A leg support structure and a walking aid

Abstract

This disclosure provides a leg support structure and walking aid device. The leg support structure includes a mounting frame; the lower leg mechanism includes a sleeve and a leg pad assembly disposed on the sleeve, one end of the sleeve being hinged to the mounting frame so that the lower leg mechanism can rotate relative to the mounting frame around the hinge point; a telescopic mechanism is disposed at one end on the mounting frame and the other end connected to the sleeve, used to drive the lower leg mechanism to raise or lower; a foot pedal mechanism includes an inner tube and a pedal, the pedal being rotatably connected to the inner tube radially so that the pedal can rotate radially around the inner tube, the inner tube being coaxially sleeved inside the sleeve. The leg support structure and walking aid device of this disclosure, through the coordinated operation of the telescopic mechanism and the lower leg mechanism, realize the raising and lowering functions of the lower leg mechanism, effectively solving the problem of limited leg extension for patients. The pedal of the foot pedal mechanism has a rotating function, which can better adapt to the patient's leg posture, further improving patient comfort.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a leg support structure and walking aid. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional walking aids have many functional limitations in their leg supports. They typically only allow the user's lower legs to hang down and cannot provide adequate ankle support by rotating and leveling the lower legs and footrests. This limits the use of these devices for patients with knee injuries or in casts who cannot bend their knees, and also restricts the leg extension of long-legged users. Utility Model Content

[0003] This disclosure provides a leg support structure and walking aid to at least solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a leg support structure is provided, comprising:

[0005] Mounting rack;

[0006] The lower leg mechanism includes a sleeve and a leg pad assembly disposed on the sleeve, one end of the sleeve being hinged to the mounting frame so that the lower leg mechanism can rotate relative to the mounting frame about the hinge point.

[0007] A telescopic mechanism, one end of which is mounted on the mounting bracket and the other end connected to the sleeve, is used to drive the lower leg mechanism to lift or lower; and

[0008] A foot pedal mechanism includes an inner tube and a pedal, wherein the pedal is rotatably connected to the inner tube along the radial direction of the inner tube so that the pedal can rotate about the radial direction of the inner tube, and the inner tube is coaxially sleeved inside the sleeve.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the telescopic mechanism includes a control component, a guide component, and a pull rod; wherein,

[0010] The guide assembly is fixed to the mounting bracket;

[0011] The pull rod is slidably mounted in the guide assembly and hinged to the sleeve;

[0012] The control component is used to control the extension and retraction of the pull rod along the axial direction of the guide component, thereby causing the sleeve to rise or fall around the hinge point.

[0013] In one embodiment, the control component includes a handle and a linkage portion disposed on the handle, and the guide component includes a guide member and an elastic member;

[0014] The guide component includes a mounting portion and a guide portion connected to each other, and the mounting portion is fixed to the mounting frame;

[0015] The handle is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket, and the linkage part passes through the mounting part;

[0016] The pull rod is slidably installed in the through hole of the linkage and in the guide member;

[0017] The elastic element is sleeved on the pull rod and located between the linkage part and the guide part, with both ends of the elastic element pressed against the opposite end faces of the linkage part and the guide part, respectively.

[0018] The pull rod has multiple slots spaced axially along its outer periphery, and the linkage is configured to selectively engage with any one of the multiple slots to achieve axial locking of the pull rod.

[0019] In one possible embodiment, the foot pedal mechanism includes a rotating component and a first adjusting assembly; wherein,

[0020] The rotating component is rotatably connected to the inner tube via a radial shaft, and the pedal is disposed on the rotating component;

[0021] The rotating component has multiple limiting holes along the circumferential direction on the side facing the inner tube.

[0022] The first adjustment component extends radially through the inner tube and can be selectively inserted into either of the limiting holes.

[0023] In one embodiment, the pedal is rotatably connected to the rotating member via a first pivot, the first pivot being perpendicular to the radial pivot, so that the pedal can switch between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the inner tube about the first pivot.

[0024] In one embodiment, a second adjusting component is further included. The inner tube has a plurality of lifting holes spaced apart along its axial direction on its wall, and the sleeve has a radially penetrating locking hole. The second adjusting component passes through the locking hole and any of the lifting holes to restrict the relative movement of the inner tube and the sleeve.

[0025] In one embodiment, the leg pad assembly includes a calf pad, a support plate, and a connector; wherein,

[0026] One end of the support plate is connected to the calf pad, and the other end is hinged to the connector;

[0027] The connector is movably connected to the sleeve so that the position of the connector relative to the sleeve is adjustable.

[0028] In one embodiment, the connector is sleeved on the sleeve and can rotate relative to the sleeve. The connector has multiple interconnected limiting grooves, which are distributed along the axial direction of the sleeve.

[0029] A limiting post protrudes from the sleeve, and the limiting post is placed in any one of the plurality of limiting grooves.

[0030] In one embodiment, the leg pad assembly further includes a first fastener, through which the connector is hinged to the support plate;

[0031] One of the support plate and the connector is provided with a guide groove, and the other is provided with a guide post that cooperates with the guide groove. The guide post extends into the guide groove to limit the swing amplitude of the support plate.

[0032] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a walking aid device is provided, including a main body, wherein the main body is further provided with a leg support structure as described in any of the above-described embodiments.

[0033] In this disclosure, the leg support structure, through the coordinated operation of a telescopic mechanism and a lower leg mechanism, achieves the lifting and lowering functions of the lower leg mechanism, effectively solving the problem of limited leg extension for patients. It can provide support for patients with long legs or those whose lower legs need to be flat. The structure is compact, easy to operate, and improves the patient's user experience. In addition, the foot pedal of the foot pedal mechanism has a rotating function, which can better adapt to the patient's leg posture, further improving the patient's comfort.

[0034] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which:

[0036] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a leg support structure according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 ;

[0038] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the lower leg mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the leg support structure of this disclosure after being raised flat is shown.

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the foot pedal mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the leg support structure of this disclosure is shown;

[0040] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a structural schematic of a leg support structure in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when both the pedal and the leg pad assembly are in the retracted position.

[0041] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the extended foot pedal mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the leg support structure of this disclosure is shown.

[0042] Figure 6 This invention discloses a schematic diagram of another overall structure of a leg support structure as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the leg pad assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the leg support structure disclosed herein is shown. Figure 1 ;

[0044] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the leg pad assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the leg support structure disclosed herein is shown. Figure 2 ;

[0045] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of another leg pad assembly of a leg support structure according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 ;

[0046] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of another leg pad assembly of a leg support structure according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 2 ;

[0047] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a leg support structure according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 2 ;

[0048] Figure 12 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of another leg pad assembly of a leg support structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure after it has been lowered.

[0049] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of another leg pad assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the leg support structure of this disclosure after being raised is shown.

[0050] Explanation of the numbers in the diagram: 1. Mounting bracket; 2. Lower leg mechanism; 3. Telescopic mechanism; 4. Foot pedal mechanism; 5. Second adjustment assembly; 21. Sleeve; 22. Leg pad assembly; 31. Control assembly; 32. Guide assembly; 33. Pull rod; 41. Inner tube; 42. Pedal; 43. Rotating component; 44. First adjustment assembly; 45. Radial pivot; 46. First pivot; 211. Guide slide; 212. Limiting post; 221. Lower leg pad; 222. Support plate; 223. Connecting component; 224. Bushing; 225. First fastener; 226. Second fastener; 311. Handle; 312. Linkage part; 321. Guide component; 322. Elastic component; 331. Slot; 411. Lifting hole; 431. Limiting hole; 441. Locking component; 442. Pin; 443. Spring; 2200. Guide groove; 2201. Guide post; 2111. Slide groove; 2112. Positioning hole; 2230. Limiting groove; 3211. Mounting part; 3212. Guide part. Detailed Implementation

[0051] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0052] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a leg support structure including a mounting frame 1, a lower leg mechanism 2, a telescopic mechanism 3, and a foot pedal mechanism 4. The lower leg mechanism 2 includes a sleeve 21 and a leg pad assembly 22 disposed on the sleeve 21. One end of the sleeve 21 is hinged to the mounting frame 1, allowing the lower leg mechanism 2 to rotate relative to the mounting frame 1 about the hinge point. One end of the telescopic mechanism 3 is disposed on the mounting frame 1, and the other end is connected to the sleeve 21, for driving the lower leg mechanism 2 to rise or fall. The foot pedal mechanism 4 includes an inner tube 41 and a pedal 42. The pedal 42 is rotatably connected to the inner tube 41 radially, allowing the pedal 42 to rotate radially about the inner tube 41. The inner tube 41 is coaxially sleeved within the sleeve 21.

[0054] In this embodiment, the mounting frame 1 is used to connect and fix with assistive devices such as wheelchairs or walkers, providing a stable mounting platform for other components and ensuring the reliability and safety of the entire structure during use. In practical applications, the mounting frame 1 can be installed in the corresponding position of the aforementioned assistive device using screws, clips, or other connection methods. One end of the sleeve 21 is hinged to the mounting frame 1. This hinge allows the lower leg mechanism 2 to rotate flexibly relative to the mounting frame 1 around the hinge point, thereby achieving a certain angle adjustment of the lower leg to meet the different needs of patients for lower leg posture. For example, patients can raise the lower leg mechanism 2 according to their own needs, so that the lower leg and thigh form the required angle to reduce leg muscle tension and fatigue; or, the lower leg mechanism 2 can be raised flat to meet the needs of patients with knee injuries or those wearing casts who cannot bend their knees. One end of the telescopic mechanism 3 is set on the mounting frame 1, and the other end is connected to the sleeve 21. Its main function is to drive the lower leg mechanism 2 to perform raising or lowering operations. The telescopic mechanism 3 can employ, but is not limited to, electric push rods, cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, or other mechanical transmission structures. The telescopic movement of the telescopic mechanism 3 drives the lower leg mechanism 2 to rise or fall, allowing precise control of its height and enabling flexible adjustment of the patient's leg height. The foot pedal mechanism 4 includes an inner tube 41 and a pedal 42. The pedal 42 is rotatably connected to the inner tube 41 radially, specifically through components such as a shaft and bearings. This rotatable connection allows the pedal 42 to rotate radially around the inner tube 41. The patient can flexibly adjust the angle of the pedal 42 according to their leg posture and foot comfort needs, providing a more suitable support angle and position for their foot. The inner tube 41 is coaxially sleeved within the sleeve 21. The two can be relatively fixed in the design, or the inner tube 41 can be allowed to move axially within a certain range along the sleeve 21 to accommodate leg support needs of different lengths. In actual use, when a patient needs to adjust their leg posture, they can first change the height of the lower leg mechanism 2 by controlling the telescopic mechanism 3 to put the leg in a suitable approximate position; then, by using the rotation function of the pedal 42 of the foot pedal mechanism 4, a comfortable support angle is provided for the foot, ensuring that the entire leg is fully relaxed and supported.

[0055] In summary, the leg support structure disclosed herein, through the coordinated operation of the telescopic mechanism 3 and the lower leg mechanism 2, enables the lower leg mechanism 2 to lift and lower, effectively solving the problem of limited leg extension for patients. It provides support for patients with long legs or those whose lower legs need to be flat, featuring a compact structure, convenient operation, and improved patient experience. Furthermore, the foot pedal 42 of the foot pedal mechanism 4 has a rotating function, better adapting to the patient's leg posture and further enhancing patient comfort.

[0056] In one embodiment, the telescopic mechanism 3 includes a control component 31, a guide component 32, and a pull rod 33. The guide component 32 is fixed to the mounting bracket 1, and the pull rod 33 is slidably installed in the guide component 32 and hinged to the sleeve 21. The control component 31 is used to control the pull rod 33 to extend and retract along the axial direction of the guide component 32, thereby causing the sleeve 21 to rise or fall around the hinge point.

[0057] In this embodiment, the control component 31 may include a motor, a worm gear reducer, and a lead screw. The motor serves as a power source, providing driving force for the entire telescopic mechanism 3. The worm gear is connected to the lead screw, converting rotational motion into linear motion of the lead screw. The lead screw is connected to the pull rod 33. By controlling the forward and reverse rotation of the motor, the telescopic motion of the lead screw can be realized, thereby driving the pull rod 33 to extend and retract axially along the guide component 32. The guide component 32 provides a stable motion track for the pull rod 33, ensuring that the pull rod 33 can perform precise telescopic motion along a predetermined axis, thereby ensuring the smooth lifting and lowering of the lower leg mechanism 2. In actual operation, when the control component 31 drives the pull rod 33 to extend and retract axially along the guide component 32, the pull rod 33 will drive the sleeve 21 to rotate around its hinge point with the mounting bracket 1. For example, when the control component 31 drives the pull rod 33 to extend, the pull rod 33 pulls the sleeve 21 to rotate upward, thereby raising the lower leg mechanism 2 and increasing the height of the lower leg; conversely, when the pull rod 33 retracts, the sleeve 21 rotates downward, and the lower leg mechanism 2 descends accordingly.

[0058] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the control component 31 includes a handle 311 and a linkage portion 312 disposed on the handle 311, and the guide component 32 includes a guide member 321 and an elastic member 322. The guide member 321 includes a mounting portion 3211 and a guide portion 3212 connected to each other, and the mounting portion 3211 is fixed to the mounting frame 1. The handle 311 is rotatably disposed on the mounting frame 1, the linkage portion 312 passes through the mounting portion 3211, and the pull rod 33 is slidably mounted in the through hole of the linkage portion 312 and the guide member 321. The elastic member 322 is sleeved on the pull rod 33 and located between the linkage portion 312 and the guide portion 3212, and the two ends of the elastic member 322 are respectively pressed against the opposite end faces of the linkage portion 312 and the guide portion 3212. The pull rod 33 has a plurality of slots 331 spaced axially along its outer periphery, and the linkage portion 312 is configured to selectively engage with any one of the plurality of slots 331 to achieve axial locking of the pull rod 33.

[0059] In this embodiment, the mounting part 3211 has a mounting hole for the linkage part 312 to pass through. The mounting hole is configured so that when the user controls the handle 311 to rotate, the linkage part 312 can move within the mounting hole. The elastic element 322 is a compression spring, which is sleeved on the section of the pull rod 33 located between the linkage part 312 and the guide part 3212. Its two ends are respectively pressed against the near end face of the linkage part 312 and the far end face of the guide part 3212. The outer surface of the pull rod 33 is machined with equidistant annular grooves 331 along the axial direction. When the linkage part 312 is inserted into any groove 331, the pull rod 33 is in an axially locked state. When the user lifts the lower leg mechanism 2, the sleeve 21 drives the pull rod 33 to move axially. During the displacement of the pull rod 33, the side of its groove 331 interacts with the linkage part 312, pushing the linkage part 312 to move closer to the guide part 3212 and compressing the elastic element 322. At this time, the through hole of the linkage 312 disengages from the slot 331 and is unlocked. The pull rod 33 is smoothly pulled out from the guide 3212 as the sleeve 21 is raised. After being raised to the target height, the elastic element 322 pushes the linkage 312 to re-engage the through hole of the linkage 312 into the corresponding slot 331, achieving self-locking. When it is necessary to lower the height of the lower leg mechanism 2, the handle 311 is pulled away from the sleeve 21. The handle 311 rotates around the hinge point, causing the linkage 312 to overcome the resistance of the elastic element 322, compressing the elastic element of the linkage 312 and forcibly driving the through hole of the linkage 312 to disengage from the current slot 331. After unlocking, the pull rod 33 slides down along the guide 3212 under the action of gravity, simultaneously pulling the sleeve 21 down. When it reaches the target position, the handle 311 is released, and the elastic element 322 resets and pushes the through hole of the linkage 312 into the slot 331 at that position, completing the position locking.

[0060] Reference Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, the foot pedal mechanism 4 includes a rotating member 43 and a first adjusting component 44. The rotating member 43 is rotatably connected to the inner tube 41 via a radial shaft 45, and the pedal 42 is disposed on the rotating member 43. The rotating member 43 has a plurality of limiting holes 431 arranged circumferentially on the side facing the inner tube 41. The first adjusting component 44 passes through the inner tube 41 radially and can be selectively inserted into any of the limiting holes 431.

[0061] In this embodiment, the rotating component 43 is rotatably connected to the inner tube 41 via a radial shaft 45, and the pedal 42 is mounted on the rotating component 43. This design allows the pedal 42 to rotate radially around the inner tube 41, thereby enabling flexible adjustment of the pedal 42 between different angular positions. For example, when a patient needs to place their leg at different heights or angles, they can find the most comfortable foot placement position by rotating the pedal 42. The rotating component 43 is made of high-strength engineering plastic or aluminum alloy, possessing good wear resistance and corrosion resistance, ensuring stable performance during long-term use. Multiple limiting holes 431 are provided circumferentially on the side of the rotating component 43 facing the inner tube 41. These limiting holes 431 are evenly distributed on the circumference of the rotating component 43, and the interval angle can be designed according to actual needs, for example, a limiting hole 431 can be provided every 15° or 30°. In the embodiments disclosed herein, two limiting holes 431 are used as examples. These two limiting holes 431 are set at 90° intervals to ensure that when the lower leg mechanism 2 is raised to a horizontal position, the pedal 42 can be rotated horizontally in the same way, ensuring user comfort. It can be understood that the limiting holes 431 are designed to provide multiple fixed limiting positions for the rotation of the pedal 42, ensuring that the pedal 42 can be stably maintained in that position after being adjusted to a suitable angle, and will not rotate unexpectedly due to external forces. The first adjusting component 44 passes through the inner tube 41 radially and can be selectively inserted into either limiting hole 431. Specifically, the first adjusting component 44 includes a locking member 441, a pin 442, and a spring 443. The locking member 441 is located outside the inner tube 41 and is fixedly connected to the pin 442, which passes through the inner tube 41 radially. The end of the pin 442 that is inserted into the limiting hole 431 is defined as the locking end. An abutment portion is formed on the locking end. A spring 443 is sleeved on the pin 442, with one end abutting against the abutment portion and the other end abutting against the wall of the inner tube 41, providing elastic force so that the pin 442 can automatically insert into the limiting hole 431 when no external force is applied. When unlocking is required, the user pulls the locking member 441. The locking member 441 causes the pin 442 to overcome the preload of the spring 443, resulting in axial displacement. This causes the locking end of the pin 442, located in the limiting hole 431, to completely retract from the limiting hole 431, releasing the movement constraint on the pedal 42. During this process, the spring 443 is continuously compressed and stores energy, providing elastic potential energy for subsequent automatic reset. When the pedal 42 rotates to the desired position, the locking member 441 is released, and the spring 443 releases its stored elastic potential energy, driving the pin 442 to automatically complete the insertion action and enter the limiting hole 431 to achieve locking. This design is not only easy to operate, but also enables the pedal 42 to be quickly locked and unlocked, improving the convenience and flexibility of use.

[0062] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown. In one embodiment, the pedal 42 is rotatably connected to the rotating member 43 via a first rotating shaft 46, and the first rotating shaft 46 and the radial rotating shaft 45 satisfy a perpendicular condition, so that the pedal 42 can switch between an unfolded position and a retracted position relative to the inner tube 41 around the first rotating shaft 46.

[0063] In this embodiment, the pedal 42 is rotatably connected to the rotating member 43 via a first pivot 46. The first pivot 46 is perpendicular to the radial pivot 45, and this perpendicular arrangement gives the pedal 42 two independent degrees of rotational freedom. Specifically, the pedal 42 can rotate around the radial pivot 45 to adjust its angle, and can also flip around the first pivot 46 to switch between an unfolded and a retracted position. In the unfolded position, the pedal 42 is horizontal and approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower leg mechanism 2, providing a stable support platform for the patient's foot. In the retracted position, the pedal 42 can flip around the first pivot 46 to a state parallel or nearly parallel to the extension direction of the lower leg mechanism 2, thereby significantly reducing the vertical space occupied by the foot pedal mechanism 4. The switching between the unfolded and retracted positions of the pedal 42 can be achieved manually. The patient or caregiver only needs to apply an appropriate torque to the pedal 42 to overcome a certain frictional resistance, which will cause the pedal 42 to flip around the first pivot 46 to the desired position. In practical use, this switching function of the pedal 42 has a wide range of applications. For example, when a patient needs to be transferred from a wheelchair to a bed or chair, the footrest 42 can be flipped to a storage position to avoid the footrest 42 interfering with the transfer process.

[0064] Reference Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the leg support structure further includes a second adjustment component 5. The inner tube 41 has a plurality of lifting holes 411 spaced apart along its axial direction on its tube wall. The sleeve 21 has a radially penetrating locking hole. The second adjustment component 5 passes through the locking hole and any of the lifting holes 411 to restrict the relative movement of the inner tube 41 and the sleeve 21.

[0065] In this embodiment, the second adjusting component 5 can be designed in various ways. For example, it can have the same structure as the first adjusting component 44, where external force is applied to the second adjusting component 5 to unlock the sleeve 21 and inner tube 41, and the external force is released to relock the sleeve 21 and inner tube 41. This structure will not be described in detail here. Alternatively, the second adjusting component 5 can use a bolt and nut combination to lock the sleeve 21 and inner tube 41. When the height of the foot pedal mechanism 4 needs to be adjusted, the patient or caregiver first loosens the nut, allowing the bolt to exit from the lifting hole 411 of the inner tube 41. At this time, the locking state between the inner tube 41 and the sleeve 21 is released, and the inner tube 41 can slide freely along the axial direction of the sleeve 21. By manually pushing or pulling the inner tube 41, the foot pedal mechanism 4 can be adjusted to the desired height position. When the lifting hole 411 on the inner tube 41 is aligned with the locking hole on the sleeve 21, the bolt is inserted and the nut is tightened to achieve relative fixation between the inner tube 41 and the sleeve 21.

[0066] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in one embodiment, the leg pad assembly 22 includes a calf pad 221, a support plate 222, and a connector 223. One end of the support plate 222 is connected to the calf pad 221, and the other end is hinged to the connector 223. The connector 223 is movably connected to the sleeve 21 so that the position of the connector 223 relative to the sleeve 21 is adjustable.

[0067] In this embodiment, the calf pad 221 is made of a soft and elastic material, such as memory foam or gel foam, which can be molded to a certain extent according to the shape of the patient's calf, providing good wrapping and pressure distribution, effectively reducing pressure and fatigue in the patient's legs. One side of the calf pad 221 is fixedly connected to the support plate 222. The specific connection method can be adhesive, bolt fastening, or snap-fit ​​connection, ensuring connection strength and preventing relative displacement between the calf pad 221 and the support plate 222 during use. The support plate 222 is a structural support component of the leg pad assembly 22, acting as a bridge connecting the calf pad 221 and the connector 223, while providing a stable installation base for the calf pad 221. The support plate 222 is usually made of a rigid material, such as a metal alloy, possessing a certain strength and rigidity, and can withstand the pressure applied by the calf without easily deforming. One end of the support plate 222 is fixedly connected to the calf pad 221, while the other end is hinged to the connector 223. The hinge structure can be common forms such as hinges or pins, allowing the support plate 222 to rotate at a certain angle around the hinge point of the connector 223, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of the calf pad 221 to accommodate different users' calf positioning postures. The structural design of the connector 223 must simultaneously meet the hinge requirements with the support plate 222 and the movable connection requirements with the sleeve 21. The connector 223 is typically designed as a block-shaped or frame-like structure with a specific shape, and its material can be consistent with that of the support plate 222 to ensure the compatibility and strength of the overall structure. One end of the connector 223 is connected to the support plate 222 via a hinged structure, while the other end is movably connected to the sleeve 21. This movable connection can be achieved in various ways. For example, a groove can be provided on the inner side of the connector 223, and a corresponding slide rail can be provided on the outer side of the sleeve 21. The connector 223 can slide along the axial direction of the sleeve 21 through the cooperation of the groove and the slide rail. Alternatively, the connector 223 can be designed as a sleeve structure that can be fitted onto the outer side of the sleeve 21. An elastic buckle can be provided on the inner wall of the sleeve, and multiple slots can be provided at intervals on the outer wall of the sleeve 21. The position of the connector 223 on the sleeve 21 can be fixed and adjusted by the engagement of the buckle with different slots. It is understood that, regardless of the movable connection method used, as long as the position of the connector 223 relative to the sleeve 21 can be adjusted, the support plate 222 and the calf pad 221 connected to it can move synchronously, thereby achieving the position adjustment of the leg pad assembly 22 on the leg support structure. This allows for precise adaptation of the leg support position to users of different heights and with different usage needs.

[0068] Specifically, refer to Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the connector 223 is sleeved on the sleeve 21 and can rotate relative to the sleeve 21. The connector 223 has multiple interconnected limiting grooves 2230, which are distributed along the axial direction of the sleeve 21. A limiting post 212 protrudes from the sleeve 21 and is positioned in any one of the multiple limiting grooves 2230.

[0069] In this embodiment, the connector 223 adopts a sleeve-type structure design, with its main body being a hollow tube that can be fitted onto the outer periphery of the sleeve 21, allowing the connector 223 to rotate relative to the sleeve 21 as an axis. This rotating design provides a basis for circumferential angle adjustment of the leg pad assembly 22, adapting to different leg placement requirements of the user. Specifically, the connector 223 has multiple limiting grooves 2230, which are interconnected to form a continuous adjustment track. The number of limiting grooves 2230 can be set according to the actual adjustment accuracy requirements, and they are distributed sequentially along the axial direction of the sleeve 21. Adjacent limiting grooves 2230 are connected by a smooth transition groove to ensure the smoothness of the adjustment process. The shape and size of each limiting groove 2230 are matched, and each can independently accommodate the limiting post 212 on the sleeve 21 to achieve the positioning function. Preferably, the connector 223 has multiple sets of left-right distributed limiting grooves 2230 along the circumference and axial direction of the sleeve 21. The left-right distribution refers to the overall division of the groove body into a left-side region and a right-side region. The two regions do not need to be strictly symmetrical, and the number, spacing, and depth of the grooves can be flexibly adjusted according to the folding angle and space requirements. The limiting grooves 2230 in the left and right regions are connected by continuous transition grooves. That is, each limiting groove 2230 in the left region is connected in series by the left transition groove, and each limiting groove 2230 in the right region is connected in series by the right transition groove. The left and right transition grooves form a connecting node, allowing the limiting post 212 to switch between the limiting grooves 2230 in the left and right regions, providing a channel for the leg pad assembly 22 to be axially folded around the sleeve 21 and adjusted along the sleeve 21.

[0070] A limiting post 212 protrudes from the outer periphery of the sleeve 21 at the position corresponding to the limiting groove 2230 of the connector 223. The limiting post 212 can be integrally formed with the sleeve 21, such as by injection molding or welding, or fixedly installed by means of threaded connection, to ensure that it has sufficient structural strength to stably withstand the forces during the adjustment process. The cross-sectional shape of the limiting post 212 is adapted to the limiting groove 2230, such as circular or square, and its diameter is slightly smaller than the width of the limiting groove 2230, which can ensure smooth insertion into the limiting groove 2230 while avoiding unstable positioning due to excessive loosening.

[0071] When it is necessary to adjust the position or angle of the leg pad assembly 22, the user can first apply a rotational force to the connector 223, and then apply an axial thrust. Specifically, when it is necessary to adjust the position of the leg pad assembly 22 in the axial direction of the sleeve 21, first apply a rotational force, and the connector 223 will rotate relative to the sleeve 21. At this time, the limiting post 212 slides along the connecting track of the limiting groove 2230. After rotating to the connecting node formed by the left and right transition grooves, apply an axial force, and the connector 223 will move along the axial direction of the sleeve 21, so that the limiting post 212 moves from the current connecting node to the next connecting node. Finally, apply a reverse rotational force, and the limiting post 212 slides into the target limiting groove 2230 through the connecting transition groove, thereby realizing the position switching of the connector 223 in the axial direction.

[0072] In summary, by cooperating with the limiting post 212 and different limiting grooves 2230, the connector 223 can be adjusted in multiple positions on the sleeve 21, thereby driving the calf pad 221 and the support plate 222 to achieve precise adjustment of axial position and circumferential folding angle, meeting the personalized needs of different users for leg support position and angle.

[0073] Reference Figure 8 As shown, in one embodiment, the leg pad assembly 22 further includes a first fastener 225, which passes through the connector 223 and is hinged to the support plate 222. One of the support plate 222 and the connector 223 is provided with a guide groove 2200, and the other is provided with a guide post 2201 that cooperates with the guide groove 2200. The guide post 2201 extends into the guide groove 2200 to limit the swing amplitude of the support plate 222.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first fastener 225 can typically be in the form of a pin, bolt, and nut assembly. The first fastener 225 passes through the pre-set mounting hole of the connector 223 and engages with the corresponding hinge hole of the support plate 222, forming a stable hinge shaft. This allows the support plate 222 to rotate around the connector 223 while preventing lateral offset or separation at the hinge point. It is understood that the sleeve-type connector 223 has at least two possible forms: a full-coverage form and a semi-coverage form with an opening. In the full-coverage form, the connector 223 completely covers the outer periphery of the sleeve 21. In this case, the position of the first fastener 225 should ensure that it does not interfere with the sleeve 21. If the connector 223 is a semi-enclosed shape with an opening, the first fastener 225 penetrates both side walls of the opening of the connector 223 along the diameter direction of the sleeve 21. When the first fastener 225 is assembled in place, the first fastener 225 and the connector 223 together enclose an annular area that matches the outer diameter of the sleeve 21, and the sleeve 21 is confined within this area. Therefore, when the connector 223 attempts to move radially relative to the sleeve 21, the sleeve 21, which is enclosed and confined by the first fastener 225 and the connector 223, will abut against the first fastener 225 or the inner side wall of the connector 223, thereby restricting the radial movement of the connector 223.

[0075] To limit the swing amplitude of the support plate 222, a guide groove 2200 and a guide post 2201 are provided between the support plate 222 and the connector 223. In the embodiment shown in this disclosure, the guide groove 2200 is provided on the support plate 222 and the guide post 2201 is provided on the connector 223. Specifically, an arc-shaped guide groove 2200 is formed on the side of the support plate 222 near the connector 223, along the rotation trajectory of the support plate 222. The curvature of the guide groove 2200 is consistent with the curvature of the support plate 222 around the first fastener 225, and the groove width is slightly larger than the diameter of the guide post 2201 to ensure that the guide post 2201 can slide smoothly in the groove; the length of the groove is determined according to the preset swing amplitude. At the position of the connector 223 corresponding to the guide groove 2200, a guide post 2201 is protruding. The guide post 2201 can be fixed by integral molding with the connector 223 or by threaded connection. Its diameter is adapted to the guide groove 2200, and the end can be designed as a hemispherical or rounded structure to reduce the frictional resistance with the groove wall during sliding and avoid jamming. The guide post 2201 must extend into the guide groove 2200 to form a sliding fit. When the support plate 222 swings around the first fastener 225, the guide post 2201 will slide synchronously along the arc trajectory of the guide groove 2200. When the guide post 2201 slides to both ends of the guide groove 2200, the groove wall will block the guide post 2201 from continuing to move, thereby limiting the swing amplitude of the support plate 222 and preventing it from colliding with other parts due to excessive swing angle or damaging the hinge structure due to excessive rotation.

[0076] Reference Figure 4 , Figures 9-13 As shown, the leg pad assembly 21 in the leg support structure of this disclosure can also adopt another structure. One end of the support plate 222 is connected to the calf pad 221, and the other end is bolted to the connector 223. Loosening the bolt allows the support plate 222 to fold the calf pad 221. The bushing 224 passes through the connector 223 and is movably connected to the sleeve 21 via a first fastener 225. The first fastener 225 can be a combination of bolts, nuts, and washers to ensure that the connection between the bushing 224 and the sleeve 21 is both secure and easy to disassemble. This movable connection allows the leg pad assembly 22 to swing within a certain range, while the low-friction characteristics of the bushing 224 ensure smooth movement, reduce wear between parts, and extend service life.

[0077] Furthermore, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, a guide slide 211 is fixed below the sleeve 21. The guide slide 211 has a groove 2111, and the bushing 224 is located in the groove 2111 and can slide along the groove 2111. Multiple positioning holes 2112 are provided at the bottom of the groove 2111. A first fastener 225 passes through the bushing 224 and any one of the positioning holes 2112 and is locked in place with a second fastener 226. The guide slide 211 and the sleeve 21 are perpendicular.

[0078] Specifically, the guide slide 211 is fixed below the sleeve 21, and its main function is to provide a sliding track for the bushing 224, allowing the leg pad assembly 22 to slide and adjust along the guide slide 211. The slide groove 2111 is designed as a long strip, preferably extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve 21, to meet the positional needs of different patients for the leg pad assembly 22. Multiple positioning holes 2112 are provided at the bottom of the slide groove 2111. These positioning holes 2112 are evenly distributed at certain intervals, and the interval distance can be designed according to actual usage requirements. The design of the positioning holes 2112 ensures that the leg pad assembly 22 can be stably fixed in the appropriate position after adjustment, preventing displacement during use. The second fastener 226 can be fixed to each positioning hole 2112. The first fastener 225 passes through the bushing 224 and any positioning hole 2112, and is locked and fixed with the second fastener 226 (such as a nut). This fastening method is simple to operate. Simply loosen the first fastener 225 to allow the bushing 224 to slide in the slide groove 2111. After adjusting to the appropriate position, tighten the first fastener 225 to fix the leg pad assembly 22 in the desired position.

[0079] This disclosure also provides a walking aid device, including a main body, on which a leg support structure as described in any of the above-described embodiments is provided.

[0080] In this embodiment, the walking aid can specifically be a wheelchair or a walking aid, with the main body serving as the foundation to provide overall support and stability. The mounting bracket 1 for the leg support structure is used to fix the leg support structure to the main body of the walking aid. The mounting bracket 1 is connected to the main body via bolts, clips, etc., ensuring that it will not loosen or shift during the patient's walking process. In actual use, the patient can flexibly adjust the various components of the leg support structure according to their own leg condition and walking needs. For example, by controlling the telescopic mechanism 3 to adjust the height of the lower leg mechanism 2, the leg can be placed in a comfortable position; by rotating the pedal 42 of the foot pedal mechanism 4, the foot support angle can be adjusted; and by sliding and fixing the leg pad assembly 22, it can adapt to different leg lengths and postures. These functions enable the walking aid to better meet the patient's personalized needs, providing more stable and comfortable walking assistance.

[0081] In the description of this disclosure, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this disclosure and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this disclosure; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0082] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," and "above" are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship between one or more components or features shown in the figures and other components or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms include not only the orientation of the component as depicted in the figures but also different orientations during use or operation. For example, if the components in the figures are inverted as a whole, "above" or "above other components or features" will include cases where the component is "below" or "under" other components or features. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." Furthermore, these components or features may also be positioned at other different angles (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other angles), and this document intends to include all such cases.

[0083] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to limit the exemplary implementations according to this disclosure. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms “comprising” and / or “including” are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0084] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this disclosure described herein can be implemented in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0085] This disclosure has been described through the above embodiments; however, it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this disclosure to the described embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and many more variations and modifications can be made based on the teachings of this disclosure, all of which fall within the scope of protection claimed by this disclosure. The scope of protection of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A leg support structure characterized by, include: Mounting bracket (1); The lower leg mechanism (2) includes a sleeve (21) and a leg pad assembly (22) disposed on the sleeve (21). One end of the sleeve (21) is hinged to the mounting frame (1) so that the lower leg mechanism (2) can rotate relative to the mounting frame (1) about the hinge point. A telescopic mechanism (3), one end of which is mounted on the mounting bracket (1) and the other end connected to the sleeve (21), is used to drive the lower leg mechanism (2) to rise or fall; and The foot pedal mechanism (4) includes an inner tube (41) and a pedal (42). The pedal (42) is rotatably connected to the inner tube (41) along the radial direction of the inner tube (41) so that the pedal (42) can rotate about the radial direction of the inner tube (41). The inner tube (41) is coaxially sleeved inside the sleeve (21).

2. The leg support structure of claim 1, wherein, The telescopic mechanism (3) includes a control component (31), a guide component (32), and a pull rod (33); wherein, The guide assembly (32) is fixed to the mounting bracket (1); The pull rod (33) is slidably mounted in the guide assembly (32) and hinged to the sleeve (21); The control component (31) is used to control the extension and retraction of the pull rod (33) along the axial direction of the guide component (32), thereby driving the sleeve (21) to rise or fall around the hinge point.

3. The leg support structure of claim 2, wherein, The control component (31) includes a handle (311) and a linkage part (312) provided on the handle (311); the guide component (32) includes a guide (321) and an elastic member (322). The guide member (321) includes a mounting part (3211) and a guide part (3212) connected to each other, and the mounting part (3211) is fixed to the mounting frame (1); The handle (311) is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket (1), and the linkage (312) passes through the mounting part (3211); The pull rod (33) is slidably installed in the through hole of the linkage part (312) and the guide member (321); The elastic element (322) is sleeved on the pull rod (33) and located between the linkage part (312) and the guide part (3212). The two ends of the elastic element (322) are respectively pressed against the opposite end faces of the linkage part (312) and the guide part (3212). The pull rod (33) has a plurality of slots (331) spaced axially along its outer periphery, and the linkage part (312) is configured to selectively engage with any one of the plurality of slots (331) to achieve axial locking of the pull rod (33).

4. The leg support structure of claim 1, wherein, The foot pedal mechanism (4) includes a rotating component (43) and a first adjusting component (44); wherein, The rotating component (43) is rotatably connected to the inner tube (41) via a radial rotating shaft (45), and the pedal (42) is disposed on the rotating component (43); The rotating component (43) has multiple limiting holes (431) arranged in the circumferential direction on the side facing the inner tube (41); The first adjustment component (44) penetrates radially through the inner tube (41) and can be selectively inserted into either of the limiting holes (431).

5. The leg support structure of claim 4, wherein, The pedal (42) is rotatably connected to the rotating member (43) via a first rotating shaft (46). The first rotating shaft (46) and the radial rotating shaft (45) are perpendicular to each other, so that the pedal (42) can switch between an unfolded position and a retracted position relative to the inner tube (41) around the first rotating shaft (46).

6. The leg support structure of claim 4, wherein, It also includes a second adjustment component (5). The inner tube (41) has a plurality of lifting holes (411) spaced apart along its axial direction on its tube wall. The sleeve (21) has a radially penetrating locking hole. The second adjustment component (5) passes through the locking hole and any of the lifting holes (411) to restrict the relative movement of the inner tube (41) and the sleeve (21).

7. The leg support structure of claim 1, wherein, The leg pad assembly (22) includes a calf pad (221), a support plate (222), and a connector (223); wherein, One end of the support plate (222) is connected to the calf pad (221), and the other end is hinged to the connector (223); The connector (223) is movably connected to the sleeve (21) so that the position of the connector (223) relative to the sleeve (21) is adjustable.

8. The leg support structure of claim 7, wherein, The connector (223) is sleeved on the sleeve (21) and can rotate relative to the sleeve (21). The connector (223) has a plurality of interconnected limiting grooves (2230), and the plurality of limiting grooves (2230) are distributed along the axial direction of the sleeve (21). A limiting post (212) protrudes from the sleeve (21), and the limiting post (212) is placed in any one of the plurality of limiting grooves (2230).

9. The leg support structure of claim 8, wherein, The leg pad assembly (22) further includes a first fastener (225), and the connector (223) is hinged to the support plate (222) via the first fastener (225); One of the support plate (222) and the connector (223) is provided with a guide groove (2200), and the other is provided with a guide post (2201) that cooperates with the guide groove (2200). The guide post (2201) extends into the guide groove (2200) to limit the swing amplitude of the support plate (222).

10. A walking aid, characterized in that The system includes a main body, which is further provided with a leg support structure as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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