WO2007107952A2 - Upper body support and performance enhancement apron - Google Patents

Upper body support and performance enhancement apron Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007107952A2
WO2007107952A2 PCT/IB2007/050957 IB2007050957W WO2007107952A2 WO 2007107952 A2 WO2007107952 A2 WO 2007107952A2 IB 2007050957 W IB2007050957 W IB 2007050957W WO 2007107952 A2 WO2007107952 A2 WO 2007107952A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
super elastic
upper body
apron
performance enhancement
body support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2007/050957
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2007107952A3 (en
Inventor
Satoshi Akabane
Kazuhiro Kitamura
Ikuo Tagami
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nissei Electric Co Ltd
OHNUKI SEIKI
Original Assignee
Nissei Electric Co Ltd
OHNUKI SEIKI
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nissei Electric Co Ltd, OHNUKI SEIKI filed Critical Nissei Electric Co Ltd
Publication of WO2007107952A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007107952A2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Publication of WO2007107952A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007107952A3/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/04—Aprons; Fastening devices for aprons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices ; Anti-rape devices
    • A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces
    • A61F5/02—Orthopaedic corsets
    • A61F5/026—Back straightening devices with shoulder braces to force back the shoulder to obtain a correct curvature of the spine
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D2300/00—Details of garments
    • A41D2300/20—Inserts
    • A41D2300/22—Elastic inserts

Definitions

  • the current invention is concerning an upper body support and performance enhancement Apron that is easily worn over clothing and used to support an upper body and to enhance the upper body performance. More specifically, the invention relates to the upper body support and performance enhancement apron which is equipped with super elastic components and to the structure and the design of the super elastic component.
  • the present invention can be easily worn on people's upper bodies without incongruity and naturally supports the upper body and enhances the upper body performance to reduce and prevent back pain in their activates in which people bend forward and return to the upright position.
  • the present invention enhances the mobility of upper body, protects upper body muscles, spine, waist, and assist lifting items from lower position as experienced in daily house work, warehouse work, field work, elderly care work, and in sports activities.
  • the present invention also supplies a bio- material (super elastic) apparatus which is to be integrated into a clothing. Disclosure of Invention
  • the current invention is to supply the super elastic apparatus which supplies natural body support and performance enhancement when it is integrated into a clothing.
  • the current invention is also to supply the upper body support and performance en- hancement apron into which the super elastic apparatus is integrated.
  • the upper body support and performance enhancement apron supplies support and performance enhancement on an upper body to avoid or to reduce back pain and to improve the mobility of the upper body.
  • the super elastic apparatus is adjustable in size and strength, supports, and enhances a body bidirectionally, and is easily integrated into a clothing.
  • the apron equipped with the super elastic apparatus can be easily worn by people of different generations and in different body sizes to perform house work, factory work, farm work, physical exercises, and rehabilitation to avoid or reduce back pain.
  • Shape memory alloy which comprises of the major part of the super elastic apparatus, generates more pressure, but the pressure doesn't linearly increase at more than certain stress point. So, the super elastic apparatus can supply very natural body support and performance enhancement in bending body activities. Although the super elastic apparatus does not generate excessive pressure on body when it's bent, it generates sufficient amount of power to assist your body when a body moves from its bent position to its upright position.
  • the super elastic apparatus, fig-4 is implemented in the front part of the apron as figure- 1.
  • the present invention can make activities which require bending forward and backward such as gardening, house work, farm work, and elderly care work, much easier.
  • This invention can be also be used at the factory where people need to keep their upper body in bend forward position long hours.
  • the super elastic apparatus is applied into different types of clothing, it can prevent back pain and support a body or a body part.
  • the super elastic apparatus is simple and compact, and can be easily applied to various types of clothing because it is adjustable in size and strength and works bidirectionally.
  • One or more shape memory alloy wires comprises the superelasticity of the super elastic apparatus.
  • Using one or more super elastic wires makes it possible that the super elastic apparatus becomes adjustable in strength and works bidirectionally.
  • the bidirectional super elastic structure makes it possible that the super elastic apparatus can be used on different types of clothing, apparatus is If a super elastic
  • Fig-2 shows the positions of the probes to measure muscle electricity in three different body positions.
  • Figure (X) illustrates the person stands upright.
  • Figure (Y) illustrates the person bends forward without wearing the upper body support and performance enhancement apron.
  • Figure (Z) illustrates a person bends forward with the upper body support and performance enhancement apron.
  • the points, A, B, and C on these figures are the position where the probes were attached to measure the muscle elect activities.
  • the table below shows the changes in muscular strength which was measured between point A and point C and between point B and pint C.
  • Fig-3 is the electromyogram we obtained in the test and shows the result of the experimentation in [11] and[13].
  • FIG. 1 is a view of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron which is corresponding to the super elastic apparatus.
  • Fig- Ia shows how the super elastic apparatus which is integrated in the upper body support and performance enhancement apron supports the upper body when a person who wears the upper body support and performance enhancement apron bends forward.
  • Fig- Ib is a front view of an embodiment of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron worn on a human body.
  • FIG. 1 [21] [fig-3] is the electromyogram which was obtained in the test of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron which is corresponding to [11], [12], and [13].
  • the electromyogram indicates the effectiveness of the current invention when the current invention is actually used in a real work.
  • FIG. 1 is a view of the super elastic apparatus in which shape memory alloy wires are aligned.
  • Fig (b) is a view of the super elastic apparatus in which shape memory alloy wires are twisted.
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 23 [23]
  • FIG. 5] is a view of an embodiment of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron according to the principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 24 is a view of an embodiment of the elastic apparatus with a case which is used to connect the super elastic apparatus on a clothing according to the principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 26 [26] [fig-8] is views of alternative embodiments of the fixing method of the super elastic apparatus to the upper body support and performance enhancement apron. The figure is also views of alternative embodiments of the different number of the super elastic apparatus applied to the upper body support and performance enhancement apron.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron worn on a human body according to the principles of the invention. The figure shows how the lower part of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron is loosely fixed on a body around thighs by strap, 10a and 10b according to the principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a side view of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron worn on a body according to the principles of the invention. The figure shows the lower end of the super elastic apparatus is not fixed on the upper body support and performance enhancement apparatus.
  • FIG. 11 is front and back view of the upper body support and performance en- hancement apron actually worn on a human body according to the principles of the invention.
  • the super elastic apparatus can be applied for different types of clothing, such as apron, overalls, and other types of clothing. If a clothing has upper body part and lower body part, each part can have the super elastic apparatus. Because the super elastic apparatus is adjustable in size and in strength and works bidirectionally, it can be used with various types and sizes of clothing.
  • Fig-4 is views of the structures of embodiments of the super elastic apparatus. We found that these design makes it possible that the super elastic apparatus has scalability in size and strength and keep bidirectional superelasticity. If a shape memory plate is used instead of the super elastic wires, the super elastic apparatus lost bidirectional superelasticity.
  • Fig-4 part 13 is shape memory alloy wires.
  • the length of the shape memory alloy wire is 490mm and the diameter is 2mm.
  • Four shape memory alloy wires are used.
  • Part 2a and 2b are hollow parts in which the both ends of part 1, shape memory alloy component, are inserted.
  • 2a is 200 mm length stainless steel tube
  • 2b is 140mm length stainless steel tube.
  • 3a and 3b parts are stoppers plugged in the stainless steel tubes to prevent the shape memory alloy wire from dropping off. You can remove stopper 3a and 3b and take in and out part 1, shape memory alloy wires so that you can adjust the strength of the elasticity of the super elastic component for each individual by adjusting the number and the diameter of the shape memory alloy wire.
  • the bend position of the super elastic wire can be adjusted by placing one or more spacers at the both ends or the either end of the super elastic material.
  • the part of the shape memory alloy wire which actually can bend is the wire between stopper 2a and 2b.
  • the length of the wire between stopper 2a and 2b is 210 mm (13 in fig-4). If the length is too short, the wire will be deformed. If the length is too long, the wire doesn't support body stably.
  • Fig-5 shows the shape memory alloy component inserted in stainless tube 2a and 2b and installed on upper body support and performance enhancement apron 5.
  • Two super elastic components are used on the left and the right side. For light amount of work only one of them may be enough.
  • Part 6 is a plastic plate whose thickness is between 1 mm and 2 mm, and is installed between upper body support and performance enhancement apron 5 and the end of the super elastic component.
  • the plastic plate evenly distributes the pressure from the super elastic component when the body is bent forward.
  • Part 7, 9, 10 are straps to fix the upper body support and performance enhancement apron on a body.
  • Part 7 is a neck strap
  • Part 9a and 9b are straps to engage the upper body support and performance enhancement apron on a body at waist position
  • part 10a and 10b are straps to engage the lower portion of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron to a lower body which is around thighs.
  • the super elastic apparatuses equipped in the upper body support and performance enhancement apron become effective to support the upper body by engaging the outfit to the upper body.
  • the outfit doesn't needs to be tightly fixed on a human body.
  • Fig-6 is an embodiment of the method of connecting super elastic apparatus.
  • the super elastic apparatus is placed in a case fixed on article of clothing.
  • FIG-5 shows a view of an embodiment of the fix method.
  • the case can be replaced with a pocket fixed on article of clothing.
  • the upper part of the case (corresponding to stainless steel tube 2a) is placed at chest, and the lower part of the case (corresponding to stainless steel tube 2b) is placed at thighs.
  • the exposed part of the shape memory alloy wire is bent and generates power to support body, and it is more efficient if it's located on a hip area.
  • the both ends of the case are opened, and the shape memory alloy wire, stainless tube 2a and 2b can be removed and replaced.
  • Fig-7 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the super elastic apparatus.
  • the shape of the embodiment has up-side-down Y-shape.
  • the one side of the case is spread into two parts and fixed on both thighs. If the case is fixed on both thighs, it can prevent side slip. It is better that the position of the split of the case is located around the bottom part of ribs. If it is placed as described, the shape memory alloy 1 does not move upright direction against gravity by the effect of spacer 5a.
  • Fig-8 is a view of an alternative embodiments of the fixing method of the super elastic apparatus on the upper body support and performance enhancement apron.
  • the super elastic apparatus is placed in up-side-down V-shape. If the super elastic apparatus is up-side-down Y-shape as fig-7, the shape memory alloy wire component doesn't smoothly slide inside the hollow parts, moves upward toward upper chest, and causes the user to feel upward pressure on chest. However, if the super elastic apparatus is placed on the apron in up-side-down V-shape position, the super elastic component can smoothly slide inside the case 8 in FIG-8 and doesn't cause the user to feel the upward pressure on chest.
  • the super elastic apparatus can be fixed by inserting it in the pockets or case 8 fixed on the upper body support and performance enhancement apron 5 in fig-5.
  • the case 8 can be removable if it is fixed by hooks fixed on the upper body support and performance enhancement apron.
  • Two plastic plates are integrated in the inside of the pocket to make enough strength to hold the super elastic apparatus.
  • the length of the super elastic apparatus is adjustable by placing spacers at the both end of the super elastic apparatus to control the strain of the shape memory alloy wire and the stress. If you change the length of the shape memory alloy wire to adjust the length of the super elastic apparatus to make it fit with the size of the article of the clothing on which the super elastic apparatus is used, the strain and the stress of the shape memory alloy wires may unexpectedly change, and the super elastic apparatus does not work as expected.
  • the upper body support and performance enhancement apron is engaged to a body around neck, waist and thighs.
  • the method of engaging the apron and a body does not constrain the body's flexibility.
  • a user of the current invention bends forward deeply and keeps the position long time, the user may not want the upward power generated by the super elastic component. If a user wants to reduce the upward pressure from the super elastic component, the user can stick out the lower end of the case. When the end of the super elastic component is stick out from the pocket, it doesn't generate upward pressure on the user's body, and the user can easily work. If a user wants to use the upper body support and performance enhancement apron without the super elastic apparatus, the user can remove the super elastic apparatus from the upper body support and performance enhancement apron, and the upper body support and performance enhancement apron works as an ordinary apron.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
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  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Abstract

This invention is an upper body support and performance enhancement apron employing one or more super elastic components between upper body and lower body which is very flexible and provides natural support to human upper body when the body is bends forward and also generates upward power to assist upper body and reduce stress on upper thighs, and lower thighs when the body is stretched back from the bending position in carrying things, picking up things from lower position. The apron has straps on its upper and lower part, is fixed on body, can be worn over clothes without incongruity and easily, and can be easily taken off from body.

Description

Description
Upper Body Support and Performance Enhancement Apron
Technical Field
[1] The current invention is concerning an upper body support and performance enhancement Apron that is easily worn over clothing and used to support an upper body and to enhance the upper body performance. More specifically, the invention relates to the upper body support and performance enhancement apron which is equipped with super elastic components and to the structure and the design of the super elastic component.
Background Art
[2] The present invention can be easily worn on people's upper bodies without incongruity and naturally supports the upper body and enhances the upper body performance to reduce and prevent back pain in their activates in which people bend forward and return to the upright position. The present invention enhances the mobility of upper body, protects upper body muscles, spine, waist, and assist lifting items from lower position as experienced in daily house work, warehouse work, field work, elderly care work, and in sports activities. The present invention also supplies a bio- material (super elastic) apparatus which is to be integrated into a clothing. Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[3] People working in factories, performing house work, gardening, farming, elderly care, and sports need to bend forward and backward frequently and as result have back pain or back injury.
[4] When gardening, farming, and performing house work, a person is required to bend forward at their waist to pick up heavy items such as plants and bags, which increases ones risk of back injury. Similar condition can occur when participating in sports which requires rapid movements between bend forward position and upright position.
[5] For elderly people, back pain and back injury are serious problems. In modern society younger people also do not exercise enough and receive back pain when bending forward and returning to upright position.
[6] Other existing body support apparatuses available today uses spring steel plate for the body support component and constrains the body's flexibility.
Technical Solution
[7] The current invention is to supply the super elastic apparatus which supplies natural body support and performance enhancement when it is integrated into a clothing. The current invention is also to supply the upper body support and performance en- hancement apron into which the super elastic apparatus is integrated. The upper body support and performance enhancement apron supplies support and performance enhancement on an upper body to avoid or to reduce back pain and to improve the mobility of the upper body.
[8] The super elastic apparatus is adjustable in size and strength, supports, and enhances a body bidirectionally, and is easily integrated into a clothing. The apron equipped with the super elastic apparatus can be easily worn by people of different generations and in different body sizes to perform house work, factory work, farm work, physical exercises, and rehabilitation to avoid or reduce back pain. Shape memory alloy, which comprises of the major part of the super elastic apparatus, generates more pressure, but the pressure doesn't linearly increase at more than certain stress point. So, the super elastic apparatus can supply very natural body support and performance enhancement in bending body activities. Although the super elastic apparatus does not generate excessive pressure on body when it's bent, it generates sufficient amount of power to assist your body when a body moves from its bent position to its upright position. The super elastic apparatus, fig-4, is implemented in the front part of the apron as figure- 1.
Advantageous Effects
[9] The present invention can make activities which require bending forward and backward such as gardening, house work, farm work, and elderly care work, much easier. This invention can be also be used at the factory where people need to keep their upper body in bend forward position long hours. In addition, if the super elastic apparatus is applied into different types of clothing, it can prevent back pain and support a body or a body part.
[10] The super elastic apparatus is simple and compact, and can be easily applied to various types of clothing because it is adjustable in size and strength and works bidirectionally.
[11] In trial phase, the people who worn the upper body support and performance enhancement apron didn't get back pain after keeping bending forward position for ten minutes However, the people who did not wear the upper body support and performance enhancement apron got back pain in five minutes.
[12] We tested the upper body support and performance enhancement apron and examined the effectiveness of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron by measuring muscle electric currency. The electromyogram, Fig-3, shows the result of the test.
[13] One or more shape memory alloy wires comprises the superelasticity of the super elastic apparatus. Using one or more super elastic wires makes it possible that the super elastic apparatus becomes adjustable in strength and works bidirectionally. The bidirectional super elastic structure makes it possible that the super elastic apparatus can be used on different types of clothing, apparatus is If a super elastic
[14] Fig-2 shows the positions of the probes to measure muscle electricity in three different body positions. Figure (X) illustrates the person stands upright. Figure (Y) illustrates the person bends forward without wearing the upper body support and performance enhancement apron. Figure (Z) illustrates a person bends forward with the upper body support and performance enhancement apron. The points, A, B, and C on these figures are the position where the probes were attached to measure the muscle elect activities. The table below shows the changes in muscular strength which was measured between point A and point C and between point B and pint C.
[15]
Figure imgf000004_0001
[16] The result of the test indicated that when the person bend forward without wearing the upper body support and performance enhancement apron, the muscular electricity increased from 0.48 to 1.00, which was two times more than when the body is straight up. The result also shows when you worn the upper body support and performance enhancement apron, the muscular electricity increased from 0.48 to 0.80, which is 20 percent less than when a person did not wear the upper body support and performance enhancement apron. Besides, the tolerance which is caused by muscular fatigue was 0.17 when a person did not wear the upper body support and performance enhancement apron and 0.11 when a person worn the upper body support and performance enhancement apron. It indicates that the upper body support and performance enhancement apron reduced the muscular fatigue by 40%. The result indicates that the upper body support and performance enhancement apron effectively supports the muscles and enhanced muscular strength..
[17] Fig-3 is the electromyogram we obtained in the test and shows the result of the experimentation in [11] and[13].
Description of Drawings
[18] The nature and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings. [19] [fig- 1] is a view of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron which is corresponding to the super elastic apparatus. Fig- Ia shows how the super elastic apparatus which is integrated in the upper body support and performance enhancement apron supports the upper body when a person who wears the upper body support and performance enhancement apron bends forward. Fig- Ib is a front view of an embodiment of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron worn on a human body.
[20] [fig-2] shows the actual position of the probes attached on a human body used to measure the effect of the current invention which is corresponding with section [11], [12], and [13].
[21] [fig-3] is the electromyogram which was obtained in the test of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron which is corresponding to [11], [12], and [13]. The electromyogram indicates the effectiveness of the current invention when the current invention is actually used in a real work.
[22] [fig-4] is views of the embodiment of the super elastic apparatus according to the principles of the invention. Fig (a) is a view of the super elastic apparatus in which shape memory alloy wires are aligned. Fig (b) is a view of the super elastic apparatus in which shape memory alloy wires are twisted.
[23] [fig-5] is a view of an embodiment of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron according to the principles of the invention.
[24] [fig-6] is a view of an embodiment of the elastic apparatus with a case which is used to connect the super elastic apparatus on a clothing according to the principles of the invention.
[25] [fig-7] is the view of an alternative embodiment of the elastic apparatus.
[26] [fig-8] is views of alternative embodiments of the fixing method of the super elastic apparatus to the upper body support and performance enhancement apron. The figure is also views of alternative embodiments of the different number of the super elastic apparatus applied to the upper body support and performance enhancement apron.
[27] [fig-9] is a side view of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron worn on a human body according to the principles of the invention. The figure shows how the lower part of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron is loosely fixed on a body around thighs by strap, 10a and 10b according to the principles of the invention.
[28] [fig- 10] is a side view of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron worn on a body according to the principles of the invention. The figure shows the lower end of the super elastic apparatus is not fixed on the upper body support and performance enhancement apparatus.
[29] [fig- 11] is front and back view of the upper body support and performance en- hancement apron actually worn on a human body according to the principles of the invention.
[30] A brief explanation of the figures used in this document: [31] A list of explanations of the part numbers used in figure 1 through figure 11.
Figure imgf000006_0001
Best Mode
[32] The super elastic apparatus can be applied for different types of clothing, such as apron, overalls, and other types of clothing. If a clothing has upper body part and lower body part, each part can have the super elastic apparatus. Because the super elastic apparatus is adjustable in size and in strength and works bidirectionally, it can be used with various types and sizes of clothing.
[33] The upper body support and performance enhancement apron uses one or more of the super elastic apparatus according to the needs. [34] Fig-4 is views of the structures of embodiments of the super elastic apparatus. We found that these design makes it possible that the super elastic apparatus has scalability in size and strength and keep bidirectional superelasticity. If a shape memory plate is used instead of the super elastic wires, the super elastic apparatus lost bidirectional superelasticity.
[35] In Fig-4 part 13 is shape memory alloy wires. In this example the length of the shape memory alloy wire is 490mm and the diameter is 2mm. Four shape memory alloy wires are used. Part 2a and 2b are hollow parts in which the both ends of part 1, shape memory alloy component, are inserted. In this example 2a is 200 mm length stainless steel tube, and 2b is 140mm length stainless steel tube. 3a and 3b parts are stoppers plugged in the stainless steel tubes to prevent the shape memory alloy wire from dropping off. You can remove stopper 3a and 3b and take in and out part 1, shape memory alloy wires so that you can adjust the strength of the elasticity of the super elastic component for each individual by adjusting the number and the diameter of the shape memory alloy wire.
[36] When the super elastic wire bends many times, it gets fatigue at the bend position, and looses its super elastic character. In this invention, the bend position of the super elastic wire can be adjusted by placing one or more spacers at the both ends or the either end of the super elastic material.
[37] The part of the shape memory alloy wire which actually can bend is the wire between stopper 2a and 2b. The length of the wire between stopper 2a and 2b is 210 mm (13 in fig-4). If the length is too short, the wire will be deformed. If the length is too long, the wire doesn't support body stably.
[38] Fig-5 shows the shape memory alloy component inserted in stainless tube 2a and 2b and installed on upper body support and performance enhancement apron 5. Two super elastic components are used on the left and the right side. For light amount of work only one of them may be enough.
[39] Part 6 is a plastic plate whose thickness is between 1 mm and 2 mm, and is installed between upper body support and performance enhancement apron 5 and the end of the super elastic component. The plastic plate evenly distributes the pressure from the super elastic component when the body is bent forward.
[40] Part 7, 9, 10 are straps to fix the upper body support and performance enhancement apron on a body. Part 7 is a neck strap, Part 9a and 9b are straps to engage the upper body support and performance enhancement apron on a body at waist position, and part 10a and 10b are straps to engage the lower portion of the upper body support and performance enhancement apron to a lower body which is around thighs. The super elastic apparatuses equipped in the upper body support and performance enhancement apron become effective to support the upper body by engaging the outfit to the upper body. The outfit doesn't needs to be tightly fixed on a human body.
[41] Fig-6 is an embodiment of the method of connecting super elastic apparatus. The super elastic apparatus is placed in a case fixed on article of clothing. FIG-5 shows a view of an embodiment of the fix method. The case can be replaced with a pocket fixed on article of clothing. The upper part of the case (corresponding to stainless steel tube 2a) is placed at chest, and the lower part of the case (corresponding to stainless steel tube 2b) is placed at thighs. The exposed part of the shape memory alloy wire is bent and generates power to support body, and it is more efficient if it's located on a hip area. Also, it is possible to adjust the position of the both end of the super elastic apparatus to the best position of an individual user. Besides, the both ends of the case are opened, and the shape memory alloy wire, stainless tube 2a and 2b can be removed and replaced.
[42] Fig-7 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the super elastic apparatus. The shape of the embodiment has up-side-down Y-shape. The one side of the case is spread into two parts and fixed on both thighs. If the case is fixed on both thighs, it can prevent side slip. It is better that the position of the split of the case is located around the bottom part of ribs. If it is placed as described, the shape memory alloy 1 does not move upright direction against gravity by the effect of spacer 5a.
[43] Fig-8 is a view of an alternative embodiments of the fixing method of the super elastic apparatus on the upper body support and performance enhancement apron. The super elastic apparatus is placed in up-side-down V-shape. If the super elastic apparatus is up-side-down Y-shape as fig-7, the shape memory alloy wire component doesn't smoothly slide inside the hollow parts, moves upward toward upper chest, and causes the user to feel upward pressure on chest. However, if the super elastic apparatus is placed on the apron in up-side-down V-shape position, the super elastic component can smoothly slide inside the case 8 in FIG-8 and doesn't cause the user to feel the upward pressure on chest.
[44] The super elastic apparatus can be fixed by inserting it in the pockets or case 8 fixed on the upper body support and performance enhancement apron 5 in fig-5. The case 8 can be removable if it is fixed by hooks fixed on the upper body support and performance enhancement apron. Two plastic plates are integrated in the inside of the pocket to make enough strength to hold the super elastic apparatus.
[45] The length of the super elastic apparatus is adjustable by placing spacers at the both end of the super elastic apparatus to control the strain of the shape memory alloy wire and the stress. If you change the length of the shape memory alloy wire to adjust the length of the super elastic apparatus to make it fit with the size of the article of the clothing on which the super elastic apparatus is used, the strain and the stress of the shape memory alloy wires may unexpectedly change, and the super elastic apparatus does not work as expected.
[46] The upper body support and performance enhancement apron is engaged to a body around neck, waist and thighs. The method of engaging the apron and a body does not constrain the body's flexibility.
[47] If a user of the current invention bends forward deeply and keeps the position long time, the user may not want the upward power generated by the super elastic component. If a user wants to reduce the upward pressure from the super elastic component, the user can stick out the lower end of the case. When the end of the super elastic component is stick out from the pocket, it doesn't generate upward pressure on the user's body, and the user can easily work. If a user wants to use the upper body support and performance enhancement apron without the super elastic apparatus, the user can remove the super elastic apparatus from the upper body support and performance enhancement apron, and the upper body support and performance enhancement apron works as an ordinary apron.
Mode for Invention
[48]
Industrial Applicability
[49]
Sequence List Text
[50]

Claims

Claims
[I] The current invention is the upper body support and performance enhancement apron which supports an upper body and enhances the body's ability of bending forward and returning to upright position . The upper body support and performance enhancement apron is engaged to a human upper body by a neck strap, a waist strap, and a lower strap. The upper body support and performance enhancement apron is composed with one or more detachable super elastic apparatuses which is adjustable in size and strength and has bidirectional supere- lasticity. The super elastic apparatus applied on the upper body support and performance enhancement apron is placed between upper body and lower body part. The current invention also includes the super elastic apparatus which is integrated into a clothing and supports a bending part of a body. The super elastic apprartus contains combined shape memory alloy wires or other super elastic material wires combined by hollow parts or plastic parts at the both end of the wire. The strain of the super elastic apparatus can be adjusted by the spacers which are placed at the both ends or either end of the combined wires.
[2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper body support and performance enhancement apron contains one or more super elastic apparatus between the upper and the lower part of the apron.
[3] The apparatus of claim 1, the upper body support and performance enhancement apron has a neck, waist, and lower strap, and is engaged to a human upper body by the straps.
[4] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the super elastic apparatus uses combined shape memory alloy wires or other super elastic material wires.
[5] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the super elastic apparatus is detachable.
[6] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the super elastic component is fixed on the apron by placing it in the pockets or cases which are fixed on the clothing.
[7] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the super elastic wires are hold in hollow parts at the both ends of the super elastic wires.
[8] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow parts are independent.
[9] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the super elastic apparatus is made by one or more super elastic wires, removable from the hollow parts, adjustable, and replaceable.
[10] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the super elastic component with/without the hollow parts is placed in a case.
[I I] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the super elastic component with the hollow parts is removable and replaceable when it is set in the case. [12] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bend position of the super elastic component is adjusted by placing spacer between the each end of the super elastic component and the bottom of the hollow part. The spacer also controls the strain of the shape memory alloy wires.
PCT/IB2007/050957 2006-03-17 2007-03-19 Upper body support and performance enhancement apron Ceased WO2007107952A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006074256A JP2007247110A (en) 2006-03-17 2006-03-17 Clothing with elastic members
JP2006-74256 2006-03-17

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WO2007107952A2 true WO2007107952A2 (en) 2007-09-27
WO2007107952A3 WO2007107952A3 (en) 2014-12-18

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WO (1) WO2007107952A2 (en)

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NL2011483C2 (en) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-23 Becq B V Wearable flexible structure and method of supporting a torso.
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JP5887671B2 (en) * 2012-01-16 2016-03-16 地方独立行政法人北海道立総合研究機構 Bending tool
JP6329797B2 (en) * 2014-03-28 2018-05-23 信正工業株式会社 Auxiliary tools
JP6412621B1 (en) * 2017-08-30 2018-10-24 ユーピーアール株式会社 Assisted clothing
JP7578353B1 (en) * 2023-05-10 2024-11-06 株式会社龍癒庵 Assistive devices
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GB2460038B (en) * 2008-05-13 2012-12-05 Nigel Henry Qualters Back pain reduction device
JP2012117178A (en) * 2010-12-02 2012-06-21 Max Co Ltd Motion aid
NL2011483C2 (en) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-23 Becq B V Wearable flexible structure and method of supporting a torso.
WO2015041532A1 (en) 2013-09-20 2015-03-26 Becq B.V. Wearable support structure and method of supporting a torso
US10561518B2 (en) 2013-09-20 2020-02-18 Laevo B.V. Wearable support structure and method of supporting a torso

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