A walking aid device comprising at least one mechanism facilitating the transition from a standing to a sitting position

Abstract

The invention relates to a walking aid device (1) for an individual, comprising at least one frame (10), a base (20) intended to be in contact with the user and movable at least vertically relative to said frame (10) between a first low sitting position and a second high walking position, a device (30) for modifying the vertical position of the base at least between its first high position and its second low position, and vice versa, a first member (40) for assisting modification of the vertical elevation position of the base (20), called the elevation member, designed to assist the movement of said base (20) between its different positions, said elevation member (40) comprising at least one elastically deformable return means, characterized in that it further comprises at least one second member (50) for assisting modification of the vertical elevation position of the base (20), called the damping member,designed to attenuate / counteract the assistance of the lifting member (40), said attenuating member (50) applying, during its passage between at least a first high position and a second low position, a force at least partially opposed to that produced by the elastically deformable return means of the lifting member. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Walking aid device comprising at least one mechanism facilitating the transition from a standing to a sitting position. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of technical walking aids such as wheelchairs, particularly for persons with reduced mobility. More specifically, the invention concerns a device that allows an individual (a patient undergoing rehabilitation, for example), by providing support at the buttocks and groin, to move in a standing position to assist them in their movements, but also to move from a seated to a standing position, and vice versa. Prior art

[0002] In this field, there are wheelchairs that help a person with reduced mobility to stand up, walk with assistance, and sit down again. Some of these wheelchairs, known as walking assistance wheelchairs, include in particular a rigid frame that moves on casters, a seat, especially of the saddle type, that moves vertically relative to said frame, and a system for raising and lowering said seat relative to the frame (and therefore relative to the ground on which the wheelchair rests and is moved).

[0003] The movable seat is specifically designed to be moved substantially vertically relative to the frame between a high walking position and a low sitting position, for example, by means of at least one hydraulic cylinder. More precisely, this movement is generally oblique and directed forward and / or backward through a combination of movements comprising a vertical component and a horizontal component, respectively. In the high position, the user rests their buttocks and crotch on the movable seat, which is then positioned behind the user. This type of wheelchair thus allows an individual to walk comfortably in all directions, particularly during rehabilitation.

[0004] The aim of these wheelchairs is to approximate a natural gait as closely as possible, by minimizing, or even eliminating, any potential resistance to natural movements, particularly those of the pelvis, buttocks, and thighs. These degrees of freedom thus allow for a walking motion completely uncorrelated with the rest of the wheelchair as long as the individual remains within the intended range of motion.

[0005] Among this type of chair, we can cite those described in patents EP2401995, EP1859767 or EP3169293. In a walker with a movable seat such as that of document EP2401995, the movement of the seat between its low position and its high position The height adjustment is achieved with a rather counter-intuitive and unnatural lifting movement by the user, the seat elevation being essentially vertical with a slight backward movement followed by a slight forward movement relative to the chassis.

[0006] Generally, the most difficult moment when lifting a patient is the first few moments / degrees from the horizontal (when the leg muscles are most engaged). It is at this point that the greatest effort must be exerted. In parallel with this lifting movement, the mechanism for transitioning from the standing position to the seated position must also allow for a movement requiring minimal effort and that is smooth and adapted to the patient's weight.

[0007] In some simpler devices, such as mechanical standing chairs, which do not provide true walking assistance (no possibility of weight transfer to the legs), the patient standing function uses a deformable parallelogram. The seat is horizontal in the lowered position and inclined forward in the raised position. To enable mechanical raising and lowering movements, these chairs most often use mechanisms that interact with the deformable parallelogram and incorporate pivots and levers for this purpose. The patient still needs to exert some effort, however slight, with their upper limbs to be able to assume a sitting / standing position.

[0008] Finally, there are electric standing chairs for which no effort is required for the user to move from a seated position to a standing position, provided that the power needed (potentially adjustable) for this change of position is supplied by an electrical source (motor(s) for example).

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore that the user can stand up by applying a minimal force on his legs, without having to use his upper limbs to transfer weight, by means of fixed armrests or other coupling mechanisms, which implies creating a complementary system to counteract this effect by allowing the user to apply on the actuator a force slightly greater than that of his own weight to move from the high standing position to the low seated position. Presentation of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks with a completely innovative approach. The goal is for the standing assistance to be "partial," meaning that when the system is unlocked, the patient who does not wish to stand must be able to remain seated, but if they wish to move from a seated to a standing position, and vice versa, these movements must be assisted / accompanied as much as possible. to minimize the effort required, particularly from the lower limbs when lifting.

[0011] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a walking aid device for an individual, comprising at least: - a mechanical assembly forming a chassis, - a base intended to be in contact with the user and movable at least vertically relative to said chassis between a first low seating position and a second high walking position, - a device for changing the vertical position of the mobile base at least between its first high position and its second low position, and vice versa, by moving along at least one translation between said positions. - a first device for assisting modification of the vertical elevation position of the mobile base, called the elevation device, designed to assist the movement of said mobile base between its different positions, said elevation device comprising at least one actuator forming an elastically deformable return means, - characterized in that it further comprises at least one second assistance member for modifying the vertical elevation position of the movable base, called a damping member, designed to dampen / counteract the assistance of the elevation member, said damping member applying, when passing between at least one first extreme high position and a second extreme low position, a force at least partially in opposition to that R produced by the elastically deformable return means of the elevation member.

[0012] Thanks to the present invention, the user, if they lack the necessary abilities, can move to the upright standing position with virtually no effort, regardless of their weight or leg strength. This solution thus resolves the problem of "resetting the actuators" to return to the seated position when the user's weight is insufficient. In summary, the invention counterbalances the force of the initial actuators that enable the user to reach the standing position.

[0013] The invention is implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically feasible combination.

[0014] Advantageously, the movable base is linked to the vertical position modification device so as to perform a curvilinear movement relative to the chassis to move from the first high position and the second low position, and vice versa.

[0015] More specifically, the movable base is linked to the vertical position modification device so as to perform a circumferential translational movement relative to the chassis to move from the first high position and the second low position, and vice versa.

[0016] Preferably, the device (30) for modifying the vertical position of the movable base is formed of at least one arm.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device for modifying the vertical position of the movable base forms, with the chassis and the movable base, at least one four-jointed deformable parallelogram-shaped structure in which the movable base forms a first segment, the chassis forms a second segment and two front and rear lateral arms connect the chassis and the movable base to form third and fourth inclined segments of the parallelogram, each of the front and rear lateral arms being connected to the movable base and the chassis respectively by means of elastically deformable return means each comprising a pivot at each of their connecting ends.

[0018] In particular, the first and second segments of the deformable parallelogram are horizontal.

[0019] According to a complementary aspect, each lateral arm forming the deformable parallelogram is connected respectively to the chassis by a lower joint disposed at a lower end of said arm and to the mobile base by a upper joint disposed at a high end of said arm, the upper joint being located behind the lower joint over the entire travel of the mobile base when the latter moves from its lower position to its upper position, and vice versa.

[0020] According to a particular feature of the present invention, at least one component of the forces produced respectively by the lifting member and the damping member during their respective movements are in opposition with respect to the movements of the deformable parallelogram, so that if a first force tends to open / deploy the deformable parallelogram, the other force tends to close / fold it, and vice versa.

[0021] According to a particularly interesting aspect of the present invention, the damping element is of a mechanical type and applies a force on at least one of the elements chosen from among the chassis, the mobile base, the device for modifying the vertical position of the mobile base and the lifting element.

[0022] In particular, the attenuation device is manually operated and includes at least one lever articulated on the chassis and bearing locally on the movable base.

[0023] According to a complementary feature of the present invention, the articulated lever of the damping element is pivotally mounted on a dorsal pivot of the chassis located behind the lower pivots of the lateral arms of the deformable parallelogram.

[0024] Preferably, the movable base includes an actuation / locking pin on which the lever of the damping member presses in order to, when the movable base passes from the high position to the low position, exert the force opposing that produced by the elastically deformable return means of the deformable parallelogram.

[0025] In addition, the articulated lever of the damping member has an internal longitudinal groove creating a sliding track inside which the actuating pin is captive and slides alternately according to the movement of the movable base.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, the articulated lever of the damping member also bears locally on a guide pin of the rear lateral arm of the deformable parallelogram.

[0027] More specifically, the actuating pin and the guide pin are one piece.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, each pawl is in the form of a rotating roller.

[0029] Advantageously, the damping element further comprises a disengageable locking / securing means to block the lifting element and the device for modifying the vertical position of the mobile base in order to maintain the walking aid device in the lowered position.

[0030] More specifically, the locking means (60) comprises at least: - an articulated hook connected to an elastic return spring and penetrating, in a first hooking position, into a slot in the damping device to lock the walking aid in the lowered position, and - a system for deactivating said hook comprising a tensioned pull cable between a manual actuation trigger and a pivoting lever between the first hooking position in which the hook is engaged with the slot and a second disengagement position in which, after activation of the actuation trigger, the cable is tensioned so that the pivoting lever rotates in order to release the hook from said slot.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the walking aid device comprises two devices for modifying the vertical position of the mobile base arranged laterally on the chassis, each of them being equipped with an elevation member and an associated attenuation member.

[0032] Advantageously, the attenuating element is motorized and is connected to an electrical actuation system. Brief description of the figures

[0033] Other advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes only and not as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a front perspective view of a walking aid chair according to the present invention in a first extreme position, called the low seating position,

[0035] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side view of [Fig.1],

[0036] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a cleared detail view of certain elements of Figures 1 and 2,

[0037] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a clear front perspective view of certain elements of the Figures 1 and 2,

[0038] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is another simplified view of certain elements of Figures 1 and 2,

[0039] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a front perspective view of a walking aid chair conforming to the present invention in an intermediate position,

[0040] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a side view of [Fig.7],

[0041] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a cleared detail view of certain elements of Figures 6 and 7,

[0042] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a clear front perspective view of certain elements of the Figures 6 and 7,

[0043] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is another simplified view of certain elements of Figures 6 and 7,

[0044] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a front perspective view of a walking aid chair conforming to the present invention in a second extreme position, called the high walking position,

[0045] [Fig.12] [Fig.12] is a side view of [Fig.11],

[0046] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a detailed, uncluttered view of certain elements of Figures 11 and 12,

[0047] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a simplified front perspective view of certain elements of Figures 11 and 12,

[0048] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] is another simplified view of certain elements of Figures 11 and 12

[0049] [Fig. 16] The [Fig. 16] is a perspective view of a security system in a first locking position,

[0050] [Fig.17] [Fig.17] is a side view of some details of [Fig.16],

[0051] [Fig. 18] [Fig. 18] is a perspective view of the security system in a second unlocking position, and

[0052] [Fig. 19] [Fig. 19] is a side view of some details of [Fig. 18]. Description of the implementation methods

[0053] Firstly, the present description is given by way of non-limiting, each feature of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other feature of any other embodiment described and / or represented.

[0054] It is also noted from the outset that the figures are not necessarily to scale, without this affecting their understanding.

[0055] Finally, identical, similar or technically equivalent parts present in different figures bear the same numerical references so as to facilitate the transition from one figure to another.

[0056] Figures 1 to 5 represent different perspective and detail views (side or perspective) of a walking aid device 1 according to the present invention, and more specifically a technical walking assistance chair usable for example by an individual such as a person with reduced mobility, a patient in rehabilitation, or an elderly person, allowing the individual to sit down and get up to walk as normally as possible using said chair for this purpose.

[0057] To this end, the walking aid chair 1 mainly comprises:

[0058] - a mechanical assembly of metal parts (in particular tubes fixed between them for example by welding) forming a chassis 10 mounted on casters 3 (five in this case, two in the front position and three in the back position, depending on the direction of travel),

[0059] - a base 20 (mechanically welded structure in the main shape of an arc) movable by report audit chassis 10 between at least a first low seating position (figures 1 to 5) and a second high walking position (figures 11 to 15), passing through an intermediate raised position (figures 6 to 10), - a device 30 for modifying the vertical position of the mobile base 20 at least between its first high position and its second low position, and vice versa, - a first member 40 for assisting modification of the vertical elevation position of the mobile base 20, called the lifting member, designed to assist the movement of said base 20 between its different positions, said lifting member 40 comprising at least one actuator forming an elastically deformable return means 43 such as a cylinder, and more specifically two cylinders (preferably parallel) per lifting member 40 in the present case, and

[0060] - at least a second 50 elevation position modification device vertical of the movable base 20, called attenuating member, designed to attenuate / counteract the assistance of the lifting member 40, said attenuating member 50 applying, when passing between at least a first high position and a second low position, a force at least partially in opposition to that produced by the elastically deformable return means 43 of the lifting member 40.

[0061] The movable base 20 typically supports a support member 25 on which an individual can rest in a seated position in the lower position of said base 20 or in a height-adjustable sitting / standing position in the upper position of said base 20 in which the individual is supported at least partially by said support organ 25 to assist his walking.

[0062] In the present case, the support element 25 is materialized by a saddle provided with a two-part comfort seat. A backrest 26 is also provided in the dorsal part of the walking aid device 1, as well as various accessories such as supports (not shown) for the individual's thighs, in particular to assist and support their walking movements during their rehabilitation.

[0063] The walking aid chair 1 extends along a front-to-back longitudinal direction XX. The front of the chair 1 corresponds to the torso of an individual (not shown) and the back of the chair 1 corresponds to the back of said individual when seated in said chair 1.

[0064] The walking aid chair 1 also extends in a left-right transverse direction YY. The left and right directions correspond respectively to the left and right of the individual when the latter is normally seated in the chair 1.

[0065] Finally, the walking aid chair 1 also extends in a direction of height ZZ. The up and down directions correspond respectively to those of the individual when he is sitting normally in the chair 1 and looking above him or towards the ground.

[0066] As is also visible and stands out more clearly in figures 6 to 15, the device 30 for changing the vertical position of the movable base 20 forms, with the chassis 10 and the movable base 20, at least one structure 31 in the form of a deformable parallelogram with four joints in which the movable base 20 forms a first substantially horizontal upper segment, the chassis 10 (or at least an upper part of the latter forming a high peripheral band) forms a second substantially horizontal lower segment and two lateral arms 32 and 33 connecting the chassis 10 and the movable base 20 to form third and fourth inclined segments of the parallelogram 31.

[0067] The front lateral arm 32 is connected to the movable base 20 and the chassis 10 by means of a front cylinder 42 having upper pivots 42a and lower pivots 42b respectively at each of its two connecting ends.

[0068] Similarly, the rear lateral arm 33 is connected to the movable base 20 and the chassis 10 by means of a rear cylinder 43 having upper pivots 43a and lower pivots 43b respectively at each of its two connecting ends.

[0069] Furthermore, each front lateral arm 32 forming the deformable parallelogram 31 is articulated on the one hand to the chassis 10 at a lower joint 32b located at a lower end of said front arm 32 and on the other hand to the movable base 20 at an upper joint 32a located at an upper end of said front arm 32, the upper joint 32a being located behind the lower joint 32b over the entire travel of the mobile base 20 when the latter moves from its lower position to its upper position, and vice versa.

[0070] Similarly, each rear lateral arm 33 forming the deformable parallelogram 31 is articulated on the chassis 10 at a lower articulation 33b located at a lower end of said rear arm 33 and on the mobile base 20 at an upper articulation 33a located at a higher end of said rear arm 33, the upper articulation 33a being located behind the lower articulation 33b over the entire travel of the mobile base 20 when the latter moves from its lower position to its upper position, and vice versa.

[0071] As is clear from the preferred embodiment illustrated in the various Figures 1 to 15, the device 1 comprises two lifting members 40 arranged on either side of the chassis 10, each lifting member 40 being associated with a corresponding damping member 50. There are therefore two pairs of front lateral arms 32, two pairs of rear lateral arms 33, and thus two deformable parallelograms 31. Similarly, there are two pairs of front cylinders 42 and two pairs of rear cylinders 43. Finally, there are two armrests 15 and two damping members 50.

[0072] In particular, each damping member 50 is typically formed by an arm linked to a guide member, and more specifically a lever 51 mounted in an articulated manner on the chassis 10 and bearing locally on the movable base 20. As for the lifting members 40, there are two parallel lateral levers 51 located below the armrests 15, and preferably further apart laterally than the latter, in particular for structural (kinematic) and accessibility reasons.

[0073] More specifically, each lever 51 is articulated around a lower dorsal pivot 52 of the chassis 10 located behind the lower pivots 32b and 33b of the lateral arms 32 and 33 of the deformable parallelogram 31, and bears, according to its angular position (raised or lowered) on a first actuation / locking pin 53 of the mobile base 20 to exert the force F opposing the force R produced by the cylinders 42 and 43 of the deformable parallelogram 31 (passage from figures 11 to 15 then 6 to 10 then 1 to 5, as will be explained later).

[0074] The articulated lever 51 of the damping member 50 also bears locally, according to its angular position, on a guide pin 54 of the rear lateral arm 33 of the deformable parallelogram 31, as can be seen in figures 1 to 10.

[0075] In the embodiment shown, the actuating pins 53 and guide pins 54 are made up of rotating rollers that can rotate about a transverse axis (Y direction) when the underside of the lever 51 pivots downwards and slides along said rollers 53 and 54 to exert the downward force R.

[0076] The damping element 50 further includes a disengageable locking / securing means 60 to block the lifting device 20 and the lifting assistance device 30 and consequently maintain the walking assistance device 1 in the lower position (figures 1 to 5).

[0077] More specifically, as can also be seen in Figures 16 to 19, the locking means 60 includes in particular an articulated hook 61 connected to at least one elastic return spring 62 and penetrating, in a first hooking position (Figures 1 to 5 and Figures 16 and 17), into a slot 63 of the lever 51 to lock the walking aid device 10 in the lower position.

[0078] The locking means 60 further includes a disengageable system 64 for deactivating said hook 61 comprising a traction cable 65 stretched between a manual actuation trigger 66 housed in the armrest 15 and a lever 67 connected to a movable carriage 68 and pivotally mounted on a ball bearing 69 between the first hooking position in which the hook 61 is engaged in the slot 63 of the lever 51 (figures 16 and 17) and a second disengagement position in which, after activation (manual lifting) of the actuation trigger 66 causing the rotation of the lever 37 on its ball bearing 69 according to arrow P and the movement of the carriage 68, the traction cable 65 is pulled (arrow T) so that the hook 61 is released (disengaged) from the slot 63 (figures 18 and 19).

[0079] The operation of the chair 1 according to the present invention is as follows.

[0080] When an individual is seated on the saddle 25, the movable base 20 is in the lowest extreme position as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. The individual can, for example, rest in this position.

[0081] When he wants to get up to take a few steps for his rehabilitation, he naturally rises on his legs and the two pairs of front 42 and rear 43 jacks as well as the pairs of front 32 and rear 33 arms of the deformable parallelograms 31 then accompany this movement by automatically raising the mobile base 20 so that the latter passes to the intermediate position of figures 6 to 10, then to the extreme high position of figures 11 to 15. In this position, the individual is normally in the so-called "sit-stand" position, that is to say he stands on his legs while resting his buttocks on the saddle 25, so that he can safely take steps.

[0082] The movable base 20 performs both a rectilinear movement and a curvilinear movement to go from the first high position and the second low position, and vice versa, and more specifically a circumferential (vertical) translational movement, that is to say that each of the points of the movable base 20 moves both upwards (or downwards) while deriving a circle, so that the always remain horizontal.

[0083] When the individual wishes to sit down again, they must normally exert a force F that opposes the force R of the jacks 42 and 43 and the deformable parallelograms 31. This force R is adapted to the individual's weight and strength so that it is high enough to lift them with virtually no effort on their part (they push very little with their feet, hence the term "assistance"). The greater this assistance is to counteract gravity (if the force R is too high, the individual will not be able to sit down; if it is too low, they will have difficulty standing up), the greater the force required to sit down must also be.

[0084] The levers 51 of the walking aid chair 1 according to the present invention are therefore used to counteract the lifting force R so that the movable base 20 can return from the extreme high position of figures 11 to 15 to the intermediate position of figures 6 to 10 and then to the extreme low position of figures 1 to 5. For this, the individual presses on the lateral levers 31, which press on the guide roller 54 and then on the actuating roller 53 in order to "fold" said deformable parallelograms 31 against the total force R exerted by the set of front cylinders 42 and rear cylinders 43.

[0085] Thus, at least one component of the forces R and F produced respectively by the lifting member 40 (the cylinders 43) on the one hand and the damping member 50 on the other hand (the levers 51) during their respective movements are in opposition with respect to the movements of the deformable parallelograms 31, so that if a first force R tends to open / deploy the said deformable parallelograms 31, the other force F tends to close / fold them, and vice versa.

[0086] To ensure the individual's safety in the lowered position of the movable base 20 and to prevent the lifting mechanism 40 from being triggered unexpectedly, the hook 61 automatically engages in the slot 63 of the lever 51, thanks in particular to the elastic return springs 62. The individual must then pull the manual actuation triggers 66 to pull the cable 65, thereby pivoting the lever 67 on its ball bearing 69 and triggering the movement of the movable carriage 68 to disengage the hook 61 from the slot 63. In this case, there are two hooks 61, one for each slot 63 / lateral lever 51, and therefore two triggers 66 (one per armrest 15) and two cables 65.

[0087] When the individual moves from the highest position (or any intermediate position) to the lowest position, the hook 61 automatically engages in the slot 63 of the associated side lever 51 (a safety "click" may be emitted at this time) and remains locked there by the spring 62, which pulls on the traction cable 65 to keep the lever 67 in its locked position. As long as no sufficient force is exerted on the triggers 66, the hooks 61 of the The side levers 51 cannot be disengaged and the movable base 20 therefore cannot be raised.

[0088] It must be clearly understood that the detailed description of the object of the Invention, given solely by way of illustration, does not in any way constitute a limitation, technical equivalents also being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0089] Thus, the rollers can be covered with a rubber tread (or other equivalent material) to reduce wear, reduce noise during a possible impact with the lever and facilitate the rotational movement of the roller when driven by the lever as the latter descends by pivoting around its dorsal axis.

[0090] The deformable parallelogram formed by the lifting member 40 and the chassis 10 can be inclined around a transverse axis so that the upper and lower segments are not horizontal (while remaining parallel to each other).

[0091] The damping element 40 can also apply the opposing force on one or more of the elements chosen from the chassis, the movable base, the lifting element or the device for modifying the vertical position of the movable base.

[0092] The articulated lever 51 of the damping member 50 may have an internal longitudinal groove creating a sliding track inside which the actuating pin (roller) 53 is captive and slides alternately according to the movement of the movable base 20.

[0093] The actuating roller / pin 53 and the guide roller / pin 54 can be combined into a single piece arranged for example on the rear arm 33 or on the mobile base 20 so that the individual can press on the articulated lever 51 to move from the high position to the low position of the mobile base 20 without having to exert a significant effort to oppose the restoring force R of the cylinders.

[0094] The damping element 50 can be connected to an electrical actuation and motorization system, for example a cylinder or a motor, to assist or even carry out its movement.

Claims

Demands

1. A walking aid device (1) for an individual, comprising at least: - a mechanical assembly forming a chassis (10), - a base (20) intended to be in contact with the user and movable at least vertically relative to said chassis (10) between a first low sitting position and a second high walking position, - a device (30) for modifying the vertical position of the movable base at least between its first high position and its second low position, and vice versa, by displacement along at least one translation between said positions, - a first member (40) for assisting modification of the vertical elevation position of the movable base (20), called the elevation member, designed to assist the movement of said movable base (20) between its different positions, said elevation member (40) comprising at least one actuator forming a means (42;43) elastically deformable return, - characterized in that it further comprises at least one second member (50) for assisting modification of the vertical elevation position of the movable base (20), called a damping member, designed to dampen / counteract the assistance of the elevation member (40), said damping member (50) applying, when passing between at least one first extreme high position and a second extreme low position, a force (F) at least partially in opposition to that R produced by the elastically deformable return means (42) of the elevation member (40).;

2. Walking aid device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable base (20) is linked to the vertical position modification device (30) so as to perform a curvilinear movement relative to the chassis (10) to move from the first high position and the second low position, and vice versa.

3. A walking aid device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable base (20) is linked to the vertical position modification device (30) so as to perform a circumferential translational movement relative to the chassis (10) to move from the first high position and the second low position, and vice versa.

4. Walking aid device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (30) for modifying the vertical position of the movable base (20) is formed of at least one arm.

5. A walking aid device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (30) for modifying the vertical position of the movable base (20) forms, with the frame (10) and the movable base (20), at least one deformable parallelogram-shaped structure (31) with four joints in which the movable base (20) forms a first segment, the frame (10) forms a second segment, and two front (32) and rear (33) lateral arms connect the frame (10) and the movable base (20) to form the third and fourth inclined segments of the parallelogram (31), each of the front (32) and rear (33) lateral arms being connected to the movable base (20) and the frame (10) respectively by means of elastically deformable return means (42; 43) comprising a pivot (42a, 42b; 43a, 43b) at each of their connecting ends.

6. Walking aid device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and second segments of the deformable parallelogram (31) are horizontal.

7. Walking aid device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that each lateral arm (32; 33) forming the deformable parallelogram (31) is connected respectively to the chassis (10) by a lower joint disposed (32b; 33b) at a lower end of said arm (32; 33) and to the mobile base (20) by an upper joint (32a; 33a) disposed at a high end of said arm (32; 33), the upper joint (32a; 33a) being located behind the lower joint (33a; 33b) over the entire travel of the mobile base (20) when the latter moves from its lower position to its upper position, and vice versa.

8. A walking aid device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that at least one component of the forces (R; F) produced respectively by the lifting member (40) and the damping member (50) during their respective movements are in opposition to the movements of the deformable parallelogram (31), such that if a first force tends to open / unfold the deformable parallelogram (31), the other force tends to close / fold it, and vice versa.

9. Walking aid device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping member (50) is of a mechanical type and applies a force (F) on at least one of the elements selected from the chassis (10), the movable base (20), the device (30) for modifying the vertical position of the movable base and the lifting member (40).

10. Walking aid device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the damping member (50) is manually operated and comprises at least one lever (51) articulated on the chassis (10) and bearing locally on the movable base (20).

11. Walking aid device (1) according to claims 7 and 10, characterized in that the articulated lever (51) of the damping member (50) is pivotally mounted on a dorsal pivot (52) of the chassis (10) located behind the lower pivots (32b, 33b) of the lateral arms (32, 33) of the deformable parallelogram (31).

12. Walking aid device (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the movable base (20) has an actuation / locking pin (53) against which the lever (51) of the damping member (50) presses to, when the movable base (20) moves from the high position to the low position, exert the force (F) opposing that (R) produced by the elastically deformable return means (42) of the deformable parallelogram (31).

13. Walking aid device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the articulated lever (51) of the damping member (50) has an internal longitudinal groove creating a sliding track inside which the actuating pin (53) is captive and slides alternately according to the movement of the movable base (20).

14. Walking aid device (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the articulated lever (51) of the damping member (50) also bears locally on a guide pin (54) of the rear lateral arm (33) of the deformable parallelogram (31).

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20. Walking aid device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the actuating pin (53) and the guiding pin (54) are one piece. Walking aid device (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that each pin (53; 54) is in the form of a rotating roller. Walking aid device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping member (50) further comprises a disengageable locking / securing means (60) to block the lifting member (40) and the device (30) for modifying the vertical position of the movable base in order to maintain the walking aid device (1) in the lowered position. Walking aid device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the locking means (60) comprises at least: - an articulated hook (61) connected to an elastic return spring (62) and penetrating, in a first hooking position, into a slot (63) of the damping member (50) to lock the walking aid device (1) in the lowered position, and - a system (64) for deactivating said hook (61) comprising a traction cable (65) stretched between a manual actuation trigger (66) and a lever (67) pivoting between the first hooking position in which the hook (61) is engaged with the slot (63) and a second disengagement position in which, after activation of the actuation trigger (66), the cable (65) is stretched so that the pivoting lever rotates in order to release the hook (61) from said slot (63). Walking aid device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two devices (30) for modifying the vertical position of the movable base arranged laterally on the chassis (10), each of them being equipped with an elevation member (40) and an associated damping member (50). Walking aid device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 19. characterized in that the damping member (50) is motorized and is connected to an electrical actuation system.

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