US 10,758,774 B2Granted

Walk therapy station

AssigneeALT Innovations LLC

InventorsAlan Tholkes, DuWayne Dandurand, Nathaniel Hallée

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a walking therapy station having multiple right linkages and multiple left linkages, where at least one of the right or left linkages is operably coupled to an actuator to transition the station from a standing mode to a walking mode. In an illustrative example, the station may have five right linkages and five left linkages, with a set of knee pads and foot pads. The station may include an actuator operably coupled to transition the station between walking and standing modes, for example. Various embodiments of the station may enable a user who is disabled or paralyzed to transition from sitting position, to a standing position, and then to a walking position, and provide the user with a very accurate gait and walking motion without putting excessive shear and pressure at the contact points between the station and the user.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A walking therapy apparatus comprising:

a frame;
and,
a first knee and foot support system comprising:
a first linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to the frame;
a second linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to the frame;
a third linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the first linkage;
a fourth linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the second linkage, the fourth linkage being pivotably coupled at a point along a length of the fourth linkage to a point along a length of the third linkage;
and,
a fifth linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the fourth linkage, the fifth linkage being mechanically coupled to a fixed rotational axis, such that in an operational mode, the proximal end of the fifth linkage travels in a first substantially circular path having a first center point aligned with the fixed rotational axis;
and,
an actuator operably coupled to the fifth linkage such that in a first mode, the actuator is engaged to place the proximal end of the fifth linkage in a first position along the first substantially circular path, and in a second mode, the actuator is disengaged to place the proximal end of the fifth linkage in a second position along the first substantially circular path that is different than the first position.

8 more elements

A walking therapy apparatus comprising:

a frame;
and,
a first knee and foot support system comprising:
a first linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to the frame;
a second linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to the frame;
a third linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the first linkage;
a fourth linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the second linkage, the fourth linkage being pivotably coupled at a point along a length of the fourth linkage to a point along a length of the third linkage;
a fifth linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the fourth linkage, the fifth linkage being mechanically coupled to a fixed rotational axis, such that in an operational mode, the proximal end of the fifth linkage travels in a first substantially circular path having a first center point aligned with the fixed rotational axis;
and,
an actuator operably coupled to the fifth linkage such that in a first mode, the actuator is engaged to place the proximal end of the fifth linkage in a first position along the first substantially circular path, and in a second mode, the actuator is disengaged to place the proximal end of the fifth linkage in a second position along the first substantially circular path that is different than the first position, wherein the first position and the second position are substantially 180° out of phase with one another.

7 more elements

A walking therapy apparatus comprising:

a frame;
and,
a first knee and foot support system comprising:
a first linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to the frame;
a second linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to the frame;
a third linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the first linkage;
a fourth linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the second linkage, the fourth linkage being pivotably coupled at a point along a length of the fourth linkage to a point along a length of the third linkage;
and,
a fifth linkage pivotably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the fourth linkage, the fifth linkage being mechanically coupled to a fixed rotational axis, such that in an operational mode, the proximal end of the fifth linkage travels in a first substantially circular path having a first center point aligned with the fixed rotational axis, and,
means for transitioning the fifth linkage between a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the proximal end of the fifth linkage is in a first position along the first substantially circular path, and in the second mode, the proximal end of the fifth linkage in a second position along the first substantially circular path that is different than the first position.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/153,393Filed 5 Oct 2018 · us provisional application
Priority: 6 Oct 2017
Published: US 2019/0105530 A111 Apr 2019
Granted: 1 Sep 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification54 codes

A61H 1/0262
Both knee and hip of a patient, e.g. in supine or sitting position, the feet being moved together in a plane substantially parallel to the…:…
A63B 22/0056
With cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis: the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis
A61G 5/14
Parts, details or accessories: standing-up or sitting-down aids
A63B 21/00178
Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without…: for…