Patent Description:
The sector to which the invention relates is mobility aids, which are designed to help people with reduced mobility to walk, by reducing fatigue and the loads on the joints.

The category of persons with reduced walking capacity often includes the elderly and persons with neurodegenerative disorders or other problems linked to injuries, who may have experienced a reduction in muscle mass, thus inevitably reducing walking speed. With aging, furthermore, also comes a reduction in stability and a consequent increase of the risk of falls.

Robotic aid devices are known for improving walking and reducing the risk of falls, which are powered by electromechanical actuators that apply a torque, thus assisting the joints of the user wearing the device. Such devices usually incorporate wearable sensors and means of detecting the different phases of human walking, so as to apply the correct electromechanical assistance.

<CIT> discloses a device for assisting walking mobility of human during gait to reduce fatigue and loads on joints and has components for transitioning between a first, relaxed state and a second, expanded state during walking,.

Such devices are not devoid of drawbacks, such as the presence of rigid structures and the presence of electronics and batteries, which render their use rather impractical.

These drawbacks have been solved with the apparatus described in <CIT>.

According to this document, the apparatus consists of a harness to be worn around the trunk and of a band or a pair of bands for support, each one to be worn around a leg, and associated with the harness via a respective elastic element, i.e. an elastically deformable element, which is adapted to work being extended during walking or other movements of the body. The elastic elements store and release mechanical energy at each step in order to provide an additional torque over and above the natural torque due to the movement. This use of energy helps users of any level of mobility to increase the force of the hip joint for some users who have particularly reduced mobility.

The bands can be worn both simultaneously or separately and in different positions, based on the needs of the user, for example around the thigh or the knee and/or the lower part of the leg.

The elastic element has a broad and flat shape structure to maintain a reduced encumbrance. In use, it extends preferably along the front part of the leg, or alternatively along the rear part. A connecting element at the upper end (when in use) of the elastic element, connects it to a length-adjustable belt, via a ratchet or a buckle. Adjusting the length of the belt can preload the elastic element. Another connecting element joins the upper end of the belt to the harness and translates along it for adjusting the position of the elastic element along the leg.

This apparatus has been appreciated by users and as a result of feedback the aims of the apparatus have been improved.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for assisted mobility, which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the abovementioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for assisted mobility that ensures the correct release of energy during walking, while being easy to adjust as a function of the requirements of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for mobility that is comfortable for the user.

A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is highly reliable, easy to implement and low-cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by an apparatus for assisted mobility, according to claim <NUM>.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:.

With reference to the figures, the apparatus according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral <NUM>, comprises a harness <NUM> to be worn on the torso of a user <NUM> and at least one band <NUM> to be worn around a leg of said user <NUM>, above the knee and without affecting the latter. In particular, the apparatus <NUM> is normally provided and used with two bands <NUM>, each one of these to be worn around a respective leg. The apparatus <NUM> comprises a connecting device <NUM> for connecting the harness <NUM> with the respective band <NUM>; one device <NUM> is necessary for each band <NUM>. The former in turn, comprises:.

The harness <NUM> and the bands <NUM> are provided with adapted closure means, like Velcro® fasteners <NUM> and snap-acting buckles <NUM>, for the former, and a system of Velcro® fasteners <NUM> for the latter, indicated in <FIG>, with which it is possible to adjust the width thereof as a function of the size of the torso and of the legs of the user <NUM>.

<FIG> show the innermost side of the harness <NUM> and of a band <NUM>, with the device <NUM>, designed to be in contact with the body of the user. The system of Velcro® fasteners <NUM> creates an overlapping of layers on the outermost side and not on the innermost side, in order to render use of the band more comfortable.

As can be seen in <FIG>, which show at least one part of a connecting device in three different versions, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the spring <NUM> is of the helical type. There can be a single spring <NUM>, of suitable length, or a series of springs in succession for the necessary length. In particular, <FIG> also show a part of the connection with a band <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> is preferably, but not exclusively, of the helical type. It can in fact have an alternative geometry, different from helical.

The device, in all its versions, is adapted to be positioned along the leg of the user, as shown in <FIG>, for example along the femoral quadriceps.

In addition, the apparatus <NUM> comprises an insert <NUM> inside the band <NUM> with a hole <NUM> which is open toward the outside of the band <NUM>, in the part directed upward when worn, and accommodating the spring <NUM>, and also comprises a screw plug <NUM>, with a through hole, to be screwed onto the insert <NUM> at the hole <NUM>. In an alternative version, not shown, the insert can be inside the harness with the hole open toward the outside of the harness, in the part directed downward when worn. Substantially the device, together with the other elements described below, can be installed in the reverse position with respect to what is shown.

In all the variations, the connecting device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a non-extendable cable <NUM> and passes through the insert <NUM>, the plug <NUM> and the spring <NUM>, and is connected at one end with the spring <NUM> and at the other end with the means for pre-tensioning <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> can move with respect to the band <NUM>, in compression and in extension, inside the insert <NUM>.

In particular, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a block <NUM> at the end of the cable <NUM> that lies inside the insert <NUM>, which with the plug <NUM> defines an accommodation space for the spring <NUM> in the relaxed state. The cable <NUM> extends inside the spring <NUM>.

The means for pre-tensioning <NUM> comprise a ratchet element, indicated with <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> in the different variations.

In the first variation of the connecting device <NUM>, the ratchet element <NUM> comprises a buckle with means for opening and release, which are conventional per se, which is coupled to a toothed strip <NUM> (indicated in <FIG>) which extends downward from the harness <NUM> along the leg, when the apparatus <NUM> is worn.

The buckle is coupled to a connecting element <NUM> to which the cable <NUM> is joined at the end opposite from the end connected with the spring <NUM>. Also in the first variation, the section of cable <NUM> comprised between the insert <NUM> and the connecting element <NUM> is covered with a sheath <NUM>, which protects the user <NUM> from direct contact with the cable <NUM>.

The translation of the buckle along the toothed strip <NUM>, in the direction of the harness <NUM>, makes it possible to shorten the connection with the band <NUM>, in order to adapt the apparatus <NUM> to the user, and/or to pretension the spring <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this case the cable <NUM> is pulled in translation, bringing the block <NUM> with it, which compresses the spring <NUM> against the plug <NUM>.

In the second version, shown in <FIG>, the ratchet element <NUM> comprises a wheel which is adapted to determine, with its rotation, the winding, one click after another, of the cable <NUM>, in this case too in order to adjust the length of the connection <NUM> depending on the user and/or as a function of the pre-tensioning requirements.

The lower part of the device <NUM> (from the plug downward, with respect to the position of use and with respect to the position shown), for mating with the band <NUM>, is the same as in the previous version.

In this case too there is a sheath <NUM> for the cable <NUM> and there is also a flat rear element <NUM> that renders contact with the leg more comfortable.

Also present, proximate to the wheel, is a channel-like element <NUM> and another element <NUM> with a slot, the function of which will become clear below.

The third version of the connecting device <NUM> differs from the previous one substantially only in that the position of the last two elements cited, here numbered <NUM> and <NUM>, is in a higher position than the ratchet element <NUM>, i.e. the wheel.

The apparatus <NUM> advantageously comprises adjustment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for adjusting the position of the connecting device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, along the leg of the user <NUM>, for example so that the device is positioned along the femoral quadriceps.

In particular, such adjustment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> comprise a guide <NUM> (indicated in <FIG> and in <FIG>) on the harness <NUM> on which the connecting device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is adapted to slide by way of a channel-like element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The adjustment means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> also comprise a tape <NUM> which is length-adjustable and is coupled to the harness <NUM> by way of a buckle <NUM> and is connected at one end to the connecting device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the first version of the device <NUM>, the part of the adjustment means <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, where the guide <NUM>, the channel-like element <NUM> and the tape <NUM> are indicated.

For the second and third versions, the channel-like element <NUM>, <NUM> and the element <NUM> and <NUM> have a different shape but are connected to the harness <NUM> in the same way as in the first version.

The adjustment means <NUM> and the ratchet element <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, to which the cable <NUM> is connected, render the latter integral with the harness <NUM>.

In other possible versions, not shown, the connecting device can comprise a threaded insert and an externally-threaded tubular element, which accommodates the spring, inserted in the insert. The tubular element is screwed at one end portion thereof to the plug and at the opposite end portion to the threaded insert. The tubular element and the threaded insert are inserted and screwed into the insert mentioned above in the preceding versions and indicated in them with <NUM>. The threaded insert is made, preferably, of brass and has a through opening for the spring and the cable. Alternatively, it can be made of other materials, for example of another metallic material or of plastic material.

This construction variation protects the components subjected to friction and contact during use of the apparatus, like the spring and the cable, from wear.

Use of the apparatus <NUM> according to the invention is evident from the foregoing description and explanation and, in particular, it is evident that it is easily adjustable, in addition to being less cumbersome during use than other conventional apparatuses. In addition, it is evident that the apparatus, which is easily adjustable, can be worn with the device between the trunk and a portion of leg, above the knee, so that the spring, inside the band, stores energy during the movements of the user, such as during the strides of walking. The spring can be compressed and return to the relaxed or pretensioned state, releasing the energy stored in order to assist the flexion and extension of the leg.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing an apparatus that is comfortable to wear and to adjust, even during the performance of activities by the user, not particularly cumbersome even under clothing and at the same time capable of ensuring the correct release of energy during walking, as a function of the requirements of the user.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for assisted mobility, which comprises a harness (<NUM>) to be worn on the torso of a user (<NUM>), at least one band (<NUM>) to be worn around a leg of said user (<NUM>), above the knee, and a connecting device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for connecting said harness (<NUM>) with said at least one band (<NUM>), which in turn comprises:
- at least one spring (<NUM>) adapted to pass from a relaxed state or from a first state of tension to a second state of tension during walking or other movements of the user, and
- means (<NUM>) for pre-tensioning said spring (<NUM>),
said apparatus (<NUM>) being characterized in that it comprises an insert (<NUM>) inside one or both of said harness (<NUM>) and said band (<NUM>), with a hole (<NUM>) which is open at least toward the outside of said harness (<NUM>) or of said band (<NUM>) and accommodates said spring (<NUM>), and a screw plug (<NUM>), with a through hole, screwed onto said insert (<NUM>) at said hole (<NUM>),
wherein said connecting device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a cable (<NUM>) which passes through said insert (<NUM>) and said screw plug (<NUM>) and is connected at one end to said spring (<NUM>) and at the opposite end with said means (<NUM>) for pre-tensioning said spring (<NUM>).