AU2009100705A4 - Walking aid hands free - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT NAME OF APPLICANT: IAN MEREDITH NUTE ACTUAL INVENTOR: APPLICANT INVENTION TITLE: WALKING AID HANDS FREE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me 1 WALKING AID HANDS FREE 5. As a teenager living on a farm I sustained a broken ankle which required a plaster cast for twelve weeks. During that time some cattle escaped on to a neighboring property making the owner irate. I was therefore required to chase them back onto our land. Running across rough ground is difficult on crutches. Various types of devices have been employed to assist people who are recoveringfrom various types of injuries and surgery in the past ie. Expensive trans tibial prosthesis , wall<ers for the aged, normal every day crutches , walkers with tripod base and adaptable mounts. 10. This gave me a reason to consider an invention that made walking easier without the need to use crutches that ultimately becames uncomfortable and distressing to users. Hence the need for the WALKING AID HANDS FREE device. 15 . The said WALKING AID HANDS FREE comprises of an upper section which provides inner , outer and front thigh supports and a padded knee resting area. The three thigh supports are strapped to the thigh and an ankle strap is connected to this to hold the ankle in a high position close to the buttocks. 20 .A strap extends from the front thigh support to a belt worn around the waist and another strap extends from the ankle to the waist belt. The waist belt has a holder for the battery which provides power for the operation of the device. 25 .A tubeular support extends down from the padded knee resting area. A second tubeular section fits closely outside the upper tube and is fitted with clamping devices to provide length and angular variations. At the lower part of the outer tube is fitted a close fitting inner tube which has a flat bar fitted longitudinally and corresponds to a slot in the outer tube. 30 . A base plate which may be curved and/or sprung is fitted to the bottom of the inner tube which contacts the ground and may be fitted with a material to provide grip. Attached to the top of the flat bar is a soleniod or similar device which when operated lifts the lower section to provide ground clearance. Also attached to the outer tubby is a second solenoid or similar device which operates a locking device to provide support for the lower section whilst it Is in the extended position.

2 5. The WALKING AID HANDS FREE may be made from any metal, alloy, plastic or composite material. Overall weight should be a defining factor together with consideration of the encumbent forces which may be applied. 1 O.The invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention which: 15. Figure 1. is an elevation of the WALKING AID HANDS FREE separated.Part 8. fits closely inside Part 9. and equally Part 15. < drawn in side elevation> fits closely inside Part 9. with the vertically aligned flat bar 16. corresponding with slot 14. Part 5. fits inside part 7. and is clamped into position to suit the patient. 20. Figure 2. indicates the hands free walking aid in use as a side elevation. Placement of switches, clamping devices and some other parts may vary during development, without affecting the general nature of the invention. 25..The WALKING AID HANDS FREE with three thigh supports, knee rest, thigh, ankle, front and rear straps together with a belt or strap worn at the patients waist ensure a secure attachment to the patient. Whilst the outer tube with its clamping devices provide length and angular adjustability of less or more than 300mm. and the lower inner tube 15. including the base plate/foot and flat bar 16. vary overall length to provide ground clearance, and also weight bearing capability during operation. 30. Minor modifications, variations,and or design changes would render this invention available for the use of amputees as well as those temporarily injured below the knee. The invention may be better understood with references to the illustrations and component check list and references to figure 1. and fig.2 .

Claims (5)

1. 3. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
2. 5. 1.A Walking Aid Hands Free strapped to the thigh and to the body that is powered by a preffered method to cause the overall length to change at appropriate times to allow a patient to walk without the use of his/her hands and arms.
3. 10. 2. A Walking Aid Hands Free for either temporary or permanent application that utilizes a portable power source switches and movement devices as claimed in 1. wherein the user is able to be ambulent with out using his/her hands or arms to perform this task. 15 . 3. A Walking Aid Hands Free according to any claims land 2 where the aid may be made from any metal, alloy, plastic or composite material.Combinationmaterials and sizes to suit a heavier or lighter applicationmodifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention in the subsequent embodiments, component check list & fig1 & fig 2.
4. 20. 4. A Walking A id Hands Free according to any claims 1-3 where in the walking aid extends and retracts. 20. 5.A Walking Aid Hands Free substantially as herein before described with reference to figs 1&2 of the accompanying drawings. References to component check list may be referred to as required .
5. 25. 6. battery Soleniod , switches as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention. MR ian meredith NUTE DATE -5 ------------- -- JULY 2009 4 WALKING AID HANDS FREE Component check list 1. Battery <supported by a belt/strap> 2.Strap from front thigh support to belt/strap. 3.Upper thigh strap incorporates adjustable strap to ankle strap and support strap to belt/strap at rear. 4.Lower thigh strap. 5. Front,inner and outer thigh supports. 6. Padded knee rest. 7.Housings and clamping devices for thigh supports. 8.Upper inner tube. 9.Outer tube with clamping devices. 10.Switch to operate lifting solenoid/movement device. 11. Switch to operate locking solenoid/movement device. 12. Lifting solenoid/movement device. 13.1Locking solenoid/movement device. 14.Slot in outer tube to accomodate 16. 15.Inner tube with base plate attached. 16. Vertical bar attached to 15 with appropriate hole for lifting and notch for locking devices.