Walking aid

Abstract

Provided is a walking assist device that can reduce the labor of an assistant without requiring large-scale equipment. 【Solution means】The walking assist device S100 includes a main belt 10 worn on the torso of a user, a connecting portion 40 slidably connected to a first guide bar 81 of a walking training device 80, a first auxiliary belt 30 connected to the main belt 10, a connecting portion 60 slidably connected to a second guide bar 82 of the walking training device 80, and a second auxiliary belt 50 worn on the main belt 10. The lengths of the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 are such that, with the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 passed inside both legs of the user and extending from the front side to the back side of the user, the connecting portion 40 of the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 is at least behind the user's buttocks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a walking assist device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in hospitals and the like, for example, walking training has been performed using two parallel bars. However, in walking training using parallel bars, from the viewpoint of safety, it is common for the trainer to be supported by two assistants during training, and this work requires a great deal of labor. Patent Document 1 proposes a device that allows a trainer to perform walking training alone while applying weight to a saddle suspended from a ceiling rail so as to reduce the labor of the assistants.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is necessary to provide a rail on the ceiling, which requires large-scale equipment.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a walking assist device that can reduce the labor of assistants without requiring large-scale equipment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A walking assist device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main belt worn on the user's torso, a connecting portion slidably connected to a first guide bar of a walking training device, a first auxiliary belt connected to the main belt, a connecting portion slidably connected to a second guide bar of the walking training device, and a second auxiliary belt attached to the main belt. The lengths of the first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt are such that when the first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt are passed inside both legs of the user and extended from the front side to the back side of the user, the connecting portions of the first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt are at least behind the user's buttocks.

[0007] The main belt may have at least one handle portion that can be gripped by an assistant at a position on the back side of the user when the main belt is worn on the user.

[0008] As the at least one handle portion, a first handle portion extending in a first direction that is the longitudinal direction of the main belt and a second handle portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction may be provided.

[0009] The first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt are connected to each other by a connecting belt, and the connecting belt may be connected to an intermediate position in the length direction of the first auxiliary belt and an intermediate position in the length direction of the second auxiliary belt.

[0010] The first guide bar and the second guide bar are parallel bars for walking training, and the connecting portion of the first auxiliary belt has a loop-shaped portion through which the first guide bar passes and a sliding member disposed inside the loop-shaped portion and in contact with the first guide bar, or the connecting portion of the second auxiliary belt has a loop-shaped portion through which the second guide bar passes and a sliding member disposed inside the loop-shaped portion and in contact with the second guide bar.

[0011] The sliding member may be configured to have a shape that does not follow the outer peripheral surface of the guide bar when the loop-shaped portion is not being pulled, and to deform into a shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the guide bar when the loop-shaped portion is being pulled.

[0012] The connecting portion may include an insertion plate connected to the belt member of the auxiliary belt and a plate holder fixed to the loop-shaped portion into which the insertion plate is inserted, and the belt member may be configured to be detachable from the loop-shaped portion.

[0013] The first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt may have cushioning materials that contact the user's legs during use.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, there is an effect that a walking assist device capable of reducing the labor of an assistant can be provided without the need for large-scale equipment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a walking assist device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing the main belt in an extended state. FIG. 3 is a view showing the auxiliary belt. FIG. 4 is a view showing the usage state of the walking assist device.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the walking assist device S100 includes a main belt 10, a first auxiliary belt 30, and a second auxiliary belt 50. The walking assist device S100 is an assist device used when a user conducts walking training. Here, the shape of the walking assist device S100 shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1 is presented for easy understanding of the configuration of each member for convenience of explanation. Among the walking assist device S100, at least three types of belts (the main belt 10, the first auxiliary belt 30, and the second auxiliary belt 50) have flexibility such that their shapes can change according to the attachment and detachment of the walking assist device S100 to the user's body and the change in the user's posture, etc., as will be described later. The user is, for example, a person who needs to conduct walking training due to old age or the like, or a person who conducts walking rehabilitation training due to physical injury or the like. The walking assist device S100 according to the present invention can be used, for example, from the initial stage of rehabilitation.

[0018] (Main Belt 10) The main belt 10 is a belt-shaped member worn on the user's torso. In this example, the main belt 10 has a length that can be wound around the vicinity of the user's waist. The main belt 10 has an inner surface 11 and an outer surface 12. The inner surface 11 is the surface facing the user's body when worn on the user. The outer surface 12 is the surface on the opposite side of the inner surface.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main belt 10 has a hook-and-loop fastener 13. The hook-and-loop fastener 13 is provided at the end of the outer surface 12 of the main belt 10. The hook-and-loop fastener 13 is fixed to another hook-and-loop fastener (not shown) provided on the inner surface 11 at the end opposite to the main belt 10.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the main belt 10 has a first gripping part 21 and a second gripping part 22. The first gripping part 21 and the second gripping part 22 are provided on the outer surface 12 of the main belt 10. The first gripping part 21 and the second gripping part 22 are gripping parts that can be gripped by an assistant. In this example, the first gripping part 21 and the second gripping part 22 are provided at a position (region A) on the back side of the user when the main belt 10 is worn by the user. Note that if the user can attach and detach the walking assist device S100 by themselves, these gripping parts may also be used for the user to hold by themselves.

[0021] In the example of Fig. 2, a plurality of first gripping parts 21 and a plurality of second gripping parts 22 are provided respectively. Since each of the first gripping parts 21 has the same structure and each of the second gripping parts 22 also has the same structure, hereinafter, one first gripping part 21 and one second gripping part 22 will be described.

[0022] The first gripping part 21 is formed to extend in a first direction which is the longitudinal direction of the main belt 10. The second gripping part 22 is formed to extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction. As an example, the first gripping part 21 is provided in a direction extending horizontally in a state where the walking assist device S100 is worn by the user. As an example, the second gripping part 22 is provided in a direction extending vertically in a state where the walking assist device S100 is worn by the user.

[0023] By providing at least one gripping part on the walking assist device S100 in this way, it becomes possible for an assistant to grasp this gripping part and support the user during training well. Also, in the walking assist device S100 of this embodiment, the first gripping part 21 and the second gripping part 22 extending in different directions from each other are provided. Therefore, the assistant can grasp a gripping part that is easy to grasp according to, for example, the posture of the user, and can support the user better.

[0024] (Auxiliary belt) As shown in FIG. 4, the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 are members that are passed inside both legs of the user when the walking assist device S100 is used and support the user in the event that the user is about to fall. Since the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 have a similar structure, the first auxiliary belt 30 will be described as an example below.

[0025] (The first auxiliary belt 30) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first auxiliary belt 30 has a belt portion 35 and a connecting portion 40.

[0026] One end of the belt portion 35 is connected to the main belt 10. In this example, specifically, the belt portion 35 is connected to a position on the front side of the user when the walking assist device S100 is worn by the user. The belt portion 35 may be fixedly connected to the main belt 10 or may be detachably connected. The detachable configuration will be described later with reference to other drawings.

[0027] The belt portion 35 has a belt member 35a and a cushioning material 35b. The belt member 35a is a belt-shaped member having sufficient strength. The cushioning material 35b is provided along the belt member 35a. The cushioning material 35b is a member arranged at a position that contacts the user's leg during use and is formed of an elastic body such as urethane foam or sponge. In this example, the cushioning material 35b is formed to be approximately the same length as the belt member 35a. As an example, the cushioning material 35b may be detachably provided with respect to the belt member 35a. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to remove the cushioning material 35b from the belt member 35a for cleaning or to replace it with another cushioning material.

[0028] The second auxiliary belt 50 is configured in the same manner as the first auxiliary belt 30, as described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the second auxiliary belt 50 has a belt portion 55 and a connecting portion 60. The belt portion 55 and the connecting portion 60 respectively correspond to the belt portion 35 and the connecting portion 40 of the first auxiliary belt 30.

[0029] The walking assist device S100 is used in the manner shown in FIG. 4, although details will be described later. The auxiliary belt is formed to have a sufficient length so that it can be used in the manner shown in FIG. 4. Taking the first auxiliary belt 30 as an example, the first auxiliary belt 30 is passed inside both legs of the user and extended from the front side to the back side of the user, and the connecting portion 40 of the first auxiliary belt 30 is formed to have a length such that it is at least behind the user's buttocks.

[0030] The connecting portion 40 is a portion that is connected to the first guide bar 81 (FIG. 4, details below) of the walking training device 80. Specifically, the connecting portion 40 is connected to the first guide bar 81 in such a manner that the connecting portion 40 can move along the first guide bar 81. More specifically, the connecting portion 40 is slidably connected to the first guide bar 81. The detailed configuration of the connecting portion 40 will be described with reference to other drawings.

[0031] (Usage method of the walking assist device S100) As shown in FIG. 4, the walking assist device S100 is worn on the user by wrapping the main belt 10 around the user's torso. FIG. 4 depicts the walking training device 80. The walking training device 80 has parallel bars for walking training including a first guide bar 81 and a second guide bar 82. Both the first guide bar 81 and the second guide bar 82 are round bars as an example.

[0032] In the usage state of the walking assist device S100 (see FIG. 4), the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 are passed between the user's legs. The connecting portion 40 of the first auxiliary belt 30 is connected to the first guide bar 81. The connecting portion 60 of the second auxiliary belt 50 is connected to the second guide bar 82.

[0033] In this way, with the walking assist device S100 worn by the user, the user performs walking training while grasping the first guide bar 81 and the second guide bar 82. In the state of FIG. 4, the user performs walking training while moving in the left direction shown in the figure. When the user moves to the end (left end) of the walking training device 80, the user changes the direction and then performs walking training while moving in the opposite direction, that is, to the right side shown in the figure.

[0034] With the walking training device 80, the user makes a reciprocating movement along the two guide bars 81 and 82 in this way. In the walking assist device S100 of the present embodiment, as an example, while leaving the connecting portion 40 and the connecting portion 60 on the first guide bar 81 and the second guide bar 82 respectively, the belt portion 35 of the first auxiliary belt 30 can be connected to the connecting portion 60, and the belt portion of the second auxiliary belt 50 can be connected to the connecting portion 40. According to the configuration of the present embodiment in which the connection state can be switched in this way, walking training while making a reciprocating movement can be satisfactorily performed.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the user is about to fall during training and applies body weight to the auxiliary belt. In walking training, the user may lose balance during walking and be about to fall. In the walking assist device S100 of the present embodiment, since the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 are passed between the user's both legs, even if the user is about to fall, as shown in FIG. 5, the user is supported by the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from falling during walking training.

[0036] Here, falling is taken as an example, but in walking training, the user's physical strength often drops, so it is also assumed that the user takes a break during training. Even in such a case, according to the walking assist device S100 of the present embodiment, the user can apply body weight to the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 and rest in the posture shown in FIG. 5.

[0037] According to the configuration of the present embodiment, large-scale equipment such as installing rails on the ceiling as in the prior art is not required. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, even if the user loses their balance, the walking assist device S100 prevents the user from falling, so it is not necessary to have multiple assistants accompany the user, and the labor of the assistants can be reduced.

[0038] (Structure for facilitating movement of the auxiliary belt) As shown in FIG. 4, the walking assist device S100 is worn by the user. When the user moves forward, the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 are also pulled forward accordingly. At this time, it is preferable that the connecting portion of the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 has a configuration (structure) that can move smoothly with respect to the first guide bar 81 and the second guide bar 82. Further, it is preferable that the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 have a configuration (structure) that can be easily connected to the first guide bar 81 and the second guide bar 82.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the connecting portion. FIG. 6(a) shows a state where the user's weight is not applied to the auxiliary belt, and FIG. 6(b) shows a state where the user's weight is applied to the auxiliary belt.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion 40 has a loop-shaped portion 41, a sliding member 42, a plate holder 46, and an insertion plate 47.

[0041] (Loop-shaped portion 41 and sliding member 42) The loop-shaped portion 41 is a loop-shaped portion through which the first guide bar 81 passes. The loop-shaped portion 41 is a flexible belt-like member.

[0042] The sliding member 42 is made of a material with higher slidability than the material of the loop-shaped portion 41. The sliding member 42 is made of, for example, POM. The sliding member 42 is disposed at a position inside the loop-shaped portion and in contact with the second guide bar. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the sliding member 42 has an extending portion 42a, an extending portion 42b, an extending portion 42c, and an extending portion 42d. These extending portions 42a to 42d intersect each other at a predetermined angle. The sliding member 42 has a shape that does not follow the outer peripheral surface of the first guide bar 81 in a state where the loop-shaped portion 41 is not being pulled.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6(b), the sliding member 42 deforms into a shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the first guide bar 81 when the loop-shaped portion 41 is being pulled.

[0044] In the configuration of the present embodiment, when no user weight is applied to the first auxiliary belt 30 (see FIG. 4), as shown in FIG. 6(a), the contact area between the sliding member 42 and the first guide bar 81 becomes small. On the other hand, when a user's weight is applied to the first auxiliary belt 30 (see FIG. 5), the sliding member 42 deforms and the contact area with respect to the first guide bar 81 becomes large. According to such a configuration, the auxiliary belt can be smoothly moved during the user's walking, while in a state where the user's weight is applied to the auxiliary belt as shown in FIG. 5, the connecting portion 40 becomes less likely to slip, and it becomes possible to stably support the user.

[0045] (Plate holder 46 and insertion plate 47) The plate holder 46 and the insertion plate 47 are structures for easily connecting the first auxiliary belt 30 to the guide bar 81. The insertion plate 47 is a member connected to the belt member 35a. The plate holder 46 locks the inserted insertion plate 47 when the insertion plate 47 is inserted. By pressing a lock release portion (not shown), the lock is released and the insertion plate 47 can be pulled out.

[0046] In the configuration of this embodiment, as described above, the belt member 35a is detachably configured with respect to the loop-shaped portion 41 by the plate holder 46 and the insertion plate 47. In a configuration where it takes time to connect the first auxiliary belt 30 to the first guide bar 81, for example, while an assistant is connecting the first auxiliary belt 30 to the first guide bar 81, the user has to stand by the walking training device 80, which is a burden on the user. On the other hand, according to the configuration of this embodiment, since the first auxiliary belt 30 can be easily connected to the first guide bar 81, the connection time is shortened, and the burden on the user can be reduced. Since the second auxiliary belt 50 has the same configuration as the first auxiliary belt 30, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first auxiliary belt 30.

[0047] (Structure for more effectively preventing the user from falling) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the walking assist device. The walking assist device S100 according to one aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is configured to prevent the user from falling by passing the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 between both legs and supporting the user with these two auxiliary belts.

[0048] However, in a configuration where the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 are not fixed to each other, when the user loses balance as shown in FIG. 5, a large space is created between the auxiliary belts, and the user may fall in a form where the user cannot be supported well and the user sits down on the buttocks.

[0049] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, in the walking assist device of this embodiment, the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 may be connected to each other by a connecting belt 70. The connecting belt 70 is preferably arranged at a position near the user's buttocks in a state where the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 are passed through both legs of the user. As an example, the connecting belt 70 is connected to an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the first auxiliary belt 30 and an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the second auxiliary belt 50.

[0050] With such a connecting belt 70, the first auxiliary belt 30 and the second auxiliary belt 50 are connected, preventing the auxiliary belts from being too far apart. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the user from falling.

[0051] (Detachable structure of the auxiliary belt with respect to the main belt) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration for detachably connecting the auxiliary belt to the main belt. As shown in FIG. 8, a ring 15 is provided on the main belt 10, and the connection ring 36 of the first auxiliary belt 30 may be connected to the ring 15. The connection ring 36 may be, for example, a ring such as a so-called carabiner in which a part of the ring is provided to be openable and closable. The position where the ring 15 is provided is not particularly limited. However, when the ring 15 is provided at the lower end of the main belt 10 as shown in FIG. 8, the connection ring 36 of the first auxiliary belt 30 and the members around it are not arranged to overlap the surface of the main belt 10, so it is preferable as it does not cause bulkiness.

[0052] The first auxiliary belt 30 may be provided with, for example, a cam buckle 38. This cam buckle 38 is for adjusting the distance between the insertion plate 47 and the cam buckle 38. By providing the distance between the insertion plate 47 and the cam buckle 38 to be adjustable in this way, for example, the length of the auxiliary belt can be adjusted according to the body type of the user, reducing the discomfort of the user during wearing and improving the safety of training.

[0053] Although the above description is given by taking the first auxiliary belt 30 as an example, the second auxiliary belt 50 may have the above-described configuration.

[0054] As described above, the present invention has been explained using embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically dispersing and integrating it in any unit. Also, new embodiments resulting from any combination of a plurality of embodiments are included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination have the effects of the original embodiments combined.

Explanation of Signs

[0055] 10 Main Belt 11 Inner Surface 12 Outer Surface 13 Hook-and-loop Fastener 15 Ring 21 First Handle Part 22 Second Handle Part 30 First Auxiliary Belt 35 Belt Part 35a Belt Member 35b Cushion Material 36 Connecting Ring 38 Cam Buckle 40 Connecting Part 41 Loop-shaped Part 42 Sliding Member 46 Plate Holder 47 Insertion Plate 50 Second Auxiliary Belt 55 Belt Part 60 Connecting Part 70 Connecting Belt 80 Walking Training Equipment 81 Guide Bar 81 First Guide Bar 82 Second Guide Bar Area A S100 Walking Aid

Claims

1. A main belt worn on the user's torso, a first auxiliary belt having a connecting portion slidably connected to a first guide bar of a walking training device and connected to the main belt, a second auxiliary belt having a connecting portion slidably connected to a second guide bar of the walking training device and worn on the main belt, A walking assist device comprising: The lengths of the first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt are such that the first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt are passed inside both legs of the user and extend from the front side to the back side of the user, and the connecting portions of the first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt are at least behind the user's buttocks. Walking assist device.

2. The main belt has at least one handle portion that can be grasped by an assistant at a position on the back side of the user when the main belt is worn on the user. The walking assist device according to claim 1.

3. As the at least one handle portion, a first handle portion extending in a first direction which is the longitudinal direction of the main belt, a second handle portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, are provided. The walking assist device according to claim 2.

4. The first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt are connected to each other by a connecting belt, and the connecting belt is connected to an intermediate position in the length direction of the first auxiliary belt and an intermediate position in the length direction of the second auxiliary belt. The walking assist device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The first guide bar and the second guide bar are parallel bars for walking training, The connecting portion of the first auxiliary belt has a loop-shaped portion through which the first guide bar passes, and a sliding member disposed inside the loop-shaped portion and in contact with the first guide bar, or The connecting portion of the second auxiliary belt has a loop-shaped portion through which the second guide bar passes, and a sliding member disposed inside the loop-shaped portion and in contact with the second guide bar. has The walking assist device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The sliding member has a shape that does not follow the outer peripheral surface of the guide bar when the loop-shaped portion is not being pulled, and is configured to deform into a shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the guide bar when the loop-shaped portion is being pulled. The walking assist device according to claim 5.

7. The connecting portion is a plug-in plate connected to the belt member of the auxiliary belt, a plate holder fixed to the loop-shaped portion and into which the plug-in plate is inserted, and has the belt member is configured to be detachable from the loop-shaped portion. The walking assist device according to claim 5. **Claim 8** The first auxiliary belt and the second auxiliary belt have cushioning materials that contact the user's legs during use. The walking assist device according to claim 1 or 2.

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