Transitional power mobility aid for physically challenged children

• US 5,701,968 A
• Filed: 04/03/1995
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford
• Original Assignee: Licile Salter Packard Children's Hospital At Stanford
• Inventors: Wadsworth, John F., Harris, Gerald R., Wright-Ott, Christine
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/417,060
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.5, 180/11, 180/65.1, 180/65.5, 180/907, 297/330, 297/DIG. 4, 297/DIG. 10, 280/250.1, 280/87.01, 280/87.041, 280/650
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/042 Front wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/121 for head or neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/128 for feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/007 secured to the patient, e.g. with belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1621 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1633 Seat A61H2201/0149 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/008 using suspension devices for supporting the body in an upright walking or standing position, e.g. harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/24 Personal mobility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/34 Wheel chairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/32 Driving direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/907 : Motorized wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/04 : Wheelchair

Abstract

A multipositioning power mobility aid for physically challenged children is provided. The power mobility aid provides a transition to a power wheelchair. The power mobility aid includes a multipositioning main frame that allows a child to be placed in a sitting, semi-standing or standing position without requiring multiple adjustments. The back support rotates to a nonsupporting position to facilitate placing a child in or removing a child from the power mobility aid. The back support then locks into an upright supporting position after the child is positioned in the power mobility aid. The power mobility aid includes an adjustable arm that supports the user-operable input device in multiple locations.

Claims

1. A mobility aid providing mobility to a physically challenged child user, comprising:

a base having wheels connected to said base;

a main frame coupled to said base, said base supporting said main frame in a substantially vertical position and said main frame being vertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical heights,

wherein said main frame includes

a lower frame adjustably coupled to said base, and

an upper frame coupled to said lower frame,

a trunk support coupled to said lower frame;

a seat coupled to said lower frame; and

a back support coupled to said upper frame;

whereby said trunk support, said seat, and said back support move vertically as a unit with said main frame in order to support the child user in a plurality of positions.

2. The mobility aid of claim 1, wherein said seat is manually movable from a forward position to support said user in a sitting position and a rearward position to support said user in a standing position.

3. The mobility aid of claim 1, wherein said upper frame is rotatably coupled to said lower frame, said upper frame movable between a first upright position supporting the child user and a second position not supporting said child user, whereby the child user may be more easily assisted into and out of the mobility aid.

4. The mobility aid of claim 1, wherein said trunk support, seat, and back support are movable with respect to each other to create a customized support for the child user, whereby said customized support moves vertically as a unit with said main frame.

5. The mobility aid of claim 1, wherein said back support includes a lower back pad coupled to said upper frame and a head rest coupled to said upper frame above said lower back pad.

6. The mobility aid of claim 1, wherein said main frame includes at least one vertical pole.

7. The mobility aid of claim 1, wherein said base is a power base including a motor mounted on said power base and coupled to said wheels.

8. The mobility aid of claim 7, further comprising a user-operable input device electrically coupled to said power base.

9. The mobility aid of claim 8, wherein said input device is a joystick.

10. The mobility aid of claim 8, wherein said input device is a joystick.

11. The mobility aid of claim 8, further comprising an adjustable arm coupled to said input device and said main frame, said adjustable arm allowing said input device to be positioned in a plurality of locations.

12. The mobility aid of claim 7, further comprising a knee support coupled to said main frame.

13. The mobility aid of claim 7, further comprising a foot support coupled to said main frame.

14. The mobility aid of claim 1, wherein said base is a walker base having free-spinning wheels.

15. A power mobility aid providing mobility to a physically challenged child user, comprising:

a power base having a motor mounted on said power base and wheels coupled to said motor;

a main frame including a lower frame and an upper frame, said lower frame being coupled to said power base;

said upper frame being rotatably coupled to said lower frame, said upper frame being rotatable between a first upright position supporting the child user and a second, non-upright position not supporting the child user, whereby the child user may be more easily assisted into and out of the power mobility aid;

a trunk support coupled to said lower frame;

a seat coupled to said lower frame; and

a back support coupled to said upper frame.

16. The power mobility aid of claim 15, wherein said back support includes a lower back pad coupled to said upper frame and a head rest coupled to said upper frame above said lower back pad.

17. The power mobility aid of claim 15 further comprising:

a user-operable input device electrically coupled to said power base; and

an adjustable arm coupled to said input device and said main frame, said adjustable arm allowing said input device to be positioned in a plurality of locations.

18. The power mobility aid of claim 17, wherein said plurality of locations includes behind the child user'"'"'s head.

19. The power mobility aid of claim 17, wherein said input device is a joystick.

20. The power mobility aid of claim 17, wherein said input device includes a plurality of switches coupled to said input device.