Work assisting device

Abstract

To provide a work assisting device which is suitable for work in which burdens are placed not only on an upper arm but also on a front arm.SOLUTION: An upper arm support arm 3 and a front arm support arm 7 are pivotally connected. Further, resilient biasing means F0 which swings the upper arm support arm 3 upward is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work support device that supports the arms of a worker. [Background technology]

[0002] When workers look up and perform tasks such as fruit harvesting, painting, or attaching items to high places for long periods of time, their arms tend to become tired and their work efficiency tends to decrease. Therefore, work support devices have been proposed that support the upper arm (only) to improve the work efficiency of the above-mentioned tasks (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-113666 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2018-520011 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on the type of work, it may involve not only upward work but also work such as moving items in the middle (sideways) direction, lowering items downwards, and lifting them from below. The conventionally known work support tools disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot adequately handle the various types of work described above, and are not easy to use. Furthermore, the work support devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2 can effectively support only the upper arm, but do not support the forearm (lower arm), making them unsuitable for work that involves extending and bending the elbow and placing a heavy load on the forearm (lower arm) and elbow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an upper arm support arm having an upper arm receiver for receiving the upper arm of a worker; a forearm support arm having a forearm receiver for receiving the forearm of the worker and forearm fixing means; and a spring biasing means for applying a spring biasing torque to the upper arm support arm to swing it upward. The upper arm support arm is also provided with upper arm fixing means that is attached to the upper arm of the worker.

[0006] Furthermore, in a horizontal arm extension posture in which the worker keeps his or her extended arm horizontal, the upper arm support arm of the upper arm support arm is in a detached state and not in contact with the worker's upper arm, and the forearm support arm of the forearm support arm is configured to apply an upward support force to the worker's forearm by the resilient biasing torque.

[0007] Furthermore, when the worker holds the upper arm horizontally and bends the arm at a right angle with the forearm vertical, the upper arm support arm is configured to abut against the worker's upper arm and apply an upward support force to the upper arm. The device also includes an extension posture maintaining means for maintaining the extension posture in which the worker extends the elbow in a straight line; and the forearm receiving device of the forearm support arm is configured to abut against the worker's forearm and apply an upward support force to the forearm.

[0008] The elastic biasing means also includes a ratchet mechanism in a transmission path that transmits the elastic biasing force of the elastic force generating member to the upper arm support arm, the ratchet mechanism being switchable between an ON state in which transmission is possible and an OFF state in which transmission is cut off. The ratchet mechanism is also equipped with: a ratchet gear disposed at the base end of the upper arm support arm and swingable around the same axis as the swing axis of the upper arm support arm; a pawl member pivoted at a longitudinal middle thereof to the base end of the upper arm support arm via a pivot shaft and capable of engaging and disengaging with the ratchet gear; and pawl member time difference switching means having: a small-diameter operating tube swingably attached to the base end of the upper arm support arm by the pivot shaft and forming a finger operating portion operated by an operator; a pressing rod slidably inserted into the small-diameter operating tube and having a pawl member pressing head at its tip; and a coil spring that resiliently urges the pressing rod towards the tip.

[0009] In addition, at the pivotal connection portion that pivotally connects the upper arm support arm and the forearm support arm so that they can swing up and down, an extended position maintaining means is provided that allows the upper arm support arm and the forearm support arm to swing freely in the bent position, and switches to an excessive swing prevention state in the extended position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] When the worker holds the entire arm in a horizontally extended position, only the forearm (away from the shoulder) is automatically supported upward, making it possible for the worker to perform work with the entire arm held in a horizontal position -- that is, work such as placing heavy objects (luggage, etc.) in the back of a shelf or storage stand with a large front-to-back dimension -- repeatedly and for long periods of time without getting tired. Furthermore, when the worker is performing light work or working with his / her arms lowered near the floor, the worker can easily operate the ratchet switch lever with his / her fingers to put the ratchet gear portion into a disengaged (free) state. Furthermore, with the horizontal upper arm and vertical forearm bent at a right angle, when harvesting fruits such as grapes or peaches hanging near the worker's head, for example, the worker can harvest for long periods of time without getting tired. In addition, when a worker maintains a posture in which the upper arms are tilted downwards and forwards while the forearms are tilted upwards and forwards, the arms are bent at a right angle, which is extremely helpful when the worker is carrying a heavy load at chest height for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a side view of the arm (whole) with the elbow extended. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the arm with the elbow extended and the arm raised at approximately 45 degrees. [Figure 3] This is a side view of a horizontal arm extension posture in which the elbow is extended and the arm (entirely) is in a substantially horizontal position. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the upper arm tilted slightly downward and forward, and the forearm bent to approximately 45 degrees and tilted upward and forward. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view of the state in which the upper arm is tilted slightly downward and forward, and the forearm is bent substantially vertically. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the state in which the upper arm is raised above horizontal and the elbow is bent at a right angle. [Figure 7] This is a side view of the state in which the upper arm is raised above horizontal and the elbow is spread apart. [Figure 8] This is a side view of the upper arm tilted slightly forward and downward, with the elbow bent at a right angle. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a side view of a state in which the upper arm is tilted downward and forward, the forearm is tilted upward and forward, and the elbow is bent at a substantially right angle. [Figure 10] This is a side view of the state in which the arm is lowered downward with the elbow extended. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are explanatory partial cross-sectional views showing an embodiment of an extended position maintaining means, in which FIG. 1A shows a swing-blocked state and FIG. 1B shows a swingable state. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory partial cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of the extended position maintaining means, in which (A) shows the swing-blocked state and (B) shows the swingable state. [Figure 13]10 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part showing that the pawl member time difference switching means is in the OFF state and the ratchet mechanism is in the OFF state. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part showing that the pawl member time difference switching means is in an ON state and the ratchet mechanism is in an OFF state. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part showing that the pawl member time difference switching means is in the ON state and the ratchet mechanism is in the ON state. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part showing that the pawl member time difference switching means is in the OFF state and the ratchet mechanism is in the OFF state. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part showing that the pawl member time difference switching means is in an ON state and the ratchet mechanism is in an OFF state. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part showing that the pawl member time difference switching means is in an ON state and the ratchet mechanism is in an ON state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments. 1 to 10, reference numeral 50 denotes a work support tool according to the present invention, which is equipped with a waist band 2 that is wrapped around the waist of a worker M (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Note that the waist band 2 is not shown in FIGS. 3 to 10.

[0013] Reference numeral 10 denotes a support vertical member, the lower end 10A of which is connected to the waist band 2 by a connector 15 which can swing freely. Reference numeral 3 denotes an upper arm support arm, which has an upper arm holder 4 for supporting the upper arm M1 of the worker M, and upper arm fixing means Z5. In the illustrated example, the upper arm fixing means Z5 is an upper arm wrapping belt 5. Moreover, the upper arm holder 4 is pivotally attached to the upper arm support arm 3 by a horizontal pivot shaft 6 so as to be swingable. Further, reference numeral 7 denotes a forearm support arm, which has a forearm support tool 8 for supporting the forearm M2 of the worker M, and a forearm fixing means Z9. In the illustrated example, the forearm fixing means Z9 is a forearm wrapping belt 9. The forearm support arm 7 and the upper arm support arm 3 are pivotally connected to each other near the elbow M5 of the worker M so as to be able to swing up and down. Reference numeral 11 denotes the pivot axis. Note that the upper arm fixing means Z5 may not necessarily be provided.

[0014] Incidentally, the present invention is provided with a resilient biasing means F0 that applies a resilient biasing torque T3 that swings the upper arm support arm 3 upward (as will be described in detail later). When the worker M wears the work support tool 50 according to the present invention, the worker M can take various postures as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 in accordance with various tasks, rest periods, and the like.

[0015] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, in the arm horizontal extension posture S0 in which worker M keeps his / her extended arm M0 horizontal, the upper arm support device 4 of the upper arm support arm 3 maintains a separated state without contact with the upper arm M1 of the worker M. Moreover, the forearm support device 8 of the forearm support arm 7 applies an upward support force Y7 to the forearm M2 of the worker M, which is obtained by the upward resilient biasing torque T3 of the resilient biasing means F0. This upward support force Y7 is indicated by an arrow in Fig. 3.

[0016] In addition, in Figure 5, when the worker M keeps the upper arm M1 horizontal and the forearm M2 vertical in a right-angle bent arm position S1, the upper arm support device 4 of the upper arm support arm 3 abuts against the upper arm M1 of the worker M from below, applying an upward support force Y3 to the upper arm M1. This upward support force Y3 is obtained by the upward resilient biasing torque T3 generated by the resilient biasing means F0.

[0017] In addition, in FIG. 9, when the worker M is in a right-angle bent arm posture S2 at a lower position with the upper arm M1 tilted downward and the forearm M2 tilted upward, the upper arm support member 4 of the upper arm support arm 3 comes into contact with the upper arm M1 of the worker M, and a forward upward tilt direction support force Y 30 is applied to the upper arm M1. Furthermore, the forearm receiving member 8 of the forearm support arm 7 is configured to come into contact with the forearm M2 of the worker M and apply an upward support force Y7 to the forearm M2.

[0018] 1 to 10, the operation of the work support device according to the present invention and the posture of the worker M have already been explained. However, if we add a technical explanation (with slightly modified expressions) just to be sure, it can be summarized as shown in Table 1 below. As shown in FIG. 1, a member including the upper arm receiver 4 pivotally attached to the upper arm support arm 3 by the pivot shaft 6 is called the upper arm brace 12. Furthermore, a member including the forearm receiver 8 pivotally attached to the forearm support arm 7 is called the forearm brace 13.

[0019] [Table 1]

[0020] From the above explanation and Table 1, it can be seen that the work support tool 50 according to the present invention, when attached (worn) to the body of the worker M, allows the arm M0 to move (swing) freely over a wide range in the vertical direction, and further allows the elbow M5 to move freely in both extended and bent states, making it applicable to a wide variety of tasks.

[0021] 11 shows a pivotal connection 16 that pivotally connects the upper arm support arm 3 and the forearm support arm 7 so that they can swing up and down. Reference numeral 11 denotes a pivotal connection shaft. At this pivotal connection 16, the upper arm support arm 3 and the forearm support arm 7 are in a swingable state as indicated by arrows N1 and N2 when in the bent position shown in FIG. 11(B).

[0022] However, when the forearm support arm 7 swings in the direction of arrow N1 from the bent posture shown in Fig. 11(B) to switch to the extended posture shown in Fig. 11(A), the tip of the small convex portion 7A formed at the base end of the forearm support arm 7 comes into pressure contact (in a point contact manner) with the groove bottom surface 17B of the slit 17 notched at the tip of the upper arm support arm 3, thereby fixing and maintaining the extended posture. In other words, in the extended posture of Fig. 11(A), an extended posture maintaining means X0 is provided which maintains the extended posture in a state where excessive swinging is prevented. As shown in Figure 11(A), the extended posture in which the tip of the small convex portion 7A is pressed against the groove bottom surface 17B of the slit 17 corresponds to the state (posture) shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 described above. 11(B), the bent position in which it can swing freely around the pivot shaft 11 in the directions of the arrows N1 and N2 corresponds to the states (positions) of FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 9 described above.

[0023] Moreover, Fig. 12 shows another embodiment corresponding to the embodiment of Fig. 11. Fig. 12(A) and (B) show states (postures) corresponding to Fig. 11(A) and (B) respectively. Figure 12 will be explained below. First, the upper arm support arm 3 and the forearm support arm 7 are pivotally connected to each other by a pivot shaft 11 so as to be able to swing. In addition, in the bent position shown in Figure 12(B), they are in a swingable state as indicated by arrows N1 and N2.

[0024] However, when the forearm support arm 7 swings in the direction of arrow N1 from the bent posture shown in Fig. 12(B) to the extended posture shown in Fig. 12(A), the tapered surface 20 formed at the base end of the forearm support arm 7 presses against the inclined groove bottom surface 17C of the slit 17 notched at the tip of the upper arm support arm 3, thereby fixing and maintaining the extended posture. In other words, in the extended posture of Fig. 12(A), an extended posture maintaining means X0 is provided which maintains the extended posture in a state where excessive swinging is prevented. As shown in Figure 12(A), the extended posture in which the tapered surface 20 and the inclined groove bottom surface 17C of the slit 17 are in pressure contact corresponds to the states (postures) shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 described above. 12(B), the bent position in which it can swing freely around the pivot shaft 11 in the directions of the arrows N1 and N2 corresponds to the states (positions) of FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 9 described above.

[0025] Next, referring to FIGS. 13 to 18, the resilient biasing means F0 for generating the resilient biasing torque T3 that swings the upper arm support arm 3 upward will be described. Inside the tubular support vertical member 10, a tensile elastic force F such as an elastic rubber cord, a metal coil spring, or a gas spring is provided. 10 The elastic force generating member (not shown) is housed in the housing. 21 is a pulling wire, and the pulling and elastic force F of the elastic force generating member is 10 This is intended to convey the following.

[0026] The elastic force F generated from the elastic force generating member 10 A ratchet mechanism 25 is provided in the transmission path that transmits the above-mentioned force to the upper arm support arm 3. This ratchet mechanism 25 is configured to apply the spring force F 10 is configured so that it can be switched between a transmission enabled state (ON state) and a transmission cut-off state (OFF state). More specifically, an attachment plate portion 29 is connected to the upper end of the support vertical member 10, and is bifurcated into a front arm piece 26, an arc-shaped rear arm piece 27, and an upper side arm piece 28.

[0027] A ratchet gear 22 (hole) is pivotally attached (fitted) to (the outside of) a horizontal pivot shaft 32 fixed to the upper end of the upper arm support arm 3. This ratchet gear 22 is formed with gear teeth 22G... over a range of just under 180° extending from the front to the bottom. Furthermore, an arm 33 is provided protruding rearward and upwardly from the ratchet gear 22. The wire 21 is attached to this arm 33, and the resilient force F of a resilient force generating member (not shown) in the support vertical member 10 is generated. 10 is transmitted to the arm portion 33 and the ratchet gear 22 via the wire 21. An adjustment mechanism 34 is provided in the internal space of the arm portion 33 to adjust the magnitude of the rotation moment caused by the resilient biasing force.

[0028] Here, to further explain the ratchet mechanism 25, (as shown in Figures 13 to 18) the pawl member 24 is pivotally attached at its longitudinal middle to the base end 3A of the upper arm support arm 3 via a pivot shaft 23 so as to be swingable, and the pawls 24A, 24A at the tip of the pawl member 24 can freely mesh (engage) with and disengage from the gear teeth 22G, 22G of the ratchet gear 22.

[0029] And, reference numeral 35 denotes a claw member time difference switching means. This claw member time difference switching means 35 comprises the following components (i), (ii), and (iii). That is, (i) An operating small diameter tube 36 that is pivotally attached to the base end 3A of the upper arm support arm 3 by a pivot shaft 41 so as to be swingable, and that forms a finger operating portion 42 that is operated by the operator M. (ii) A pressing rod 37 which is slidably inserted into the small diameter operating tube 36 and has a claw member pressing head 43 at its tip. (iii) A coil spring 38 that resiliently biases the pressing rod 37 toward the tip.

[0030] The operation (function) of the pawl member time difference switching means 35 having the components (i), (ii), and (iii), and the ratchet mechanism 25 having the ratchet gear 22 and the pawl member 24 will be described below. 13, finger operation unit 42 is in the OFF position, having swung counterclockwise. At this time, pawl member 24 swung clockwise around pivot shaft 23, and pawl 24A is separated from gear teeth 22G of ratchet gear 22 (is in a released state). That is, the claw member 24 maintains the released state with the portion (upper half portion 24F) above the pivot shaft 23 being resiliently pressed by the head 43 of the pressing rod 37. In addition, in this released state, the upper arm support arm 3 is free to swing about the axis L3.

[0031] Next, the state is switched from Fig. 13 to Fig. 14. That is, as shown in Fig. 14, the worker M moves the finger operation portion 42, which protrudes a small distance from the base end 3A of the upper arm support arm 3, with his / her finger in the direction of the arrow R 42 When the direction is switched, the claw member pressing head 43 is brought into a state in which it resiliently presses the base end 24B of the claw member 24. However, as illustrated in Figure 14, there may be a state in which the pawl 24A of the pawl member 24 cannot engage with the gear teeth 22G of the ratchet gear 22 - in this invention, this is called a "gear tooth / pawl non-engageable state."

[0032] In FIG. 14, the pawl 24A faces the arc-shaped outer periphery 22X (without teeth) on the outer periphery of the ratchet gear 22, so that the gear teeth and the pawl cannot be engaged with each other. Furthermore, a state in which the gear teeth and pawls cannot be engaged as shown in Fig. 17 is also possible. That is, as shown in Fig. 17, the pawl 24A of the pawl member 24 is caught on the top of one gear tooth 22G. In other words, the small resilient biasing force of the coil spring 38 is not enough to release the caught state as shown in Fig. 17.

[0033] However, in the present invention, since the claw member time difference switching means 35 has a coil spring 38, the pressing rod 37 is always in a standby state in which it is resiliently urged toward the tip, and therefore, when the worker M slightly swings the upper arm support arm 3 forward (in the direction of arrow F3) from the gear teeth / claw disengagement state shown in FIG. 14 or 17, the gear teeth / claw automatically switches to the gear teeth / claw engagement state.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the design can be freely modified. For example, a pair of support vertical members 10, 10 may be arranged on the left and right sides and integrated with a horizontal connecting member. Furthermore, the forearm fixing means 5 may be omitted if desired. Alternatively, it may be desirable to attach the left and right sides independently without using the horizontal connecting member.

[0035] As described above in detail, the present invention comprises the upper arm support arm 3 having the upper arm receiver 4 for receiving the upper arm M1 of the worker M; the forearm support arm 7 having the forearm receiver 8 and forearm fixing means Z9 for receiving the forearm M2 of the worker M; the upper arm support arm 3 having the forearm receiver 8 and forearm fixing means Z9 pivotally connected to each other in a position near the elbow M5 of the worker M so as to be able to swing up and down; and the resilient biasing means F0 for applying the resilient biasing torque T3 for swinging the upper arm support arm 3 upward, so that the worker M can receive support during work not only for the upper arm M1 but also for the forearm M2 in various postures as shown in Figures 1 to 10. Moreover, the upper arm M1 is reliably and stably held by the receiver 4, and the forearm M2 is reliably held by the receiver 8 and the forearm fixing means Z9, so that the worker M can comfortably perform various tasks in the various postures shown in Figures 1 to 10 for long periods of time.

[0036] Furthermore, the upper arm support arm 3 is provided with an upper arm fixing means Z5 that is attached to the upper arm M1 of the worker M. Therefore, the upper arm support arm 3 always swings up and down and stops integrally with the upper arm M1 of the worker M, thereby reliably supporting the upper arm M1 and enabling various tasks to be performed smoothly and efficiently.

[0037] Furthermore, in the horizontally extended arm posture S0 in which the worker M keeps his / her extended arm M0 horizontal, the upper arm support member 4 of the upper arm support arm 3 is in a detached state and not in contact with the upper arm M1 of the worker M, and the forearm support member 8 of the forearm support arm 7 is configured to apply an upward support force Y7 by the resilient biasing torque T3 to the forearm M2 of the worker M, so that the posture S0 in which the arm M0 is kept horizontal can be reliably supported, making it possible to work comfortably in the posture shown in Fig. 3 for long periods of time and reducing shoulder fatigue of the worker M. Moreover, because the upper arm M1 is detached from the upper arm support arm 3, the worker M does not feel cramped when using the upper arm M1 for long periods of time.

[0038] Furthermore, when the worker M maintains the upper arm M1 horizontally and the forearm M2 vertically in the arm bent at a right angle position S1, the upper arm support device 4 of the upper arm support arm 3 is configured to come into contact with the upper arm M1 of the worker M and apply an upward support force Y3 to the upper arm M1. Therefore, in the arm bent at a right angle position S1 in which the forearm M2 is vertical to the upper arm M1 as shown in Figure 5, the worker M can perform work such as fruit harvesting or work on piping or wiring above the ceiling, etc., for long periods of time without getting tired.

[0039] In addition, in the present invention, when the worker M maintains the upper arm M1 tilted downwards and the forearm M2 tilted upwards, the upper arm support arm 4 of the upper arm support arm 3 comes into contact with the upper arm M1 of the worker M, and generates a forward upward tilt support force Y 30 and the forearm support member 8 of the forearm support arm 7 is configured to come into contact with the forearm M2 of the worker M and apply an upward support force Y7 to the forearm M2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, while keeping the elbow M5 bent at a right angle, the worker can comfortably work for long periods of time while holding heavy luggage or work tools (not shown) at a low position, and fatigue of the worker can also be sufficiently reduced.

[0040] The apparatus also includes an extended posture maintaining means X0 for maintaining the extended posture of the worker M with the elbow M5 extended in a straight line; and the forearm receiving device 8 of the forearm support arm 7 is configured to come into contact with the forearm M2 of the worker M and apply an upward support force Y7 to the forearm M2. This means that the forearm M2, which is positioned sufficiently forward from the shoulder, is supported by the support force Y7, significantly reducing fatigue during long hours of work in the horizontal posture shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] In addition, the present invention provides the resilient biasing means F0 as a resilient biasing force F generated by a resilient force generating member. 10The transmission path that transmits the power to the upper arm support arm 3 is equipped with a ratchet mechanism 25 that can be switched between an ON state where transmission is possible and an OFF state where transmission is cut off, making it extremely suitable for situations where there is a mixture of work requiring assistance, such as upward work, and work not requiring assistance (such as downward work). Moreover, the ratchet mechanism 25 allows for simple and easy switching between the ON and OFF states.

[0042] The ratchet mechanism 25 is provided at the base end 3A of the upper arm support arm 3 and includes a ratchet gear 22 that is swingable around the same axis as the swing axis L3 of the upper arm support arm 3, a pawl member 24 that is swingably attached to the base end 3A of the upper arm support arm 3 at a longitudinally intermediate position via a pivot shaft 23 and that can be engaged with and disengaged from the ratchet gear 22, and a pawl member 24 that is swingably attached to the base end 3A of the upper arm support arm 3 by a pivot shaft 41 and that can be operated by the operator M. The finger operation unit 42 is provided with a claw member time difference switching means 35 having a thin operating tube 36 that forms the finger operation unit 42, a pressing rod 37 that is slidably inserted into the thin operating tube 36 and has a claw member pressing head 43 at its tip, and a coil spring 38 that resiliently urges the pressing rod 37 toward the tip; therefore, the finger operation unit 42 operated by the operator M can easily and reliably switch the claw member time difference switching means 35 between the ON state and the OFF state with an extremely small force.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 10, the operating tube 36 is arranged in a protruding manner near the shoulder of the operator M. Conventionally, it has not been easy to operate the operating tube 36 with the other (unused) hand, but the present invention makes it possible to switch the tube with an extremely small force, which is very convenient. When pawl 24A of pawl member 24 is in a mutually offset position where it does not immediately engage with ratchet gear 22, pawl member time difference switching means 35 remains in a standby state, and the moment upper arm support arm 3 moves slightly, the standby state switches to an engagement (meshing) state between pawl 24A and ratchet gear 22. Therefore, pawl member time difference switching means 35 can also be called pawl member switching standby means.

[0044] Furthermore, at the pivotal connection portion 16 that pivotally connects the upper arm support arm 3 and the forearm support arm 7 so that they can swing up and down, an extended position maintaining means X0 is attached that allows the upper arm support arm 3 and the forearm support arm 7 to swing freely in the bent position and switch to an excessive swing prevention state in the extended position, so that in the bent positions shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9, the upper arm support arm 3 and the forearm support arm 7 are able to swing (bend) freely, allowing the worker M to work smoothly. Furthermore, in the extended positions shown in Figures 2, 3, 7, etc., the excessive swing prevention state is switched to, so that the upward elastic biasing torque T3 of the upper arm support arm 3 can be reliably transmitted to the forearm support arm 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 3 Upper Arm Support Arm 3A proximal end 4 Upper arm support 5 Upper arm wrap belt 7 Forearm Support Arm 8 Forearm support 9 Forearm Wrap Belt 16 Pivotal connection 22 Ratchet Gear 23 Pivot axis 24 Claw member 25 Ratchet mechanism 35 Claw member time difference switching means 36 Operation small diameter tube 37 Pressing rod 38 coil spring 41 Pivot axis 42 Finger operation section 43 Claw member pressing head F0 firing means F 10 Resilient force L3 swing axis M worker M0 Arm M1 upper arm M2 Forearm M5 elbow S0 Arms extended horizontally S1 Arms folded at right angles S2: Arms folded at right angles in the downward position T3 repulsion torque X0 extension posture maintenance means Y3 upward support Y7 upward support Y 30 Forward and upward tilt support Z5 Upper Arm Fixation Means Z9 Forearm Fixation

Claims

1. Worker (M)'s upper arm (M 1 an upper arm support arm (3) having an upper arm receiving device (4) for receiving the upper arm; Worker (M)'s forearm (M 2 ) and a forearm fixing means (Z 9 a forearm support arm (7) having Worker (M)'s elbow (M 5 ) and pivotally connected to the position adjacent to the The elastic force torque (T 3 ) and a spring biasing means (F 0 ) A work support device characterized by the above.

2. The upper arm support arm (3) is provided with a support arm (M) for the upper arm (M 1 ) attached to the upper arm fixing means (Z 5 2. The work support tool according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The worker (M) extends his arm (M 0 ) horizontally extended arm posture (S 0 ) in The upper arm support member (4) of the upper arm support arm (3) supports the upper arm (M) of the worker (M). 1 ) and in a non-contact, separated state. The forearm support member (8) of the forearm support arm (7) supports the forearm (M) of the worker (M). 2 ) with respect to the spring-loading torque (T 3 ) by the upward support force (Y 7 ) The work support tool according to claim 1.

4. The worker (M) 1 ) horizontally and forearm (M 2 ) is a vertical arm bending posture (S 1 ) in The upper arm support member (4) of the upper arm support arm (3) supports the upper arm (M) of the worker (M). 1 ) and applies an upward support force (Y 3 ) on the upper arm (M 1 ) The work support tool according to claim 1.

5. The worker (M) is 5 ) in a linearly extended position, and 0 ) The forearm support member (8) of the forearm support arm (7) supports the forearm (M) of the worker (M). 2 ) and applies an upward support force (Y 7 ) on the forearm (M 2 ) The work support tool according to claim 1.

6. The resilient biasing means (F 0 )teeth, The elastic force (F 10 2. The work support tool according to claim 1, further comprising a ratchet mechanism (25) switchable between an ON state in which transmission is possible and an OFF state in which transmission is cut off in a transmission path that transmits the power from the arm support arm (3) to the upper arm support arm (3).

7. The ratchet mechanism (25) The upper arm support arm (3) is provided at its base end (3A) and is located at the pivot axis (L 3 a ratchet gear (22) that can swing freely around the same axis as the a pawl member (24) pivotally attached at a longitudinal intermediate portion to the base end (3A) of the upper arm support arm (3) via a pivot shaft (23) so as to be swingable, and capable of engaging and disengaging with the ratchet gear (22); a claw member time difference switching means (35) including: an operating small diameter tube (36) pivotally attached to the base end (3A) of the upper arm support arm (3) by a pivot shaft (41) so as to be swingable, and forming a finger operating portion (42) operated by the operator (M); a pressing rod (37) slidably inserted into the operating small diameter tube (36) and having a claw member pressing head portion (43) at its tip; and a coil spring (38) for resiliently biasing the pressing rod (37) toward the tip; 7. The work support tool according to claim 6, further comprising:

8. The pivotal connection part (16) pivotally connects the upper arm support arm (3) and the forearm support arm (7) so that they can swing up and down, The upper arm support arm (3) and the forearm support arm (7) are in a swingable state in the bent position, and are switched to an excessive swing prevention state in the extended position by an extended position maintaining means (X 0 4. The work support tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising:

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