RU2789586C1 - Support knee block for squatting (options) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: leg supports.

SUBSTANCE: inventions group relates to leg supports. The supporting knee block for squatting according to the first variant contains a bearing part in the form of a truncated pyramid, the inner part of which is made of an elastic material, and the upper and lower surfaces of the bearing part, adjacent to the leg, are concave. At least one harness is fixed around the bearing part, to which fastening elements to the leg are attached: a popliteal belt and a fastening belt on the lower leg. Supporting knee block for squatting according to the second version contains upper and lower saddles and fastening elements to the leg. The saddles are connected using a connecting element at an angle of 30 to 80 degrees. The surfaces of the saddles adjacent to the leg are concave.

EFFECT: inventions provide increased mobility and ease of use, reduced dimensions and weight of the knee support block.

13 cl, 12 dwg, 1 ex

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to leg supports designed to support the human body in a sitting position without additional support. Areas of application of the knee support block: household, assembly and construction, physical culture activities.

State of the art

In the public domain: in numerous online stores, orthopedic sites, sports and special equipment stores, there are a number of products similar in purpose, but none of them corresponds to all the functional features of the declared knee support block, as they do not contribute to comfortable squatting without additional support on the ground (floor) in addition to the user's feet (web pages: https://a.aliexpress.com/_9hJDh6; https://www.noonee.com/; https://zdorovmir.com/catalog/detail /ortez-dlya-fiksatsii-kolennogo-sustava/?ymclid=16487463270962017799400017; https://orto-medikl.ru/ortez-na-kolennyy-sustav-push-med-knee-brace-2-30-1_1/?sku =14218). Previously known products, while providing a seat like an ordinary chair, such products serve to unload the knee joint when walking, without working while squatting; and also serve to some constant strengthening of the extensor muscles, which create constant resistance when bending the legs at the knees.

Known limb orthosis, in particular a knee orthosis (RF patent for invention No. 2752599, class IPC A61F 5/01, publ. 07/29/2021), which includes a belt system and a connecting element equipped with a tension element. The belt as the first section of the belt system is drawn so that it intersects in the first intersection area, and the belt as the second section of the belt system is drawn so that it intersects in the second intersection area. The first section of the belt system and the second section of the belt system are attached to the connecting element. When the limb orthosis is applied, the first section and the second section of the belt system are encircled around the limb so that the first section and the second section of the belt system wrap around the limb and at the same time intersect at least once. The connecting element in the superimposed state adjoins at the height of the knee to the leg or at the height of the elbow to the arm, and the tension element is configured to tension the belt of the first section of the belt system and/or the belt of the second section of the belt system for a firm fit of the orthosis on the limbs.

The disadvantage of the well -known device is that the orthosis of the knee joint isolates the joint from the supporting workload of body weight when walking, standing, sitting, but do not contribute to a comfortable seat, relaxing the leg muscles without additional support on the soil (floor).

Known exoskeleton of the lower extremities (RF patent for utility model No. 156507, class IPC A62B 99/00, A61H 3/00, publ. interconnected by a frame and foot supports, moreover, the levers are made in the form of spatial shells placed on the front parts of the thighs and lower legs with the possibility of fixation by supporting elements, and the frame is made in the form of a single corset, which is fixed by a belt on the human body and has two electromechanical servo drives, housings which are rigidly fixed on the front lower part of the solid corset and provide movement of each hip joint in the frontal plane.

Known exoskeleton (RF patent for invention No. 2110243, class IPC A61N 3/00, publ. one-way rotational movement located on the pivot pin. The hinge assembly is kinematically connected to the frame. The hinge assembly locking mechanism additionally contains a spring preventing the hip and ankle levers from collapsing. The body of the hinge assembly contains a protective cover. The frame additionally contains a support platform pivotally connected to the lower end of the ankle lever. The swivel joint is made with the possibility of limiting the angular movement. The hip levers are made spiral. The frame elements additionally comprise a removable backrest, a saddle with a hip articulated assembly and a mechanism for fixing the hip levers, an additional removable frame in the form of two pivotally connected pairs of levers.

The fundamental difference between such exoskeletons is that they still need direct support on the ground (floor), which significantly narrows the scope of their use. Also, the structure is attached along the entire height of the body from the floor and above the belt - hence the dimensions, weight and complexity of the structure that are very different upwards, which affects the cost of such products. In turn, this implies the bulkiness and sluggishness of the design, which does not allow it to be used in active modes: field conditions, sports and gymnastic purposes, etc.

Given the technical solutions on the essential features and areas of use are quite far from the declared knee support block.

Disclosure of invention

The technical result of the invention is to increase mobility and ease of use, reduce the size and weight of the knee support block. The declared knee support block unloads the knee ligaments and reduces the muscle tone of the lower extremities when sitting as if squatting without additional support on the ground (floor), as on a chair without legs. This is achieved by redistributing the body weight of the seated person from the back of the thigh to the back of the leg and directly to the ankle joint and foot, which allows you to squat for quite a long time. At the same time, the device does not have the disadvantage associated with the high mass of the product (the mass of the device is about 500 grams), and the adjustment of the straps allows you to adjust the most convenient tension.

Said technical result is achieved in that the supporting knee block for squatting contains a bearing part in the form of a truncated pyramid, the inner part of which is made of an elastic material, and the upper and lower surfaces of the bearing part, adjacent to the leg, are concave; at least one harness is fixed around the bearing part, to which fastening elements to the leg are attached: a popliteal belt and a fastening belt on the shin.

To the upper and lower surface of the supporting part can be additionally attached to the saddles having a concave surface to fit the leg.

For additional fixation of the block, slots can be symmetrically made on the sides of the upper and lower saddles, through which fastening elements to the leg are passed.

The block may contain an additional leg attachment element: a thigh attachment strap attached to the harness.

The fastening elements to the leg and the harness straps can be made elastic.

The specified technical result is also achieved by the fact that the knee support block contains upper and lower saddles and fastening elements to the leg, and the saddles are connected by means of a connecting element at an angle of 30 to 80 degrees; and the surfaces of the saddles adjacent to the leg are concave.

The connecting element of the saddles can be made in the form of an elastic bracket or in the form of a swivel mechanism.

Fastening elements can be attached to the saddles as follows: to the lower one - a popliteal belt and a fastening belt on the lower leg; to the top - a belt fastening on the thigh.

The mounting elements can also be attached as follows: to the lower saddle - a popliterated belt and a mounting belt on the lower leg; to the connecting element - a belt fastening on the thigh.

On the inner surface of the saddles, one opposite the other can be located magnet-repellent stops or stops-restraints.

The support block may further comprise a spring mechanism connected to the swivel mechanism and to the inner surfaces of the saddles, and providing adjustment of the angle at which the saddles are connected.

Brief description of the drawings

In FIG. 1 shows a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a three -dimensional projection the general view of the support knee block for squatting. In FIG. 1a and 1b show embodiments of strapping straps.

In FIG. 2 is a sketch drawing showing in 3D a general view of a knee support block in use.

In FIG. 3 is a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a variant of the support block containing an elastic bracket as a connecting element.

In FIG. 4 is a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a variant of the support block containing magneto-repellent stops and a swivel mechanism as a connecting element.

In FIG. 5 shows a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection the option of a supporting block containing stops-border guards and as a connecting element of a hinge-in-housing mechanism.

In FIG. 6 is a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a variant of the support block containing a spring mechanism and a swivel mechanism as a connecting element.

Figure 7 shows a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two -dimensional projection the option of a supporting block containing an elastic bracket as a connecting element. In FIG. 7a - in a non-working position with straightened legs - standing; in fig. 7b - in the working position with bent legs - squatting.

In FIG. 8 shows a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a variant of the support block containing stops-limiters and a swivel mechanism as a connecting element. In FIG. 8a - in a non-working position with straightened legs - standing; in fig. 8b - in the working position with bent legs - squatting.

In FIG. 9 is a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a variant of the support block containing a spring shock absorber (gas-lift) and a swivel mechanism as a connecting element.

In FIG. 10-12 are photographs of prototypes of variants of the support knee block and its use in the process of performing construction and installation works.

The following designations are adopted on the figures: 1 - bearing part: 1.1 - concave surface of the bearing part; 2.1….2.n – harness straps, 3 – fastening elements to the leg: 3.1 – knee strap, 3.2 – shin strap, 3.3 – thigh strap; 4.1 - upper seat, 4.2 - lower seat; 5 - locks, 6 - elastic bracket, 7 - swivel mechanism, 8 - magneto-repellent stops, 9 - stops-limiters, 10 - spring mechanism, 11 - slots on the sides of the saddles, 12 - belt fastening bracket 3.3, 13 – spring shock absorber (gas-lift).

Implementation of the invention

The supporting knee block for squatting (see Fig. 1-2) contains a bearing part 1 in the form of a truncated pyramid, the inner part of which is made of an elastic material, and the upper and lower surfaces 1.1 of the bearing part, adjacent to the leg, are concave; at least one harness 2 is fixed around the bearing part 1, to which the fastening elements 3 to the leg are attached: the knee strap 3.1 and the shin strap 3.2.

The bearing part of block 1 is the part of the device through which the body weight is directly distributed from the back of the thigh to the back of the lower leg. The concave upper and lower surfaces 1.1 of the bearing part provide a snug fit of the knee support block to the leg. To increase comfort when using, the supporting part of the block may have a fabric cover with soft inserts, and the cover can be removable.

The device is based on the principle of elasticity of materials: the bearing part 1 can be made of a foamed polymer material or other material suitable for its properties, or a cylinder made of an elastic material, in which a substance with the necessary elasticity is placed under appropriate pressure.

Straps tying 2 can be sewn together longitudinally and/or transversely, they are fixed on the carrier part 1 with Velcro (not shown in Fig.) or in another convenient and practical way.

The fastening elements 3 to the leg contain locks 5 and can be adjusted in length. Fixing locks 5 are designed to fix the mounting elements on the legs, they can be made in the form of: latches, Velcro, buttons, hooks or any other, suitable in properties.

Saddles 4.1 and 4.2 can be additionally attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the bearing part 1, having a concave surface to fit the leg.

For additional fixation of the block, on the sides of the upper 4.1 and lower 4.2 saddles, slots 11 can be symmetrically made, through which elements 3 of fastening to the leg are passed.

The block may contain an additional fastening element to the leg: a belt 3.3 fastening to the thigh, attached to the strap 2 of the harness.

The fastening elements 3 to the leg and the straps 2 can be made elastic.

A version of the supporting knee block (see Fig. 3-8) contains the upper and lower saddles and fastening elements to the leg, and the saddles are connected by means of a connecting element at an angle of 30 to 80 degrees; and the surfaces of the saddles adjacent to the leg are concave.

The connecting element of the saddles can be made in the form of an elastic bracket 6 (see Fig. 3) or in the form of a swivel mechanism 7 (see Fig. 4-6).

Fastening elements 3 can be attached to the saddles as follows: to the lower 4.2 - knee strap 3.1 and fastening strap 3.2 on the lower leg; to the upper 4.1 - the fastening belt 3.3 on the thigh (see Fig. 4-6).

Fastening elements 3 can also be attached as follows: to the lower saddle 4.2 - knee strap 3.1 and fastening strap 3.2 on the lower leg; to the connecting element - the fastening belt 3.3 on the thigh (see Fig. 3).

On the inner surface of the saddles 4.1, 4.2, one opposite the other, magnetic repellent stops 8 or stops-limiters 9 can be located.

The support block may additionally comprise a spring mechanism 10 connected to the swivel mechanism 7 and to the inner surfaces of the saddles, and providing adjustment of the angle at which the saddles are connected.

The supporting knee block is used as follows.

The support block is fixed on the legs from the back side with the help of the fastening elements 3: the knee belt 3.1 and the fastening belt 3.2 on the lower leg. Then the user simply squats down, like on a chair, leaning on the heels, or on the toes of the feet with the heels taken away from the surface of the ground (floor), depending on the need and convenience at a particular moment.

The essence and function of the supporting knee block, regardless of the device of its action, is to maintain the knee joint when flexed from a straight position, bent to a certain angle, which can be fixed or adjustable in accordance with the user's need for a seat height or device design.

The presented supporting knee block allows you to sit down, relaxing the muscles of the legs, than to relieve the load from the muscles and ligaments of the legs, without resorting to additional support. This beneficial action is provided by the transfer of body weight from the back of the thigh (same as when sitting on a chair) through the elasticity of the bearing part of the block to the back of the lower leg and, accordingly, directly to the ankle joint and foot on both legs. Thus, the body weight of the user, squatting with the help of this device, is transferred through the supporting knee block to the feet, as during standing, while the user sits without additional support on the ground (floor), which is a unique feature of the device.

Implementation example

A prototype of the supporting knee block was made (see photo in Fig. 10-12). The usefulness of the support knee block has been shown repeatedly under various conditions by several testers. During the tests, an obvious difference was revealed in the load on the ligaments and muscles of the legs, expressed in the fact that, having crouched on half-bent legs, squatting (without a supporting knee block), the participant of the experiment felt tired and numb legs after a few minutes and, getting up experienced difficulty and discomfort in the area of the knee joints. Another participant in the experiment, using a supporting knee block, felt lightness in the legs even after half an hour had passed and could easily stand up quickly at any time without feeling numbness and discomfort in the legs and back.

Also, during the tests, the test participant performed the following form: crouching, using the test device - (supporting knee block) on one leg, the second extended horizontally in front of him, holding his back straight, and his hands extended to the sides, while leaning a little with his fingers of one hands on the wall (only to maintain balance). Then he was asked to perform the same form without the device - it turned out to be impossible. Other participants in the experiment were also unable to repeat this exercise without using the device under test.

The third experiment: the tester put the device on one leg, left the other without the test device and sat down. In less than a minute, he indicated that he was forced to transfer most of his body weight to the leg that was equipped with a supporting knee block, and the other leg, even in this case, was in great tension.

Thus, a useful action has been identified that qualitatively changes the user's feelings when using the described product. It was found that the device does not interfere with sitting on an ordinary chair, armchair, sofa, etc. At the same time, the device is quite small and has a mass of less than a kilogram, which makes it portable, mobile, and does not feel constraining movement. What has been proven allows you to work (or rest) squatting down, like on a chair, anywhere in the space and fully sit, without additional support on the ground (floor) in addition to the feet.

Thus, the proposed design solution of the claimed block provides increased mobility and ease of use, reducing the size and weight of the supporting knee block.

A comparative analysis of the claimed support knee block shows that the totality of its essential features is unknown from the prior art and, therefore, corresponds to the condition of patentability "Novelty".

In the level of technology, there were no signs that coincide with the distinctive features of the declared support unit and affect the achievement of the declared technical result, therefore the declared invention corresponds to the condition of the “inventive level” patentability.

The above information confirms the possibility of applying the declared reference knee block to maintain the human body in a sitting position without additional support, which can be used in household, installation, construction and physical education, and therefore corresponds to the condition of the “industrial applicability” patentability.

Claims (13)

1. A support knee block for squatting, containing a supporting part in the form of a truncated pyramid, the inside of which is made of elastic material, and the upper and lower surfaces of the supporting part adjacent to the leg are concave; at least one harness is fixed around the bearing part, to which fastening elements to the leg are attached: a popliteal belt and a fastening belt on the lower leg. 2. The support block according to claim 1, characterized in that saddles are additionally attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the bearing part, having a concave surface for fitting to the leg. 3. The support block according to claim 2, characterized in that for additional fixation of the block, slots are symmetrically made on the sides of the upper and lower saddles, through which fastening elements to the leg are passed. 4. The support block according to claim 1, characterized in that the block contains an additional fastening element to the leg: a thigh fastening strap attached to the harness. 5. The support block according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening elements to the leg and the strapping belts are made elastic. 6. Support knee block for squatting, containing upper and lower saddles and fastening elements to the leg, and the saddles are connected by means of a connecting element at an angle of 30 to 80 degrees, and the surfaces of the saddles adjacent to the leg are concave. 7. The support block according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting element of the saddles is made in the form of an elastic bracket. 8. The support block according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting element of the saddles is made in the form of a swivel mechanism. 9. The supporting unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the mounting elements are attached to the saddles as follows: to the lower - the popliteal belt and the mounting belt on the lower leg; to the top - a belt fastening on the thigh. 10. The support block according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening elements are attached as follows: to the lower saddle - a knee strap and a fastening strap on the lower leg; to the connecting element - a belt fastening on the thigh. 11. The support block according to claim 8, characterized in that on the inner surface of the saddles one opposite the other there are magneto-repellent stops. 12. The support block according to claim 8, characterized in that on the inner surface of the saddles, one opposite the other, stops-limiters are located. 13. The supporting unit according to claim 8, characterized in that it additionally contains a springy mechanism connected to the hinge-dwelling mechanism and with the internal surfaces of the saddles, and ensuring the adjustment of the angle under which the saddles are connected.

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