Mobilizer for exercise, rehabilitation and wellness

• US 8,596,658 B1
• Filed: 07/09/2012
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dashaway Company
• Original Assignee: Dashaway Company
• Inventors: Dashew, Stanley, Blount, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): ROCCA, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US13/544,563
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 280/87.05, 280/87.021, 280/87.041, 296/5, 296/6, 5 8/11, 5 8/11.R, 135/67, 135/74, 135/75, 135/85
• US Class Current: 280/87.021
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/006 with forearm rests, i.e. for non-used arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/046 with braking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1633 Seat A61H2201/0149 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons

Abstract

The mobilizer consists of an open, inverted “U” shaped frame when view from above with the legs or the “U” pointed towards the rear. Pivoting caster wheels are attached to the front lower corners and rear wheel support arms extend rearward and curve downward each bearing a smaller non-pivoting wheel. Two vertical upright support members rise from the frame and are equipped with height adjustment mechanisms. Horizontal arm support assemblies, each with a hand grip and brake handle are attached to the upper ends of the support members. The user is supported by his elbows and shoulder girdle resulting in decompression of his spine. The arm support assemblies can be pivoted 180 degrees so that the grip portions and the hand brake levers face the rear of the mobilizer at about waist height. This allows the user to stand and grasp the handles as he walks forward.

Claims

1. A mobilizer device providing mobility support to a user comprising:

a base having a front and a rear with vertical portions at the rear;

a pair of pivotally mounted front wheels each one connected to the front of the base;

a pair of elongate rear wheel supports each one pivotally connected to one of the vertical portions at the rear of the base and extending rearward therefrom, thereby forming a frame that is open rearwardly;

a pair of springs each one coaxial with one of the vertical portions to bias the elongate rear wheel supports into a locked configuration;

a pair of rear wheels each one connected to a distal end of one of the elongate rear wheel supports;

a pair of upright support members each one connected to the rear of the base frame; and

a pair of essentially horizontal arm support assemblies for providing support to an individual'"'"'s upper body by supporting the user'"'"'s weight through the elbow and forearm being in contact with the arm support assembly.

2. The mobilizer device according to claim 1, wherein at least one arm support assembly includes a hand operated brake lever operationally coupled to a braking mechanism on at least one of the wheels.

3. The mobilizer device according to claim 2, wherein the braking mechanism is operationally coupled to at least one of the rear wheels.

4. The mobilizer device according to claim 2, wherein the brake lever is coupled to the braking mechanism by a cable.

5. The mobilizer device according to claim 2, wherein the brake lever is coupled to a brake equalizer that is in turn coupled to the braking mechanism.

6. The mobilizer device according to claim 2, wherein the braking mechanism is a default braking mechanism.

7. The mobilizer device according to claim 1, wherein the rear wheels are pivotally mounted.

8. The mobilizer device according to claim 1, wherein the upper support members further comprise anti-pivoting mechanisms comprising triangular ridges captured in “

V”

shaped grooves.

9. The mobilizer device according to claim 1 further comprising a first height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the arm support assemblies.

10. The mobilizer device according to claim 9, wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises a cotter removably inserted into a hole in the upright support member.

11. The mobilizer device according to claim 9, wherein the height adjustment mechanism further comprises an adjustment handle for withdrawing the cotter and for tightening an insert which presses against the upright support member.

12. The mobilizer device according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment handle for withdrawing the cotter and for tightening an insert further comprises means for temporarily disengaging the handle from the insert.

13. The mobilizer device according to claim 9, wherein a second height adjustment mechanism is disposed between the upright support member and the arm support assembly.

14. The mobilizer device according to claim 13, wherein the seat is hingedly attached.

15. The mobilizer device according to claim 14, wherein the seat further comprises a locking mechanism.

16. The mobilizer device according to claim 13 further comprising a foot plate disposed between the rear wheel supports.

17. The mobilizer device according to claim 1 further comprising a seat.

18. A mobilizer device providing mobility support to a user comprising:

a base frame having a front and a rear comprising two side assemblies joined across the front by at least one elongate joining member;

a pair of pivotally mounted front wheels each one connected to the front of the base frame at the front corners thereof;

a pair of elongate rear wheel supports each one pivotally connected to the rear corners of the base frame and extending rearward therefrom;

a pair of rear wheels each one connected to a distal end of one of the elongate rear wheel supports;

a pair of upright support members each one connected to one of the upper rear corners of the base frame and further comprising a height adjustment mechanism; and

a pair of arm support assemblies for providing support to an individual'"'"'s upper body, each pivotally connected to a top end of one of the upright support members by pivot with a locking mechanism whereby, when the locking mechanism is unlocked, one or both of the arm support assemblies can be rotated around the top end from a first position where the arm support assembly is essentially horizontal and provides spinal decompression by supporting the user'"'"'s weight through the elbow and forearm which contact with the arm support assembly, thereby removing weight from the user'"'"'s spine, to a second position where the arm support assembly is essentially vertical and the user'"'"'s hand is able to grasp a distal end of the arm support assembly for stability while walking, wherein the arm support assemblies further comprise a first height adjustment including a cotter removably inserted into a hole in the upright support member mechanism for adjusting the height of the arm support assemblies.

19. The mobilizer device according to claim 18, wherein the height adjustment mechanism further comprises an adjustment handle for withdrawing the cotter and for tightening an insert which presses against the upright support member.

20. The mobilizer device according to claim 18 further comprising means for locking and unlocking the elongate rear wheel supports to allow them to be pivoted for storage.

21. A mobilizer device providing mobility support to a user comprising:

a base frame having a front and a rear;

a pair of pivotally mounted front wheels each one connected to the front of the base frame;

a pair of elongate rear wheel supports each one connected to the rear of the base frame and extending rearward therefrom;

a pair of rear wheels each one connected to a distal end of one of the elongate rear wheel supports;

a pair of upright support members each one connected to the rear of the base frame, wherein the upper support members are prevented from pivoting in relation to the base frame by interaction of a ridge with a triangular groove; and

a pair of arm support assemblies for providing support to an individual'"'"'s upper body, each connected adjustably to an upper end of one of the upright support members by a pivoting adjustment mechanism whereby each of the connected arm support assemblies can rotate around the upper end adjusting one or both of the arm support assemblies from a first position where the arm support assembly is essentially horizontal and provides spinal decompression by supporting the user'"'"'s weight through the elbow and forearm being in contact with the arm support assembly to a second position where the arm support assembly is essentially vertical and the user'"'"'s hand is able to grasp a distal end of the arm support assembly for stability while walking.