LIFT ASSIST APPARATUS AND METHODS

Abstract

A lift assist device for supporting and lifting the mass (or partial mass) of a human user. In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided which is a fall recovery device to assist in raising human users from an initial position, to a position elevated relative to the initial position. In certain example embodiments, this can include assisting fallen human users to return to a sitting position from a fallen position, or even assisting the user to obtain a standing position. In other embodiments, a hybrid walker and fall recovery device. In alternative embodiments, a hybrid wheeled walker and fall recovery device. In preferred embodiments, a hybrid wheeled walker and fall recovery device which aids a human user to walk while in a standing position and includes a seat which is raisable and lowerable by mechanical means, such as a linear actuator, to assist in returning a fallen human user back to a seated or standing (or other raised) position.

Claims

1. A lift assist device for assisting vertical movement of a human comprising: a first handle for gripping by a first human hand; a second handle for gripping by a second human hand; a first leg for contacting a ground surface; a second leg for contacting a ground surface; a frame spanning a vertical distance between said first and said second handles and said first and said second legs, said frame providing structural rigidity to said lift assist device, said structural rigidity being provided to support weight of a human user; a lift member which is raisable in a direction away from the ground and which is lowerable in a direction which is towards the ground, said lift member being structurally configured to raise and lower under mechanical and not human power and provided for assisting vertical movement of a human user away from or towards the ground; wherein said lift member is structurally configured and operable to support a portion of the mass of a human user so that a human user is assisted, when said lift member is operated in a raised direction, in an upwards human movement away from the ground and is also operable to support a portion of the mass of a human user so that a human user is assisted, when said lift member is operated in a lowered direction, in an downwards human movement toward the ground.

2. The lift assist device according to claim 1 further including a mechanical device operably connected to said lift member for raising and lowering said lift member.

3. The lift assist device according to claim 1 further including a mechanical device operably connected to said lift member for raising and lowering said lift member, said mechanical device being structurally configured to provide mechanical advantage to any force applied to raise or lower said lift member.

4. The lift assist device according to claim 2 wherein said mechanical device comprises at least one linear actuator.

5. The lift assist device according to claim 4 wherein a first end of said at least one linear actuator is operably connected to said frame and a second end of said at least one linear actuator is operably connected to said lift member; and wherein when said at least one linear actuator is caused to extend, said lift member is caused to raise away from the ground, and when said at least one linear actuator is caused to retract, said lift member is caused to lower towards the ground.

6. The lift assist device according to claim 5 wherein said at least one linear actuator is a type selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic linear actuator and an electric linear actuator.

7. The lift assist device according to claim 1 further including a linear actuator for raising and lowering said lift member and wherein said lift member comprises a seat surface for a human to sit on.

8. The lift assist device according to claim 1 further including a linear actuator for raising and lowering said lift member and wherein said lift member comprises a handle surface for a human to grip.

9. The lift assist device according to claim 5 wherein said lift member comprises a seat surface for a human to sit on and further including at least a first wheel and a second wheel, each of said first and said second wheels operably connected to said lift assist device and located such that said first and said second wheels are in contact with the ground when said lift assist device is located on a ground surface; and wherein said first and said second wheels aid in locomoting said lift assist device on ground surfaces.

10. The lift assist device according to claim 9 further including a human operable switch for selectively operating said lift assist device, by causing said linear actuator to selectively extend or retract, such that said lift member, alternately, raises or lowers away from or towards a ground surface.

11. The lift assist device according to claim 10 further including one or more brake mechanisms which engage to prevent rotation of said first and said second wheels when a threshold downward force, applied to said lift assist device, is exceeded.

12. The lift assist device according to claim 11 further including a battery for supplying power to operate said linear actuator to extend or retract, and wherein said linear actuator is structurally configured such that if battery power supplied to said linear actuator is lost, said linear actuator remains extended to its length as it existed immediately prior to battery power loss.

13. The lift assist device according to claim 12 further including a remote switch for selectively operating said lift assist device from a location distanced from said lift assist device, by causing said linear actuator to selectively extend or retract, such that said lift member, alternately, raises or lowers away from or towards a ground surface, said remote switch communicating with said lift assist device utilizing a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

14. The lift assist device according to claim 1 further including at least a first wheel and a second wheel, each of said first and said second wheels operably connected to said lift assist device and located such that said first and said second wheels are in contact with the ground when said lift assist device is located on a ground surface; said first and said second wheels being configured to aid in locomoting said lift assist device on ground surfaces; and further including at least one motor to operate said first and said second wheels to drive said lift assist device to a human user located physically distant from said lift assist device.

15. The lift assist device according to claim 14 further including a tracking device for affixing to a human user; said lift assist device further including a tracking device locator, said tracking device locator being provisioned to locate said tracking device; and a control unit for controlling a direction of travel of said lift assist device and for controlling said lift assist device to drive to a human user located physically distant therefrom, utilizing a location of a human user determined by locating said tracking device with said tracking device locator to determine a target drive location, when the human user needs mobility assistance or lift assistance.

16. The lift assist device according to claim 15 further including a remote control device operable by a human user to send a summoning signal to said control unit of said lift assist device such that lift assist device is operated by said control unit to drive to said human user.

17. The lift assist device according to claim 5 further including a lever connected between said at least one linear actuator and one of said frame or said lift member to provide mechanical advantage to the lifting force of said linear actuator.

18. The lift assist device according to claim 5 further including at least a second linear actuator operably connected to said frame at a first end and operably connected to said lift member at a second end; and wherein said first linear actuator is located on a first side of said frame and said second linear actuator is located on a second side of said frame opposite said first side.

19. The lift assist device according to claim 18 wherein said lift assist device is a hybrid walker and fall recovery device which is configured to include a structurally vacant standing space for a human user between said first and said second handles, and wherein said first and said second handles are located at a height such that a human user can utilize said lift assist device as a walk-assist device.

20. The lift assist device according to claim 19 wherein said lift assist device is a hybrid wheeled walker and fall recovery device wherein said lift member comprises a seat surface for a human to sit on and further including at least a first wheel and a second wheel, each of said first and said second wheels operably connected to said lift assist device and located such that said first and said second wheels are in contact with the ground when said lift assist device is located on a ground surface; and wherein said first and said second wheels aid in locomoting said lift assist device on ground surfaces.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following description of various illustrative and non-limiting embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features. These example embodiments, disclosed and discussed below, will assist in a further understanding of the inventions described and claimed herein, but they are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

[0031] Turning now to FIGS. 1-7, therein is disclosed a lift assist device 1 which addresses and indeed resolves at least some of the long felt needs in the prior art (as discussed in the Background and elsewhere herein). In this specific preferred embodiment which is illustrated, lift assist device 1 generally comprises a walker-type frame, which is configured to surround the front and sides of a human user in use, which also includes (at least) lift assist functionalities to aid human users with strength or agility problems or injuries. More specifically, it is contemplated that a typical user of the herein disclosed device will be a person that both requires walking assistance and which is also at risk of a fall, or which is expected to require (or desire) assistance in raising themselves to an elevated position, such as a sitting position (e.g., from a fall) or standing position (e.g., from sitting or laying). The disclosed embodiment, as an option, also provides lowering assistance if needed. Of course, the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1 is an example embodiment only, and other embodiments which only provide lift assistance, without providing walking assistance, and also without providing lowering assistance, are also contemplated as within the scope of the herein disclosed inventions.

[0032] Referring again to the figures, the frame 3 of lift assist device 1 generally includes left and right vertical frame members 5L and 5R which are joined at their upper ends at least by a crossbar 8 from which left and right handles 7L and 7R extend backwards (in a direction in reverse of the expected direction of walking by the user). Handles 7L and 7R are intended to be gripped by human hands and therefore optionally include padding or grips, for comfort and/or for preventing grip-slippage. Moreover, the handles are preferably located at a height so when they are gripped by a user, the user's elbows are slightly bent to reduce strain and/or optimize blood flow of the user. Of course, other grip heights may be utilized such as recommended by a doctor or simply for comfort. Still further, it is contemplated that some embodiments will be designed to allow the handle height to be raised or loweredin other words customizeddepending on the height, stature, preferences, and/or ergonomic and/or medical needs of the intended human user. For sake of clarity, the terms left and right are used herein for describing the invention only (and are not otherwise intended to be limiting) and have meanings which are contextual, being relative to the forward-facing direction of the device 1.

[0033] At the lower ends of frame 3, left and right frame legs 9L and 9R are mechanically connected to the to left and right vertical frame members 5L and 5R respectively. The mechanical connection in the disclosed embodiment is fixed in nature (e.g., achieved by welds or fasteners or similar mechanical connection) but flexible or partially-rotatable pivot type connections are also envisioned, such as for ergonomics during walking (or for other reasons). Each leg 9L and 9R, as illustrated, is elongated to extend both forward and rearward of the base of each vertical frame member 5L and 5R respectively (for apparatus stability). Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, a wheel is rotatably attached at each end of the legs of the lift assist device, as wheels 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R, effectively making this a wheeled-walker type embodiment (as opposed to a non-wheeled walker-type). As disclosed elsewhere herein, however, not all embodiments envisioned by the inventor will include wheels, or they may include less wheelssuch as two wheels mounted at the front of the device (similar to wheels 13L and 13R (other wheels being omitted)), or such as two wheels mounted at the rear (similar to wheels 11L and 11R (other wheels being omitted)).

[0034] In the depicted embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the frame members are disclosed as comprising square metal tubing. Of course, other materials or configurations may be used to accomplish different objectives, such as to tailor the weight or strength of the lift assist device 1. For example, solid shafts could be employed (e.g., made of metal or wood or plastic), or different configurations of hollow tubing can be employed, such as round or rectangular tubes.

[0035] Located preferably generally between the vertical frame members is a cradle comprised of left and right cradle arms 21L and 21R which are slidably engaged to frame members 5L and 5R respectively. Extending between cradle arms 21L, 21R is a lift member 23 which includes a seat surface 25 configured for a human user to sit on or to grab with their hands if sitting is not possible (or preferred for a given use). Seat surface 25 may be padded of course (with pad 27) or otherwise be designed to include ergonomic features to improve functionality or comfort. Further, the seat may include a handle surface for grasping by a human hand (or hands) such as if lift assistance is desired without requiring a human user to sit in the seat surface 25 (e.g., such as if a fallen user cannot reach a seated position but can reach the seat, or a provided seat handle (optional), with his/her hand(s)). Lift member preferably includes a structural support member 24 extending between and connected to the cradle arms 21L, 21R, which is suitably constructed to safely support the weight of a wide range of human beings. In more preferred embodiments, the support member, along with cradle arms 21L, 21R are each over-engineered such as to support 2-4 times the weight of an average human (e.g., for safety to ensure that the structure does not break during use).

[0036] Cradle arms 21L and 21R are (in this non-limiting preferred embodiment) slidably engaged to vertical frame members 5L, 5R so that the cradleincluding its lift member 23can travel upwards and downwards relative to the ground, by sliding up and down along the length of the vertical frame members (or in other words travel up and down generally orthogonally relative to the ground surface). Of course, it is not required that the cradle raise and lower in a precise vertical orientation, and variants of raising and lowering angles can be employed when desired (e.g., such as by angling the vertical frame members relative to orthogonal).

[0037] In order to facilitate the raising or lowering of the cradle in this preferred embodiment, left and right lift brackets assemblies 15L and 15R are provided which bridge-connect handles 7L and 7R (or the arms or other structural member affiliated with such handles) to the upper ends of cradle arms 21L, 21R, as well as to other operational parts of the lift assist device. More specifically, in this embodiment, vertical frame members 5L, 5R each include a cylindrical shaft 6L and 6R which nests within the interior of the hollow metal tubing comprising each of the frame members, with the upper most end of each of the cylindrical shafts connected to the respective left and right lift bracket assemblies 15L and 15R. Additionally, so that the cradle (and therefore lift member 23) can be lifted (or lowered) with mechanical assistance (as opposed to being human powered), lift assist device 1 also includes left and right linear actuators 29L and 29R with the extensible portion of the actuators 29L and 29R preferably also connected to a plate portion of each of lifting brackets assemblies 15L and 15R. In other words, and in sum, lift bracket assemblies 15L and 15R each interconnect the handles, cradle arms, cylindrical column ends, and linear actuator extensible ends of the device so that when linear actuators 29L and 29R are operated (i.e., caused to extend) handles 7L, 7R lift upwards vertically as lift member 23 is also lifted (via lifting of cradle arms 21L, 21R). This is, of course, because the lower ends of linear actuators 29L, 29R are each (preferably) fixedly attached at or near a bottom (or ground-proximal) region G of the lift assist device. Thus, when the linear actuators are actuated, because the lower ends are attached in fixed locations, the extensible ends lift upwards, while the cylinder ends remain in place. Although the term fixed (or variants thereof) is used to describe the connection of the lower cylinder ends of the linear actuators, the connection may be a pivot connection type which may in fact facilitate better functionality, including if a lever is used (between the linear actuator and one or more frame members) to provide or increase mechanical advantage (i.e., by amplifying applied forces). Of course, it is possible and indeed envisioned to invert the linear actuators in alternative embodiments or to manufacture embodiments where the lower linear actuator connection also travels (such as when utilizing intermediary levers). Moreover, even though screw type linear actuators are disclosed in FIG. 1, other linear actuator types may be used, such as hydraulic types. Still further, other lift mechanisms entirely may be utilized such as lifting columns.

[0038] In order to provide power to linear actuators 29L, 29R (so that they can extend and retract to lift and lower lift member 23), a battery 35 is provided in the disclosed embodiment which is sized to be able to provide sufficient power to operate actuator motors 31L, 31R. Battery 35 can be of any type (lithium, lead acid, etc.), but in the most preferred embodiments is easily rechargeable such that a user with limited physical agility and/or mobility may readily re-charge the battery without additional human assistance. For this reason, a battery which can be plugged into a conventional wall outlet (e.g., with a supplied cord) is preferred.

[0039] In versions of the lift apparatus which include wheels, it is understood that it will sometimes (but not always) be desired to include brakes for the wheels so that the brakes can be employed, so that the lift apparatus remains stationarydespite applied directional forces, or despite being on an unlevel ground surfacewhen desired. For example, if a user of the apparatus is particularly unstable when standing (e.g., due to injury, disease, or age), brakes for the wheels may be recommended because the user is unable to stabilize the apparatus without the brakes. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, legs 9L and 9R include brakes 41 comprising angled tubing extensions, with wheel mount brackets 42a, 42 b for carrying wheels 11L, 11R, the brackets being pivotally connected at pivots 43a, 43b, at the junction of the angled tubing extension and main leg portions. Springs 45 (preferably duplicated on each side, but of any suitable variety) (see FIG. 3) are disposed between the angled tubing extensions and wheel mount brackets, and have sufficient spring constants such that the angled tubing extensions are biased away from the wheelsso that wheels 11L, 11R can spin freelywhen bearing only the weight of the lift assist apparatus 1. However, when weight is applied which exceeds the force of the spring constantssuch as when a human user applies force to handles 7L, 7Rthe angled tubing extensions bias against the wheels causing them to brake (i.e., no longer spin freely). Of course, brake pad type (or other suitable friction inducing) materials may also be utilized to increase the stopping force of the provided brakes.

[0040] In order to operate the linear actuators, and therefore to cause the lift member to raise or lower, a switch 37 is provided which, in this embodiment, is a corded switch which includes a length of cord (or cable) 39 sufficient to allow the switch to be passed to a third party non-user of the device, so that the third party can operate the lift assist device, if the user of the device needs assistance. Alternatively, the switch can be operated by the device user. In some preferred embodiments, two switches are providedone fixedly mounted on the apparatus and another which can be operated remotely (because it is either attached via a length of cable or because it is operable wirelessly). Of course, in some embodiments only a single switch is used which is mounted on the device with no remote-operation capabilities. In preferred embodiments, switch 37 includes at least three positions or at least three modes, including 1) a raise mode (or position)which raises the lift member; 2) a lower mode (or position)which lowers the lift member; and 3) a neutral mode (or position) in which the lift member remains at a stationary height. Regardless of the type of switch used, it is preferred that the selected linear actuators be designed so that if power is lost to the apparatus (e.g., because of a dead battery), the actuators will remain at their current extended length (and not collapse to endanger the user).

[0041] When the embodiment of lift assist apparatus 1 depicted in FIG. 1 is used as a wheeled walker-type device, the man or woman stands between the frame members placing his/her hands on handles 7L, 7R for support while in a standing position. The user can then walk by pushing apparatus 1 forward so that it rolls on wheels 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R, take a step towards the already forward-advanced apparatus (back into a position between its frame members), and then repeat the procedure so that the user is provided with mobility assistance when walking. If braking is needed, force can simply be applied to the apparatus handles in a direction towards the ground.

[0042] When a user wishes to use lift assist apparatus 1 as a lift device, such as if the user has fallen to the ground, the device user preferably raises his/herself to a seated position on seat surface 25 (covered by seat pad 27) which, in this embodiment, orients the user so that they are facing in a rearward direction (opposite the walking direction of the device). Once seated as such, switch 37 can be operated to a lift or raise position so that linear actuators 29L, 29R begin extending, raising both lift member 23 and handles 7L, 7R simultaneously (because of their similar connections to lift brackets assemblies 15L and 15R). Maintaining the relative distance between the lift member and handles is helpful to a user, because the raising of the seat (and thus the user seated on the seat) does not place the user in an awkward position relative to the apparatus handles. In other words, the handles remain well-positioned to continue to provide stability-assistance to the user (even when lifting, when the user is in a seated position). In an alternative scenario where the apparatus user is unable to raise his/herself to a seated position (from a fallen position), the lift apparatus can nevertheless be used for lift assistance by gripping lift member 23 with the user's hand (or hands) (either directly or utilizing a supplied handle connected to lift member 23 or seat 25). After a suitable grip is obtained, the lift member can be liftedjust as in the seated modeby operating switch 37 so that it is in a lift or raise position (or a nearby non-user can operate switch 37 for the user).

[0043] When using lift assist apparatus for a lowering operation, such as to assist a person in lowering themselves from a seated or standing position to a chair or a bed, the reverse operation (as compared to the immediately preceding paragraph) is performed. For example, if a user is using the device as a wheeled-walker and the user wishes to lower themselves to a bed (or simply desires assistance reaching a low shelf or cabinet or object on the floor), lift member 23 can be positioned (e.g., possibly raised) so that it is at the relative height of the user's gluteal muscles. Once in position as such, the user can turn around to face the rearward direction, lean themselves or seat themselves on seat surface 25 and then operate switch 37 to the lower mode so that linear actuators 29L, 29R retract, lowering lift member 23 and therefore the human user of the device, but while also providing physical support to the user so that they do not fall. If the apparatus is being used to transition to a laying position, the user can first walk the device to a bedside and thenusing the handles of the device for supporttransfer themselves from seat 25 to a bed surface. Alternatively, if the user is using the apparatus to reach a low object, after the object is recovered, switch 37 can be operated to its raise (or lift) position, returning the user to a seated or standing position so that they may continue walking locomotion.

[0044] Although not included in many embodiments, some optional embodiments (such as described in the Summary of Invention section) include self-driving capabilities as well as tracking and locating functions. For example, in some of these embodiments, a tracking device 51 may optionally be worn by an apparatus user with the apparatus itself (optionally) including a tracking device locator 53. In these embodiments, a wireless remote control is also preferably supplied such that if or when a user experiences a fall which is not near the lift assist apparatus, the wireless remote control can be used to activate a find function whereby the apparatususing the tracking device locatorlocates the human user and then optionally drives the lift assist apparatus to the user to assist them in returning to a standing position. In similar but different embodiments, of course, the tracking functions can be omitted but a wireless remote can be supplied (with typical forward, reverse, and left and right controls) to manually drive the apparatus to the fallen device user.

[0045] Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications, and improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications, and improvements are therefore considered to be part of this invention, without limitation imposed by the example embodiments described herein. Moreover, any word, term, phrase, feature, example, embodiment, or part or combination thereof, as used to describe or exemplify embodiments herein, unless unequivocally set forth as expressly uniquely defined or otherwise unequivocally set forth as limiting, is not intended to impart a narrowing scope to the invention in contravention of the ordinary meaning of the claim terms by which the scope of the patent property rights shall otherwise be determined: