Walking-assisting flexible four-corner stick for hemiplegic patient

Abstract

The utility model discloses a walking-assisting flexible four-corner stick for a hemiplegic patient, and relates to the technical field of medical instruments. The four-corner stick comprises a stick body, a spring supporting device and a roller moving device. The bottom of the crutch body is connected with a top supporting rod through threads. The spring supporting device is provided with a top supporting plate, a reinforcing plate, a bottom supporting plate, four connecting rods and two springs; the top supporting plate is fixedly connected with a supporting rod at the bottom of the stick main body through threads; the top supporting plate and the reinforcing plate can slide up and down along the connecting rod; the two springs are respectively arranged between the top supporting plate and the reinforcing plate and between the reinforcing plate and the bottom supporting plate; and four rubber supporting blocks are connected below the bottom supporting plate through bolts. The roller moving device comprises a bottom supporting rod and four universal rollers; the bottom supporting rod is fixedly connected with the reinforcing plate through threads, and a hydraulic device is arranged at the connecting part; and the four universal rollers are fixedly connected to the bottoms of the bottom supporting rods through bolts. The device can automatically switch a weak-support moving mode and a strong-support anti-falling mode according to the magnitude of downward pressure applied by a user, and has both flexibility and stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, with a particular focus on the research and development and manufacturing of rehabilitation assistive devices. Specifically, it relates to a walking aid specifically designed for hemiplegic patients, aiming to improve their walking convenience, stability, safety, and comfort during walking through innovative structure and design, assisting them in daily walking activities and rehabilitation training, promoting the recovery of physical function and improving their quality of life. This field encompasses the comprehensive application of knowledge from multiple disciplines such as ergonomics, mechanics, materials science, and mechanical engineering, aiming to develop high-performance walking aids that meet the specific needs of hemiplegic patients. Background Technology

[0002] Walking training is a crucial part of rehabilitation for hemiplegic patients, especially those with Brunnstrom's Stage III and IV motor function impairments in the lower limbs. Choosing a stable, effective, safe, and scientifically designed walking aid is paramount. Currently available walking sticks have several shortcomings, such as poor structural stability, lack of effective cushioning, inconvenient height adjustment, insufficient grip comfort, and poor convenience, failing to simultaneously meet the convenience and safety needs of hemiplegic patients. To better meet the needs of hemiplegic patients and improve the performance, user experience, and safety of walking aids, this invention designs a flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients. Its main highlight is providing different assistive mechanisms in weak and strong support states. Weak support state: In this state, the user's stability is relatively good. When the user uses the flexible four-corner walking stick, the downward pressure transmitted through the stick body to the spring support device is relatively small. At this time, the upper soft spring in the spring support device mainly bears the pressure and plays the main supporting role, while the lower spring mainly plays a cushioning role. Due to the low downward pressure, the four rubber support blocks under the bottom support plate do not contact the ground. In this state, the four omnidirectional casters function effectively, providing assistance to the user while walking, allowing for smoother movement and maintaining a degree of flexibility and convenience. Strong support state: When the user's stability is disrupted, such as by encountering uneven ground or sudden loss of balance, posing a risk of fall, the downward pressure transmitted through the cane body to the spring support device increases significantly. Under this greater downward pressure, the upper soft spring in the spring support device compresses more intensely due to the excessive pressure. Simultaneously, the reinforcing plate moves the hydraulic device of the bottom support rod downwards, further increasing the pressure on the lower spring. As the pressure increases further, the entire spring support device moves downwards, causing the rubber support block under the bottom support plate to contact the ground. Once in contact with the ground, the rubber support block provides strong and stable support, effectively preventing the user from falling and providing reliable safety in unstable conditions, ensuring the user's personal safety during walking. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients. This flexible four-corner walking stick includes a main body, a spring support device, and a roller movement device. The main body is designed according to the shape of an axillary crutch, with a top support rod threadedly connected to the bottom. The spring support device includes a top support plate, a reinforcing plate, a bottom support plate, four connecting rods, and two springs. The top support plate is threadedly connected to the support rod at the bottom of the main body, and the bottom support rod is threadedly connected to the connecting rods. The top support plate and the reinforcing plate can slide up and down along the connecting rods. The two springs are respectively placed between the top support plate and the reinforcing plate, and between the reinforcing plate and the bottom support plate, with their ends contacting the top support plate, the reinforcing plate, and the bottom support plate, respectively. Four rubber support blocks are bolted to the bottom of the bottom support plate. The roller movement device includes a bottom support rod and four omnidirectional rollers. The bottom support rod is threadedly connected to the reinforcing plate, and the connection uses a hydraulic device. The four omnidirectional rollers are bolted to the bottom of the bottom support rod device, allowing for flexible rotation at multiple angles, facilitating the patient's movement of the walking stick in different directions.

[0004] The cane body is made of high-strength, lightweight material, making it easy for users to carry and operate. The height is adjustable to accommodate users of different heights; the adjustment mechanism is easy to operate and has a locking function to ensure height stability during use. The cane body features a comfortable grip made of non-slip, sweat-absorbing material, and is ergonomically designed to improve user comfort.

[0005] Support rod: It has a hollow structure and is made of high-strength aluminum alloy, which ensures lightness while improving support stability.

[0006] Support plates and reinforcing plates: The top support plate, bottom support plate, and reinforcing plate are square plate structures made of steel with galvanized surfaces to improve their rust resistance. They have sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand the pressure from the springs and various external forces that may be generated during use.

[0007] Springs: The springs in the spring support device have specific elastic coefficients. The upper spring is a soft spring (small elastic coefficient), and the lower spring is a hard spring (large elastic coefficient). The springs are rust-proofed to extend their service life and ensure that they provide stable cushioning and support for the device over a long period of time.

[0008] Rubber support blocks: With a textured design and elasticity that provides good anti-slip properties, the rubber support blocks should be able to deform appropriately under pressure to provide better cushioning, and should be able to quickly return to their original shape after the pressure is released to ensure the stability and lifespan of the walking stick.

[0009] The omnidirectional casters are made of wear-resistant rubber, offering excellent wear resistance, elasticity, and slip resistance. They allow for smooth rolling on various surface conditions with minimal noise, ensuring safety and durability. The casters also feature shock absorption, reducing vibrations experienced by the user during walking and maintaining stability on different terrains. The scientifically designed layout of the four casters forms a stable quadrilateral structure, ensuring high stability of the cane during use. The cane's well-designed center of gravity ensures good stability whether the cane is on its ground or raised. When the user stands or walks using the cane, they will not tilt or slip due to instability.

[0010] Weak Support State: In this state, the user's stability is relatively good. When the user uses the walking stick, the downward pressure transmitted through the main body of the stick to the spring support device is relatively small. At this time, the upper soft spring in the spring support device mainly bears the pressure and plays the main supporting role, while the lower spring mainly plays a buffering auxiliary role. Due to the small downward pressure, the four rubber support blocks under the bottom support plate will not contact the ground. In this state, the four omnidirectional casters can fully play their role, providing assistance to the user when walking, allowing the user to move relatively smoothly while maintaining a certain degree of flexibility and convenience.

[0011] Strong Support State: When the user's stability is disrupted, such as by encountering uneven ground or sudden loss of balance, and the user faces the risk of falling, the downward pressure transmitted through the cane body to the spring support device increases significantly. Under this greater downward pressure, the upper soft spring in the spring support device compresses more intensely due to the excessive pressure. Simultaneously, the reinforcing plate moves the hydraulic device of the bottom support rod downwards, further increasing the pressure on the lower spring. As the pressure increases further, the entire spring support device moves downwards, causing the rubber support block under the bottom support plate to contact the ground. Once in contact with the ground, the rubber support block provides strong and stable support, effectively preventing the user from falling and providing reliable safety in unstable conditions, ensuring the user's personal safety during walking. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 : Schematic diagram of the overall appearance of the four-cornered cane. This diagram comprehensively showcases the flexible four-cornered cane used for hemiplegic patients, clearly showing the three main parts: the cane body, the spring support device, and the roller movement device. This diagram provides an intuitive understanding of the overall shape of the cane and the general layout of its various parts.

[0013] Figure 2: Bottom view of the four-cornered stick. This drawing shows the four-cornered stick from the bottom, highlighting key components such as the four omnidirectional casters and four rubber support blocks. This view helps to clearly observe the distribution of these components at the bottom of the stick and their connection to other parts.

[0014] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the four-corner cane spring support device and roller movement device. This diagram details the spring support device and roller movement device, covering numerous components such as connecting rods, universal rollers, springs, rubber support blocks, support plates, and support rods. The shape, structure, and interconnection of each component are clearly presented in this diagram, providing an important reference for understanding the working principle of the four-corner cane.

[0015] Figure 4 Detailed structural diagram of the four-corner staff. This diagram provides a thorough and detailed illustration of the four-corner staff, clearly labeling each component. Furthermore, it clearly distinguishes the structural changes of the four-corner staff under weak and strong support conditions, allowing readers to intuitively understand its working state under different usage scenarios and providing strong support for further understanding its performance and function. Detailed Implementation

[0016] First, tighten the threads at the bottom of the cane body (reference 1) to the threads on the top support rod (reference 2) to ensure a secure connection.

[0017] Then, the top support plate (reference numeral 4) of the spring support device is connected and fixed to the support rod (reference numeral 3) at the bottom of the main body of the cane by thread. The bottom support rod (reference numeral 7) is connected to the connecting rod by thread. The top support plate and the reinforcing plate (reference numeral 6) are then fitted onto the connecting rod so that it can slide up and down along the connecting rod.

[0018] Next, place the two springs (see attached figure 5) between the top support plate and the reinforcing plate, and between the reinforcing plate and the bottom support plate, respectively, so that the two ends of the springs contact the corresponding support plates.

[0019] Next, connect four rubber support blocks (Figure 9) under the bottom support plate (Figure 8) with bolts. Pay attention to the tightness of the bolts to ensure that the rubber support blocks are installed securely.

[0020] Finally, the bottom support rod of the roller moving device is fixed to the reinforcing plate by thread, the hydraulic device is installed in the connecting part, and the four universal rollers (see attached figure 10) are fixed to the bottom of the bottom support rod device by bolts.

[0021] Height Adjustment: The height can be adjusted according to the user's height using the adjustment mechanism on the main body of the cane. To operate, first loosen the locking device, adjust the cane to the desired height, and then tighten the locking device to ensure a stable height. Users can adjust the height as needed during use.

[0022] Walking assistance: The user holds the cane by the handle and places it in a suitable position on the unaffected side of the body. While walking, the user first moves the affected side, then uses the cane for support to move the unaffected side, alternating between the two. When turning is needed, the omnidirectional wheels allow for flexible rotation at multiple angles. The wheels' anti-slip and shock-absorbing properties ensure stability and safety on various ground surfaces.

[0023] Support: When users encounter uneven surfaces, sudden loss of balance, or other situations that pose a risk of falling, they instinctively and quickly press down firmly on the handle of the cane with their unaffected arm. This action transmits force through the cane to the bottom support structure, causing the four corners of the cane to adjust accordingly. Specifically, this ensures that the four rubber support blocks at the bottom make full and tight contact with the ground, providing reliable stability, preventing falls, and ensuring safety.

[0024] Regular inspection: Regularly inspect the connections of all parts of the walking stick, especially threaded connections, to ensure there are no loose parts. Check the performance of the springs, such as whether the elasticity is normal and whether there is any deformation. Check the wear and anti-slip performance of the rubber support blocks, as well as the wear and rotational flexibility of the omnidirectional rollers.

[0025] Cleaning and Maintenance: Clean the surface of the walking stick regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust and stains. Avoid using corrosive cleaners, as these may damage the coating and materials on the stick's surface. Apply a suitable amount of lubricant to threaded connections regularly to ensure smooth thread rotation and prevent rust and jamming. However, be careful to avoid getting lubricant on other parts, as this may affect their performance. Check the sealing and operation of the hydraulic system. If leaks or malfunctions are found, repair or replace the hydraulic system promptly.

[0026] Component replacement: When it is found that the spring elasticity is weakened or deformed, the rubber support block is severely worn or aged, or the universal roller is damaged, the corresponding component should be replaced in time to ensure the performance and safety of the walking stick.

[0027] In summary, the flexible four-corner cane for hemiplegic patients of this invention has the advantages of high stability, good convenience, and multiple functions. It can effectively help hemiplegic patients with walking training, providing convenience for walking while ensuring safety.

Claims

1. A flexible four-cornered walking stick for hemiplegic patients, characterized in that, The cane comprises a main body, a spring support device, and a roller movement device. The main body is designed according to the shape of an axillary crutch, with a top support rod threadedly connected to its bottom. The spring support device includes a top support plate, a reinforcing plate, a bottom support plate, four connecting rods, and two springs. The top support plate is threadedly connected to the support rod at the bottom of the main body, and the bottom support rod is threadedly connected to the connecting rods. The top support plate and reinforcing plate can slide up and down along the connecting rods. The two springs are respectively positioned between the top support plate and the reinforcing plate, and between the reinforcing plate and the bottom support plate, with their ends contacting the top support plate, the reinforcing plate, and the bottom support plate, respectively. Four rubber support blocks are bolted to the bottom of the bottom support plate. The roller movement device includes a bottom support rod and four omnidirectional rollers. The bottom support rod is threadedly connected to the reinforcing plate, and the connection uses a hydraulic system. The four omnidirectional rollers are bolted to the bottom of the bottom support rod device, allowing for flexible rotation at multiple angles, facilitating the patient's movement of the cane in different directions.

2. The flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cane is made of high-strength, lightweight material.

3. The flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support rod has a hollow structure and is made of high-strength aluminum alloy.

4. The flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top support plate, bottom support plate, and reinforcing plate are square plate structures made of steel, with galvanized and rust-proofed surfaces.

5. A flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper spring of the spring support device is a rust-resistant soft spring with a small elastic coefficient, and the lower spring is a rust-resistant hard spring with a large elastic coefficient.

6. The flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rubber support block features a textured design for anti-slip effect and elasticity.

7. The flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients according to claim 1, characterized in that, The universal rollers are made of wear-resistant, non-slip, and quiet rubber.

8. The flexible four-corner walking stick for hemiplegic patients according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four omnidirectional casters are arranged in a stable quadrilateral structure.

9. A flexible four-cornered walking stick for hemiplegic patients according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four-cornered staff has a stable and reasonable center of gravity design.

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