U.S. patent application number 11/655064 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for walking frame.
Invention is credited to Jan Vanmanshoven.
Application Number | 20080176720 11/655064 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39641849 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080176720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vanmanshoven; Jan |
July 24, 2008 |
Walking frame
Abstract
A walking frame provided with a frame that is supported on a
number of wheels, and a harness for supporting the user of the
walking frame, whereby that the harness is connected to the frame
by a spring system which is orientated so that on the one hand it
provides vertical support for the user, and on the other exerts a
horizontal spring action in the forward direction of movement.
Inventors: |
Vanmanshoven; Jan;
(Zonhoven, BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
39641849 |
Appl. No.: |
11/655064 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/68 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2003/046 20130101;
A61H 3/04 20130101; A61H 3/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/68 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/04 20060101
A47D013/04 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
5. A walking frame comprising: a frame: a plurality of wheels
supporting the frame; a harness for supporting a user of the
walking frame; a spring system connecting the harness to the frame,
wherein the spring system provides vertical support for the user
and exerts a horizontal spring action on the user in a direction of
forward movement.
6. The walking frame according to claim 5, wherein the spring
system exerts a force in a direction which forms an angle of 40 to
50 degrees to a plane of forward movement.
7. The walking frame according to claim 5, wherein the force of the
spring system is adjustable.
8. The walking frame according to claim 6, wherein the force of the
spring system is adjustable.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a walking frame provided with a
frame that is supported on a number of wheels and a harness for
supporting the user of the walking frame.
[0002] Such a walking frame is generally of prior art.
[0003] In the walking frame of prior art, the user is generally
supported vertically by means of a harness which is secured around
his/her chest and is also supported by the frame of the walking
frame. This prevents the user from assuming a kind of suspended
position and there is no encouragement for the user to move forward
or walk.
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a walking frame of
the above-mentioned type which encourages the user to walk.
[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention in that
the harness is connected to the frame by means of a spring system
which is orientated so that on the one hand it provides a vertical
support for the user and on the other has a horizontal resilience
in the direction of forward movement.
[0006] Because the spring system not only has the vertical
component but also a horizontal component, the user is pushed
forward, so to speak, causing the user to be pushed off balance, as
it were, and is encouraged to take one step forward. As the user
moves forward, this effect is increased.
[0007] The spring system preferably consists of a spring which
forms an angle of 40 to 50 degrees to the plane of movement of the
user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other characteristics and advantages will become clear from
the following description with reference to the attached drawings.
In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view, partially in side elevation
and partially as a rear view, of an orthopedic walking frame
according to the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective front view of the walking frame
shown in FIG. 1; and
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view, partially as a rear view
and partially in side elevation, of the walking frame shown in FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The walking frame such as that shown in FIGS. 1-3 comprises
a U-shaped, bent tube 1, the surface of which, when the walking
frame is in use, extends at an angle of approx. 45.degree. to the
surface on which the walking frame is to move. A tube section 2 and
3 respectively is secured to each free end of U-shaped tube 1,
which tube section extends almost vertically when the walking frame
is in use. A wheel, 4 and 5, is mounted at each tube end 2 and 3
respectively, so that each wheel 4, 5 rotates about a horizontal
axis during the forward movement of the walking frame, and the
whole of each wheel, consisting of the wheel, shaft and support
strap is connected rotatably around a vertical axis to the
associated tube section 2, 3.
[0013] A tube section 6, 7 is also secured to each leg of U-shaped
tube 1. Each tube section 6,7 extends mainly outwards at an angle
of approx. 90.degree. to the surface of the U-shaped tube in the
upward direction in the normal operating position of the walking
frame. Tube sections 6, 7 may possibly be connected to the legs of
the U-shaped tube so that this angle is adjustable and so that when
the walking frame is in use, the position of the tube sections can
be adapted to the user of the walking frame. Handles 8, 9, made for
example from rubber or plastic, are fitted to the free ends of tube
sections 6, 7, in order to improve and facilitate the grip of the
user.
[0014] A straight tube 10 is connected to the U-shaped tube near
the central point of the bent part of U-shaped tube 1. The
connection between tubes 1 and 10 is detachable so that the two
tubes can be rotated relative to each other when a clamping
mechanism is released, whereas in the fixed position of the
clamping mechanism the connection between tubes 1 and 10 is locked.
This enables the two sections to be rotated relative to each other
so that tube 10 lies in the plane of U-shaped tube 1 and the
walking frame is folded up, so to speak. Such a clamping mechanism
may be obtained quite simply, for example, by connecting tube 10
rotatably, by means of a bush, to tube 1 and by securing in
position, over bush 1, a circular plate which can be connected by a
pin or the like to tube 10. For this purpose, holes may be made in
the circular plate around its periphery and a corresponding hole
made in tube 10. The angle between tubes 1 and 10 can therefore be
adjusted, even when the position between the tubes is fixed.
[0015] A cross tube 11, which extends horizontally in the normal
position of use of the walking frame, is mounted on the lower end
of tube 10. A vertically directed tube section 12, 13 is secured to
each free end of cross tube 11. The section 12, 13 has a respective
wheel assembly 14, 15 mounted thereto. In principle, this wheel
assembly is identical to assemblies 4 and 5, except that wheels 14,
15 cannot swivel but are rigid in terms of their orientation.
[0016] A brake lever 16 is secured near the top of tube 10. The
brake lever is connected by a cable to a braking mechanism of prior
art on wheels 14 and 15. The brake lever is designed so that it can
be fixed in different positions to ensure that a controllable
braking force is exerted on wheels 14, 15. This enables the force
which must be exerted by the user to push the walking frame forward
to be adjusted. Moreover, it may help the user to maintain forward
movement in case the walking frame has the tendency to move
backwards as a result of the spring action.
[0017] A rod 20, which rests with its lower end on a spring, not
shown, fitted inside tube 10, is inserted in tube 10. To ensure
that rod 20 is guided correctly inside tube 10, the inside of the
top section of the tube is provided with rollers to form an axial
bearing, so to speak, for rod 20. Means are fitted near the bottom
of tube 10 for adjusting the force of the spring. This enables the
resilience of the spring to be adapted to the weight and
capabilities of the user. The spring can be a conventional helical
spring, but otherwise pneumatic of hydraulic springs may be used as
well.
[0018] The top of the rod is hinged to a plate 21, which is, in
turn, again connected to a harness 22 of flexible material. Harness
22 consists of a U-shaped section provided with straps so that a
user can be secured in harness 22, as generally known in the care
of handicapped or spastic patients. The support strap may also
possibly be provided with fastening mechanisms for support
mechanisms for the lower limbs of the user.
[0019] In case improved stability is required, it is possible to
add another tube parallel to tube 10 and connected thereto and
another rod parallel to rod 20 and connected thereto. By this
parallel guiding system, improved stability can be obtained.
[0020] The use of the walking frame according to the invention is
intrinsically clear. After the user is secured in harness 22 of the
walking frame he or she may or may not be assisted by a third
person to take his or her first steps. During these steps, the
spring will always be compressed for part of each step, and will
then retract. This gives the user the feeling of being supported so
that he or she gains more confidence in moving, whilst at the same
time he or she receives a push in the back which brings him or her
off balance, encouraging him or her to take the next step to
recover his or her balance. The process is then repeated.
[0021] Experiments with subjects with spastic abnormalities have
demonstrated that after a short introductory and practice period,
they are able to move independently without problem after being
secured in the walking frame, and are free to choose the direction
of their movements.
[0022] It is clear that the invention is not limited to the
embodiment described and reproduced but that numerous modifications
can be made within the scope of the claim.
* * * * *