EP2294945A1 - Folding device for optimising the comfort of the user in the lower position with a knee on the ground - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has four parts (1-3, 9) connected with one another, where a first part (3) is articulated with a lower face (11) of a second part (9), and a third part (2) is articulated with a side face (10) of the second part. A fourth part (1) is equipped with a rotation shaft that rotates on a higher face of the second part. A fifth part is placed adjacent to the fourth part.

Description

The present invention relates to a folding device which makes it possible to place a buttock, the ipsilateral thigh, the contralateral gluteal fold and to improve the balance when using the lowered posture with a knee placed on the floor.

The use of lowered posture with only one knee on the ground reduces knee flexion compared to the posture of both knees on the ground, but increases the load on the knee on the ground due to a projection of the center of gravity of the individual near the knee in question for an activity with the bust leaning forward.

The devices that exist to reduce the load on the knee on the ground for this posture rest on a stable foot on the ground, allow the alternation of support right thigh, left thigh and the orientation of the thigh on the side. The existing devices do not allow the user to vary and choose the position of the ground support points of the device regardless of the orientation of the buttock and thigh in support for the center of gravity of the individual projects itself into the support polygon of the device.

These devices are not folding in the sense that they do not make it possible to fold over the articulated parts that compose them.

The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages. The device according to the invention can be folded by folding over the parts that compose it to reduce its volume for transport and storage. It also improves the balance by allowing to orient the support polygon of the device whose rectangular shape is related to the assembly configuration and the inclined positions of the elongated rigid parts that constitute this support. Free to rotate in a horizontal plane, the user can orientate the support consisting of the articulated assembly of three parts relative to a fourth part, to position it so that its center of gravity is always projected inside the polygon levitation of the device, regardless of the position of the bust of the user. It reduces the pressure on the knee in the lowered position with one knee on the ground.

• le dispositif est constitué de quatre parties articulées entre elles, dont trois sont sensiblement identiques de forme et de dimensions, permettant d'être rabattues les unes sur les autres pour être plié.
• le dispositif déplié présente deux des trois parties identiques articulées l'une et l'autre avec une quatrième partie, polyèdre central, sur deux faces contigües, inférieure et latérale pour constituer un soutien. Écartées l'une de l'autre en leurs points d'appui au sol constitué de bases élargies, ces parties donnent une forme rectangulaire à la base de sustentation du dispositif.
• le polyèdre présente une face avant de forme trapézoïdale de sorte que ses faces latérales soient dans des plans parallèles aux bords des extrémités des deux parties qui s'articulent avec celui ci en position dépliée.
• la dernière des trois parties identiques est placée au dessus du polyèdre central pour que l'individu utilisateur puisse y poser une fesse, la cuisse homolatérale et le pli sous fessier controlatéral.
• cette partie au dessus est articulée avec le soutien précédemment décrit offrant une rotation libre de 360° dans un plan horizontal.

According to particular embodiments:

• the device consists of four parts hinged together, three of which are substantially identical in shape and size, allowing to be folded over each other to be folded.
• the unfolded device has two of the three identical parts hinged together with a fourth part, central polyhedron, on two contiguous faces, lower and lateral to provide support. Spread apart from each other at their ground support points consisting of enlarged bases, these parts give a rectangular shape to the base of levitation of the device.
• the polyhedron has a front face of trapezoidal shape so that its side faces are in planes parallel to the edges of the ends of the two parts which articulate with the latter in unfolded position.
• the last of the three identical parts is placed above the central polyhedron so that the user user can put a buttock, the ipsilateral thigh and the contralateral gluteal fold.
• this part above is articulated with the previously described support providing a free rotation of 360 ° in a horizontal plane.

• La figure 1 représente le dispositif déplié, sur une vue avant avec un positionnement transversal de la base de sustentation.
• La figure 2 représente le dispositif plié.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

• The figure 1 represents the unfolded device, in a front view with a transverse positioning of the base of levitation.
• The figure 2 represents the folded device.

With reference to these drawings, the device consists of four parts (1), (2), (3) and (9), three of which have a substantially identical shape and dimensions (1), (2), (3) articulated to a fourth portion (9) which is a truncated pyramid-shaped solid. Parts (1), (2) and (3) have an elongated shape with a straight end and a symmetrically enlarged base in the same plane. The part (9) which supports the part (1) is itself supported by the other two parts (2) and (3) with which it is secured at their ends by articulations (5) and (6) constituting and a support whose ground supports consisting of the bases (7) and (8) are wide and spaced to provide a rectangular shape to the support polygon. The portion (1) is articulated at its base with the upper face of the portion (9) to receive at this level a buttock and contralateral crease under the flange at the level of enlargement. The portions (2) and (3) arranged in support are hinged with the part (9) respectively with a side face (10) and its underside (11). The part (1) pivots on the part (9) along an axis (4) perpendicular to the upper face thereof, thus providing the possibility of positioning the ground supports that are the bases of the parts (2) and (3) support consisting of parts (2), (3) and (9) as desired by the user to ensure depending on the orientation of the bust a projection of the center of gravity of the individual closer to the center of the polygon of lift. The device is unfolded by removing the bases of the parts (2) and (3), its height is maintained by any means avoiding a separation of the parts (2) and (3) and passing through the holes (12) and (13) . To fold the device, the two parts (2) and (3) fold vertically by gravity during the lifting of the device. The user then tilts the part (9) by 90 ° to bring down its lateral face (10) articulated with the part (2), and thus laterally bring the articulated lower face (11) with the part (3), the part (1) is then in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the part (2). The axis of rotation perpendicular to the upper face of the portion (9) rotates the portion (1) to be superimposed on the portion (2). Parts (1), (2) and (3) are thus superimposed, thereby reducing the volume of the device for its transport and storage. A solid segment of trapezoidal section (15) can be added near the end of the part (1) on its underside can thus be used to support the calf of the front leg of the user.

According to the embodiment of the figures 1 and 2 the constituent parts of the device (1), (2), (3), (9) and (15) can be made of light and hard materials.

The articulation between the portion (9) and the portion (2) is a hinge fixed on the side face of the portion (9) and on the inner face of the portion (2) near its end.

The articulation between the portion (9) and the portion (3) is a hinge fixed on the underside of the portion (9) and on the inner face of the portion (3) near its end.

A closed strap through the holes (12) and (13) can fight against a larger gap that causes the weight of the user.

According to a variant not shown, the lower edges of the bases of the parts (2) and (3) may have a concave shape downwards, and the upper edges of the bases may have convex shapes upwards.

By way of non-limiting example, the parts (1), (2) and (3) will have a length of 40 cm, widths of 12 cm for the end and 28 cm for the base.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended for ground activities, it brings greater comfort to the user.

Claims (5)

Device for placing a buttock, ipsilateral thigh and contralateral gluteal fold when using the lowered knee postures characterized in that it consists of four parts (1), (2), (3) and (9) hinged together to be folded over each other to be folded. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that three articulated parts (1), (2), (3) are of substantially identical shape and size. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the portion (3) is articulated with the underside of the portion (9) and the portion (2) is articulated with a side face of the portion (9). Device according to claim 1 characterized in that at its base, the portion (1) is provided with an axis of rotation which passes therethrough perpendicularly allowing rotation on the upper face of the portion (9). Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a portion (15) added near the end of the portion (1) on its underside serves as support for the calf of the front leg.

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