User-propelled steerable apparatus

US5732964A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Magic Walker, L.C. · US

Inventors

• Kimberly Elizabeth Durham · Jackson, US
• Edwin Alphonso · Herndon, US
• Jinqiu Chen · Memphis, US
• Peter Gregory Davis · Kirkland, US
• John T Dillon · Huntsville, US
• Dona M. Kambeyanda · Memphis, US
• Yashdeep Kumar · Kalamazoo, US
• Thanigaivel Ashwin Raj · Memphis, US
• Michael Rosen · Arlington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 1995
• Grant date: Mar 31, 1998
• Expiry date: Apr 27, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61H2201/1633
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A user-propelled walking apparatus comprising a frame assembly having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. The pair of front wheels are maintained substantially parallel to one another. An upper body and seat assembly having a seat and a movable torso support unit is mounted to the frame assembly. The movable torso support unit is allowed to rotate or pivot. The rotation or pivoting movement of the movable torso support unit is connected to a mechanical transmission for controlling steering which controls the direction of the front wheels. A gait guide system comprising a pair of independent gait guides attached to the frame assembly to limit the movement of the user's feet. Each of the gait guides includes an elongate rail pivotally connected to the frame assembly. A sleeve is slidably mounted on the elongate rail and a shoe bracket is pivotally connected to the sleeve.