Patent Publication Number: US-11020306-B2

Title: Unweighting devices

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present specification generally relates to an apparatus for assisting with physical therapy and, more specifically, and apparatus for assisting with physical therapy, movement, fitness and/or wellness using unweighting to assist with movement of the user. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Unloading systems in general are known in the art to remove some of the weight as carried by a user for purposes of rehabilitation and/or training. However, these known systems are commonly robotic and thus much slower and cumbersome to the user. These system highly limit dynamic movement and motion. Alternative systems exist which are required to be mounted to a ceiling or other building structure. Accordingly, these systems are cost prohibitive to purchase. 
     While various systems are available to lift and relieve a portion of the weight carried by a user, these are cost prohibitive and do not allow for accurate and realistic dynamic movement of the user of the system 
     Accordingly, a need exists for alternative apparatus for unweighting or unloading the bodyweight of a user which improved dynamic movement. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an unweighting apparatus is provided allowing a user positioned with feet on a ground level to be at least partially suspended, the apparatus comprising at least one rail supported in a position spaced apart from the ground, the at least one rail having at least one supporting surface, a roller movably slidably connected to the at least one rail, the roller subassembly comprising a plurality of rollers adapted to connect with and roll on said at least one supporting surface, the plurality of rollers configured to allow lateral movement along the at least one rail, a support bar connected to and hanging from the roller subassembly, the support bar configured to move rotationally with respect to the roller subassembly so as to allow the user to be at least partially suspend the body weight of a use so as to allow the user to move dynamically. 
     In another embodiment, an unweighting apparatus is provided allowing a user positioned with feet on a ground level to be at least partially suspended, the apparatus comprising at least one rail supported in a position spaced apart from the ground, the at least one rail having at least one supporting surface, a roller movably slidably connected to the at least one rail, a support bar connected to and hanging from the roller subassembly, the support bar having at least one elastic cord connected to a harness, the harness configured to be worn by the user so as to allow the user to be at least partially suspend the body weight of a use so as to allow the user to move dynamically. 
     In another embodiment, a harness for supporting a user and for connecting to an unweighting device is provided, the harness comprising an upper portion configured to securely connect to the chest of a user, the upper portion including at least 1 connection point configured to connect to a plurality of elastic cords and a lower portion including a belt, knee supports and foot supports wherein the upper portion is separate and distinct from the upper portion so as to prevent unwanted riding up of the user&#39;s clothing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the unweighting device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a close up perspective view of the cross bar unweighting device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a close up photographic view of the roller subassembly unweighting device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 4  depicts an alternative close up perspective view of the roller subassembly unweighting device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an a perspective view of the back portion of the upper harness illustrating multiple connection points according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a close up perspective of the foot harness of the lower harness according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a front view of a user in a harness assembly and connected to the unweighting device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and 
         FIG. 8  depicts a front view of a harness assembly according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  generally depicts the unweighting device of the present specification. The unweighting device generally includes a standalone cage system having a rail, or a plurality of rails, allowing a user to connect thereto. The user of the unweighting system wears a harness. The harness connect to a plurality of flexible bands which connect directly to a roller subassembly. The roller subassembly (or assembly), which connects to the rail or rails of the cage, allows the user to move in a lateral direction. The bands connected to the user allow the user to move in an up and down direction thereby, when combined with the rolling movement, provide for dynamic movement of the user when using the unweighting device. 
     The present system allows for a standalone bodyweight unloading system which allows for dynamic freedom of motion while still being in an unweighted state. The system provides for both the lower and upper body to be unloaded and to allow movement to be performed with less physical stress to the body. The standalone design allows movement professionals (such a physical therapists) to have the ability to reduce a person&#39;s body weight and body stress, which subsequently allows for ease of movement. The present system can be installed without significant modification to the building structure of a rehabilitation clinic or gym which is commonly necessary in other systems. Various embodiments of the unweighting device will be described in more detail herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , an unweighting device  100  is provided having a vertical support system. The vertical support system includes a plurality of generally vertical beams or supports  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 . The supports  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  may include side supports (generally horizontal supports) which are positioned generally perpendicular to the supports  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 . The side supports are positioned generally parallel a plurality of cross beams  120 . 
     The upper portion included the plurality of cross beams  120 . The cross beams  120  extend between the sides of the unweighting  100 . The cross beams  120  are positioned generally horizontal and include a roller system  150 . The roller system  150  is configured to allow the user system (such as the harness to be discussed herein) thereto. The rails system includes a main rail  126  having an upper portion  128  and a lower portion  130 . The main rail  126  is generally an I-beam. The main rail  126  is connected directly to the cross beams  120 . 
     The main rail  126  includes the surfaces  132 . The surfaces  132  are configured to allow the roller system  150  to roll thereon. The surface  132  are generally planar and are the upper surfaces of the lower portion  130  of the main rail (or I-beam)  126 . 
     The roller system  150  rolls along the surfaces  132  during operation. The roller system  150  generally includes a plurality of wheels or rollers  182  positioned to roll having a generally vertical rotational axis and a plurality of wheels or rollers  184  positioned to roll having a generally horizontal rotational axis. Said rollers  182 ,  184  are clearly illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Alternative embodiments of any roller system may be utilized including any form of sliding or roller mechanism which allows a user to move along the rail (or other supporting device). 
     The rollers  182  are configured to abut the side of the lower portion  130  of the main rail  126 . The rollers  182  abut the surface of the lower portion  130  as the roller system  150  is moved. The rollers  184  are configured to abut the surfaces  132  of the lower portion  130 . Opposing rollers corresponding to each roller are positioned on the opposite side of the main rail  126 . The rollers  182 ,  182  are each supported by a pivot pin extending therethrough. Each of the rollers  182 ,  184  are support by a housing  180 . The housing  180  as a whole is configured to move, with the help of the rollers  182 ,  184 , back and forth contributing to the ability of dynamic movement of the user. A bumper  133  is also provided to stop the roller system  150  from moving off of the rail  126 . 
     The roller system  150  connects to a cross bar  140 . The cross bar  140  connects to a harness  192 , which will described in additional detail herein. The cross bar  140  connects to the roller system  15  by means (a center connector) of a plurality of connection portions  148  and  148 . The connection portion  146  may be configured so as to rotate or twist when the a user is in the harness thereby facilitating dynamic movement. 
     The cross bar  140  includes two distal ends. The harness connects to the cross bar  140  at the distal ends. Bungee members  270  are disposed connected to each distal end of the cross bar  140 . The bungee members  270  include a first end  274  to connected to a harness and a second end  272  to connect to a manual tensioning member  260 . The bungee members, or bungee bands, are industrial strength bands in shortened positions. These banks provide the unlading system disclosed herein stretch tension to the system which allows for free form dynamic movement. Various different lengths and/or strengths of bungee bands  270  may be utilized in the system. 
     The manual tensioning member  260  which connects the bungee bands  270  to the cross bar  140 . The manual tensioning member  260  is a manual tensioning system for the industrial strength rubber bands, it is a self-locking device that will likely use rope or another flexible material over a roller system to pull on the proximal end of the band up to the framework. Since the cross bar above is fairly tall, an operator (not the user, but the person assisting the user) needed a way to easily attach the unloading bands safely and allow the person helping the individual, or the individual themselves, to place the tension on the bands using the tension pulley system without having to climb up to the cross bar itself. 
     A lock  250  is provided to keep the roller system in one position. It will insert a pin into a drilled opening in the I-beam to lock the roller system in one place. 
     The user  190  is supported by a harness  192 . In this embodiment, the harness  192  is a two piece system including an upper portion  192 A and a lower portion  192 B. The upper portion  192 A is a vest type harness including a plurality of straps, buckles and hooks. The lower portion  192 B is a belt, knee and foot supporting system configured to reduce unwanted riding up for the user  190 . The harness  192  includes a plurality of support straps  194 ,  196 . The support straps  194  extend over the shoulders of the user  190 . A support strap  194  extends over the shoulders of the user and is fastened by a buckle  208 . 
     The upper portion  192 A of the harness  192  includes a rear connection system positioned on the back of the user  190 . A plurality of straps  176  extend from the front of the harness to the back generally forming a Y shape. A plurality of rings  374 ,  378  are provided allowing the user  190  to be further connected to the system thereby providing or dynamic movement. A strap  272  is also provided which extends down the back of the user and connects to a main portion of the vest. 
     The support strap  340  is connected by a first buckle  200 . The support strap  340  extends around the waist of the user to secure the strap  340 . A d-ring, or other hook,  342  is provided connected to the strap  340  and many be used to further support and/or manipulate the user  190  to facilitate dynamic movement. Supplemental support straps  306 ,  308  extend on the users back so as to provide for additional support to the user  190 . 
     The harness  192  connects to the cross bar  140  by means of a plurality of cords, or bungee members  270 . In the present embodiment, the cords  270  are bungee cords thereby providing for extreme resiliency and elasticity. The cords  270  connect directly to the harness  192  at the D-rings  202 ,  204 . In other embodiments, the D-rings  202 ,  204  may be any suitable loop, hook or fastener suitable for connecting to the bungee members  270 . The opposing ends of the bungee members  270  connect to the cross bar  140 . Other suitable members having extreme resiliency to allow the user dynamic movement may alternatively be used. 
     The vest includes the lower portion  192 B. The lower portion  192 B includes a belt portion having a plurality of straps  370  extending to a knee portion  252 . The knee portion  352  connects to the foot supports  360  by means of a connecting strap  356 . The knee supports  352  include a base portion made of a cloth or other flexible material. A plurality of straps are provided to secure the knee portion  352  to the knee of the user. 
     The foot supports include a fabric or cloth base portion  366  and a plurality of straps  256  and buckles  362 ,  365 . A foot strap  364  is provided to go under the foot of the user to support the foot of the user  190 . 
     The cross bar  140  connects directly to the roller system  150 . The cross bar  140  connects directly to the roller system  150  by means a plurality of the connection points  146 ,  148  which aid in allowing the user to move and twist when connected to the cross bar  140 . 
     In other embodiments, the cords, or bungee members,  270  may have increased elasticity or decreased elasticity depending on the needs, training and/or rehabilitation demands of the user. The bungee members  270 , when connected to the user  190 , allow the user to move dynamically while still being at least partially unweighted. 
     The user  190 , when connected to the bungee members  270 , the cross bar  140  and the roller system  150 , is able to move dynamically along the main rail  126 . The roller system  150  provides for lateral movement, the cross bar  140  provides for rotational movement and the bungee members  270  provide for up and down movement. When combined, the movement of the user is fully dynamic. 
     In the present embodiments, the cage portions of the system are generally a strong metal such as steel or aluminum. In some embodiments, similar metals having comparable strength characteristics may be utilized. In other embodiments, plastics or polymers (or hybrid materials or co-extruded methods) are used to manufacture the cage so long as the materials exhibit similar strength characteristics. 
     The cross bar  140  is equally made of similar metals such as steel or aluminum. In some embodiments, similar metals having comparable strength characteristics may be utilized. In other embodiments, plastics or polymers (or hybrid materials or co-extruded methods) are used to manufacture the cross bar  140  so long as the materials exhibit similar strength characteristics. The other components described herein have materials similar or the same such as described above so as to properly enable use of the apparatus. 
     The system of the present specification works using the aforementioned overhead tracking and movement system allowing for forward and backward with  360  full degrees of freedom. While most other bodyweight unloading systems are extremely expensive and do not allow bodyweight support during dynamic tasks such as squatting, lunging, hopping, or jumping. The present system does allow for support during said dynamic movements. 
     The fully dynamic movement is particularly advantageous in that it provides for a more natural movement of the user  190 . In this effect, the user can more easily walk, jump or otherwise move so as to mimic natural movement by being less confined to a pre-set space of movement. The dynamic movement yields improvement results in both rehabilitation and in training. 
     It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. 
     These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.