DE102013014791A1 - Freely movable and elastic support part - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention consists in a freely movable, light and elastic support member (1), which assumes an additional support function when sitting on a desk, for example, sitting. This allowed a relaxation and relief of the musculature of the arms, shoulders, neck and the other spine in sedentary activity. A preferred embodiment can be cut out inexpensively from a single foam block. A preferred embodiment allows by elevations and depressions of the structural body a combined support of the upper and lower arm in functional position against forces down (1, 7, 8), forward (1), to the rear (2), to and to the body center (3 ) to relieve the arm muscles, the shoulder musculature and muscles of the cervical spine region. Recesses of the construction body for belly (4) and legs (5) allow a space-saving positioning of the support member between person and chair and desk. The weight load of the arms and the upper body is not transmitted via the spine, but over the load-transmitting portion of the support member (6) at least partially on the chair. The entire support part is freely movable and not firmly connected to a chair, table or person. Various arm positions can be taken over an additional support surface (8), which also allows a load transfer to the desk area.

Description

field of use

People with office jobs suffer from a high level of pain in the neck and shoulder regions and the arm or hands. Neck pain occurs in office work for up to 60% of workers ( Hush JM et al .. Individual, physical and psychological risk factors for Australian pain workers: a 1-year longitudinal study. Eur Spine J 2009, 18: 1532-1540 ). The prevalence of shoulder discomfort in computer work is up to 73% ( Cho CY, Hwang YS, Cherng RJ. Musculoskeletal symptoms and associated risk factors among office workers with high workload. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012 Sep; 35 (7): 534-40. ) In addition, such complaints are also complained of people during their free time when using computers.

While the time a person spends at a desk or computer can only be shortened to a limited extent, an attempt must be made to minimize the problem of one-sided and nonphysiological stress on the musculoskeletal system at work.

Exercise programs and behavioral modifications play a role here as well as special seating furniture such as seatballs. This is a good way to address lower back problems. Problems of the neck region and the shoulder occur more frequently and so far none of these methods can be sufficiently avoided.

• 1. Zur Entspannung und Entlastung der Haltemuskulatur der Arme, der Schultern, des Nackens und der weiteren Wirbelsäule bei der Arbeit oder in der Freizeit
• 2. Zur Prophylaxe von Beschwerden
• 3. Zur Prophylaxe von Haltungsschäden
• 4. Zur Therapie von Beschwerden
• 5. Zur Therapie von Haltungsschäden
• 6. Zur Nachbehandlung nach Operationen an Schulter und Halswirbelsäule

The Efindung takes on, among other things, the following functions.

• 1. For relaxation and relief of the musculature of the arms, shoulders, neck and other spine at work or at leisure
• 2. For the prophylaxis of complaints
• 3. For the prophylaxis of postural damage
• 4. For the treatment of complaints
• 5. For the treatment of postural damage
• 6. For follow-up after surgery on shoulder and cervical spine

State of the art

In the prior art solutions are disclosed which can be used as a table top over a support of the wrists (U005562270) or via a support of the forearms (US00D627987S, US Pat. US0053442006A ) should enable a relief of the musculoskeletal system in computer work.

The prior art further discloses solutions that provide support for the wrists ( US005462247A ), Forearms ( US005215282A ) and / or elbows ( US005385322 . US005597208A . US006938862B2 . US20100117415A1 ) should grant a device to be mounted on a table or chair or firmly connected

The prior art further discloses solutions which allow support on the legs of the person sitting ( US004052944 . US006061854A . US07717518B2 . US006957612B2 ).

Disadvantages of the prior art

None of the above Solutions allows a comparable with the invention described here complex three-dimensional support with a simple, free moving part.

Object of the invention

• 1. Combined support of the upper and lower arm in functional position against forces down, forward, backward and to the center of the body to relieve the arm muscles, the shoulder muscles and muscles of the cervical spine region
• 2. Cost-effective simple method without time (training, gymnastics) or personnel (physiotherapist, fitness trainer)
• 3. Improvement of the attitude in particular desk work
• 4. more comfortable position and relief of fuselage structures such as shoulder and cervical spine
• 5. Allow frequent changes of position of the upper and lower arm
• 6. Reduction of physical ailments
• 7. Reduction of sick leave due to illness
• 8. Economic benefit thereby
• 9. easy manufacturability
• 10. Free moving part for simplified application

Solution of the task

• 1. Der Ober- und Unterarm werden gegen die Schwerkraft nach unten gestützt. Hierdurch wird die Zugkraft, die durch das Eigengewicht des Armes entsteht und die Muskulatur des Schultergürtels und des Nackens belastet, reduziert.
• 2. Der Oberarm wird in einer in der Schulter nach vorne gerichteten (flektierten) und abgespreizten (abduzierten) Position gehalten. Hierdurch wird inbesondere der Deltamuskel und die Rotatorenmanschette entlastet. Eine Entlastung des Deltamuskels führt zur Reduktion des Druckes im Subacromialraum und beugt hiermit der Entstehung von subacromialen Schmerzen vor ( Payne LZ et al.. The combined dynamic and static contributions to subacromial impingement. Am J Sports Med 1997, Vol. 25, No. 6: 801–808 ).
• 3. Durch die Erhöhung des Unterarmes gegenüber der Schreibtischoberfläche müssen die Handgelenke zum Bedienen einer Tastatur weniger überstreckt werden. Dies für zu einer Entlastung der streckseitigen Unterarmmuskulatur. Das Auftreten von Reizungen der Sehnenansatzstellen und Sehnenscheiden wird verringert.

The solution of the above-mentioned tasks is the three-dimensional support of the upper and lower arm in functional position, especially for activities on the computer.

• 1. The upper and lower arms are supported against gravity downwards. As a result, the tensile force, which is caused by the weight of the arm and the musculature of the shoulder girdle and the neck loaded, reduced.
• 2. The upper arm is held in a forward (flexed) and spread (abducted) position in the shoulder. As a result, in particular the deltoid muscle and the rotator cuff are relieved. A relief of the Deltamus leads to the reduction of pressure in the subacromial space and thus prevents the development of subacromial pain ( Payne LZ et al .. The combined dynamic and static contributions to subacromial impingement. On J Sports Med 1997, Vol. 6: 801-808 ).
• 3. Increasing the forearm with respect to the desk surface means that the wrists need not be overstretched to operate a keyboard. This for a relief of the extensor muscles of the forearm. The incidence of irritation of tendon insertion sites and tendon sheath is reduced.

The invention allows a certain freedom of movement in the horizontal. In particular, the flexion of the elbow can be variable. The position of the shoulder joint is variable. By pressing the inside of the upper arm in a slightly splayed position on the invention, a change in position of the shoulder joint to the front or back without significant holding power can be done (unpublished experiments by the inventor of 12.5.2013).

Due to the light and elastic construction of the invention, the support member can be applied to chairs with seats of different widths. Likewise, it is thus possible to use it at different seat heights and in constitutionally different persons.

Advantages of the invention

• 1. Relaxation and relief of the musculature of the arms, shoulders, neck and other spine in sedentary activity
• 2. Erection of the upper body during sedentary work
• 3. No interruption of the work process necessary, since the placement of the invention takes only a few seconds
• 4. Freely movable
• 5. Low weight
• 6. Can be stored upright to save space
• 7. Aesthetic, sculptural form
• 8. Quick change between application and non-application possible
• 9. Support of the arm with simultaneous freedom of movement for the hand
• 10. Easy
• 11. Can be used on chairs with and without armrests
• 12. Cost-effective, therefore in large numbers within the scope of occupational prophylaxis programs
• 13. Adaptable to different chair shapes, seat widths, seat heights and different body shapes - due to the elasticity only one size necessary
• 14. various arm positions ingestible

Description of exemplary embodiments

An embodiment consists in a freely movable, light and elastic support member, which takes on an additional support function when sitting on a chair, for example. A preferred embodiment can be cut out inexpensively from a single foam block. A preferred embodiment allows by elevations and depressions of the structural body a combined support of the upper and lower arm in functional position against forces down ( 1 . 7 . 8th ), Forward ( 1 ), backwards ( 2 ), to and to the middle of the body ( 3 ) to relieve the arm muscles, the shoulder musculature and muscles of the cervical spine region. Recesses of the structural body for abdomen ( 4 ) and legs ( 5 ) allow a space-saving positioning of the support member between person and chair and desk. The weight load of the arms and the upper body is not on the spine but on the load-transmitting portion of the support member ( 6 ) at least partially transferred to the chair. The entire support part is freely movable and not firmly connected to a chair, table or person. Different arm positions are via an additional support surface ( 8th ) ingestible.

An embodiment of a support member according to the invention is characterized in that a combined support of the upper and lower arm in working position against forces downwards, forwards, backwards and to the middle of the body to relieve the arm muscles, the shoulder muscles and muscles of the cervical spine region, characterized characterized that the support part is freely movable and not firmly connected to a chair, table or person, characterized in that different arm positions are ingestible ( 1 and sample drawing 1 ).

A further embodiment of a support part according to the invention is characterized in that a support of the upper and lower arm in functional position by trough-shaped depression ( 1 ) on the support member secures the elbow against slipping forward, backward or to the side.

A further embodiment of a support member according to the invention is characterized in that an additional support of the upper and lower arm against backward forces by a rear support ( 2 ) he follows.

A further embodiment of a support part according to the invention is characterized in that an additional support of the upper arm against the forces acting on the body center by a lateral support ( 3 ) he follows.

A further embodiment of a support part according to the invention is characterized in that a planar support of the lower arm in functional position by an increase of the support surface is carried forward.

A further embodiment of a support part according to the invention is characterized in that recesses for the abdomen ( 4 ) and / or the legs ( 5 ) are incorporated.

A further exemplary embodiment of a support part according to the invention is characterized in that the load transfer is not completely transferred to a work surface or the armrests of a chair, but via the load-transferring portion (FIG. 6 ) of the support member is at least partially on the seat.

A further exemplary embodiment of a support part according to the invention is characterized in that the support part in the body-remote part is configured in such a way that a support surface ( 7 ) an at least partial support on the work surface is possible.

A further embodiment of a support part according to the invention is characterized in that the support part in the contact area for the lower arms different arm positions by a correspondingly increased further storage area ( 8th ) allowed.

Another embodiment of a support member according to the invention is characterized in that the support member is elastic.

A further embodiment of a support part according to the invention is characterized in that a production can be formed from a coherent body, in order to enable a cost-effective production.

Another embodiment of a support member according to the invention can be cut out of a solid polyurethane foam.

Another embodiment of a support member according to the invention can be made of an inflatable cave.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Trough-shaped recess for the elbow to prevent slipping forward, backward or to the side

2

additional rear support of the upper and lower arm against backward acting forces

3

additional lateral support of the upper arm against forces acting on the body center

4

Recess for the stomach

5

Recess for the legs

6

load-transmitting portion of the support member for transmitting forces to the seat

7

Support surface for at least partial support on the work surface

8th

increased further storage area for the forearms

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 0053442006 A [0005]
• US 005462247 A [0006]
• US 005215282 A [0006]
• US 005385322 [0006]
• US 005597208 A [0006]
• US 006938862 B2 [0006]
• US 20100117415 A1 [0006]
• US 004052944 [0007]
• US 006061854 A [0007]
• US 07717518 B2 [0007]
• US 006957612 B2 [0007]

Cited non-patent literature

• Hush JM et al .. Individual, physical and psychological risk factors for Australian pain workers: a 1-year longitudinal study. Eur Spine J 2009, 18: 1532-1540 [0001]
• Cho CY, Hwang YS, Cherng RJ. Musculoskeletal symptoms and associated risk factors among office workers with high workload. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012 Sep; 35 (7): 534-40. [0001]
• Payne LZ et al .. The combined dynamic and static contributions to subacromial impingement. On J Sports Med 1997, Vol. 6: 801-808 [0009]

Claims (10)

Support for the sitting position, especially when working on the computer, characterized in that a combined support of the upper and lower arm in functional position against forces down, forward, backward and to the center of the body to relieve the arm muscles, the shoulder muscles and muscles of the Cervical region, characterized in that the support member is freely movable and not fixed to a chair, table or person, characterized in that different arm positions are ingestible, characterized in that the support member is in terms of its outer mass of low weight, characterized in that the support member is elastic, characterized in that the support member can adapt to different seat heights and seat widths. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a support of the upper and lower arm in functional position by trough-shaped depression ( 1 ) on the support member secures the elbow against slipping forward, backward or to the side. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an additional support of the upper and lower arm against backward forces by a rear support ( 2 ) he follows. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an additional support of the upper arm against the forces acting on the body center by a lateral support ( 3 ) he follows. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support of the forearm in functional position by an increase of the support surface is carried forward. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that recesses for the abdomen ( 4 ) and / or the legs ( 5 ) are incorporated. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load transfer is not completely transferred to a work surface or the armrests of a chair, but via the load-transferring portion ( 6 ) of the support member is at least partially on the seat. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support part is configured in the remote portion so that by a support surface ( 7 ) an at least partial load transfer to the work surface is possible. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support part in the contact area for the lower arms different arm positions by a correspondingly increased further storage area ( 8th ) allowed. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a production can be formed from a coherent body in order to enable a cost-effective production.

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