WO2018178897A1

WO2018178897A1 - A torque adjusting mechanical assembly in apparatus for body support

Info

Publication number: WO2018178897A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/052130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ganesh Ram JANGIR
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-28
Filing date: 2018-03-28
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-28

Abstract

A torque adjusting mechanical assembly is described. A first end of flexible element is fixed with upper element and a second end is engaged with a rack connected with first end of resilient means and the second end of the resilient means is fixed with the lower element enabling a connection which is enabled to store energy in the resilient means when there is an angular displacement between the upper element and the lower element. The outer end of rack makes the flexible element to pull when upper element is deflected from an initial position which store the energy in resilient mean wherein such stored energy provides a restoring torque which enables the upper element and lower element to restore to the initial position. Angular adjustment is enabled to adjust the torque angle and the radial adjustment is enabled to adjust the effective amount of torque to be delivered.

Description

Title of invention:

A TORQUE ADJUSTING MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY IN APPARATUS FOR BODY

SUPPORT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from an Indian Provisional patent application number 201711003199 filed on 28^th March 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure in general relates to body support devices. More particularly, the disclosure relates to back, waist, knee and lower foot support during range of mobility task including bending, kneeling, walking, climbing the stairs where there is a flexion -extension movement between the limbs.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals perform physical activities in their day-to-day life. Some individuals such as athletes perform to the limit of their physical ability, testing their endurance, strength, coordination, shock tolerance, or other physical variables. Some elderly or physically disabled experience difficulty in performing activities of their daily living due to reduced endurance, strength, injury-resistance, balance, or some other issues. Labors, engaged in physical activities, are at increased risk of injury due to repeatedly lifting heavy loads for longer duration which further cause difficulty in coordinating physical efforts (e.g. lifting a large object/load) between multiple people. A very common problem among elderly, professionals, laborers and farmers is highly debilitating pain that affects individuals regardless of age, ethnicity or economic status. Osteoarthritis is the single most common cause of disability, pain, lower quality of life among elderly. For the farmers and aged workers, osteoarthritis affects their livelihood and work efficiency. In the existing art, there are various braces that support either in flexion or in extension, and their support configuration mechanism is based on pre-tensioning the resilient means, bulky and lesser efficient mechanisms. Support devices may be able to ease some of the said issues. A variety of support devices, including various exoskeleton-based devices, may be developed to increase a user's strength, fatigue resistance, coordination, or other factors. Say, for example, knee support devices may reduce load on knee ligaments, protecting the ligaments from wear and tear. It is well known that knee surgery is a complex process and involves long recovery time. The individual may need to take enormous precautions even after surgery.

Patent reference number US8568344B2 discloses torso assist orthotic device configured to be worn by a user requiring assistance in holding his torso in a vertical position and returning his torso to a vertical position from a forward bent over position. The said patent reference discloses the implementation of torsion spring with a fixed resilience. Therefore, the user experiences the same resistance every time the user bends from the waistline which can be cumbersome task for the user as the user may not require the resistance every time from the same starting position. Further, the resistance of the orthotic device cannot be stopped or locked which is a major drawback.

In another Patent reference number US7410472B2 discloses an articulating joint that is disengage able between two modes of operation unidirectional movement of the joint or bidirectional movement of the joint. The said reference is bulky in nature having first and second clamping elements to prevent further flexion and extension. Therefore, there is a need of an efficient, compact and multifunctional assistive device to address the unaddressed need of individuals suffering from various knee/waist/elbow/joint problems that would increase the quality of life specially those who are suffering from knee/waist and other body pain problems. In yet another patent reference number US5372574A, an artificial limb joint device for hinging adjoining body protecting members to turn on an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the body protecting members is described. Such reference is limited to only providing of support for knee which does provide any force which eases the movement. It is limited in providing support structurally and lacks a functional aspect in providing joint position retention. In yet another patent application reference number US20130245524A1, A Knee-Ankle-Foot- Orthoses (KAFO) brace having a moment generator is described. The moment generator comprises a pulley concentric to the knee joint and a cable extending over the pulley. The device is further powered by a motor and torque transmission device for supporting movements around the knee and ankle. Such reference is dependent upon powered means is functional only when it has a source of power. Therefore, it has a high probability of failure when there is a low or no power supply.

Therefore, there is a need of an efficient, compact and multifunctional assistive device to address the unaddressed need of individuals suffering from various knee/waist/elbow/joint problems that would increase the quality of life specially those who are suffering from knee/waist and other body pain problems.

SUMMARY

Before the present apparatuses, methods and systems along with components related thereto are described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methods, apparatuses, systems and their arrangement as described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure but may still be practicable within the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the subject matter nor it is intended for use in detecting or limiting the scope of the subject matter.

In one embodiment, a torque adjusting mechanical assembly is described. The assembly comprising of an upper element hinged with a lower element, one or more angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly, a flexible element; and one or more resilient means with a fixed end and a free end. The first end of flexible element is fixed with upper element near the hinge and flexible element passes nearby the single point and a second end is connected with free end of resilient means and the fixed end of the resilient means is fixed with the lower element. The single point makes flexible element to pull when upper element is deflected from an initial position wherein such deflection results in storing energy in resilient mean wherein such stored energy provides a restoring torque in user-specific pattern which enables the upper element and lower element to restore to the initial position of mechanical assembly. The angular adjustment in rack sub assembly adjust the torque angle or torque pattern and the radial adjustment in rack assembly is enabled to adjust the effective amount of torque to be delivered.

In another embodiment, a method of adjusting torque in a torque adjusting mechanical assembly is described. The method comprising setting an angle and the amount of torque to be applied between the upper element and lower element via an angular and radial adjustable rack subassembly further comprising a flexion adjustment means, an extension adjustment means and an angle adjustment means which are enabled to provide an angle at which the restoring torque is effective during the flexion and the extension movements between the upper element and lower element and the amount of moment arm is set by sliding the flexion support adjustment means and the extension support adjustment means wherein the restoring torque is enabled by storing and releasing the potential energy present in the resilient means from the set angle. The method comprising creating a torque, during the flexion and extension movement between the upper element and the lower element which enables angular and radial adjustable rack subassembly to generate potential energy by the effect of expansion of the resilient means wherein the resilient means is expanded by the flexible element and through the arrangement and engagement of flexion or extension single point which is connected to the flexion or extension support adjustment means and the flexion or extension support adjustment lock thereby providing a resistance in performing flexion and extension. The method further comprising wherein the torque is varied by sliding the position of the flexion single point or the extension single point via the flexion button or extension button characterized in that sliding of the flexion single point and the extension single point enables to change the moment arm to provide variable torque.

In yet another embodiment, a torque adjusting mechanical assembly implemented in a body support apparatus comprising enabled to support flexion and extension movements is described. The body support apparatus further comprises one or more straps attached to an upper element and a lower element enabled for wearing the apparatus to the body of user. The body support apparatus further comprises a waist element enabled to wrap around the waist of the user for obtaining a firm support of the apparatus to the user body. The body support apparatus further comprises a back structure comprising shoulder straps, slotted frame for height adjustment of the user, and a spinal frame comprising resilient means. The body support apparatus further comprises wherein the torque adjusting mechanical assembly is enabled to store the potential energy when the assembly is deflected from the neutral position and release the potential energy in the form of torque when the assembly is redirected to the neutral position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying Figures. In the Figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the Figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

Figure la illustrates a torque adjustment mechanical assembly of body support device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure and also illustrate flexible element during flexion. Figure lb illustrates an exploded view of torque adjustment mechanical assembly of body support device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure lc illustrates a torque adjustment mechanical assembly of body support device and flexible element during extension, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2a illustrates the body support device along with ankle element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2b illustrates another embodiment of the body support device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure

Figure 3 illustrates a body support apparatus comprising the body support device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A torque adjusting mechanical assembly and a method of implementation of the assembly in a body support apparatus is described.

Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.

Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

The present disclosure relates to body supporting device. The body supporting device may comprise a torque adjustment mechanical assembly 100. Figure 1 illustrates the torque adjustment mechanical assembly 100 of body support device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, Figure la illustrates the torque adjustment mechanical assembly with all elements of body support device in exploded view, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mechanical assembly 100 may allow the storage of potential energy due to gravitation when it is deflected from the neutral position. The extent of the energy may be configured using torque adjustment mechanical assembly 100. In an embodiment, the energy of the mechanical assembly 100 can support user's knee while in flexion and extension movements as per configuration. However, the mechanical assembly may also be implemented as waist supporting apparatus or ankle supporting apparatus. There may be other efficient mean that can effectively transfer load from knee and lower ankle to ground. In an embodiment, the assembly 100 may comprise an upper element 101 hinged with a lower element 102, one or more angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 120, a flexible element 104; and one or more resilient means 108 with a fixed end 122 and a free end 121. The assembly is such that the first end of flexible element 104 may be fixed with upper element 101 near the hinge and flexible element may pass nearby the single point 106 and a second end may be connected with free end 121 of resilient means and the fixed end 122 of the resilient means is fixed with the lower element 102. The single point 106 may make the flexible element 104 to pull when upper element 101 is deflected from an initial position wherein such deflection results in storing energy in resilient mean 108 wherein such stored energy provides a restoring torque in user-specific pattern which enables the upper element 101 and lower element 102 to restore to the initial position of mechanical assembly 100. The angular adjustment in rack sub assembly 120 adjust the torque angle or torque pattern and the radial adjustment in rack 120 is enabled to adjust the effective amount of torque to be delivered.

In an implementation, the current disclosure is described as implementation of upper element as thigh element and the lower element has a leg element. It is to be noted that the upper element and the lower element are not limited to only thigh element or leg element, however they may be any element in which there is a presence of a joint and wherein the joining elements between the joint undergo flexion or extension movements.

The mechanical assembly 100 may comprise of a thigh element 101, a leg element 102 and one or more angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 120 further comprising a flexion adjustment means 110, an extension adjustment means 111 and an angle adjustment means 112. The flexion adjustment means may further comprise flexion support angle adjustment 103, flexion support adjustment 113, support adjustment lock 114, flexion single point 106, a shaft 123, a flexion button 116. The extension adjustment means 111 may further comprise an extension support angle adjustment 104, extension support adjustment 119, extension single point 107. The mechanical assembly 100 may further comprise a flexible wire or rope 104 and one or more powered or unpowered resilient means 108. The shaft 123 may act as an essential element of the mechanical assembly 100. The thigh element 101 and leg element 102 may be connected by the shaft 123. Some of the other elements of the mechanical assembly 100 may also be mounted on the shaft. The torque can be varied by varying the sliding position of the flexion single point 106 or the extension single point 107 or by both. The flexion or extension support angle adjustment (103 or 105) may also be locked by the button 118 at desired angle respectively. After setting at the desired angle, the torque of the mechanical assembly 100 may come in action after the thigh element 101 reaches the desired angle in other direction. The flexion/extension single point (106 or 107) may push the flexible element, enabling expansion of the resilient means 108. The expanded resilient means 108 is further enabled to produce counter torque to come back to neutral position. In an embodiment, the resilient means 108 may comprise a spring, gas spring, lockable gas spring, elastic elements, hydraulic mechanism, powered or unpowered force mean, controlled and uncontrolled force mean or electric motors or any combination of thereof. In another embodiment, the resilient means 108 may be used together with or may be replaced with powered force mechanism like actuators, electric motor system or hydraulics and the like. The support and torque of the hinges may be controlled using powered mechanism, unpowered mechanism, programmable circuit, computer program or/and computer program that read the body parameter for example electromyography, neural signal; and any combination thereof. The said phenomena may enable the mechanical assembly 100 to conserve the torque obtained from the user's muscles which is stored in the form of potential energy in the resilient means 108 when the user performs a flexion movement and may further use the stored potential energy from the resilient means 108 to produce counter torque, as extension, to bring back the user body to neutral position.

In an embodiment, the one or more angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 120 may be implemented in combination 109 for flexion and extension movement and may further comprise a flexion adjustment means 110, an extension adjustment means 111 and an angle adjustment means 112. The flexion adjustment means 110 may comprise flexion support angle adjustment 103, flexion support adjustment means 113, support adjustment lock 114, flexion single point 106 wherein the flexion support adjustment means 113 may be enabled to slide in a slot present in the flexion support angle adjustment 103. The extension adjustment means 111 may comprise extension support angle adjustment 105, extension support adjustment means 119 flexion single point 107 wherein the extension support adjustment means 119 is enabled to slide in a slot present in the extension support angle adjustment 105. The angle adjustment means 112 may comprise an angle adjustment button 118 which may enable the flexion support adjustment means 113 and the extension support adjustment means 119 to unlock and rotate freely and further to lock at a pre-defined angle set by the user.

In yet another embodiment, the resilient mean 108 may be controlled, locked or unlocked either by an automatic or manual latch, switch or any powered and unpowered mean to provide the required torque. Furthermore, the automatic latch or switch may be activated and deactivated either using a load on the torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 or upper element 101 or lower element 102 or using the shocker and adjuster 125, 201 or on any manual or automatic mean or by digital or electronic means enabled to measure body parameters may comprising muscles electromyography signals, muscle and body part movements. In yet another embodiment, the length and angle from the hinge to the flexion single point 106 defines the moment arm for providing torque wherein such torque is generated and released when the flexion single point 106 or the extension single point 107 is contact with the flexible element 104.

Figure lc illustrates the body support device of Figure 1 and its elements duirng extension movement of lower element 101 and upper element 102.

Figure 2a illustrates the body support device along with ankle element (wherein such body support device can be 101 as a thigh element or 102 as a leg element), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the mechanical assembly 100 may comprise a slot in the thigh element 101 wherein a push button (116 and 117) may slide within the slot. The mechanical assembly 100 may further comprise a slot in the leg element 102. The slot in the leg element 102 may allow a plate or frame, comprising a shaft 115 and resilient means 108, to slide within the slot. The frame may move longitudinally with the shaft 115 engaged with toothed rack. One end of the toothed rack may be connected to flexible element 104 and another end of the toothed rack to the resilient means 108. The shaft 115 may be locked within the tooth of the rack to lock displacement of the frame within the slot of the leg element 102. Another flexible element 104 may be connected to the shaft 123 of the frame of the leg element 102 on one side and to push button of the thigh element 101. The flexible element 104 may enable the user to lock/unlock the flexion or extension whenever required. The ankle element may have foot rest element 203 hinged with the lower element 102 to transfer the body load to ground. The movement of footrest element 203 can be controlled using the elongation in resilient 108 using guided mean 205. The ankle element also has the shocker cum height adjuster 201. The shocker cum height adjuster 201 can also control the Latch 123 using the guided element 204.

Referring figure 2b illustrates another embodiment of the body supporting device. In this embodiment, a moveable frame having a slot may be allowed to slide on the leg element 102. The slot within the frame may allow to adjust the distance of the flexible element 104 and the leg element 102. The adjustment of the distance may further enable adjustment of the torque of the mechanical assembly 100.

Referring figure 3, the body support apparatus 300 comprising the body support device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure to support spine, waist and hip joint. The apparatus 300 may be unpowered or powered. The powered apparatus may comprise a motor that may drive various elements of the apparatus. The apparatus 300 is wearable by the user over or under the garments. The thigh element 101 and the leg element 102 may comprise a strap 124 for the wearing the apparatus to the body of user respectively. The apparatus 300 may optionally comprise of waist element 302 and back structure 301. The waist element 302 may be wrapped around the user's waist for firm support of the apparatus to the user body. The waist element 302 may also comprise the torque adjustment assembly wherein the assembly may be placed near pelvic region of the user such that the pelvic region, in this case, may be considered as the thigh element of the mechanical assembly. The back structure 301 may comprise shoulder straps 124, a slotted frame for height adjustment of the user, and a spinal frame comprising resilient means.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the body supporting device described above may be used in multiple applications including but not limited to:

^■ Elder people

^■ People suffering from knee problem.

^■ Laborers or people having engaged in physical and repetitive activities (e.g. lifting a large object/load) In an embodiment, a method 200 of adjusting torque in a torque adjusting mechanical assembly is described. The method may comprise setting an angle and the amount of torque to be applied between the upper element 101 and lower element 102 via an angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 109 further comprising a flexion adjustment means 110, an extension adjustment means 111 and an angle adjustment means 112 which are enabled to provide an angle at which the restoring torque is effective during the flexion and the extension movements between the upper element 101 and lower element 102 and the amount of moment arm is set by sliding the flexion support adjustment means 113 and the extension support adjustment means 119 wherein the restoring torque is enabled by storing and releasing the potential energy present in the resilient means 108 from the set angle. The method may further comprise creating a torque, during the flexion and extension movement between the upper element 101 and the lower element 102 which enables angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 109 to generate potential energy by the effect of expansion of the resilient means 108 wherein the resilient means 108 is expanded by the flexible element 104 and through the arrangement and engagement of flexion or extension single point (106 or 107) which is connected to the flexion or extension support adjustment means (113 and 119) and the flexion or extension support adjustment lock 114 thereby providing a resistance in performing flexion and extension. The method may further comprise wherein the torque is varied by sliding the position of the flexion single point 106 or the extension single point 107 via the flexion button 116 or extension button 117 characterized in that sliding of the flexion single point 106 and the extension single point 107 enables to change the moment arm to provide variable torque.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs or the description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. The present invention can be embodied in many other forms or carried out in other ways, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, and the abovementioned embodiment of the invention have been disclosed in detail only for illustrative purposes. It is understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and all such variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 characterized in that the said assembly comprising of:

an upper element 101 hinged with a lower element 102;

one or more angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 120; a flexible element 104; and one or more resilient means 108 with a fixed end 122 and a free end 121 ; wherein first end of flexible element 104 is fixed with upper element 101 near the hinge and flexible element passes nearby the single point 106 and a second end is connected with free end 121 of resilient means and the fixed end 122 of the resilient means is fixed with the lower element 102;

wherein the single point 106 makes flexible element 104 to pull when upper element 101 is deflected from an initial position wherein such deflection results in storing energy in resilient mean 108 wherein such stored energy provides a restoring torque in user- specific pattern which enables the upper element 101 and lower element 102 to restore to the initial position of mechanical assembly 100;

wherein angular adjustment in rack sub assembly 120 adjust the torque angle or torque pattern and the radial adjustment in rack 120 is enabled to adjust the effective amount of torque to be delivered.

2. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the one or more angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 120 is implemented in combination 109 for flexion and extension movement and further comprising a flexion adjustment means 110, an extension adjustment means 111 and an angle adjustment means 112; wherein the flexion adjustment means 110 comprise flexion support angle adjustment 103, flexion support adjustment means 113, support adjustment lock 114, flexion single point 106 wherein the flexion support adjustment means 113 is enabled to slide in a slot present in the flexion support angle adjustment 103; wherein the extension adjustment means 111 comprise extension support angle adjustment 105, extension support adjustment means 119 flexion single point 107 wherein the extension support adjustment means 119 is enabled to slide in a slot present in the extension support angle adjustment 105; wherein the angle adjustment means 112 comprises an angle adjustment button 118 which enables the flexion support adjustment means 113 and the extension support adjustment means 119 to unlock and rotate freely and further to lock at a pre-defined angle set by the user.

3. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the resilient means 108 comprises either of a spring, gas spring, lockable gas spring, elastic elements, hydraulic mechanism, powered or unpowered force mean, controlled and uncontrolled force mean or electric motors or any combination of thereof and resilient means 108 is enabled to store energy when there is an angular displacement between the upper element 101 and the lower element 102.

4. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the resilient mean 108 may be controlled, locked or unlocked either by an automatic or manual latch, switch or any powered and unpowered mean to provide the required torque.

5. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the automatic latch or switch is activated and deactivated either using a load on the torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 or upper element 101 or lower element 102 or on any manual or automatic mean or by digital or electronic means enabled to measure body parameters may comprising muscles electromyography signals, muscle and body part movements.

6. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the length and angle from the hinge to the flexion single point 106 defines the moment arm for providing torque wherein such torque is generated and released when the flexion single point 106 or the extension single point 107 is contact with the flexible element 104.

7. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the mechanical assembly 100 is optionally implemented as a knee supporting device for flexion and extension movements or assisting the knee during walking , climbing, standing up, load sharing, knee correction wherein the upper element 101 is engaged with thigh and the lower element 102 is engaged with calf or parts below knee wherein the upper element 101 and lower element 102 are facilitated by griping straps or cushioning pads to enable better engagement with knee and support to knee.

8. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the restoring torque is effective when the upper element 101 and lower element 102 reaches or passes the set angles during flexion and extension and restoring torque provide and soft stop after passing the set angle.

9. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, the lower element 102 of the knee supporting device of claim 7, is extendable to an ankle support engaging element which can transfer the load to ground through footrest 203 and shocker cum adjuster 201 and wherein the footrest 203 movement may be controlled based on the elongation in resilient mean 108 using a guided element 204; wherein the resilient mean latch 123 may be controlled by load through shocker cum adjuster 201.

10. The torque adjuster mechanical assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the assembly 100 is optionally implemented as back supporting device when upper element 101 is engaged with upper torso and lower element 102 is engaged with thigh and is enabled to facilitate by griping straps or cushioning pads to enable better engagement with upper torso and thigh.

11. A method 200 of adjusting torque in a torque adjusting mechanical assembly, the method characterized in that:

setting an angle and the amount of torque to be applied between the upper element 101 and lower element 102 via an angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 109 further comprising a flexion adjustment means 110, an extension adjustment means 111 and an angle adjustment means 112 which are enabled to provide an angle at which the restoring torque is effective during the flexion and the extension movements between the upper element 101 and lower element 102 and the amount of moment arm is set by sliding the flexion support adjustment means 113 and the extension support adjustment means 119 wherein the restoring torque is enabled by storing and releasing the potential energy present in the resilient means 108 from the set angle;

creating a torque, during the flexion and extension movement between the upper element 101 and the lower element 102 which enables angular and radial adjustable rack sub-assembly 109 to generate potential energy by the effect of expansion of the resilient means 108 wherein the resilient means 108 is expanded by the flexible element 104 and through the arrangement and engagement of flexion or extension single point (106 or 107) which is connected to the flexion or extension support adjustment means (113 and 119) and the flexion or extension support adjustment lock 114 thereby providing a resistance in performing flexion and extension; wherein the torque is varied by sliding the position of the flexion single point 106 or the extension single point 107 via the flexion button 116 or extension button 117 characterized in that sliding of the flexion single point 106 and the extension single point 107 enables to change the moment arm to provide variable torque.

12. The method of claim 11 adjusting torque in a torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100, wherein the torque is varied by sliding the position of the flexion single point 106 or the extension single point 107 via the flexion button 116 or the extension button 117 characterised in that sliding of the flexion single point 106 and the extension single point 107 enables to change the moment arm to provide variable torque.

13. A torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 implemented in a body support apparatus to support spine, waist and hip join and comprising enabled to support flexion and extension movements, the body support apparatus further comprising: one or more straps attached to an upper element 101 and a lower element 102 enabled for wearing the apparatus to the body of user; a waist element 301 enabled to wrap around the waist of the user for obtaining a firm support of the apparatus to the user body; a back structure 302 comprising shoulder straps, slotted frame for height adjustment of the user, and a spinal frame comprising resilient means 108; wherein the torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 is enabled to store the potential energy when the assembly is deflected from the neutral position and release the potential energy in the form of torque when the assembly is redirected to the neutral position.

14. The torque adjusting mechanical assembly 100 implemented in a body support of claim 13, wherein the torque adjusting mechanical assembly is implemented as;

a knee supporting device when the upper element is engaged with thigh element and lower element is engaged with calf or leg;

an ankle supporting device when the upper element is engaged with leg and lower element is engaged with the foot; and

a waist supporting device when the upper element is engaged with the waist and the lower element is engaged with the thigh.