part, a middle part, and a lower end part. By connecting a first buckle and a second buckle connected to these upper end part, middle part, and lower end part, the body wearing part 42 and the knee wearing part 43 are connected. Note that the lower limb support device 41 may include only one of the right and left knee wearing parts 431, 432 and the respective connecting parts 45, 46 on that side.

[0092] The body wearing part 42 has a latero - lateral connection part upper end attachment location 42b, which is a location for attaching the latero - lateral connection part upper end 45j, which is the upper end of the latero - lateral connection part 45, and a medio - lateral connection part upper end attachment location 42c, which is a location for attaching the medio - lateral connection part upper end 46j, which is the upper end of the medio - lateral connection part 46, at positions on the front part of the body 42F that are closer to the left and right than the true front. Each connecting part 45, 46 is sewn and attached to the front part of the body 42F at the respective attachment locations 42b, 42c.

[0093] The knee wearing part 43 has the lower end of the latero - lateral connection part 45, i.e., the latero - lateral connection part lower end 45k, and the lower end of the medio - lateral connection part 46, i.e., the medio - lateral connection part lower end 46k, attached to the latero - lateral front part 43b and the medio - lateral front part 43c, respectively.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 22, in the wearing state of the body wearing part 42 and the knee wearing part 43 with respect to the wearer, the latero - lateral connection part 45 and the medio - lateral connection part 46 pass through the rear side of each leg and cross on this rear side to connect the body wearing part 42 and the knee wearing part 43. Thus, the region where the latero - lateral connection part 45 and the medio - lateral connection part 46 cross is called the connection part crossing region 47.

[0095] Other configurations are common to the first embodiment, including the method of wearing the lower limb support device 41.

[0096] Note that by separating the buckle from the lower limb support device 11 according to the first embodiment or the lower limb support device 21 according to the second embodiment and removing the middle parts of the knee connection parts 14, 24, the outer auxiliary connection part 28, and the inner auxiliary connection part 29, the same use as the lower limb support device 41 of this embodiment can be performed.

[0097] [Modification Example] FIG. 23 illustrates a modification example related to a fourth embodiment of the lower limb support device according to the present invention. In the figure, 141 is a lower limb support device. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the lower limb support device 141 in this modification example is common to the configuration of the lower limb support device 41 in the above-described embodiment or the configuration of the lower limb support device 211 in the modification example 2 related to the first embodiment.

[0098] The outer knee connection part 145 and the inner knee connection part 146 are attached to the body attachment part 142 and the knee attachment part 143 via one upper D-ring 142o sewn to the front body part 142F of the body attachment part 142 and lower D-rings 143g, 143h sewn to the knee attachment part 143, respectively. That is, each connection part 145, 146 converges at one point at its respective upper end. At this time, the respective upper ends of each connection part 145, 146 are passed through and connected to one upper D-ring 142o.

[0099] Although not shown, by sewing two upper D-rings to the front body part 142F of the body attachment part 142, each connection part 145, 146 may be independently attached to the body attachment part 142 via these two upper D-rings.

[0100] [Fifth Embodiment] The fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. In FIGS. 24 and 25, the lower limb support device is indicated by reference numeral 51. Hereinafter, an example of the lower limb support device 51 will be described. The lower limb support device 51 includes a body attachment part 52, a knee attachment part 53, a knee connection part 54 that connects the body attachment part 52 and the knee attachment part 53, an outer auxiliary connection part 58, and an inner auxiliary connection part 59. FIG. 24 shows the front of the lower limb support device 51 in a state of being worn on a human body, and FIG. 25 shows the back thereof.

[0101] The lower limb support device 51 includes connection parts 54, 58, and 59 respectively attached to each of a pair of left and right knee attachment parts 531 and 532. Each of the connection parts 54, 58, and 59 has an upper end portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower end portion. Then, by connecting a first buckle and a second buckle connected to these upper end portion, intermediate portion, and lower end portion, the body attachment part 52 and the knee attachment part 53 are connected. Note that the lower limb support device 51 may include only one of the left and right knee attachment parts 531, 532 and the connection parts 54, 58, and 59 on that side.

[0102] The body attachment part 52 has, at positions on the front part of the body 52F that are closer to the left and right than the true front, an inner auxiliary connection part upper end attachment position 52e which is a position for attaching an inner auxiliary connection part upper end 59j that is the upper end of the inner auxiliary connection part 59 in order from the true front, a knee connection part upper end attachment position 52a which is a position for attaching a knee connection part upper end 54j that is the upper end of the knee connection part 54, and an outer auxiliary connection part upper end attachment position 52d which is a position for attaching an outer auxiliary connection part upper end 58j that is the upper end of the outer auxiliary connection part 58. The knee connection part upper end attachment position 52a is located below a substantially middle position between the outer auxiliary connection part upper end attachment position 52d and the inner auxiliary connection part upper end attachment position 52e. Each of the connection parts 54, 58, and 59 is sewn and attached to the front part of the body 52F at its respective attachment positions 52a, 52d, and 52e. At this time, since the knee connection part upper end attachment position 52a is located below the above-described middle position, the knee connection part 54 has a small risk of interfering with the auxiliary connection parts 58 and 59.

[0103] The knee attachment part 53 has a knee connection part lower end 54k that is the lower end of the knee connection part 54 attached to the front part of the knee 53a. And an outer auxiliary connection part lower end 58k that is the lower end of the outer auxiliary connection part 58 and an inner auxiliary connection part lower end 59k that is the lower end of the inner auxiliary connection part 59 are respectively attached to an outer front part 53d adjacent to the outside in the left-right direction and an inner front part 53e adjacent to the inside in the left-right direction of the front part of the knee 53a. In this way, since the outer front part 53d and the inner front part 53e are respectively located adjacent to the left and right of the front part of the knee 53a, the auxiliary connection parts 58 and 59 have a small risk of interfering with the knee connection part 54.

[0104] The knee connection part 54 and each auxiliary connection part 58, 59 connect the torso mounting part 52 and each knee mounting part 53 in a substantially vertical direction as shown in FIG. 24.

[0105] Other configurations are common to the first or second embodiment, including the method of wearing the lower limb support device 51.

[0106] Note that, from the lower limb support device 21 according to the second embodiment, by separating the buckle and removing the middle part between the outer knee connection part 25 and the inner knee connection part 26, the same use as the lower limb support device 51 of the present embodiment can be performed.

[0107] Also, although not shown in the drawings, each of the connection parts 54, 58, 59 may be attached to an upper D-ring sewn to the torso mounting part 52 at its upper end, and attached to a lower D-ring sewn to the knee mounting part 53 at its lower end, thereby connecting the torso mounting part 52 and the knee mounting part 53.

[0108] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0109] For example, in the first to fifth embodiments, although a plurality of examples of lower limb support devices having connection parts with different types and numbers are shown, the lower limb support device of the present invention may be provided with connection parts other than these illustrated connection parts as long as the number increases and the connection parts do not interfere with each other. Also, as long as it fulfills a sufficient function as a lower limb support device, it may not be provided with a part of the illustrated connection parts.

[0110] Also, although an example in which the upper end attachment positions of the connection parts of the torso mounting part are arranged so that their heights are different is shown, as long as these connection parts do not interfere with each other, the upper end attachment positions of the connection parts may be arranged to have the same height.

[0111] In addition, an example where the upper end to the lower end of each connecting part is connected by a buckle or an example where each connecting part and each wearing part are connected via a D-ring have been shown. Instead, if the connecting part can pull the wearing part with sufficient force, for example, these may be directly connected by means such as a pin and a belt hole, Velcro (registered trademark), a snap button, a hook, etc. Further, a slit may be provided in the wearing part, and the tip of the connecting part may be passed through such a slit and fastened.

[0112] In addition, an example where each connecting part is divided into an upper end part, a middle part, and a lower end part and these are connected by a buckle has been shown. However, if it is not difficult to attach and detach the lower limb support device, each connecting part may be divided into two parts and they may be connected by a buckle.

[0113] In addition, the body wearing part may not be formed in an annular shape as shown in the figure but may be formed in another shape. Instead, for example, it may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a greater height. Further, the knee wearing part may not be formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in the figure but may be formed in another shape. Instead, for example, if there is no problem in attaching each connecting part, it may be formed in a circular ring shape with a smaller height.

[0114] In addition, the body wearing part or the knee wearing part does not necessarily have to be configured only for the body wearing part or the knee wearing part. For example, the body wearing part or the knee wearing part may partially constitute part or all of the wearer's clothing, belt, footwear, supporter, bag, harness, etc., or part of them may perform the same function as these wearing articles.

Industrial Applicability

[0115] The present invention can be used for a lower limb support device that enables a wearer to raise the lower limbs high and easily lift the feet off the ground or the floor when worn on the lower limbs, prevent joint diseases, etc., and lead a comfortable life, and a method of wearing such a device.

Explanation of Signs

[0116] 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 Lower limb support device 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 Trunk mounting part 12F, 22F, 32F, 42F, 52F Front part of the trunk 12a, 22a, 52a Upper attachment point of the knee connection part 12b, 22b, 42b Upper attachment point of the outer knee connection part 12c, 22c, 42c Upper attachment point of the inner knee connection part 13, 23, 33, 43, 53 Knee mounting part 13a, 23a, 33a, 53a Front part of the knee 13b, 23b, 43b Outer front part of the knee 13c, 23c, 43c Inner front part of the knee 14, 24, 34, 54 Knee connection part 14i, 15i, 16i Upper end part 14ii, 15ii, 16ii Middle part 14iii, 15iii, 16iii Lower end part 14j, 24j, 54j Upper end of the knee connection part 14k, 24k, 54k Lower end of the knee connection part 15, 25, 45 Outer knee connection part 15j, 25j, 45j Upper end of the outer knee connection part 15k, 25k, 45k Lower end of the outer knee connection part 16, 26, 46 Inner knee connection part 16j, 26j, 46j Upper end of the inner knee connection part 16k, 26k, 46k Lower end of the inner knee connection part 17, 27, 47 Connection part intersection area 22d, 52d Upper attachment point of the outer auxiliary connection part 22e, 52e Upper attachment point of the inner auxiliary connection part 23d, 53d Outer front part 23e, 53e Inner front part 28, 58 Outer auxiliary connection part 28j, 58j Upper end of the outer auxiliary connection part 28k, 58k Lower end of the outer auxiliary connection part 29, 59 Inner auxiliary connection part 29j, 59j Upper end of the inner auxiliary connection part Lower ends of the inner auxiliary connection parts of 29k and 59k

Claims

1. Comprising a body mounting part configured to be mounted around a part of the body including the abdomen and the pelvis of the human body, Comprising a knee mounting part configured to be mounted around either the left or right knee of the human body or around each of the left and right knees, An elastic string-like connecting part configured to connect a front body part of the body mounting part that is in surface contact with the front of the body, a knee outer front part of the knee mounting part that is in surface contact with the outside or near the outside below the patella of the knee, and a knee inner front part of the knee mounting part that is in surface contact with the inside or near the inside below the patella of the knee, respectively, and including a knee outer connecting part and a knee inner connecting part, In the mounting state of the body mounting part and the knee mounting part with respect to the human body, the knee outer connecting part and the knee inner connecting part are configured to pass through the rear side of the leg of the human body and cross at the rear side to connect the body mounting part and the knee mounting part. A lower limb support device characterized by the above.

2. Further comprising a knee connecting part which is an elastic string-like connecting part configured to connect the front body part and a knee front part of the knee mounting part that is in surface contact with above or near the patella of the knee. The lower limb support device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. Further comprising an auxiliary connecting part which is one or more connecting parts for reinforcing the other connecting parts and is an elastic string-like connecting part configured to connect the body mounting part and the knee mounting part. The lower limb support device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. A body mounting part configured to be mounted around a part of the body including the abdomen and the pelvis of the human body, A knee mounting part configured to be mounted around either the left or right knee of the human body or around each of the left and right knees, And a knee connecting part which is an elastic string-like connecting part configured to connect a front body part of the body mounting part that is in surface contact with the front of the body and a knee front part of the knee mounting part that is in surface contact with above or near the patella of the knee. A lower limb support device characterized by the above.

5. Further comprising an auxiliary connecting part which is one or more connecting parts for reinforcing the knee connecting part and is an elastic string-like connecting part configured to connect the body mounting part and the knee mounting part. The lower limb support device according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

6. On a part or all of the connecting part to be provided, at least one set of a first buckle and a second buckle detachably coupled to the first buckle are attached between the trunk body mounting part side and the knee mounting part side. The lower limb support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.

7. Comprising a trunk body mounting part configured to be mounted around a part of the trunk body including the abdomen and the pelvis of the human body, Comprising a knee mounting part configured to be mounted around either the left or right knee of the human body or around each of the left and right knees, Comprising a knee connecting part which is an elastic string-like connecting part configured to connect the knee front part which is in surface contact with the upper part or the vicinity of the patella of the knee between the trunk body mounting part and the knee mounting part, A method of wearing the lower limb support device on the human body, the lower limb support device comprising an elastic string-like connecting part configured to connect the trunk body mounting part to the outer front knee part which is in surface contact with the lower outer side or the vicinity of the patella of the knee and the inner front knee part which is in surface contact with the lower inner side or the vicinity of the patella of the knee, respectively, of the knee mounting part, Wearing the lower limb support device such that the outer knee connecting part and the inner knee connecting part pass through the rear side of the leg of the human body and cross on the rear side of the leg A method of wearing a lower limb support device, characterized in that.

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