Partial weight bearing suspension walker

• US 7,294,094 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2005
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward Samuel Howle
• Original Assignee: Edward Samuel Howle
• Inventors: Howle, Edward Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US11/109,601
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 482/66, 482/67, 482/69, 135/67, 521/11, 182/3, 180/65.1
• US Class Current: 482/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1215 Rotary drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/163 holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1642 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1652 Harness
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04; orthopaedic devices for correcting deformities of, or supporting, limbs A61F5/0102; exercising apparatus for the feet or toes A63B23/10; stairways or ramps E04F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/008 Using suspension devices for supporting the body in an upright walking or standing position, e.g. harnesses drawing-out devices A61H1/0218
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for disabled persons A61H3/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0018 for wheelchair users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons

Abstract

A lightweight, foldable device for the partial weight bearing during walking and gait training is provided. The lightweight, partial weight bearing suspension walker is made from two frames that are pivotally attached and can be folded at the pivot point for storage or transport. The apparatus can be adjusted to fit over wide treadmills or wheelchairs and through narrow doors. The apparatus includes two fail-safe lift and support devices to insure patient safety in case of unintentional release by the operator.

Claims

1. A lightweight mobile apparatus, for supporting an invalid while standing and walking, said apparatus supporting said invalid by means of a harness worn by said invalid, ropes or webbing extending upward from said harness to a support point above said invalid'"'"'s head, and said apparatus permitting the invalid to walk over ground or over a treadmill by means of a plurality of casters mounted on the apparatus and in contact with the ground, said apparatus consisting of:

(a) a first tubular metal frame, bent in the shape of an inverted U in a diagonal plane, said frame comprising a left leg, a right leg, and a fixed length connection between said two legs at the top, said frame having a first a swivel caster and a second swivel caster at the bottom, said first frame having a first pulley at the top and a second pulley at the top,

(b) a second tubular metal frame, bent in the shape of an inverted U in a diagonal plane, said second frame comprising a left leg, a right leg, and a fixed length connection between the two said second frame legs at the top, said second frame having a third swivel caster and a fourth swivel caster at the bottom, said second frame having a left pulley at the top a and right pulley at the top, said left leg of said second frame intersecting and being pivotally connected to said left leg of said first frame, the intersection being in the shape of an X, said right leg of said second frame intersection and being pivotally connected to the said right leg of said first frame, said intersection being in the shape of an X,

c) a third U shaped frame, in an approximately horizontal plane, said third U shaped frame consisting of a left side, a right side, and a connection between the two, said left side of said third frame being pivotally connected to said left leg of said first frame below said connection between said left leg of said first frame and said left leg of said second frame, and said left side of said third frame being connected to said left leg of said second frame, said connection between said left side of said third frame and said left leg of said second frame being below said connection of said left leg of said second frame to said left leg of said first frame, said right side of said third frame being pivotally connected to said right leg of said first frame below said connection between said right leg of said first frame and said right leg of said second frame, and said right side of said third frame being pivotally connected to said right leg of said second frame, said connection between said right side of said third frame and said right leg of said second frame being below the connection of said right leg of said second frame to said right leg of said first frame, the U shape of said third frame providing an opening for the entry and exit of an invalid,

d) a manually operated winch, said winch having a locking mechanism that prevents rotation when the winch handle is released, said winch having a rotatable drum on which a rope is wound,

e) said rope extending upward from said drum of said winch, said rope being divided into a left rope and a right rope above said drum of said winch, said left rope passing through said first pulley at said top of said first tubular metal frame, said left rope passing through said left pulley at said top of said second tubular metal frame, said left rope extending downward and ending below said left pulley of said second tubular metal frame, said left rope having at said end of said rope a means of attaching said rope to said harness whereby part of the weight of an invalid will be safely supported without the use of the invalid'"'"'s arms or hands, said right rope passing through said second pulley at said top of said first tubular metal frame, said right rope passing though said right pulley at said top of said second tubular metal frame, said right rope extending downward and ending below said right pulley of said second tubular metal frame, said right rope having at its end a means of attaching it to said harness whereby part of the weight of said invalid will be safely supported without the use of said invalid'"'"'s arms or hands,

f) brakes on a swivel caster preventing its rotation when said brakes are engaged, said braking caster selected from a group including said first swivel caster, said second swivel caster, said third swivel caster and said fourth swivel caster,

g) a swivel caster with a directional lock, said directionally locking caster selected from a group including said first swivel caster, said second swivel caster, said third swivel caster and said fourth swivel caster.

2. The mobile apparatus described in claim 1, in which the invalid support includes a fail-safe support centrifugal locking belt retractor attached to said invalid support harness.

3. The mobile apparatus described in claim 1, in which the width of the base of said apparatus is adjustable by means of an adjustment of the width of said third frame, and the flexing of said first frame and said second frame.

4. The mobile apparatus described in claim 1, in which the height of said apparatus is adjustable by means of an extension at the bottom of each of said four legs, said four casters being mounted on said four extensions.

5. A mobile apparatus as described in claim 1, in which said frame one is of aluminum alloy, and in which said frame two is aluminum alloy.