Abstract:
13An ambulator for assisting an individual in walking or standing includes a three-sided base disposed in close proximity to a support surface and a three-sided support structure that is mounted to the base by a pair of transversely spaced apart support posts. The support posts are telescopically constructed so that the support structure is adjustable to the comfort of the individual. The individual is fitted with a harness and the harness is secured to the support structure by a plurality of straps. The harness and a brake for the ambulator ensures that the individual cannot fall even when the individual is supported only by the ambulator and the harness. The harness also provides a seat.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates, generally, to devices that facilitate the task of a care giver such as a physical therapist when helping patients perform standing or walking exercises. More particularly, it relates to a gait harness that is worn by the patient and an ambulator to which the gait harness may be attached.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Patients who need assistance in walking or standing are typically assisted by three people a physical therapist and two physical therapist assistants. The physical therapist and one physical therapist assistant stand on opposite sides of the patient and hold the patient. A third person walks behind the patient with a wheel chair because the patient may tire quickly and require seating.  
           [0005]    Hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other such institutions are often understaffed and the members of the staff are therefore overworked and lack sufficient time to give each patient the attention they require. When three people are required to help one patient walk a short distance, it is obvious that other patients are not being helped.  
           [0006]    What is needed, then, is a standing or walking aid that assists a patient in standing or walking, and which reduces the number of personnel required to assist such patient.  
           [0007]    However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0008]    The longstanding but heretofore unfulfilled need for an apparatus that reduces the number of care givers required to help a patient stand or walk so that the quality of care could be increased for that patient and other patients is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious ambulator. The novel ambulator is intended for use on a substantially horizontal support surface. It includes a first base rail of straight configuration and elongate extent. The first base rail has a leading end and a trailing end and is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. A first pair of longitudinally spaced apart wheels supports the first base rail. More particularly, a first forward wheel is disposed near a leading end of the first base rail and a first rear wheel is disposed near a trailing end thereof. A first support post is mounted to the first base rail in upstanding relation thereto and a first arm support is disposed in surmounting relation to the first support post. The first arm support is disposed substantially parallel to the first base rail. A second base rail is disposed in parallel, transversely spaced apart relation to the first base rail and has the same construction as the first base rail. A second pair of longitudinally spaced apart wheels support the second base rail. The second pair of wheels includes a second forward wheel disposed near a leading end of the second base rail and a second rear wheel disposed near a trailing end of the second base rail. A second support post is mounted to the second base rail in upstanding relation thereto and a second arm support is disposed in surmounting relation to the second support post. The second arm support is substantially parallel to the second base rail.  
           [0009]    A first transversely disposed rod is disposed in interconnecting relation between respective leading ends of the first and second arm supports and defines a forward end of the ambulator. The first and second base rails, the first and second arm supports, and the first transversely disposed rod collectively form a square “U”-shaped three-sided enclosure within which an individual requiring assistance in standing and walking is positioned.  
           [0010]    A second transversely disposed rod is disposed in interconnecting relation between respective leading ends of the first and second base rails. This second rod is disposed in leading relation to the first transversely disposed rod so that the feet of the individual using the ambulator as a walking aid may travel beyond the forward end of the ambulator without hitting the second transversely disposed rod.  
           [0011]    A harness member is worn by the patient at all times when ambulator  10  is in use. The harness member includes a belt-like base that snugly fits around the waist of the patient. A plurality of spaced apart loops are secured to the base along the length thereof and a corresponding plurality of loops are secured to the arm supports. A plurality of straps interconnect the harness to the arm supports. More particularly, the radially innermost end of each strap is releasably secured to a preselected loop of the belt-like base and the radially outermost end of each strap is releasably connected to a preselected loop of a preselected arm support. The straps are pulled taut so that movement of the patient effects simultaneous and corresponding movement of the ambulator. The harness thus supports the patient when walking or standing. Significantly, when the patient tires, the harness provides a seat that comfortably supports the patient, thereby obviating the need for a wheelchair and a wheelchair operator. After resting, the patient can resume walking or standing without the intervention of a care giver.  
           [0012]    The support posts are of telescopic construction so that the height of the ambulator may be adjusted to accommodate patients of varying heights.  
           [0013]    A unique braking means is also provided. A pair of transversely spaced apart posts depend from the second transverse rod that forms a part of the base assembly of the ambulator. A bias means is positioned above each of the forward wheels of the ambulator so that the posts are vertically spaced above the support surface when the bias means are in repose. If a patient falls forwardly while walking, thereby applying downward pressure to the first transverse rod, the bias members are compressed and the posts engage the support surface, thereby preventing forward travel of the ambulator until pressure has been removed from said transverse bar.  
           [0014]    A third transversely disposed rod is disposed in interconnecting relation between respective trailing ends of the first and second arm supports. This third rod serves to close the square “U”-shaped enclosure when a patient is lifted into the enclosure by a lift or crane means. In that circumstance, the patient is facing in the opposite direction as those patients who enter the walker under their own power. The third transversely disposed rod performs the function of the first transversely disposed rod when the user is facing rearwardly.  
           [0015]    A primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that reduces from three to one the number of people required to assist a patient who needs assistance in standing or walking.  
           [0016]    A closely related object is to attain the foregoing object with an apparatus that prevents a patient from falling even when the patient is not being held by a physical therapist.  
           [0017]    These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds.  
           [0018]    The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof, but with the arm supports removed so that the base of the ambulator may be seen; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 3 , it will there be seen that the reference numeral  10  denotes an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    Ambulator  10  includes a three-sided base  12  that is positioned in relatively closely spaced relation, such as a few inches, to a horizontal support surface  13 . Base  12  includes first base rail  14  and second base rail  16 .  
         [0025]    First base rail  14  is supported by a pair of caster wheels denoted  18 ,  20 . First wheel  18  is positioned near leading end  15  of first base rail  14  and second wheel  20  is positioned near trailing end  17  of said first base rail. Tab  20   a  that projects from rear wheel  20  activates a well-known braking means when stepped upon so that caster wheel  10  cannot roll and hence ambulator  10  cannot move when said braking means is activated.  
         [0026]    Second base rail  16  is parallel to and transversely spaced apart from first base rail  14 . It is supported by a pair of caster wheels denoted  22 ,  24 . First wheel  22  is positioned near the leading end of second base rail  16  and second wheel  24  is positioned near the trailing end of said second base rail.  
         [0027]    First support post  26  is mounted to first base rail  14  in upstanding relation thereto, about mid-length thereof. Post  26  includes a lower housing  28  that telescopically receives tubular member  30 . Lower housing  28  has a horizontal throughbore  29  formed therein and tubular member  30  has a plurality of vertically spaced apart throughbores formed therein, collectively denoted  31 . Lock member  32  has a throughbore-engaging shaft  33  and a handle  34  as depicted and operates in a well-known way to hold tubular member  30  in a preselected position of adjustment relative to lower housing  28 .  
         [0028]    Second support post  36  is mounted to second base rail  16  in upstanding relation thereto, about mid-length thereof. Post  36  includes a lower housing  38  that telescopically receives tubular member  40 . Lower housing  38  has a throughbore  39  formed therein and tubular member  40  has a plurality of vertically spaced apart throughbores formed therein, collectively denoted  41 . Lock member  42 , not shown, has the same structure as lock member  32 , including a throughbore-engaging shaft  43 , not shown, and a handle  44 , not shown and operates in the same way as lock member  32  to hold tubular member  40  in a preselected position of adjustment relative to lower housing  38 .  
         [0029]    First arm support  46  is disposed in surmounting relation to first support post  26  and in parallel relation to first base rail  14 . Second arm support  48  is disposed in surmounting relation to second support post  36  and in parallel relation to second base rail  16 .  
         [0030]    A first transversely disposed rod  50  is disposed in interconnecting relation between respective leading ends of said first and second arm supports  46 ,  48  and defines a forward end of ambulator  10 .  
         [0031]    A second transversely disposed rod  52  is disposed in interconnecting relation between respective leading ends of the first and second base rails  14 ,  16 . Rod  52  is disposed in leading relation to first transversely disposed rod  50  so that the feet of an individual using ambulator  10  as a walking aid may travel beyond the forward end of the ambulator without hitting rod  52 . Rod  52  includes a straight middle section  53 , a first end section  54  secured to a first end of said straight middle section, and a second end section  55  secured to a second end of straight middle section  53 . The first and second end sections are disposed at a common angle relative to straight middle section  53 . The first end section has a trailing end secured to a leading end of first base rail  14  and the second end section has a trailing end secured to a leading end of second base rail  16 .  
         [0032]    Harness  60  is adapted to be worn by the individual requiring assistance. Harness  60  includes a belt-like base  62  of adjustable length adapted to fit snugly around the individual”s waist. A first plurality of loop members  64  are secured to base  62  along its extent and a second plurality of loop members  66  are secured to first and second arm supports  46 ,  48  A plurality of straps  68  interconnects harness  60  to ambulator  10 . More particularly, each strap has a first end releasably secured to a preselected loop member of said first plurality of loop members  64  and has a second end releasably secured to a preselected loop member of said second plurality of loop members  66 . Each strap of the plurality of straps is adjustable in length and includes a locking and quick release unlocking means  67 . Each strap of said plurality of straps is taut when an individual is using ambulator  10  so that movement of the individual simultaneously produces a corresponding movement of the ambulator.  
         [0033]    Leg straps  62   a ,  62   b  depend from base  62  and include means, not shown, for securing said straps to the legs of the ambulator user. The full details of construction of harness  60  are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,367 entitled Therapeutic Gait Harness and Pelvic Support System, to the present inventor and others, which disclosure is hereby incorporated hereinto by reference..  
         [0034]    Padding means  70 ,  72  is secured to said arm supports  46 ,  48  in overlying relation thereto, respectively, to increase the comfort of the individual using the ambulator. A padding means  74  is likewise secured to first transversely disposed rod  50  in overlying relation thereto to increase the comfort of the user. Arm supports  46 ,  48  are adjusted in height so that the forearms of the user are supported by padding  70 ,  72  when the shoulders of the user are relaxed.  
         [0035]    A first brace means  80  includes first brace member  81  having a forward end  82  secured to first support post  26  at a preselected location in vertically spaced relation to a lowermost end of said first support post and a rearward end  83  secured to a trailing end of first base rail  14 . First brace means  80  further includes a second brace member  85  having a rearward end  86  secured to first support post  26  at a preselected location in vertically spaced relation to a lowermost end thereof and a forward end  87  secured to housing  89  that is mounted on a leading end of first base rail  14  in upstanding relation thereto. Housing  89  receives the uppermost end of a bias means  104 , disclosed hereinafter.  
         [0036]    A second brace means  90 , not shown, has the same structure as brace means  80  but provides the function of supporting second support post  36 . It includes a first brace member, not shown, having a forward end secured to second support post  36  at a preselected location in vertically spaced relation to a lowermost end of said second support post and a rearward end secured to a trailing end of second base rail  16 . A second brace member, not shown, has a rearward end secured to second support post  36  at a preselected location in vertically spaced relation to a lowermost end of second support post and a forward end secured to a bias mean-receiving housing  99  mounted to the leading end of second base rail  16  in upstanding relation thereto.  
         [0037]    Third transversely disposed rod  100  is disposed in interconnecting, detachable relation between respective trailing ends of the first and second arm supports  46 ,  48 . Third transversely disposed rod  100  defines a rearward or trailing end of ambulator  10 . Padding means  102  is secured to rod  100  in overlying relation thereto to increase the comfort of the user.  
         [0038]    A first bias means  104  is disposed in biasing relation between the leading end of first base rail  14  and first forward wheel  18  and a second bias means  106  is disposed in biasing relation between the leading end of the second base rail  16  and second forward wheel  22 . The first and second bias means are under compression when the user applies weight to first transversely disposed rod  50 .  
         [0039]    Rigid posts  108 ,  110  are secured to middle section  53  of second transversely disposed rod  52  in transversely spaced apart relation to one another and in depending relation to said second transversely disposed rod. The rigid posts have a common preselected length that spaces respective lowermost ends of the rigid posts slightly above support surface  13  when the first and second bias means  104 ,  106 , respectively, are in repose. Posts  108 ,  110  engage the support surface and prevent forward motion of ambulator  10  when first and second bias means  104 ,  106  are compressed by the individual applying weight to first transversely disposed rod  50 .  
         [0040]    It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.  
         [0041]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.  
         [0042]    Now that the invention has been described,