MOTION ASSIST CRANE DEVICE

Abstract

A motion assist crane device can include a base, a support tower extending upwardly from the base, a counterbalance beam attached to the support tower at a position between the ends of the counterbalance beam by a hinge, a tether attached to a first end of the counterbalance beam, the tether configured to attach to an arm of a user, and one or more weights positioned on a second end of the counterbalance beam. A method for assisting motion of a user's arm can include providing the device, attaching the tether to the user's arm, and moving the user's arm, wherein the movement is at least partially supported by the weights.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field

This application relates generally to therapeutic devices, and in particular, to a motion assist crane configured to help a user move his or her arms to regain strength and mobility as part of a rehabilitation or strengthening program.

Description

People may lose strength in their arms for many reasons including injury, disease, and age. To regain strength and mobility, various exercises can be performed. However, in some cases, patient may be too weak to perform the exercises necessary for rehabilitation. Accordingly, there exists a need for a device that can aid users in performing such exercises.

SUMMARY

The motion assist systems, methods and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

In a first aspect, a motion assist crane device can include a base; a support tower extending upwardly from the base; a counterbalance beam attached to the support tower at a position between the ends of the counterbalance beam by a hinge; a tether attached to a first end of the counterbalance beam, the tether configured to attach to an arm of a user; and one or more weights positioned on a second end of the counterbalance beam.

The device can include one or more of the following features: the hinge is configured to allow the counter balance beam to pivot relative to the support tower; wherein the hinge is configured to allow the counter balance beam to rotate relative to the support tower; wherein a length of the support tower is adjustable; wherein support tower comprises a telescoping rod; wherein the one or more weights are removable such that an amount of weight can be adjusted; a fastener on an end of the tether, the fastener configured to attach to the arm of the user; and/or wherein the fastener comprises a cuff.

In another aspect, a method for assisting motion of a user's arm can include providing the device as described herein; attaching the tether to the user's arm; and moving the user's arm, wherein the movement is at least partially supported by the weights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the motion assist systems, methods, and devices described herein, as well as other features, aspects, and advantages of the present technology will now be described in connection with various embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a motion assist crane device.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate the motion assist crane device of FIG. 1 during use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application is directed to a motion assist crane device as well as to related systems and methods. As will be described in more detail below, the motion assist crane device can be used to aid a user in rehabilitating, improving, or otherwise strengthening the user's ability to move his or her arms.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. These illustrative embodiments are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a motion assist crane device 100. As will become apparent from the following description, the motion assist crane device 100 can be configured to assist users in performing various motions, for example, arm motions. The device 100 can be configured for use as part of a rehabilitation and/or strengthening routine designed to increase users in regaining strength, mobility, and ultimately freedom. For various reasons, such as injury, disease, and age, some people may lose strength and mobility in their arms. For example, following a stroke, a person may lose arm mobility. It is necessary to use the arms to regain the strength and mobility that is lacking. However, without sufficient strength, it is difficult for users to perform the necessary exercises to regain strength and mobility. This can even prevent users from being able to perform various tasks associated with day-to-day living. The motion assist crane device 100 described herein can provide a solution to these problems by providing users with a mechanism to assists them with various motions. In principle, the motion assist crane device 100 provides weights that counterbalance the weight of the user's arm, allowing them to move their arm in a generally weightless manner. Over time and as the user gains strength, the weights counterbalancing the user's arm can be lessened until the user is able to use his or her arms unassisted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motion assist crane device 100 comprises a base 102, a support tower 104, a counterbalance beam 106, a hinge 108, a tether 110, a fastener 112, and weights 114. Although the illustrated embodiment provides one example configuration, other configurations are possible, and this disclosure should not be limited only to the illustrated configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base 102 is configured to support the remainder of the device 100. For example, the base 102 can be configured to rest on a support surface, such as the floor or the ground. The base 102 can also be configured to provide stability for the device, for example, to prevent the device from moving around and or tipping during use.

A support tower 104 extends upwardly from the base 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the support tower 104 comprises a rod. The rod may by cylindrical (e.g., having a circular cross section), although other cross-sectional shapes can be used in other embodiments. The support tower 104 is configured to position the counterbalance beam 106 and weights 114 above the user. In general, the support tower 104 should be of sufficient height that the counterbalance beam 106 and weights 114 do not contact the user during use. In some embodiments, the support tower 104 comprises a fixed length. In other embodiments, the support tower 104 comprises an adjustable length. For example, the support tower 104 may comprise a telescoping rod that is configured to extend. A lower end of the support tower 104 is attached to the base 102, while an upper end of the support tower 104 is attached to the counterbalance beam 106 via a hinge 108.

As shown in FIG. 1, the counterbalance beam 106 is attached to the support tower 104 via the hinge 108 at a location that is between the end points of the counterbalance beam 106. In this configuration, the hinge 108 and support tower 104 provide a fulcrum about which the counterbalance beam 106 can pivot. In some embodiments, the hinge 108 also allows rotational motion between the counterbalance beam 106 and the support tower 104. One end of the counterbalance beam 106 is attached to a tether 110. The opposite end of the tether is attached to a fastener 112 that can be secured to the user's arm. For example, in FIG. 1, the fastener 112 comprises a cuff that is worn on the user's wrist. In this way, the fastener 112 and tether 110 couple the counterbalance beam 106 to the user's arm.

On the opposite end of the counterbalance beam 106 (e.g., opposite the end attached to the tether 110), one or more weights 114 are positioned. The weights 114 can be removably attachable to the counterbalance beam 106 such that the amount of weight can be adjusted. With this arrangement, the weights 114 can be used to counterbalance the weight of the user's arm. In some instances, an amount of weight approximately equal to the weight of the user's arm can be used, essentially rendering the user's arm weightless. This can greatly facilitate the ability of a weakened user to move his or her arm, thereby strengthening the arm. As the user uses the device 100 and strengthens his or her arm, the amount of weight can be reduced, thereby decreasing the amount of assistance the device 100 provides to the user.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate the motion assist crane device 100 of FIG. 1 during use. As shown in FIG. 2, as the user lifts his arm, the motion is assisted by the weights 114 that are counter balanced on the opposite end of the counterbalance beam 106. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that the user can move his arm right and left while using the device 100. This is accomplished through the rotational motion of the hinge 108. During this motion, the user's arm may remain at least partially supported by the counter balanced weights 114. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the user can use the device to assist them in accomplishing various day to day tasks that he would otherwise be too weak to perform.

Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel features disclosed herein. Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that direction terms, such as “upper” and “lower,” are sometimes used for ease of describing the figures, and indicate relative positions corresponding to the orientation of the figure on a properly oriented page, and may not reflect the proper orientation of the device as implemented.

Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation of a sub combination.

In describing the present technology, the following terminology may have been used: The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “ones” refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a quantity. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “about” means quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes, and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as 1-3, 2-4 and 3-5, etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g., “greater than about 1”) and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Elements that are described as “connected,” “engaged,” “attached,” or similarly described, shall include being directly and/or indirectly connected, engaged, attached, etc.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. Conjunctions, such as “and,” “or” are used interchangeably and are intended to encompass any one element, combination, or entirety of elements to which the conjunction refers.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For instance, various components may be repositioned as desired. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to be defined only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A motion assist crane device, comprising: a base;a support tower extending upwardly from the base;a counterbalance beam attached to the support tower at a position between the ends of the counterbalance beam by a hinge;a tether attached to a first end of the counterbalance beam, the tether configured to attach to an arm of a user; andone or more weights positioned on a second end of the counterbalance beam.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinge is configured to allow the counterbalance beam to pivot relative to the support tower.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the hinge is configured to allow the counterbalance beam to rotate relative to the support tower.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a length of the support tower is adjustable.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein support tower comprises a telescoping rod.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more weights are removable such that an amount of weight can be adjusted.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener on an end of the tether, the fastener configured to attach to the arm of the user.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a cuff.

9. A method for assisting motion of a user's arm, the method comprising: providing the device of claim 1;attaching the tether to the user's arm; andmoving the user's arm, wherein the movement is at least partially supported by the weights.