A WEARABLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE

A wearable support structure (1) for at least partly relieving a human body (3) during walking and while said human body (3) is carrying a load at the back or the hip of said human body (3), said wearable support structure (1) comprising two foot attachments (5), a load support (7) and two leg structures (9), each of said two leg structures comprising: -a first rigid member (11) arranged for supporting said load support and pivotally connected, via a first pivot arrangement (13), to said load support, wherein a pivot axis (15) of a first pivot (17) of said first pivot arrangement, during use, is extending in a virtual plane that is parallel to a transverse plane of said human body and, preferably, at least substantially horizontal, preferably, wherein said first pivot arrangement is provided below said load support; -a second rigid member (19) arranged for supporting said load support, via said first rigid member, and pivotally connected, via a second pivot arrangement (21), to said first rigid member; -a third rigid member (23) arranged for supporting said load support via said first rigid member and said second rigid member, and pivotally connected, via a third pivot arrangement (25), to said second rigid member and pivotally connected, via a fourth pivot arrangement (27), to a respective one of said two foot attachments.

The present disclosure relates to a wearable support structure for at least partly relieving a human body during walking and while said human body is carrying a load at the back or the hip of the human body.

The wearable support structure according to the present disclosure comprises two foot attachments, wherein one of said two foot attachments is arranged to be connected to a left foot of said human body and wherein the other of said two foot attachments is arranged to be connected to a right foot of said human body, a load support arranged to support said load while said human body is carrying said load and two leg structures.

NL2017521 discloses a wearable support structure comprising two foot attachments, a load support and leg structures. Although this support structure functions well, it may be improved as regards ease of use while realising a relative large relief of a use and being relative comfortable to the user.

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

The objective is achieved by the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure by providing each of the two leg structures with:a first rigid member arranged for supporting said load support and pivotally connected, via a first pivot arrangement, to said load support, wherein a pivot axis of a first pivot of said first pivot arrangement, during use, is extending in a virtual plane that is parallel to a transverse plane of said human body and, preferably, at least substantially horizontal, preferably, wherein said first pivot arrangement is provided below said load support;a second rigid member arranged for supporting said load support, via said first rigid member, and pivotally connected, via a second pivot arrangement, to said first rigid member;a third rigid member arranged for supporting said load support via said first rigid member and said second rigid member, and pivotally connected, via a third pivot arrangement, to said second rigid member and pivotally connected, via a fourth pivot arrangement, to a respective one of said two foot attachments;
wherein said first rigid member is movable between a first position and a second position such that a minimum distance between said second pivot arrangement and said load support varies during a gait cycle of said human body.

By providing the first rigid member in addition to the second and third rigid member in combination with the first, second, third and fourth pivot arrangement the need for aligning the wearable support structure with a hip of the user is no longer required. The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight that for the known wearable support structure a relative accurate alignment between the wearable support structure and the hip of the user is required for realising a relative comfortable experience to the user. A misalignment may cause the leg structure of the wearable support structure to be longer or shorter than the corresponding leg of the user. It was found that even in situations wherein the wearable support structure was aligned with the hip of the user, during use of the wearable support structure, such as during walking, a misalignment may occur due to the fact that the human body is more mobile than the wearable support structure.

The provision of the first, second, third and fourth pivot arrangement increases the mobility of the wearable support structure and thereby avoiding, or at least significantly reducing the risk, of misalignment during use of the wearable support structure. It is to be understood that the first, second, third and fourth pivot arrangement allow the wearable support structure to provide a comfortable experience to the user while relieving the user even if the wearable support structure is not exactly following the human body during for instance walking or bending.

In addition, it is pointed out that for realising a relative comfortable experience to the user, using the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure, there is no longer the need, or at least a lesser need, for aligning the wearable support structure to the dimensions of the body of the user.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said first rigid member is further arranged for moving between said first position and said second position, such that, a minimum distance between said first pivot arrangement and said third pivot arrangement varies during said gait cycle. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said first rigid member is further arranged for moving between said first position and said second position, such that, in a stance phase of said human body, a minimum distance between said second pivot arrangement and said load support is different for said two leg structures. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In an embodiment of the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure, a pivot axis of a first pivot of said second pivot arrangement, during a swing phase of a corresponding leg of said human body, is at least substantially parallel to a bending axis of a hip joint of said human body, preferably parallel to a bending axis of a hip joint of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

It is advantageous, if, during a stance phase of a corresponding leg of said human body, a pivot axis of a first pivot of said third pivot arrangement is at least substantially parallel to a bending axis of a knee joint of said corresponding leg of said human body, preferably parallel to a bending axis of a knee joint of said corresponding leg of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, during a stance phase of a corresponding leg of said human body, a pivot axis of a first pivot of said fourth pivot arrangement is at least substantially parallel to a bending axis of an ankle joint of said corresponding leg of said human body, preferably parallel to a bending axis of an ankle joint of said corresponding leg of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user. The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight the known wearable support structure has a relative low mobility, during use, in the region of the ankle of the user. Because of this limited mobility of the wearable support structure, the mobility of the foot of the user is limited due to attachment of the foot attachments to the body of the user. The pivot axis of the first pivot of the fourth pivot arrangement being parallel to a bending axis of the ankle joint of said corresponding leg of said human body allows the user to move a foot relative to the lower leg without being hindered by the wearable support structure thereby allowing a more natural movement of the foot during walking.

In an embodiment of the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure, said first pivot arrangement comprises a second pivot, wherein a pivot axis of said second pivot is perpendicular to said pivot axis of said first pivot of said first pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In this regard, it is preferable if said second pivot of said first pivot arrangement is provided between said first rigid member and said first pivot of said first pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said second pivot arrangement comprises a second pivot and/or a third pivot, wherein pivot axes of said first pivot, second pivot and third pivot of said second pivot arrangement are arranged perpendicular to each other, preferably wherein said second pivot and/or said third pivot are provided between said first pivot of said second pivot arrangement and said second rigid member. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said second pivot of said second pivot arrangement is arranged such that, during use of the wearable support structure, said pivot axis of said second pivot of said second pivot arrangement is substantially parallel to a thigh of a corresponding leg of said user. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said wearable support structure, preferably said second pivot arrangement, comprises a biasing device for biasing said second rigid member relative to said first rigid member about said pivot axis of said second pivot of said second pivot arrangement.

Preferably, said biasing device is arranged for biasing, during use, said leg of said user towards a predetermined orientation for walking. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user. The predetermined orientation may correspond to a position of the leg and the foot wherein the front side of the foot is biased into a walking direction. Preferably, said biasing device comprises a spring element.

Preferably, said fourth pivot arrangement comprises a second pivot, wherein a pivot axis of said second pivot is perpendicular to said pivot axis of said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user. The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight the known wearable support structure has a relative low mobility, during use, in the region of the ankle of the user. Because of this limited mobility of the wearable support structure, the mobility of the foot of the user is limited due to attachment of the foot attachments to the body of the user. The pivot axis of the second pivot being of the fourth pivot arrangement being perpendicular to said pivot axis of said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement allows the user to move a foot relative to the lower leg without being hindered by the wearable support structure thereby allowing a more natural movement of the foot during walking.

In this regard, it is preferable if said second pivot of said third pivot arrangement is provided between said third rigid member and said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In a practical embodiment of the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure, said wearable support structure is arranged for being only connected to said human body via said load support and said two foot attachments. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said second rigid member and said third rigid member are arranged for being provided, during use, at a side of a leg of said human body that is opposite to the other leg of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

It is advantageous, if said pivot axis of said first pivot of said first pivot arrangement, said pivot axis of said first pivot of said second pivot arrangement, said pivot axis of said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement and/or said pivot axis of said first pivot of said fourth pivot arrangement are arranged for being, during use, parallel to a coronal plane of said human body or substantially perpendicular to a sagittal plane of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, each of said two leg structures comprises a fourth rigid member that is provided between said fourth pivot arrangement and a fifth pivot arrangement of said wearable support structure that is attached to said foot attachment. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

By providing the fourth rigid member between the fourth pivot arrangement and the fifth pivot arrangement the mobility of the wearable support structure may correspond to a relative large extent to the mobility of the ankle of the user. This is beneficial for providing a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user. The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight the known wearable support structure has a relative low mobility, during use, in the region of the ankle of the user. Because of this limited mobility of the wearable support structure, the mobility of the foot of the user is limited due to attachment of the foot attachments to the body of the user. The wearable support structure according to the present disclosure allows the user to move a foot relative to the lower leg without being hindered by the wearable support structure thereby allowing a more natural movement of the foot during walking.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said fifth pivot arrangement is arranged for being provided, during use, behind the back of a foot of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, each of said two foot attachment is formed as a shoe. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said first pivot, during use, is provided behind the back of said human body. This is beneficial for allowing the user to have a more upright position. The user does not need to lean forward to compensate for the weight of the load. That is because the load itself is directly supported by the support structure.

According to the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure, the force exerted by the load due to gravity is not first transferred into a forward direction towards the hips of the user before being transferred downwardly towards the feet of the user. The force exerted by the load is transferred from the load support directly downwards towards the foot attachments. Alternatively, the force exerted by the load may first be transferred sideways before being transferred downwards towards the foot attachments.

In an embodiment, said fifth pivot arrangement is releasably connected, preferably releasably connected via a bolt, to a respective one of said foot attachments.

Preferably, each of said two leg structures comprises a first dampening arrangement for dampening said leg structure during a stance phase of said corresponding leg of said user.

In this regard it is beneficial if said first dampening arrangement dampens pivoting of said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement during said stance phase.

Preferably, said first dampening arrangement comprises a first damper that at a first side thereof is connected to said second rigid member and a second side thereof, opposite of said first side, is connected to said third rigid member.

Preferably, said third pivot arrangement and/or said first dampening arrangement is arranged for allowing said third rigid member to pivot relative to said second rigid member during a swing phase of said corresponding leg of said human body and to lock said third rigid member in a position relative to said second rigid member during said stance phase of said corresponding leg of said human body.

Preferably, said wearable support structure comprises a second dampening element arranged for dampening a movement of said second pivot arrangement relative to said first pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for generating an upward force onto the load support during a stance phase and/or dampening a movement of the hip of the user relative to the load support.

According to a second aspect the present disclosure relates to a wearable support structure for at least partly relieving a human body, preferably during walking, while said human body is carrying a load at the back or the hip of said human body, said wearable support structure comprising:a foot attachment, wherein said foot attachment is arranged to be connected to a left foot of said human body or a right foot of said human body;a load support arranged to support said load while said human body is carrying said load; anda leg structure comprising:a first rigid member arranged for supporting said load support and pivotally connected, via a first pivot arrangement, to said load support, wherein a pivot axis of a first pivot of said first pivot arrangement, during use, is extending in a virtual plane that is parallel to a transverse plane of said human body and, preferably, at least substantially horizontal, preferably, wherein said first pivot arrangement is provided below said load support;a second rigid member arranged for supporting said load support, via said first rigid member, and pivotally connected, via a second pivot arrangement, to said first rigid member;a third rigid member arranged for supporting said load support via said first rigid member and said second rigid member, and pivotally connected, via a third pivot arrangement, to said second rigid member and pivotally connected, via a fourth pivot arrangement, to said foot attachment;
wherein said first rigid member is movable between a first position and a second position such that a minimum distance between said second pivot arrangement and said load support varies during a gait cycle of said human body.

Embodiments of the wearable support structure according to the second aspect correspond to embodiments of the wearable support structure according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The advantages of the wearable support structure according to the second aspect correspond to advantages of the wearable support structure according to first aspect of the present disclosure presented previously.

By providing the wearable support structure according to the second aspect with only one foot attachment and one leg structure a relative lightweight structure may be realised while allowing to provide support the a human body.

In addition, the wearable support structure according to the second aspect may for instance be beneficial for support a disabled person having one relative strong leg and one relative weak or injured leg, wherein the leg structure and the foot attachment correspond to the relative weak or injured leg of the human body.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said first rigid member is further arranged for moving between said first position and said second position, such that, a minimum distance between said first pivot arrangement and said third pivot arrangement varies during said gait cycle. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In an embodiment of the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure, a pivot axis of a first pivot of said second pivot arrangement, during a swing phase of a corresponding leg of said human body, is at least substantially parallel to a bending axis of a hip joint of said human body, preferably parallel to a bending axis of a hip joint of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

It is advantageous, if, during a stance phase of a corresponding leg of said human body, a pivot axis of a first pivot of said third pivot arrangement is at least substantially parallel to a bending axis of a knee joint of said corresponding leg of said human body, preferably parallel to a bending axis of a knee joint of said corresponding leg of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, during a stance phase of a corresponding leg of said human body, a pivot axis of a first pivot of said fourth pivot arrangement is at least substantially parallel to a bending axis of an ankle joint of said corresponding leg of said human body, preferably parallel to a bending axis of an ankle joint of said corresponding leg of said human body.

In an embodiment of the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure, said first pivot arrangement comprises a second pivot, wherein a pivot axis of said second pivot is perpendicular to said pivot axis of said first pivot of said first pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In this regard, it is preferable if said second pivot of said first pivot arrangement is provided between said first rigid member and said first pivot of said first pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said second pivot arrangement comprises a second pivot and/or a third pivot, wherein pivot axes of said first pivot, second pivot and third pivot of said second pivot arrangement are arranged perpendicular to each other, preferably wherein said second pivot and/or said third pivot are provided between said first pivot of said second pivot arrangement and said second rigid member. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said second pivot of said second pivot arrangement is arranged such that, during use of the wearable support structure, said pivot axis of said second pivot of said second pivot arrangement is substantially parallel to a thigh of a corresponding leg of said user. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said wearable support structure, preferably said second pivot arrangement, comprises a biasing device for biasing said second rigid member relative to said first rigid member about said pivot axis of said second pivot of said second pivot arrangement.

Preferably, said biasing device is arranged for biasing, during use, said leg of said user towards a predetermined orientation for walking. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user. The predetermined orientation may correspond to a position of the leg and the foot wherein the front side of the foot is biased into a walking direction. Preferably, said biasing device comprises a spring element.

Preferably, said fourth pivot arrangement comprises a second pivot, wherein a pivot axis of said second pivot is perpendicular to said pivot axis of said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user. The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight the known wearable support structure has a relative low mobility, during use, in the region of the ankle of the user. Because of this limited mobility of the wearable support structure, the mobility of the foot of the user is limited due to attachment of the foot attachments to the body of the user. The pivot axis of the second pivot being of the fourth pivot arrangement being perpendicular to said pivot axis of said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement allows the user to move a foot relative to the lower leg without being hindered by the wearable support structure thereby allowing a more natural movement of the foot during walking.

In this regard, it is preferable if said second pivot of said third pivot arrangement is provided between said third rigid member and said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In a practical embodiment of the wearable support structure according to the present disclosure, said wearable support structure is arranged for being only connected to said human body via said load support and said foot attachment. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said second rigid member and said third rigid member are arranged for being provided, during use, at a side of a leg of said human body that is opposite to the other leg of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

It is advantageous, if said pivot axis of said first pivot of said first pivot arrangement, said pivot axis of said first pivot of said second pivot arrangement, said pivot axis of said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement and/or said pivot axis of said first pivot of said fourth pivot arrangement are arranged for being, during use, parallel to a coronal plane of said human body or substantially perpendicular to a sagittal plane of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said structure comprises a fourth rigid member that is provided between said fourth pivot arrangement and a fifth pivot arrangement of said wearable support structure that is attached to said foot attachment. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said fifth pivot arrangement is arranged for being provided, during use, behind the back of a foot of said human body. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said foot attachment is formed as a shoe. This is beneficial for realising a wearable support structure that is relatively easy to use while realising a relative large relieve to a user and being relative comfortable to the user.

Preferably, said first pivot, during use, is provided behind the back of said human body. This is beneficial for allowing the user to have a more upright position. The user does not need to lean forward to compensate for the weight of the load. That is because the load itself is directly supported by the support structure.

In an embodiment, said fifth pivot arrangement is releasably connected, preferably releasably connected via a bolt, to said foot attachment.

Preferably, said leg structure comprises a first dampening arrangement for dampening said leg structure during a stance phase of said corresponding leg of said user.

In this regard it is beneficial if said first dampening arrangement dampens pivoting of said first pivot of said third pivot arrangement during said stance phase.

Preferably, said first dampening arrangement comprises a first damper that at a first side thereof is connected to said second rigid member and a second side thereof, opposite of said first side, is connected to said third rigid member.

Preferably, said third pivot arrangement and/or said first dampening arrangement is arranged for allowing said third rigid member to pivot relative to said second rigid member during a swing phase of said corresponding leg of said human body and to lock said third rigid member in a position relative to said second rigid member during said stance phase of said corresponding leg of said human body.

Preferably, said wearable support structure comprises a second dampening element arranged for dampening a movement of said second pivot arrangement relative to said first pivot arrangement. This is beneficial for generating an upward force onto the load support during a stance phase and/or dampening a movement of the hip of the user relative to the load support.

The wearable support structure1is arranged for relieving a human body3during walking, while the human body3is carrying a load at the back of the human body3. InFIGS.1to4, the parts of the wearable support structure1to be attached to a right foot of a user are shown. InFIGS.5to7, parts of the wearable support structure1to be attached to a left foot of a user are shown. The respective parts of the wearable support structure1to be attached to the other foot of a user, are composed mutatis mutandis in a symmetrical way. The wearable support structure1is connected to the human body3via a load support7and two foot attachments5.

The two foot attachments may be formed as a shoe. One of the foot attachments5is arranged to be connected to a left foot of the human body3the other foot attachments5is arranged to be connected to a right foot the human body3. The load support7is provided to support the load while the human body3is carrying the load, and the wearable support structure1furthermore comprises two leg structures9.

Each leg structure9is composed of a first rigid member11, a second rigid member19, a third rigid member23, and a fourth rigid member57.

The first rigid member11supports the load support7and is pivotally connected to the load support7via a first pivot arrangement13. The first pivot arrangement13is provided below the load support7and comprises a first pivot17and a second pivot41. The second pivot41is provided between the first rigid member11and the first pivot17. When attached to a corresponding leg of the human body3, the pivot axis15of the first pivot17is parallel to the coronal plane of the human body3. The pivot axis15of the first pivot17is extending in a virtual plane that is parallel to the transverse plane of the human body3and is substantially horizontal during walking. A pivot axis43of the second pivot41is perpendicular to the pivot axis15of the first pivot17.

The second rigid member19supports the load support7via the first rigid member11and is pivotally connected to the first rigid member11via a second pivot arrangement21. The second rigid member19is provided at a side of a leg of the human body3that is opposite to the other leg of the human body3. The second pivot arrangement21comprises a first pivot31, a second pivot45and a third pivot47. When attached to a corresponding leg of the human body3, the pivot axis29of the first pivot31is parallel to the coronal plane of the human body3, and the pivot axis51of the second pivot45is substantially parallel to the thigh of the corresponding leg of the user. During a swing phase of a corresponding leg of the human body3, a pivot axis29of the first pivot31is parallel to the bending axis of a hip joint of the human body3. The second pivot45and the third pivot47are provided between the first pivot31and the second rigid member19. The pivot axes29,51,49of the first pivot31, second pivot45and third pivot47are arranged perpendicular to each other.

The third rigid member23supports the load support7via the first rigid member11and the second rigid member19. The third rigid member23is provided at a side of a leg of the human body3that is opposite to the other leg of the human body3. The third rigid member23is pivotally connected to the second rigid member19via a third pivot arrangement25, and pivotally connected to the foot attachment5via a fourth pivot arrangement27. The third pivot arrangement25comprises a first pivot35and the fourth pivot arrangement27comprises a first pivot39and a second pivot53. The second pivot53of the fourth pivot arrangement27is provided between the third rigid member23and the first pivot39of the fourth pivot arrangement27. When attached to a corresponding leg of the human body3, the pivot axis33of the first pivot35of the third pivot arrangement25and the pivot axis37of the first pivot39of the fourth pivot arrangement27are parallel to the coronal plane of the human body3. During a stance phase of the corresponding leg of the human body3, a pivot axis33of the first pivot35of the third pivot arrangement25is parallel to the bending axis of a knee joint of the corresponding leg of the human body3, and a pivot axis37of the first pivot39of the fourth pivot arrangement27is parallel to the bending axis of an ankle joint of the corresponding leg of the human body3. A pivot axis55of the second pivot53is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the first pivot35of the third pivot arrangement25.

The fourth rigid member57is provided between the fourth pivot arrangement27and a fifth pivot arrangement59that is attached to the foot attachment5. The fifth pivot arrangement59is releasably connected via a bolt to the corresponding foot attachment5. During use, the fifth pivot arrangement is provided behind the back of a foot of the human body3.

The wearable support structure1is easy to use and provides a comfortable experience to the user while realising a relative large relieve to the user during walking or bending. Several steps during a gait cycle of the human body are show schematically inFIG.4, wherein the wearable support structure1is attached to the right leg of the human body3.

The first rigid member11is movable between a first position and a second position such that a minimum distance between the second pivot arrangement21and the load support7varies during a gait cycle of the human body3, and a minimum distance between the first pivot arrangement13and the third pivot arrangement25varies during a gait cycle of the human body3. In a stance phase of the human body3, the minimum distance between the second pivot arrangement21and the load support7is different for the two leg structures9.

The second pivot arrangement21is provided with a spring element61for biasing the second rigid member19relative to the first rigid member11about the pivot axis51of the second pivot45of the second pivot arrangement21. During use of the wearable support structure1when attached to a corresponding leg of the human body3, the spring element61biases the corresponding leg of the user towards a predetermined orientation for walking. The predetermined orientation corresponds to a position of the corresponding leg and the foot wherein the front side of the foot is biased into the walking direction.

For providing the appropriate support, the wearable support structure is provided with a first dampening arrangement63and a second dampening arrangement65.

The first dampening arrangement63damps the leg structure9during a stance phase of the corresponding leg of the user by damping the pivoting of the first pivot35of the third pivot arrangement25. A first side of the first dampening arrangement63is connected to the second rigid member19and a second side thereof is connected to the third rigid member23. The third pivot arrangement25and the first dampening arrangement63allow the third rigid member23to pivot relative to the second rigid member19during the swing phase of the corresponding leg of the human body3and to lock the third rigid member23in a position relative to the second rigid member19during the stance phase of the corresponding leg of the human body3.

The second dampening element65damps a movement of the second pivot arrangement21relative to the first pivot arrangement13. This generates an upward force onto the load support7during a stance phase and damps a movement of the hip of the user relative to the load support7.

The wearable support structure according to the second aspect differs mainly from the wearable support structure according to the first aspect in that the wearable support structure according to the second aspect is provided with one leg structure and one foot attachment. Elements of the wearable support structure according to the second aspect of the present disclosure are identical, or at least similar, to elements of the wearable support structure according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.