JP5687074B2 - Lumbar burden reduction device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lower back burden reducing device mainly used in the field of nursing care or the like.

  In Patent Document 1, care operations such as transfer assistance and posture change are often performed in a posture in which the trunk is bent deeply forward, and the posture duration may be long. However, it has been pointed out that problems such as low back pain are easily caused to caregivers.

  It has also been pointed out that a corset that reinforces the caregiver's lower back interferes with the flexibility and agility of the caregiver's movement, and long-term wearing reduces the user's original support.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, at the time of wearing, at least the first belt having stretchability provided so as to extend from the right shoulder to the left knee through the back, left waist, left hip, and left thigh, and wearing And at least a second belt having stretchability provided so as to extend from the left shoulder to the back, right waist, right buttock, and right thigh to the right knee, and the first and second belts are provided on the back. In this case, a lower back burden reducing device is proposed which is provided so as to cross each other.

  According to the lower back burden reducing device, when the body surface distance greatly changes when the trunk is bent forward, the first and second belts are stretched to generate tension, and this tension causes the muscle tension of the lower back. Is compensated, and the muscle load on the lower back is reduced. In addition, since the first and second belts are provided so as to cross each other at the back, even if the actions such as rotation and lateral bending are combined in addition to the trunk forward bending, The risk that one of the belts will not work can be reduced without hindering the rotating operation.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in consideration of the inconvenience of always tightening the waist with a corset, when the caregiver bends forward, it is provided over both shoulders, back, back waist, and both knees or both thighs. Creates tension on the belt and increases the tightening force around the waist, reducing the burden on the waist more effectively. When not bending forward, loosen both the belt tension and the tightening force around the waist. Lumbar muscle strength aids that can be used have been proposed.

  The waist strength assisting device includes a left belt, a right belt, a left waist belt, a right waist belt, and a holder that is slidable with the left belt and the right belt. The holding device is located on the back waist portion of the back, and has a total of four holding portions provided symmetrically in two places at the top and bottom, and the left belt extends from the left shoulder. The right belt is attached from the right shoulder to the right back and the right side through the left back and the two upper and lower holding parts located on the left side to reach the left thigh or the left knee. It is attached so as to reach the right thigh or the right knee via the two upper and lower holding parts, and one end portion of the left waist belt is located on the left and right two holding parts. When slidably connected to the left belt In addition, the other end portion is wound around the waist portion in the left direction, and one end portion of the right waist belt is slidable on the right belt between the upper and lower holding portions located on the right side. While being connected, the other end is wound rightward around the waist.

Japanese Patent No. 4000254 Japanese Patent No. 4496398

  However, in general, in the care operation that takes a forward leaning posture in which the trunk is bent forward deeply, the knee is often bent at the same time, and the above-described conventional assisting device provides special assistance for the muscular strength required to extend the bent knee. Since this was not considered, there was a problem that fatigue of leg muscles was accumulated by repeated knee bending and stretching operations. This was especially a problem for elderly caregivers who had weakened muscle strength.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to reduce fatigue of leg muscles and smoothly knee even in a work requiring a forward leaning posture accompanied by bending and stretching of the knee, such as a care operation. It is in the point which provides the waist load reduction orthosis which can bend and stretch.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the first characteristic configuration of the lower back burden reducing device according to the present invention is as described in claim 1 of the claims. attached to the knee, and a pair of knee belt having a compression capable pressurizing the patellar tendon when bending the knee joint to contact the patella lower region, along the buttocks thighs back While connecting between the waist belt and the back side of the knee of each knee belt, and pulling to assist the muscle tension applied from the buttocks to the back of the thigh caused by the posture change to the forward tilt posture And a lower elastic belt that pulls each knee belt rearward and upward so as to generate a patella tendon reflex by compressing the patella tendon with the pressurizing portion in accordance with a knee flexion / extension change. .

  When the wearer of the lumbar burden reducing device takes a forward leaning posture, the lower elastic belt connecting the lumbar belt and the knee belt is stretched, and the reaction force assists the muscle tension applied from the buttocks to the back of the thigh. As a result, the load on the waist is reduced. When the knee is further displaced to the bending posture, the knee belt is pulled by the lower elastic belt, so that the patella tendon is compressed through the pressing portion. This compression action on the patella tendon causes a spinal reflex phenomenon in which the contraction force is generated in the quadriceps muscles and the knee joint extends, reducing the fatigue of the leg muscles and easily extending the knee Will be able to.

  According to the second characteristic configuration described in claim 2, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the pressurizing portion is formed of an elastic member having a predetermined thickness. It exists in the point arrange | positioned only in the area | region facing a patella tendon.

  In order to cause the patella tendon reflex, it is necessary to pressurize the region facing the patella tendon locally without causing pain in a state where the knee is displaced in the bending posture. For this reason, it is preferable that the pressurizing portion is formed of an elastic member having a predetermined thickness, and the elastic member is disposed only in a region of the knee belt facing the patella tendon.

In the third feature configuration, as described in claim 3, in addition to the first or second feature configuration described above, the lumbar belt increases the abdominal pressure by tightening the lumbar portion, and the lumbar pelvis It consists of a corset that improves muscle activity in the area .

  In order for the limbs to function, the dynamic stability of the trunk as the foundation is required. And since a big force is added to a lumbar pelvis area | region among trunks, the muscular strength for resisting a big load is requested | required. According to the above configuration, even an elderly caregiver who has weakened muscular strength in the lumbar region can improve the activity of the external abdominal muscles by artificially increasing the abdominal pressure with the lumbar belt functioning as a corset. This makes it possible to ensure a stable care operation without hurting the lower back. At the same time, the tension acting from the lower elastic belt in the forward leaning posture is stably received by the waist belt firmly attached to the waist as a corset, so that the trunk does not fluctuate due to the tension of the lower elastic belt.

  In the fourth feature configuration, as described in claim 4, in addition to any one of the first to third feature configurations described above, a pair of shoulder belts attached to the left and right shoulder portions, and a back surface The upper elastic belt further assists the muscle tension applied to the back muscles generated by the posture change to the forward tilt posture by connecting the shoulder belts and the waist belt so as to cross each other. In the point.

  Even when the wearer of the lumbar burden reducing device takes a forward leaning posture with twisting, the upper elastic belt that connects the waist belt and the pair of shoulder belts so as to cross is extended, and the reaction force causes the back muscle to Since the applied muscle tension is assisted, the load applied to the back muscle portion is reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even in an operation requiring a forward leaning posture accompanied by bending and stretching of the knee, such as a care operation, the knee muscle can be bent smoothly by reducing fatigue of the leg muscles. It has become possible to provide a low-back orthosis that can be stretched.

Explanatory drawing of the external appearance of the waist burden reduction orthosis according to the present invention Explanatory drawing of the principal part of the waist | lumbar part burden reduction apparatus by this invention It is explanatory drawing of the mounting state of the waist | hip | lumbar part burden reduction apparatus by this invention, (a) is explanatory drawing of front view, (b) is explanatory drawing of rear view, (c) is explanatory drawing of side view, (d) is explanatory drawing. Explanatory drawing of knee bent in forward leaning posture

  Hereinafter, a lower back burden reducing device according to the present invention will be described. Lumbar burden reduction device is a device worn by workers who repeatedly lean forward and knee flexing under load, especially caregivers who perform care operations such as transfer assistance and posture change for the care recipient Is preferably used.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower back burden reducing device 1 includes a lower back belt 10, a pair of knee belts 20 (20R, 20L), and a pair of shoulder belts 30 (30R, 30L). .

  The knee belt 20 (20R, 20L) is provided via a stretchable lower elastic belt 25 (25R, 25L) and an inelastic belt 26 (26R, 26L) sewn to the lower elastic belt 25 (25R, 25L). The length of the waist belt 10 is adjustable.

  Similarly, the shoulder belt 30 (30R, 30L) is a stretchable upper elastic belt 35 (35R, 35L) and an inelastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) sewn to the upper elastic belt 35 (35R, 35L). It is connected to the lumbar belt 10 so that the length can be adjusted via the.

  The waist belt 10 is composed of a warp knitted fabric or the like in which an elastic yarn such as polyurethane is inserted into a fabric composed of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester. The waist belt 10 has a width in the range of 100 mm to 200 mm. A hook-and-loop fastener 11 for fixing the waist belt 10 in a state of being wound around the waist of the human body is provided on one surface and the other back surface of both ends of the waist belt 10, and is wound and fixed with a predetermined tension. Thus, the lumbar region is tightened to function as a corset that ensures the stability of the trunk. The hook-and-loop fastener 11 includes, for example, a large number of hook-shaped protrusions 11A provided on one surface and a large number of pile-shaped loops 11A provided on the other surface. It is an engaging fastener.

  Further, a pair of engagement tools 12 (12R, 12L) that engage with the inelastic belt 26 (26R, 26L) is provided at the lower center of the back surface of the waist belt 10, and the inelastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) is provided on the upper part thereof. A pair of engaging tools 13 (13R, 13L) that are engaged with each other are attached.

  One end side of the inelastic belt 26 (26R, 26L) is inserted from below into an insertion hole formed in the engagement tool 12 (12R, 12L), and is arranged along the surface of the waist belt 10. The inelastic belt 26 (26R, 26L) is fixed to the waist belt 10 through hook-and-loop fasteners provided on one end side of the inelastic belt 26 (26R, 26L) and the surface of the waist belt 10.

  Further, one end side of the inelastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) is inserted from above into an insertion hole formed in the engagement tool 13 (13R, 13L), and is arranged along the surface of the waist belt 10. The inelastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) is fixed to the waist belt 10 through hook-and-loop fasteners respectively provided on one end side of the inelastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) and the surface of the waist belt 10.

  By removing the hook-and-loop fastener of the inelastic belt 26 (26R, 26L) and pulling or relaxing the inelastic belt 26 (26R, 26L) along the waist belt 10, the knee belt 20 (20R, 20L) and the waist The length between the belts 10 is adjusted.

  Similarly, the shoulder belt 30 (30R, 30L) is removed by removing the hook-and-loop fastener of the inelastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) and pulling or relaxing the inelastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) along the waist belt 10. ) And the waist belt 10 are adjusted.

  The inelastic belt 26 (26R, 26L) and the inelastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) are knitted fabrics of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester, and have a belt width of about 40 mm to 50 mm.

  The lower elastic belt 25 (25R, 25L) and the upper elastic belt 35 (35R, 35L) are also knitted fabrics of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester, and elastic yarns such as polyurethane are knitted. The belt width is set to about 50 mm to 70 mm.

  The knee belt 20 (20R, 20L) having a width of about 40 mm is sewn to the lower end portion of the lower elastic belt 25 (25R, 25L) on the back side, and is attached to the left and right knees by a hook-and-loop fastener 22. It is fixed at the side of the knee. An elastic member 21 (21R, 21L) having a predetermined thickness that functions as a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the patella tendon is attached to a region of the knee belt 20 facing the patella tendon.

  FIGS. 3A to 3D are schematic views for explaining a state where the above-described waist burden reduction device 1 is attached to a human body. At the initial stage of wearing the waist load reducing device 1, the hook-and-loop fasteners of the non-elastic belt 26 and the non-elastic belt 36 (36R, 36L) are respectively removed and relaxed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b), and 3 (c), the left and right arms are passed through the shoulder belt 30 formed in a ring shape, and the upper elastic belt 35 intersects with the back so that the upper elastic belt 35 intersects with the shoulder. Installing. The shoulder belts 30 are locked so as not to be detached by the locking tools 31 and 32 attached to the left and right shoulder belts 30.

  The waist belt 20 is wound around from the back side to the front side of the waist, and is fixed via the hook-and-loop fastener 11 on the front side. Further, the pressing part is positioned so as to contact the lower patella region, and the knee belt 20 is wound around and fixed to the left and right knees via the hook-and-loop fastener 22. At this time, it is necessary to fix the patella lower region so as not to be excessively compressed by the pressurizing unit.

  When the wearing is completed, the inelastic belt 26 that is locked to the waist belt 10 is removed via the hook-and-loop fastener, and the inelastic belt 26 is pulled along the waist belt 10 in an upright posture, whereby the knee belt 20 The length between the waist belt 10 and the waist belt 10 is adjusted and locked to the waist belt 10 via a hook-and-loop fastener.

  Similarly, by removing the non-elastic belt 36 that is locked to the waist belt 10 via the hook-and-loop fastener and pulling the non-elastic belt 36 along the waist belt 10 in an upright posture, The length between the belts 10 is adjusted.

  When the wearing is completed and a forward leaning posture is taken during work such as nursing care, the upper elastic belt 35 that connects the waist belt 10 and the pair of shoulder belts 30 so as to cross each other extends, and the reaction force causes the back muscles to stretch. The muscle tension applied to the is assisted. Even in the case of taking a forward leaning posture with twisting, the upper elastic belt 35 is connected so as to intersect on the back surface, so that the muscle tension applied to the back muscles is effectively assisted.

  Similarly, the lower elastic belt 25 connecting the waist belt 10 and the knee belt 20 is extended, and the reaction force assists the muscle tension applied from the buttocks to the back of the thigh, thereby reducing the load applied to the waist. .

  As shown in FIG. 3 (d), when the knee is further displaced to the bending posture, the knee belt 20 is pulled toward the rear upper portion by the lower elastic belt 25, and thus the pressure formed by the elastic member 21 is applied. The patella tendon is pressed through the part. This compression action on the patella tendon causes a contraction force in the quadriceps muscle and causes the spinal cord reflex phenomenon in which the knee joint extends, allowing the knee to be easily extended, and the leg muscles Can effectively reduce fatigue.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the elastic member 21 serving as the pressurizing portion is preferably made of synthetic rubber such as urethane rubber as the material, and is approximately the same as or slightly narrower than the width of the knee belt 20 and has a thickness of 20 mm. It is desirable to be molded to the extent.

  And it is preferable that the contact surface with the knee part of the elastic member 21 (21R, 21L) is formed flat, and when the elastic member 21 is arranged in a belt shape to the back side of the knee, the knee is bent when the knee is refracted. It is preferable that the elastic member 21 is disposed only in a region facing the patella tendon so that the elastic body comes into contact with the back side of the arm and gives discomfort such as pain.

  In order to generate a good patella tendon reflex action, the size of the elastic member 21 (21R, 21L) is preferably about 15 to 30 mm in width and about 10 to 20 mm in thickness, and the hardness is 20 to 40 according to JIS K 6253. A range is preferred.

  In general, spinal cord reflex is a momentary contraction of muscles against momentary compression, but when the knee joint is extended even when static pressure acts on the lower patella region by the pressurization part. The present invention has been found to cause the contractile action of the quadriceps muscle, and the present invention effectively utilizes such characteristics.

  That is, the lower back burden reducing device according to the present invention includes a waist belt to be worn on the human waist, a pair of knee belts having a pressure part to be worn on the left and right knees and abutting the lower patella region, and a buttock. While connecting between the waist belt and each knee belt along the back of the thigh, assisting the muscle tension applied from the buttocks to the back of the thigh caused by the posture change to the forward tilt posture, And a lower elastic belt that pulls the patella tendon to be compressed by the pressurizing unit in accordance with the change of the knee to the bending posture.

  The lumbar burden reduction device according to the present invention is used for work such as nursing care and heavy goods transportation that requires a forward leaning posture in which the trunk is bent deeply and bent at the same time, regardless of gender. Used to reduce the work burden of elderly people with weak muscle strength.

1: Lumbar burden reducing device 10: Lumbar belts 12, 13: Engaging device 20: Knee belt 21: Elastic member (pressurizing portion)
25: Lower elastic belt 26: Inelastic belt 30: Shoulder belt 31, 32: Locking tool 35: Upper elastic belt 36: Inelastic belt

Claims (4)

A waist belt to be worn on the waist of the human body,
Attached to the knee of the right and left, a pair of knee belt having a compression capable pressurizing the patellar tendon when bending the knee joint to contact the patella lower region,
It connects between the waist belt and the back side of the knee of each knee belt along the back of the thigh from the buttocks, and it is applied to the back of the thigh from the buttocks that occurs as the posture changes to the forward leaning posture. with traction to assist muscle tension, lower further pulling rearward and upward respective lap portions belt to rise to pressure to the patellar tendon reflexes the patellar tendon by the pressing is accompanied to the bending and stretching change of the knee Lumbar burden reducing device equipped with an elastic belt.   The lower back burden reducing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion is formed of an elastic member having a predetermined thickness, and is disposed only in a region of the knee belt facing the patella tendon. The lumbar region reduction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lumbar belt is formed of a corset that increases abdominal pressure by tightening the lumbar region and improves muscle activity in the lumbar pelvic region . A pair of shoulder belts attached to the left and right shoulders;
An upper elastic belt that connects each shoulder belt and the waist belt so as to cross each other at the back, and assists muscle tension applied to the back muscles caused by the posture change to the forward tilt posture; The lower back burden reducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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