Posture support device

Abstract

To provide a posture support tool which is unlikely to fall even when the upper body is raised in the case that it is used on one knee.SOLUTION: A posture support tool supports a posture of raising one knee and kneeling down on the other knee. It is provided with: a support rod intermediate between the body and the ground when used; and a body guard which is provided for an upper end of the support rod, abutting to the body, and is put between the body and one of the thighs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a posture support device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, agricultural work such as weeding may be performed in a posture where one knee touches the ground and the other knee is raised (hereinafter also referred to as the "one-knee posture"). However, in this one-knee posture, fatigue easily accumulates in the legs and lower back, and continuous work for a long time cannot be carried out. Therefore, the applicant has developed a mid-back work assist tool that can also be used in the one-knee posture. As shown in Patent Document 1, this mid-back work assist tool includes a chest rest and a support shaft that extends vertically downward from the center of the chest rest toward the ground. Since the upper body can be leaned on the chest rest, it becomes difficult for fatigue to accumulate in the legs and lower back.

[0003] However, the mid-back work assist tool shown in Patent Document 1 is held so as not to fall by the user pressing the support shaft against the ground with the chest. For example, when the user raises the upper body to take a short break, it will fall. Therefore, when raising the upper body, it is necessary to support it with the hand so as not to fall. If both hands are occupied during work, the tool or the like held in the hand must be released once, and this operation becomes troublesome. For this reason, there has been a demand from users for improvement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to obtain a posture support device that is difficult to fall even when the upper body is raised when used in the one-knee posture.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The posture support device according to the present invention is a posture support device that supports a one-knee posture in which one knee is raised and the other knee is on the ground, and is characterized by comprising a support rod interposed between the torso and the ground when in use, and a torso rest provided at the upper end of the support rod, which is placed against the torso and sandwiched between the torso and the thigh of the one leg.

[0007] With this configuration, even when the upper body is raised, the torso support catches on the thigh of one leg, making it difficult to fall over. Also, because the torso support is held in place between the thigh of one leg and the torso, one end of the support rod to which the torso support is attached becomes less prone to wobbling. This allows for stable support of the torso. Furthermore, the torso can be leaned against the torso support held between the torso and the thigh of one leg, and the torso support forces the upper body to stand up, reducing the strain on the legs and lower back. As a result, fatigue in the legs and lower back is less likely to accumulate even when maintaining a kneeling position for a long time. Consequently, it becomes possible to continue tasks such as farm work for extended periods, improving work efficiency.

[0008] In the crouching work aid described in Patent Document 1, the chest support is placed around the sternum area of ​​the torso. However, because the chest support comes into contact with the chest, some female users found this uncomfortable.

[0009] Therefore, the torso support may be sandwiched between the torso and the base of the thigh.

[0010] With this configuration, the torso support is positioned around the abdomen, so it does not come into contact with the chest. Also, even when the upper body is raised, the torso support is held more securely between the torso and the base of the thighs, making it less likely to fall over. Furthermore, when leaning the upper body, the torso will touch the torso support with just a slight lean. Therefore, the upper body can then be gradually leaned over while being supported by the torso support, reducing the strain on the lower back when leaning the upper body.

[0011] Furthermore, the lower surface of the body support may have a concave, curved portion formed thereon.

[0012] With this configuration, the chest protector fits snugly against the thighs, making it easier to get a grip and less likely to fall over.

[0013] Furthermore, the support rod may be provided with a knee rest at its lower end, which supports the knee of the other leg during use.

[0014] With this configuration, the knee rest is pressed down by the knee of the other leg, making the other end of the support rod to which the knee rest is attached less likely to wobble. This allows for more stable support of the torso. Also, since the knees do not need to directly touch the ground, clothing does not get dirty.

[0015] Furthermore, the torso support and the knee rest may extend in opposite directions when viewed from the axial direction of the support rod.

[0016] With this configuration, when moving with one leg forward while maintaining a kneeling position, the knee rest does not get in the way.

[0017] The posture support device according to claim 3, further comprising three support feet on the lower surface of the knee rest.

[0018] This configuration allows the knee rest to be stably supported on the ground. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] Thus, with the posture support device according to the present invention, when used in a kneeling position, it is difficult to fall over even when the upper body is raised. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the posture support device of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the posture support device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the usage state of the posture support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view schematically showing a posture support tool of another embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a partial perspective view schematically showing a posture support tool of another embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] A posture support tool according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0022] <Embodiment> The posture support tool 100 of the present embodiment is used, for example, when performing farming work or gardening work in a one-knee posture. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the posture support tool 100 includes a support rod 10, a body rest 20 attached to the upper end of the support rod 10, and a knee rest 30 attached to the lower end of the support rod 10.

[0023] The support rod 10 is arranged to be interposed between the user's body and the ground during use. The support rod 10 is configured to be able to adjust its length according to the user. Specifically, the support rod 10 includes an outer cylinder 11, an inner cylinder 12 inserted into the outer cylinder 11, and a length adjustment mechanism 13 interposed between the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12 for adjusting the overall length of the support rod 10.

[0024] The outer cylinder 11 is long and has a grip 11g wound around its outer surface so that it is easy for the user to hold. The inner cylinder 12 is long and has an outer diameter that is the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 11, and is configured to be able to slide axially within the outer cylinder 11.

[0025] The length adjustment mechanism 13 comprises a plurality of through holes 11a formed along the axial direction on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 11, and a pin 12a protruding from the outer surface of the inner cylinder 12. The through holes 11a are arranged in a row and formed at equal intervals. The pin 12a is biased outward (radially) from the inner cylinder 12 and is configured to retract into the inner cylinder 12 when pressed against the biasing force. The length adjustment mechanism 13 allows the overall length of the support rod 10 to be adjusted in steps by sliding the inner cylinder 12 relative to the outer cylinder 11 with the pin 12a retracted, and engaging the pin 12a with one of the through holes 11a.

[0026] The torso support 20 is approximately ellipsoidal in shape and is held between the user's torso and the thigh of one leg during use. The upper surface of the torso support 20 has a curved upper surface portion 21 with a concave cross-sectional shape when cut in the longitudinal direction, and this curved upper surface portion 21 is designed to fit snugly against the torso during use. The lower surface of the torso support 20 has a curved lower surface portion 22 with a concave cross-sectional shape when cut in the longitudinal direction, and this curved lower surface portion 22 is designed to fit snugly against the thigh of one leg during use. Furthermore, a soft cushioning material (not shown) is attached to at least the upper curved surface portion 21 and the lower curved surface portion 22 of the torso support 20. In other words, the cushioning material is attached to the parts of the surface of the torso support 20 that come into contact with the user.

[0027] The body support 20 has one end in its longitudinal direction attached to the upper end of the support rod 10. Therefore, the body support 20 extends from the upper end of the support rod 10 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the support rod 10. More specifically, the lower surface 22 of one end of the body support 20 is pivotably attached to the upper end of the support rod 10 via a body support joint mechanism 40. The body support joint mechanism 40 in this embodiment is a ball joint mechanism. Therefore, the body support 20 is pivotable in the forward, backward, left, and right directions relative to the upper end of the support rod 10, and is also rotatable in the circumferential direction of the support rod 10. The other end of the body support 20 in its longitudinal direction is tapered and forms a handle 23.

[0028] The knee rest 30 is a long, plate-like structure on which the knee of the other leg rests when in use. One end of the knee rest 30 is attached to the lower end of the support rod 10. Therefore, the knee rest 30 extends from the lower end of the support rod 10 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the support rod 10. Furthermore, when in use, the knee rest 30 is positioned to extend in the direction opposite to the extension direction of the torso support 20 when viewed from the axial direction of the support rod 10. The upper surface of one end of the knee rest 30 is pivotably attached to the lower end of the support rod 10 via a knee rest joint mechanism 50. The knee rest joint mechanism 50 in this embodiment is a ball joint mechanism. Therefore, the support rod 10 is pivotable in the forward, backward, left, and right directions relative to the knee rest 30, and is also rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the knee rest 30. In addition, a soft cushioning material is attached to the upper surface of the knee rest 30.

[0029] Furthermore, the knee rest 30 is equipped with three support legs 31a, 31b, and 31c on its underside. One of the three support legs 31a is fixed to the underside of one end of the knee rest 30, and the other two support legs 31b and 31c are fixed to the underside of the other end of the knee rest 30. The three support legs 31a, 31b, and 31c are arranged to form the vertices of a triangle. One of the support legs 31a is fixed so as to be positioned below the support rod 10.

[0030] Next, the method of using the posture support device 100 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0031] When using the posture support device 100, the user places the support legs 31a, 31b, and 31c of the knee rest 30 of the posture support device 100 on the ground G. The user then bends the other leg L2 and places the knee of the other leg L2 on the knee rest 30. Next, the user adjusts the length of the support rod 10 using the length adjustment mechanism 13. The user then holds the torso support 20 between the base of the thigh of the bent leg L1 and the torso B. In this position, the user leans their upper body against the torso support 20 and performs the work.

[0032] With the posture support device 100 of this embodiment, the user can also support their upper body with the support rod 10, which would normally be supported by one leg L1, thus reducing the burden on that leg L1. In addition, the user's upper body is forcibly raised by the thickness of the torso support 30, reducing the burden on the waist. As a result, fatigue in the legs and waist is less likely to accumulate during work. Furthermore, for example, when the user raises their upper body to take a break, the torso support 30 catches on the thigh of one leg L1, preventing the posture support device 100 from tipping over. In addition, the knee rest 20 can be supported at three points relative to the ground, providing stability.

[0033] <Other Embodiments> However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0034] The posture support device of the above embodiment is equipped with a knee rest, but as shown in Figure 4, it may also be equipped without a knee rest 20. In this case, the posture support device 100 is used with the lower end of the support rod 10 in contact with the ground.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the body support and the support rod are connected via a body support joint mechanism, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the body support may be fixed to the upper end of the support rod. Also, the body support joint mechanism is not limited to a ball joint mechanism, and for example, as shown in Figure 5, the body support joint mechanism 40 may be configured such that one end of the body support 20 is rotatably fixed to the upper end of the support rod 10. In this embodiment, the body support 20 is configured to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the axial direction of the support rod 10 as the axis of rotation.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the knee rest and the support rod are connected via a knee rest joint mechanism, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the knee rest may be fixed to the lower end of the support rod. Also, the joint mechanism is not limited to a ball joint mechanism.

[0037] Furthermore, while the length adjustment mechanism of the above embodiment allows for stepwise adjustment of the length of the support rod, it may also be possible to adjust it steplessly, for example.

[0038] In the above embodiment, three support legs are provided on the knee rest, but for example, two or four or more support legs may be provided.

[0039] In the above embodiment, a cushioning material was provided on a part of the surface of the body protector, but for example, the entire surface of the body protector could be covered with the cushioning material.

[0040] Furthermore, various combinations or modifications of parts of the embodiments are permitted, as long as they do not contradict the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 100: Posture support device 10: Support rod 20: Body protector 21: Upper curved section 22: Curved lower section 30: Knee rest 31a, 31b, 31c: Support legs

Claims

1. A posture support device that supports a one-knee position in which one leg is bent at the knee and the other leg is on the ground, A posture support device characterized by comprising a support rod interposed between the torso and the ground when in use, and a torso rest provided at the upper end of the support rod, extending only to one side so as to intersect with the support rod, and being placed against the torso and sandwiched between the torso and the thigh of one leg.

2. A posture support device that supports a one-knee position in which one leg is bent at the knee and the other leg is on the ground, When in use, it is equipped with a support rod interposed between the body and the ground, and a body support provided at the upper end of the support rod and extending so as to intersect with the support rod. The torso support is characterized in that the portion extending to one side relative to the support rod is longer than the portion extending to the other side, and the portion extending to one side is placed against the torso and sandwiched between the torso and the thigh of one leg.

3. The posture support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the torso support is sandwiched between the torso and the base of the thigh.

4. The posture support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a concave curved portion is formed on the lower surface of the torso support.

5. The posture support device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a knee rest provided at the lower end of the support rod to support the knee of the other leg when in use.

6. The posture support device according to claim 5, wherein the torso support or one extending portion of the torso support and the knee rest extend in opposite directions when viewed from the axial direction of the support rod.

7. The posture support device according to claim 5, further comprising three supports on the lower surface of the knee rest.

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