Abstract
An orthotic device for assisting a user in walking includes an underarm support assembly configured to support a user's weight without damage to their nerves, and upright support pivotally connected to the underarm support assembly and a ground engaging assembly pivotally connected to the upright support. In one embodiment, the underarm support assembly is spring biased relative to the upright support to bias the upright support to an orientation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of the underarm support. The ground engaging assembly is also biased to bias the ground engaging assembly to a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upright support while allowing the ground engaging assembly to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the upright support and about an axis parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the upright support.
Claims
1. An orthotic walking device comprising: an underarm support assembly; two substantially parallel upright support members having an upper end pivotally coupled to said underarm support and a cross member extending between said upright support members; and a ground engaging assembly having a base pivotally connected to a lower end of said support members, a mounting bracket having a longitudinal dimension with a first end pivotally coupled to said base and a second free end, and a spring extending between said mounting bracket and said cross member, wherein when said base is moved forward of said upright support members said mounting bracket pivots upward from said base to reduce spring tension between said ground engaging assembly and said cross member, and when said base moves rearward of said upright support members, said mounting bracket pivots to contact said ground engaging assembly and increase spring tension between said ground engaging assembly and said cross member to bias said ground engaging assembly to a predetermined position relative to said upright support members.
2. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein said ground engaging assembly has a longitudinal dimension, and where said mounting bracket pivots between a first position substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of said ground engaging assembly, and a second position where said mounting bracket is at an incline relative to the longitudinal dimension of said ground engaging assembly.
3. The orthotic device of claim 2, wherein said spring extends between a midsection of said mounting bracket and said cross member.
4. The orthotic device of claim 2, wherein said mounting bracket includes a rigid member extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal dimension of said mounting bracket, and where said spring is coupled to a distal end of said rigid member.
5. The orthotic device of claim 4, wherein said rigid member is fixed to a midsection of said mounting bracket between said first end and said second free end.
6. The orthotic device of claim 4, wherein said mounting bracket has at least one hole aligned with at least one hole in said base of said ground engaging member, and a removable locking member received in said holes to lock said mounting bracket in a fixed position with respect to said base.
7. The orthotic device of claim 4, wherein said rigid member extends from said mounting bracket toward said cross member.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The following is a brief description of the drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the orthotic device in one embodiment of the invention;
(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the orthotic underarm support assembly of FIG. 1 where the vertical support is pivoted rearward relative to the user;
(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the orthotic underarm support assembly of FIG. 1 showing the vertical support position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the underarm support;
(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the orthotic underarm support assembly where the vertical support is pivoted in the forward direction relative to the user;
(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the orthotic underarm support assembly showing that the frame position angle can be adjusted relative to the base of the underarm support assembly to accommodate conditions and body structure of the user;
(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the underarm support assembly in a fixed embodiment;
(8) FIG. 7 is a side view of the ground engaging support of FIG. 1 showing the balanced springs in their normal position, with the skid resistant foot on the walking surface;
(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of the spring loaded vertical support pivoting relative to the ground engaging support in a rotated direction while the skid resistant foot is not moved;
(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of the spring loaded vertical support pivoting in a second direction without affecting the foots position relative to the ground engaging support in a second direction;
(11) FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cane in one embodiment of the invention having a forearm cuff assembly prior to its attachment to the special designed cane;
(12) FIG. 11 is side view of the cane and forearm cuff assembly illustrating supporting the user positioned with users weight placed upon their forearm during use;
(13) FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the orthotic device in another embodiment of the invention showing the energy conservation spring mechanism locked in place;
(14) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the ground engaging support of FIG. 12 showing the energy conservation spring mechanism unlocked and pivoted forward enabling the spring to be placed in tension relative to the ground engaging assembly;
(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the ground engaging support of FIG. 12 showing the energy conservation spring mechanism unlocked and the support members pivoted rearward relative to the ground engaging assembly relaxing the spring;
(16) FIG. 15 is side view of the ground engaging support in another embodiment of the invention;
(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the orthotic device in another embodiment of the invention showing a configuration that is user friendly and less medical looking in appearance;
(18) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cane in another embodiment the invention showing a configuration that is user friendly and less medical looking in appearance; and
(19) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the orthotic device in a further embodiment of the invention showing an alternative hand grip design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(20) The present invention is directed to an orthotic device to assist the user in walking. The invention is further directed to an orthotic device that is able to support the weight of the user without injuring the user's underarm nerves.
(21) In one embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the orthotic device 10 includes an underarm support assembly 12, and an upright support 14, and a ground engaging assembly 16.
(22) The underarm support assembly 12 has a shape and dimension to engage the underarm of the user while substantially preventing or reducing movement of the underarm support assembly 12 with respect to the underarm of the user. In this manner, the underarm support assembly 12 preferably remains stationary relative to the underarm of the user. The underarm support assembly has a longitudinal dimension to extend through the underarm of the user to provide support for the user.
(23) The underarm support assembly 12 has a frame 18 to provide a sufficiently rigid structure to support the weight of the user. In the embodiment shown, the frame 18 has a substantially U-shape with a bottom portion 20 and upright portions 22 that extend an upward direction relative to the bottom portion 20 a distance and at an angle to extend along the front and rear of the shoulder of the user. A cushion or padding 24 is provided on the frame 18 to distribute the user's weight along the frame without applying excessive pressure to one or more points of the underarm of the user.
(24) A harness or strap 26 is attached to the frame 18 to extend between the distal ends of the upright side portions 22 of the frame to extend over the top of the shoulder of the user. The strap 26 includes a buckle 28 or other tensioning adjustment mechanism, such as hook and loops fasteners, to provide a secure fit to the user. During use, the underarm support assembly 12 is positioned in the underarm of the user and the strap 26 extends over the top of the shoulder of the user to securely position the underarm support assembly and inhibit, minimize or prevent movement of the underarm support assembly relative to the patient during use.
(25) As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 18 of the underarm support 12 is connected to a base 30. In one embodiment, the base 30 has a longitudinal dimension complementing the longitudinal dimension of the frame 18. In the embodiment shown, the base 30 has a substantially U-shape with a top face 32 and opposite side faces 34 that extend in a substantially downward direction relative to the device to form an open channel on the bottom side. The frame 18 is coupled to the top face 32 of the base 30 to provide a substantially rigid assembly during use. In one embodiment, the frame 18 is fixed to the top face 32 of the base 30 so that the position of the base 30 is fixed relative to the position of the frame 18.
(26) In one embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the frame 18 of the underarm support assembly 16 is coupled to the base 30 whereby the position and angle of the frame 18 can be adjusted relative to the base 30. The base 30 includes at least one coupling and typically a pair of couplings for connecting the base 30 to the frame 18. A first coupling 36 extends between the base 30 and the frame 18 to allow pivoting movement of the frame 18 relative to the base 30 about a vertical axis. Preferably the pivot axis is oriented at the rear end of the underarm support assembly relative to the user. A second coupling 38 can include an adjustment plate 40 having one end connected to the base 30 and the opposite end connected to the frame 18. The adjustment plate 40 allows adjustment of the angle between the longitudinal dimension of the frame 18 and the longitudinal dimension of the base 30 as shown FIG. 5. The adjustment mechanism in the embodiment shown is an adjustment plate extending transversely between the longitudinal ends of the base 30 and the frame 18. The adjustment mechanism can be slot formed in the adjustment plate 40 that receives a screw extending from the frame 18 for sliding within the slot to selected position. Other adjustment mechanisms can be used such as the adjustment mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,824, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
(27) The base 30 is pivotally connected to the upright support 14 about an axis defined by the pivot pin 42. The pivot pin 42 extends between the side faces 34 of the base 30 and through an aperture in the upright support 14. The upright support 14 is retained within the channel defined by the U-shaped base 30 to pivot in a longitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal dimension of the base 30. In a preferred embodiment, the upright support 14 pivots along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the base 30 without lateral movement relative to the base and without rotational movement relative to the longitudinal dimension of the base 30. In the embodiment shown, the pivot axis is oriented at the center or midpoint of the base 30. The adjustment assembly of the underarm support assembly allows the underarm support to be adjusted to a selected position to provide comfort to the user by aligning the underarm support with the underarm or axillary of the user while the ground engaging base is aligned with the direction of travel of the user.
(28) The upright support 14 is preferably biased relative to the base 30 to retain the upright support 14 in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the base 30 in a rest position. In the embodiment shown, the biasing mechanism includes springs 44 that extend between the upright support 14 and the respective longitudinal end of the base 30. Referring to FIGS. 2-4 the springs 44 provide a balanced system to position the underarm support assembly in a predetermined position relative to the upright support assembly. The springs 44 have a first end 46 connected to the upright support 14 by a pin 48 spaced from the base 30 and have a second end 50 connected to a respective longitudinal end of the base 30. In one embodiment, the springs 44 are substantially the same and provide a uniform tension between the opposite ends of the base 30 to bias the base 30 to a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upright support 14. In other embodiments, the springs 44 can be mounted in different locations along the upright support 14 and can have different lengths and tensions depending on the intended use. The ends of the springs can be connected to the base 30 and the support 14 by hooks that are connected to the screw or pin coupled to the base 30 and support 14.
(29) The upright support 14 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 9 includes a single tubular member. The upright support 14 can include various sections to adjust the length of the upright support as known in the art. Various mechanisms can be used to adjust the length such as telescoping tubular sections with suitable locking mechanism such as a spring biased buttons.
(30) A hand grip 52 shown in FIG. 1 is coupled to the upright support 14 for gripping by the user. The handgrip in the embodiment shown includes a bracket 54 that surrounds the upright support 14 with suitable adjustment and tightening mechanism to adjust the position of the handgrip along the longitudinal length of the upright support 14 to a suitable location to provide comfort to the user. The bracket 54 is also adjustable to allow rotation of the handgrip 52 relative to the longitudinal axis of the vertical support so that the longitudinal dimension of the handgrip 52 can be selectively adjusted relative to the longitudinal dimension of the underarm support assembly 12. The bracket can be in the form of a ring to surround the support 14 where the ring includes a threaded screw that be tightened to clamp the ring in a fixed position on the support 14.
(31) Referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 7-9 the ground engaging assembly 16 has a ground engaging pad 56 with a length and width sufficient to provide a skid resistance contact with the ground. The pad 56 is attached to a plate 58 by an adhesive or other means. A base 60 having a substantially U-shaped channel has a longitudinal length complementing the longitudinal length of the pad 56 and the ground engaging assembly 16. A resilient pad 62 shown in FIG. 7 is positioned between the base 60 and the plate 58 to allow limited movement and cushioning between the base 60 and the plate 58. In one embodiment, fasteners extend between the plate 58 and the base to couple the plate to the base while allowing limited movement between the plate and the base by the resilient pad 62.
(32) The base 60 has substantially parallel side walls 64 forming an upwardly facing open longitudinal channel 66 shown in FIG. 1. A substantially tubular shaped collar 68 is connected to the base 64 for pivoting movement relative to the longitudinal dimension of the base 60. In the embodiment shown, the collar 68 is connected to the base 60 by a pivot pin 70, bolt or other fastener extending between the sidewalls 64 and through an aperture in the of the collar 68. The collar 68 is retained in the channel 66 to allow pivoting in a longitudinal direction of the channel and resisting lateral movement and resisting rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the collar 68 with respect to the base 60. In the embodiment shown, the collar 68 has a substantially tubular configuration. In other embodiments, the collar 60 can have a suitable shape or structure to allow pivoting movement of the collar relative to the base 60 in a longitudinal dimension of the base 60.
(33) The bottom end of the upright support 14 is received in the collar 68 whereby the upright support 14 can rotate within the collar 68 about the longitudinal axis of the upright support 14 and the longitudinal axis of the collar 68. The upright support is able to rotate about a substantially vertical axis with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the base 60. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9, a spring 72 extends from each longitudinal end of the base 60 to the upright support 14. In the embodiment show, the springs 72 retain the upright support in the collar by the spring tension while allowing rotational movement between the upright support and the collar about a vertical axis and pivoting movement of the collar relative to the base 60 about a transverse, horizontal axis relative to the longitudinal dimension of the base 60. A first end of the springs 72 is coupled to the respective longitudinal end of the base 60 by a fastener such as a pin or rivet 74 extending between the sidewalls 64 and through a hook or loop on the end of the spring. A second end of the springs 72 is connected to the upright support by a hook 76 to provide tension to the springs. The springs 72 provide sufficient tension to bias the base 62 to a rest position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upright support 14 and to a position where the ground engaging assembly is substantially parallel to the ground when the upright supports are positioned vertical to the ground as shown in FIGS. 7-9 and 15. The hooks 76 on the upright support 14 are preferably oriented on opposite sides of the upright support 14 to provide sufficient tension to the upright support 14 when rotated with respect to the collar 68 to bias the axial position of the upright support relative to the collar 68 and the base 62 the position shown in FIG. 7. In this manner, the spring 72 biases the angular position of the base 62 relative to the axis of the upright support 14 and the axial position of the base 62 relative to the longitudinal axis of the upright support 14. The springs 72 bias the upright support 14 to the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 15 while allowing an axial twisting or rotation of the upright support 14 to the positions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
(34) In some instances, a disabled user may have a condition where either voluntary or involuntary movement of the hand or wrist occurs to rotate or twist during walking. The balance spring assembly in conjunction with the rotational movement of the upright support with respect to the collar accommodates for the rotating or twisting movement without interfering with the use of the device. The device provides the correct ergonomics and controlled rotation of the upright support with respect to the base.
(35) During use, the underarm support assembly 12 is positioned under the arm and around the shoulder of the user so that the shoulder of the user fits snugly within the U-shaped padding of the underarm support assembly. The strap 26 can be secured over the top of the shoulder of the user to limit movement of underarm support assembly relative to the underarm of the user.
(36) During use, the user pivots the upright support 14 in a forward direction while the underarm support remains stationary to the user where the ground engaging assembly contacts the ground. The user is then able apply substantial weight on the underarm support assembly and move forward until the upright support 14 is rearward of the user. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the underarm support assembly 12 maintains a substantially fixed position relative to the user where the base 30 of the underarm support assembly remains substantially parallel to the ground while the upright support 14 pivots relative to the base 30 between the rearward position shown in FIG. 2 and the forward position shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate that the orthotic support and assembly remain in the same position while the vertical support moves from front to back.
(37) The upright support 14 also pivots relative to the base 60 of the ground engaging assembly 16 during the forward movement of the upright support during use. The ground engaging assembly 16 contacts the ground to maintain the position substantially parallel to the ground while allowing the upright support 14 to pivot or rotate along the longitudinal axis of the upright support. The upright support 14 is able to pivot or rotate along the longitudinal axis of the upright support relative to the ground engaging assembly 16 by rotating within the collar 60. The springs 72 bias the upright support 14 relative to the ground engaging assembly 16 to the position shown in FIG. 7. The springs 72 to allow rotational movement of the upright support relative to the collar 60 and bias at the upright support to the rest position shown in FIG. 1.
(38) In the embodiment shown, the collar 68 can be provided with an aperture extending transversely through the collar that can be aligned with a complementing hole or aperture in the upright support 14. An optional pin 78 can be inserted in the holes in the collar and the upright support to lock the position of the upright support relative to the collar when rotational movement of the upright support relative to the collar is to be avoided. During normal use, the pin 78 is removed to enable the support to rotate within the collar 68 as discussed above.
(39) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a cane assembly 80 includes an upright support and a ground engaging assembly. The ground engaging assembly is substantially the same as ground engaging assembly 16 of the previous embodiment so that the same elements are identified by the same reference number. As in the previous embodiment, an upright support 14 is connected to a collar 68 for rotational movement relative to the collar. The collar 68 is pivotally connected to the base 60 and springs 72 extend between the longitudinal ends of the base and the upright support 14 to bias the upright support relative to the ground engaging assembly.
(40) The upright support 14 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 has an adjustable top section 82 that can telescope relative to the upright support 14 to adjust the length of the cane assembly 80. The top section 82 has a bottom section 84 connected to the upright support 14, an angled midsection 86 and a hand grip 88. In one embodiment, the angle between the midsection and the bottom section is about 20 degrees to provide proper support of the user's weight on the forearm cuff rather than the hand or wrists. The forearm cuff assembly 90 is connected to the angled midsection 86 by fasteners 92. The forearm cuff assembly includes a main support 94 having a linear dimension to extend in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the midsection 86. A bracket 96 is provided on the support 94 to engage the top section 82 of the cane assembly to provide additional support. An angled bracket 96 is provided at the end of the main support 94 for connecting to a forearm cuff 98 having a substantially U-shape to engage the forearm of the user. A strap 100 can be provided on the cuff 98 to wrap around the users forearm. The cuff 98 is pivotally connected to the angle bracket 96 by a bolt 102, screw or pivot pin.
(41) In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 16, the orthotic device 110 of the invention includes two substantially parallel upright support tubes 112 rather than the single support tube of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the support tubes 112 are pivotally connected to the underarm support assembly in a manner similar to the previous embodiment or as shown in FIG. 16. The two parallel upright support tubes maintain the underarm support assembly and the ground engaging assembly substantially parallel to each other during movement and use. The underarm support assembly can be as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 or as shown in FIG. 16.
(42) The ground engaging assembly 114 is similar to the ground engaging assembly of FIG. 1 except for accommodating the two upright support tubes 112. The ground engaging assembly 114 includes a base 116 having a substantially U-shape defined by a bottom wall and two upright side walls 118 spaced apart a distance to define an upwardly open channel to receive the upright support tubes 112. The two upright support tubes 112 are pivotally connected to opposite longitudinal ends of the base 116 to enable pivoting relative to base by pivot pins or rivets in a manner substantially the same as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,305 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The top ends of the upright support tubes are pivotally connected to the underarm support to enable the ground engaging assembly to pivot relative the underarm support.
(43) A mounting bracket 120 is connected to the base 116 for pivoting relative to the base 116. In the embodiment shown, the mounting bracket 120 has a longitudinal dimension that fits within the U-shaped channel of the base 116. A first longitudinal end 122 is pivotally connected to the base 116 by a pivot pin or bolt 124 as shown in FIGS. 12-14. The second free end 126 opposite the first end 122 is able to contact the base as shown in FIG. 13 and to pivot and move outwardly from the base as shown in FIG. 14.
(44) A spring 128 extends between the cross member 138 shown in FIG. 16 of the upright support tubes 112 and the mounting bracket 120 at a location spaced from the pivot axis defined by the pin 124 of the mounting bracket 120 to the base 116. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a locking member can be included to prevent pivoting of the mounting bracket 120 relative to the base 116. The locking member can be a removable pin 130 inserted through aligned holes 132 in the base 116 and holes 134 in the mounting bracket 120 as shown in FIG. 14. In the embodiment shown, a rigid member, such as a bar or rod 136 is fixed to the mounting bracket 120 and extends from the mounting bracket in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the base. As shown, the spring 128 extends between the distal end of the rod 136 and the cross member 138.
(45) During use of the device of FIGS. 12-14, the mounting bracket 120 is tensioned by the spring 128 to pivot upward relative to the base 120 at a rest position. In the rest position, the spring 128 biases the upright support tubes to a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the ground engaging assembly and the base 116 where the mounting bracket 120 is pivoted upward from the base 116 to relieve some of the spring tension. During use, as the user moves forward of the ground engaging assembly as depicted in FIG. 13, the mounting bracket 120 contacts the bottom wall of the base 116 to a position parallel with the bottom wall and the spring applies an increased tension to bias the base 116 to the rest position. As the user moves the ground engaging assembly forward of the user to place the ground engaging assembly on the ground or walking surface as shown in FIG. 14, the mounting bracket 120 pivots away from the base 116 to reduce the spring tension thereby requiring less force by the user to firmly position the ground engaging assembly on the ground while allowing the spring to return the ground engaging assembly to the rest position when lifted from the ground.
(46) In another embodiment, the orthotic device can include a decorative element such as the appearance of a shoe 140 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The devices of FIGS. 16 and 17 operate in a manner similar to the previous embodiments.
(47) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 18 the orthotic device 10 includes an adjustable hand grip assembly 142 connected to the upright support 14. In the embodiment shown, the hand grip includes a collar 144 that can be clamped to the upright support tube 14 and adjusted along the length and at a selected angle with respect to the upright support tube. The structure and operation of the device 10 is substantially the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and is not described in detail for simplicity. The hand grip includes a bar 146 is fixed to the collar 144 with the opposite ends extending outwardly from the collar. Parallel rods 148 extend outwardly from the ends of the bar 146 away from the support tube. A hand grip 150 extends between the rods 148 to be gripped by the user and space the hands outwardly from the support tube to provide a comfortable position for the user.
(48) While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
