Mobility device

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a mobility device includes, an elongated body having a first end and a second end; a joint near the first end of the body configured to attach the body to at least one of; a walker, a wheelchair, or a rollator; and a coupler near the second end of the body configured to removably attach the body to the striker plate of an automobile doorframe.

Exit from and entry into vehicles can be extremely difficult for users of walkers, rollators, and wheelchairs. Structures and devices are disclosed herein which provide a helpful handhold for walker, rollator, and wheelchair users to ease the transition from a motor vehicle to their respective mobility device.

SUMMARY

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a mobility device includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end; a joint near the first end of the body configured to attach the body to at least one of; a gurney, a crutch, a walker, a wheelchair, or a rollator; and a coupler near the second end of the body configured to removably attach the body to the striker plate of an automobile doorframe.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion of the body is sized and shaped to be used as a grip or handhold by a user when transitioning from the seat of an automobile to the selected walker, wheelchair, or rollator.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the joint is rigid.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the joint defines a pivot about which the mobility device can rotate.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the joint is a clamp which may be engaged upon a portion of the selected walker, wheelchair, or rollator.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the coupler has an engageable catch disposed thereupon which can temporarily lock the coupler to the door striker.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the grip is sized and shaped to be either pull at or pushed upon be a user.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, a mobility device is disclosed having a frame providing at least one hand grip at approximately waist level which a user may grasp wherein the grip is braced against the ground by at least one foot in mechanical communication with the ground; an elongated member having a first and second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the frame and the second end is sized and shaped to be removably engaged upon the metal loop of an automobile door striker plate.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the frame is selected from one of a cane, crutch, walker, or rollator.

According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the coupling of the elongated member to the frame is capable of pivoting.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for aiding physically impaired individuals is described, the system comprising; a coupler rigidly positioned near one of a car seat, a commode seat, a bed, a chair, a couch, a bathtub, a medical examination table, or an office chair; an elongated body having a first end sized and shaped to be removably engageable to the coupler and a second end pivotably attached to a mobility device selected from one of a walker, wheelchair, rollator, crutch, or cane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. In the drawings and in the description that follows, the term “proximal,” will refer to the end of a device or system that is closest to the operator, while the term “distal” will refer to the end of the device or system that is farthest from the operator. Similar, anatomical terms of reference such as dorsal, lateral, anterior, and sagittal shall have their accepted meanings in the arts. The terms walker, wheelchair, and rollator shall have their accepted meanings in the arts. An example of a rollator is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 8,434,780 to Li which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. An example of a walker is disclosed by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/055,115 by Fang which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. An example of an unpowered wheelchair is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,732 to Gall et. al. and an example of a powered wheelchair is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,056 to Tenniswood, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. When used in the following detailed description, the term “pivotably” shall mean an arrangement where two structures are mechanically coupled and able to rotate relative to one another about an axis.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a mobility grip1000is shown coupled to a walker500.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a mobility grip4000is shown in an exemplary deployed condition wherein the mobility grip4000is coupled to both the door striker150of an automobile100and a walker500, providing a temporarily rigid connection between the automobile and walker which a user may grasp when exiting the automobile towards the walker.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a first embodiment of a mobility grip1000is shown, wherein the mobility grip includes an elongated tubular body1400composed of for instance steel or aluminum welded tubing. There is a front pivot1500pivotably coupled to the tubular body1400near the cephalic portion of the front pivot by means of a C-pin as shown in the figure via complementary holes which traverse the body of the front pivot and the tubular body1400. The front pivot is sized and shaped to be rigidly coupled to a portion of a walker, wheelchair, or rollator near the caudal end portion of the front pivot at least as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 8.

Although tubular body is shown here as a piece of tubing with distinct components disposed thereupon, its function and structure within the meaning of the appended claims may similarly be achieved by an integral polymer or metal structure which incorporated some or all of the features of the “components” into an integral part as shown for instance inFIG. 18.

There is a bar spacer1300is disposed upon tubular body1400away from front pivot1500. Bar spacer1300is sized and shaped to define the limit of the mobility grip's motion when configured in a “retracted” state and substantially parallel to at least part of the walker, wheelchair, or rollator to which the mobility grip is coupled as shown inFIG. 1. Although bar spacer1300is shown oriented near the proximal end portion of tubular body1400, it can be oriented at any point along the length of tubular body1400where it will define the end of the travel.

Although the figures shown a bar spacer1300which is fixed to the Mobility grip and moves relative to the walker, wheelchair, or rollator, there are further embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the bar spacer or a substantially analogous structure is coupled to the walker or rollator and does not move with the mobility grip while still providing a rest for the mobility grip and defining the distance between the mobility grip and the tubing of the walker, wheelchair, or rollator.

There is a handle1200disposed upon the proximal-end portion of tubular body1400. Handle1200is sized and shaped to be grasped by the hand of a user. It may be composed of a compressible material including for instance a grippy vinyl or open cell foam or a substantially incompressible material including for instance a textured silicone or santoprene. Although handle1200is shown as being disposed solely upon the proximal-end portion of the tubular body1400, there are further embodiments of the present disclosure wherein it is disposed near the medial or distal-end portion of the tubular body1400.

There is an end hook1100disposed near the proximal end portion of tubular body1400. End hook1100has a feature disposed thereupon which is sized and shaped to removably engage upon the metal loop of a door striker of an automobile.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a mobility grip1000is shown in an open condition ready to be engaged upon the tubing of a walker, rollator, or wheelchair.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a further embodiment of a mobility grip2000is shown wherein the front pivot2500has a second, removable “clamp” component which can be used to fix the mobility grip2000to the tubing of a walker, wheelchair, or rollator.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a mobility grip3000is shown, wherein there is a front pivot3500sized and shaped to be welded, brazed, or bolted directly onto the tubing of a walker, wheelchair, or rollator. In the embodiment of the present disclosure shown inFIG. 6, front pivot3500is composed of a metal which can successfully be permanently adhered to the walker, wheelchair, or rollator. Much in the same way that bar spacer1300can be inverted while maintaining its function, front pivot3500can also be inverted. In such an inverted arrangement, the arch of front pivot3500would be coupled to the elongated tube of the mobility grip, while the apertures and pivot pin would extend through a portion of the walker, wheelchair, or rollator.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a mobility grip4000is shown, wherein a front pivot4500is sized and shaped to be rigidly coupled to the mobility grip4000at a first end of front pivot4500while being pivotably coupled the tubing of a walker, wheelchair, or rollator.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a mobility grip4000is shown in a deployed condition wherein front pivot4500is fixed relative to mobility grip4000but pivots relative to the tube of a walker, wheelchair, or rollator.

Referring now toFIG. 9, an end hook1100is shown, wherein end hook1100has a tubular body1110with an aperture1120extending there-through sized and shaped to be fixed upon tubular body1400by means of a mechanical fitting or adhesive.

Referring now toFIGS. 9 and 10together, there is a substantially planar tooth1130extending from body1110sized and shaped to slide into the opening of the metal loop of a an automotive door striker. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the shape of faces1133and1132of tooth1130are arcuate with a center-point at the axis of rotation of the mobility grip. Faces1134and1131are sized and shaped to rest upon the caudal face of an automobile striker metal loop thereby applying the force of a user leaning upon mobility grip1000to the striker.

There are further embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the shape and function of tooth1130is similar to the striker engagement features disclosed byFIG. 2,FIG. 8,FIG. 9,FIG. 9a,FIG. 10, and the text of U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,189 granted on Jan. 22, 2002 to William Pordy which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring now toFIG. 11, a bar spacer1300is shown. Bar spacer is a substantially rigid body1310composed of a plastic, silicone, or metal having a cephalic aperture1330extending there-through sized and shaped to accommodate tubular body1400and a caudal arc1320cut into the caudal face thereof sized and shaped to rest upon the tubing of the walker, wheelchair, or rollator to which mobility grip1000is coupled. Cephalic aperture1330is traversed by apertures1340(aandb) such that bar spacer1300may be coupled to tubular body1400by a pin, rivet, or screw.

Referring now toFIG. 12, a front pivot1500is shown. Front pivot1500is comprises an upper body1520with a lower frame1510movably coupled thereto about a pivot axis1513. Upper body1520has opposing vertical faces with a reinforcing bridge1525there-between. There are complementary apertures1530(aandb) disposed upon the opposing faces of upper body1520sized, shaped, and oriented so that a pivot pin may pass there-through and provide rotational movement of the front pivot relative to the remainder of mobility grip1000. There are reinforcement ridges1540(aandb) disposed on opposing sides of upper body1520. The respective caudal portions of ridges1540(aandb) have apertures extending there-through for the pin that defines pivot axis1513.

On the side of top body1520opposite ridges1540(aandb), there is a substantially platform1550having an aperture extending there-through for insertion of a threaded screw which may be used to draw lower frame1510towards upper body1520.

There is a nut retainer1511disposed within lower frame1510sized and shaped to hold a threaded nut complementary to the screw which may be inserted into platform1550. There are profile arches1560and1512which are sized and shaped such that when the lower frame1510is urged towards upper body1520, a profile is defined between arches1560and1512that can firmly grasp a portion of tubing of a walker, wheelchair, or rollator. According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, there is a portion of gripping material, including for instance anti-skid foam tape or silicone which has an increased coefficient of friction disposed upon the faces of arches1560and1512so that they may better engage the walker, rollator, or wheelchair.

Referring now toFIGS. 13 and 14together, a front pivot2500and complimentary coupling plate2600are shown. Front pivot2500has a plurality of structures which are similar in function to those of front pivot1500with the exception that here coupling plate2600in mobility grip2000substantially replaces the function of lower frame1510of mobility grip1000.

There are two apertures1510(aandb) sized and shaped for threaded screws to extend there-through into coupling plate2600where they can be engaged upon by nuts disposed in nut retainers2620(aandb). When the screws are tightened, the distance between arch2610and arch2520is decreased and engaged upon a portion of tubing of a walker, wheelchair, or rollator. There is a reinforcement ridge2630disposed about the edge of coupling plate2600.

Referring now toFIG. 15, a front pivot4500of a mobility grip4000is shown. The elongated tube portion of mobility grip4000is coupled to aperture4510using a bolt or rivet through holes4540(aandb). Aperture4510terminates at back wall4550which defines the depth of the aperture. There are two arms4520(aandb) which extend caudally from the body of front pivot4510and have to apertures4530(aandb) disposed near the caudal end portion thereof. Apertures4530(aandb) are sized and shaped to accommodate a pivot pin which extends through them as well as a complementary aperture in the tubing from which a wheelchair, walker, or rollator to which the device is attached is constructed.

Front pivot4500is designed to rotate with the remainder of the mobility grip4000about the axis defined by apertures4530(aandb). The limit of this rotation is defined by the underside of the portion of material below aperture4510which abuts the tubing of the wheelchair, rollator, or walker at said limit.

An end hook4100is shown, wherein end hook4100includes a tubular body4110sized and shaped for attachment to the proximal end portion of a mobility grip4000. There are apertures extending though body4110sized and shaped to accommodate a bolt or rivet for securing said attachment. At the proximal-end portion of end hook4100, there is a rigid hook4120sized and shaped to be engaged upon a automobile door striker and striker plate. When so engaged, tooth4120extends into the central hole of the striker loop while faces4130and4140rest upon the rings of the striker plate loop.

Referring now toFIG. 18, a further embodiment of the mobility grip6000is shown. Mobility grip6000is molded from an integral portion of polymer and has a striker engagement tooth6100at the proximal-end portion thereof. There is an elongated body6200along which the features of mobility grip6000are situated. Mobility grip6000also has a raised grasping portion6300disposed along body6200. Grip6300is sized and shaped so that a user can grasp and pull the handle towards themselves, thereby urging their own bodies up and forward out of a seated position. There are two pivot plates6400(aandb) disposed near the distal-end portion of body6200having apertures extending there-through which are sized and shaped to accommodate a pivot pin which extends into the body of a walker, rollator, or wheelchair and therefor define the axis of mobility grip6000's rotation relative to the walker, rollator, or wheelchair.

The end hooks4100and1100may be comprised of an integral portion of polymer such as nylon, reinforced polymer such as glass-filled nylon, entirely of metal such as cast aluminum, or a composite where the tooth portions are metal which has been joined to a polymer body by a mechanical or chemical coupling means known in the manufacturing arts.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a mobility grip is used with a complimentary coupler disposed upon “other structures” including for instance furniture or durable medical equipment. The coupler is functionally similar to an automobile striker wherein the coupler is sized and shaped for end hook1100or a related structure on a mobility grip to engage upon. An example of such a coupler and arrangement is shown inFIGS. 17aand 17bwhere the exemplary “other structure” is a bed grab bar.

Referring now toFIGS. 17aand 17btogether, a bed grab bar Boo is shown engaged to a bed and box spring. Bed grab bar Boo has a complementary coupler810disposed thereupon sized and shaped to be engaged upon by tooth4120of a mobility grip4000. In such an arrangement, the body of the mobility grip provides a handhold upon which a user can brace themselves when moving from a seated position at the edge of the bed to an ambulating position with their hands engaged upon the grips of the walker. When the user is at the walker, he can lift the mobility grip relative to the walker pivoting the mobility grip about the front pivot and thereby disengaging the tooth4120from coupler810.

The “other structures” contemplated by the present disclosure which can be modified in the manner described by the preceding paragraph include furniture and durable medical equipment to which a complementary coupler for engagement with the mobility grip1000can be attached to provide a handhold for a user. These other structures include bed rails including for instance U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,265 to Miller which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, recliners including for instance U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,093 to Casey et. al. which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, commode seats including for instance U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,138 to Moser et. al. which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, dining chairs including for instance U.S. Pat. D253924 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, couch handles including for instance U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,182 to Miller et. al. which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, as well as other articles of furniture or medical equipment known in the arts which a user may occupy in a seated position from which they may desire to arise.

An exemplary method of using a mobility grip will now be described. Initially, the mobility grip is provided in a first disengaged condition as shown inFIG. 4. The user then positions the mobility grip such that arch1560abuts the tubing of a walker. Door1510is drawn closed to grasp the tubing of the walker and a screw and nut are inserted through stage1550and nut holder1511respectively. They are tightened relative to one another, thereby engaging arches1512and1560about the tubing of the walker and fixing the mobility grip thereto. The mobility grip1000is then allow to drop naturally with gravity about the pivot pin in pivot1500until arch1320rests upon the tubing of the walker as shown inFIG. 1.

Next, the walker is positioned outside of an opened automobile door with the tooth of the end cap engaged within the metal loop a door striker and the feet of the walker500resting upon the ground. Here, the elongated body of the mobility grip (in this instance4000) provides a handhold upon which the user can brace themselves to aide in egress from the vehicle. The tooth can be disengaged from the door striker plate by either lift the tooth upwards using the front pivot or by lifting upon the entire walker and mobility grip assembly. Once disengaged from the striker plate loop, the mobility grip can fall back to the configuration shown inFIG. 1.

Although the mobility device of the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific structures, these are intended sole as exemplary ways of implementing the claims which are appended below. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the word “removably” shall be understood to mean “a relationship where at least two structures possess complementary features which may be temporarily mechanically joined to one another.”