Joint Support

Abstract

To provide a joint supporter in a simple structure that can be attached to either of a knee, an elbow, and an ankle, and can enhance stability of the body and the muscle output during exercising.SOLUTION: The joint supporter that can be attached to either of a knee, an elbow, and an ankle of the body, is obtained by integrally bonding respective one ends and respective other ends of three elastic belts of a first belt, a second belt, and a third belt at a first bonding part and a second bonding part. A tightening force is higher in the order of the third belt, the second belt and the first belt. Each of the first, second and third belts or either one of them has a length adjustment mechanism, and at least either one of the first bonding part and the second bonding part has a protrusion provided on an inner side face thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a joint supporter that can be worn on any of the knees, elbows, or ankles of the human body. More specifically, the supporter is made by joining one end of each of three elastic belts together and the other ends of each of them together to form an integrated unit. By wearing the supporter on a joint, the contracting force of the belts stimulates any flexor or extensor muscle involved in bending and extending the joint, and the reflex reaction caused by the stimulation activates the muscle, improving the stability of the body and the muscle output during exercise.

[0002] Unlike conventional supports that aim to help improve disease or restore function by covering, fixing, protecting or compressing (applying pressure) joints or specific muscles, the joint support of the present invention aims to actively improve body posture and enhance physical function by individually stimulating the necessary muscles for each flexion and extension movement of the knee, elbow and ankle joints required for various sports, depending on how it is worn. [Background technology]

[0003] There are known prior art supports for improving body posture, particularly knee supports, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3. However, these are expected to have a so-called passive effect of supporting the daily activities of patients with knee joint diseases by suppressing instability (displacement) of the knee joint, assisting muscle strength around the joint, and reducing the burden on the cartilage of the knee joint.

[0004] The knee joint supporter disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to include an upper belt attached to the thigh, a stretchable lower belt attached to the calf, and a stretchable central part connected to the upper and lower belts and provided to cover either the front or back of the knee, with multiple slit-shaped cuts extending in a direction intersecting the bending direction of the knee in the central part. This configuration of the knee joint supporter effectively prevents the patella from shifting left and right and can apply uniform pressure regardless of the bending angle of the knee joint, but it is expected to have the effect of protecting diseased parts of the knee joint and preventing damage to the knee joint, and is not expected to have a positive effect such as improving the muscle output of specific muscles according to the type of exercise.

[0005] The knee joint supporter disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which the base end of the second belt is attached to a first belt having elasticity at a predetermined angle. The first belt is wound around the thigh while being pulled in the external rotation direction, the second belt is pulled downward according to the attachment angle of its base end to the first belt, and further wound around the lower leg in the internal rotation direction, thereby exerting a force pulling back in the opposite direction so that the femur does not twist inward and the tibia does not twist outward. In other words, this knee joint supporter mechanically holds the knee joint in an appropriate positional relationship, thereby relieving pain on the inside of the knee joint caused by medial collateral ligament sprain and preventing recurrence, and is not expected to have a positive effect such as improving the muscle output of a specific muscle according to the type of exercise.

[0006] The knee supporter disclosed in Patent Document 3 is composed of a first and a second fixing belt that are wrapped around the upper and lower parts of the knee, respectively, a first and a second intermediate belt that are joined to the vicinity of both ends of both fixing belts and fix them so as to cover the front of the knee, and a first and a second mountain-shaped belt that are joined to the vicinity of one end of both fixing belts and overlap the both intermediate belts to also cover the front of the knee. However, such a knee supporter is intended to suppress the instability of the knee joint of patients with osteoarthritis such as bow legs, to support the muscle strength around the joint, and to reduce the burden on the cartilage of the knee joint by moderately compressing the entire patella and the muscles around the patella, and in particular, to compress the muscles on the inside of the knee more strongly than other parts, and is not intended to have a positive effect such as improving the muscle output of a specific muscle according to the type of exercise.

[0007] On the other hand, a blood circulation promoting band is disclosed in Patent Document 4 as a prior art for ankle supports. However, this is a configuration in which an elastic band equipped with extremely small magnets is attached to the ankle with hook-and-loop fasteners at both ends, and can be attached and detached. However, as the name suggests, this blood circulation promoting band stimulates the acupressure points on the arch of the foot and the Achilles tendon with the magnetic force of the magnets to promote blood circulation, and is not expected to have a positive effect such as improving the muscle output of specific muscles according to the type of exercise. [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-65711 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-6375 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2009-72304 A [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-76362 DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention is basically intended to stimulate any flexor or extensor muscle involved in bending and extending each joint by wearing it on the knee, elbow, or ankle of a healthy person, and to activate the muscle through the reflex reaction induced by the stimulation, i.e., somatic reflex, thereby actively improving the stability of the body and muscle output during exercise. In this respect, the present invention is fundamentally different in terms of the intended wearer and the expected effect from the conventional supporters that aim to protect diseased joints, mechanically correct them, stimulate acupressure points, and promote blood circulation in muscles.

[0009] The human body has many types of reflexes (physiological reflexes), which can be broadly divided into visceral reflexes (autonomic reflexes) that contract visceral muscles and promote glandular secretion via the autonomic nervous system, and somatic reflexes that contract skeletal muscles. The patellar tendon reflex, which causes the lower leg to jump up when the patellar tendon is struck with a mallet, is a typical somatic reflex, but when the skin or muscle receives a certain amount of stimulation, the muscle contracts to move the stimulated area away from the stimulation, which is also a somatic reflex.

[0010] The stimulation that induces a somatic reflex is not a strong pressure like that used for pressing acupressure points, but rather, when the sensory receptors (mechanoreceptors) in the skin and muscles detect that a foreign object is touching them with a certain force, the muscles in that area are activated and contract unconsciously. In particular, in areas such as the knees, elbows, and ankles, the tendons and innervating nerves of the muscles involved in bending and extending the joints are concentrated in shallow positions, so a somatic reflex can be induced with a relatively small stimulation. In addition, by changing the position at which the stimulation is applied to the joint, a somatic reflex can be induced in any flexor or extensor muscle, and the muscles required for each different movement can be activated.

[0011] Based on this principle, the present invention aims to provide a joint supporter with a simple structure that can be worn on the knee, elbow, or ankle and can improve body stability and muscle output during exercise.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the joint supporter described in claim 1 of the present invention is a joint supporter for any of the knees, elbows, and ankles of the body.Also The wearable joint supporter is characterized in that it is made up of three elastic belts, a first belt, a second belt, and a third belt, which are integrated by joining one end of each belt at a first joining section and the other end of each belt at a second joining section. The material of the three belts is not particularly limited as long as it is elastic, and may be a band-shaped rubber, or a nylon or polyester rubber thread woven into a band-shaped shape with rubber woven into a core. The three belts may be joined by any method, such as sewing, heat welding, or joining via a joining member. The opening angle of the belts at the joining section is set to be approximately 120° apart.

[0013] The contraction force of each belt does not need to be strong enough to tighten the area where it is worn; it is sufficient for the skin and muscles (mainly tendons) to sense the contact of a foreign object and elicit a somatic reflex; even the first belt, which has the strongest contraction force, does not compress muscles or restrict blood flow like supporters of conventional technology.

[0014] Next, the invention described in claim 2 is the joint support described in claim 1, characterized in that the contraction force of the first belt is stronger than the contraction force of the second belt and the third belt.

[0015] Next, the invention described in claim 3 is the joint supporter described in claim 2, characterized in that the contraction force is configured to be stronger in the order of the third belt, the second belt, and the first belt.

[0016] The tension of each belt is arbitrary and can be set appropriately according to the wearer's physique (joint size). By making the tension of the three belts different, it is possible to selectively induce a somatic reflex in the skin and muscles of the area where the first belt, which has the strongest tension, is in contact when the device is attached to a joint.

[0017] Next, the invention described in claim 4 is the joint supporter described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a length adjustment mechanism is provided in all or any of the first to third belts. The structure and position of the length adjustment mechanism are not particularly limited, and a member such as a buckle may be used, or the length of the belts may be adjusted by the overlapping position of a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0018] Next, the invention described in claim 5 is the joint supporter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a protrusion is provided on the inner surface of at least one of the first joint and the second joint. The size and material of the protrusion are not particularly limited, but it can be small enough to cause a foreign body sensation when it comes into contact with the side of the joint, and for example, a silicone hemisphere or flat triangular pyramid bonded to the inner surface of the joint is preferable. Effect of the Invention

[0019] The joint supporter according to the present invention has a simple structure of only three elastic belts connected together, but can be applied to any of the knees, elbows, and ankles. The wearer can wear the supporter by appropriately selecting the part where the first belt is to be attached, thereby improving the muscle output of any muscle related to the flexion and extension of the joint according to the characteristics of the exercise or the type of sport. Furthermore, the joint supporter according to the present invention does not inhibit blood flow or muscle movement, so it does not lower muscle temperature during exercise or restrict exercise compared to supporters of the prior art. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joint supporter S according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the same. The joint supporter S is integrated by joining one end and the other end of three belts, a first belt B1, a second belt B2, and a third belt B3, at joints J1 and J2. The three belts B1, B2, and B3 are joined at joints J1 and J2 with an opening angle of 120°. In addition, a protrusion P is provided on the inner surface of the joint J1.

[0021] The three belts B1, B2, and B3 are all elastic belts made of flat-woven nylon or polyester rubber thread with rubber woven into the core, and the length can be freely adjusted by layering two separate belts with hook-and-loop fasteners (F1-F3) in a removable manner. In addition, the protrusion P is provided by adhering a silicon hemisphere to the inside surface of the joint J1.

[0022] The three belts B1, B2, and B3 are configured such that the tension forces are stronger in the order of the third belt, the second belt, and the first belt.

[0023] The joint supporter S can be attached to any of the knee, elbow, and ankle joints by appropriately adjusting the length of the three belts B1, B2, and B3 using hook-and-loop fasteners. In this case, the effect obtained differs depending on which part of the joint the first belt B1, which has the strongest binding force, is placed in contact with. The joint supporter S is basically placed in a direction in which the protrusion P is placed in contact with the outer surface of the joint to which it is attached. Below, the action and effect of the joint supporter S will be sequentially explained with reference to Figs. 3 to 11 for each joint to which it is attached and each part to which the first belt B1 is placed. When it is placed on the knee, it is placed so that the protrusion P is placed in contact with the outer side of the knee joint.

[0024] (1) When worn on the knee (1-1) When the first belt is placed on the back of the knee joint (Fig. 3) (action) The strongest tension of the first belt B1 stimulates the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh, particularly the insertion of the biceps femoris, and the triceps surae muscles on the upper part of the calf, particularly the origin of the gastrocnemius, causing the biceps femoris and gastrocnemius to contract as a somatic reflex. (effect) The biceps femoris flexes the knee joint and externally rotates the lower leg, and the gastrocnemius flexes the knee joint and plantar flexes the ankle joint. The activation of these muscles by somatic reflexes makes it easier to exert the force to support the body weight against gravity when sitting down or standing up, thereby increasing the stability of the body.

[0025] (1-2) When the first belt is placed on the lower part of the patella (Figure 4) (action) The strongest tension of the first belt B1 stimulates the tendons of the quadriceps (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis) that straddle the patella and stop at the top of the tibia, causing the quadriceps to contract due to a somatic reflex, which pulls the patella upward. Also, because the protrusion P abuts against the outside of the knee joint and stimulates it, the vastus lateralis in particular contracts due to a somatic reflex, pushing the patella inward. (effect) Since external rotation (outward movement) of the patella is prevented, the knee and sole of the foot are stabilized, and coordination between the legs and torso is promoted.

[0026] (1-3) When the first belt is placed on the top of the patella (Figure 5) (action) The strongest tension of the first belt B1 stimulates the patellar ligament close to the insertion of the quadriceps, activating the contraction of the quadriceps by somatic reflex. The quadriceps originates on the ilium (pelvis) and inserts on the patella and fibular tuberosities, and functions to extend the knee joint and flex the hip joint. In addition, the second belt B2, which has the second strongest tension, contacts the lower part of the patella, causing the patella to be pulled upward by somatic reflex. Furthermore, the protrusion P contacts the outside of the patella and stimulates it, preventing the patella from rotating outward when the knee is bent, resulting in stabilization of the patella. The third belt, which has the weakest tension, contacts the back side of the knee joint. (effect) By activating the quadriceps and stabilizing the knee, the strain of lifting the knee when walking is reduced, allowing for smoother leg movement when climbing stairs or uphill.

[0027] (2) When worn on the elbow (2-1) When the first belt B1 is in contact with the inside (flexed side) of the elbow joint (Fig. 6) (action) The strongest tension of the first belt B1 stimulates the biceps brachii, which straddles the elbow joint and stops at the top of the radius, as well as the flexor carpi radialis, brachioradialis, pronator teres, and other flexor muscles (not shown), which straddle the elbow joint and originate at the lower end of the humerus, causing these muscles to contract through a somatic reflex. (effect) The strength to bend the arm at the elbow joint increases, and muscle output improves when lifting or pulling an object toward the body. This is advantageous for the explosive force required to pull an opponent towards you in sports such as sumo, wrestling, and judo.

[0028] (2-2) When the first belt B1 is in contact with the upper arm on the outer side (extension side) of the elbow joint (Figure 7) (action) The strongest tension of the first belt B1 stimulates the triceps brachii, an extensor muscle that straddles the elbow joint and inserts at the olecranon of the ulna, causing the triceps brachii to contract through a somatic reflex, while an ascending chain of muscle contractions activates the extensor muscles on the trunk side (latissimus dorsi, teres major, teres minor, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis: all not shown). (effect) It helps maintain trunk posture and improves muscle output in sports that use the extensor muscles (boxing, American football, sprinting, throwing events, etc.), and also helps maintain posture during activities such as the model walk.

[0029] (2-3) When the first belt B1 is in contact with the forearm on the outer side (extension side) of the elbow joint (Figure 8) (action) The strongest tension of the first belt B1 stimulates the new muscles of the forearm, such as the extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, and extensor carpi ulnaris, which originate at the lower end of the humerus, straddle the elbow joint, and insert at the carpal bones, causing these muscles to contract through a somatic reflex. (effect) As with 2-2, it helps maintain trunk posture and improves contraction force during exercises that use the extensor muscles.

[0030] (3) When worn on the ankle (3-1) When the first belt B1 is in contact with the Achilles tendon (Figure 9) (action) When the Achilles tendon is stimulated by the strongest tension of the first belt B1, the calf flexors, the gastrocnemius and soleus, contract due to a somatic reflex, and further, an ascending chain of muscle contractions causes the hamstring muscles (not shown), such as the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, which are the thigh flexors, and then the gluteus maximus (not shown), etc., to contract. (effect) Activating the entire flexor group of the lower leg improves muscle output when kicking the leg back and generating forward propulsion. It improves performance in sports that require running, such as footraces, soccer, and rugby forwards. In addition, activation of the triceps surae, also known as the "second heart," including the gastrocnemius and soleus, promotes blood flow throughout the body.

[0031] (3-2) When the first belt B1 is in contact with the sole of the foot (Fig. 10) (action) The first belt B1 stimulates the flexor muscles that make up the plantar fascia, such as the abductor hallucis, adductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, and lumbrical muscle, with the strongest tension, activating the arch shape of the sole of the foot through somatic reflex. Stimulation is also applied to the tendons of the lower leg muscles (not shown), such as the posterior tibial muscle and peroneus longus muscle, which are inserted on the underside of the metatarsal bone, causing these lower leg muscles to contract through somatic reflex. (effect) Activating the plantar fascia stabilizes the body's center of gravity, and improving the muscle output of the lower leg muscles that plantar flex and evert the ankle joint improves performance in sports that require explosive lower body force, such as wrestling, judo, sumo, weightlifting, and throwing events in track and field.

[0032] (3-3) When the first belt B1 is placed against the instep of the foot (Fig. 11) (action) The tibialis anterior muscle, which originates on the side of the tibia and stops at the base of the metatarsal, is stimulated by the strongest tension of the first belt B1, causing this muscle to contract by somatic reflex. In addition, the quadriceps muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, and sartorius: none of which are shown) on the front of the thigh contract due to the ascending chain of muscle contractions, and furthermore, the iliopsoas group (psoas major and iliacus muscles), which are inner muscles in the pelvis, are also activated. (effect) Activation of the tibialis anterior, which dorsiflexes the ankle joint, the quadriceps, which flexes the knee joint, and the iliopsoas, which is a hip flexor, improves performance in sports and movements that require the knee to be raised high, such as mountain climbing, karate, and kickboxing.

[0033] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described configuration, and can be modified and implemented as appropriate within the scope of the invention, which achieves the object of the invention and has the effect. As long as it falls within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0034] The joint supporter according to the present invention is not intended for therapeutic purposes such as protecting diseased or damaged joints or relieving pain, but is basically intended to improve the athletic ability of healthy people. It can be widely used as an easy-to-wear prosthesis to improve performance in various sports and exercise, or to improve the QOL of elderly people with weakened muscles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joint supporter according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] A side view of a joint supporter according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] Schematic diagram showing how it is attached to the knee (1-1) [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing how it is attached to the knee (1-2) [Diagram 5] Schematic diagram showing how the device is attached to the knee (1-3) [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing how the device is attached to the elbow (2-1) [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing how the device is attached to the elbow (2-2) [Figure 8] Schematic diagram showing how the device is attached to the elbow (2-3) [Figure 9] Schematic diagram showing how the device is attached to the ankle (3-1) [Figure 10] Schematic diagram showing how the device is attached to the ankle (3-2) [Figure 11] Schematic diagram showing how the device is attached to the ankle (3-3) [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] S Joint Support B1 1st Belt B2 2nd Belt B3 3rd Belt J1 First joint (outside) J2 Second joint (inner side) F1, F2, F3 hook and loop fastener joints P protrusion

Claims

1. This joint supporter can be worn on any of the knees, elbows, and ankles of the body, and is characterized in that it is made up of three elastic belts, a first belt, a second belt, and a third belt, each of which has one end joined to the other at a first joint and a second joint, respectively, to be integrated together.

2. 2. The joint support according to claim 1, wherein the tension of the first belt is stronger than the tension of the second belt and the tension of the third belt.

3. 3. The joint support according to claim 2, wherein the third belt is configured to have a stronger contraction force than the second belt, and the first belt is configured to have a stronger contraction force in that order.

4. 4. The joint supporter according to claim 1, wherein all or any of the first to third belts are provided with a length adjustment mechanism.

5. 5. The joint supporter according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided on an inner surface of at least one of the first joint portion and the second joint portion.

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