Structural frame to assist patients and methods of use thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016296407-A1
Application number	US-201514684853-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 13, 2015
Priority date	Apr 13, 2015
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A structural frame and methods of use thereof are disclosed that assists a patient that has limited ambulation. A structural frame is disclosed that includes a linear rod having a first end and a second end; two or more expandable telescoping sections disposed between the first end and the second end of the linear rod wherein the two or more expandable telescoping sections are operable to expand the linear rod bidirectionally at the first end and the second end; a force-loading mechanism engaging each of the two or more expandable telescoping sections operably connected to expand the telescoping linear rod.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A structural frame comprising:
a linear rod having a first end and a second end; two or more expandable telescoping sections disposed between the first end and the second end of the linear rod wherein the two or more expandable telescoping sections are operable to expand the linear rod bidirectionally at the first end and the second end; a force-loading mechanism operably connected to each of the two or more expandable telescoping sections operable to apply outward compressive force at each of the first end and the second end of the linear rod; and one or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet at at least one of the first end and the second end of the linear rod, wherein the one or more load-bearing feet are operable to extend from a stowed position to a load-bearing position for engagement with an exterior surface and to retract to the stowed position.

2 .- 5 . (canceled)

6 . The structural frame of claim 1 , comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the two or more expandable telescoping sections of the linear rod are configured to be secured into place by the locking mechanism during application of the outward compressive force.

7 .- 11 . (canceled)

12 . The structural frame of claim 1 , comprising a sensor in communication with a controller to determine a size of an opening span in a vicinity of the structural frame and to control extension of the two or more expandable telescoping sections to the size of the opening span.

13 . The structural frame of claim 1 , comprising a sensor in communication with a controller to determine a presence of an opening span in a vicinity of the structural frame and to control extension of at least one of the one or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet.

14 .- 15 . (canceled)

16 . The structural frame of claim 1 , comprising a sensor in communication with a controller to determine a loss of contact of at least one of the one or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet with a surface and to control retraction of the one or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet.

17 . The structural frame of claim 1 , comprising a sensor in communication with a controller to monitor lateral load bearing or slippage and to increase anchor force of the linear rod in response to the lateral load bearing or the slippage.

18 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . The structural frame of claim 17 , comprising a pump attached to the structural frame, wherein the pump is configured to increase the anchor force by increasing suction at the one or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet.

22 .- 40 . (canceled)

41 . A structural frame comprising:
a walker having two or more substantially vertically extending base legs and an upright support portion extending vertically upward from the base legs; one or more vertical linear portions operably attached to the walker and substantially parallel to the base legs, each of the one or more vertical linear portions having a first end and a second end; one or more horizontal linear portions operably attached to the walker and substantially perpendicular to the base legs, the one or more horizontal linear portions enclosing one or more first expandable telescoping sections disposed within the horizontal linear portions, wherein each of the one or more horizontal linear portions have a third end and a fourth end; and a first force loading mechanism engaging each of the one or more of the first expandable telescoping sections, wherein the first force loading mechanism is operably connected to expand the one or more of the first expandable telescoping sections and is operably connected to apply outward compressive force at each of the third end and the fourth end.

42 . The structural frame of claim 41 , comprising:
one or more second expandable telescoping sections disposed within the vertical linear portions; and a second force loading mechanism engaging each of the one or more of the second expandable telescoping sections, wherein the second force loading mechanism is operably connected to expand the one or more of the second expandable telescoping sections and is operably connected to apply outward compressive force at each of the first end and the second end.

43 . The structural frame of claim 42 , comprising:
extendable and retractable load-bearing feet at the first end and the second end of the vertical linear portion and at the third end and the fourth end of the horizontal linear portion, wherein the load-bearing feet are operable to extend upon expansion of the one or more first expandable telescoping sections and the one or more second expandable telescoping sections.

44 . The structural frame of claim 42 , wherein the one or more vertical linear portions have the second force loading mechanism operably connected to expand the one or more second expandable telescoping sections of the vertical linear portions in a vertical direction and the one or more horizontal linear portions have the first force loading mechanism operably connected to expand the one or more first expandable telescoping sections of the horizontal linear portions in a horizontal direction.

45 . The structural frame of claim 42 , wherein the one or more vertical linear portions have the second force loading mechanism operably connected to expand the one or more second expandable telescoping sections of the vertical linear portions inclined from a vertical direction and the one or more horizontal linear portions have the first force loading mechanism operably connected to expand the one or more first expandable telescoping sections of the horizontal linear portions inclined from a horizontal direction.

46 . The structural frame of claim 41 , wherein the first force-loading mechanism is a spring loading mechanism.

47 . The structural frame of claim 41 , wherein the first force-loading mechanism is a hydraulic loading mechanism.

48 . The structural frame of claim 41 , wherein the first force-loading mechanism is a motor.

49 . The structural frame of claim 41 , wherein the first force-loading mechanism is configured to be manually applied by a user.

50 . The structural frame of claim 41 , comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the one or more first expandable telescoping sections are configured to be secured into place by the locking mechanism during application of the outward compressive force.

51 . The structural frame of claim 41 , wherein the one or more horizontal linear portions enclose one first expandable telescoping section disposed within the horizontal linear portions, and expandable in one dimension.

52 . The structural frame of claim 41 , wherein the one or more horizontal linear portions enclose two first expandable telescoping sections is disposed within the horizontal linear portions, and expandable in two dimensions.

53 . The structural frame of claim 41 , comprising a sensor in communication with a controller to determine a size of an opening span in a vicinity of the structural frame and to control extension of the one or more first expandable telescoping sections to the size of the opening span.

54 . The structural frame of claim 43 , comprising a sensor in communication with a controller to determine a presence of an opening span in a vicinity of the structural frame and to control extension of at least one of the load-bearing feet.

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

• Bangera Mahalaxmi Gita
• Cheatham Iii Jesse R
• Chin Hon Wah
• Hyde Roderick A
• Ishikawa Muriel Y
• Kare Jordin T
• Leuthardt Eric C
• Lord Robert W
• Lord Richard T
• Petroski Robert C
• Tegreene Clarence T
• Wood Jr Lowell L

Classifications

• A45B9/00 Primary

  Details · CPC title

• A61H3/00 Primary

  Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about (apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04 {; applying electrical currents by contact electrodes for stimulating motor muscles, e.g. walking assistance A61N1/36003}) · CPC title

• A61H2201/0173

  Means for preventing injuries · CPC title

• A61H2201/0192

  Specific means for adjusting dimensions · CPC title

• A61H2201/5058

  Sensors or detectors · CPC title