Gait assist apparatus

Abstract

A gait assist apparatus having assemblies for a chassis, shock absorption, swivel wheel (casters), pivot, crutch and spring tension. The crutch is fitted onto an upper shaft of a pivot housing to pivot relative to the chassis. A pair of topside tension springs extend from a shock absorption plate to the middle of the crutch. A pair of underside tension springs extends from the bottom end of the crutch to the underside of the chassis. Suspension springs space the shock absorption plate above the chassis. One of the underside tension springs possesses a tension/compression force greater than that of the other tension springs. One of the topside tension springs possesses a tension/compression force greater than that of the other topside tension springs.

Claims

1. A gait assist apparatus, comprising: a chassis; a shock absorbing assembly supported by the chassis, the shock absorbing assembly including a shock absorbing plate and suspension springs between an underside of the shock absorbing plate and the chassis; a pivot mechanism that includes a pivot rod and a pivot housing, the pivot housing being arranged to pivot about the pivot rod; and tension springs that are supported by at least one of the shock absorbing plate and the chassis to alternatively stretch and compress in dependence upon a relative orientation of the pivot housing with respect to the chassis and the shock absorbing plate during pivoting motion about the pivot rod, the tension springs including a topside pair supported by the shock absorbing plate and an underside pair supported by the chassis; a wheel assembly for supporting the chassis in a manner that enables the chassis to roll back and forth via the wheel assembly upon a surface.

2. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wheel assembly further comprises a swivel wheel assembly having two casters.

3. The gait assist apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a crutch connected to the pivot housing, which in turn is connected to the shock absorption plate via the pivot rod, the crutch having a hand grasp rod and an arm grasp cuff spaced from each other, the topside pair of tension springs being attached to the crutch at a location that is between a location of the pivot rod and a location of the hand grasp rod, the underside pair of tension springs being attached at a location beneath the chassis.

4. The gait assist apparatus of claim 3, wherein one of the tension springs of the topside pair possesses a greater spring tension force than that of a remaining one of the topside pair, the crutch having a top end that inclines, the one of the tension springs of the topside pair being beneath an incline of the top end of the crutch, the hand grasp extending in an outward direction with the remaining one of the tension springs of the topside pair being beneath the hand grasp.

5. The gait assist apparatus of claim 4, wherein one of the tension springs of the underside pair possesses a greater spring tension force than that of a remaining one of the underside pair and being beneath the one of the tension springs of the topside pair, the remaining one of the tension springs of the underside pair being beneath the remaining one of the tension springs of the topside pair.

6. The gait assist apparatus of claim 5, wherein the one of the tension springs of the underside pair possesses the spring tension force that is greater in magnitude than that possessed by the tension springs of the topside pair.

7. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the tension springs of the topside pair possesses a greater spring tension force than that of a remaining one of the topside pair.

8. The gait assist apparatus of claim 7, wherein one of the tension springs of the underside pair possesses a greater spring tension force than that of a remaining one of the underside pair and being beneath the one of the tension springs of the topside pair, the remaining one of the tension springs of the underside pair being beneath the remaining one of the tension springs of the topside pair.

9. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one of the tension springs of the underside pair possess the spring tension force that is greater in magnitude than that possessed by the tension springs of the topside pair.

10. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot rod extends through aligned openings of the pivot housing.

11. The gait assist apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pivot rod extends through aligned openings of the pivot housing.

12. The gait assist apparatus of claim 11, wherein the shock absorbing plate has a flat portion that extends in a plane and two leg portions that extend in respective planes that are transverse to the plane that the flat portion extends, the shock absorbing plate having two bent portions between the two leg portions respectively and the flat portion so as to define a central opening bounded by the two bent portions and by two opposite edges that extend between the two bent portions, the chassis having a base with a central opening in alignment with the central opening in the shock absorbing plate, the pivot housing being between the two leg portions.

13. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing plate has a flat portion that extends in a plane and two leg portions that extend in respective planes that are transverse to the plane that the flat portion extends, the shock absorbing plate having two bent portions between the two leg portions respectively and the flat portion so as to define a central opening bounded by the two bent portions and by two opposite edges that extend between the two bent portions, the chassis having a base with a central opening in alignment with the central opening in the shock absorbing plate.

14. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the tension springs of the topside pair possesses a greater spring tension force than that of a remaining one of the topside pair.

15. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the tension springs of the underside pair possesses a greater spring tension force than that of a remaining one of the underside pair.

16. The gait assist apparatus of claim 14, wherein one of the tension springs of the underside pair possesses a greater spring tension force than that of a remaining one of the underside pair and being beneath the one of the tension springs of the topside pair, the remaining one of the tension springs of the underside pair being beneath the remaining one of the tension springs of the topside pair.

17. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one of the tension springs of the underside pair possesses the spring tension that is greater in magnitude than that possessed by the tension springs of the topside pair.

18. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suspension springs include a proximal set of the suspension springs and a distal set of the suspension springs, the proximal set being closer to the pivot housing than is the distal set, the proximal set having a greater compression force than that of the distal set.

19. The gait assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tension springs include a heavy-duty tension spring, three medium-duty tension springs, and three light-duty tension springs, the heavy-duty tension spring having a greater stretch resistance than any of the three medium-duty tension springs, any of the three medium-duty tension springs having a greater stretch resistance than any of the three light-duty tension springs, the underside tension springs include a heavy-duty tension spring and a pair of light-duty tension springs, the topside springs include a pair of medium-duty tension springs and a pair of tension springs consisting of one medium-duty tension spring and one light-duty tension spring.

20. The gait assist apparatus of claim 19, wherein each of the heavy-duty tension spring of the underside pair, the light-duty tension spring of the topside pair and one of the remaining two of the medium duty tension springs compressing and stretching in synchronism with each other under some conditions, each of the light-duty tension spring of the underside pair, the medium-duty spring of the topside pair, the further one of the light-duty tension springs, and another of the remaining two of the medium-duty springs compressing and stretching in synchronism with each other under further conditions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

(2) FIG. 1 is an upright view of the gait assist in accordance with the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is an end view taken across line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a section view taken across line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a section view taken across line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 5 is an upright view of FIG. 1 in use by a person.

(7) FIG. 6 is an isometric view of two of the gait assists of FIG. 1 in use by a person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) Turning to the drawing, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the structure of the gait assist 10 in accordance with the invention and FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate use of the gait assist by a person. Turning to FIGS. 4 and 6, the gait assist 10 includes a caster wheel assembly A, a chassis assembly B, a pivot mechanism C, a suspension assembly D, a pivoted assembly E and a spring tension assembly F. The castor wheel assembly includes a front swivel wheel or caster and a rear fixed wheel or caster.

Caster Wheel Assembly A

(9) Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, caster 12A is a swivel wheel and caster 12B is a fixed wheel. Both are spaced apart with each having a respective axle rod 14A, 14B passing through respective axial centers of the two casters 12A, 12B. The opposite ends of the axle rods 14A, 14B are secured to a respective pair of wings of a respective U channel 16A, 16B, which is angled as shown.

Chassis Assembly B

(10) As best seen in FIG. 6, the chassis 20 is a U channel. The U channels 16A, 16B each have a respective middle section between their pair of wings that is secured to an underside of the chassis 20.

Pivot Mechanism C

(11) Turning to FIG. 2, a pivot rod 40 passes through opposite sides of a pivot housing 42. One end of the pivot rod 40 is welded to the suspension plate 30 and the opposite end of the pivot rod 40 is inserted into an opening in the suspension plate 30. A plastic sleeve (not shown) passes through the aligned apertures in the pivot housing 42 and the pivot rod 40 is fitted into this plastic sleeve. Although FIGS. 2 and 3 show opposite ends of the pivot rod 40 passing through respective aligned openings in depending legs of the suspension plate 30, it is preferred that one end of the pivot rod 40 be welded to the suspension plate 30 to provide rigidity and prevent the pivot rod 40 from falling out of the aligned apertures of the pivot housing 42 during use because of jostling motion.

Suspension Assembly D

(12) Turning to FIGS. 4 and 6, a suspension plate 30 is secured to the recessed topside of the base of the chassis 20 by a series of shock absorbing suspension springs 32, 34 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6). The suspension plate 30 has an elongated opening as best seen in FIG. 6 that allows the crutch 30 to pivot back and forth without pressing against the suspension plate 30. The suspension springs 34 have a greater compressive force than the suspension springs 32. The suspension spring allow the user's shoulders to move p and down during locomotion using the gait assist 10. The suspension springs provide shock absorption to the user during locomotion while using the gait assist 10. The suspension springs 32 and 34 may be secured between the chassis 20 and the suspension plate 30. The suspension springs 34 are proximal the pivot housing 42 and closer to the pivot housing 42 than the suspension springs 32, which are distal from the pivot housing 42 since they are further away.

(13) With reference to FIG. 6, the suspension plate 30 is preferably formed from a flat sheet and then two transverse cuts are made and one longitudinal cut is made centrally between the two transverse cuts and then the two cut portions form two L-shaped channels as shown in FIG. 3. In order to retain each of the suspension springs 32, 34 to the chassis 20 and the suspension plate 30, the ring shaped ends of each suspension spring 32, 34 may be fitted onto two circular projections that are each welded in position on the chassis 20 and the suspension plate 30 as applicable. Clamp brackets are used to pass through an open helix portion of the spring just over the applicable circular projection and its ends fastened to the chassis 20 or suspension plate 30 as the case may be. The clamp bracket therefore has two end regions and a central region between with a respective bend separating the central region from each of the two end regions so that the central region extends in a different plane than that of the two end regions. The clamp brackets thus keep the end of the suspension springs 32, 34 from coming off the circular projections.

Pivoted Assembly E

(14) Turning to FIG. 1, the crutch 50 may be any conventional crutch, which are angled as shown under static condition. The crutch 50 has a hand grasp 52 and an arm grasp cuff 54. The base of the crutch 50 slides onto the crutch support bar of the upper shaft (not shown) of the pivot housing 42 in accordance with the invention. Turning to FIG. 3, the pivot rod 40 passes through aligned openings of the pivot housing 42. During use, both the hand grasp 52 and the arm grasp cuff 54 together provide two spaced apart locations for exerting a manual force to urge the walk assist to move. Preferably, the arm grasp cuff 54 is positioned for accommodating the forearm within the cuff.

Spring Tensioned Assembly F

(15) Turning to FIG. 1, there are tension springs 60, 62, 64, 66 that help stabilize the gait assist 10 about its pivot rod 40. The springs 60, 62 extend from opposite end regions of the suspension plate 30 to the crutch 50 at an elevation below the arm grasp rod 52 of the crutch 50 by having one looped end of the springs 60, 62 fitted onto hooks 58 that extend from a conventional clamp (not shown) that is clamped about a portion of the crutch 50. Such a conventional clamp may have two complementary pieces each with a semicircular central region and two outward arms extending in opposite directionseach arm is secured to its counterpart with the two semicircular central regions bolted together about the circumference of the crutch 50. The opposite looped end of the springs 60, 62 is fitted onto respective hooks (not shown) that extend from the suspension plate 30 and are substantially the same construction as the hooks 58. The springs 64, 66 are fastened at one end to the underside of the chassis 20 in any conventional manner such as with bolts and fastened at the opposite end by looping through the hole 56 of the lower shaft of the pivot housing 42 at a location below the chassis 20.

(16) The spring 66 has the greatest stretch resistance, followed in decreasing order of stretch resistance by springs 62, 60 and 64 in that order. To accommodate future features or additions to the gait assist 10 the inventor has found it essential to employ spring 66 as a single, heavy duty spring, to divide spring 64 into two light duty springs, to divide spring 62 into two medium duty springs, and to divide spring 60 into one medium duty and to one light duty spring. The terms heavy duty, medium duty and light duty are relative terms with respect to each other. The heavy duty spring has greater stretch resistance than a medium duty spring, which in turn has greater stretch resistance than a light duty spring.

(17) With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, during such forward pivoting motion of the crutch 50, tension spring 62 and 64 loses their tension and thus offers less stretch resistance, because they are being compressed. Such forward pivoting motion may arise during the user's arm swinging forward during their normal gait while walking or running. On the other hand, the tension springs 60 and 66 exert a greater tension resistance force during such forward pivoting motion of the crutch. While the user overcomes this tension resistance force to an extent, this tension resistance force will assist the user during the user's arm swinging backward after finishing their forward arm swinging movement.

(18) During the user's swinging backward movement, the spring tension of the springs 60, 62, 64, 66 will balance out when the arm aligns with the user's body. As the user continues to swing his/her arm back, however, springs 62, 64 exert their stretch resistance tension as the crutch 50 pivots backwardly counterclockwise, but springs 60, 66 effectively lose theirs as they compress.

(19) While the user overcomes the tension force exerted by the spring 62 and 64 during the user's rearward arm swinging motion, this tension force aids the user when the user swings their arm once again forwardly.

(20) The forward movement of the gait assist 10 is made easier because the static position of the crutch is angled back from the center due to the different tension strengths and placement of the springs 60, 62, 64 & 66. This angle helps the user overcome the inertia and rolling friction of the gain assist 10. As the user presses down on the handles by exerting a force, some of the force is directed forward due to this angle. The low center of gravity of the gait assist 10 enables the crutch to pivot back and forth while maintaining a forward motion.

(21) The gait assist is made with a chassis spring shock absorbing suspension and may be used with standard/conventional forearm crutches.

(22) The gait assist 10 feels comfortable when two are used as shown in FIG. 6one for each arm. With reference to FIG. 4, this is achieved because of the tension spring assembly F that is between the crutch 50 and the shock absorbing system D built into the chassis 20 of the gait assist 10 and between the pivot mechanism C and the chassis assembly B. Collectively, the crutch 50, the pivot housing 42 including its upper and lower shafts, constitute the pivoted assembly E that all pivot in unison via the pivot mechanism C.

(23) Turning to FIG. 6, front wheels (or front casters) swivel while the rear ones do not. This wheel/caster configuration provides a maneuverable and stable platform for the chassis 20.

(24) A conventional hand operated friction brake (not shown) may be provided for the rear wheels or rear casters of FIG. 6. Such a conventional hand operated friction brake may include three main components: a squeezing brake lever for the user to apply the brakes; a mechanism for transmitting that signal, such as Bowden cables, and the brake mechanism itself, such as a pivoting L-piece to press against the rear wheel. A Bowden cable is a type of flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force or energy by the movement of an inner cable relative to a hollow outer cable housing.

(25) The gait assist static angle of inclination positions the user back slightly from its center pivot. This keeps the gait assist 10 just ahead of the user.

(26) The gait assist has a proven design made with these features incorporated into it. It can be completely disassembled to replace any part. It is made from steel.

(27) The crutch 50 has a hollow bottom end fitted onto the upper shaft (not shown) of the pivot housing is cylindrical and of smaller diameter than the bottom end of the crutch 50 and projects from the pivot housing 42. In that way, the bottom end of the crutch 50 could be slid or fitted onto the upper shaft (not shown) of the pivot housing and be flush with a top edge of the pivot housing 42. Such an upper shaft [not shown] of the pivot housing 42 preferably extends to the elevation of the tension springs 60 and 62.

(28) The inventor was given permission to use the gait assist 10 in the 2017 New Jersey and 2017 Marine Corp marathons. The gait assist 10 completed both of these marathons without any safety or mechanical issues. Its inventor has had total knee replacement surgery.

(29) While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.