Apparatus and methods for human mobility adjustable assistance

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, systems, and a mobility aid device including a frame with wheels, pulleys, and horizontal and vertical bars, elastic straps to engage with the pulleys, and a harness engaged with the elastic straps. Apparatus, system, device, and method of tailoring a user's center of gravity while using a mobility aid including adjusting a height of the mobility aid adjusting elastic straps engaged with pulleys attached to the aid, and adjusting a harness to engage with the user in a vertical orientation and the aid.

Description

Atty Docket No. ROSEOOIPCTAPPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HUMAN MOBILITY ADJUSTABLE ASSISTANCECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S Provisional Applications Ser. No. 63 / 760,206 filed on February 19, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Applications Ser. No. 63 / 809,812 Filed on May 21, 2025. Both applications have the same title and inventor. Both applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD

[0002] Embodiments herein relate to an apparatus and methods for human mobility assistance that are safe, reliable, and adjustable to closely mimic routine walking.BACKGROUND

[0003] Humans have historically relied on walkers, litters, canes, wheelchairs, pack animals, bicycles, other humans, and other devices to support their mass when routine physical exertion for normal walking was not possible. Conventional walkers do help some people move with more independence than if they were not employed. However, such walkers require engagement with and reliance on the user's entire body including upper body strength for propulsion. This distortion of the user's center of gravity makes engagement partially effective, at best. This engagement and reliance quickly become tiresome to the user, decreases the likelihood of improvement in lower body muscle strength and coordination, and forces the body into contortions that facilitate disappointment with an individual's human condition.

[0004] Figure 1 (Prior Art) provides a schematic view of a person using a traditional mobility device. The person 101 interacts with the mobility device 102 in a way that causes the person’s center of gravity 103 to be in the chest and shoulder areas. The elevated location of the persons center of gravity 103 and the height 104 of the mobility device 102 forces the person’s 101 body into contortions that affect posture, field of view, and decreases lower body strength. Over time, this may negatively influence a user’s emotional well-being.

[0005] A device that emphasizes movement independence while using a more natural human center of gravity to facilitate lower body and lower center of gravity mass distribution across a supportive walking aid is needed.SUMMARY

[0006] This summary is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.73, requiring a summary of the invention briefly indicating the nature and substance of the invention.Atty Docket No. ROSEOOIPCT

[0007] Embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus, systems, and a mobility aid device including a frame with wheels, pulleys, and horizontal and vertical bars, elastic straps to engage with the pulleys, and a harness engaged with the elastic straps. The harness may engage with the elastic straps at either shoulder or waist height or both and with a user’s trunk and upper legs. The vertical bars of the device may adjust in height and may have a height that extends above a user’s waist, shoulder, or head. The frame of the device may have four wheels and the front two or all wheels may swivel. The vertical support beams may be joined by a horizontal bar that is above a user’s head. The frame of the device may have at least two horizontal support bars within 30 centimeters of a user’s center of gravity. Embodiments herein relate to an apparatus, system, device, and method of tailoring a user’s center of gravity while using a mobility aid including adjusting a height of the mobility aid adjusting elastic straps engaged with pulleys attached to the aid, and adjusting a harness to engage with the user in a vertical orientation and the aid. The connections for the elastic straps may be adjusted to accommodate the balance, coordination, muscle strength, user mass, or a combination thereof. The elastic strap may be of a material, strength, length or a combination thereof to support a user. A method may include distributing mass between a user’s legs and the mobility aid device. A user’s center of gravity while using the device may be consistent with the user’s center of gravity when in motion without aid from a device.DRAWINGS

[0008] Aspects, features, benefits and advantages of the embodiments described herein will be apparent with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0009] Figure 1 (Prior Art) is a schematic view of a person using a traditional mobility device.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a person wearing an embodiment of a harness.

[0011] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the frame of an embodiment of a device.

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic, exploded view of the frame of an embodiment.

[0013] Figures 5 A and 5B are dimensional views of a user engaged with an embodiment of a harness and frame from a front and back perspective.

[0014] Figure 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a harness with the buckles engaged and a belt threaded through the belt loops.Atty Docket No. ROSEOOIPCT

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a harness that is laid flat to show padding and other features.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments described herein relate to a mobility assistance device that emphasizes human mass distribution so that the user's center of gravity, posture, and visibility are enhanced during operation. This supports the user's independence. The mass distribution and engagement with the device is accomplished by the interaction between the user, a harness around the user's trunk and legs, and a device with four wheels at the base of four vertical support beams, and at least four horizontal bars. The four wheels may swivel. The harness and device engage via adjustable straps such as bungee cords. The harness, straps, and device may be adjusted to accommodate changes in balance, coordination, muscle strength, and mass of the user. The user's hands may also be engaged with hand grips that may include brake activation.

[0017] Embodiments herein include a mobility assistance device that engages with a harness and the user to facilitate mass support via the harness. This engagement may be through the user's hands on the device and through the harness which connects to one or several of the device's four vertical support beams or horizontal bars via adjustable straps and a pulley system.

[0018] Figure 2 provides a schematic view of a person wearing an embodiment of a harness. The harness 202 may include fabric supports across the user’s 201 upper legs 203 and lower torso 204, and straps 205 to adjust the fit of the harness 202 around the person. How the fabric supports are engaged with the upper legs and lower torso may be adjusted depending on the amount of mass support needed by the user. In some embodiments, this adjustment helps the user to control the support provided by the device as the user gains improved human movement function. The harness 202 engages with elastic cords by pulley wheels 206a, 206b Figure 2 illustrates one type of harness 202 that has support engagement at head height 208. Some embodiments may benefit from a harness that has support engagement at hip height 209.

[0019] Some embodiments may have a seat that rests vertically in parallel to and engaged with the vertical support beams and that deploys horizontally to engage perpendicular to the vertical support beams and parallel to the horizontal bars (not shown in Figure 2). The seat and the harness are arranged to allow the user to sit comfortably while still wearing the harness. This configuration also provides mass support for the user to raise from sitting to standing position with continuous mass support, further facilitating user movement independence. Selecting a seatAtty Docket No. ROSEOOIPCTdesign that acts as a lift chair may be desirable for some users. Some embodiments may use a spring-loaded seat that may be used as an alternative to a wheel chair.

[0020] A connection via the user's hands may just be for upper body stability and posture while the connection between the harness and the device provides the bulk of the user mass support and keeps the center of gravity for the user low and more controlled than if they were relying on their hands only. This further facilitates normal posture and head mobility for better user visibility.

[0021] Figures 3 provides a schematic view of the frame of an embodiment of the device. The device has a horizontal bar to support the hands of a user 302. This handle bar 302 is connected to two vertical bars 309. Additional rear handles 311 allow for safer movements to and from the device and may facilitate correct posture in use. The horizontal metal bars 303 at the base assist with braking and are hinged to facilitate folding for storage. There are four wheels 304a, 304b, 304c, 304d on the bottom of the device to assist in movement. All wheels 304a, 304b 304c, 304d may swivel to assist in changing directions. The horizontal bars 308 provide stability to the device and secondary grip for the user’s hands. The two rear vertical support beams 305 connect to the pulley system bracket 306 and are at a height selected to allow the harness to keep the center of gravity of the user low. Further, the beams may have multiple connection points 310 along the vertical beams to encourage selecting a height based on what is best for the user. The beam on the back of the device 307 allows the user to step inside and then secure them within the device for safety and stability.

[0022] Figure 4 provides a schematic view of an embodiment of pulley wheels and their attachment to the device. The top pulleys 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d are connected to the upper frame of the device 402. Elastic straps such as bungee cords (not shown in Figure 4) engage these pulleys and through the harness pulley wheels 403a, 403b to support the weight of the user. The upper vertical support beams 404 may be adjusted to fit the height, size, and needs of the user. A support bracket 406 is attached at the top of the pulley system frame 405 to ensure the weight of the user can be supported and maintain left, right, forward, and back stability for the user.

[0023] Some embodiments may use elastic straps such as an elastic bungee cord or series of bungee cords engaged with a pulley or multiple pulleys to provide constant mass support and to smooth out the mass transfer from the harness to the device. These pulleys and bungee cords mayAtty Docket No. ROSEOOIPCTbe selected and affixed to the device to provide maximum mass distribution across the device vertical support beams. The height of the pulleys along the height of the vertical support beams may be adjusted to accommodate a user's physical stature and where the center of gravity of the user needs to be. The length, type, elasticity, and other features of the bungee cords may be adjusted to help the user manage their weight distribution between their legs, the harness, and the device. The use of bungee cords may allow less rigid, smoother user interaction with the harness and device. In some embodiments, the bungees may connect with the harness in only two places, such as along the front hips, to further facilitate user mobility and trunk and leg freedom of movement. That is, the user's stride may be closer to its natural rhythm.

[0024] Some embodiments may use an adjustable air cylinder and spring engaged with the harness connectors and the vertical support beam to provide the same mass support and smooth mass transfer similar to the elastic strap system described above.

[0025] The front horizontal bar may be used for support or handbraking in some embodiments. The back two vertical support beams are engaged with a horizontal, curved bar that has flexibility to allow the user to enter the inner region of the device but also the rigidity to support an upper, vertical beam and two forward handles for the user's hands. The forward handles use hard edges to move horizontally as needed depending on the user's positioning and engagement with the vertical beam. They lock with an adjusting screw and nut that is welded to support the handles. The upper, vertical beam also engages with two bungees with hooks to engage an upper harness and a pulley system. The interaction between the bungees, harness, and pulley system allow for flexibility in how much support the bungees provide to the user for upper torso and shoulder weight distribution. In some embodiments, the upper beam may include a small horizontal bar to support one or two pulley systems for engagement with bungees that support the upper harness.

[0026] For use, a user first puts on the upper and lower harness, engages the harness with the bungee hooks and steps into the device. The rear horizontal, curved bar is latched into place, supported with the forward handles. The harness and the bungees are then adjusted to accommodate the fitness and postural goals of the user for the day at all points of contact including the upper reaches of the rear vertical support bar. The upper reaches of the rear vertical support bar may be adjusted vertically to accommodate a user of varied height or postural limitations. These adjustable points of contact and the engagement with the harnesses allow theAtty Docket No. ROSEOOIPCTuser to control his interaction with the device. This facilitates a sense of independence and authority over the device and requires less reliance on a helper to use the device.

[0027] Figures 5A and 5B provide a schematic view of a person using an embodiment of the device. Figure 5A shows an anterior view of a user engaged with a device. Figure 5B shows a posterior view of the user using an embodiment of the device. The user 501 wears the harness 502 inside of the frame of the device 503. The harness is connected to the pulley system via elastic cords 504 which support the user’s weight and assist with posture and movement. The elastic cords 504 are attached on one end to the harness 502 and to loops 514 in the frame of the mobility device 503 on the other. The elastic cords 504 run through the pulley wheels 505a, 505b, 505c, 505d, 506a, 506b to create suspension. The interaction between the elastic cords 504, pulleys 505a, 505b, 505c, 505d. 506a, 506b, harness 502, and the person 501 lower the user’s center of gravity 507 to the pelvic area. The user holds onto the handle bar 508 or the rear handles 515 for stability and control. Structural stability is provided by the horizontal bars 509, back bar 513, front vertical bars 510 and rear vertical bars 511. The wheels 512a, 512b, 512c. 512d allow for the person to move without having to lift the device as required when using traditional devices.

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a harness 601 with the belt 602 buckle 603 and chest and leg VelcroTM connections 604, 605 engaged. Figure 6 also shows upper harness straps 606 which may be reinforced for engagement with pulleys or elastic straps or both. The placement of the leg connections 605 may be selected to facilitate comfort and support for an individual user’s preferences and to facilitate lower body mass support across the upper leg and thigh. Ease of engaging and removing the harness may also facilitate how tight the user may choose to engage the leg support. This also allows for use by users of varied height, mass, fitness level, or other physical characteristic.

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a harness 701 that is laid flat to show upper and lower padding 702, 703. The upper padding 702 may be especially comfortable for people with diminished upper body mass. The large regions of VelcoTM along the connections at the leg and waist 704, emphasize the size variability to accommodate different users and individual changes that may occur as a user has physical fitness benefits from the device or their health changes.Atty Docket No. ROSEOOIPCT

[0030] The relative independence and the center of mass distribution afforded by the device facilitates physical activity targeted to improve the physical strength and fitness of the user. This combined harness and device may replace anti-gravity walkers for some physical therapy participants. Further, some users may have the confidence to add ankle weights to their fitness routine. Some embodiments may facilitate physical therapy that requires much less supervision than routine physical therapy tools, in part, because the therapist does not have to focus on the multiple safety issues of other systems. In some embodiments, affixing the device over a treadmill may allow a user to walk comfortably with very little supervision. Some users may increase the weight on his legs instead of being completely supported by a device and increase the mass distribution to his legs over multiple uses of the treadmill. A physical therapist may be able to engage several patients at once across several treadmills to encourage participants and create a collegial fitness class environment.

[0031] Similarly, the device may be used for walking across a pool with much less physical therapist supervision, again, allowing multiple users to form a fitness class, collegial personal improvement environment. Also, a user with a device and harness will engage with a leg powered treadmill, a treadmill designed for use in a pool.

Claims

Atty Docket No. ROSEOOIPCTCLAIMS1. A mobility aid device, comprising:a frame with wheels, pulleys, and horizontal and vertical bars;elastic straps to engage with the pulleys; anda harness engaged with the elastic straps.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the harness engages with the elastic straps at either shoulder or waist height or both.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the harness engages with a user’s trunk and upper legs.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a vertical bar of the device may adjust in height.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a vertical bar of the device may have a height that extends above a user’s waist, shoulder, or head.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame of the device has four wheels.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the front two wheels may swivel.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the vertical support beams are joined by a horizontal bar that is above a user’s head.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame of the device has at least two horizontal support bars within 30 centimeters of a user’s center of gravity.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the wheels swivel.

11. A method of tailoring a user’s center of gravity while using a mobility aid, comprising: adjusting a height of the mobility aid;adjusting elastic straps engaged with pulleys attached to the aid; andadjusting a harness to engage with the user in a vertical orientation and the aid.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein connections for the elastic straps may be adjusted to accommodate the balance, coordination, muscle strength, user mass, or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the elastic strap is of a material, strength, length or a combination thereof to support a user.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising distributing mass between a user’s legs and the mobility aid device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein a user’s center of gravity while using the device is consistent with the user’s center of gravity when in motion without aid from a device.

Images