WO2022025221A1

WO2022025221A1 - Upper body supportive device

Info

Publication number: WO2022025221A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/028232
Authority: WO
Inventors: 武胤西
Original assignee: 株式会社ヒーリンクスジャパン
Priority date: 2020-07-30
Filing date: 2021-07-30
Publication date: 2022-02-03
Also published as: JP2022026023A

Abstract

The present invention makes it easier to wear an upper body supportive device.　This upper body supportive device has a holding member that causes an upper body belt (30) to form a right loop and a left loop. A right portion (30R) and a left portion (30L) of the upper body belt (30) extend below the holding member. The right portion (30R) and the left portion (30L) are provided with a first right engagement member (12R) and a first left engagement member (12L), respectively. A subject is supposed to pass the right arm through the right loop and the left arm through the left loop (Fig. 8(a)). The first right engagement member (12R) of the right portion (30R) and the first left engagement member (12L) of the left portion (30L) are, in a state of being pulled out in front of the subject's body, brought into engagement with each other (Fig. 8(b)). After that, a leading end of the right-hand portion (30R) and a leading end of the left-hand portion (30L) are fixed to each other.

Description

Upper body aid

The present invention relates to a technique for assisting the movement of the upper body of a subject or improving the posture.

Humans are capable of bipedal walking in an upright position, and the human body has evolved to be appropriate for doing so. However, bipedal walking on the earth where gravity exists is inherently unnatural, as is clear from the fact that many other mammals are walking on four legs. The deceased human body is always under heavy burden in daily life.
For example, the human upper body should normally stand upright vertically on the pelvis, but in reality it is often slightly forward leaning. This posture, commonly referred to as a stoop, causes various harmful effects as is well known.
For example, adverse effects such as deterioration of metabolism, stiff shoulders, stiff neck, headache, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, gynecological diseases are likely to occur, and autonomic nervous system may cause mental instability. However, it is known as a harmful effect of the stoop.

In addition to the above-mentioned distortion in the anteroposterior direction, the human body swings in the left-right direction when walking, for example, and rotates when viewed in a plane. Such lateral vibration and rotation also impose a burden on the human body.

Many devices have been proposed to assist in the movement of the upper body or improve posture, but most of them focus only on eliminating the stoop.
Therefore, the reality is that there are few effective devices for assisting the movement of the upper body or improving the posture.

In view of such a situation, the inventor of the present application has repeated research to develop an effective device for assisting the movement of the upper body or improving the posture, and develops the upper body assist device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. It came to.
The upper body assist device has a belt wrapped around the subject's upper body (in some cases, not only the upper body but also the subject's lower body) as a main component, and a belt wrapped around the subject's upper body. Is a component for fixing the subject to the body of the subject in that state. Such an upper body assisting device has a sufficient effect of assisting the movement of the upper body or improving the posture, and has already been put on the market and has gained a certain evaluation.

PCT / JP2019 / 032607

By the way, the belt constituting the upper body assisting device as described above is wrapped around the upper body of the subject by a complicated route. The belt is long and can range from 200 cm to 400 cm, depending on the physique of the subject using the upper body assist device.
It is troublesome to wrap such a long belt around the upper body of the subject by a fixed route, and the subject when using the upper body assist device (assistant when the subject has an assistant to wear the upper body assist device). The burden is heavy.
However, the upper body assist device disclosed in the above-mentioned international application is a holding means for fixing the path of the belt 1 to some extent so that the subject follows the planned path even when the subject does not wear the upper body assist device. 2 is attached. The holding means 2 includes a right loop RL for the subject to pass the right arm when the subject wears the upper body assist device on the belt 1 of the upper body assist device when not worn by the subject, and a left for passing the left arm. It is designed to form a loop LL, and the subject who wears the upper body assist device can wear the upper body assist device halfway at once by simply passing the right arm through the right loop RL and the left arm through the left loop LL. Yes (FIGS. 16 and 17).
However, in the case of an upper body assisting device in which the vicinity of both ends of the belt 1 intersects in front of the subject's body (FIG. 17), the subject passes the right arm through the right loop RL and the left arm through the left loop LL, and the holding means 2 In the state where the belt 1 is in contact with the back, the length of the portion of the belt 1 that intersects from both sides of the subject on the front side of the subject's body is long, and both ends of the belt 1 are long. In the state before being fixed to the subject's body (the back side of the thigh in FIG. 17), it is in a state of hanging on the back side of the subject, and it is necessary to cross it in front of the body. , The handling is inconvenient for the subject. Therefore, such an upper body assisting device is not so difficult to wear, but it cannot be said that it is extremely easy to wear.

The subject of the present invention is to improve the ease of wearing the upper body assisting device.

The inventor of the present application proposes the following invention as a solution to the above problems.
The present invention reaches the right turn position in front of the subject's abdomen from the outside of the subject's right hip to the outside of the left hip, passing in front of the subject's body from the outside of the subject's right hip. , Folded at the right turn position, from there to the subject's right armpit, from there through the back of the subject's body to above the subject's left shoulder, and from there through the front of the subject's body. From there through the back of the subject's body to the subject's right armpit, and from there through the front of the subject's body to above the subject's right shoulder. From there, it passes through the back side of the subject's body to reach the subject's left armpit, then passes through the front side of the subject's body to reach the left turn position in front of the subject's abdomen, and is turned back at the left turn position. A long belt that connects from there to the outside of the left waist of the subject or vice versa, and a long belt provided at both ends of the belt at the time of use, respectively, at the time of use. An upper body assisting device comprising an end fixing member that maintains the shape of the belt path.
Then, the upper body assisting device includes a portion of the belt from the right armpit of the subject through the rear side of the subject's body to the top of the left shoulder of the subject, and the belt from the left armpit of the subject. The portion of the belt that passes through the back of the subject's body to reach the subject's right armpit and the portion of the belt that passes from above the subject's right shoulder to the subject's left armpit through the back of the subject's body. The subject when the upper body assist device is used on the belt in a state where the upper body assist device is not used while fixing the relative positional relationship in a state where the movement in the length direction of the belt is allowed. A holding member for forming a right loop through which the right arm passes and a left loop through which the subject passes the left arm, and the belt is detachably fixed to each other at the right turn position and the left turn position, respectively. It is equipped with a possible intermediate fixing member.

This upper body assist device is provided with a holding member. This is equivalent to the holding means described in the section "Problems to be Solved by the Invention". The holding member has a function of forming the right loop and the left loop described in the column of "Problems to be solved by the invention". Therefore, the subject who intends to wear the upper body assisting device according to the present invention can wear the upper body assisting device halfway at once by passing the right arm through the right loop and the left arm through the left loop. Therefore, similar to the upper body assisting device described in the column of "Problems to be solved by the invention", the upper body assisting device of the present application can be easily worn to some extent.
In addition, the belt in the upper body assisting device in the present invention differs from the belt in the upper body assisting device described in the section of "Problems to be solved by the invention" in the path taken when it is wrapped around the body of the subject, and further. It is equipped with an intermediate fixing member that was not found in the upper body assist device described in the column of "Problems to be solved by the invention". The intermediate fixing member makes it easy for the subject to wear this upper body assisting device by cooperating with the above-mentioned non-conventional route of the belt. The theory is this.
The part of the belt in the conventional upper body assist device described in the column of "Problems to be solved by the invention" from both armpits of the subject toward the front of the subject's body intersects in an X shape on the front side of the subject's body. is doing. That is, the belt protruding from the left armpit travels diagonally downward in front of the subject's body and toward the outside of the subject's right hip. On the other hand, the belt coming out of the right armpit travels diagonally downward in front of the subject's body and toward the outside of the subject's left hip. On the other hand, in the belt of the present invention, the belt is folded back at the position where the above-mentioned belts intersect. That is, the belt protruding from the left armpit travels diagonally downward in front of the subject's body, is folded back at the left turn position in front of the subject's abdomen, and faces the outside of the subject's left hip. On the other hand, the belt protruding from the right armpit travels diagonally downward in front of the subject's body and is folded back at the right turn position in front of the subject's abdomen toward the outside of the subject's right hip. An intermediate fixing member that can be detachably fixed to each other is provided at each of the left-turning position and the right-turning position of the belt.
Therefore, the subject who passed the right arm through the right loop of the belt and the left arm through the left loop respectively fixed the intermediate fixing members attached to the left turn position and the right turn position of the belt to each other, thereby forming an X shape on the front surface of the body. It is possible to make a crossing of shaped belts at once. Of course, the part of the belt below the intermediate fixing members that are fixed to each other will hang down from the intermediate fixing members, but the length is shorter than before, and the hanging belt is located. It is easy for the subject to handle that part of the belt because the subject is on the front side of the visible body.
This makes it easier to wear this upper body assist device.
When this upper body assist device is used, the X-shaped intersection on the front side of the body formed by the belt in the conventional upper body assist device is a combination of two sideways V-shapes folded back at the intersection of the belts. .. In that respect, the path of the belt in the upper body assist device of the present invention is different from the path of the belt in the upper body assist device described in the column of "Problems to be solved by the invention", but the force exerted by the belt on the body. Since the orientation and size of the two are not significantly different between the two, the upper body assisting device of the present invention has an effect of assisting the upper body of the subject at least in the same manner as that of the conventional upper body assisting device.
The intermediate fixing member can be configured by, for example, a side release buckle or a front release buckle. It can also be configured with Velcro ™ tape or other hook-and-loop fasteners.
The upper body assisting device according to the present invention can be worn for, for example, 20 minutes or more, or, for example, for a few hours in daily life. For example, it is also suitable for a subject performing light work to wear this upper body assisting device.
As will be described later, the upper body assisting device of the present application may support the lower body of the subject with both ends extending to the lower body of the subject, but even in that case, the upper body of the subject is still assisted. , Including such cases, it will be referred to as an upper body assisting device.

When the belt is used in the upper body assisting device of the present invention, end fixing members are provided at both ends. The end fixing member is for maintaining the shape of the path of the belt during use, more specifically during the use of the upper body assist device.
Here, "both ends of the belt during use" means both ends of the belt when the upper body assisting device is attached to the subject. As will be described later, this is not always the case, but the vicinity of both ends of the belt in the upper body assist device of the present invention may be folded back by an arbitrary length mainly for the purpose of adjusting the length of the belt. .. When considered in the length direction of the belt, the folded position may change, but when the belt is folded, the folded position corresponds to the end portion of the belt during use. On the other hand, if the end of the belt is not folded back, both ends of the belt in the length direction correspond to both ends of the belt during use. If the position of both ends of the belt on the belt is invariant in the length direction of the belt, such as when the belt is not intended to be folded back near both ends of the belt, then "both ends of the belt during use". Will always coincide with both ends of the belt in the length direction.
In order to maintain the shape of the belt path, it is conceivable to fix the relative positions of both ends of the belt to the subject's body while the belt is under tension. For example, both ends of the belt can be fixed directly to the subject's body or to the clothing worn by the subject, or can be attached to a predetermined member for fixing the belt, for example, the subject's body such as a supporter. By fixing to a member made of cloth or the like, it is possible to maintain the shape of the belt path.
On the other hand, in order to maintain the shape of the belt path, it is also possible to connect both ends of the belt to each other. For example, the two end fixing members provided at both ends of the belt at the time of use may include a first fixing member that can be detachably fixed to each other. If, for example, tension is applied to the belt while the first fixing members are fixed to each other, the belt surrounding the subject's body by a predetermined path is pressed against the subject's body in that state. (Or the belt presses or tightens the subject's body), so that the shape of the belt path is maintained.
The first fixing member can be configured by, for example, a side release buckle or a front release buckle. It can also be configured with Velcro ™ tape or other hook-and-loop fasteners.

On the other hand, in the upper body assisting device of the present invention, the two end fixing members provided at both ends of the belt at the time of use are fixed to a predetermined range from the center in the length direction of the belt. Second fixing members provided at both ends of the belt may be provided.
Such a second fixing member can function in two ways.
First, by folding back the belt at an appropriate position near the end of the belt and fixing the second fixing member at an arbitrary position from the center in the length direction of the belt, the end side of the belt is fixed. The length can be adjusted. Of course, it is also possible to adjust the length of the end side of the other end side of the belt.
Second, fixing the end of the belt to the rest of the belt can help maintain the shape of the belt path during use.
The second fixing member can play at least one of these two roles. When the second fixing member is present in the end fixing member, the first fixing member does not have to be present in the end fixing member, and when the first fixing member is present in the end fixing member, the second fixing member is present. The member does not have to be present in the end fixing member. The second fixing member can be composed of, for example, Velcro ™ tape or other hook-and-loop fastener. It is also possible to configure the second fixing member with a button and a button hole, a double hook, a ring spring hook, an American hook or other metal hook.
On the other hand, both the first fixing member and the second fixing member may be included in the end fixing member. The first fixing member as described above is present in the end fixing member, and the end fixing member is provided at both ends of the belt with respect to a predetermined range from the center in the length direction of the belt. When the second fixing member is provided so as to be able to be fixed, the first fixing member may be attached to the belt so as to be movable along the length direction of the belt. In this case, the second fixing member makes it possible to adjust the length of the belt as described above. Then, by moving the first fixing member to the end portion (folded portion) of the belt which is doubled near the end portion by being folded back, the first fixing member is attached to "both ends of the belt at the time of use". It becomes possible to position it.

As described above, the upper body assisting device in the present invention includes a holding member. The holding member is the part of the belt from the right armpit of the subject through the back side of the subject's body to the top of the subject's left shoulder, and the part of the belt from the left armpit of the subject through the back side of the subject's body. The relative positional relationship between the three parts of the belt, the part that extends to the right armpit and the part of the belt that extends from above the subject's right shoulder to the subject's left armpit through the back of the subject's body. It is for fixing in a state where movement in the length direction is allowed. The holding member also has a function of forming a right loop through which the subject passes the right arm and a left loop through which the subject passes the left arm when the upper body assist device is used on the belt in the state where the upper body assist device is not used. ing.
As long as this is possible, the configuration of the holding member is free.
The holding member includes a first hole in the belt that passes from the right armpit of the subject through the rear side of the body of the subject to the top of the left shoulder of the subject, and the left armpit of the subject in the belt. A second hole that passes through the rear side of the subject's body to the lower part of the subject's right armpit, and the subject from above the subject's right shoulder of the belt through the rear side of the subject's body. It may be provided with a third hole through which a portion of the left armpit is passed.
In this case, the first hole, the second hole, and the third hole use the word "hole" for convenience, but at least one of them may be a notch instead of a "hole". .. In other words, it is actually accurate to write "first hole" as "first hole or notch", but if it is described as such including the second hole and the third hole, it will be too redundant, so this application. In the specification, the word "first hole" is used to mean "first hole or notch". The same applies to the "second hole" and the "third hole". Even if the hole is literally called a notch due to a part of the edge of the hole being cut, the belt passing through the notch is restricted by the notch. It doesn't matter whether it's a notch or a hole.
When the holding member includes a first hole, a second hole, and a third hole, at least one of the first hole, the second hole, and the third hole may be composed of a plurality of holes. Of course, a plurality of first hole, second hole, and third hole, for example, all of them may be composed of a plurality of holes. When the first hole is composed of a plurality of holes, it is the same as the above-mentioned case that at least one of the plurality of holes may be a notch. The same applies when the second hole is composed of a plurality of holes and the third hole is composed of a plurality of holes.
At least one of the first hole and the second hole, the second hole and the third hole, the third hole and the first hole may be a hole communicating with each other. When the first hole is composed of a plurality of holes and the second hole is composed of a plurality of holes, one of the plurality of holes constituting the first hole and one of the plurality of holes constituting the second hole. May be holes that communicate with each other. The same applies to the case where the second hole is composed of a plurality of holes and the third hole is composed of a plurality of holes, and the case where the third hole is composed of a plurality of holes and the first hole is composed of a plurality of holes.

The belt may have elasticity in the length direction thereof. According to it, the upper body assisting device fits the subject's body well, and also exerts a good effect of assisting the subject's upper body.
In the present application, when the term "stretchable" is used, the total length of the belt in the width direction at a predetermined position is fixed at an interval of 30 cm, and in that state, a weight of 2 kg is applied to the center of the supported portion of the belt. It means that the elongation rate (((length after elongation-original length) / original length) x 100 (%)) is 10% or more when the load of is applied downward. It shall be.

The perspective view which shows the state seen from the back side of the upper body belt included in the upper body assist device in embodiment. FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state seen from the back side in which the periphery of the holding member of the upper body assisting device shown in FIG. 1 is enlarged. The front view in the case where the upper body assist device shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the upper body of the subject by passing the right arm of the subject through the right loop and the left arm of the subject through the left loop. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the path followed by the upper body belt when the upper body assist device shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the upper body of the subject by passing the right arm of the subject through the right loop and the left arm of the subject through the left loop. (A) The figure which shows the holding member seen from the front side, (B) the figure which shows the holding member and the simplified upper body belt seen from the front side. Perspective view of the holding member according to another example. (A) A diagram showing a holding member and an upper body belt according to another example seen from the back side, and (B) a diagram showing a holding member and an upper body belt according to another example seen from the front side. The front view for demonstrating the method in which the subject wears the upper body assist device by the first usage method. The front view which shows the use state which attached the upper body assist device by the 1st usage method. The perspective view from the left front side which shows the use state of the upper body assist device by the 1st usage method. The rear view which shows the use state of the upper body assist device by the 1st usage method. The front view for demonstrating the method in which the subject wears the upper body assist device by the 2nd usage method. The front view for demonstrating the method in which the subject wears the upper body assist device by the third usage method. Front view for explaining how the subject wears the upper body assist device of the modified example. An enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the first right buckle and the first left buckle of the upper body assisting device of the embodiment. Rear view of the upper body assist device in the prior art. The front view which shows the use state of the upper body assist device in the prior art.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a modification thereof will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In addition, a common reference numeral shall be attached to a common object in the embodiment and its modification, and a common description may be omitted in some cases.

The upper body assisting device according to one embodiment is intended to enable the subject to maintain a good posture with his chest stretched and to prevent the subject's body from swinging from side to side. The upper body assist device according to this embodiment also has a function of pulling up the muscles under both armpits of the subject.
As will be described later, there are several (three) ways of using the upper body assisting device according to this embodiment. In the three usage methods (each of which is referred to as "first usage of the upper body assisting device", "second usage of the upper body assisting device", and "third usage of the upper body assisting device"). , As will be described later, the path of the belt near both ends thereof is different. As a result, the effects of the upper body assistive device according to each usage method will be different.

The upper body assisting device includes the upper body belt 30 and the holding member 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a rear view of the upper body assisting device, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear view of the periphery of the holding member described later in the upper body assisting device.
The upper body belt 30 in this embodiment is a real band-shaped body. The upper body belt 30 has a fairly elongated rectangular shape, and its width is the same in all parts in the length direction, but is not limited to this. The length of the upper body belt 30 is preferably set to a length that can correspond to the method of using the upper body belt as described later. Further, as will be described later, the length of the upper body belt 30 can be adjusted.
The length of the upper body belt 30 required when the upper body assist device is used is the shortest when the upper body assist device is used in the "second usage of the upper body assist device", and the "upper body assist device" is used. The longest when used in the "third use of the upper body assist device", and the length required when used in the "first use of the upper body assist device" is between those two lengths. ..
Therefore, if the upper body assist device is planned to be used in the "third method of using the upper body assist device", the length required for the upper body assist device 30 will be longer. Further, if the length of the upper body belt 30 is long enough to use the upper body assist device in the "third method of using the upper body assist device", the length of the upper body assist device 30 is adjusted to be shorter. By providing the upper body assisting device with the function of performing, the upper body assisting device can also be used in the "first method of using the upper body assisting device" and the "second method of using the upper body assisting device".
Since the upper body assist device is scheduled to be used in the "third method of using the upper body assist device" in the upper body belt 30 in this embodiment, it depends on the physique of the subject who wears the upper body assist device. The length is not limited to this, but is 300 cm to 400 cm.
Further, although not limited to this, the upper body belt 30 of this embodiment is used in the "first method of using the upper body assisting device" and the "second method of using the upper body assisting device" in this embodiment. As possible, the length can be adjusted to be shorter than the length when used in "Third Usage of Upper Body Auxiliary Equipment". However, it is not essential to give the upper body belt 30 a function of adjusting the length. For example, the upper body assisting device can only be used in one of the following methods: "first usage of the upper body assisting device", "second usage of the upper body assisting device", and "third usage of the upper body assisting device". If it is assumed that the belt will not be used, the length of the upper body belt 30 may be fixed to the length corresponding to the usage method, or the length corresponds to each usage method. The length may be adjusted only within the specified length range.
Although not limited to this, the length of the upper body belt 30 required when the upper body assist device is used in "the first usage of the upper body assist device" is generally "the length of the upper body assist device". It is about 10 to 40 cm shorter than the length of the upper body belt 30 when it is used in the "third method of using the upper body assist device". In addition, the length of the upper body belt 30 required when the upper body assist device is used in the "second use method of the upper body assist device" is generally "the first use method of the upper body assist device". It is about 60 cm to 100 cm shorter than the length of the upper body belt 30 when used in.

The width of the upper body belt 30 is preferably about 3 cm to 10 cm. This is because if the width is 3 cm or less, the subject wearing the upper body assisting device may feel pain, and if the width is 10 cm or more, it may be difficult for the subject to walk or perform other movements. The width of the upper body belt 30 in this embodiment is not limited to this, but is about 4 cm.
The upper body belt 30 has elasticity in the length direction thereof, and is not limited to this, but in this embodiment, it is made of a cloth, more specifically, a knitted cloth having a stretchable property. In addition, "there is elasticity" in the upper body belt 30 means that the total length in the width direction at a predetermined position of the upper body belt 30 is fixed at intervals of 30 cm, and in that state, the supported portion is supported. When a load of 2 kg is applied downward to the center of the upper body belt 30, the elongation rate (((length after stretching-original length) / original length) x 100 (%)) is It means that it is 10% or more. Although not limited to this, the elasticity of the upper body belt 30 in this embodiment has an elongation rate of about 30 to 50%, preferably about 40% ± 5% when measured by the above-mentioned measuring method. ing.

A hook-and-loop fastener 31 is provided on at least one surface of the upper body belt 30 at or near both ends. The hook-and-loop fastener 31 basically plays a role of adjusting the length of the upper body belt 30. The hook-and-loop fastener 31 can be made of, for example, Velcro ™ tape.
The hook-and-loop fastener 31 is a surface of the upper body belt 30 on the side where the hook-and-loop fastener 31 is provided, at least in a range necessary for adjusting the length of the upper body belt 30 as described later. It can be attached and detached and fixed. Although not limited to this, in this embodiment, the hook-and-loop fastener 31 can be attached to and detached from any surface in the length direction of the upper body belt 30 as long as it is the surface of the upper body belt 30 on the side where the hook-and-loop fastener 31 is provided. It can be fixed to.
As a method of attaching the hook-and-loop fastener 31 to the upper body belt 30, a known or well-known method can be adopted, and this can be done by sewing, for example. The surface fastener 31 in this embodiment can be detachably fixed anywhere on the upper body belt 30, but it is planned that the surface fastener 31 of the upper body belt 30 will be fixed. It is also possible to arrange a surface fastener 31 and another surface fastener that can be fixed in the portion so that the surface fastener 31 can be fixed only to the part of the upper body belt 30 where the other surface fastener exists. be. Furthermore, there is no reason that the detachable fixing of the end portion of the upper body belt 30 or its vicinity to an appropriate position of the upper body belt 30 must be performed by the hook-and-loop fastener 31, for example, a known or well-known technique. Specifically, it is also possible to realize the above-mentioned detachable fixing by a button and a button hole, a double hook, a ring spring hook, an American hook or other metal hook.

When the upper body belt 30 is used in the "first method of using the upper body assist device" or the "second method of using the upper body assist device", the upper body belt 30 is suitable, for example, about several tens of cm from one end thereof. It will be folded back at the right position. The hook-and-loop fastener 31 provided on one end side of the folded upper body belt 30 is in a state where the folded one end side portion of the upper body belt 30 overlaps with the unfolded portion of the upper body belt 30. Then, it is fixed to the portion of the upper body belt 30 near the center in the length direction. The same applies to the other end side of the upper body belt 30. As a result, the length of the upper body belt 30 can be adjusted at each of the vicinity of both ends thereof, and by extension, the overall length of the belt 30 can be adjusted.
In FIG. 1, the right portion 30R, which is a portion of the upper body belt 30 extending to the lower right from the holding member 50, shows a state after such length adjustment is performed. The hook-and-loop fastener 31 attached to the tip of the upper body belt 30 folded back at the portion of the second right buckle 20R (described later) is the folded upper body belt out of the surfaces facing the hook-and-loop fastener 31 of the upper body belt 30. It is attached at a place away from the folded portion by the amount corresponding to the length of 30. Naturally, if the length of the upper body belt 30 folded back in the right portion 30R is long, the length of the right portion 30R becomes short, and the total length of the upper body belt 30 becomes short.
On the other hand, in FIG. 1, of the upper body belt 30, the left portion 30L, which is a portion extending to the lower left from the holding member 50, is in a state where the length adjustment has not been completed. Although the upper body belt 30 is folded back, the hook-and-loop fastener 31 has not yet been fixed at an appropriate position on the upper body belt 30. When the hook-and-loop fastener 31 is fixed in the same manner as the right portion 30R, the length of the left portion 30L is also adjusted to be shorter than the original.
Unless there are special circumstances, the right part 30R of the upper body belt and the upper body belt 30 folded back at the left part 30L have the same length, whereby the lengths of the right part 30R and the left part 30L are the same. do.

The hook-and-loop fastener 31 is not used for adjusting the length of the upper body belt 30 when the upper body assist device is used in the "third method of using the upper body assist device". Even in that case, the hook-and-loop fastener 31 plays a certain role, but in that case, the role played by the hook-and-loop fastener 31 will be described later. Even in that role, the property that the surface fastener 31 can be fixed at a predetermined position on the surface of the upper body belt 30 on the side to which the surface fastener 31 is attached is utilized.

A first right buckle 10R and a first left buckle 10L are provided on the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30, respectively. In FIG. 1, the first right buckle 10R is provided in the middle of the right portion 30R, and the first left buckle 10L is provided in the middle of the left portion 30L, but the first right buckle 10R is provided with respect to the right portion 30R. Since the first left buckle 10L is movable in the length direction of the right portion 30R and the first left buckle 10L is movable in the length direction of the left portion 30L with respect to the left portion 30L, the first right buckle 10R shown in FIG. The position of the first left buckle 10L with respect to the right portion 30R and the position of the first left buckle 10L with respect to the left portion 30L are both examples. It is not essential that the first right buckle 10R and the first left buckle 10L are movable in the length direction of the upper body belt 30.
The first right buckle 10R includes a first right buckle main body 11R and a first right engaging member 12R. The first right buckle body 11R is a buckle and passes through the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30. The first right buckle body 11R is movable with respect to the upper body belt 30, and can be positioned and fixed at an arbitrary position on the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30. Since buckles that can be moved in the length direction of the belt with respect to any belt and can be positioned and fixed at any position are known or well known, the first right buckle body 11R has such a known buckle. Alternatively, a well-known buckle may be applied.
The first right engaging member 12R is for forming a detachable fixing with the first left engaging member described later, and can be a known or well-known member as much as possible. The first right engaging member 12R is fixed to the first right buckle main body 11R and is movable along with the first right buckle main body 11R along the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30. The structure of the first right engaging member 12R is determined in relation to the first left engaging member, which can be configured by, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, or by a side release buckle or a front release buckle. This can be configured. Examples of side release buckles are side release buckles manufactured and sold by Nifco Co., Ltd. (part numbers SR, TSR H, YSR, etc.), and examples of front release buckles are front release buckles manufactured and sold by the company (part numbers FR, MFR). Etc.). The illustrated side release buckle and front release buckle are both made of resin, but may be made of metal. It is preferable that the first right engaging member 12R can be changed in angle with respect to the first right buckle main body 11R. Although not limited to this, in this embodiment, the two are connected by a cloth or leather connecting piece 18 so that the angle can be changed (see the enlarged view of FIG. 15).
The first left buckle 10L has substantially the same structure as the first right buckle 10R. The first left buckle 10L is composed of a first left buckle main body 11L and a first left engaging member 12L. The angle between the two should be variable as in the case of the first right buckle 10R. The first left buckle main body 11L is configured in the same manner as the first right buckle main body 11R, and can be positioned at an arbitrary position in the length direction of the upper body belt 30 with respect to the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30. It is attached. The first left engaging member 12L can be detachably fixed (engaged in this embodiment) with the first right engaging member 12R.
The first right engaging member 12R and the first left engaging member 12L are, but are not limited to, a set of side release buckles in this embodiment. One of them is a male and the other is a female, and although detailed description is omitted, when they are engaged with each other, both of them are engaged with the first right engaging member 12R or the first left engaging member corresponding to the female. Unless the button provided on the side surface of the member 12L is pressed, the engagement between the two is maintained. When the button is pressed, the engagement between the first right engaging member 12R and the first left engaging member 12L is disengaged.

A second right buckle 20R and a second left buckle 20L are provided at both ends of the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30, respectively. These configurations are substantially the same as those of the first right buckle 10R and the first left buckle 10L. Like the first right buckle 10R and the first left buckle 10L, the second right buckle 20R and the second left buckle 20L can move along the upper body belt 30. Therefore, the position of the second right buckle 20R in the right portion 30R and the position of the second left buckle 20L in the left portion 30L shown in FIG. 1 are the same as in the case of the first right buckle 10R and the first left buckle 10L. It is just an example. It is not essential that the second right buckle 20R and the second left buckle 20L are movable in the length direction of the upper body belt 30.
The second right buckle 20R includes a second right buckle main body 21R and a second right engaging member 22R. The second right buckle body 21R is a buckle and is attached to a predetermined position on the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30. The second right buckle body 21R can be the same as the first right buckle body 11R, which is the case in this embodiment.
The second right engaging member 22R is for forming a detachable fixing with the second left engaging member described later, and can be a known or well-known member as much as possible. The second right engaging member 22R is fixed to the second right buckle main body 21R. As described above, the angles of both should be variable.
The second left buckle 20L is composed of a second left buckle main body 21L and a second left engaging member 22L. The second left buckle main body 21L is configured in the same manner as the second right buckle main body 21R, and is attached to an appropriate position on the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30. The second left engaging member 22L can be detachably fixed (engaged in this embodiment) with the second right engaging member 22R, and is fixed to the second left buckle main body 21L. As described above, the angles of both should be variable.
The second right engaging member 22R and the second left engaging member 22L are not limited to this, but in this embodiment, they are the same as the first right engaging member 12R and the first left engaging member 12L. It can be configured with a pair of side release buckles. Although not limited to this, in this embodiment, the second right engaging member 22R, the second left engaging member 22L, the first right engaging member 12R, and the first left engaging member 12L are It consists of the same side release buckle.

In this embodiment, the upper body belt 30 included in the upper body assist device is preformed so as to be wrapped around the body in the state shown in FIG. 3 when the upper body assist device is used. This shape is maintained by a holding member described later.

FIG. 3 is a view of the subject as viewed from the front. The portion of the upper body belt 30 indicated by the broken line indicates that it is located on the back side of the subject's body.
In FIG. 3, what kind of route the upper body belt 30 follows will be described with reference to FIG. However, the upper body belt 30 is not wrapped around the subject's body in the order shown in FIG. 4, but the subject passes the right arm through the right loop RL and the left arm through the left loop LL described later in the upper body belt 30. In the state, the upper body belt 30 is already in the state shown in FIGS. 3 to 4 (d).
Note that FIG. 4 omits the illustration of the holding member described later. Further, both the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 are not shown in a certain range on the tip side thereof.

In this embodiment, the starting point of the upper body belt 30 is in the middle of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30. The tip side of the upper body belt 30 (the side far from the start point of the upper body belt 30) passes from the right portion 30R through a holding member (not shown in FIG. 4), behind the subject's body, and above the subject's left shoulder. The subject is moved from the back to the front of the subject's body over the left shoulder of the subject (Fig. 4 (a)).
Next, the tip side of the upper body belt 30 moves to the rear side of the subject's body through the left armpit of the subject and pulls the tip side substantially horizontally as shown in the same (b), so that the subject's body Behind to the subject's right armpit.
Next, as shown in the same (c), the tip end side of the upper body belt 30 is pulled out to the front side of the subject's body through the subject's right armpit, and then passes through the front side of the subject's body as it is, and passes through the subject's right shoulder. To the top.
Next, the tip end side of the upper body belt 30 moves to the rear side of the subject's body over the subject's right shoulder, and further to the rear side of the subject's body, as shown in the same (d), the illustration is omitted. Pass through the holding member. The portion of the upper body belt 30 beyond the holding member is the left portion 30L.

The upper body belt 30 in the upper body assisting device thus forms a complicated shape or path that can be said to be entangled. Of course, it is meaningful to give such a complicated shape to the upper body belt 30. However, if the upper body belt 30 is used as it is and is appropriately rolled and stored, the upper body belt 30 may be entangled to the extent that it is difficult to untie, resulting in inconvenience. That is, it is preferable that the upper body belt 30 can maintain the shape or path of the above-mentioned upper body belt 30 made with great care.
That is, it is preferable that the upper body belt 30 is provided with a function of maintaining its shape. In this embodiment, this function is achieved by one component called a holding member.

The holding member 50 in this embodiment is not particularly limited to this shape, but as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the holding member 50 has a shape generally like a hexagonal shell as a whole.
The holding member 50 is not necessarily limited to this, but is made of cloth in this embodiment. Although not necessarily limited to this, the number of cloths constituting the holding member 50 is two in this embodiment. The holding member 50 of this embodiment is configured by stacking two pieces of cloth and fixing them to each other.
The cloth in the shape of a hexagonal shell, which appears in FIGS. 1 and 2, is the back cloth 50A. The auxiliary cloth 50B is fixed to the back surface (back side in FIG. 2) of the back cloth 50A in the range described by the broken line in FIG. 2 and the shaded rectangle in FIG. Has been done. Only the edge of the auxiliary cloth 50B is fixed to the back cloth 50A. The method of fixing the auxiliary cloth 50B and the back cloth 50A may be performed in any way, and this can be performed by, for example, bonding or sewing.
The configuration of the auxiliary cloth 50B is shown in FIG. 5 (A). Although not limited to this, the auxiliary cloth 50B in the holding member 50 in this embodiment is rectangular. 5 (A) and 5 (B) are views of the auxiliary cloth 50B viewed from the front (backward direction in FIG. 2).
The auxiliary cloth 50B adopts an extremely simple structure provided with three

holes

51, 52, and 53 penetrating the auxiliary cloth 50B. The three

holes

51, 52, and 53 are not limited to this, but all of them are elongated. Of the

holes

51, 52, 53, the hole 51 is located relatively above the

other holes

52, 53 so that the upper body assisting device is horizontally attached to the subject in an upright position. It has become. On the other hand, the

holes

52, 53 are relatively below the hole 51, and as they go down, they approach the hole 51 from the outside to the inside of the holding member 50 or the auxiliary cloth 50B. It is arranged diagonally.
The width of each

hole

51, 52, 53 is made larger than the thickness of the upper body belt 30. The length of the hole 51 is relatively shorter than the length of the

holes

52 and 53. The

holes

52 and 53 have the same length. The length of each

hole

51, 52, 53 is at least larger than the width of the upper body belt 30. That is, the

holes

51, 52, and 53 are configured so that the upper body belt 30 can pass through the

holes

51, 52, and 53 without bending. Furthermore, but not limited to this, the

holes

51, 52, and 53 in this embodiment are configured so that different parts of the upper body belt 30 can pass through the

holes

51, 52, and 53 twice without bending. ..

How the upper body belt 30 passes through the

holes

51, 52, and 53 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 (B). In the upper body belt 30, the portion of the upper body belt 30 hidden behind the holding member 50 is drawn with a broken line, and the other portion is drawn with a solid line.
The hole 51 is formed in the middle of the upper body belt 30 from the right portion 30R through the rear side of the subject's body to the top of the subject's left shoulder, and from above the subject's right shoulder to the rear of the subject's body. A part in the middle of the part reaching the left part 30L through the side passes through.
The hole 52 located at the lower left of the hole 51 is formed from the middle part of the upper body belt 30 from the right part 30R through the rear side of the subject's body to the top of the subject's left shoulder and from the subject's left armpit. It passes through the rear side of the subject's body and the middle part of the part leading to the subject's right armpit.
The hole 53 located at the lower right of the hole 51 is formed in the middle part of the upper body belt 30 from above the subject's right shoulder through the rear side of the subject's body to the left part 30L, and the upper body belt. The part in the middle of the part from the left armpit of the subject to the right armpit of the subject through the rear side of the subject's body is passed.
That is, the portion of the upper body belt 30 that extends from the right portion 30R through the rear side of the subject's body to the top of the subject's left shoulder passes through the upper hole 51 and the lower left hole 52. Thereby, the combination of the hole 51 and the hole 52 defines the route of the upper body belt 30 from the right portion 30R to the rear side of the subject's body and above the subject's left shoulder. More specifically, the right end of the hole 51 with which the portion of the upper body belt 30 abuts and the upper end of the hole 52 allow the subject's left shoulder to pass from the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 to the rear side of the subject's body. The part leading up to the top will be defined by the route.
The portion of the upper body belt 30 that extends from above the subject's right shoulder through the rear side of the subject's body to the left portion 30L passes through the hole 51 located above and the hole 53 at the lower right thereof. Thereby, the combination of the hole 51 and the hole 53 defines the route of the upper body belt 30 from above the subject's right shoulder to the left portion 30L through the rear side of the subject's body. .. More specifically, by means of the left end of the hole 51 with which the portion of the upper body belt 30 abuts and the upper end of the hole 53, the upper body belt 30 passes over the subject's right shoulder and behind the subject's body. The route to the left portion 30L will be defined.
The portion of the upper body belt 30 from the left armpit of the subject to the right armpit of the subject through the rear side of the body of the subject passes through the

holes

52 and 53 arranged side by side. Thereby, the combination of the hole 52 and the hole 53 defines the route of the upper body belt 30 from the left armpit of the subject to the right armpit of the subject through the rear side of the body of the subject. More specifically, the lower end of the hole 52 with which the portion of the upper body belt 30 is in contact and the lower end of the hole 53 allow the subject to pass from the left armpit of the upper body belt 30 to the rear side of the subject's body. The part leading to the right armpit will be defined for that route.
In this way, the portion of the upper body belt 30 from the right portion 30R through the rear side of the subject's body to the top of the subject's left shoulder and the portion of the upper body belt 30 from above the subject's right shoulder to the rear side of the subject's body. Since the route to the left part 30L is defined, the part of the upper body belt 30 from the right part 30R through the rear side of the subject's body to the top of the subject's left shoulder and the subject's The position of the intersection formed by the portion from above the right shoulder through the rear side of the subject's body to the left portion 30L is defined by the holding member 50. Further, the height of the horizontal portion of the upper body belt 30, which is the portion from the left armpit of the subject to the right armpit of the subject through the rear side of the body of the subject, is also defined by the holding member 50. ..
As a result, from the above-mentioned intersection created by the upper body belt 30, a horizontal portion of the upper body belt 30 on the back side of the subject (as a result, this horizontal portion is pulled upward at the center in the horizontal direction, so that the center). Will be high and may not be horizontal.) The distance to () will be defined by the holding member 50. In this embodiment, the distance D2 (see FIG. 5B) is kept within 7 cm, more specifically about 6 cm. Keeping the above-mentioned distance D2 within 7 cm by appropriately adjusting the relationship between the length, width, and the positional relationship between the three

holes

51, 52, and 53 described above and the width of the upper body belt 30. Is possible.
However, the distance D2 can be made larger than 7 cm, and the horizontal portion of the upper body belt 30 on the back side of the subject can be literally a horizontal straight line.

The holding member 50 in this embodiment remains attached to the upper body belt 30. The relative positional relationship between the upper body belt 30 and the holding member 50 is as shown in FIG. 5 (B), or is the positional relationship shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In other words, the holding member 50 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. It remains attached at the position shown in 5 (B) and is not removed from the upper body belt 30 even when not in use.

The holding member 50 may be, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. It will be referred to as a holding member 50X according to another example. 6 is a perspective view of the holding member 50X alone, FIG. 7A is a view showing the holding member 50X and the upper body belt 30 seen from the back side, and FIG. 7B is a holding member seen from the front side. It is a figure which shows 50X and the upper body belt 30. Roughly speaking, in the holding member 50X according to another example, the back cloth 50A is removed from the holding member 50 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 5, and three holes 51 of the remaining auxiliary cloth 50B are used. The shape of the auxiliary cloth 50B, which was rectangular, is abbreviated, leaving only the substantially triangular portion surrounded by 52, 53 (to be exact, the portion including the slightly outer range of the three

holes

51, 52, 53). It is a triangle.
Further, the holding member 50X according to another example is made of a resin having a certain rigidity, and includes a small ring 55 and a large ring 56, both of which are isosceles right triangle rings. The long side of both isosceles triangles is, for example, about 1.5 times longer than the short side. Although not limited to this, the small ring 55 and the large ring 56 have similar shapes, and the former is one size smaller than the latter. There is some gap between the small ring 55 and the large ring 56, and the small ring 55 and the large ring 56 are in a parallel positional relationship. The positions of the centers of gravity of the small ring 55 and the large ring 56 substantially correspond to each other, and when viewed from the small ring 55 side, the large ring 56 protrudes slightly around the small ring 55. ing.
The small ring 55 and the large ring 56 are connected to each other by a bridge 57 corresponding to a pillar. The length of the bridge 57 determines the distance between the small ring 55 and the large ring 56, and the presence of the bridge 57 keeps the relationship between the small ring 55 and the large ring 56 parallel. The distance from the upper surface of the small ring 55 in FIG. 6 to the lower surface of the large ring 56 in FIG. 6 is approximately 7.8 mm. That is, it can be said that the holding member 50X is thin and has a plate shape as a whole.
As described above, there is a gap between the small ring 55 and the large ring 56, and the gap is divided into three by a bridge 57. Further, the holding member 50X according to another example is used by being attached to the upper body belt 30 so that its bottom is located on the upper side when the upper body assisting device is used. Although not limited to this, when the upper body assisting device is used, the large ring 56 of the small ring 55 and the large ring 56 comes into contact with the back of the subject. As a result, the three

holes

57A, 57B, 57C corresponding to the three sides of the isosceles triangle in the shape of the small ring 55 and the large ring 56 existing between the small ring 55 and the large ring 56 are shown in FIG. It corresponds to the

holes

51, 52, and 53 in the holding member 50 described with reference to (A) and (B), respectively. The relative positional relationship and size of the three

holes

57A, 57B, 57C in the holding member 50X according to another example can follow the

holes

51, 52, 53. Further, the same portion of the upper body belt 30 that has passed through the

holes

51, 52, and 53 is passed through the three

holes

57A, 57B, and 57C (see FIG. 7). As a result, the holding member 50X according to another example performs the same function as the holding member 50 described above.
Even if the holding member 50X according to another example in this example is used, it is possible to keep the distance from the above-mentioned intersection formed by the upper body belt 30 to the horizontal portion of the upper body belt 30 on the back side of the subject within 7 cm. Will be. When the holding member 50X according to another example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is used, the above-mentioned distance is shorter than when the above-mentioned holding member 50 is used, and the distance is 1 cm or less. However, the fact that this distance may be larger is the same as in the case of the holding member 50.

By attaching the holding member 50 (or the holding member 50X according to another example) as described above to the upper body belt 30, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper body belt 30 is attached to the left and right sides. There will be one loop at a time.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the left loop LL is located on the left side, and the right loop RL is located on the right side. The left loop LL is for the subject to pass through the left arm when using the upper body assist device, and the right loop RL is for the subject to pass through the right arm when using the upper body assist device.
Since the holding member 50 is still attached to the upper body belt 30, both the right loop RL and the left loop LL are in the state of being present both when the upper body assisting device is used and when it is not used.
However, since the upper body belt 30 can move in the length direction of the

holes

51, 52, 53 (or the

holes

57A, 57B, 57C), the sizes of the right loop RL and the left loop LL can be adjusted respectively. be.

The method of using the upper body assisting device described above will be described below.
As already described, the upper body assisting device in this embodiment includes "a first method of using the upper body assisting device", "a second method of using the upper body assisting device", and "a third method of using the upper body assisting device". "Three types of usage are assumed.
Hereinafter, these three types of usage will be described in order.

(First usage of upper body assistive device)
The first method of using the upper body assisting device (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as the "first usage method". The second usage method of the upper body assisting device and the third usage method of the upper body assisting device also correspond to this). When using the upper body assisting device, first, the length of the upper body belt 30 is adjusted to a length suitable for the first usage method.
As described above, the hook-and-loop fastener 31 is used to adjust the length of the upper body belt 30. First, as shown in the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 in FIG. 1, the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 are folded back by a predetermined length (usually the same length), and then the figure. As shown by the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 of 1, the surface fastener 31 at the tip of the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L is folded back from the folded portion of the right portion 30R or the left portion 30L. It is detachably fixed at a position closer to the holding member 50 by the length of the right portion 30R or the left portion 30L.
By doing so, the upper body belt 30 is doubled in the predetermined range on the tip side of the right part 30R and the left part 30L, and the right part 30R and the left part 30L are doubled by the amount that the upper body belt 30 is doubled. The length becomes shorter. Since the upper body belt 30 has elasticity in the first place, it is not necessary to adjust the lengths of the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 so strictly.
Then, the second right buckle 20R is moved to the folded position of the right portion 30R, and the second left buckle 20L is moved to the folded position of the left portion 30L. By doing so, the second right buckle 20R is located at the tip of the right portion 30R when the tip side is folded back, and the second left buckle 20L is located at the tip of the left portion 30L when the tip end side is folded back. Become.
This completes the adjustment of the length of the upper body belt 30.

The subject then wears an upper body assist device. When the upper body assist device is attached, the right arm is passed through the right loop RL and the left arm is passed through the left loop LL so that the holding member 50 abuts on the back of the subject. It is a procedure to carry a knapsack on your back. At this time, the first right engaging member 12R of the first right buckle 10R and the first left engaging member 12L of the first left buckle 10L are not fixed to each other, and the second right buckle 20R is the second. The right engaging member 22R and the second left engaging member 22L of the second left buckle 20L are not fixed to each other.
In this state, the upper body assisting device is in the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (d).

From here, the subject ends wearing the upper body assistive device. The method will be described with reference to FIG. The method described in FIG. 8 is based on FIG.
FIG. 8 (a) is the same as the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (d). From this point onward, how to attach the upper body assistive device will be described below.
First, the tip side of the right part 30R of the upper body belt 30 hanging down to the back side is moved in front of the subject's body around the upper part of the right waist so that the first right buckle 10R is located in front of the abdomen. do. Similarly, the tip side of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 hanging down to the back side is moved in front of the subject's body around the upper part of the left waist so that the first left buckle 10L is located in front of the abdomen. To. Then, the first right engaging member 12R of the first right buckle 10R and the first left engaging member 12L of the first left buckle 10L are engaged with each other (FIG. 8B). Since the first right engaging member 12R and the first left engaging member 12L are a pair of male and female side release buckles, the convex portion on the male side thereof is inserted into the concave portion on the female side. , Both will be detachably fixed. Although it may be adjusted in advance, the first right engaging member 12R and the first right engaging member 12R can be engaged with the first right engaging member 12R at an appropriate position. , The position of the first right buckle 10R in the length direction of the right portion 30R and the position of the first left buckle 10L in the length direction of the left portion 30L when engaging with the first left engagement member 12L. Adjust as needed.
At this time, the portion of the right portion 30R on the tip side of the first right buckle 10R and the portion of the left portion 30L on the tip side of the first left buckle 10L are the first right engaging member 12R and the first left. It is in a state of hanging below the engaging member 12L.
Next, the tip side of the right part 30R of the upper body belt 30 that hangs down from the first right buckle 10R is moved to the back of the subject's body around the right waist, and the subject's left waist is moved to the rear side of the body. Pull it out. Similarly, the tip side of the left part 30L of the upper body belt 30 that hangs down from the first left buckle 10L is moved to the back of the subject's body around the left waist, and the subject's right waist is behind the body. Pull out to the outside of (Fig. 8 (c)). Both the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L cross the area around the buttocks (either on the buttocks or above and below the buttocks).
Next, the tip of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 is pulled to the pubis (or a range of about 5 cm below it to about 15 cm above it) on the front side of the body. Similarly, pull the tip of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 to the pubis (or a range of about 5 cm below it to about 15 cm above it) on the front side of the body. Then, the second right engaging member 22R of the second right buckle 20R located at the tip (folded portion) of the right portion 30R is located at the tip (folded portion) of the left portion 30L. 2 By engaging with the second left engaging member 22L of the left buckle 20L, they are detachably fixed to each other (FIG. 8 (d)).
With the above, the attachment of the upper body assisting device in the first usage method is completed.
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show a front view, a perspective view seen diagonally from the front left, and a rear view of the subject wearing the upper body assisting device when used in the first usage method, respectively.
The position where the tip of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 and the tip of the left portion 30L are connected (the second right engaging member 22R of the second right buckle 20R and the second left engagement of the second left buckle 20L). Assuming that the position where the mating member 22L is engaged) is a position 10 cm above the sciatic bone, for example, the position around the front of the umbilical cord, the right belt 30R and the left belt 30L are not only around the intersection thereof. , It will also apply abdominal pressure to the subject's abdomen around their tips. As a result, the above-mentioned effect of applying abdominal pressure to the subject is further emphasized.

Since the length of the upper body belt 30 is appropriately adjusted, an appropriate tension is applied to the entire upper body belt 30. Of course, if the length of the upper body belt 30 is adjusted to be long, the tension is reduced, and if the length of the upper body belt 30 is adjusted to be short, the tension is increased.
Appropriate tension is applied to the upper body belt 30. As a result, both shoulders of the subject are pulled backward by the upper body belt 30, so that the subject can naturally maintain a good posture with his chest stretched. In addition, the upper body belt 30 can prevent the subject's body from swinging left and right and rotating when the subject walks, so that the subject can better maintain a good posture even when walking, for example. The upper body belt 30 assists the subject in walking. In addition, especially when the distance of D2 described above is small (for example, 7 cm or less), the upper body belt 30 gives the muscles around the shoulders a force in the direction of lifting the arms, so that the muscles around the shoulders can be used. It can be relaxed.
Further, although the upper body belt 30 does not actually intersect, it is in a state of intersecting in an X shape at first glance around the front of the subject's abdomen. The upper body belt 30 in the crossed state applies an appropriate pressure (abdominal pressure) to the abdomen of the subject. The presence of this abdominal pressure makes it possible to activate the deep muscles by stimulating them, and as a result, although there are individual differences, the subjects have the effects of preventing back pain and relieving constipation. You will be able to get it.
The subject can spend, for example, 20 minutes or more while wearing the upper body assisting device, and can perform light exercise such as walking. Further, if the tension of the upper body belt 30 is not so large, the subject can lead a daily life in that state, for example, for about a few hours, although there are individual differences.

(Second method of using the upper body assist device)
The second usage method is almost the same as the first usage method.
In the second usage, the length of the upper body belt 30 is adjusted to be somewhat shorter than in the first usage. The length of the upper body belt 30 can be adjusted by, for example, folding the right portion 30R and folding the left portion 30L using the hook-and-loop fastener 31 as in the case of the first usage method. can.
Also in the second usage, the subject passes the right arm through the right loop RL and the left arm through the left loop LL so that the holding member 50 abuts on the subject's back. Even when the second usage method is executed, the upper body assisting device is once in the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (d).
The process to be performed thereafter when the upper body assist device is used in the second usage method will be described with reference to FIG. The method described in FIG. 12 is based on FIG.
FIG. 12 (a) is the same as the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (d).
In this state, the tip side of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 hanging down to the back side is moved in front of the subject's body around the upper part of the right waist, and the first right buckle 10R is located in front of the abdomen. To do so. Similarly, the tip side of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 hanging down to the back side is moved in front of the subject's body around the upper part of the left waist so that the first left buckle 10L is located in front of the abdomen. To. Then, the first right engaging member 12R of the first right buckle 10R and the first left engaging member 12L of the first left buckle 10L are engaged with each other (FIG. 12 (b)). This is also the same as the first method. The state shown in FIG. 12 (b) is the same as the state shown in FIG. 8 (b).
Next, the tip end side of the portion of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 that hangs down from the first right buckle 10R is moved to the back of the subject's body around the right hip. Similarly, of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30, the tip end side of the portion hanging from the first left buckle 10L is moved to the back of the subject's body around the left waist. Then, the second right engaging member 22R of the second right buckle 20R located at the tip (folded portion) of the right portion 30R is located at the tip (folded portion) of the left portion 30L. 2 By engaging with the second left engaging member 22L of the left buckle 20L, they are detachably fixed to each other (FIG. 12 (c)). The second right engaging member 22R and the second left engaging member 22L are fixed to each other near the center of the buttocks in the left-right direction. The place where they are fixed to each other is the vertical center of the buttocks or an appropriate position above and below it.
With the above, the attachment of the upper body assisting device in the second usage method is completed.
The path of the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L in the second usage is shorter than the path of the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L in the first usage because their tips do not wrap around the front of the body. Therefore, in the second usage method, the length of the upper body belt 30, the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L is shorter than in the case of the first usage method.

Even in the second usage method, the entire upper body belt 30 has an appropriate tension. The wearing time, the ability to wear it and lead a daily life, etc. do not change even in the second usage.
Further, the effect obtained by the subject by wearing the upper body belt 30 is not significantly different between the first usage method and the second usage method, although there are some differences.
Even in the second method of use, the upper body belt 30 does not actually intersect, but at first glance, it is in an X-shaped intersection in front of the subject's abdomen. This causes abdominal pressure, but the effect obtained by this is the same between the first method of use and the second method of use.

(Third method of using the upper body assist device)
In both the first usage method and the second usage method, the upper body belt 30 wrapped around the subject's body includes the first right engaging member 12R of the first right buckle 10R and the first left of the first left buckle 10L. By engaging the engaging member 12L with each other and engaging the second right engaging member 22R of the second right buckle 20R and the second left engaging member 22L of the second left buckle 20L, the shape thereof is formed. Or it was supposed to maintain the route.
On the other hand, in the third usage method, in order to maintain the shape or path of the upper body belt 30 wrapped around the subject's body, the first right engaging member 12R of the first right buckle 10R and the first left buckle 10L are used. The first left engaging member 12L is engaged with each other, but the second right engaging member 22R of the second right buckle 20R and the second left engaging member 22L of the second left buckle 20L are engaged with each other. There is no. In the third usage method, the second right buckle 20R including the second right engaging member 22R and the second left buckle 20L including the second left engaging member 22L are in a idle state.

In the third usage method, the length of the upper body belt 30 is not adjusted between the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L. The vicinity of the tip of the right portion 30R is not folded back, and the same applies to the vicinity of the tip of the left portion 30L. As a result, the hook-and-loop fastener 31 provided at the tip of the right portion 30R and the hook-and-loop fastener 31 provided at the tip of the left portion 30L are nothing before the subject starts wearing the upper body assisting device. It is in a state where it is not fixed or can be fixed to something.

The third usage method of the upper body assisting device is the same as the first usage method of the upper body assisting device up to the middle, like the second usage method.
Also in the third usage, the subject passes the right arm through the right loop RL and the left arm through the left loop LL so that the holding member 50 abuts on the subject's back. Even when the third usage method is executed, the upper body assisting device is once in the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (d).
The process to be performed thereafter when the upper body assisting device is used in the third usage method will be described with reference to FIG. The method described in FIG. 13 is based on FIG.
13 (a) is the same as the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (d).
In this state, the tip side of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 hanging down to the back side is moved in front of the subject's body around the upper part of the right waist, and the first right buckle 10R is located in front of the abdomen. To do so. Similarly, the tip side of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 hanging down to the back side is moved in front of the subject's body around the upper part of the left waist so that the first left buckle 10L is located in front of the abdomen. To. Then, the first right engaging member 12R of the first right buckle 10R and the first left engaging member 12L of the first left buckle 10L are engaged with each other (FIG. 13 (b)). This is also the same as the first method. The state shown in FIG. 13 (b) is the same as the state shown in FIG. 8 (b).
Next, the tip end side of the portion of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 that hangs down from the first right buckle 10R is moved to the back of the subject's body around the right hip. Then, the tip side thereof is further pulled out from the inside of the right thigh (between the crotch) of the subject through the rear side of the subject's body. Similarly, of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30, the tip end side of the portion hanging from the first left buckle 10L is moved to the back of the subject's body around the left waist. Then, the tip side thereof is further pulled out from the inside of the left thigh (between the crotch) of the subject through the rear side of the subject's body. (FIG. 13 (c)).
Next, the tip of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 is rotated once around the right thigh in a direction that is clockwise when viewed in a plan view, and the tip is rotated on the right thigh of the subject. Pull out again from the inside (between the crotch). Similarly, the tip of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 is rotated once around the left thigh in a counterclockwise direction when viewed in a plan view, and the tip is rotated by the left thigh of the subject. Pull out again from the inside of the thigh (between the crotch) (FIG. 13 (d)).
Then, the hook-and-loop fastener 31 attached to the tip of the right portion 30R is detachably fixed to the surface of the right portion 30R already wound around the thigh. Similarly, the hook-and-loop fastener 31 attached to the tip of the left portion 30L is detachably fixed to the surface of the left portion 30L already wound around the thigh (FIG. 13 (e)). Depending on the physique of the subject, the position where the surface fastener 31 at the tip of the right portion 30R is fixed may be different from that shown in the figure. The same applies to the left portion 30L.
With the above, the attachment of the upper body assisting device in the third usage method is completed.
In the third usage method, the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L are first fixed to the right leg or the left leg, and the other is fixed to the right leg or the left leg. Would be suitable.
The routes of the right part 30R and the left part 30L in the third usage are the right part 30R and the left in the first usage because they make one or more rounds around the right thigh or the left thigh of the subject. It is longer than the path of the portion 30L. Therefore, in the third usage method, the length of the upper body belt 30, the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L needs to be longer than in the case of the first usage method. Therefore, as described above, the right portion No folds are provided at 30R and the left portion 30L.
In the third usage method, the second right buckle 20R including the second right engaging member 22R and the second left buckle 20L including the second left engaging member 22L are in a idle state, so that they are used for the upper body. It may be removed from the belt 30, but not so much. They may remain attached to the upper body belt 30 without causing any problems in the effectiveness of the upper body assist device.

Even in the third usage method, the entire upper body belt 30 has an appropriate tension. The wearing time, the ability to wear it and lead a daily life, etc. do not change even in the third usage.
Further, although there are some differences in the effect obtained by the subject by wearing the upper body belt 30, there is no big difference between the first usage method and the third usage method.
Even in the third usage method, the upper body belt 30 does not actually intersect, but at first glance, it is in an X-shaped intersection in front of the subject's abdomen. This causes abdominal pressure, but the effect obtained by this is the same between the first method of use and the third method of use.
Further, in the third usage method, a force in the internal rotation direction is applied to both thighs from the upper body belt 30. This makes it easier for the subject to walk.

<Modification example>
The upper body assisting device according to the modified example is generally the same as the upper body assisting device described in the above-described embodiment.
However, the upper body assistive device according to the modified example is intended only to be used in one of the methods described below.
Therefore, the upper body assisting device in the modified example includes the second right buckle 20R including the second right engaging member 22R and the second left engaging member 22L provided in the upper body assisting device described in the above-described embodiment. It does not have a second left buckle 20L.
Further, the length of the upper body belt 30 in the upper body assisting device in the modified example is shorter than that of the upper body belt 30 in the above-described embodiment.
On the other hand, the upper body assisting device in the modified example is used in combination with the leg belt 100 (see FIG. 14) attached to both the left and right legs, respectively. The leg belt 100 is a belt used by wrapping the subject's leg, in this example, both thighs. The leg belt 100 may be an endless annular shape and may be fixed to the thigh by tightening due to elasticity, but it has an elongated substantially rectangular shape and is fixed to the thigh in a state of rotating around the thigh. It may be a belt. Velcro tape or other hook-and-loop fasteners can be used for such fixing.

The upper body assistive device according to the modified example is used as follows.
When this upper body assisting device is used, the lengths of the upper body belt 30 described in the above-described embodiment, or the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L are not adjusted.
Instead, the leg belts 100 are attached to both thighs prior to attaching the upper body assist device to the subject's body.

Then, even when the upper body assisting device of the modified example is used, the subject passes the right arm through the right loop RL and the left arm through the left loop LL so that the holding member 50 abuts on the back of the subject. Even in this case, the upper body assisting device is once in the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (d).
The process to be performed thereafter when the upper body assisting device of the modified example is used will be described with reference to FIG. The method described in FIG. 14 is based on FIG.
14 (a) is the same as the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (d) except that the leg belt 100 is attached to both thighs.
In this state, the tip side of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 hanging down to the back side is moved in front of the subject's body around the upper part of the right waist, and the first right buckle 10R is located in front of the abdomen. To do so. Similarly, the tip side of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30 hanging down to the back side is moved in front of the subject's body around the upper part of the left waist so that the first left buckle 10L is located in front of the abdomen. To. Then, the first right engaging member 12R of the first right buckle 10R and the first left engaging member 12L of the first left buckle 10L are engaged with each other (FIG. 14B). This is also the same as the first method. The state shown in FIG. 14 (b) is the same as the state shown in FIG. 8 (b) except that the leg belt 100 is attached to both thighs.
Next, the tip end side of the portion of the right portion 30R of the upper body belt 30 that hangs down from the first right buckle 10R is moved to the back of the subject's body around the right hip. Then, the tip side was further guided through the rear side of the subject's body to the rear side of the subject's right thigh, where the hook-and-loop fastener 31 provided at the tip of the right portion 30R was wrapped around the right thigh. Detachably fixed to the surface of the leg belt 100. The hook-and-loop fastener 31 can be detachably fixed to any portion of the surface of the leg belt 100. Similarly, of the left portion 30L of the upper body belt 30, the tip end side of the portion hanging from the first left buckle 10L is moved to the back of the subject's body around the left waist. Then, the tip side was further guided through the rear side of the subject's body to the rear side of the subject's left thigh, where the hook-and-loop fastener 31 provided at the tip of the left portion 30L was wrapped around the left thigh. Detachably fixed to the surface of the leg belt 100.
As described above, the attachment of the upper body assisting device to the subject's body according to the modified example is completed.

As for the method of using the upper body assisting device according to the modified example, in the "third method of using the upper body assisting device" described in the above-described embodiment, the right portion 30R and the left portion 30L are formed around the right and left thighs. It can be said that it is replaced with two leg belts 100.
Therefore, the method of using the upper body assist device and the effect according to the modified example are the same as those described in "Third method of using the upper body assist device".

Claims

From the outside of the subject's right hip to the outside of the left hip, from the outside of the subject's right hip, passing in front of the subject's body to the right turn position in front of the subject's abdomen, the right turn Folded back in position from there to the subject's right armpit, from there through the back of the subject's body to above the subject's left shoulder, and from there through the front of the subject's body to the subject's body. It reaches the left armpit, from there through the back side of the subject's body to the subject's right armpit, from there through the front side of the subject's body to the subject's right shoulder, and from there the subject. It passes through the back side of the subject's body to the left armpit of the subject, from there through the front side of the subject's body to the left turn position in front of the subject's abdomen, and is turned back at the left turn position from there. A long belt that connects to the outside of the subject's left hip, or vice versa.
End fixing members provided at both ends of the belt during use to maintain the shape of the belt path during use, and
It is an upper body assistive device equipped with
The part of the belt from the right armpit of the subject through the rear side of the subject's body to the top of the left shoulder of the subject, and the belt from the left armpit of the subject to the rear side of the subject's body. The relative positional relationship between the portion of the belt extending to the right armpit of the subject and the portion of the belt from above the right shoulder of the subject to the rear side of the body of the subject and reaching the left armpit of the subject. A right loop through which the subject passes his right arm when the upper body assist device is used on the belt in a state where the upper body assist device is not used while fixing the belt in a state where it is allowed to move in the length direction. A holding member for forming the left loop through which the subject passes the left arm, and
An intermediate fixing member provided at the right turn position and the left turn position of the belt, which can be detachably fixed to each other,
It is equipped with an upper body assist device.
The two end fixing members provided at both ends of the belt at the time of use include a first fixing member that can be detachably fixed to each other.
The upper body assisting device according to claim 1.
The two end fixing members provided at both ends of the belt during use can be fixed to a predetermined range from the center in the length direction of the belt. It is equipped with a second fixing member provided at both ends of the belt.
The upper body assisting device according to claim 1 or 2.
The end fixing member includes a second fixing member provided at both ends of the belt, which can be fixed to a predetermined range from the center in the length direction of the belt. As well as
The first fixing member is attached to the belt so as to be movable along the length direction of the belt.
The upper body assisting device according to claim 2.
The holding member is
A first hole in the belt that passes from the right armpit of the subject through the rear side of the body of the subject to the top of the left shoulder of the subject.
A second hole in the belt that passes from the left armpit of the subject through the rear side of the body of the subject to the right armpit of the subject.
A third hole in the belt that passes from above the subject's right shoulder, through the back of the subject's body, and to the subject's left armpit.
Is equipped with
The upper body assisting device according to claim 1.
At least one of the first hole, the second hole, and the third hole is composed of a plurality of holes.
The upper body assisting device according to claim 5.
At least one of the first hole and the second hole, the second hole and the third hole, the third hole and the first hole is a hole communicating with each other.
The upper body assisting device according to claim 5.
The belt has elasticity in its length direction.
The upper body assisting device according to claim 1.