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BR-102022017765-B1 - Exoskeleton for protection of the lumbar region muscles with opposing diagonal straps, combined with vertical adjustment of the exoskeleton, method of vertical adjustment of the exoskeleton and method of stabilizing the trunk with opposing diagonal straps between lower and upper limbs.

BR102022017765B1BR 102022017765 B1BR102022017765 B1BR 102022017765B1BR-102022017765-B1

Abstract

EXOSKELETON FOR PROTECTION OF THE LUMBAR REGION MUSCLES WITH COUNTERPOSED DIAGONAL STRAPS, COMBINED WITH VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE EXOSKELETON, METHOD OF VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE EXOSKELETON AND METHOD OF STABILIZING THE TRUNK WITH COUNTERPOSED DIAGONAL STRAPS BETWEEN LOWER AND UPPER LIMBS. EXOSKELETON having a vest (1) with a movable flap (104) attachable and adjustable to the lumbar belt (2) by hook fastener (106) and ring fastener (204) and elastic straps (3, 3b) equipped with an upper flexible strap (301) integral with the elastic rib band (303), integral with the lower flexible strap (304) attachable to the leg strap (4, 4b); the vest (1) is equipped with locking clips (5) attached to the straps (101, 101b) for locking the elastic strap (3), equipped with a pull tab (302) at the end which allows the operator, by opening the closure (502), to release the flexible strap (301); the leg loops (4, 4b) consist of blades (401, 402 and 403) and a safety flap (404), attached to the lower elastic bands (405); METHOD for vertical adjustment between the vest (1) and the lumbar belt (2) by means of displacement between the lower end (102) of the vest (1) and the upper end (201) of the lumbar belt (2), joined together by means of straps with hook fastener (106) to straps with ring fastener (204); METHOD of arranging the elastic straps (3, 3b) diagonally, so as to cross them and centered on the back of the vest under the (...).

Inventors

  • ALFREDO KIRYL MARCZYNSKI
  • DANIEL PACHECO CORREIA

Assignees

  • EXY EXOESQUELETOS LTDA

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20220905

Claims (9)

  1. 1. EXOSKELETON FOR PROTECTION OF THE LUMBAR REGION MUSCLES WITH COUNTERPOSED DIAGONAL STRAPS, COMBINED WITH VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE EXOSKELETON, equipped with a vest, in “Y” shape, formed by straps and lumbar strap, with vertical extension adjustment, having elastic straps interconnected to leg straps with closure by a strap with hook fastener and strap with ring fastener, characterized by the fact that the vest (1), in “Y” shape formed by left (101) and right (101b) straps, comprises the lower end (102) overlaid by a movable flap (104); the lower end (102) comprises a strap with hook fastener (106) applied to the upper face (103) and the movable flap (104) comprises a strap with hook fastener (106) applied to the lower face (105); lumbar belt (2), in “T” shape, whose upper end (201) on the posterior (202) and frontal (203) faces comprises straps with ring fastener (204); the straps (101, 101b) being equipped with loops (107, 107b) and the movable flap (104) with a central loop (108) for the elastic straps (3, 3b) which, at the base of the upper end (201) of the lumbar belt (2) are directed to the leg loops (4) by the loop (205); the elastic belt (3) being equipped with an upper flexible strap (301) integral with the costal elastic band (303) which is integral with the lower flexible strap (304) attachable to the leg loop (4, 4b); the vest (1) comprising, in the straps (101, 101b), locking clips (5) with base (501) integral on the median portion of the straps (101, 101b) for locking the elastic strap (3), whose upper flexible strap (301), equipped with a puller (302) at the end, passes between the base (501) and the closure (502) of the locking clip (5), allowing the operator, by opening the closure (502), to release the flexible strap (301) and its tension or retraction, the extension of which is conditioned by the elasticity of the elastic rib band (303) interposed between the upper flexible strap (301) and the lower flexible strap (304); the lower flexible strap (304) being connected to the leg loop (4b), with length adjustment by means of a tension clip (7); A second elastic strap (3b) is equipped with an upper flexible strap (301b) attached to the elastic back strap (303b) which is attached to the lower flexible strap (304b) attachable to the left leg strap (4); the vest (1) and lumbar strap (2) structurally comprise two layers of 600 thread count Polyester fabric (100% Polyester) filled with a 6mm EVA layer, joined with 100% Polyester edging; the leg straps (4, 4b) structurally comprise blades (401, 402 and 403) and a safety flap (404) in a single layer of 600 thread count Polyester fabric (100% Polyester), joined to the elastic bands (405) and to 100% Polyester tapes (406, 407) for retaining the ring and support strap; where the straps and tapes comprise 100% Polyester material; where a strap with hook fastener (408) is attached to the upper surface of the blade (401) and to the lower surface of the safety flap (404), and a strap with ring fastener (409) is attached to the lower and upper surfaces of the blade (402); where other accessories, straps and plastic parts are attached under this initial assembly; where the vest (1) comprises female fasteners (801) at the end of the right strap (101b), attachable to male fasteners (8) at the end of the left strap (101) of the side straps (206) attached to the lumbar strap (2), with length adjustment by means of a traction clip (7); the vest (1) comprising a male fastener (9) in a median portion of the right strap (101b), attachable to a female fastener (901) of the chest strap (109) attached to the median portion of the opposite strap (101), with length adjustment by means of a traction clip (7); the lumbar strap (2) comprising a lateral end provided with a female fastener (801) attachable to the male fastener (8) attached to the abdominal strap (207) attached to the opposite lateral end, with length adjustment by means of a traction clip (7); the leg strap (4, 4b) being interconnected at the base of the lumbar strap (2) by means of support straps (410) attached to the straps (407) and provided with length adjustment by means of a traction clip (7).
  2. 2. EXOSKELETON, according to claim 1 above, characterized by the fact that the elastic rib band (303, 303b) comprises a composite material of 75% Polyester and 25% Elastodiene with a width of 80 mm and a length of 170 mm; that the elastic rib band (303, 303b) is structurally formed by a blade, to provide pre-tension of up to 4.5 kg per elastic rib band (303 or 303b); that the elastic rib band (303, 303b) is structurally formed by two blades, to provide pre-tension of up to 9 kg per elastic rib band (303 or 303b); the elastic rib band (303, 303b) is structurally formed by three layers, to provide pre-tension of up to 14kg per elastic rib band (303 or 303b).
  3. 3. EXOSKELETON, according to claim 1 above, is characterized by the fact that the elastic band (405) comprises material composed of 75% Polyester and 25% Elastodiene, with a width of 120mm and a length of 80mm per band.
  4. 4. EXOSKELETON, according to claim 1 above, is characterized by the fact that the joining of the woven parts comprises a sewing method using sewing thread number 40, 100% polyamide; and that the joining of the woven parts comprises an electronic sewing method.
  5. 5. METHOD OF VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE EXOSKELETON, having vertical adjustment between the vest and the lumbar belt by means of displacement between the lower end of the vest and the upper end of the lumbar belt, characterized by the fact that the vertical adjustment between the vest (1) and the lumbar belt (2) by means of displacement between the lower end (102) of the vest (1) and the upper end (201) of the lumbar belt (2) comprises the union, between them, by means of straps with hook fastener (106) to straps with ring fastener (204); that the adjustment of the exoskeleton for the user's biotype (U), between vest (1) and lumbar belt (2) comprises, firstly, measuring the distance from the waistline (P1) to the shoulder line (P2) adjusting the distance between vest (1) and lumbar belt (2) with the measurement obtained.
  6. 6. VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT METHOD OF THE EXOSKELETON, according to claim 5 above, is characterized by the fact that the minimum adjustment distance between the vest (1) and lumbar belt (2) is 300 mm; and the maximum adjustment distance between the vest (1) and lumbar belt (2) is 450 mm.
  7. 7. METHOD OF STABILIZING THE TRUNK WITH DIAGONAL STRAPS OPPOSING BETWEEN LOWER AND UPPER LIMBS, having an elastic strap interconnected between the vest, lumbar belt and leg strap, characterized by the fact that it comprises the arrangement of the elastic straps (3, 3b) diagonally, so as to cross them and centered on the back of the vest under the central loop (108), positioning the elastic strap (3) passing the upper flexible strap (301) under the loop (107) of the left strap (101), with the lower flexible strap (304) passing under the loop (205) directed towards the right leg strap (4b) and positioning the elastic strap (3b) passing the upper flexible strap (301b) under the loop (107b) of the right strap (101b), with the lower flexible strap (304b) passing under the loop (205) directed towards the left leg piece (4).
  8. 8. METHOD OF STABILIZING THE TRUNK WITH DIAGONAL STRAPS COUNTERPOSED BETWEEN LOWER AND UPPER LIMBS, according to claim 7 above, characterized by comprising the overlapping arrangement of the elastic strap (3) over the elastic strap (3b); comprising the overlapping arrangement of the elastic strap (3b) over the elastic strap (3).
  9. 9. METHOD OF STABILIZING THE TRUNK WITH DIAGONAL STRAPS COUNTERPOSED BETWEEN LOWER AND UPPER LIMBS, according to claim 7 above, characterized in that the lower flexible strap (304, 304b) comprises length adjustment by means of a traction clip (7).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] This invention patent refers to a structural construction applied to an exoskeleton, in order to provide better stabilization of the user's trunk in movements with or without load, whether in squatting, stretching, twisting, bending, and combines a construction that allows better adaptation of the equipment to the user's biotype. This equipment is intended for use in activities involving spinal flexion, bending and/or squatting, such as logistical activities, lifting boxes, etc. [002] Initially, it is important to note that the CLT (Consolidation of Labor Laws), in its Article 198, states that "...the maximum weight that an employee can individually lift is 30 kg (thirty kilograms), except for special provisions relating to the work of minors and women." Another exception to Article 198 is that arising from collective bargaining agreements. Therefore, any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must take into account the value proposed by said Article 198 or collective bargaining agreement, thus considering the sum of the PPE and the load being lifted. [003] This equipment is mechanical, wearable, does not use batteries or electricity, and is made of fabric, plastic, and elastic materials. It is not classified as personal protective equipment (PPE), does not have a certified approval number (CA), is not a medical device or postural corrector, and therefore does not fall under the corresponding legislation. This equipment does not increase force and ergonomic limits must be respected; it should be used in conjunction with material lifting techniques to increase accident prevention. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART [004] Exoskeletons are structural devices designed to minimize stress on the lumbar spine during user movements and when lifting loads. Exoskeletons are divided into: [005] Soft passive exoskeletons, made of textile and elastomeric compounds, such as those from manufacturers Kinetic Edge Flex Lift and HeroWear Apex; [006] Rigid passive exoskeletons, equipped with fixed and articulated rigid components, from the manufacturers Laevo, Ottobock Paexo Back, SuitX BackX and Innophys Muscle Suit Every; [007] Robotic exoskeletons, equipped with fixed and articulated rigid components assisted by hydraulic, pneumatic or electric motors, such as those manufactured by German Bionic Cray X and Atoun Model Y. [008] Regardless of the differences in components (rigid versus soft) or actuation (passive versus motorized), each of these exoskeletons assists biomechanically by generating an extension moment (torque) on the lumbar spine during lifting, which reduces the load on the user's lumbar region. [009] It must be considered that the development of exoskeletons aims at reducing the weight of the equipment, especially in passive models, where the load is directly supported by the user and, in this sense, the reduction is achieved with the use of different materials that provide the necessary rigidity and malleability at various points. [010] Orthopedic and corrective vests make use of many of the constructive concepts currently applied in exoskeletons. [011] An example can be seen in patent document no. MU 60009250(1982) which presents an orthopedic and corrective vest for rib and lumbar deformities, showing the construction of the rib piece in polyamide, velcro closure on the waistband for adjustment, plastic strips with laces, velcro closure of the adjustable elastic straps, claiming to be made of polyamide fabric with a latex or similar base and elastic material. [012] Patent document no. WO2021092041A1 claims an interface system for an exoskeleton comprising a support belt, a set of straps and a frame system which includes a first frame member, the first frame member having an upper attachment portion configured to have a first assistive device attached to it in a shoulder mount assembly, the first frame member being connected to the belt assembly and extending from the user's left or right scapula laterally and connecting to the support belt. [013] Patent document no. US20180303699 claims a support having a rear support that is slidably adjustable in height relative to the base support by means of a plurality of openings aligned with vertical side grooves and fasteners. [014] Patent document no. WO2020183037 discloses a lumbar protection exoskeleton composed of a harness having a back elastic band with shoulder straps and a waist strap and two elastic straps at the bottom of the back elastic band with knee pads to hug the lower part of the patella, or any appropriate area of the user, and a foot attachment that extends from each elastic strap extending to the foot and gripping the contour of the foot or any other appropriate area. WO2020183037 shows elastic straps on the legs, a chest strap that pulls the suspenders, an elastic back harness, rigid suspenders equipped with adjusters, the strap providing the material for stretching or storing the material when shortening the co