LOWER LIMB REHABILITATION, MOBILITY AND EXERCISE APPARATUS

Abstract

In one aspect the invention provides a lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus which includes a chassis having a front end and a rear end, and two foot platforms located between the front and rear ends of the chassis. Also provided is a transfer linkage engaged with each of the two foot platforms, the transfer linkage being connected to the chassis. The apparatus is configured so that motion of one foot platform towards the front end of the chassis causes the transfer linkage to move the remaining foot platform towards the rear end of the chassis.

Claims

1. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus which includes a chassis having a front end and a rear end, and two foot platforms located between the front and rear ends of the chassis, a transfer linkage engaged with each of the two foot platforms, the transfer linkage being connected to the chassis, wherein motion of one foot platform towards the front end of the chassis causes the transfer linkage to move the remaining foot platform towards the rear end of the chassis.

2. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chassis includes at least one vertical upright connected to a handle.

3. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the transfer linkage is pivotally connected to the front end of the chassis and includes a following roller adjacent to the rear end of the chassis.

4. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the rear end of the chassis is open allowing a user to enter into and occupy a space at least partially enclosed by the chassis.

5. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the transfer linkage includes a main body which is used to locate or house other components of the linkage, the main body defining a longitudinal axis which extends from the front end of the chassis to the rear end of the chassis.

6. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the main body of the transfer linkage incorporates at least one turntable configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body.

7. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the at least one turntable defines a circular plate which rotates around a centralised axis.

8. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the at least one turntable includes an axle and bearing assembly.

9. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the transfer linkage includes two turntables located in an array extending along the longitudinal axis of the main body.

10. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the transfer linkage incorporates a plurality of transfer rods with each rod being connected to one of the two foot platforms the opposite end of the same rod being engaged with a turntable.

11. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein a single turntable is connected to least two transfer rods which engage the turntable with both foot platforms so that rotation of the turntable in one direction urges one foot platform towards the front end of the chassis and the opposite foot platform towards the rear end of the chassis.

12. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein at least one end of each transfer rod is located within a channel defined by the rotating plate or body of a turntable.

13. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein at one of the transfer rods are configured to slide within the channel defined by the turntable.

14. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein at one of the transfer rods are configured to telescope in and out of the channel defined by the turntable.

15. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the ends of the transfer rods connected to a foot platform are engaged with one end of a lifting arm, with the opposite end of this lifting arm being connected to a spring-loaded axle housed within the foot platform.

16. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein rotation of the spring-loaded axle loads the spring to apply a biasing force seeking to rotate the axle in the opposite rotational direction.

17. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the spring is housed inside the foot platform and engaged with the axle and connected lifting arm.

18. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in in any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the end of the lifting arm engaged with the transfer rod has a wheel mounted to it which contacts the surface over which the apparatus is to move.

19. A lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transfer linkage includes a main body connected to the chassis and having a longitudinal axis orientated perpendicular to the front end of the chassis, and at least one turntable engaged with the main body and configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body, a plurality of transfer rods, each being connected to one of the two foot platforms and being configured to apply a turning force to the said at least one turntable, the transfer rods being engaged with said at least one turntable so that a force which moves one foot platform towards the front end of the chassis is transferred through the transfer rods and translated by the turntable to apply a force to the remaining foot platform to move said foot platform towards the rear end of the chassis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Additional and further aspects of the present invention will be apparent to the reader from the following description of embodiments, given in by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a partial cross section plan view of a lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as identified by reference arrow A shown with respect to FIG. 1,

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as identified by reference arrows B shown with respect to FIG. 2,

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as identified by reference arrows C shown with respect to FIG. 2,

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as identified by reference arrows D,

[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of apparatus shown with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5,

[0043] FIGS. 7a and 8a show side and perspective cross section views of elements of a lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus as provided in accordance with a further embodiment with a left foot platform positioned to the front of a chassis and a right foot platform positioned to rear of the chassis,

[0044] FIGS. 7b and 8b show side and perspective views of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7a, 8b with the left and right foot platforms passing each other in the centre of the chassis,

[0045] FIGS. 7c and 8c show side and perspective views of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7a, 8b with the left foot platform transitioning to the rear of the chassis and the right foot platform transitioning to the front of the chassis, and

[0046] FIGS. 7d and 8d show side and perspective views of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7a, 8b with the left foot platform positioned to the rear of the chassis and the right foot platform positioned to front of the chassis.

[0047] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which is given by way of example only of particular embodiments.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0048] FIGS. 1 through 6 show a number of views of a lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus 1 as provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0049] This apparatus includes a chassis 2 having a front end 2a and a rear end 2b. Two foot platforms 3 are located between the front and rear ends of the chassis with a user standing on these platforms between the front and rear ends of the chassis when the invention is used.

[0050] A transfer linkage 4 is engaged with each of the two foot platforms 3, and this transfer linkage is connected to the front end 2a of the chassis. In the embodiment shown the transfer linkage 4 includes a following roller 5 adjacent to the rear end of the chassis.

[0051] The cross section view of FIG. 5 shows in further detail the connection made between the front end of the chassis 2a and the transfer linkage. In the embodiment shown this connection is made through the use of a swivel hinge 6 which allows a degree of vertical movement of the transfer linkage relative to the chassis.

[0052] The transfer linkage incorporates a main body 7 which has a longitudinal axis orientated perpendicular to the front end 2a of the chassis.

[0053] The partial cross section view provided by FIG. 1 also illustrates the provision of two turntables 8 housed with the main body 7. These turntables are arranged to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body.

[0054] Each turntable 8 defines a pair of channels 9 used to receive one of two transfer rods 10 engaged with the turntable. The transfer rods are configured to slide or telescope in and out of their respective channel during use of the apparatus 1.

[0055] As can be seen from FIG. 1 the free ends of each transfer rod 10 are engaged with one of the two foot platforms 3. Each foot platform therefore has two transfer rods connected to it, with each of these rods residing in a channel formed in a different turntable 8. These transfer rods are used to apply a turning force to each respective turntable 8 when the apparatus is employed by a user to undertake a walking motion. The user places their feet on the foot platforms 3, and optionally uses a locking belt 11 to hold their feet in place. The rearward foot platform is urged forwards by the user, with the associated transfer rods applying a torque to the turntable which is transferred through to the second transfer rod accommodated by the same turntable. The opposite forward positioned foot platform is therefore simultaneously urged towards the rear end of the chassis as the turntables rotate.

[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of apparatus provided in the embodiment discussed. As can be seen from this view the chassis 2 also defines a vertical upright 12 from which one of a pair of handles 13 extend. During execution of a walking motion a user may also grasp these handles to improve their balance and limit the load they place on each foot platform. Both FIGS. 1 and 6 also illustrate the provision of chassis rollers 14 which assist a user rolling the apparatus forward as they execute a walking motion.

[0057] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 shown more detail how each transfer rod is connected to a foot platform, and how vertical motion is induced into each foot platform during use of the invention. As can be seen from FIG. 2 each transfer rod 10 is connected to a foot platform 3 through a connection to a wheel mounted on one end 16a of a lifting arm 16, where the opposite end 16b of said lifting arm is connected to a spring-loaded axle 17 housed by the foot platform. The axle 17 has a spring 18 connected to it, with an end of this spring being engaged with the interior of the foot platform as illustrated by FIG. 2.

[0058] In use this arrangement ensures that depression of the foot platform 3 loads the spring 18 associated with the axle 17 to apply an upward biasing force to the foot platform 3. A user applying their weight to the foot platform will urge the platform downwards, loading the spring while simulating a walking motion. As the user lifts their weight from the walking platform the spring will then urge the walking platform upwards again.

[0059] FIGS. 7a and 8a show side and perspective cross section views of elements of a lower limb rehabilitation, mobility and exercise apparatus 101 as provided in accordance with a further embodiment. As with the embodiments shown with respect to FIGS. 1 to 6 the apparatus 101 also includes a chassis 102 with a front end 102a and rear end 102b, in addition to a transfer linkage 104 and following roller 105 connected to the front end 102a of the chassis using a swivel hinge 106.

[0060] A pair of foot platforms 103 are provided inside the chassis where in FIGS. 7a, 8a a left foot platform is positioned to the front of a chassis and a right foot platform is positioned to rear of the chassis. Cross section views of each foot platform 103 are also shown, illustrating the provision a set of wheels mounted to lifting arms 116 which are in turn connected to spring loaded axles 117 housed within each foot platform. The wheel end of each lifting arm adjacent to the transfer linkage 104 is connected to one end of a transfer rod 110 extending from a channel defined in a turntable 108 of the transfer linkage 104.

[0061] Subsequent FIGS. 7b through 7d and FIGS. 8b through 8d show the operation and motion of these components in the embodiment shown as a user takes a step moving their right foot forward.

[0062] As can be seen from FIGS. 7a, 8a the lifting arms of the left foot platform have a horizontal orientation while those of the right foot platform are vertically orientated. From FIGS. 7b, 8b it can be seen that the right foot platform lifting arms are starting to be depressed downwards as the platform moves forwards, rotating the spring-loaded axles 117 and tensioning the spring 118 connected to the foot platform. The right foot platform's connections to the transfer rods 110 of the transfer linkage 104 turntables 108 are also applying force to the adjacent lifting arms and spring-loaded axles of the left foot platform 103 to move the left foot platform backwards relative to the right foot platform. At the same time a tensioning force which has previously loaded the spring 118 of the left foot platform is released to lift the left foot platform upwards as a user shifts their weight off their left foot to take a step with their right foot.

[0063] FIGS. 7c, 8c show the continuation of the step motion as the left foot platform continues to rise while receding and the right foot moves downwards and forwards. As these motions occur the turntables continue to transfer a turning force between the adjacent foot platforms while the lifting tension in the spring of the left hand foot platform is released and the spring of the right hand foot flat platform is loaded.

[0064] FIGS. 7d, 8d show the completion of the step motion with the lifting arms of the left foot platform having a vertical orientation, and this platform is lifted upwards and the tension in its spring has been released. The right foot platform is advanced in front of the left foot platform with its lifting arms having a horizontal orientation with its internal spring being tensioned

[0065] In the preceding description and the following claims the word comprise or equivalent variations thereof is used in an inclusive sense to specify the presence of the stated feature or features. This term does not preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

[0066] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and further and additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled reader from the examples illustrated with reference to the drawings. In particular, the invention may reside in any combination of features described herein, or may reside in alternative embodiments or combinations of these features with known equivalents to given features. Modifications and variations of the example embodiments of the invention discussed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departure of the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.