Patent Application
20150014964
A variety of ambulatory support devices, commonly known as walkers, are available for patients who have difficulty walking under their own power. For example, patients with limited mobility, such as patients who are recovering from various surgeries, who are physically weak, or are mentally disabled typically use these types of devices.
To aid in patient mobility, conventional ambulatory support devices can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, typical ambulatory support devices can include a frame having legs or wheels that contact the floor.
Conventional ambulatory support devices suffer from a variety of deficiencies. For example, typical ambulatory support devices lack front-to-back stability and can become unstable without much effort by the user. In the event a patient were to apply his weight unevenly on the support device, such as by concentrating his body weight on front-right or front-left corners of the support, the device can tip and cause a fall and subsequent injury to the already disabled patient. Additionally, conventional wheeled ambulatory support devices can be difficult to maneuver in a home or clinical setting due to the positioning or configuration of the wheels.
By contrast to conventional ambulatory support devices, embodiments of the present innovation relate to an ambulatory assistance device. In one arrangement, the ambulatory assistance device includes a base having a set of wheels, the base configured to at least partially surround a patient's body to provide a maximum level of support along force vectors applied along a variety of directions. Additionally, in one arrangement, the base includes ballast to lower the center of gravity of the ambulatory assistance device. In one arrangement, the ballast is configured as a combination of a load integrally formed with the base along with a user-selected weight. The user selected weight allows the user to tailor the overall ballast associated with the ambulatory assistance device based upon the user's weight and/or other physical attributes. Furthermore, the ambulatory assistance device includes a frame assembly having a handle extending from the base. The handle is disposed at a distance between about two inches and three inches proximal to the center of gravity of the unit. This positioning of the handle, in combination with the positioning of the wheels of the base provides the ambulatory assistance device with a relatively large amount of stability in use.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the innovation, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the innovation.
Embodiments of the present innovation relate to an ambulatory assistance device. In one arrangement, the ambulatory assistance device includes a base having a set of wheels, the base configured to at least partially surround a patient's body to provide a level of support along all possible force vectors applied along a variety of directions. Additionally, in one arrangement, the base includes ballast to lower the center of gravity of the ambulatory assistance device. In one arrangement, the ballast is configured as a combination of a load integrally formed with the base along with a user-selected weight. The user selected weight allows the user to tailor the overall ballast associated with the ambulatory assistance device based upon the user's weight and/or other physical attributes. Furthermore, the ambulatory assistance device includes a frame assembly having a handle extending from the base. The handle is disposed at a distance between about two inches and three inches proximal to the center of gravity of the unit. This positioning of the handle, in combination with the positioning of the wheels of the base provides the ambulatory assistance device with a substantially stable design a relatively large amount of stability in use.
As best shown in
For example, in use, and with particular reference to
The base 12 can include ballast or weight 50 configured to lower the center of gravity of the ambulatory assistance device 10. The amount of ballast 50 carried by the base 12 can be based upon weight of user. For example, the ballast 50 can have a weight between about 10 pounds and 25 pounds.
The base 12 can be configured to carry the ballast 50 in a variety of ways. In one arrangement, as indicated in
The base 12 includes a set of wheels 18 disposed on a first side 20 of the base 12. In one arrangement, the set of wheels 18 includes a set of five wheels 18-1 through 18-5. While the wheels 18-1 through 18-5 can be disposed at a variety of locations on the base 12, in one arrangement, wheels 18-1, 18-2, 18-3, and 18-5 are generally disposed at the corresponding corners of the base 12 while wheel 18-4 is substantially centrally aligned with a longitudinal axis 22 of the base 12, as indicated in
In one arrangement, to provide a user with the ability to maneuver the ambulatory assistance device 10 in a variety of settings, one or more of the wheels 18 can be configured as swivel wheels which can rotate 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis 26, as illustrated in
In one arrangement, one or more of the wheels 18 can include a braking element (not shown). For example, each wheel 18-1 through 18-5 can include a braking element. In another example, the rear wheels 18-1 and 18-2 can each include a braking element. The braking element is configured to lock the positioning of the wheel 18 relative to an axis of rotation 27 to minimize or prevent motion of the device 10.
The positioning of the wheels 18 on the base 12 can also add to the stability of the device 10. For example, with reference to
The frame 15 extends from a second side 60 of the base 12 and is configured to distribute weight applied from a user to the base 12. For example, with reference to
The frame 15 is also configured to position the handle 16 at a user defined height. For example, with reference to
The frame 15 further positions the handle 16 laterally relative to the center of gravity 73 of the device 10 and relative to the wheel layout to provides the device 10 with a level of stability. With specific reference to
With such an arrangement, the device 10 provides an improved stability relative to conventional walkers or other ambulatory assist devices. For example, the relative positioning of handle 16, ballast 50, front wheels 18-3 through 18-5, and rear wheels 18-1, 18-2 provides front-to-back and side-to-side stability to device 10 which limits a user's ability to tip the device. Additionally, the five wheel swivel design is much more maneuverable in a home setting relative to conventional walkers, in particular with respect to a user gaining access and egress to toilets. Furthermore, the device 10 can be used to provide a level of physical therapy to a patient. For example, a relatively large group of patients are not physically strong enough or mentally stable enough (e.g., Dementia patients) to utilize a traditional walker or support but are also not frail enough for a wheelchair. The device 10 allows this type of patient with the opportunity to get stronger using this more stable platform and free himself from the necessity for a wheelchair.
In one arrangement, the device 10 is configured as at least partially collapsible to allow for relatively easy be transport. For example, the frame 15 and handle 16 can be removed or disassembled relative to the base 12. In another example, with reference to
In use, the frame assembly 14 can the frame assembly 14 includes is disposed in an extended position relative to the base 12. When ready for transport, a user can release a locking mechanism (not shown) between the frame assembly 14 and the base 12. Such release allows the first frame portion 15-1, the second frame portion 15-2, the third frame portion 15-3, and the fourth frame portion 15-4 to rotate about respective hinges 90-1 through 90-4 relative to the base 12 and causes the set of collars 80 to translate relative to the first and second frame portions 15-1, 15-2. Such motion allows the frame assembly 14 to rotate relative to the base 12 between an extended position, as shown in
As indicated above, the ambulatory assistance device 10 can include ballast to lower the center of gravity of the device. In one arrangement, as illustrated in
For example, the ambulatory assistance device 100 includes a base 120 having a body portion 121, a first side portion 123 and a second side portion 125 formed from a relatively lightweight tubular material, such as a PVC tube material. The base 120 includes a set of five wheels 180-1 through 180-5 and a frame assembly 114 formed from a relatively lightweight tubular material, such as a tubular steel material. In one arrangement, the frame assembly 114 includes a frame 115 having two sets of handles. For example the frame 115 includes a first set of positionally adjustable handles 160, such as first and second handles 160-1 and 160-2. The handles 160 are configured to be both rotationally and longitudinally (height) adjusted relative to the frame 115 to accommodate a user. The frame 115 also includes a substantially non-adjustable cross bar grip 161.
In one arrangement, the ambulatory assistance device 100 lacks an integrally formed ballast, thereby minimizing the overall weight of the device 100. In another arrangement, the ambulatory assistance device 100 includes ballast, such as steel shot, if used, disposed within the tubular structure of the base 120.
With the base and frame manufactured from a relatively lightweight tubular material, the ambulatory assistance device 100 is relatively lightweight, thereby allowing the ambulatory assistance device 100 to be easily down from an expanded position, as shown in
While various embodiments of the innovation have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the innovation as defined by the appended claims.
For example, as described above, the rear wheels can be configured with locking mechanisms. Such description is by way of example only. In one arrangement, all of the wheels 18 or associated casters can include swivel locks. With such a configuration, the device 10 can have limited maneuverable with respect to steering, but can provide relatively easier tracking.
As indicated above, the handle 16 is configured to be laterally and rotationally positioned relative to the frame. Such description is by way of example only. -In one arrangement, the handle 16 is fixed to the frame and not adjustable.
In another example, the handle 16 can be configured with a variety of geometries. For example, as illustrated the handle 16 can extend longitudinally between first and second frame assembly elements 15-1, 15-2 as a cross bar. With such a configuration, the handle 16 provides leaning support for users, such as patients with spinal stenosis and allows for attachment of user accessories, such as a basket to carry a variety of user items. In one arrangement, the handle 16 can be configured with a variety of gripping surfaces. In one arrangement the handle 16 includes a relatively soft, textured grip material disposed on the outer surface to provide a relatively secure grip for weak patients.
As indicated above, the handle 16 is disposed at a distance between about two inches and three inches proximal to the center of gravity of the unit. Such description is by way of example only. In one arrangement, the handle 16 is positioned substantially at the center of gravity 73 of the device 10, within a range of about +/− one inch. Such placement can further add to the stability of the device 10 to minimize or limit the user's ability to tip the device 10 over during use.
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/758,539, filed on Jan. 30, 2013, entitled, “Ambulatory Assistance Device,” the contents and teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61758539 | Jan 2013 | US |
