Abstract:
A personal mobility device comprising a frame having a front structure, a rear structure, and two side structures. In one embodiment, main mobility wheels are coupled to ones of the side structures, the main mobility wheels configured to contact a surface upon which the mobility device is designed to move. In this embodiment, the mobility device further includes a knee rest rotatably coupled to the front structure, the knee rest being adjustable from a first substantially-vertical position to a second rearwardly and downwardly-angled position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Continuation Application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/464,218 filed on May 12, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,921,953, entitled “PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICE,” commonly assigned with the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application is directed, in general, to a personal mobility device and, in one example, to a personal mobility device that is convertible to: a self-propelled or assistant-propelled wheelchair, a self-propelled or assistant-propelled kneeling mobility device, a self-propelled or assistant-propelled standing mobility device, or a self-propelled walker. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wheelchairs are used to move a person with a handicap or disability from one location to another. Conventional wheelchairs are constructed to transport a person with a handicap or disability in a sitting position. Such wheelchairs are usually configured as a chair supported by a tubular framework. A pair of relatively large drive wheels, rotatably mounted upon the framework, are positioned so that hand rails attached to the wheels may be grasped by the user and rotated to move the wheelchair from one location to another. A pair of castered wheels are journaled to the framework to enable concurrent rotation about a horizontal and a vertical axis. When differential torque is applied to the drive wheels, the user can steer the wheelchair to effect a desired direction and movement. 
     Depending upon the nature of the disability, the person with such disability may eschew use of the hand rails on the wheels for motion and instead propel himself with his feet as though walking, but in a sitting position. The typical wheelchair may be either occupant-propelled or assistant-propelled. Some wheelchairs also provide a specific walking option, i.e., the person with a disability may raise the seat and place himself between the hand rails facing the “back” of the wheelchair and thereby use the wheelchair as a walker. 
     It is well known that a person with certain debilitating diseases or injuries often progresses directly from walking erect to sitting in a wheelchair. Often, this transition is never reversed and the person remains indefinitely in the wheelchair while the lower limbs atrophy. 
     For persons with disabilities, standing vs. sitting has been determined to improve function of the cardiovascular system, reduce muscular spasticity, reduce the risk or severity of contractures, improve renal function, benefit digestion and bowel and bladder function, release pressure from sensitive areas and bony prominences, promote more dynamic strength and motor control, enhance circulation, reduce the risk of skin breakdown and pressure sores, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, a standing device vs. a sitting device could potentially improve a person&#39;s ability for more eye-level socialization, and facilitate social and professional interactions in home or work environments. 
     A typical Walker is designed for those persons with limited balance but with enough lower body strength to lift their legs to a new position and enough upper body strength to lift the Walker to a new position. 
     What is needed in such art is a mobility device that assists a person to transition to and from a sitting position while using the lower extremities to the maximum possible potential to delay/avoid atrophy. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect provides a personal mobility device comprising a frame having a front structure, a rear structure, and two side structures. In one embodiment, main mobility wheels are coupled to ones of the side structures, the main mobility wheels configured to contact a surface upon which the mobility device is designed to move. In this embodiment, the mobility device further includes a knee rest rotatably coupled to the front structure, the knee rest being adjustable from a first substantially-vertical position to a second rearwardly and downwardly-angled position. 
     Another aspect provides a personal mobility device including a frame having a front structure, a rear structure, and two side structures. The mobility device of this embodiment may further include main mobility wheels coupled to ones of the side structures, the main mobility wheels configured to contact a surface upon which the mobility device is designed to move. The mobility device may further include a knee rest rotatably coupled to the frame, the knee rest adjustable from a first substantially-vertical position to a second rearwardly and downwardly-angled position, and a floor panel rotatably coupled to the frame, the floor panel adjustable from a first substantially-vertical position to a second substantially-horizontal position. In this embodiment, the mobility device is interchangeable between a walker, a standing wheeled apparatus and a kneeling wheeled apparatus. 
     Yet another aspect provide a personal mobility device including including a frame having a front structure, a rear structure, and two side structures. The mobility device of this embodiment may further include main mobility wheels coupled to ones of the side structures, the main mobility wheels configured to contact a surface upon which the mobility device is designed to move. The mobility device may further include a knee rest rotatably coupled to the frame, the knee rest adjustable from a first substantially-vertical position to a second rearwardly and downwardly-angled position, and a floor panel rotatably coupled to the frame, the floor panel adjustable from a first substantially-vertical position to a second substantially-horizontal position. The mobility device may further include a foot rest rotatably coupled to the floor panel In this embodiment, the mobility device is interchangeable between a walker, a standing wheeled apparatus, a kneeling wheeled apparatus, and a sitting wheeled apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a left front isometric view of one embodiment of a personal mobility device constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a left front partially disassembled, isometric view of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 1A  folded for storage and transport; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side elevation view of a second configuration of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 1A  configured as a wheelchair; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of a third configuration of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 1A  configured as an occupant-propelled kneeling vehicle; 
         FIG. 4A  is a left side elevation view of a fourth configuration of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 1A  configured as a self-propelled walker; 
         FIG. 4B  is a left front isometric view of the self-propelled walker of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a left side elevation view of a fifth configuration of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 1A  configured as an attendant-propelled or occupant-propelled standing mobility device; 
         FIG. 5B  is a left front isometric view of a sixth configuration of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 1A  configured as an attendant-propelled standing mobility device; 
         FIG. 5C  is a right rear isometric view of the configuration of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a left front isometric view of a second embodiment of a personal mobility device constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a left front partially-exploded, isometric view of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 6A ; and 
         FIG. 6C  is a left side elevation view of the personal mobility device of  FIG. 6A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1A , illustrated is a left front isometric view of one embodiment of a personal mobility device  100  (e.g., convertible personal mobility device) constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The personal mobility device  100  comprises an open frame having a left side structure  110 ; a left intermediate vertical support  111 ; a right side structure  120 ; a right intermediate vertical support  121 , a front structure  130 ; a rear structure  140 ; left and right main mobility wheels  151 ,  152 , respectively; first through fourth auxiliary wheels  153 - 156 ; a knee rest  160 ; a seat  170 ; a front floor panel  181 ; and a rear floor panel  182 . The term “mobility wheel” as used herein is intended to include all wheels that an occupant can reasonably use to self-propel the mobility device and/or occupant. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the left and right main mobility wheels  151 ,  152 , respectively, are positioned such that the occupant may propel the vehicle himself with his hands. For example, the left and right main mobility wheels  151 ,  152 , respectively, may have hand rails  151   a ,  152   a  as in conventional wheel chairs. The first through fourth auxiliary wheels  153 - 156  provide anti-tip stability to the mobility device  100 . For the purposes of this discussion, the occupant of the personal mobility device  100  will be referred to as the “occupant” and, left and right are the occupant&#39;s left and right as seated, kneeling or standing within the device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , illustrated is a left front partially disassembled, isometric view of the personal mobility device  100  of  FIG. 1A  folded for transport or storage.  FIG. 1B  illustrates the ease with which the personal mobility device  100  can be folded for storage or vehicle transportation. The left side structure  110  further comprises: a left front vertical support  112 , a left upper rail  113 , a left rear vertical support  114  and a left lower rail  115 . The right side structure  120  further comprises: a right front vertical support  122 , a right upper rail  123 , a right rear vertical support  124  and a right lower rail  125 . Front floor panel  181  is shown detached from the left lower rail  115  and folded into substantial alignment with the right side structure  120 . The knee rest  160  is shown detached from the left front vertical support  112  and also folded into substantial alignment with the right side structure  120 . Rear floor panel  182  is shown detached from the right bottom rail  125  and folded into substantial alignment with the left side structure  110 . The seat  170  is shown detached from the right front vertical support  122  and also folded into substantial alignment with the left side structure  110 . An optional upper torso support  190  and an optional body sling  195  are also shown and may each be rendered substantially planar for storage or vehicle transportation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is a left side elevation view of a second configuration of the personal mobility device  100  of  FIG. 1A  configured as a wheelchair  200 . In this configuration, the front and rear floor panels  181 ,  182 , respectively, are coupled to the left and right lower rails  115 ,  125 , respectively, ( 125  not visible). The seat  170  comprises an outer seat structure  272  and an inner seat structure  273  slidably coupled within the outer seat structure  272 . The outer seat structure  272  is rotatably coupled to the left and right rear vertical supports  114 ,  124 , respectively, ( 124  not visible). The inner seat structure  273  is rotatably coupled to the left and right intermediate vertical supports  111 ,  121 , respectively, ( 121  not visible). A first plurality of attach points  201   a - 201   n  on the left rear vertical support  114  provide a variety of points at which to attach one end  271  of the outer seat structure  272 . A second plurality of attach points  202   a - 202   n  on the left intermediate vertical support  111  provide a variety of points at which to attach an end  274  of the inner seat structure  273 . (See  FIG. 3 ) The inner seat structure  273  is slidably coupled within the outer seat structure  272  to accommodate a variety of lengths that may be necessary as the seat  170  is positioned at a desirable height and angle for the occupant. The seat  170  may be rotatably coupled to the vertical supports in a variety of ways well known in the art, e.g., a spring-loaded barrel bolt into an aperture on the vertical supports. A third plurality of attach points  203   a - 203   n  on the left front vertical support  112  are also provided. Their function will be discussed below. The left and right main mobility wheels  151 ,  152 , respectively, may have left and right hand rails  151   a ,  152   a  for manual propulsion of the device  200 . The left and right main mobility wheels  151 ,  152  may be available in different diameters to accommodate the reach of the occupant. The left and right main mobility wheels  151 ,  152  may also be vertically coupled at different attach points  202   a - 202   n  to compensate for the larger or smaller wheel diameter so long as the left and right bottom rails  115 ,  125  do not contact the surface on which the wheels roll. The device  200  may further comprise motors  210   a  interposed the main mobility wheels  151 ,  152  and their respective vertical supports  111 ,  121 . Alternatively, the motors  210   b  may be friction drive motors configured to contact an outer surface of the main mobility wheels  151 ,  152 . A battery (not shown) may be positioned in any convenient location, e.g., on the rear floor panel  182 . Motor controls may be located on or near the upper rails  113 ,  123  and wires routed through the structural tubing which makes up the frame. Power Assist Wheels™ are additionally available as replacements for standard wheels, and are operated through a battery pack at the wheel axis. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is a left side elevation view of a third configuration of the personal mobility device  100  of  FIG. 1A  configured as an occupant-propelled kneeling vehicle  300 . In this configuration, the front and rear floor panels  181 ,  182 , respectively, are coupled to the left and right bottom rails  115 ,  125 , respectively, ( 125  not visible) as in  FIG. 2 . However, the rear floor panel  182  has a foot rest  381  rotatably coupled thereto and upwardly inclined therefrom. The foot rest  381  may be rotatably coupled and supported by any convenient methods, e.g., spring-loaded barrel bolt into the rear floor panel  182  frame for pivot, and rotatable support leg  382  folding down from the foot rest  381  to engage a recess in the rear floor panel  182 . The outer seat structure  272  has been moved vertically on the left and right rear vertical supports  114 ,  124  ( 124  not visible). The inner seat structure  273  is rotatably coupled to the left and right intermediate vertical supports  111 ,  121 , respectively, ( 121  not visible) as before, but at a higher location. The inner seat structure  273  is slidably coupled within the outer seat structure  272  to accommodate a variety of lengths that are necessary as the seat  170  is positioned at a desirable height and angle for the occupant&#39;s kneeling position. The knee rest  160  comprises an outer knee rest structure  361  and an inner knee rest structure  362 . The outer knee rest structure  361  rotatably couples to the left and right front vertical supports  112 ,  122  ( 122  not visible). The inner knee rest structure  362  rotatably couples to the left and right intermediate vertical supports  111 ,  121  ( 121  not visible). The seat  170  and knee rest  160  are adjusted for the comfort of the occupant. Thus, as an occupant-propelled mobility device, the occupant may operate the main mobility wheels  151 ,  152  with his/her hands. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A , illustrated is a left side elevation view of a fourth configuration of the personal mobility device  100  of  FIG. 1A  configured as a self-propelled walker  400 . In this configuration  400 , the knee rest  160  and the seat  170  are rotated to substantially-vertical positions within the front and rear structures  130 ,  140 , respectively. Referring now to  FIG. 4B , illustrated is a left front isometric view of the self-propelled walker  400  of  FIG. 4A . The front and rear floor panels  181 ,  182 , respectively, are rotated to substantially-vertical positions within the right and left side structures  120 ,  110 , respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A , illustrated is a left side elevation view of a fifth configuration of the personal mobility device  100  of  FIG. 1A  configured as an attendant-propelled or occupant-propelled standing mobility device  500 . In this configuration  500 , the knee rest  160  and the seat  170  are rotated to substantially-vertical positions within the front and rear structures  130 ,  140 , respectively. The front and rear floor panels  181 ,  182 , respectively, are rotated to substantially-horizontal positions and each is coupled to both the right and left bottom rails  125 ,  115 , respectively ( 125  not visible). With the occupant standing on the front and rear floor panels  181 ,  182 , respectively, the attendant may propel the standing mobility device  500  with handles  501 . However, as the main mobility wheels  551 ,  552  ( 552  not visible) may be changed for an appropriate size and vertical attach point whereby the occupant can access the hand rails  551   a ,  552   a  ( 552   a  not visible), the occupant may self-propel the standing mobility device  500 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5B , illustrated is a left front isometric view of a sixth configuration of the personal mobility device  100  of  FIG. 1A  configured as an attendant-propelled standing mobility device  510 . In this configuration  510 , the occupant is assisted in standing with the optional upper torso support  190  and optional body sling  195 . Operation of this configuration is the same as the configuration  500  of  FIG. 5A . With support surrounding the user&#39;s midsection and two large attached wheels, the device allows for a more stabilized, safer and potentially faster gait than standard walkers. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5C , illustrated is a right rear isometric view of the configuration of the personal mobility device  510  of  FIG. 5B . This FIGURE illustrates how the occupant will access the interior of the personal mobility device  510 . The seat  170 , a portion  520  of the upper torso support  190 , and a portion  530  of the rear structure  140  have been rotated to permit access to the personal mobility device  510 . One who is of skill in the art will readily understand how the body sling  195  (See  FIG. 5B ) would be attached to the torso support  190 . The access principles illustrated here are also applicable to the configurations  300 ,  400  and  500 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A , illustrated is a left front isometric view of a second embodiment of a personal mobility device  600  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The personal mobility device  600  comprises an open frame having a left side structure  610 ; a left intermediate vertical support  611 ; a right side structure  620 ; a right intermediate vertical support  621 ; a front structure  630 ; a rear structure  640 ; left and right main mobility wheels  651 ;  652 , respectively; left and right auxiliary wheels  653 - 654 ; optional left and right motors  655 ,  656 ; a knee rest  660 ; a seat  670 ; a floor panel  681 ; a foot rest  683 ; and a waist support band  690 . Note that this embodiment will function in a manner similar to the first embodiment configuration  300  of  FIG. 3 . That is, the seat  670  is rotatably coupled to the rear structure  640  and the left and right intermediate vertical supports  611 ,  621 . The knee rest  660  is rotatably coupled to the front structure  630  and the left and right intermediate vertical supports  611 ,  621 . Alternatively, the knee rest  660  and seat  670  may be rotatably coupled to their respective supports by means of a ratchet mechanism, e.g., such as are found on folding ladders. The waist support band  690  may be adjustable for size through the use of hook and loop fasteners. The occupant may be assisted by an attendant pushing on the left and right side structures  610 ,  620  or the occupant may self-propel the mobility device  600 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6B , illustrated is a left front partially-exploded, isometric view of the personal mobility device  600  of  FIG. 6A . Note that the floor panel  681  folds into the right side structure  620  and the knee rest  660  and seat  670  detach from the left and right side structures  610 ,  620 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6C , illustrated is a left side elevation view of the personal mobility device  600  of  FIG. 6A . The advantage of this embodiment is that it uses fewer parts and only four wheels. By attaching the seat  670  to the vertical support  640  which also is the attach point for the hub  657  of the main mobility wheel  651 , the center of gravity of the device and occupant always remains between the left and right auxiliary wheels  653 - 654  and the main mobility wheels  651 ,  652 . 
     Those skilled in the art understand that while the embodiments described above each include a knee rest, a seat, and a floor panel, embodiments may exist wherein any one or more of those elements may be omitted and yet remain within the purview of the disclosure. Moreover, those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, such as, but not limited to levered arms to replace attach point connections or track wheels to replace spring-loaded angle foot rests.