Patent ID: 7294094
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: A61H,A63B

Abstract:
1. A lightweight mobile apparatus, for supporting an invalid while standing and walking, said apparatus supporting said invalid by means of a harness worn by said invalid, ropes or webbing extending upward from said harness to a support point above said invalid's head, and said apparatus permitting the invalid to walk over ground or over a treadmill by means of a plurality of casters mounted on the apparatus and in contact with the ground, said apparatus consisting of: (a) a first tubular metal frame, bent in the shape of an inverted U in a diagonal plane, said frame comprising a left leg, a right leg, and a fixed length connection between said two legs at the top, said frame having a first a swivel caster and a second swivel caster at the bottom, said first frame having a first pulley at the top and a second pulley at the top, (b) a second tubular metal frame, bent in the shape of an inverted U in a diagonal plane, said second frame comprising a left leg, a right leg, and a fixed length connection between the two said second frame legs at the top, said second frame having a third swivel caster and a fourth swivel caster at the bottom, said second frame having a left pulley at the top a and right pulley at the top, said left leg of said second frame intersecting and being pivotally connected to said left leg of said first frame, the intersection being in the shape of an X, said right leg of said second frame intersection and being pivotally connected to the said right leg of said first frame, said intersection being in the shape of an X, c) a third U shaped frame, in an approximately horizontal plane, said third U shaped frame consisting of a left side, a right side, and a connection between the two, said left side of said third frame being pivotally connected to said left leg of said first frame below said connection between said left leg of said first frame and said left leg of said second frame, and said left side of said third frame being connected to said left leg of said second frame, said connection between said left side of said third frame and said left leg of said second frame being below said connection of said left leg of said second frame to said left leg of said first frame, said right side of said third frame being pivotally connected to said right leg of said first frame below said connection between said right leg of said first frame and said right leg of said second frame, and said right side of said third frame being pivotally connected to said right leg of said second frame, said connection between said right side of said third frame and said right leg of said second frame being below the connection of said right leg of said second frame to said right leg of said first frame, the U shape of said third frame providing an opening for the entry and exit of an invalid, d) a manually operated winch, said winch having a locking mechanism that prevents rotation when the winch handle is released, said winch having a rotatable drum on which a rope is wound, e) said rope extending upward from said drum of said winch, said rope being divided into a left rope and a right rope above said drum of said winch, said left rope passing through said first pulley at said top of said first tubular metal frame, said left rope passing through said left pulley at said top of said second tubular metal frame, said left rope extending downward and ending below said left pulley of said second tubular metal frame, said left rope having at said end of said rope a means of attaching said rope to said harness whereby part of the weight of an invalid will be safely supported without the use of the invalid's arms or hands, said right rope passing through said second pulley at said top of said first tubular metal frame, said right rope passing though said right pulley at said top of said second tubular metal frame, said right rope extending downward and ending below said right pulley of said second tubular metal frame, said right rope having at its end a means of attaching it to said harness whereby part of the weight of said invalid will be safely supported without the use of said invalid's arms or hands, f) brakes on a swivel caster preventing its rotation when said brakes are engaged, said braking caster selected from a group including said first swivel caster, said second swivel caster, said third swivel caster and said fourth swivel caster, g) a swivel caster with a directional lock, said directionally locking caster selected from a group including said first swivel caster, said second swivel caster, said third swivel caster and said fourth swivel caster.