Walking assistance device
US7780616B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H2205/081
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In order to provide a walking assistance device capable of favorably providing an assisting force for maintaining the upright posture while reducing the sense of pressure when worn by the user, a hip support member (1) of the walking assisting device, which comprises an assisting force generator (hip joint actuator 10) disposed at least on a side of a hip joint to provide an assisting force to a movement of a lower limb, is provided with: a back support (4) equipped with pads (18, 19, 20) for respectively abutting an intermediate portion between right and left erector spinae muscles, lateral outer sides of the spinae muscles and right and left iliac crests; and a belt (5) connected to the back support for tightening a lower part of the rectus abdominis muscle. In this way, a supporting force can be provided to the lumbar vertebrae to steadily keep the upright posture while reducing a resistance to a bending movement of the waist caused by the support member. Further, the drive torque from the assisting force generator can be supported by the whole hip portion and this can contribute to preventing inadvertent move of the support member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.