WO2002065969A2

WO2002065969A2 - Ambulatory assist device

Info

Publication number: WO2002065969A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/001253
Authority: WO
Inventors: Blair Truxal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-15
Filing date: 2002-02-13
Publication date: 2002-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2003-08-15
Also published as: AU2002236773A1; WO2002065969A3

Abstract

A device that assists a user to become ambulatory by holding the user vertically to allow the user to move without falling, should they loose their balance.

Description

AMBULATORY ASSIST DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention claims the benefit of the U. S. Provisional application 60/268,720 filed on February 15, 2001.

The present invention relates to a device that assists a user in walking without falling and hitting the floor should they loose their balance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices, like walkers, that are used to support a person and permit the person to be mobile are known. For example, U.S. Patent 3, 778,052 to Andow et al. discloses a wheeled support structure with a frame and a supporting harness suspended from the frame.

U.S. Patent 4,941,497 to Prather et al. discloses a walker device that has a frame, wheels and a support structure supported on the frame.

U.S. Patent 5,224,721 to Santmann discloses a walker with a gate

, Page 1 pivoted on one rear leg which supports a seat for the user.

U.S. Patent 5,603,677 to Sollo discloses a physical rehabilitation system with a patient support strap attached to an upper portion of the device.

In the present invention a portable assist device has a pair of inverted T-shaped frame supports having retractable seat belt like devices attached adjacent their upper portions while a user wears a harness with a complimentary portion that connects to the seat belt, all as will be detailed in the specification that follows hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device that assists a user become ambulatory by holding the user vertically to allow the user to move without falling, should they loose balance.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide for an improved ambulatory assist device which safely enables the user to use the support device while permitting movement of the device by the user.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to readers from a consideration of the ensuing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention with a user shown in dotted line format.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention. FIG. 3 is top of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention with a potential user shown in dotted line format. Two spaced, inverted T-shaped rigid frame members 1 and 3 are joined together by a horizontal bar 5. Members 1 and 3 are substantially identical to each other in size and shape, and are in a parallel relationship with respect to each other. Each member 1 and 3 has a lower horizontal segment 8. The bar 5 is secured at its ends to each of the frame members 1 and 3 at a height above the ground slightly above waist height. It may also be adjustable in height along the vertical segments to accommodate different sized users. At the upper ends of the of members 1 and 3 is a cross bar member 7. Two retractable seat belt 11 and 13, are each attached adjacent cross bar member 7. These seat belts are flexible and extend a given distance but no more. At the end of each seat belt is a conventional clasp that may engage and lock to a seat belt latch, 15 or 17, mounted on a chest harness 19.

The chest harness 19 has two straps 21 and 23 that fit over the shoulders of a user and a lower belt 25 that goes around the user's waist. A conventional belt buckle 27 may used to fix the harness about a user. There also may be length an adjustment mechanism built into each of the two shoulder straps 21 and 23 to vary their length. By pulling on the ends of the seat belts 11 or 13 one or both of the belts may be extended to engage the seat belt latch 15 or 17. Conversely, a user may be unlatched from these seat belt latches by depressing biased locking mechanisms forming part of and located in them. Such conventional latches are similar to the retractable seat belts commonly found in airplanes or automobiles and no further description is believed necessary.

When the harness 19 is properly in place on a user and the seat belt ends engaged with the harness latches 15 and 17, the user is vertically supported by the frame members 1 and 3 and the bar member 5, if they were to fall.

There is a degree of freedom of movement permitted with this set up. The two pairs of rolling wheels 29 and 31 , with each pair having two lower swivel mounted wheels are mounted to each of the members 8. Each wheel may be locked in place to prevent rolling. Also, when allowed to roll, may be steered as the user pushes the bar 5. To use the device, the user grabs the bar 5 with his or her elbows bent and pushes forward, backward or to the side as desired.

Also, as shown in Fig. 1 two horizontally disposed handles 33 and 35 are fixed to the frame members 1 and 3, and extending to the rear of the device. These handles help support the weight of the user. There are four handles, two on each vertical frame segment. The handles permit a user to raise themselves by pushing down while the wheels are locked in placed. Such lockable swivel mounted wheels are conventional in design and are found on many types of transport devices, like carts used to transport goods, therefore, no further description is necessary or will be given.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention. The user and the harness are not shown in this view. Only one of the two identical T-shaped frame segments of the members 1 , 3 is shown in Fig. 2. The two handles 33 and 35 are shown facing to the rear while the bar 5 is both secured between the frame members 1 and 3, and extends towards the front of the device. The wheels 29 are located on opposite ends of the frame member 8. The arrow A indicates the direction a user would push the device to more forward. One of the retractable seat belts 11 is shown adjacent the bar 7.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the invention shown in FIG. 2 . As in FIG. 2, the user and the harness are absent in this view. Fixed to the bar 7 are the two seat belts 11 and 13. The upper handles 33 (see FIG. 2) are fixed to each of the vertical members 1 and 3 and extend towards the right or rear. The lower handles 35 are directly below the handles 33 but are not seen in Fig. 3. If desired , the handles may be foldably mounted to the supports to permit them to fold upwardly or downwardly.

The two pairs of swivel wheels 29 and 31 are mounted to the members 8. Each pair of wheels are spaced with one wheel to the front and other to the rear of the bar 5. This arrangement provides for a stable support frame structure that can both be rolled or fixed in place by locking one or more of the wheels separately. If desired, the swivel wheels may be removed and four all terrain tires may be attached in their place. This substitution of all terrain balloon tires would allow a user to use the device on non-smooth surfaces, like sand, lawns, and mild to moderately uneven terrain.

Locks could be provided to individually lock one or more of these tires in place to prevent them from rolling.

The present invention was designed to allow a user to walk without the direct support of someone else. If the user were to fall or loose their balance while walking, the device would support them in a suspended position without the user striking the floor or ground. This would allow them to regain their stability. Should the user be unable to regain their stability, a wheel chair or other type of chair could easily be pushed under them and the seat belts detached to release them into the supporting chair. By suspending the user, injury is prevented to both the user and any person that may be supporting them. A suspended individual, such as a person who has passed out, would be retained by the extended seat belts at chair level or about 16 - 20 inches above the ground or floor. Using a harass around the chest of the user could possibly cause thoracic (chest) compression when the user is suspended. If the rapid release of the user is not possible, a full body harness that has a leg support may be used to safely support an unconscious person. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the method of using the same has been described in the foregoing specification with considerable details, it is to be understood that modifications may be made to the invention which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims and modified forms of the present invention done by others skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be considered infringements of this invention when those modified forms fall within the claimed scope of this invention. What I claim as my invention is:

Claims

Claim 1. A device for providing ambulatory assistance to a user, said device comprising: a first member, a second member spaced from said first member, said second member being generally the same shape and size as said first member, a third member connecting said first member to said second member, belts mounted adjacent said first member, said second member and said third member, a harness attached to a user, said harness engaging said belts, said harness adapted to be worn by the user in order to retain the user upright between said first member and said second member, and roller members mounted on one end of said first member and one end of said second member.

Claim 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device includes a fourth member, said fourth member extending between said first member and said second member.

Claim 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said belts include two separate members spaced from each other, each separate member having an adjustable length.

Claim 4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said harness has a belt means for encircling the waist of a user and said harness has shoulder engaging portions.

Claim 5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first member and said second member each have a handle extending in the same direction.