Device and Method for Regaining Balance

• US 20080093144A1
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B-Shoe Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Yonatan Manor
• Inventors: Manor, Yonatan
• Granted Patent: US 8,006,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/181
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• 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: A63C 17/08 single-wheel type with single axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/12 with driving mechanisms

Abstract

A device and method for assisting a user in regaining his balance is disclosed. The device comprises at least one sensor for sensing changes in weight distribution on any of the feet of the user; at least one propulsion unit to be coupled to any of the feet of the user for displacing a foot of the user when a change in the weight distribution on that foot reaches a predetermined condition; and a controller for receiving signals from the sensor indicative of the predetermined condition and activating the propulsion unit. When the predetermined condition is determined the propulsion unit displaces a foot of the user mechanically in a direction the results in the repositioning of the support area of the user beneath the center of mass of the user, thus allowing the user to regain balance.

Claims

1. A device for assisting a user in regaining his balance, the device comprising:

at least one sensor for sensing changes in weight distribution on any of the feet of the user;

at least one propulsion unit to be coupled to any of the feet of the user for displacing a foot of the user when a change in the weight distribution on that foot reaches a predetermined condition;

a controller for receiving signals from said at least one sensor indicative of the predetermined condition and activating the propulsion unit,

whereby, when the predetermined condition is determined the propulsion unit displaces a foot of the user mechanically in a direction that results in the repositioning of the support area of the user beneath the center of mass of the user, thus allowing the user to regain balance.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the propulsion unit comprises a motor coupled to a revolving element.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the revolving element comprises at least one wheel.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the revolving element is a belt.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the propulsion unit is provided with a surface of enhanced friction.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the propulsion unit is powered by at least one battery.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

weight activated mechanical switches, strain gauges, piezoelectric sensors, electronic sensors.

8. The device of claim 1, incorporated in at least one shoe.

9. The device of claim 1, integrated in at least one shoe.

10. The device of claim 1, further provided with a communication unit for communicating information to or from an external unit.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device also includes a receiver for receiving information from a communication unit associated with other foot of the user.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the propulsion unit provides propulsion for displacing the foot of the user along one axis.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the propulsion unit provides propulsion for displacing the foot of the user along more than one axis.

18. The method of claim 5, wherein information is communicated the communication unit and a communication unit associated with other foot of the user.

14. A method for assisting a user in regaining his balance, the method comprising:

providing at least one sensor for sensing changes in weight distribution on any of the feet of the user;

providing at least one propulsion unit to be coupled to any of the feet of the user for displacing a foot of the user when a change in the weight distribution on that foot reaches a predetermined condition;

providing a controller for receiving signals from said at least one sensor indicative of the predetermined condition and activating the propulsion unit,

sensing changes in weight distribution on any of the feet of the user and

displacing a foot of the user mechanically using the propulsion unit, when a change in the weight distribution on that foot reaches a predetermined condition, in a direction that results in the repositioning of the support area of the user beneath the center of mass of the user, thus allowing the user to regain balance.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the foot is moved along one axis.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the foot is moved along more than one axis.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing communication unit for communicating information to or from an external unit.