KR20080005416A - Exercise assisting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

a seat (13) on which buttocks of a user (2) is sit; a stationary support base (12) for supporting the seat (13); a burden regulator (14) provided between the support base (12) and the seat (13), and for regulating a ratio of self weight of the user which is supported by the seat (13) so that a load due to the self weight of the user acting on leg portion of the user; and a driving mechanism (16) for driving the burden regulator (14) so that the ratio of self weight of the user supported by the seat varies as time passes. The burden regulator (14) couples the support base (12) and the seat (13) in a manner so that a portion of the seat (13) to which the buttocks of the user is sit is tilted between a first state where the portion becomes horizontal and a second state where the portion is slanted downward toward the foot side in a plane including one of femoral regions and the buttocks of the user. Thus, a space necessary for using the exercise assisting apparatus (1) can be narrowed, and strength of a material of the support base (12) can be lowered.

Description

Exercise aids {EXERCISE ASSISTING APPARATUS}

Although the present invention is a relatively comfortable posture, the present invention relates to an exercise assisting device that enables the contraction of the user's muscles by adjusting the load due to the user's own weight acting on the user's leg while the user's hips are placed on the chair.

In general, muscle contraction is known to occur when stimulation of exercise due to external force is applied to a user's muscle even if the user does not voluntarily move the body. That is, even if the stimulus of the exercise is caused by external force, if the user's muscles are repeatedly contracted, glucose will be generated in the muscles and glucose metabolism will be increased to consume glucose. Thus, it can contribute to recovery in adult diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and as a result, hyperlipidemia is improved.

In order to effectively perform glucose metabolism due to muscle contraction, it is desirable to generate muscle contraction in a large volume of muscle, such as red muscle, or especially in slow muscles that contribute to aerobic exercise. As such, it has been found that it is effective to contract the muscles of the thigh or back. For example, in a conventional exercise aid that causes contraction of the thigh muscles as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-58733, the support base is provided to support the user's hips at the upper end while the user sits and the support base is inclined. do.

In the conventional exercise assisting apparatus, since the support base is inclined, a relatively large space is required to incline the support base. In addition, since a relatively large moment due to the weight of the user acts on the lower end of the support base, it is necessary to give the support base a relatively large strength. Therefore, since the occupancy space for the installation of the exercise aid is widened, the installation position of the exercise aid may be limited. In addition, since it is necessary to increase the material strength of the member or the support base which can incline the support base, the exercise assist device becomes expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise aid that can reduce the space required for use, thereby reducing the limitation of the installation position, and can lower the material strength of the support base as compared to the structure of the conventional exercise aid.

In order to achieve the above object, the exercise assisting device according to an aspect of the present invention, the user's hips seated thereon; A fixed support base for supporting the sheet; A load adjuster provided between the support base and the seat, for adjusting a ratio of the weight of the user supported by the seat so that a load due to the weight of the user acts on the leg of the user; And a drive mechanism for driving the load regulator such that the ratio of the weight of the user supported by the seat changes as time passes; The load adjuster may be configured between a first state in which the portion of the sheet on which the user's hips are placed is horizontal and a second state inclined downward toward the foot in a plane including one of the user's thighs and hips. Join the support base and the sheet so that the portion is inclined.

According to this configuration, since the load acting on the foot portion of the user changes while changing the inclination angle of the seat with respect to the support base, it can mainly stimulate the contraction of the muscles of the user's foot. As such, the muscle strength of the foot may be enhanced, or glucose metabolism may be enhanced by absorption of glucose into the muscle due to muscle contraction.

In addition, only the seat on which the user's hips are placed is moved and the support base is not moved, thus requiring relatively less space for the movement of the device. As such, the space required for installation of the device can be narrowed compared to the conventional configuration in which the support base is inclined.

In addition, the support base is fixed, and the inclination angle of the sheet with respect to the support base is changed, so that a moment due to the user's own weight acts around the portion joining the support base and the sheet. As such, since the moment acting around the lower end of the support base is greatly reduced, the strength of the portion joining the sheet to the support base is lower than the strength of the portion supporting the lower end of the support base so as to be inclined in the conventional structure. It is possible to reduce the price of the exercise aids.

1A is a side view showing a first state of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

1B is a side view showing a second state of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

2A is a perspective view of the exercise assisting device in the first state shown in FIG. 1A seen from the front.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a state in which the chair is inclined to a plane including the hip and the right foot is positioned during the second state of FIG. 1B.

3A is a side view showing a state in which the main seat portion extends in the front-rear direction of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

3B is a side view showing a state in which the main sheet portion is contracted in the front-rear direction.

4A is a side view showing a state in which the angle of the auxiliary seat portion is reduced with respect to the main seat portion as a modification of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

4B is a side view showing a state in which the angle with respect to the main sheet portion of the auxiliary sheet portion is increased in the above modification of the first embodiment.

5A is a side view showing a first state of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

5B is a side view illustrating a second state of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment.

6A is a side view showing a modification of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 6B is a perspective view showing the above modification of the second embodiment.

Fig. 7A is a side view showing a first state of the exercise assisting device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a side view showing a second state of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG.

8 is a plan view showing a step portion configuration of a modification of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the third embodiment.

9 is a perspective view showing the exercise assisting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

[First Embodiment]

The exercise assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A shows a first state of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows an exercise assisting apparatus ( The second state of 1) is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the exercise assisting device 1 is a base portion 911 installed on an installation surface such as a floor surface, a pole brace provided to be fixed in a fixed position on the base portion 11. A fixed support base 12 and a seat 13 disposed on an upper end of the support base 12 on which the hip of the user is positioned. The sheet 13 also has a main seat portion 13a, on which the user's hips are located, and an auxiliary seat portion 13b extending obliquely downward from the main sheet portion 13a. Since the front portion of the auxiliary sheet portion 13b is formed in two fork shapes, the thighs of the user 2 are positioned thereon. That is, when the user 2 sits on the seat 13 with the legs spread out so that the bases of the thighs coincide in portions adjacent to the boundary between the main seat portion 13a and the auxiliary seat portion 13b, The angle between the main sheet portion 13a and the auxiliary sheet portion 13b is set so that the thigh is supported by the auxiliary sheet portion 13b.

The seat 13 is connected to the support base 12 through a load regulator 914 to be supported by the support base 12. As shown in Fig. 1A, the load regulator 14 has the top surface of the main seat portion 13a in a first state in which the top surface of the main sheet portion 13a is horizontal, from the hip to the foot side as shown in Fig. 1B. The sheet 13 is connected to the support base 12 so that the sheet 13 can be inclined between the second inclined states.

2A shows a first state of the exercise assisting device viewed from the front. FIG. 2B shows the second state of the exercise assisting device, in particular the state where the upper surface of the main seat portion 13a of the seat 13 is inclined in the plane including the hips and the right foot. Here, the term "second state" includes two states, one of which is inclined in a plane in which the upper surface of the main sheet portion 13a of the sheet 13 includes the hip and the right foot, as shown in FIG. 2B. In the state described above, the other is the state in which the upper surface of the main sheet portion 13a of the sheet 13 is inclined in the plane including the hips and the left foot (inclined in the opposite direction as shown in Fig. 2B). In the following description, the former case is called "second state (right)" and the latter case is called "second state (left)".

A pair of steps 15 on which both feet of the user 2 are positioned is formed on the base 11. Step 15 is used such that the feet of the user 2 are positioned thereon in both the first state and the second state. Thus, the weight of the user 2 is accommodated in the sheet 13 and the step 15.

The load acting on the seat 13 by the weight of the user 2 in the first state is greater than in the second state, and the load acting on the step 15 by the weight of the user in the second state is the first Greater than in the state. That is, since the load acting on the left foot portion of the user 2 by the weight of the user 2 varies according to the inclination of the seat 13, muscle contraction in the left foot portion of the user 2 can be caused.

The exercise assisting device 1 has a drive mechanism 16 having a drive source such as a motor for driving the load regulator 14. When the load regulator 14 is driven by the drive mechanism 16, the first state and the second state described above are alternately repeated. In particular, the sheet 13 moves relative to the support base 12 in the order of a first state → second state (left) → first state → second state (right) → first state.

In order to realize such movement of the seat 13, a pair of cranks coupled to the seat 13 are provided on both sides of the load regulator 14, and links coupled to the cranks are driven to the drive mechanism 16. Is provided. The motor of the drive mechanism 16 is controlled to be operated and non-operated, and the rotational speed is controlled by a control unit which has not been described.

When the drive mechanism 16 is actuated, the hips of the user 2 are supported by the main seat portion 13a of the seat 13 and the thighs of the user 2 are supported by the auxiliary seat portion 13b. The first state in FIG. 1A and the second in FIG. 1B in which the thigh of the user 2 is hardly supported by the auxiliary seat 13b even though the hips of the user 2 are supported by the main seat 13a. The state is repeated.

In the first state, most of the weight of the user 2 is accommodated by the main sheet portion 13a of the sheet 13 so that the load acting on the leg portion of the user 2 is relatively small. On the other hand, in the second state, since the main sheet portion 13a of the sheet 13 is inclined forward and downward, a portion of the force acts forward on the hips of the user 2 along the upper surface of the main sheet portion 13a. As a result, the load on the leg of the user increases. Thus, by alternately repeating the first state and the second state, the contraction of the muscle occurs in the leg muscles of the user 2.

In the second state, the sheet 13 is inclined to the right or left side of the user 2. That is, it is inclined in the plane including any of the support base 12 and the steps 15 so as not to exert a force to the right or left of the knee joint of the user 2. A user 2 having pain towards the knee joint can use this exercise assisting device 1 according to these exercises. Further, when a load due to the weight of the user 2 acts on one of the legs of the user 2 in each of the second state (right) and the second state (left), the load acts on both legs at the same time. The load can be greater on each leg than in the case.

If there is pain in the knee joint, it is known that the pain worsens when the bending angle of the knee joint is raised from the stretched state by more than a predetermined angle (for example, 40 degrees). As such, the angle of change of the seat 13 is limited so that the bending angle of the knee joint is kept lower than the predetermined angle. In particular, the change angle of the main sheet portion 13a of the sheet 13 is limited to 20 degrees or smaller (0 to 20 degrees) with respect to the horizontal plane.

According to the exercise aid 1 of the first embodiment, only the seat 13 is inclined with respect to the support base 12 provided to be fixed at a predetermined position on the base 11, so that the periphery of the rotational center of the seat 13 The moment acting on the furnace load regulator 14 is smaller than that of the inclination of the foundation as in the conventional apparatus, so that the driving force of the drive mechanism 16 can be lowered. In addition, the space required for moving the exercise assisting apparatus 1 becomes smaller than the conventional apparatus.

By the way, when the user 2 sits on the seat 13, the hips of the user 2 and the contraction area of the seat differ depending on the body size of the user 2. As such, since the load acting on the leg portion in the second state may vary according to the body size of the user 2, the expected exercise effect may not be obtained or the exercise may be overloaded with the user 2. In addition, it is necessary to adjust the load acting on the leg portion in accordance with the difference in muscle strength and body size of the user (2).

As such, the load regulator 14 is configured such that the seat 13 is slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the support base 12. As an example of a specific configuration, the load regulator 14 is provided with a guide rail for guiding the seat 13 in the front-rear direction, and moves the seat 13 along the rail so as not to move the seat 13 in the front-rear direction. It is provided with a lever for switching between the fixed state. As the lever, a cam chuck having a structure substantially the same as the quick release lever used for a bicycle can be widely used.

As another example, the main sheet portion 13a of the sheet 13 is divided into two parts, the front portion and the rear portion, and the front portion and the rear portion are stretched like a pantograph to change the area of the main sheet portion 13a. It can be configured to be coupled to the mechanism. With this structure, the stretched state and the main sheet portion 13a in which the area of the main sheet portion 13a supporting the hip of the user 2 is extended in the front-back direction as shown in FIG. 3A are It can be adjusted between the contracted state contracted in the front and rear direction as shown in Figure 3B. Therefore, since the ratio of the load supported by the sheet 13 is changed by adjusting the area of the main sheet portion 13a, the load acting on the leg portion of the user 2 can be increased or decreased. Further, as in the method of increasing or decreasing the load acting on the leg portion of the user 2, the angle of the auxiliary sheet portion 13b with respect to the main sheet portion 13a is configurably changeable as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. can do. 4A shows a state in which the angle of the auxiliary sheet portion 13b with respect to the main sheet portion 13a is decreased so that the load acting on the auxiliary sheet portion 13b from the thigh of the user 2 increases. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the angle of the auxiliary sheet portion 13b with respect to the main sheet portion 13a is increased so that the load acting on the auxiliary sheet portion 13b from the thigh of the user 2 is reduced. In this way, the load acting on the auxiliary sheet portion 13b from the thigh of the user 2 can be adjusted while changing the angle of the auxiliary sheet portion 13b to the main sheet portion 13a. The working load can be increased or decreased. In addition, the structure which slides the sheet 13, the structure which expands and contracts the main sheet part 13a, and the structure which changes the angle of the auxiliary sheet part 13b with respect to the main sheet part 13a can be combined suitably. .

Second Embodiment

Next, an exercise assisting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, an upper body support member for restricting a part of the upper body of the user 2 is provided to the exercise aid 1 to prevent the upper body of the user 2 from tilting forward and backward more than necessary. It is provided. That is, if the upper body of the user 2 is inclined forward than expected in the second state of the seat 13, the load acting on the leg portion is excessive. On the contrary, if the upper body of the user 2 is inclined backward more than expected, the load acting on the leg portion is insufficient. As such, in the second embodiment, it is limited in applying the expected load to the leg of the user 2.

5A shows a first state of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 5B shows a second state of the exercise assisting apparatus 1. 5A and 5B, in the exercise assisting apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the upper body supporting member 17 in the form of a backrest in contact with the back waist of the user who is passing the hips on the seat 13 is Is coupled to the sheet 13. The seat 13 and the upper body support member 17 are coupled via a second drive mechanism 18 having a motor as a drive source. The drive mechanism 18 is controlled to adjust the angle of the upper body support member 17 with respect to the seat 13 and the inclination of the seat 13 is controlled by the drive mechanism 16.

According to this configuration, even if the upper body support member 17 and the drive mechanism 18 are newly required, the configuration of the exercise assisting device 1 becomes complicated, and the upper body of the user 2 can be prevented from inclining backward. This may result in an expected load on the leg of the user 2. However, such a configuration cannot prevent the upper body of the user 2 from tilting rearward, and the load acting on the leg portion becomes excessive when the body of the user 2 is excessively inclined forward. As such, the user 2 preferably rotates both arms to the rear of the upper body support member 17 at the time of use to prevent the inclination of the upper body of the user 2 toward the front.

A modification of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. As can be seen from Figs. 6A and 6B, an arrester 17a in contact with the front face of the upper body of the user 2 to limit the movement forward of the user's body is in this variant the upper body support member. Is added to (17). The restraining member 17a has one arm 17b, one end of which is rotatably coupled onto the seat 13, and a support bar 17c connected to the other end of the arm 17b and in contact with the abdomen of the user 2. Has The user 2 enters the waist from the hole between the support bar 17c and the seat 13 into the space between the seat 13 and the restraining member 17a to sit on the seat 13. Since the restraining member 17a is rotatably mounted on the seat 13, the position of the restraining member can be adjusted according to the waist line of the user 2.

According to the modified configuration having the restraining member 17a, when the upper surface of the seat 13 is inclined to be positioned in the second state shown in Fig. 6A, the hip of the user 2 can be prevented from sliding forward. . In addition, since the restraining member 17a is in contact with the abdomen of the user 2, the upper body of the user 2 can be prevented from being disregarded forward.

The restraining member 17a does not necessarily need to be rotatably mounted on the seat 13, but can be fixed directly on the seat 13. In addition, the shape of the restraining member 17a is not limited to the shape described above, and may be, for example, a shape such as a seat belt of an airplane. In addition, the upper body support member 17 is not necessarily connected to the seat 13. However, if the upper body support member 17 is connected to the seat 13, the exercise assisting device 1 is not bulky and can save space.

Further, since the restraining member 17a is sufficient to prevent the movement of the user 2's abdomen forward, the restraining member 17a having a Tee shape is braked at the center of the front end of the seat 13. Can be. In this case, when the user 2 sits on the seat 13, the constitution member 17a may be adopted to fall forward, and after the user 2 sits on the seat 13, the position is raised to be adjusted. Can be. Other configurations and operations of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment described above.

Third Embodiment

Next, an exercise assisting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7A shows a first state of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 7B shows a second state of the exercise assisting apparatus 1. As shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, each step 15 consists of a plurality of partial steps 15a, 15b, for example, in the exercise aid 1 of the third embodiment.

The partial steps 15a, 15b are movable relative to the base 11, respectively. Each step 15 also has a drive unit 20 for driving the partial steps 15a, 15b with a drive source such as a motor. Since the movement of the partial steps 15a and 15b is associated with the movement of the seat 13, it is not necessary to provide a driving source for each of the partial steps 15a and 15b, and as a single driving source, the plurality of partial steps ( 15a, 15b) can be driven.

Each of the partial steps 15a, 15b is arranged in an ascending, forward and backward direction (direction parallel to the arrangement of FIGS. 7A and 7B), and in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the ground of FIGS. 7A and 7B). , And the inclination angle (at least one of the rotation about the axis in the front and rear directions and the rotation about the axis in the width direction) with respect to the base portion 11 is variable.

In the example of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the partial steps 15a, 15b arranged in the front-rear direction are configured such that the position in the front-rear direction and the inclination angles around the axis in the width direction can be changed. In the first state of FIG. 7A, the front partial step 15a is inclined with respect to the rear partial step 15b so that one user 2 is separated from the partial step 15a. When the exercise assisting apparatus 1 moves from the first state shown in Fig. 7A to the second state shown in Fig. 7B, the rear partial step 15b gradually inclines to separate the user 2 therefrom, and the front partial step 15a is gradually raised horizontally to approach the user 2. Following his movement, the point at which the load acts between the user 2 and the step 15 under which the load due to the weight of the user acts moves from the heel to the tiptoe. As another example, when the exercise assisting device 1 moves from the second state to the first state, the point at which the load acts between the user 2 and the step 15 moves from the toe to the heel. do.

In the second state of FIG. 7B, the load due to the weight of the user 2 is concentrated on the toe portion of the foot, so that the muscle group can be contracted over the rear side of the foot. That is, not only can stimulate the biceps (biceps) contraction of the femoral muscles on the posterior side of the thigh but also stimulate the contraction of the calf muscles.

Since the motions of the partial steps 15a and 15b described above are examples, a similar good effect is expected by moving the partial steps 15a and 15b up and down instead of changing the inclination angles of the partial steps 15a and 15b. Can be. In addition, the positions of the partial steps 15a, 15b can be configured to be adjustable to alter the type of muscle being contracted or to reduce the load on the knee or ankle joint. Other configurations and operations of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 of the third embodiment are similar to those of the first and second embodiments described above.

Next, a modification of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. In this variant, a load sensor is provided at each of the partial steps 15a, 15b, and the positions of the partial steps 15a, 15b are fed back to bring the load detected by the load sensors to the target values. Adjusted by control. By performing such feedback control, the load acting on the leg of the user 2 can be maintained in an appropriate range. As the load sensor, a load cell or differential transformer having a piezoelectric element may be used.

Although step 15 consists of two partial steps 15a and 15b in the example described above, in another variant of FIG. 8, step 15 consists of many, e.g., nine partial steps 15c. . When the load sensor is provided to each of the partial steps 15c, and the position of each of the partial steps 15c is adjusted by the feedback control based on the load detected by the load sensor, the load acting on the sole during walking is taken. It can be irritating. Exercise can be a kind of walking training because the nervous system acting during walking is stimulated by the load acting on the sole of walking.

[Example 4]

Next, the exercise assisting apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. As described above, since the exercise assisting device 1 changes the load due to the weight of the user 2 acting on the leg while changing the inclination angle of the seat 13, the balance ability of the user is lowered like the elderly. Then, the user 2 may worry about the use of the exercise assisting device 1. In this way, the handrail 21 that the user 2 can hold is provided in the exercise assisting apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment as shown in FIG. The handrail 21 has a tee shape having a pillar support 21a fixed on the base 11 and a gripper 21b provided at an upper end of the pillar support 21a held by the user 2. By providing the handrail 21, the worry of the user who sits on the inclined seat 13 can be eliminated.

A modification of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 9, the handrail 21 is fixed to the base portion 11, so that the relative position of the handrail 21 with respect to the user 2 changes according to the tilting motion of the seat 13. As the relative position of the handrail 21 relative to the user 2 changes in this way, the contraction of the muscles of the upper body of the user 2 can be stimulated. However, the handrail 21 is intended to give the user 2 that the balance function is deteriorated easily, and the position of the handrail 21 with respect to the user 2 may not change.

In the variant of FIG. 10, the handrail 21 is integrally provided on the sheet 13. In particular, the pair of handrails 21 are provided adjacent to both sides on the front end of the sheet 13 in the width direction. Since the user 2 can hold the handrail 21 with both hands and the handrails 21 can move with the seat 13, the relative positions of the handrails 21 with respect to the user 2 can change. As such, the user 2 may increase the idea that the user 2 is easy to use the exercise assisting device 1. In the modification of FIG. 10, the handrail 21 may be installed at the center of the sheet 13 in the width direction so that the handrail 21 may be provided on the left and right sides of the seat 130. Other configurations and functions of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment are similar to those of the first to third embodiments.

However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiments described above, the exercise assisting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the seat of the user's hips sit thereon; A fixed support base for supporting the sheet; A load adjuster provided between the support base and the sheet, for adjusting a ratio of the user's own weight supported by the sheet so that a load due to the user's own weight acts on the user's leg; And a drive mechanism for driving the load regulator such that the ratio of the user's own weight supported by the seat changes as time passes. The load adjuster includes a portion between the first state in which the portion of the seat on which the user's hips are placed is horizontal and a second state inclined downward toward the foot in a plane including one of the user's thighs and hips. Join the support base and the sheet to be inclined.

According to this configuration, since the load acting on the user's foot portion changes while changing the inclination angle of the seat with respect to the support base, it can mainly stimulate the contraction of the muscles of the user's foot. As such, the muscle strength of the foot may be enhanced, or glucose metabolism may be enhanced by uptake of glucose into the muscle due to muscle contraction.

In addition, only the seat on which the user's hips are placed is moved and the support base is not moved, thus requiring relatively less space for the movement of the device. As such, the space required for installation of the device can be narrowed compared to the conventional configuration in which the support base is inclined.

In addition, the support base is fixed, and the inclination angle of the sheet with respect to the support base is changed, so that a moment due to the user's own weight acts around the portion joining the support base and the sheet. As such, since the moment acting around the lower end of the support base is greatly reduced, the strength of the portion joining the sheet to the support base is lower than the strength of the portion supporting the lower end of the support base so as to be inclined in the conventional structure. It is possible to reduce the price of the exercise aids.

In the above-described configuration, there is also provided an upper body support member for limiting the position range of the user's upper body by limiting a portion of the user's upper body that is hung over the seat and associated with the drive mechanism to provide a position range of the upper body. Can be changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the upper body of the user from inclining forward and backward unnecessarily. Thus, the load acting on the leg of the user can be limited to any suitable range.

In addition, the upper body support member has a portion in contact with the front surface of the upper body of the user to hung the seat on the seat. Thus, if the exercise aid is in the second state to move the position of the hip of the user on the seat This can prevent the accidental slipping of the user from the seat.

In addition, at least one of the area where the sheet is in contact with the user and the position of the sheet in a horizontal plane may be variable. Thereby, the ratio of the load acting on the leg part of the user with respect to the load accommodated by the seat among the user's own weight can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the difference in the load on the leg caused by the difference in the body size of the user so that the load on the leg is not excessive.

In addition, steps are provided for the user to place the feet with the user's hips resting on the seat, each step contacting a plurality of portions of the sole respectively and moving separately to change the contact area between the step and the sole. It may have a plurality of partial steps and a driving source for driving the partial steps. Thus, the magnitude of the load acting on the sole or the position of the sole on which the load acts can be adjusted while moving the partial steps. Thus, the load acting on each joint of the user's leg, particularly the knee joint and ankle joint, can be adjusted, and the muscle on which the load acts can be changed.

In addition, since the handrail gripped by the user in the state where the hips of the user is placed on the seat can also be provided, even if the user of reduced balance can hold the handrail and use the exercise aids, it can provide a user with convenience.

This application is based on the JP Patent application 2005-154707 of an application in Japan, The content is taken in here as a reference.

While the invention has been described in detail by way of example only in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, they should be construed as being included herein unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

As an exercise aid: A seat on the hip of the user; A fixed support base for supporting the sheet; A load adjuster provided between the support base and the seat, for adjusting a ratio of the weight of the user supported by the seat so that a load due to the weight of the user acts on the leg of the user; And A drive mechanism for driving said load regulator so that the ratio of the self weight of said user supported by said seat changes as time passes; The load adjuster may be configured between a first state in which the portion of the sheet on which the user's hips are placed is horizontal and a second state inclined downward toward the foot in a plane including one of the user's thighs and hips. Exercise aids, characterized in that for coupling the support base and the seat so that the portion is inclined. 2. An upper body support member according to claim 1, further comprising an upper body support member for limiting the position range of the upper body of the user by limiting a portion of the upper body of the user who is seated on the seat, wherein the upper body is associated with the drive mechanism. Exercise aids, characterized in that the position range of the body can be changed. 3. The exercise assisting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the upper body support member has a portion in contact with the front surface of the upper body of the user where the hip is placed on the seat. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an area in which the seat contacts the user and a position of the seat in a horizontal plane is variable. The method of claim 1, wherein steps are provided by the user placing the feet with the user's hips resting on the seat, each step contacting a plurality of portions of the sole, respectively, the contact area between the step and the sole. And a driving source for driving the partial steps and a plurality of partial steps that move separately to change. The exercise assisting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handrail gripped by the user while the hip of the user is placed on the seat. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seat further includes a main seat portion on which the hips of the user are placed, and an auxiliary seat portion extending obliquely from the main sheet portion. 8. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the front part of the auxiliary seat is formed in two fork shapes such that the thigh of the user is positioned thereon. 8. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an angle of the auxiliary seat portion with respect to the main seat portion is variable. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the seat is slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the support base. 5. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the main seat portion of the seat is divided into two parts, a square portion and a rear portion, and the front portion and the rear portion are coupled to an expansion mechanism to change the area of the main sheet portion. Device. The exercise assisting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the upper body support member is in the form of a backrest which is in contact with the back of the user whose hip is placed on the seat and is coupled to the seat. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the seat and the upper body support member are coupled via a second drive mechanism controlled to adjust the angle of the upper body support member relative to the seat with the drive mechanism in association with the inclination of the seat. Exercise aids, characterized in that. 4. The body of claim 3 wherein said portion of said upper body support member in contact with the front surface of said user's upper body is an aberster with one arm one end rotatably fixed to said seat. The support bar connected to the other end is in contact with the abdomen of the user, the exercise aid. 4. The exercise assisting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the portion of the upper body support member in contact with the front surface of the upper body of the user is a seat belt. 4. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the portion of the upper body support member in contact with the front surface of the upper body of the user is a restraining member having a tee shape provided at the center of the front end of the seat. . 6. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the partial steps is at least one of elevating, positioning in the front and rear direction, positioning in the width direction, and an inclination angle with respect to the base portion. 6. The movement according to claim 5, wherein each of the partial steps is provided with a load sensor, and the positions of the partial steps are adjusted by feedback control such that the loads detected by the load sensors are close to target values. Auxiliary device. 7. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the handrail has a tee shape consisting of a pillar pedestal fixed on a base and a gripper provided at an upper end of the pillar pedestal held by the user. 7. The exercise assisting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pair of handrails are integrally provided in a width direction adjacent to both sides of the front end of the seat.

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