JP2014239674A - Arm supporting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an operator's work easier and lighten workload of the operator in an operation where arms are lifted.SOLUTION: An arm supporting tool 100 comprises: a body fixing part 10 fixed to a body of an operator; a right arm receiving part 20A and a left arm receiving part 20B installed to arms of the operator; connection mechanisms 30A and 30B each of which connects a part of the body fixing part 10 and the vicinity of one end of the arm receiving parts 20A and 20B closer to a shoulder of the operator, and allows a posture change of the arm receiving parts 20A and 20B with respect to the body fixing part 10 for a movement of arms of the operator; and posture maintaining mechanisms 40A and 40B which are provided between the body fixing part 10 and the arm receiving parts 20A and 20B, maintain the posture of the arm receiving parts 20A and 20B with respect to the body fixing part 10 in an antigravity manner in the state where the operator draws an elbow toward a body side by a predetermined amount or more or in the state where the operator moves the elbow away from the body by a predetermined amount or more, and support the arms of the operator.

Description

  The present invention relates to an arm support device.

  Conventionally, the mechanization of work on shelf-cultivated fruit trees such as grapes and pears has not progressed so much, and many operations such as pruning, attraction, fruit picking, pinching, picking, bagging, and harvesting have been performed manually. . In these operations, the operator has to work for a long time with his arms raised above the height of the shoulder, and the work load is large. For this reason, recently, development of a device that supports the arm in the raised state and reduces the work load in farm work is underway (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  Further, not only in the agricultural field, development of devices that support work on the ceiling (upward work) is also in progress (see Patent Documents 4, 5, etc.).

JP 2009-106270 A JP 7-107861 A JP 2011-251057 A JP 2009-50641 A JP 2010-119424 A

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the arm is supported using an elastic force, when the arm is lowered with the instrument attached, the arm must be lowered by applying a force against the elastic force. Is big. Also, in Patent Document 4, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the arm is lowered with the apparatus mounted, the arm must be lowered by applying a force against the braking force, which is a heavy burden. In Patent Document 5, when the arm is lowered, the arm is removed from the armrest, but the presence of the armrest is an obstacle to the work as it is. Moreover, in the apparatus of Patent Document 3, since the movement and movement of the arm are switched using the sensor and the actuator, it takes time to replace or charge the battery for driving the sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an arm support device that is easy for an operator to work in an operation in which the arm is raised and that can reduce the operator's workload. The purpose is to do.

  The arm support device of the present invention includes a torso fixing portion fixed to an operator's torso, an arm receiving portion to be attached to the operator's arm, a part of the torso fixing portion, and the work of the arm receiving portion. A connection mechanism for connecting a vicinity of one end of a person's shoulder and allowing a posture change of the arm receiving portion with respect to the body fixing portion in accordance with the movement of the operator's arm, the body fixing portion and the arm A posture of the arm support portion with respect to the torso fixing portion provided between the support portion and the operator holding the elbow toward the body side more than a predetermined amount, or the operator moving the elbow away from the body more than a predetermined amount Is maintained in an anti-gravity manner, and a posture maintaining mechanism for supporting the operator's arm is provided.

  In this case, the posture maintaining mechanism includes a first portion provided in the body fixing portion and a second portion provided in the arm support portion, and the first portion and the second portion Includes a mechanism that allows the operator to mechanically engage with the elbows closer to the torso side and maintain the posture of the arm support portion with respect to the torso fixing portion in an anti-gravity manner. Alternatively, the posture maintaining mechanism has a first part provided in the body fixing part and a second part provided in the arm support part, and the first part and the second part are: There is a mechanism in which the operator can mechanically engage the elbow with the elbow more than a predetermined distance from the body, and can maintain the posture of the arm support portion with respect to the body fixing portion in an antigravity manner. In this case, one of the first part and the second part has a member in which one or a plurality of grooves are formed, and the other of the first part and the second part is It is good also as having an engaging claw engaged with a groove.

  In the arm support device of the present invention, the coupling mechanism may be provided near the shoulder position of the operator.

  The arm support device of the present invention is advantageous in that the worker can easily work in the work with the arm raised and the work burden on the worker can be reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows the arm support instrument concerning one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which the operator mounted | wore the arm support instrument. It is a figure which expands and shows a right arm receiving part and its vicinity. Fig.4 (a) is a figure which shows the state which looked at the groove plate member from the -Y side, and FIG.4 (b) is a perspective view which shows a nail | claw member. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the nail | claw member meshed with the groove plate member. It is a figure which shows the example of the arm support device which can support an arm, when an elbow is kept away from a trunk | drum. Fig.7 (a) and FIG.7 (b) are figures which show the modification of a grooved plate member. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a spherical plain bearing and an attitude | position maintenance mechanism. It is a figure which expands and shows the attitude | position maintenance mechanism of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of a trunk | drum fixing | fixed part.

  Hereinafter, an arm support device according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The arm support device of the present embodiment is a device that is used when an operator performs operations such as pruning, attraction, fruit picking, pinching, picking, bagging, and harvesting on shelf-grown fruit trees such as grapes and pears. A device for supporting an arm raised by an operator for work.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arm support device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state where the operator wears the arm support device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the arm support device 100 includes a body fixing portion 10, a right arm receiving portion 20A, a left arm receiving portion 20B, connection mechanisms 30A and 30B, and posture maintaining mechanisms 40A and 40B. In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, etc., the left-right direction of the operator in FIG. 2 is the Y-axis direction, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, and the direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis is the Z-axis direction. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the body fixing unit 10 includes a belt 12 wound around an operator's waist and a pair of substantially inverted L-shapes fixed to the belt 12 via fixtures 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B. Fixed support rods 14A and 14B.

  The belt 12 is a belt that can be adjusted in length according to the operator's waist, and is made of a flexible material such as polypropylene, nylon, or leather. The belts 12 are screwed with attachments 16A and 16B at portions (left and right waist positions) that are side positions of the operator. The fixtures 16A and 16B have a quadrangular columnar or cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction (Z direction), have a through hole penetrating in the Z direction, and penetrate in the X direction so as to pass through the center of the through hole. It has a horizontal hole. In order to secure the fixing strength of the fixtures 16A and 16B with respect to the belt 12, the fixtures 16A and 16B may be provided with a plate-like auxiliary member made of metal or hard plastic and tightened so as to sandwich the belt 12. Further, the auxiliary member may be screwed to the fixtures 16A and 16B by winding the belt 12 from above and below. Furthermore, the fixtures 16A and 16B and the auxiliary member may be curved in a U shape as viewed from the Z direction so as to fit the shape of the operator's waist. By using such an auxiliary member, the belt 12 and the fixtures 16A and 16B are securely fixed, and the fixtures 16A and 16B and the auxiliary member are slid onto the belt 12 and screwed. According to the body shape, the fixtures 16A and 16B can be reliably arranged on the side of the operator.

  The fixed support rods 14A and 14B have a substantially inverted L shape, and a portion extending in the Z direction of the L shape is a long arm having a length corresponding to the height of the shoulder from the operator's waist. Yes. Since the lower ends of the long arms of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B are slidably inserted into the through holes penetrating in the Z direction of the fixtures 16A and 16B, the fixtures 16A and 16B of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B are inserted. The attachment position (Z position) with respect to can be adjusted. In the vicinity of the end of the long arm on the −Z side, a plurality of lateral holes are provided along the Z axis to be fixed to the fixtures 16A and 16B after the height is adjusted by being inserted into the fixtures 16A and 16B. It has been. Therefore, the fixed support rods 14A and 14B can be fixed to the fixtures 16A and 16B by inserting bolts into the horizontal holes of the fixtures 16A and 16B and the horizontal holes of the long arms of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B. it can. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the worker is wearing the arm support device 100, and the upper end portions (+ Z end portion and −X end portion) of the fixed support rods 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B are in the shoulder position of the operator. The positions of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B can be adjusted so as to be located in the vicinity (back side from the armpit). The mounting positions of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B with respect to the fixtures 16A and 16B (for example, by providing a plurality of lateral holes of the fixtures 16A and 16B, or by providing screw holes in the fixtures 16A and 16B and pressing them with a set screw) It is also possible to adjust the (Z position).

  The other ends of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B are short and extend in the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, a screw hole for fixing a shaft 114a extending in the lateral direction (Y direction) and a groove plate member 42 described later. (Not shown). The shaft 114a and the screw hole may be provided directly on the fixed support rods 14A and 14B, or separate parts provided with these may be attached to the ends of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B. Further, the L-shaped bent portions of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B are bent so as to draw a relatively gentle curve in consideration of the fact that the portions are arranged close to the shoulder position of the operator and the strength. It is done.

  The right arm receiving portion 20 </ b> A includes a first cylindrical member 22, a second cylindrical member 24, and a receiver 26 provided in the vicinity of the + X end portion of the second cylindrical member 24. In FIG. 3, the right arm receiving portion 20A and the vicinity thereof are shown enlarged.

  The -X end portion of the first cylindrical member 22 is connected to the fixed support rod 14A via the coupling mechanism 30A. The second tubular member 24 is inserted into the tubular portion of the first tubular member 22 and is slidable (extendable) with respect to the first tubular member 22. A screw hole 22 a is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the first cylindrical member 22 in the X direction. The operator slides the first cylindrical member 22 in accordance with the length of the arm, and tightens the screw into the screw hole 22a when the sliding amount is determined, thereby the first cylindrical member 22 and the second cylindrical member. 24 is fixed. Thereby, the operator can adjust the entire length of the right arm receiving portion 20A according to the body shape. The second tubular member 24 may be provided with a recess extending in the axial direction in accordance with the screw hole 22a. Even if the tip of the screw comes into contact with the recess, deformation does not occur, and the sliding of the screw does not occur, and the first cylindrical member 22 and the second cylindrical member are fitted by fitting the tip of the screw into the recess. The positional relationship of 24 rotation directions (rotation direction centering on the X axis) can be maintained.

  The receptacle 26 is a member made of metal, plastic, or the like having a Y-shaped U-shaped cross section that opens upward and has a predetermined length in the X-axis direction. The receiver 26 is screwed to the distal end portion of the second cylindrical member 24. When the worker positions the second tubular member 24 with respect to the first tubular member 22, the worker 26 fixes the receiving tool 26 so as to contact the vicinity of the elbow of the upper right arm portion of the worker. Then, after the position of the receiving tool 26 is determined, the operator fixes the arm and the receiving tool 26 with a belt 28 attached to the receiving tool 26. Since the belt 28 is provided with a hook-and-loop fastener, a simple attachment / detachment mechanism, etc., the operator can easily fix the receiving tool 26 to the upper right arm. In addition, the support 26 is made of flexible soft plastic, or a cushioning member is attached to the support 26 so that the operator's arm and the support 26 are more firmly fixed. Become. The receiving member 26 may be directly attached to the first cylindrical member 22 by providing a plurality of screw holes in the first cylindrical member 22.

  The left arm receiving portion 20B has the same configuration as the right arm receiving portion 20A described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling mechanism 30 </ b> A includes a first coupling member 32 and a second coupling member 34. The second connecting member 34 is connected to the −X end portion of the first tubular member 22 of the right arm receiving portion 20A.

  The first connecting member 32 is rotatable around the Y axis via a shaft 114a provided on the fixed support rod 14A. For this reason, the right arm receiving portion 20 </ b> A can be rotated around the Y axis with respect to the fixed support rod 14 </ b> A by the first connecting member 32. The second connecting member 34 is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the Y axis (around the Z axis in FIG. 3) via a shaft 32 a provided on the first connecting member 32. For this reason, the right arm receiving portion 20A can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the Y axis with respect to the fixed support rod 14A by the second connecting member 34. Thereby, the operator can raise and lower the right arm and open and close the right side even in a state where the arm support device 100 is worn (a state where the right arm receiving portion 20A is attached to the upper right arm). That is, it can be said that the coupling mechanism 30A allows the posture change of the right arm receiving portion 20A with respect to the fixed support rod 14A (body fixing portion 10) in accordance with the movement of the right arm of the operator.

  The coupling mechanism 30B has the same configuration as the coupling mechanism 30A described above. For this reason, the connecting mechanism 30B allows the operator to raise and lower the left arm, open and close the left side, even when the arm support device 100 is worn (the left upper arm receiving portion 20B is attached to the upper left arm). Can be done. That is, it can be said that the coupling mechanism 30B allows the posture change of the left arm receiving portion 20B with respect to the fixed support rod 14B (body fixing portion 10) in accordance with the movement of the left arm of the operator.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the posture maintaining mechanism 40A includes a groove plate member 42 as a first portion provided in the vicinity of the upper end portion (+ Z end portion) of the fixed support rod 14A, and a first cylindrical shape of the right arm receiving portion 20A. And a claw member 44 as a second portion provided in the vicinity of the −X end portion of the member 22 (on the + X side of the coupling mechanism 30A).

  4A shows a state in which the groove plate member 42 is viewed from the −Y side, and FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the claw member 44. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the claw member 44 is engaged with the groove plate member 42.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the groove plate member 42, the shaft 114a is penetrated in the vicinity of the −X end portion, and the vicinity of the + X end portion is fixed to the fixed support rod 14A by the screw 52. Thus, since the groove plate member 42 and the fixed support rod 14A are fixed at two locations, the groove plate member 42 and the fixed support rod 14A do not move relative to each other. The groove plate member 42 has a plurality of grooves 54, 54... Formed along a direction extending radially toward + X with respect to the shaft 114 a (radial direction of a circle having the shaft 114 a as the center).

  The claw member 44 is in a state where the first cylindrical member 22 of the right arm receiving portion 20A is inserted into the circular opening 44a shown in FIG. 4B and is fixed to the circular opening 44a. A claw portion 58 as an engaging claw is formed. Note that the angle α of the claw portion 58 shown in FIG. 4B is a substantially right angle, and the angle β is an acute angle (for example, about 45 °). Since the claw member 44 is fixed to the first cylindrical member 22, the claw member 44 can be rotated around the shaft 114 a and the shaft 32 a similarly to the first cylindrical member 22. The claw member 44 may be integrated with the second connecting member 34.

  As described above, each groove 54 is formed along the radial direction of a circle centered on the shaft 114a, and the right arm receiving portion 20A is rotatable about the shaft 114a. If it is in the range which opposes, either of the groove | channels 54 and the nail | claw part 58 of the nail | claw member 44 can be engaged.

  According to the posture maintaining mechanism 40A configured as described above, when the claw portion 58 of the claw member 44 is engaged with one of the grooves 54 of the groove plate member 42 as shown in FIG. Cannot move. That is, it can be said that the posture maintaining mechanism 40A maintains the posture with respect to the fixed support rod 14A (the body fixing portion 10) in an antigravity manner in the state of FIG. For this reason, when the posture maintenance mechanism 40A is in the state shown in FIG. 5 with the operator wearing the arm support device 100 as shown in FIG. 2, the right arm of the operator cannot be lowered. Even in the state of FIG. 5, the claw member 44 can be moved upward. This is because the inclined surface 58a guides the upward movement of the claw member 44 because the angle β of the claw member 44 is an acute angle. Therefore, even from the state shown in FIG. 5, the operator can raise the right arm.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the claw member 44 meshes with the groove plate member 42 when the operator brings the right elbow closer to the body side than a predetermined amount. Therefore, when the operator opens the right elbow (when separated from the body), the meshed state of FIG. 5 is released.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the posture maintaining mechanism 40B is symmetrical with the posture maintaining mechanism 40A described above, and has the same configuration. For this reason, when the worker brings the left elbow closer to the body side by a predetermined amount or more and maintains the posture maintaining mechanism 40B as shown in FIG. 5, the posture maintaining mechanism 40B prevents the operator's left arm from being lowered.

  Next, the usage method of the arm support instrument 100 mentioned above is demonstrated.

  When the worker performs work on the shelf-cultivated fruit tree, the worker first wears the arm support device 100 as shown in FIG. That is, after adjusting the attachments 16A and 16B to be positioned on the side of the body, the belt 12 is wrapped around the waist, the right arm receiving portion 20A is attached to the right arm, and the left arm receiving portion 20B is attached to the left arm.

  Next, the operator sets the arm to a predetermined height (the height at which the claw member 44 faces the groove plate member 42) below the shelf-cultivated fruit tree, and moves the elbow toward the trunk side to perform the work on the shelf-cultivated fruit tree. Take a posture (posture as in FIG. 2). In this case, since the claw portion 58 of the claw member 44 and any one of the grooves 54 of the groove plate member 42 mesh with each other, the arm of the worker who is ready to work on the shelf-cultivated fruit tree is at an arbitrary angle by the arm support device 100. Supported. Thereby, an operator's burden in the operation | work (work in the state which raised the arm) with respect to shelf cultivation fruit tree can be reduced.

  On the other hand, the worker may want to lower his arm while using the arm support device 100. In such a case, the operator opens the elbow (moves it away from the trunk). Thereby, since the nail | claw part 58 and the groove | channel 54 do not mesh | engage, an operator can move an arm freely now by the effect | action of connection mechanism 30A, 30B.

  As described above, the arm support device 100 supports the work by supporting the arm when the worker raises the arm in the work on the shelf-cultivated fruit tree, and when the arm is not raised, The support device 100 does not interfere with the movement of the operator.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the arm support device 100 includes the torso fixing portion 10 that is fixed to the operator's torso, the right arm receiving portion 20A that is attached to the operator's arm, and the left arm receiving portion. 20B is connected to a part of the body fixing part 10 and the vicinity of one end of the arm receiving part 20A, 20B on the shoulder side of the operator, and the body of the arm receiving part 20A, 20B is adjusted in accordance with the movement of the operator's arm. It is provided between the coupling mechanisms 30A and 30B that allow the posture change with respect to the fixing portion 10 and the body fixing portion 10 and the arm receiving portions 20A and 20B. Posture maintaining mechanisms 40A and 40B that maintain the postures of the portions 20A and 20B with respect to the body fixing portion 10 in an anti-gravity manner and support the operator's arm. For this reason, in this embodiment, while maintaining a high degree of freedom of movement of the operator's arm by the coupling mechanisms 30A and 30B, the operator brings the elbow closer to the trunk side by the posture maintaining mechanisms 40A and 40B. The arm is supported in the state, and the work burden on the shelf-cultivated fruit tree of the operator can be reduced. Furthermore, since the belt 12 is flexible even in the state where the arm is supported, the fixed support rods 14A and 14B are interlocked with the movement of the body such as torsion of the body, etc. Therefore, the degree of freedom more than the degree of freedom by the coupling mechanisms 30A and 30B can be ensured. In this embodiment, the arm support by the posture maintaining mechanisms 40A and 40B can be released simply by moving the elbow away from the torso, so that the arm support can be easily (without applying force). The support of the arm by the instrument 100 can be released. Moreover, in this embodiment, since an actuator and a sensor are not used in supporting the arm by the arm support device 100, an additional operation such as battery replacement or charging by an operator is not necessary.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the fixed support rods 14A and 14B have a substantially inverted L shape, one end on the shoulder side protrudes to the operator's back side, and the shaft 114a of the coupling mechanisms 30A and 30B is fixed. The support rods 14A and 14B are provided at positions near one end on the shoulder side. Thereby, it can suppress that connection mechanism 30A, 30B obstructs an operator's work. In addition, since the bent portions of the fixed support bars 14A and 14B have a gentle curve, the burden (injuries, etc.) on the worker due to the contact between the fixed support bars 14A and 14B and the operator's arm or armpits. Can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the arm receiving portions 20A and 20B are extendable and the height positions of the fixed support rods 14A and 14B with respect to the belt 12 can be changed. It is possible to adjust the arm support device 100 according to the above.

  In the arm support device 100 of the above embodiment, the fixed support rod 14A, the coupling mechanism 30A, the posture maintaining mechanism 40A, the arm support portion 20A, and the like are provided on the right hand side of the operator, and the fixed support rod 14B, the coupling mechanism 30B, the posture. Although the case where the maintenance mechanism 40B, the arm receiving portion 20B, and the like are provided on the left hand side of the worker has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the state shown in FIG. 1 may be changed to the state shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the fixed support bar 14A, the coupling mechanism 30A, the posture maintaining mechanism 40A, the arm support portion 20A, etc. are provided on the left hand side of the worker, and the fixed support bar 14B, the coupling mechanism 30B, the posture maintaining mechanism 40B. The arm receiving portion 20B and the like may be provided on the right hand side of the operator. By doing in this way, it becomes possible for the arm support device 100 to support the arm in a state where the operator raises the elbow upward and keeps the elbow more than a predetermined distance from the trunk. For example, when the worker accumulates fatigue in the arm by continuing the work with the arm raised, the elbow may open in a direction away from the trunk. In the example of FIG. 6, since the arm can be supported in such a case, it is possible to reduce the burden on the worker who works by raising the arm for a long time. Further, when the worker performs work with only one hand raised, the work position may not be the center of the worker's trunk. In such a case, the worker can appropriately reduce the burden on the worker according to the work contents of the worker by selecting either the state of FIG. 1 or the state of FIG. 6 according to the work position. Can do.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the groove plate member 42 is fixed to the fixed support rod 14A (14B) in the state shown in FIG. 4A is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), screw holes are formed on the circumference around the shaft 114a so that the posture of the groove plate member 42 with respect to the fixed support rod 14A (14B) can be changed. A plurality of 53 may be provided. By doing in this way, the operator can adjust the position of the groove (angle range in which the arm can be supported) according to the work to be performed. In addition, the angle range in which the arm can be supported can be expanded by widening the portion of the groove plate member 42 where the groove is formed and increasing the number of the grooves 54.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the coupling mechanisms 30A and 30B and the posture maintaining mechanisms 40A and 40B have the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coupling mechanism may be a spherical plain bearing 60 as shown in FIG. Even when the spherical plain bearing 60 is used, the operator can raise and lower the arm, open and close the side, similarly to the coupling mechanisms 30A and 30B of FIG.

  Further, as the posture maintaining mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a gear 62 engraved with sawtooth teeth fixed to the shoulder end (+ Z side end) of the fixed support rod 14 </ b> A; A locking claw 64 having a claw portion that is rotatably supported by the support shaft 64A installed in the right arm receiving portion 20A, extends downward from the support shaft 64A, and protrudes in the direction toward the gear at the lower end portion; You may employ | adopt the attitude | position maintenance mechanism 66 which has these. The locking claw 64 has a slightly bowed shape with the center portion warped away from the gear, and has a shape in which the tip of the claw portion is slightly closer to the gear side than just below the support shaft when supported by the support shaft 64A. At this time, the central axis of the gear 62 and the central axis of the support shaft 64A are positioned so as to be substantially parallel. Even if such a posture maintaining mechanism 66 is adopted, the operator can move the elbow to the body side more than a predetermined level with the right arm receiving portion 20A lowered to a position where the teeth (groove) of the gear 62 and the locking claw 64 do not interfere with each other. When the right arm support portion 20A is lifted, the locking claw 64 is moved to the gear 62 side while being suspended by its own weight, and the teeth (grooves) of the gear 62 and the locking claw 64 mesh with each other. It is possible to support the arm at a desired height. Further, just by moving the elbow away from the torso by the operator, the locking claw 64 is displaced in a direction away from the body in conjunction with the operation of the right arm receiving portion 20A, and the teeth (grooves) of the gear 62 and the locking claw 64 are shifted. And the arm support can be released. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the gear 62 in which sawtooth teeth are engraved is used because it is easily available. However, the sawtooth teeth are engraved in a predetermined angle range such as a fan shape. It is also possible to use a member. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a configuration in which the locking claw 64 freely rotates about the support shaft 64A and meshes with the teeth (grooves) of the gear 62 by its own weight. It is also possible to provide a braking member so that the claw portion of the locking claw 64 does not go around to the gear 62 side, and to bias the locking claw 64 to the gear 62 side using an elastic member or the like. Although the right arm side has been described as an example here, the left arm side has the same structure. Moreover, although the case where the fixed support bar 14A and the arm receiving portion 20A are provided on the right hand side of the operator has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fixed support bar 14A and the arm support part 20A may be provided on the left hand side of the worker, and the left and right positions of the fixed support bar 14A and the arm support part 20A may be provided on the right hand side of the worker. By doing in this way, it becomes possible for an operator to raise an elbow up and to support an arm in the state where the elbow was kept away from the trunk more than predetermined.

  1 and 8, for example, the coupling mechanism 30 </ b> A (30 </ b> B) in FIG. 1 is changed to the spherical plain bearing 60 in FIG. 8, and the attitude maintaining mechanisms 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B in FIG. 1 are not changed. It is good. Alternatively, the posture maintaining mechanisms 40A and 40B may be changed to the posture maintaining mechanism 66 in FIG. 8 without changing the coupling mechanism 30A (30B) in FIG.

  The posture maintaining mechanism may be configured to mechanically mesh with the operator moving the elbow toward the body side more than a predetermined amount or away from the body more than a predetermined amount. For example, an opening (hole) is used instead of a groove. And a pin that can be inserted into the opening (hole) may be used instead of the claw portion or the locking claw.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, although the case where the trunk | drum fixing | fixed part 10 was fixed to a waist was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this, For example, as shown in FIG. You may employ | adopt trunk | body fixing | fixed part 10 'fixed to a waist and a shoulder. Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired. In the body fixing portion 10 ′, it is preferable to be able to adjust the height direction position of the portion indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 10 and the horizontal position of the portion indicated by the symbol B.

  In addition, although the said embodiment took and demonstrated the case where the operator who performs the operation | work with respect to shelf cultivation fruit trees utilized the arm support instrument 100, it is not restricted to this. The arm support device 100 can also be used in other work performed by raising the arm (for example, ceiling work).

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

10 torso fixing part 20A arm receiving part (right arm receiving part)
20B Arm support (left arm support)
30A, 30B Connection mechanism 40A, 40B Posture maintenance mechanism 42 Groove plate member (first portion)
44 Claw member (second part)
54 Groove 58 Claw (engagement claw)
100 Arm support device

Claims (5)

A body fixing part fixed to the operator's body;
An arm receiving portion mounted on the arm of the worker;
Connecting the part of the body fixing part and the vicinity of one end of the arm receiving part on the shoulder side of the operator, and the posture of the arm receiving part with respect to the body fixing part according to the movement of the arm of the operator A coupling mechanism that allows change,
The arm receiving portion provided between the torso fixing portion and the arm receiving portion, wherein the operator closes the elbow to the torso side for a predetermined amount or the operator keeps the elbow away from the torso for a predetermined amount or more. A posture maintaining mechanism that maintains the posture of the body fixing portion in an antigravity manner and supports the arm of the operator. The posture maintaining mechanism has a first portion provided in the body fixing portion and a second portion provided in the arm receiving portion,
The first part and the second part mechanically mesh with each other with the elbows approaching the fuselage more than a predetermined distance, and maintain the posture of the arm support part with respect to the fuselage fixing part in an antigravity manner. The arm support device according to claim 1. The posture maintaining mechanism has a first portion provided in the body fixing portion and a second portion provided in the arm receiving portion,
The first part and the second part are mechanically meshed with the operator keeping an elbow away from the body by a predetermined distance or more, and the posture of the arm support part with respect to the body fixing part is maintained in an antigravity manner. The arm support device according to claim 1. Either one of the first part and the second part has a member in which one or a plurality of grooves are formed,
4. The arm support device according to claim 2, wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has an engaging claw that engages with the groove. 5.   The arm support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection mechanism is provided in the vicinity of a shoulder position of the worker.

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