WO2023200372A1

WO2023200372A1 - Knee support assembly for squatting (embodiments)

Info

Publication number: WO2023200372A1
Application number: PCT/RU2023/050070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ярослав Игоревич ГОДИН
Original assignee: Ярослав Игоревич ГОДИН
Priority date: 2022-04-14
Filing date: 2023-03-29
Publication date: 2023-10-19

Abstract

The group of inventions relates to leg supports. A knee support assembly for squatting according to a first embodiment comprises a load-bearing part in the shape of a truncated pyramid, the inner part of which is made of a resilient material and the upper and lower surfaces of which adjacent the leg are concave. Fastened around the load-bearing part is at least one harness strap to which are attached elements for fastening to the leg: a knee strap and a shin strap. A knee support assembly for squatting according to a second embodiment comprises an upper saddle and a lower saddle and elements for fastening to the leg. The saddles are connected at an angle of from 30 to 80 degrees by a connecting element. The surfaces of the saddles adjacent the leg are concave. The inventions improve the mobility and user-friendliness of a knee support assembly, while also reducing the dimensions and weight thereof.

Description

SUPPORT KNEE BLOCK FOR SQUATTING (OPTIONS)

Field of technology

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

State of the art

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

A limb orthosis is known, in particular a knee orthosis (RF patent for invention No. 2752599, class MIC A61F 5/01, publ. 07/29/2021), which includes a belt system and a connecting element, equipped with a tension element. The belt as the first section of the belt system is routed so as to intersect in the first intersection area, and the belt as the second section of the belt system is routed so as to intersect in the second intersection area. The first section of the belt system and the second section of the belt system are connected to the connecting element. When a limb orthosis is applied, the first portion and the second portion of the harness system are wrapped around the limb such that the first portion and the second portion of the harness system wrap around the limb and intersect at least once. The connecting element in the applied state is adjacent at the height of the knee to the leg or at the height of the elbow to the arm, and the tensioning element is configured to tension the belt of the first section of the belt system and/or the belt of the second section of the belt system for a firm fit of the orthosis on the limb.

The disadvantage of the known device is that the knee joint orthosis isolates the joint from the supporting workload of body weight when walking, standing, sitting, but does not contribute to comfortable squatting by relaxing the leg muscles without additional support on the ground (floor).

An exoskeleton of the lower extremities is known (RF patent for utility model No. 156507, class IPC A62B 99/00, A61N 3/00, publ. November 10, 2015), consisting of a frame with fastening elements to the body, two pairs of hip and ankle levers, articulated interconnected by a frame and foot supports, moreover, the levers are made in the form of spatial shells, placed on the front parts of the thighs and shins with the possibility of fixation by supporting elements, and the frame is made in the form of a solid corset, which is fixed with a belt on the human body and has two electromechanical servos, the bodies of which are rigidly fixed to the front lower part of the one-piece corset and ensure the movement of each hip joint in the frontal plane.

An exoskeleton is known (RF patent for invention No. 2110243, class IPC A61N 3/00, publ. 05/10/1998), containing a frame in the form of hip and ankle levers with elements of attachment to the limb, connected by a hinge unit consisting of a freewheel with the possibility one-way rotational movement located on the pivot pin. The hinge unit is kinematically connected to the frame. The hinge assembly fixation mechanism additionally contains a spring that prevents the hip and ankle levers from folding. The hinge unit housing contains a protective casing. The frame additionally contains a support platform pivotally connected to the lower end of the ankle lever. The hinge joint is designed to limit angular movement. The hip levers are spiral-shaped. The frame elements additionally contain a removable backrest, a saddle with a hip hinge unit and a mechanism for fixing the hip levers, and an additional removable frame in the form of two hinged pairs of levers.

The fundamental difference between such exoskeletons is that they still need direct support on the ground (floor), which significantly narrows the scope of their use. Also, the structure is attached along the entire height of the body from the floor and above the waist - hence the dimensions, weight and complexity of the design vary greatly, which affects the cost of such products. In turn, this leads to the cumbersome and clumsy design, not allowing it to be used in active modes: field conditions, sports and gymnastic purposes, etc.

The presented technical solutions, in terms of essential features and areas of use, are quite far from the declared knee support block.

Disclosure of the Invention

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

This technical result is achieved in that the support knee block for squatting contains a load-bearing part in the form of a truncated pyramid, the inner part of which is made of elastic material, and the upper and lower surfaces of the load-bearing part adjacent to the leg are concave; At least one harness belt is secured around the load-bearing part, to which elements of fastening to the leg are attached: a popliteal belt and a fastening belt on the shin. Saddles having a concave surface to fit the leg can be additionally attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the load-bearing part.

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

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

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

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

The connecting element of the saddles can be made in the form of an elastic bracket or in the form of an articulated-rotating mechanism.

The fastening elements can be attached to the saddles as follows: to the lower one - a popliteal strap and a shin strap; to the top - a belt for attaching to the thigh.

The fastening elements can also be attached as follows: to the lower saddle - a hamstring strap and a shin strap; to the connecting element - a belt for attaching to the thigh.

Magnetic-repellent stops or limit stops can be located on the inner surface of the seats, one opposite the other.

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

Brief description of drawings

In fig. Figure 1 presents a sketch drawing schematically depicting in three-dimensional projection the general view of the supporting knee block for squatting. In fig. 1a and 16 show options for making harness belts.

In fig. Figure 2 presents a sketch drawing depicting in three-dimensional projection a variant of the general appearance of the knee support block in use.

In fig. Figure 3 shows a sketch drawing schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a version of the support block containing an elastic bracket as a connecting element.

In fig. Figure 4 presents a sketch drawing schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a version of the support block containing magnetically repellent stops and a hinged-rotating mechanism as a connecting element.

In fig. Figure 5 presents a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a version of the support block, containing stops-limiters and a hinge-rotating mechanism as a connecting element.

In fig. 6 is a sketch drawing schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a version of a support block containing a spring mechanism and a hinged-rotating mechanism as a connecting element.

Figure 7 presents a sketch drawing schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a version of the support block containing an elastic bracket as a connecting element. On fig. 7a - in a non-working position with straightened legs - standing; in fig. 76 - in a working position with bent legs - squatting.

In fig. Figure 8 presents a sketch drawing schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a version of the support block containing stops and limiters and a hinged-rotating mechanism as a connecting element. In fig. 8a - in a non-working position with straightened legs - standing; in fig. 86 - in a working position with bent legs - squatting.

In fig. Figure 9 presents a sketch drawing, schematically depicting in a two-dimensional projection a version of a support block containing a spring shock absorber (gas lift) and an articulating mechanism as a connecting element.

In fig. 10-12 show photographs of prototypes of the knee support block and its use in the process of construction and installation work.

The following designations are used in the figures: 1 - load-bearing part: 1.1 - concave surface of the load-bearing part; 2.1... .2. and - harness straps, 3 - elements of fastening to the leg: 3.1 - popliteal belt, 3.2 - fastening belt on the shin, 3.3 - fastening belt on the thigh; 4.1 - upper saddle, 4.2 - lower saddle; 5 - locking locks, 6 - elastic bracket, 7 - swivel mechanism, 8 - magnetic-repellent stops, 9 - limit stops, 10 - spring mechanism, I - slots on the sides of the saddles, 12 - belt fastening bracket 3.3, 13 - spring shock absorber (gas lift).

Carrying out the invention

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

The load-bearing part of block 1 is the part of the device through which the body weight is directly distributed from the back of the thigh to the back of the lower leg. The concave upper and lower surfaces 1.1 of the load-bearing part ensure a tight fit of the knee support block to the leg. To increase comfort during use, the load-bearing part of the unit can have a fabric cover with soft inserts, and the cover can be removable.

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

The straps 2 can be sewn together longitudinally and/or transversely; they are fixed to the supporting part 1 using Velcro fasteners (not shown in the figure) or in another convenient and practical way.

The fastening elements 3 to the leg contain locking latches 5 and can be adjusted in length. Locks-clamps 5 are designed for fixing fastening elements on the legs; they can be made in the form of latches, Velcro, buttons, hooks or any other suitable properties.

Saddles 4.1 and 4.2, having a concave surface for contact with the leg, can be additionally attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the load-bearing part 1. For additional fixation of the block, on the sides of the upper 4.1 and lower 4.2 saddles, slots 11 can be made symmetrically, through which elements 3 of fastening to the leg are passed.

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

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

A variant of the knee support block (see Fig. 3-8) contains upper and lower saddles and elements for attaching to the leg, and the saddles are connected using a connecting element at an angle from 30 to 80 degrees; and the surfaces of the saddles adjacent to the leg are concave.

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

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

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

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

The support block may additionally contain a spring mechanism 10 connected to an articulating mechanism 7 and the inner surfaces of the seats, and providing adjustment of the angle at which the seats are connected.

The knee support block is used as follows.

The support block is secured to the legs from the back using fastening elements 3: a popliteal belt 3.1 and a fastening belt 3.2 on the shin. Then the user simply squats down, like on a chair, resting on his heels, or on the toes of his feet with his heels lifted off the surface of the ground (floor), depending on the need and convenience at a particular moment.

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

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

Implementation example A prototype of the supporting knee block was manufactured (see photo in Fig. 10-12). The beneficial effect of the knee support block has been demonstrated repeatedly under various conditions by several testers. During the tests, an obvious difference in the load on the ligaments and muscles of the legs was revealed, expressed in the fact that, after squatting on half-bent legs, squatting (without a supporting knee block), the experiment participant felt fatigue and numbness in his legs after just a few minutes and, getting up , experienced difficulty and discomfort in the knee joints. Another participant in the experiment, using a knee support block, felt light in his legs even after half an hour and could easily stand up quickly at any time without feeling stiffness or discomfort in his legs and back.

Also, during the tests, the test participant performed the following form: squatting, using the test device - (support knee block) on one leg, stretching the other horizontally in front of him, keeping his back straight, and stretching his arms to the sides, while leaning slightly with the fingers of one hands on the wall (only to maintain balance). He was then asked to perform the same form without the device - this proved impossible. Other participants in the experiment were also unable to repeat this exercise without using the test device.

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

Thus, a useful effect has been identified that qualitatively changes the user’s sensations when using the described products. It was found that the device does not interfere with sitting on an ordinary chair, armchair, sofa, etc. At the same time, the device is quite small and weighs less than a kilogram, which makes it portable, mobile, and does not feel like it restricts movement. What has been proven allows you to work (or relax) squatting, like on a chair, anywhere in space and sit fully, without additional support on the ground (floor) other than your feet.

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

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

In the prior art, no features were identified that coincided with the distinctive features of the claimed support block and affected the achievement of the declared technical result, therefore the claimed invention complies with the patentability condition “Inventive step”.

The information provided confirms the possibility of using the claimed knee support block to support the human body in a sitting position without additional support, which can be used in household, installation, construction and physical education activities, and therefore meets the patentability condition “Industrial applicability”.

Claims

Claim

1. A knee support block for squatting, comprising a load-bearing part in the form of a truncated pyramid, the inner part of which is made of elastic material, and the upper and lower surfaces of the load-bearing part adjacent to the leg are concave; At least one harness strap is attached around the load-bearing part, to which the fastening elements to the leg are attached: a popliteal strap and a shin strap.

2. The support block according to claim 1, characterized in that saddles having a concave surface for contact with the leg are additionally attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the supporting part.

3. The support block according to claim 2, characterized in that for additional fixation of the block, slots are symmetrically made on the sides of the upper and lower saddles, through which the fastening elements to the leg are passed.

4. The support block according to claim 1, characterized in that the block contains an additional element of fastening to the leg: a thigh strap attached to the harness belt.

5. The support block according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening elements to the leg and the straps are made elastic.

6. A knee support block for squatting, comprising upper and lower saddles and leg attachment elements, wherein the saddles are connected by a connecting element at an angle of 30 to 80 degrees, and the surfaces of the saddles adjacent to the leg are concave.

7. Support block according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting element of the saddles is made in the form of an elastic bracket.

8. Support block according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting element of the saddles is made in the form of an articulated-rotating mechanism.

9. The support block according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening elements are attached to the saddles as follows: to the lower one - a popliteal belt and a fastening belt on the lower leg; to the top - a belt for attaching to the thigh.

10. Support block according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening elements are attached as follows: to the lower saddle - a popliteal strap and a shin strap; to the connecting element - a belt for attaching to the thigh.

11. The support block according to claim 8, characterized in that magneto-repellent stops are located on the inner surface of the seats, one opposite the other.

12. The support block according to claim 8, characterized in that stops-limiters are located on the inner surface of the seats, one opposite the other.

13. The support block according to claim 8, characterized in that it additionally contains a spring mechanism connected to the articulating mechanism and to the internal surfaces of the saddles, and providing adjustment of the angle at which the saddles are connected.