Abstract:
The present invention relates to a wheeled ambulation, exercise, and lifting apparatus for lifting patients with compromised strength in the legs and for allowing such patients to be mobile with access to a variety of facilities.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/473,496 entitled “Wheel Walker”, filed on May 27, 2003, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field) 
   The present invention relates to a wheeled ambulation, exercise, and lifting apparatus. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Note that the following discussion refers to a number of publications by author(s) and year of publication, and that due to recent publication dates certain publications are not to be considered as prior art vis-a-vis the present invention. Discussion of such publications herein is given for more complete background and is not to be construed as an admission that such publications are prior art for patentability determination purposes. 
   Many patients with compromised mobility require the ability to move about and many require physical therapy involving standing and walking. Many such patients also require assistance in lifting themselves up. Care-givers often need assistance in helping lift the patient. 
   Previous devices have incorporated various harness designs that can support a patient&#39;s weight. However, those are limited in their ability to allow easy access to the bedside, chairs, wheeled chairs, exercise units, etc. Their often complicated design also prevents the often required versatility. 
   Such devices include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,677 (to Sollo) which describes a walker designed to use counterbalance weights to help the user stand. The device is not suited to lifting a patient from a sitting or lying position. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,851 (to Costello) is a lifting as well as standing and walking device, but is not suited for lifting a patient from a variety of positions, including a lying position, and requires the use of a complicated body harness that inhibits ease of use. Also, a user can face only one direction relative to the device, thereby limiting accessibility to a patient. The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,353,704 (to Wilson) is a lifting and walking jacket that also requires the use of a complicated body harness that inhibits ease of use. Other devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,326 (to Renteria), U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,893 (to Higer), and U.S. Pat. No. 2,719,568 (to Webb), are designed to help a patient maintain a standing position or walk, but do not provide for lifting a patient. 
   None of the cited references disclose devices that offer the versatility to allow a patient access to, and use of, a variety of facilities such as bath and bathroom facilities, negotiate crowded locations, and approach and position a patient from various directions. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention comprises an ambulation, exercise, and lifting device comprising a base frame open on a side thereof, a plurality of wheels attached to an underside of the base frame, a vertical support column adjustable in height, two horizontal handles disposed on the vertical support column, an overhead support arm pivotally disposed at a pivot point on the vertical support column, a body harness support bar disposed on the overhead support arm, and a mechanism to rotate the overhead support arm about the pivot point so that a user may be lifted. The handles are preferably removably attached to the vertical support column and are adjustable with respect to height above a floor. The handles are preferably adjustable in orientation with respect to each other. 
   The vertical column of the apparatus preferably comprises at least one connecting pin to attach the handles to the vertical support column, and the handles preferably comprise an orifice at one end to attach the handles to the connecting pin. The handles may comprise bracket arms at one end that connect to the vertical support column to support the weight exerted on the handles. The handles may be joined by a connecting arm attached to the vertical support column. 
   The vertical support column of the apparatus preferably comprises an upper support column slidably and adjustably disposed within a lower support column. 
   The body harness support bar is preferably pivotally attached to the overhead support arm from a center point along the length of the body harness support bar. 
   The mechanism to rotate the overhead support arm may comprise a jack, and the jack may be hydraulic or a screw-type jack. The mechanism may comprise a cranking mechanism and a chain. The mechanism may comprise a motor. The motor or other mechanism may be remote controlled. 
   The apparatus may further comprise a seat. The seat may be foldable. The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of chains adjustable in length disposed on the body harness support bar. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to facilitate the lifting of a patient with compromised strength in the legs. 
   Another object is to provide ambulatory assistance to such a patient. 
   A primary advantage of the present invention is that it greatly eases the burden on the patient and care givers to lift substantial amounts of weight. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is that it greatly facilitates the mobility of a patient in crowded conditions. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into, and form a part of, the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the base; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the handles; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a handles; and 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a rear-mounted cranking mechanism to provide lifting power. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a wheeled ambulatory, exercise, and lifting apparatus. The apparatus can lift a patient from any position to a higher position. For example, a patient may be lifted from a lying to a standing position and any range in between. The apparatus allows access to the patient from any direction that is open to allow the positioning of the apparatus so that the patient can be easily positioned approximately at the center of the base of the apparatus. The apparatus allows the patient to freely orient herself in any direction within the apparatus, and the apparatus may be wheeled in any direction. 
   Turning now to the figures, which describe the preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 1  is a side view of apparatus  30 . Wheels  32 ,  32 ′ support base  34  and provide for travel in any direction. Two wheels are shown, but it is understood that any number of wheels may be utilized—four are preferred. It is also understood that any rolling, sliding, or moving mechanism known in the art, such as, for example, rollers or sliders, may substitute for wheels  32 ,  32 ′. The term “wheels” as used in the specification and claims is intended to include all such embodiments. Lower vertical support column  42  is attached to base  34 . Upper vertical support column  44  is adjustably attached to lower vertical support column  42 . Any means for adjustment of the overall combined height of lower vertical support column  42  and upper vertical support column  44  known in the art may be utilized. In the preferred embodiment shown, upper vertical support column  44  is slidably disposed within lower vertical support column  42 . Disposed on lower vertical support column  44  is seat  41 . Seat  41  is retractable, foldable, or hinged so that it may be set aside when not in use. 
   Overhead support arm  46  is pivotally attached to support column  44  at pivot point  48  (e.g., via column bracket  47 ). Column bracket  47  is disposed atop upper vertical support column  44 . Body harness attachment bar  50  is attached from attachment point  51  located preferably mid-way along the length of attachment bar  50  via attachment  52  to overhead support arm  46 . Attachment  52  may comprise any attachment known in the art that allows attachment bar  50  to pivot freely in a horizontal and lateral orientation. Preferably, attachment bar  50  may pivot only in a horizontal manner to allow the patient (not shown) to rotate to face any direction. A body harness or other supporting device (not shown) attaches to attachment bar  50  at points  54 ,  54 ′. Chains  53 ,  53 ′adjustable in length may be used to attach a body harness to attachment points  54 ,  54 ′. The term “chain” as used in the specification and claims includes, but is not limited to, cables, ropes, wires, and the like. It is understood that any type of body harness may be utilized and attached to body harness bar  50 , including, but not limited to, simple straps, hooks, loops and the like, body suits, vests, and the like, depending on the user&#39;s requirements. The term “body harness” as used in the specification and claims is intended to include all such embodiments. 
   Attachment bar  50  may be raised and lowered by rotating overhead support arm  46  about pivot point  48 . Bracket  47  permits overhead support arm  46  to move so that the movement of overhead support arm  46  is not hindered by upper vertical support column  44 . Rotation of overhead support arm  46  may be accomplished by any means known in the art. Preferably, jack  90 , attached to upper vertical support column  44  at point  92  and to overhead support arm  46  at point  94  provides the power to rotate overhead support arm  46  about pivot point  48 . Jack  90  may be of any type known in the art such as, for example, hydraulic jacks and screw-type jacks.  FIG. 1  shows a screw-type jack operated by cranking mechanism  91  and crank handle  93 . 
     FIG. 5  shows another embodiment wherein rear end  49  of upper overhead support arm  46  extends some distance away from upper vertical support column  44  and attaches via cable  102  to rear-mounted crank mechanism  100 . Crank mechanism  100 , via chain  102 , provides the power to rotate overhead support arm  46  about pivot point  48 . The term “chain” as used in the specification and claims includes, but is not limited to, cables, ropes, wires, and the like. 
   In either embodiment described above, utilizing jack  90 , crank  100 , or any other means to power the lifting of overhead support arm  46 , the source of energy may vary by any means known in the art such as human (i.e., manual) energy, electric motorized energy (motor not shown), etc. To provide a patient with the ability to be lifted and be mobile without the aid of care givers, use of motorized mechanism  96  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is preferable, and mechanism  96  is preferably controlled via a remote operation apparatus (i.e., remote controller, not shown) to offer the patient greater flexibility. 
     FIG. 1  also shows left handle  76  with hand grip  80 . Left handle  76  (and right handle  78 , shown in  FIG. 3 ) attach to handle support bar  74  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) as described in more detail below. Connecting pins  66 ,  66 ′ are disposed on upper vertical support column  44 , either from which handle support bar  74  connects to upper vertical support column  44  (discussed in more detail below).  FIG. 1  shows two pins ( 66 ,  66 ′) but it is understood that any number of pins may be utilized as needed to allow for an adjustment in height of handles  76 ,  78  from the ground. 
     FIG. 2  shows the preferred embodiment of base  34 . Rear base bar  36  connects from one end to right base bar  38  and from another end to left base bar  40 . Therefore, open space exists between left base bar  38  and right base bar  36  opposite rear base bar  36  to allow apparatus  30  to move in close, and around, obstacles so that the patient (not shown) may be positioned underneath overhead support arm  46  for lifting and holding. 
     FIG. 3  is a top view of apparatus  30  showing handles  76 ,  78  in more detail. Left hand grip  80  attaches to left handle  76 . Right hand grip  82  attaches to right handle  78 . Handle support bar  74  attaches from one end to left handle  76  and from another end to right handle  78 . The attachment of handle support bar  74  to handles  76 ,  78  may be fixed or handle support bar  74  may be pivotally attached to handles  76 ,  78  so that handles  78 ,  78  may rotate in a horizontal manner thereby providing for adjustment in the distance between hand grips  80 ,  82 . The lengths of handles  76 ,  78  may be extendable/adjustable by any means known in the art. For example, handles  76 ,  78  may each comprise an inner tube (not shown) slidable in and out of an outer tube (not shown). 
   Handle support bar  72  connects via orifice  64  disposed on handle support bar end  62  to connecting pin  66  (shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 ) or to connecting pin  66 ′ (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Bracket arms  68 ,  69  attach to the left and right side, respectively, of upper vertical support column  44  (left connecting point  70  for bracket arm  68  is shown in  FIG. 1 ) to provide force counter to the gravitational pull exerted against either of connecting pin  66  or connecting pin  66 ′ being employed. 
     FIG. 4  is a side view showing left handle  76  and the means for connecting left handle  76  to upper vertical support column  44  as described above. 
   All bars and arms of the apparatus  30  may be constructed of any strong rigid material known in the art such as, for example, aluminum or other metals, hard plastic or rubber, carbon fiber, and the like. 
   The dimensions of apparatus  30  may vary with the goal of ensuring access both between obstacles, such as when navigating around furniture and through hallways and doorways, and around obstacles, such as when the need arises to position apparatus  30  around a chair or bed so that the patient may be positioned underneath overhead support bar  46 . 
   As described, apparatus  30  provides a simple and effective means for positioning apparatus  30  around any obstacle to approach a patient from any side, front or back, lift the patient to any height, and support the patient for standing, sitting, walking, etc. Also, apparatus  30  makes it possible to lift a great amount of weight with minimal effort so that the burden to the patient and to care givers is greatly reduced. Apparatus  30  may thus be used to lift a patient from any position, to help a patient stand and walk, and to help a patient exercise. 
   EXAMPLE 
   An apparatus in accordance with the description provided herein was constructed and used successfully as follows:
         1. The overall design was as described in the preferred embodiment.   2. The side base bars were spaced approximately 34 inches apart and were approximately 42 inches long.   3. Four wheels were attached to the base to allow movement in any direction.   4. A body harness attached to the overhead support was used to lift and hold the patient.   5. A screw-type jack was used for raising and lowering the patient.   6. A net harness was used for supporting the patient&#39;s torso.   7. The apparatus was used successfully in caring for a patient weighing 250 lbs. and measuring 5 feet, 11 inches in height. The patient was able to stand and move about notwithstanding the lack of strength in his legs. The patient was made mobile, was able to get in and out of bed, and was able to use bathroom and bathing facilities.       

   Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.