Mobility assistance device

• US 9,861,549 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2015
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Core Ingenuity Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Core Mobility Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Karlovich, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Bryan A
• Application Number:
  US14/740,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20150297439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/007 secured to the patient, e.g. with belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/043 with a drive mechanism
• 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 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1652 Harness
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5023 Interfaces to the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• 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 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons

Abstract

A mobility assistance apparatus includes first and second frames positioned on left and right sides of a user; a hinge arm mechanism coupled to the first and second frames; and a harness or a walking seat coupled to the frames to transfer at least a portion of the user'"'"'s body weight from the legs and to transfer weight through the user'"'"'s hip or pelvis to the first and second frame enabling the user to stand or walk for an extended period without requiring the user'"'"'s arms to hold the frame.

Claims

1. A mobility assistance apparatus, comprising:

first and second frames positioned on left and right sides of a user;

a hinge arm mechanism coupled to the first and second frames; and

a harness coupled to the frames to transfer at least a portion of the user'"'"'s body weight from the legs and to transfer weight through the user'"'"'s hip or pelvis to the first and second frame enabling the user to stand or walk for an extended period without requiring the user'"'"'s arms to hold the frame, wherein the hinge arm is foldable and comprises three hinge points;

one on a seat support and two points each to be connected to one of the first and second frames.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, walking seat comprising two seat pans mounted on a seat frame, each supporting a corresponding side of the buttocks, each of the seat pans independently pivoting around a horizontal axis while the user walks.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each frame comprises a height adjuster to adjust a frame height to fit the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the height adjuster comprises a manual extender with a core and a plurality of openings to select height, or the height adjuster comprises a motorized extender.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, comprising a motorized extender, a linear actuator, or a pneumatic pump.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each frame has one or more wheels.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, comprising a first wheel that swivels 360 degrees around a vertical axis and a second wheel that does not swivel.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, comprising a brake assembly coupled to the one or more wheels and controlled by the user to stop movement.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one wheel is motorized.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a joystick to receive direction command, a display to provide visual feedback, and a processor coupled to the joystick and the display to guide the user.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an obstacle warning system.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising buttons to select move forward, move backward, turn right, turn left, and brake.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame members are of identical design and interchangeable.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frames and the hinge arm are collapsible.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a seat height adjuster including an air spring used for seat height adjustment.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising one or more shock absorbers to smooth out rough surface rides.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a walking seat positioned on the hinge arm to receive the user at a predetermined point and a belt to secure the user to the walking seat, the walking seat and belt operate in concert with each other to transfer weight from the user'"'"'s legs, and wherein the walking seat has a predetermined shape providing clearance for leg motion.

18. A mobility assistance apparatus, comprising:

first and second frames positioned on left and right sides of a user;

a hinge arm mechanism coupled to the first and second frames; and

means to remove at least a portion of the user'"'"'s body weight from the legs and transfer the weight through the hips or pelvis to the first and second frame that does not require the user'"'"'s arms to stand or walk for periods of time, wherein the hinge arm is foldable and comprises three hinge points;

one on a seat support and two points each to be connected to one of the first and second frames.

19. A walking assistance apparatus, comprising:

first and second frames positioned on left and right sides of a user;

a hinge arm mechanism coupled to the first and second frames; and

a walking seat positioned on the hinge arm to receive the user at a predetermined point and a belt to secure the user to the walking seat, wherein the walking seat and belt removes weight from the user'"'"'s legs without requiring the user'"'"'s arm, and wherein the walking seat has a predetermined shape providing clearance for legs when the user stands, partially stands, or walks for extended periods of time without requiring a wheelchair, wherein the hinge arm is foldable and comprises three hinge points;

one on a seat support and two points each to be connected to one of the first and second frames.