JP2008295696A - Supporting device for upper limb lifting work - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of diseases such as disorders of a neck, shoulders, and arms and shoulder periarthritis by reducing a movement burden or a work burden through the distribution of a load on upper limbs in upper limb lifting work. <P>SOLUTION: A supporting device X for upper limb lifting work is equipped with a spinal brace 1 which is attached to a body in a back carrying manner and has a pair of bar-shaped arms 11, that are spread in a manner to branch out to the right and left and have ends respectively extending to the vicinity of both ears over both shoulders to face in the front, a pair of constant force springs 2 (load adjusting means) mounted on ends of the bar-shaped arms 11 respectively, a pair of upper arm protecting members 3 attached to wind around right and left upper arm parts, and a pair of suspending members 4 placed across between the constant force springs 2 and the upper arm protecting members 3. Right and left arms are put through the members 3 to support to lift each upper arm in the front of the body. Then, a pair of armrest members 51 (5) are attached to right and left breast parts of attaching belts 12 of both shoulder parts to keep lifting the upper limbs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention supports the lifting and holding operation at the time of performing the upper limb raising operation continuously or frequently, and reduces the operation load or the work load by distributing the upper limb load to the back of the waist and the chest. In detail, it is related to upper work support devices. Specifically, it includes cervical-shoulder arm disorders, peri-arthritis, etc. in fruit collection work, building work such as ceiling work and wall work, wiring work, laundry drying work, welding work, impact wrench work, etc. The present invention relates to a support device for raising an upper limb for preventing the occurrence of a disease.

  Here, the upper limb raising operation (operation) refers to an operation (operation) form in which the upper limb is lifted forward with or without rotating the elbow at a position higher than the shoulder of the operator. Note that “load” and “burden” are used interchangeably.

  Therefore, the technical field to which the present invention belongs does not limit the industrial field, but covers the application field in which the upper limb lifting operation (work) is performed.

Conventionally, a shoulder supporter and a shoulder-chest chest brace are known as orthopedic braces (including rehabilitation tools). (See, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).
JP 2005-245612 A JP 2003-265670 A JP 2002-177310 A Special Table 2002-521130 Special table 2001-522290 gazette

  These are all medical devices, and give priority to postural correction, exercise support (motion assist), and other treatments and training as objective effects.

In general, shoulder supporters are usually fixed in the good limb positions shown in Table 1 (cited from Non-Patent Document 1).
Supervised by Seiichi Ishii and Taisuke Hirasawa: Standard Orthopedic Surgery, pp.86-87, School of Medicine (2002)

  Here, the good limb position means a limb position convenient for daily life, and is determined for each joint. When joint ankylosis (a state in which joint motion is strongly restricted by various lesions that occur in the joint), even in the same tonicity, it is a convenient limb position from a functional standpoint. Is called benign limb rigidity.

  For example, in the case of a knee joint, a bent position of 10 to 15 degrees is more convenient for walking and raising and lowering stairs. However, when driving a car, it is more convenient for the brake operation to be stiffened in a slightly bent state.

  In the shoulder joint, flexion and rotation of abduction 20 to 30 degrees is an angle at which the hand reaches the face. Shoulder supporters should be fixed in this leg position in principle. That is, it can be said that the functional evaluation of the upper limb raising operation (external rotation or forward raising angle 70 to 160 degrees described later) according to the present invention has not been performed.

  By the way, it is regarded as a problem that a worker who raises the upper limb frequently suffers from diseases such as neck-shoulder arm disorder and shoulder periarthritis. The cause of the occurrence is presumed to be that a strong burden (overload) due to static muscle contraction occurs continuously or frequently in the muscle groups of the upper limbs and shoulder blades of the worker.

For example, Chaffin investigates the burden of lifting the upper limb, and if the elbow abduction angle (same as the abduction elevation angle) is 60 degrees or more, the endurance time for myalgia is 25 minutes or less, 90 degrees In the above, it is 12 minutes or less, and it is pointed out that the burden of lifting the upper limb is extremely large (for example, see Non-Patent Document 2).
Chaffin, DB, "Localized Muscle Fatigue-Definition and Measurement", J. of Occupational Medicine, 15 (4), pp.346-354 (1973)

  Along with these findings, measures to reduce the burden of lifting the upper limbs have become important issues for preventing the occurrence of neck-shoulder arm disorders and shoulder periarthritis in the industrial field.

  As a familiar measure, a work table has been installed, and an operator rides on it to lower the work position. However, in a work state where the operator's head is trapped on the shelf or ceiling, such as a wall shelf (fruit harvesting work) or ceiling (building work), the head remains Since it is annoying and obstructs, the neck is extremely bent and the burden on the neck increases, so it is not an effective measure. Here, the working height is almost equal to the height of the head, not the height of extending the elbow.

  Also, in the case of a large work place, workability is often poor, for example, the work table must be moved frequently, and the problem cannot be solved with the work table alone.

  The problem to be solved by the invention is that the load on the upper limbs is concentrated on the upper limbs and shoulder blades when raising the upper limbs, reviewing the above conventional measures, and working with the brace from a preventive medical standpoint It is desirable to reduce or eliminate the load.

  A technical problem to be solved is to develop a brace that can widely distribute the load on the upper limbs concentrated on the upper limbs and the scapula during the upper limb raising operation to the lumbar region and the chest. As a specific orthosis configuration, arm lift means capable of relieving the load on the upper limb within the movable range of the upper limb where the abduction or forward elevation angle is 0 to 160 degrees (70 to 160 degrees with respect to the lifting operation); Consider combining armrests.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and by solving the above-mentioned problems and reducing the operational burden or work burden by wearing during the upper limb lifting work, neck-shoulder arm disorders, shoulder periarthritis, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide an upper limb lifting work support device that exhibits a preventive effect on the occurrence of other diseases.

In order to solve the problems, the present invention supports the lifting and holding operation during the work of raising the upper limb continuously or frequently, and distributes the load on the upper limbs to the lumbar region and the chest, thereby reducing the movement load. Alternatively, it is a support device for raising the upper limb to prevent the occurrence of cervical shoulder and arm disorders, shoulder periarthritis and other diseases by reducing the work load,
A trunk brace that is attached to the body in a backpack style and that is extended to the vicinity of both ears over both shoulders, and one end of a pair of arms that are branched and expanded to the left and right, and facing the front,
A pair of load adjusting means attached to the respective tips of the rod-shaped arms;
A pair of upper arm protection members wound around the left and right upper arms,
Comprising a pair of suspension members suspended between the load adjusting means and the upper arm protection member;
The upper arm protecting member is supported to raise each upper limb forward of the body through the left and right arms.

  According to the present invention, the heavy burden on the muscle groups (upper limbs and scapula) caused by the upper limb lifting work that is forced to continue for a long time or frequent work is distributed to the lumbar region and the chest, thereby reducing the work burden. It can be greatly reduced.

  It can be applied to at least upper-limb lifting work such as fruit collection work, ceiling work and wall construction work, wiring work, laundry drying work, welding work, impact wrench work, etc. It has a preventive effect on the occurrence of diseases such as.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention is the above-structured support apparatus for raising the upper limb, wherein the trunk orthosis has attachment belts on at least the waist and both shoulders, and the body part of the rod-like arm is attached to the waist and back part. The rod-shaped arm is a telescopic arm, and the height position of the tip can be changed and adjusted at the time of wearing, and the load adjustment means responds to the lifting operation and the upper limb is in an unloaded state. The balance is adjusted by a traction element or hoist mechanism in order to move and hold.

  The traction element or hoist mechanism which is a load adjusting means uses a constant load spring, a counterweight or an air balancer.

  Here, at the time of wearing, the shoulder abduction or forward elevation angle with respect to the position where the upper limb is drooping is in the range of 0 to 160 degrees, and the upper limb is movable and held in an unloaded state.

  In addition, a pair of armrest members that are detachably attached and height-adjustable within a predetermined range of the left and right chests of the wearing belts on both shoulders, and that hold the upper arm or elbow to raise the upper limb. It is what has. The armrest member is preferably an elastic block body or an angle plate that can be fixed open and closed.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An upper limb lifting work support apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment support apparatus) that is an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment support apparatus. Attachment of the armrest member is optional.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view explanatory diagram illustrating a mounting state (usage state) of the embodiment support apparatus.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front showing the wearing state (use state) of the embodiment support device.

  As shown in the figure, the example support device X supports the lifting and holding operation at the time of continuously or frequently performing the lifting operation of the upper limb, and distributes the load of the upper limb to the waist and back and the chest, It is a body orthosis for preventing the occurrence of cervical shoulder and arm disorders, shoulder periarthritis and other diseases by reducing the operational burden or work burden.

  Upper limb raising work includes fruiting work, building work such as ceiling work and wall work, wiring work, laundry drying work, welding work, impact wrench work, etc. To prevent the occurrence of diseases such as shoulder periarthritis.

  Characteristic structure is a body worn on the back, and one end of the rod-shaped arm 11 that is branched and expanded to the left or right extends to the vicinity of both ears over both shoulders and faces the front, and is shaped The trunk orthosis 1, the pair of constant load springs 2 attached to the respective tips of the rod-shaped arms 11, the pair of upper arm protection members 3 wound around the left and right upper arms, the constant load spring 2 and the upper arm protection members A pair of suspension members 4 are provided between the upper arm protection member 3 and the upper arm protection member 3 through the left and right arms to support the raising of the upper limbs forward of the body.

  Of course, it is not necessary to stick to the constant load spring 2 as a load adjusting means. For example, a weight that balances (balances) the load on the upper limb is attached to the tip of each of the rod-shaped arms 11 and is suspended from the back via a pulley (not shown), or the weight of the upper limb is automatically detected. It may be considered to use an air balancer (not shown) capable of hoisting.

  In a specific embodiment, the trunk orthosis 1 is a Y-shaped bar-shaped arm 11 that branches and expands to the left and right as shown, and has a mounting belt 12; 13 at least at the waist and both shoulders, The body part of the arm 11 is attached and fixed to the waist and back part.

  In addition, what changed the backpack (carrying rack) comprised with the lightweight pipe etc. can be considered [illustration omitted]. Any of these may be considered as machine frame elements of the arm lifter. The locking means between the shoulder and waist attachment belts 121; 131 is preferably a face tape 121; 131, and the male and female (pile and hook) are switched to the opposing surface of the overlapping attachment portion of each member. Is.

  The rod-shaped arm 11 is a telescopic arm, and the height position of the tip can be changed and adjusted at the time of wearing, and the constant load spring 2 moves and holds the upper limb in an unloaded state in response to the raising operation. So that the balance is adjusted. The constant load spring 2 can be adopted from commercially available products.

  At the time of wearing, the shoulder abduction or forward elevation angle α with respect to the position where the upper limb is dropped is within the range of 0 to 160 degrees, and the upper limb is movably held in an unloaded state.

  In addition, a pair of armrests are mounted within the predetermined upper and lower ranges of the left and right chests of the wearing belts 12 on both shoulders so as to be detachable and height-adjustable, and to hold the upper arm or elbow and raise the upper limb. A member 5 is provided. The armrest member 5 is preferably an elastic block body 51 or an angle plate 52 (FIG. 4 described later) that can be opened and closed.

  The locking means between the two members 12; 5 (51, 52) is preferably a face tape 122; 511 (521), and the male and female (pile and hook) are placed on the opposing surfaces of the overlapping attachment portion of each member. ).

  An example of the angle plate 52 is shown in FIG. Here, the angle plate 52 intersects two plate elements, and is provided with a ratchet mechanism 523 and hinged so as to be able to be opened and closed (or foldable). Locking means (surface tape 521) is provided on the back surface of the angle plate 52, and an elastic coating 522 is applied to the upper surface on which the upper arm or the elbow is placed.

It is an external view explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an Example assistance apparatus. It is back view explanatory drawing which shows the mounting state (use condition) of an Example assistance apparatus. It is front view explanatory drawing which shows the mounting state (use condition) of an Example assistance apparatus. It is an isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the angle plate which is the other structural example of an armrest member.

Explanation of symbols

1 Trunk orthosis (arm lifter frame element)
11 Rod arm
12 Shoulder belt
121 Face tape (locking means)
122 Face tape (locking means)
13 Waist wearing belt
131 surface tape (locking means)
2 Constant load spring [Load adjustment means]
3 Upper arm protection member 4 Suspension member 5 Armrest member
51 Elastic block body
511 face tape (locking means)
52 Angle plate
521 Face tape (locking means)
522 Elastic coating
523 Ratchet (mechanism)
α Abduction or forward elevation angle X Example support device (support device for upper limb lifting work)

Claims (6)

By supporting the lifting and holding operation during work where the upper limb lifting operation is continued or performed frequently, the upper and lower limbs' load is distributed to the lower back and the chest to reduce the operational or work load. A support device for raising the upper limbs to prevent the occurrence of arm disorders, shoulder periarthritis and other diseases,
A trunk brace that is attached to the body in a backpack style and that is extended to the vicinity of both ears over both shoulders, and one end of a pair of arms that are branched and expanded to the left and right, and facing the front,
A pair of load adjusting means attached to the respective tips of the rod-shaped arms;
A pair of upper arm protection members wound around the left and right upper arms,
Comprising a pair of suspension members suspended between the load adjusting means and the upper arm protection member;
A support device for raising the upper limbs, wherein the upper limbs are supported by raising the respective upper limbs forward of the body through the left and right arms. The trunk orthosis has attachment belts on at least the waist and both shoulders, and attaches and fixes the body part of the rod-like arm to the waist back,
The rod-shaped arm is a telescopic arm, and the height position of the tip can be changed and adjusted when attached,
The upper limb lifting work support device according to claim 1, wherein the load adjusting means is a traction element or a hoist mechanism for moving and holding the upper limb in an unloaded state in response to the lifting operation.   The support device for lifting the upper limbs according to claim 2, wherein the traction element or hoist mechanism as load adjusting means uses a constant load spring, a counterweight or an air balancer.   The shoulder abduction or forward elevation angle in the range of 0 to 160 degrees when mounted, and the upper limb is movable and held in an unloaded state. 4. The support device for raising an upper limb according to any one of 3 above.   A pair of armrest members for holding the upper limb on the upper arm or elbow are placed in the upper and lower predetermined ranges of the left and right chests of the wearing belts on both shoulders. The support device for raising the upper limb according to claim 2.   6. The support device for lifting the upper limbs according to claim 5, wherein the armrest member is an elastic block body or an angle plate that can be opened and closed.

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