Device for helping a person to walk

• US 6,719,671 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Böck, Alexander
• Original Assignee: Böck, Alexander
• Inventors: Böck, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Application Number:
  US10/018,777
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 482/75, 482/76, 482/77, 482/79, 482/74, 482/148, 623/28, 623/27, 623/32, 135/65, 135/68, 135/67
• US Class Current: 482/75
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 25/10 Elastic bouncing shoes fastened to the foot

Abstract

What is described here is a device for facilitating the locomotion of a person by himself or herself by means of a spring system for removable attachment to both legs of the person, which spring system enables the person, by compression and deflection of at least one spring element, to walk on the ground by jumping step by step. The invention is distinguished by the provisions that the spring element is a leaf spring having an arc-shaped configuration, on the concave side of which a leverage mechanism is provided that is fixedly connected for rotation to the leaf spring via two separate fixing means and a base plate on which the respective foot of the person may be placed and which is connected, on the one hand, via at least one rotary pin bearing and one connecting rod to the first fixing means and, on the other hand, to the other fixing means either directly or via a central support rigidly connected to the base plate.

Claims

1. Device for facilitating the locomotion of a person comprising:

a spring system removably attachable to a leg of the person, the spring system including at least one spring element, the spring system enabling the person, by compression and deflection of the at least one spring element, to walk on a ground surface by jumping step-by-step, said at least one spring element comprising a leaf spring having an arc-shaped configuration;

a leverage mechanism provided on a concave side of the leaf spring, the leverage mechanism being connected to the leaf spring by first and second fixing connections and a base plate onto which a foot of the person may be placed, wherein the base plate is connected by at least one rotary pin bearing and one connecting rod to the first fixing connection and to the second fixing connection by at least one of a direct connection and a central support rigidly connected to the base plate;

wherein said connecting rod is connected to a pedal via a further rotary pin bearing that co-operates with said pedal to enclose said spring element, and said connecting rod is supported for sliding relative to said further rotary pin bearing, and said pedal is fixedly connected for rotation or fixed to said connecting rod in a terminal zone of said spring element.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said pedal presents a cylindrically shaped contour in the terminal zone of said spring element or is fixedly connected to a cylindrical or spherically configured sole element for detachment.

3. A device for facilitating the locomotion of a person by himself or herself, said device comprising:

a spring system for removable attachment to a leg of the person,

said spring system including at least one spring element having a first spring end and a second spring end, said at least one spring element defining an arc-shaped configuration between said first and second spring ends;

a pivotal connecting mechanism including a first end and a second end, a first end of said connecting mechanism being fixedly connected to said at least one spring element proximal said first spring end by a first fastening device;

a leverage mechanism fixedly connected to said at least one spring element proximal said second spring end by a second fastening device, said leverage mechanism including a base plate positioned for supporting a foot of the person;

wherein said second end of said connecting mechanism is pivotally connected to said leverage mechanism whereby said spring system enables the person, by compression and deflection of said at least one spring element, to walk on a ground surface by jumping step by step.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one spring element is a leaf spring.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein said leverage mechanism further includes a central support, said base plate being rigidly connected to said central support, said central support being operatively connected to said second fastening device mounted on said second end of said at least one spring element.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said base plate is connected at a right angle to said central support.

7. The device according to claim 5, further comprising connecting spokes extending from said base plate to said central support, said connecting spokes being connected to said base plate rearward of the connection of said second end of said connecting mechanism to said leverage mechanism.

8. The device according to claim 3, wherein said connecting mechanism includes a connecting brace and a pedal hingedly connected together through an axle.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said at least one spring element is disposed between said pedal and said connecting brace.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein said pedal includes a cylindrically shaped contour proximal said first spring end of said at least one spring element for contacting a ground surface.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein said pedal is detachably connected to a cylindrical or spherical shaped sole element for contacting a ground surface.

12. The device according to claim 3, wherein said leverage mechanism further comprises a knee strap for holding the persons'"'"'s leg, said knee strap being disposed proximal said second fastening device.

13. A device for facilitating the locomotion of a person by himself or herself, said device comprising:

a spring system for removable attachment to a leg of the person;

said spring system including at least one spring element having a first spring end and a second spring end, said at least one spring element defining an arc-shaped configuration between said first and second spring ends;

a pivotal connecting mechanism including a first end and a second end, a first end of said connecting mechanism being fixedly connected to said at least one spring element proximal said first spring end by a first fastening device, said connecting mechanism including a connecting brace and a pedal hingedly connected together through an axle;

a leverage mechanism fixedly connected to said at least one spring element proximal said second spring end by a second fastening device, said leverage mechanism including a base plate positioned for supporting a foot of the person and a central support, said base plate being rigidly connected to said central support;

wherein said central support is operatively connected to said second fastening device mounted on said second end of said at least one spring element;

wherein said second end of said connecting mechanism is pivotally connected to said base plate;

wherein said pedal includes a cylindrically shaped contour proximal said first spring end of said at least one spring element for contacting a ground surface; and

wherein said at least one spring element extends between said pedal and said connecting brace whereby said spring system enables the person, by compression and deflection of said at least one spring element, to walk on a ground surface by jumping.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said leverage mechanism further comprises a knee strap for holding the persons'"'"'s leg, said knee strap being disposed proximal said second fastening device.