Patent ID: 6389618
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: A61G,A61H

Abstract:
A movement aid suitable for use by disabled persons comprising in combination:a track comprising a generally U-configured, elongated channel member having a base and a pair of downwardly extending, transversely spaced, parallel side walls, each side wall having a terminal, in-turned flange portion with a longitudinally extending gap defined between the flange portions; a trolley moveable along the track, the trolley comprising a U-configured body having a bottom and a pair of upstanding transversely spaced parallel sides, and castors rotatably mounted for longitudinal rolling movement of the trolley with the castors making rolling engagement with inside surface portions of each of the in-turned flange portions, and with portions of the U-configured body being disposed therebetween and within the gap; a flexible support means suspended from the bottom of the U-configured body of the trolley; and a caliper brake for controlling and stopping movement of the trolley along the track, the caliper brake including a pair of adjacent, curved caliper arms and a supporting spindle that is associated with the bottom, each arm being pivotably mounted at a respective fulcrum region thereof to the spindle, each arm having an upper portion that terminates in opposed relationship to the other on a different opposed outer side portion of each of the track side walls, the caliper brake further including a brake lever, and a brake cable interconnecting the brake lever with one of the caliper arms, the relationship between the track, the trolley and the caliper brake being such that, when the brake lever is operated, each upper arm portion is urged into the respective adjacent outer side portion of each of the track side walls.