Armpit Engaging Patents (Class 482/67)
  • Patent number: 11883347
    Abstract: A fall arresting lift machine has a gantry upon casters, a power source upon the gantry, a drive with a motor upon the gantry in communication with the power source, a controller in communication with the motor and the power source, a vertical strap paying out from the drive motor, a harness upon the strap, and the harness is suitable for wearing by a user. The gantry includes feet, housings, uprights, elbows, braces, and a union. The harness has straps for over both shoulders of the user and a belt and inertial measurement units upon the straps. The drive and controller cooperate to assist a user to sit and to stand, and to detect abrupt acceleration typical of a fall, and arrest the fall. The casters swivel, or alternately select wheels remain in fixed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Sheila M. Buswell, Gregg A. Buswell
  • Patent number: 11628119
    Abstract: An apparatus including a walker and a guider attached to the walker. The guider has three sides. The first side of the three sides attaches to a front of the walker. The second side of the three sides attaches to a first side of the walker. The third side of the three sides attaches to a second side of the walker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Mongiello, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11090215
    Abstract: A walker comprising a handle base and a frame. The handle base is configured to be gripped by a user of the walker. The frame is coupled with the handle base and configured to support the handle base above ground underlying the walker. The handle base and the frame cooperate to define a user space sized to allow the user of the walker to stand in the user space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Patrick E. Bailey
  • Patent number: 10973715
    Abstract: A powered pedestrian apparatus is provided having two vertical panels, two rotatably connected articulating arms capable of rotating about a center point, a vertical lifting device located within said panels attached to said arms, and a foot platform wherein one or more of an electric motor, front tires and caster wheels enable movement of the powered pedestrian apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: William Baer
  • Patent number: 10828226
    Abstract: A collapsible upright wheeled walker with adjustable armrests that support sufficient user upper-body weight to facilitate a natural upright gait and provide unassisted mobility for a wide range of mobility-impaired individuals. The apparatus may be easily and quickly folded (and unfolded) and may include bilateral stabilizing wheel suspensions to facilitate navigation over uneven terrain. The apparatus includes a frame-stiffening folder assembly and may also include mechanical brakes, an adjustable upper armrest assembly with removable padded forearm supports and two pairs of handles, at least one of which is disposed sufficiently forward to place the user within the polygonal footprint defined by the front and rear wheels to provide support without leaning, stooping, or risking falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Protostar, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Peter James Fellingham, Yichuan Pan, David A Purcell, Nebojsa Sataric
  • Patent number: 10391018
    Abstract: A foldable upright wheeled walker with adjustable armpit cushions and support frames that supports a sufficient user body weight to facilitate a natural gait and provide unassisted mobility for a wide range of mobility impaired individuals. The invention may be folded and unfolded for compact storage or transportation. The device includes large rubber tires on a caster wheel assembly and includes one or two mechanical friction brakes actuated at the levers attached to the handgrips on each side of the device. The user stands or walks within the polygonal footprint defined by the front and rear wheels with arms over the armpit cushions to provide upper-body support without resting significant weight on the user's wrists or arms or standing and walking stooped over, minimizing risk of falling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventor: Ronald Keith Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9707149
    Abstract: A folding walker is provided, including methods of using the folding walker. The folding walker includes two side members. Each of the side members includes a leg assembly; a handle assembly; and two first hinges coupled between the leg assembly and the handle assembly. The folding walker also includes a front member. The front member includes a horizontal member having a first portion and a second portion; and a second hinge coupled between a first end of the first portion and a first end the second portion, wherein a second end of the first portion is rotatably coupled to one side member and a second end of the second portion is rotatably coupled to the other side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Francisco Juarez
  • Patent number: 9592175
    Abstract: A mobile crutch to facilitate improved ambulation of an impaired individual. The device includes a substantially rectangular vertical frame having two parallel vertical frame members, two transverse horizontal frame members, two rigid wheel assemblies, a handle and a brake. The mobile crutch is made from commercially available components. The mobile crutch includes wheels adjacent to the ground attached to the bottoms of the vertical members. The wheels allow the user, supported by the rigid arm rest, to maintain continuous ground contact and walk in an upright posture with uninterrupted strides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Manuel Michael Soulakis
  • Patent number: 9554961
    Abstract: A folding walker is provided, including methods of using the folding walker. The folding walker includes two side members. Each of the side members includes a leg assembly; a handle assembly; and two first joints coupled between the leg assembly and the handle assembly. The folding walker also includes a front member. The front member includes a horizontal member having a first portion and a second portion; and a second joint coupled between a first end of the first portion and a first end the second portion, wherein a second end of the first portion is rotatably coupled to one side member and a second end of the second portion is rotatably coupled to the other side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Francisco Juarez
  • Patent number: 8597162
    Abstract: A mobility apparatus for a patient permitting improved mobility is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a locomotion assembly, a forearm support assembly, a kinematic and kinetic feedback assembly and optionally a back support assembly, where the apparatus provides mobility assistance, while permitting visualization of movement velocity, loaded and unloaded motion, and other information concerning a patients proper use of the mobility assistance apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regeants, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: William E. Amonette, Kirk L. English, William L. Buford, Jr., Billy W. Amonette
  • Patent number: 8474470
    Abstract: The invention provides a forearm type of crutch comprising an operatively upright staff having a ground engaging foot at one end and a transverse handle and forearm support assembly at the operatively upper end, and wherein the angle of inclination of the forearm support assembly to the staff is adjustable, wherein the angle of inclination of the forearm support assembly relative to the staff is adjustable by means of a pair of co-operating positioning portions, one being stationary relative to the staff and the other being stationary relative to the forearm support assembly and wherein the positioning portions have complementarily co-operating zones that are engagable in different angular positions of the forearm support assembly and staff to provide a desired angle of inclination of the forearm support assembly relative to the staff and wherein releasable clamping means operatively hold the positioning portions in a selected engaged position for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Colin Patrick Albertyn
  • Patent number: 8342196
    Abstract: A crutch having a first side direction, a second side direction opposite the first side direction, a third side direction perpendicular to the first side direction and a fourth side direction opposite the third side direction, the crutch including an elongate leg having a top end, a top portion, a middle portion, a bottom portion, and a bottom end, wherein the elongate leg extends from a saddle to a foot and has a handle disposed on the middle portion, wherein the saddle extends in an elongate shape between the first side direction and the second side direction, wherein the handle extends in an elongate shape between the first side direction and the second side direction, wherein the elongate leg middle portion is to the third side direction of an axis extending between the leg and the foot, wherein the elongate leg middle portion is to the first side direction of an axis extending between the top end of the elongate leg and the bottom end of the elongate leg; and wherein the handle is cantilevered and has a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Mobi, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Weber, Shawn Monitor, Michael Grider
  • Patent number: 8257230
    Abstract: An elliptical trainer has a base, and two crank assemblies, a handle assembly and a linkage assembly mounted on the base. Each crank assembly has two cranks and a transmission wheel. A transmission strip is mounted around the transmission wheels of the crank assemblies to simulate rotations of the crank assemblies. The linkage assembly connects the cranks of the crank assemblies to the handle assembly. When the elliptical trainer is operated, the linkage assembly drives the cranks to alternately rotate upwardly and downwardly. The cranks that rotate downwardly drag the other cranks to rotate upwardly. Therefore, the crank assemblies and the linkage assembly operate smoothly, and consequently, the user is capable of smoothly performing walking or running movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zhongshan Yingliang Health Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Chao-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 7743779
    Abstract: A mobility aid (FIG. 1) design for providing stabilized mobility support by the practical use of a two sided vertically supported rigid frame comprising front and rear bilaterally double support members (12), (12a), (13), (13a), (15), and (15a), and not limited to but preferably of aluminum construction to include a plurality of upper and lower substantially identical bilaterally horizontal and vertical tubular main frame members (17), (18), (19), (20), (22), (27), (28), and (29), supported on a plurality of sufficiently sized wheels (26), and (30), attached to the underside of the main frame (26), and (30), with predetermined spacing. Base members (22), (28), and (29), are sufficiently elevated-providing for unhindered foot movement during mobilization. A guide wheel assembly (23), (25), (25b), (26), and (26a), is vertically attached at a contiguously anterior junction surface of the two sided main frame assembly (20), and (23), thereby providing selective directional steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Larry Ellis Gee, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7490617
    Abstract: A step-extending device is adapted for use in association with a walker to ascend or descend a stairway. The step-extending device may employ a first base and a second base, each of which is adapted to receive legs of a walker upon respective upper surfaces. The device may be used in connection with a frame that connects the first and second bases to each other. A cross member connects first and second bases. A frame includes one or more upright members with handles adapted for grasping and moving the step-extending device from one stair to another stair during use. The height of each of the first and second support bases is adjusted to approximate the height of stairs upon a stairway, so that stairs of essentially any height may be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Step Extender, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Brabson Bell, Richard Martin Jones
  • Patent number: 7490618
    Abstract: A forearm crutch cover that provides padding in the forearm cradle to increase the comfort of the user and covers the pivoting attachment junction that attaches the forearm cradle to the pole of the forearm crutch to help prevent injury or damage caused at the pivoting attachment junction when the forearm cradle is moved. The cover may also include a forearm strap to prevent the cradle from slipping off the arm. An elastic tongue may act as a reset for cradle to prevent the cradle from falling downward and allows easy access to the cradle for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: DeMay Med, LLC Mo. Corp.
    Inventors: Shirley DeMay, Neil Westbrooks
  • Patent number: 7434592
    Abstract: An ergonomic collapsible crutch for providing assistance with ambulatory movement of a user, the crutch including a supporting member having an underarm support surface and a hand grip portion, a gripping pad disposed remotely from the underarm support surface generally along a vertical axis and connected to the supporting member to provide stability and grip on surfaces of a walking environment, and a hand grip attached to the hand grip portion of the supporting member so that the handgrip extends from the supporting member at an angle from the vertical axis ranging from about 85° to about 60° and from about 95° to about 120°. The ergonomic collapsible crutch may also include a shock absorbing device and buttons for adjusting the height of the crutch as well as the position of the hand grip. The hand grip may also be ergonomically contoured for improved use by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Millennial Medical Equipment, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brad Larson, Ken Lester, Clair Nilson, Eric Nilson, Mark Nilson
  • Patent number: 7270643
    Abstract: An apparatus for exercising and supporting an upper limb includes two support modules connected on the first side by a rigid connecting piece. Both support modules have a frame, with a support plate fixed to their upper part. An exercising part is removably attached to the support plate of the first support module. An upper arm support part is articulated in the support plate and an actuator actuates the support part relative to the support plate. The frames of the support modules can be fitted immediately underneath the shoulder joints, the other upper limb being supported on the support plate in such a way that the upper limb exerts a force on the rigid connecting piece. The first upper limb is supported on the exercising part so that the weight of the upper limb exerts a force on the rigid connecting piece, the forces being balanced by the connecting piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Olecranon Oy
    Inventor: Ari Pellinen
  • Patent number: 7204262
    Abstract: A forearm crutch cover that provides padding in the forearm cradle to increase the comfort of the user and covers the pivoting attachment junction that attaches the forearm cradle to the pole of the forearm crutch to help prevent injury or damage caused at the pivoting attachment junction when the forearm cradle is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: DeMay Med, LLC
    Inventors: Shirley DeMay, Neil Westbrooks
  • Patent number: 6938630
    Abstract: A device is provided for enabling persons with paresis of lower limbs to walk. The device has vertical elements comprising an upper member and the lower member, each being adjustable in relation to each other. The vertical elements are interconnected by a jacket consisting of a three sided frame with two shorter sides and one longer side, joined together by corners at their respective ends, where the remaining longer side constitutes a closure. One of the connectors is pivotally attached to a connecting bar at the shorter side of the jacket frame, and the other is disconnectedly connected to a lock mounted at the end of another connecting bar of the opposite shorter side of the jacket frame. The shorter sides of the jacket frame, having mounted to them, from above, two adjustable armpit supports. The device has clamping rings for a user's thighs which are mounted to their respective connectors, which in turn are mounted adjustably and pivotally to the vertical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Firma Ortopedyczna “Medort” S.A.
    Inventor: Barbara Perner
  • Patent number: 6743156
    Abstract: A walker apparatus having a frame configured to support a user above a floor thereunder and an upper body support pivotably coupled to the frame to move between a use position and a storage position is shown. The upper body support is adapted to support the forearms of a user and includes a first pair of grip handles. A second pair of grip handles is coupled to the frame spaced apart from the first pair of grip handles. The walker apparatus has a patient measurement device coupled to the frame to measure a vital sign of the user and indicate the measurement on a display. An IV support is coupled to the frame to support a medical device. A base module is configured to hold personal belongings or medical devices. The frame includes upright segments extending from the base module. A seat has a frame member and a seat member. The frame member has a back segment and a seat segment coupled to the back segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Jacques, II, Michael Cerimele, Ken Meyer, John Sagel, Kenneth L. Kramer, John P. Biondo, Gregory W. Branson, John W. Koenig
  • Patent number: 6666796
    Abstract: Apparatus to assist human walking, incorporating in combination first and second longitudinally extending strut members that are relatively movable, longitudinally, and adapted to transmit body associated loading; the first strut member or members operatively connected to a rack and/or to the user's body; the second strut member or members slaved, i.e. operatively connected to the user's foot or feet, ankles or shoes, to move therewith; and a control that responds to step-by-step treading to control relative movement of the strut members. Such loading is controllably transferred back and forth between left and right pairs of strut members, in response to treading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul B. MacCready, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6059697
    Abstract: An improved exercise device including two exercise poles, each having an upper segment secured via an articulating joint to the upper body and a lower segment which is slidably connected to the upper segment. The lower segment includes a hand support or hand grip. A vest with an integral harness includes left and right side articulating joints providing a selected amount of friction. Preferably, each joint includes a cylindrical molded hub with two opposed transversely projecting bayonet lugs; the hub is received within a collar affixed at the proximal end of an upper pole segment and having a circular aperture ringed by an inwardly projecting annular flange with two opposed grooves adapted to receive the two hub bayonet lugs. The hub and collar are separable and are joined by aligning the hub bayonet lugs with the collar flange grooves whereupon the hub may be inserted coaxially within the collar, thereby projecting the hub lugs beyond the opposing surface of the inwardly projecting annular flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Martinus Van Breems
  • Patent number: 5997443
    Abstract: An exercise device including an upper segment secured via an articulating joint to the upper body or arm and a lower segment which is slidably connected to the upper segment. The lower segment includes a hand support or hand grip. The attachment of the upper segment to the body is done via an articulating joint so that the upper segment may be freely moved in an arc of approximately sixty degrees, front to back. The joint provides a selectable amount of friction, thereby enhancing the intensity of the exercise. The upper segment is slidably and rotatably connected to the lower segment allowing the lower segment to be twisted and moved rectilinearly relative to the upper segment. The lower segment is terminated at the bottom in an elastomeric pole tip for absorbing shock. The lower segment pole tip may also incorporate a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Martinus Van Breems
  • Patent number: 5813948
    Abstract: An adult walker having a suspended seat assembly which may be adjusted to accommodate the user. Included is an adjustable support frame which may be raised and lowered with respect to the walking surface. This walker is accessed from the rear, making it safer and easier to enter and exit. Also included is a ramp for ease of access by a wheelchair user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventors: Robert T. Quigg, James A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5787898
    Abstract: An exercising method for stretching the spinal column and strengthening the spinal muscles. The user suspends his body on crutch-like supports and performs a series of exercises by positioning his body and/or the crutches in various angular positions relative to the floor. The crutches may be conventional crutches, or crutches which extend to a level higher than the user's shoulders, straps being provided for holding the body in suspension by the armpits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Daniel Freimann
  • Patent number: 5755644
    Abstract: An exercise device including an upper segment secured via an articulating joint to the upper body or arm and a lower segment which is slidably connected to the upper segment. The lower segment includes a hand support or hand grip. The attachment of the upper segment to the body is done via an articulating joint so that the upper segment may be freely moved in an arc of approximately sixty degrees, front to back. The joint provides a selectable amount of friction, thereby enhancing the intensity of the exercise. The upper segment is slidably and rotatably connected to the lower segment allowing the lower segment to be twisted and moved rectilinearly relative to the upper segment. The lower segment is terminated at the bottom in an elastomeric pole tip for absorbing shock. The lower segment pole tip may also incorporate a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Martinus Van Breems
  • Patent number: 5476432
    Abstract: A medical stroller includes a patient support frame having a first pair of curved patient support rails. A pivot pin and end plate pivotally join a respective proximal end of one of the patient support rails to a proximal end of the other of the patient support rails, and permits movement of the patient support rails between a closed, patient encircling support position and an open, patient ingress/egress position. First and second leg frames are attached to the patient support frame for vertically spacing the patient support rails above a supporting surface, and positioning the patient support rails generally in the region of between the waist and upper torso of the patient. Caster wheels are carried by the first and second leg frames for permitting rolling movement of the stroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Dickens
  • Patent number: 5378215
    Abstract: An ambulatory apparatus for rehabilitating individuals is formed by a rigid foldable tubular frame characterized by an open framework formed by a plurality of horizontal side rails defining forward and rearward ends of the frame. Fixed axle rear wheels and a forward caster wheel support the frame for mobile movement. A foldable seat and back rest at the rearward end of the frame supports the user when seated thereon. The uppermost side rails support the user in a walker fashion and normally stored crutch members supported by the side rails are available for a user needing crutches. Manually operated brake pads are movable toward and away from the rear wheels for anchoring the apparatus or controlling its rate of descent on a downgrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Robert L. Harkins