Child ambulation aid with enhanced maneuverability
US6832770B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H2201/1676
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ambulation aid which has a support structure for the patient that both supports the patient's weight, and is movable laterally with respect to the frame to accommodate sideways hip movement of the patient's gait. The inventors have observed that a patient's hip will shift laterally as the patient steps forward and places weight on the forward stepping leg. This causes prior art ambulation aids to jerk sideways. The present invention overcomes this by providing a support structure which can move sideways without requiring the entire frame to move sideways. In one embodiment, the support structure slides in a track behind the patient, allowing lateral movement. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a belt which either slides through rollers behind the patient, or is attached but is flexible to allow hip movement, or is attached to a slider behind the patient. In one embodiment, the support structure is spring-biased to return the support mechanism to its central position after the patient takes a step.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.