Assist suit

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a novel assist suit that offers improved comfort during wear. [Solution] The assist suit 1 for reducing the burden of movement on the wearer (S) comprises an upper body mounting member 2 that is attached to the upper body, a pair of thigh mounting members 3 that are attached to the left and right thighs respectively, and a pair of elastic members 4 whose upper ends are connected to an upper end connector 21 provided on the back side of the upper body mounting member 2 and whose lower ends are connected to lower end connectors 31 provided on each thigh mounting member 3, and furthermore, a positioning device 5 is used to position the lower end of each elastic member 4 closer to the wearer's (S) body when the suit is worn.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assist suit for reducing the operation burden of a wearer.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, as a means for reducing the operation burden of workers and the elderly, particularly the operation burden caused by forward bending, a wearable assist device using elastic force, such as an "assist suit", has been put into practical use (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In both of the assist suits disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a pair of elastic members are arranged on the back side of the body, and elastic assist force is generated by the bending of each elastic member in response to the forward bending operation of the wearer, thereby reducing the operation burden of the wearer. Therefore, wearing this type of assist suit can reduce the operation burden such as the operation of lifting a load.

[0005] However, when an elastic member is arranged on the back side of the body, the elastic member may bend in response to the walking operation of the wearer, which may cause resistance to the walking operation and give discomfort to the wearer.

[0006] The present invention has been completed in view of the above technical problems, and an object thereof is to provide a new assist suit with improved comfort during wearing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The assist suit of the present invention, which solves the aforementioned technical problems, is an assist suit for reducing the burden of movement on the wearer, and comprises an upper body mounting member worn on the upper body, a pair of thigh mounting members worn on the left and right thighs respectively, and a pair of elastic members whose upper ends are connected to an upper end connector provided on the back side of the upper body mounting member and whose lower ends are connected to lower end connectors provided on each thigh mounting member, and further comprises a positioning device for positioning the lower ends of each elastic member closer to the wearer's body when worn (hereinafter referred to as "the assist suit of the present invention").

[0008] In the assist suit of the present invention, the positioning device is a bridging member stretched between the left and right thigh mounting members, or between the left and right elastic members, and it is preferable that the middle of the device is positioned against the wearer's abdominal side when worn, thereby positioning the lower ends of each elastic member closer to the wearer's body.

[0009] In the aforementioned assist suit, a preferred configuration is one in which the bridging member is stretched across the left and right thigh mounting members, or via stays provided on the left and right elastic members, respectively.

[0010] In the assist suit of the present invention, a preferred embodiment further includes a spacing regulating device that is stretched between the left and right elastic members to prevent the spacing between each elastic member from widening on the wearer's back.

[0011] In the assist suit of the present invention, a preferred embodiment further includes a push-down device that is stretched between the left and right thigh mounting members and is pushed down by the buttocks when the wearer lowers their hips, thereby suppressing the lifting of the elastic member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The assist suit of the present invention can improve comfort when worn. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assist suit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, shown from the rear. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assist suit of the present invention, taken from the front. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is a front view showing a person wearing the assist suit, Figure 3(b) is a rear view showing the person wearing the suit, Figure 3(c) is a side view showing the person lifting an object placed on the ground, and Figure 3(d) is a side view showing the person lifting the object and returning to an upright position. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the assist suit of the present invention, viewed from the rear. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assist suit of the present invention according to Embodiment 2, taken from the rear side. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a front view showing a person wearing the assist suit, Figure 6(b) is a rear view showing the person wearing the suit, and Figure 6(c) is a side view showing the person wearing the suit lifting an object placed on the ground. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the assist suit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, shown from the rear. [Figure 8] Figure 8(a) is a front view showing a person wearing the assist suit, Figure 8(b) is a rear view showing the person wearing the suit, and Figure 8(c) is a side view showing the person wearing the suit lifting an object placed on the ground. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the present invention based on the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] <Assist Suit 1 of the Invention> Figs. 1 and 2 show the assist suit 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The assist suit 1 of the present invention comprises an "upper body mounting member (2)", a pair of "leg mounting members (3)", and a pair of "elastic members (4)", and further comprises a "positioning device (5)".

[0016] - Upper body mounting member 2 - The upper body mounting member 2 is a member to be mounted on the upper body when the assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn. Further, an upper end side connector 21 for connecting the upper end of the elastic member 4 is provided on the upper body mounting member 2. In the present embodiment, as the upper body mounting member 2, a backrest plate 20, an upper end side connector 21 provided on the back side of the backrest plate 20, and a pair of loop-shaped shoulder straps 22 (22L, 22R) attached to the backrest plate 20 are used. Note that connection receiving portions (sockets) for connecting the upper ends of the elastic members 4 are provided at two symmetrically left and right positions with respect to the center line at the bottom of the upper end side connector 21.

[0017] - Leg mounting member 3 - The pair of leg mounting members 3 (3L, 3R) are members to be respectively mounted on the left and right thighs when the assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn. Further, a lower end side connector 31 for connecting the lower end of the elastic member 4 is provided on each leg mounting member 3 (3L, 3R). In the present embodiment, as the leg mounting member 3, a leg rest plate 30 and a support rod 32 connecting the leg rest plate 30 to the lower end side connector 31 are used. Note that a fixing hole for connecting the lower end of the elastic member 4 is provided in the lower end side connector 31.

[0018] - Elastic member 4 - A pair of elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) have their upper ends connected to an upper end connector 21 provided on the upper body mounting member 2, and their lower ends connected to lower end connectors 31 provided on each thigh mounting member 3 (3L, 3R). In this embodiment, each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) is made of a round rod made of carbon fiber, and the ball stud provided on the upper end is connected to the connecting receiver (socket) provided on the upper end connector 21, while the lower end of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) is inserted and fixed into the fixing hole of the lower end connector 31 provided on each thigh mounting member 3 (3L, 3R), thereby arranging each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) on the back side of the assist suit 1 of the present invention. Since the upper end of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) is connected to the upper end connector 21 by a ball joint, the connection part can pivot and rotate.

[0019] -Positioning device 5- The positioning device 5 plays the role of positioning the lower ends of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) closer to the wearer's body when the assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn. In this embodiment, the positioning device 5 is constructed by stretching a bridging member 50 between the left and right thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R). In this embodiment, a belt-shaped body whose length can be adjusted by a buckle is used as the bridging member 50. The bridging member 50 is stretched between the left and right thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) via stays 33 provided on each of the left and right thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R).

[0020] <Use of the assist suit 1 of the present invention> Figure 3 shows a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention having the above configuration. The assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn by attaching the upper body attachment member 2 to the upper body of the wearer (S) and attaching each thigh attachment member 3 to each of the wearer's (S) thighs.

[0021] When attaching the upper body attachment member 2 to the upper body of the wearer (S), the wearer (S) puts both arms through the pair of shoulder straps 22 (22L, 22R) provided on the upper body attachment member 2 and guides them to the left and right shoulders, and the wearer (S) puts on the upper body attachment member 2 on their back so that the back support plate 20 is positioned in the center of the wearer's back.

[0022] On the other hand, when attaching the thigh attachment member 3 (3L, 3R), the thigh support plate 30 provided on the thigh attachment member 3 (3L, 3R) is positioned in front of the thigh.

[0023] Then, in this state, the positioning device 5 is placed against the abdominal side of the wearer (S), and the length of the positioning device 5 is adjusted to position the lower ends of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) closer to the wearer's (S) body.

[0024] In this wearing state, as shown in Figure 3(c), when the wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention performs a forward bending motion to lift a load (W) placed on the ground, the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) will bend, and an elastic force (F) will be generated in the direction that returns the wearer's (S) body to an upright position. The generated elastic force (F) becomes an assisting force that reduces the burden on the wearer's (S) movement.

[0025] Furthermore, in the assist suit 1 of the present invention, the positioning device 5 positions the lower ends of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) closer to the wearer's (S) body when the suit is worn. As a result, even when the wearer performs walking movements, the lower ends of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) only move back and forth and hardly bend. Therefore, wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention does not hinder walking movements, and as a result, comfort during wear is improved.

[0026] Furthermore, the elastic force (F) that returns the wearer's (S) body to an upright position also acts as a force that tries to shift the thigh support plate 30, which is positioned in front of the thigh, backward by pulling the thigh support members 3 (3L, 3R) towards the back. However, in the assist suit of the present invention, the positioning device 5 prevents almost any displacement of the thigh support plate 30.

[0027] By the way, in this embodiment of the present invention, the assist suit 1 uses an upper body mounting member 2 that is worn by being carried on the back, but the mounting method and shape of the upper body mounting member 2 are not particularly limited in the present invention. The upper body mounting member 2 may be, for example, a vest or other garment that is worn by being worn on the body.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the assist suit 1 of the present invention, the thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) are attached in a manner in which the thigh support plate 30 is positioned in front of the thigh. However, in the present invention, the wearing form and shape of the thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) are not particularly limited. Also, each thigh attachment member 3 (3L, 3R) is not necessarily limited to a pair of independent members, and may be in a form in which part or all of each thigh attachment member (3L, 3R) is connected. The thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) may be attached in a manner in which they are worn by wearing, for example, shorts or trousers.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the assist suit 1 of the present invention, a round rod made of carbon fiber is used for the elastic member 4 (4L, 4R), but the material and shape of the elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) are not particularly limited in the present invention. In addition to carbon fiber, other materials such as glass fiber, metal, plastic, rubber, and silicone can be used as appropriate for the material of the elastic member 4 (4L, 4R). Also, in addition to a round rod, other shapes such as a square rod, flat plate, hollow pipe, or coil spring can be appropriately selected for the shape of the elastic member 4. Furthermore, multiple elastic materials may be bundled together to construct a single elastic member 4.

[0030] In addition, in the assist suit 1 of the present invention in this embodiment, when arranging the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R), the ball stud provided at the upper end is connected to the connecting receiving part (socket) provided on the upper end connector 21, and the lower end is inserted and fixed into the fixing hole of the lower end connector 31. However, in the present invention, the means of fixing the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) to the upper end connector 21 and the lower end connector 31 are not particularly limited as long as they do not easily come off or break during use of the assist suit 1 of the present invention.

[0031] In this embodiment of the assist suit 1 of the present invention, a band-shaped body whose length can be adjusted by a buckle is used as a bridging member 50, and the positioning device 5 is constructed by stretching this band over the left and right thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) via stays 33 provided on each of them. However, in the present invention, the positioning device 5 is not particularly limited in its form as long as it can position the lower ends of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) closer to the wearer's body when worn and maintain this state. Furthermore, the positioning device 5 may be stretched between the left and right elastic members 4 (4L, 4R). Moreover, the positioning device 5 may be stretched directly between the thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) and the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) without the interposition of stays 33.

[0032] Other examples of positioning devices 5 that use bridging members 50 other than strip-shaped bodies include those constructed by using rigid rods as bridging members 50, as shown in Figure 4, and stretching them between the left and right thigh mounting members 3 (3L, 3R) (or between the left and right elastic members 4 (4L, 4R)).

[0033] [Embodiment 2] <Assist Suit 1 of the Invention> Figure 5 shows the assist suit 1 of the present invention according to Embodiment 2. The assist suit 1 of the present invention according to this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, except that it further comprises a "spacing control device (6)".

[0034] - Interval control device 6 - The spacing control device 6 plays a role in preventing the spacing between each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) from widening on the back side of the wearer (S). In this embodiment, the spacing control device 6 is constructed by passing a belt with an adjustable buckle between the left and right elastic members 4 (4L, 4R).

[0035] <Wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention> Figure 6 shows a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention having the above configuration. When the assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn, the spacing control device 6 is positioned on the back side of the wearer (S).

[0036] Furthermore, when a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention performs a bending motion to lift a load (W), the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) flex, and an elastic force (F) is generated in the direction that returns the wearer's (S) body to an upright position.

[0037] The resulting elastic force (F) acts as an assisting force that reduces the burden on the wearer (S), but at the same time, it can also act as a force that widens the gap between each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R). Widening the gap between each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) causes a reduction in the assisting force, but in the assist suit 1 of the present invention, the gap widening of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) can be restricted by the gap regulating device 6.

[0038] [Embodiment 3] <Assist Suit 1 of the Invention> Figure 7 shows the assist suit 1 of the present invention according to Embodiment 3. The assist suit 1 of the present invention according to this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 2, except that it further comprises a "push-down device (7)".

[0039] - Push-down device 7 - The push-down device 7 plays a role in suppressing the lifting of the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) by being pushed down by the buttocks when the wearer lowers their hips. In this embodiment, the push-down device 7 is constructed by passing a belt with an adjustable buckle between the left and right thigh mounting members 3 (3L, 3R).

[0040] <Wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention> Figure 8 shows a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention having the above configuration. When the assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn, the push-down device 7 is positioned below the buttocks of the wearer (S).

[0041] Furthermore, when a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention performs a bending motion to lift a load (W), the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) flex, and an elastic force (F) is generated in the direction that returns the wearer's (S) body to an upright position.

[0042] The resulting elastic force (F) acts as an assisting force that reduces the burden on the wearer (S), but at the same time, it can also act as a force that pulls the lower end of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) upward, causing it to lift away from the wearer (S). The lifting of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) reduces the assisting force, but in the assist suit 1 of the present invention, the lifting of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) can be prevented by the downward pushing device 7 being pushed downward by the wearer's (S) buttocks.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from its spirit or main features. Therefore, the embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and the text of the specification is not restrictive. Moreover, any modifications or changes falling within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0044] The present invention is suitably used as a means to reduce the burden on the wearer's movements. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1. The present invention: an assist suit (assist suit) 2. Upper body attachment component 21 Upper end connector 3. Thigh attachment member 31 Lower end side connector 33 Stay 4 Elastic members 5 Positioning device 50 Bridge Member 6. Spacing Regulator 7. Push-down device

Claims

1. An assist suit designed to reduce the burden of movement on the wearer, An upper body attachment component that is attached to the upper body, A pair of thigh attachment members that are attached to the left and right thighs, A pair of elastic members, the upper end of which is connected to an upper end connector provided on the back side of the upper body mounting member, and the lower end of which is connected to a lower end connector provided on each thigh mounting member, It is equipped with, An assist suit further comprising a positioning device for positioning the lower end of each elastic member closer to the wearer's body when worn.

2. In the assist suit described in claim 1, The positioning device is a bridging member stretched between the left and right thigh mounting members, or between the left and right elastic members, and when the suit is worn, the middle of the bridging member is placed against the wearer's abdominal side, thereby positioning the lower ends of each elastic member closer to the wearer's body.

3. In the assist suit described in claim 2, An assist suit in which the bridging member is stretched across left and right thigh mounting members, or across left and right elastic members, via stays provided on each of them.

4. In the assist suit described in claim 1, Furthermore, the assist suit is equipped with a spacing regulating device that is stretched between the left and right elastic members to prevent the spacing between each elastic member from widening on the wearer's back.

5. In the assist suit described in claim 1, Furthermore, the assist suit is equipped with a push-down device that is stretched between the left and right thigh mounting members and is pushed down by the buttocks when the wearer lowers their hips, thereby suppressing the lifting of the elastic member.

Images