# US 8,784,344 B2 · Pelvic frame and walking assistance device using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,344 B2 - Document ID: US8784344B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/975,571 - Filed: 2010-12-22 - Published: 2011-06-30 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-12-25 - Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Hideaki Takahashi; Hideo Shimizu - Inventors: Hideaki Takahashi; Hideo Shimizu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784344B2 ## CPC - A61H 1/0244: {Hip (A61H1/0255 takes precedence)} - A61H 3/00: 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}) - A61H 2201/165: Wearable interfaces - A61H 2201/5061: Force sensors - A61H 2201/5069: Angle sensors - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A pelvic frame (20) for a walking assistance device (10) is configured to be worn on a pelvic part of a user, and comprises a main frame (22) extending from a lower back of the user to either side of the user, an abdominal belt (30) attached to the main frame at base ends thereof, extending along an inner periphery of the main frame (22) and configured to be detachably passed along an abdominal part of the user, and a pair of stabilizer member (90, 92) each having a base end attached to a free end part of the main frame (22) and a free end engaging the abdominal belt (30). Because the two free end of the main frame (22) are joined by the stabilizer members (90, 92) in cooperation with the abdominal belt (30), the stiffness and mechanical strength of the main frame (22) is effectively enhanced, and the weight of the main frame and material cost can be minimized. Also, the deformation of the pelvic frame (20) during use can be minimized, and this contributes to the comfort of the user. Also, as the stabilizer members (90, 92) hold up the corresponding parts of the abdominal belt (30) in readily accessible positions in spite of the flexibility of the abdominal belt (30), the wearing and removing of the pelvic frame (20) is simplified. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pelvic frame for a walking assistance device, the walking assistance device being configured to apply a walking assistance force generated by a power generator to a lower limb of a user, comprising: a main frame configured to be worn on a pelvic part of a user and extending from a lower back of the user to either side of the pelvic part of the user forming a C-shape in plan view, each free end of the main frame being configured to support the power generator at a position corresponding to a hip joint of the user; an abdominal belt attached to the main frame at base ends thereof, extending along an inner periphery of the main frame and configured to be detachably passed along an abdominal part of the user; and a pair of stabilizer member each having a base end attached to a free end part of the main frame and a free end engaging the abdominal belt. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pelvic frame for a walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein each stabilizer member is substantially more flexible in lateral bending than in vertical bending. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The pelvic frame for a walking assistance device according to claim 2, wherein each stabilizer member comprises a plate member having a vertically elongated cross section, and a substantially vertically oriented major plane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pelvic frame for a walking assistance device according to claim 3, wherein the base end of each stabilizer member is pivotally connected to the main frame so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending perpendicular to the major plane of the stabilizer member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pelvic frame for a walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein each stabilizer member extends in an upwardly oblique direction from the base end thereof to the free end thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pelvic frame for a walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the abdominal belt comprises a pair of side belts each having a base end secured to the main frame and extending forwardly along corresponding sides of the user, and a front belt releasably connected between free ends of the side belts, the stabilizer members engaging parts of the side belts. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pelvic frame for a walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the abdominal belt comprises a pair of side belts each having a base end secured to the main frame and extending along corresponding sides of the user and across a front part of the user, free ends of the side belts being releasably secured to opposite sides of the main frame, and the stabilizer members engaging parts of the side belts. ### Claim 8 A walking assistance device, comprising: a pelvic frame including a main frame configured to be worn on a pelvic part of a user and extending from a lower back of the user to either side of the pelvic part of the user, each free end of the main frame being configured to support the power generator at a position corresponding to a hip joint of the user, an abdominal belt extending along an inner periphery of the main frame and configured to be detachably passed along an abdominal part of the user, and a pair of stabilizer member each having a based end attached to a free end part of the main frame and a free end engaging the abdominal belt; a power generator attached to each free end of the main frame; a power transmitting member extending from an output end of each power generator and a femoral part of a user for an angular movement around a center of rotation corresponding to a hip joint of the user.