CA2886860C

CA2886860C - Automated utility device for mobility

Info

Publication number: CA2886860C
Application number: CA2886860A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Farah Salim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-01
Filing date: 2015-04-01
Publication date: 2017-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-01
Also published as: CA2886860A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an Automated Utility Device for Mobility "AUD-M" to support an elderly/disabled person in sitting, standing and walking, forces the correct posture and have full control of the human body movement, the device comprising: a frame comprising metal bars configured to engage the user's torso, upper arms, forearms, legs and feet, using supporting curved slabs and belts for securing the metal bars to the user; actuated joints with associated power banks providing relative rotation between the metal bars near the user's ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists;
multidirectional actuated joints with associated power banks shaped to offer the needed support and comfort underarm with their boat shape, said joints configured to provide the back-front and the sides movements engaging the user's upper arms; handles configured to engage the user's hands, said handles being connected to the metal bars engaging the user's forearms, said handles include a user interface for controlling the device; walking crutches integrated with the handles, said crutches extending substantially perpendicularly to the metal bars engaging the user's forearms, said crutches being automatically adjustable in length in coordination with the actuated joints movement to provide balance for the device; actuated Foot-Arm with associated power banks configured to engage the user's feet, said foot-arm being connected to the lower leg bar for the foot to provide the needed move to make a step (forward/backward); Foot-arm inside mechanism supported by an outer Push mechanism provided to engage the user's feet and initiate a step forward resulting in moving the foot forward;
Foot-arm inside mechanism supported by an outer Pull mechanism provided to engage the user's feet and initiate a step backward resulting in moving the foot backward; locks provided with breaks mechanism configured to lock itself while it is performing the step movement, and it unlock itself for the foot-arm to go back to its original place using the said foot-arm inside mechanism; an intelligent control unit configured to enable standing, sitting and walking motion of the device;
a remote controlling for controlling the device remotely.

Description

Page 1 of 9 Date: 16 Jun 2017 Automated Utility Device for Mobility Technical Field of the invention:
The present invention relates to an Automated Utility Device for Mobility "AUD-M", the AUD-M meant to support and help the mobility of elderly people without depending on a care giver or the presence of another person at all times; to gain their freedom of movement back. It is focused on elderly people whom they are still capable of moving but they lack the strength and need an extra support for their body weight and the control of their movements, mainly when they attempt to stand or sit, and while they walk.
Background of the invention:
As most of the available mobility support tools like walkers are based on the elderly or the disabled person using them to initiate the move, and they usually need to be attended by a care giver or another person if they (the users) are not fully capable of doing so by themselves.
Also, neither the mobility support devices, be it a mobile electric chairs or so, which are serving other purposes; nor the robotic suits or devices available are solving the problems of the simple body moves that need to have full physical strength and control of the body, supported by the energy that the normal healthy human body has (supported by the full strength of bone and muscle mass).
Summary of the invention:
This inventive concept focuses instead to empower the elderly and provide them with a mean to conquer major and common problems that most people go through as they age;
like lack of strength, power, energy, memory and the general physical movement capabilities of the human body. It is to force the correct posture and move of the intended user (be it elderly/disabled); other than the simple cane or walker could provide, as and where they (the usors) usually tend to lose their balance and fall for different reasons like lack of overall strength, or loss of memory that lead to failure in remembering the right moves ("the how") to form a correct and balanced step that puts the body into motion or stationery mode. Though intended users would still need the help of another person, especially at the time when they have to get on/off the AUD-M.
This device, aim to provide the elderly people with the needed support to their skeleton and joints, where most people usually experience problems as they grow older. The muscle mass of the body gets weaker, fail to hold the body and support its weight. Also, the brain cells do not receive the right signals as the nerves fade out and age as we grow older, which results in failure in translating the attempted moves. Therefore, the device is programmed to accommodate three main moves:
standing, sitting and walking.

Page 2 of 9 In such cases, AUD-M will give them back their freedom that they have lost along the years and relief them from their psychological pain, dealing with their old age illnesses and being dependent on other people for all their activities. Specially, when people have been very active in their life and a sudden physical deterioration force the capabilities of their body to limited movements.
According to one embodiment, the present invention pertains to an automated mobility assistance device for supporting a user in sitting, standing and walking, the device comprising:
= A frame comprising metal bars configured to engage the user's torso, upper arms, forearms, legs and feet, using supporting curved slabs and belts for securing the metal bars to the user, = Actuated joints with associated power banks providing relative rotation between the metal bars near the user's ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists, = Multidirectional actuated joints with associated power banks shaped to hold out the needed support and comfort underarm with their boat shape, said joints configured to provide the back-front and the sides movements engaging the user's upper arms, = Handles configured to engage the user's hands, said handles being connected to the metal bars engaging the user's forearms, said handles including a user interface for controlling the device, = Walking crutches integrated with the handles, said crutches extending substantially perpendicularly to the metal bars engaging the user's forearms, said crutches being automatically adjustable in length in coordination with the actuated joints movement to provide balance for the device, = Actuated Foot-Arm with associated power banks configured to engage the user's feet, said foot-arm being connected to the lower leg bar for the foot to provide the needed move to make a step (forward/backward), = Foot-arm inside mechanism supported by an outer Push mechanism provided to engage the user's feet and initiate a step forward resulting in moving the foot forward, = Foot-arm inside mechanism supported by an outer Pull mechanism provided to engage the user's feet and initiate a step backward resulting in moving the foot backward, = Locks provided with breaks mechanism configured to lock itself while it is performing the step movement, and it unlock itself for the foot-arm to go back to its original place using the said foot-arm inside mechanism, = An intelligent control unit configured to enable standing, sitting and walking motion of the device, = A remote controlling for controlling the device remotely.
Brief Description of the drawings:
Drawing 1A, illustrates an outer side view of the AUD-M.
Drawing 1B, illustrates an enlarged detailed outer view of the slabs and the inner mechanism for the Foot-Arm of the AUD-M.
Drawing 2A, illustrates an inner side view of the AUD-M.
Drawing 2B, illustrates an enlarged detailed inner view of the slabs and the Pull-Push mechanism for the Foot-Arm of the AUD-M.
Drawing 3A, illustrates an enlarged detailed view of the left handle of the AUD-M.
Drawing 3B, illustrates an enlarged detailed view of the right handle of the AUD-M.
Drawing 4, illustrates the left and right sides view of the AUD-M.
Drawing 5, illustrates the left and right sides with flexible curved stripes/plates view of the AUD-M.
Drawing 6, illustrates the left and right sides in sitting position view of the AUD-M.

Page 3 of 9 Drawing 7A, illustrates an enlarged detailed view of the human torso left and right sides with flexible curved stripes/plates and safety belts of the AUD-M.
Drawing 7B, illustrates an enlarged detailed view of the hand held remote control of the AUD-M.
Drawing 8, illustrates the outer structure of the standalone engine/remote controlling unit view of the AUD-M.
Drawing 9, illustrates the inner structure of the standalone engine/remote controlling unit view of the AUD-M.

Page 4 of 9 Detailed Description I have divided the detailed description into three Sections, for easier and better explaining.
1st Section The General Design:
The general design of the Automated Utility Device for Mobility "AUD-M"; the concept and size;
The AUD-M will be mainly made of metal and rubber that will be used for main parts of the device. It will not have any sharp edges or corners and if any, it will be covered by rubber for full protection and safe use of the device by the elderly person. And, to prevent any injury that might be caused by a wrong move by the elderly person using the device. As most of the people when they age, they usually have faint and sensitive skin, thus any hit or wrong move attempted might cause a bleeding as they usually suffer from different diseases (like diabetes, blood pressure...etc.) that might contribute to possible injury.
The design of the device will vary in size from one person to another, depends on their height and weight, though the main design will consider the average size, height and weight of elderly women and men. Then, special orders could be made for different sizes, be it for heavier weight or taller person..etc.
to accommodate different people needs.
The suggested materials, in general, are aluminum, stainless steel or titanium for the main bars and sticks that will form the main part of the device skeleton. And fiber or plastic that is soft and durable for the slabs; it should be strong enough to hold and support the body parts.
These materials might vary to achieve best production results and functionalities. There will be different joints (internal; inside the slabs and underarm) and (external; between the main bars that will support the main body parts).
Mechanism of the joints will imitate and support the body joints' movements and they will differ depending on the moves needed to be carried-out.
It will mainly be made of metal bars that formulate the base of the device and support the body weight, the bars stand on the back outer edge of the body line and hold slabs (curved comfortable boards to embrace the body main parts, human-torso, legs, arms); these slabs allows side-way shifting and they are also equipped with belts to safely hold the body parts and securely fastened to fully support the intended move.
Joints are regulated providing linkage between the main metal bars and designed to imitate the needed moves of the body joints to support sitting, standing and walking. There is also a different joint and arm connected to the end of the lower leg bar for the foot to provide the needed move to make a step (forward/backward).

Page 5 of 9 2nd Section The Detailed Design:
The detailed design and mechanism of the Automated Utility Device for Mobility "AUD-M"; shape and functionality;
AUD-M concept is the support of the whole body, starting from the main part of the body (human torso) to arms and hands as well as legs and feet. It is motorized and programmed to help the elderly to sit, stand and walk; move their legs and feet with the support provided by the main body construction of the device and the arms that are also connected to nested, extendable sticks to help balance the distribution of the body weight. Refer to Drawings No. 1-7 (including the sub-images).
The design of the AUD-M consists mainly of metal bars that are connected together using hinges at each joint of the human body; these hinges in the AUD-M are to imitate and support the natural basic move of the joints in the human body.
The bars of the upper arms are connected to the bars of the human-torso using different type of joint that provides needed support and comfort underarm along with multidirectional movement. The hinge between the bar of the main body (human-torso) and the upper arm bar will take the shape of the boat under the arm to provide comfort and extra support for the human body weight;
it has two-directional hinge (back-front) and (side moves).
The bars of the front arms in their turn are connected at their end with handles for the hands to hold onto that are also connected to nested/extended sticks that would be lengthened or shortened in coordination with the joints movement to provide the needed balance for the intended posture.
Each one of the bars is provided with two connectors/hinges that help the move of a soft, yet strong slab that should move/shift sideways to the back of each of the body parts, working as a cushion supporting and protecting the body limbs and provide the needed help for the move while walking or standing and when seated also. Each slab is provided with a safety belt to lock the intended body part.
Refer to Drawings No. 1 and 2 respectively (including the sub-images).
The metal bars (Left and Right sides) for the main body part (human-torso) are connected together with two flexible curved metal based stripes/plates to support connectivity and needed integrity for the AUD-M. The third and lower curved metal based stripe/plate is fixed (not flexible); while it still serve to support connectivity and needed integrity for the AUD-M, it is also the place where the intelligent unit, which is responsible to translate the signals into commands, will be installed. These Stripes/Plates are metal based coated with soft cushion -especially from the inside- will also provide needed protection for the back that is usually hunchbacked, as well as providing comfort while sitting as the back will not be in direct contact with the seat provided; hence it relieves the pressure on the spine. Refer to Drawings No.
5-7A.
The foot hinge will be different as it is provided with another arm that provides the needed leverage to make a step forward in a small angle that would be calculated out of an average step measurement. It locks itself with the provided breaks while it is performing the step using the foot-arm inside mechanism supported by the outer Push mechanism provided. Then it unlock itself, so the arm goes back to its original place using the inside mechanism while the joints of the lower leg, knee and hip will be straightened by moving forward to support the step move, then start another step in coordination with the other foot (one move/step at a time) to allow the body gain back its balance after each step. This Page 6 of 9 will also be supported by a move forward of the arms using the underarm and elbow joints, which will result in moving forward the hands and the sticks connected to them (in the same measurement, size and angle, used by the foot) to provide the needed support and balance for the move. Refer to the Enlarged Detailed Drawings No. 1B and 2B.
If a backward step is needed, then the order of making a step will be reversed; in other words, the foot-arm will move backwards using the inside mechanism then locks itself using the provided breaks and pull the foot using the outer Pull mechanism resulting in a step backward, moving the foot backwards, while the joints of the lower leg, knee and hip will be straightened by moving backward as well to support the step move, then start another step in coordination with the other foot (one move/step at a time) to allow the body gain back its balance after each step. It will be using the same method of calculation for the preferred angle that will be standardized. This move will also be supported by the move backward of the arms using the underarm and elbow joints, which will result in moving the hands and the sticks connected to them (in the same measurement, size and angle, used by the foot) to provide the needed support and balance for the move. Refer to the Enlarged Detailed Drawings No. 1B
and 2B.
In order to facilitate the performance of the steps, be it forward or backward; the Push/Pull outer mechanism has a crescent shape ending that stays on the back of the foot ankle to support the push function and rotate to the front of the foot ankle to support the pull function. For the steps mechanism, please refer to the Enlarged Detailed Drawings No. 1B and 26.
Standing and Sitting positions are performed mainly by the Hips and Knee joints, supported by the arms joints moves and the lengthening or the shortening of the nested extendable sticks, as needed. Refer to Drawings No. 5 and 6.

Page 7 of 9 3rd Section The Motor/Remote Controlling Unit or Engine:
A stand-alone motor/remote controlling unit; provided with mobile base and rechargeable batteries;
The AUD-M will operate with a stand-alone motor/remote controlling unit, to support all its intended moves; from standing, sitting, walking...etc. Refer to Drawings No. 8 and 9.
The intention is to make the motor/remote controlling unit separate from the body and the skeleton of the device in order to maintain the light weight of the device and make it easier for the elderly person using the AUD-M to move with it; as the motor/remote controlling unit will add an extra unneeded weight on the disabled person to handle.
As the motor/remote controlling unit will be designed to be separate from the device; it will then be operated through a remote control using RF (Radio Frequency) to overcome the distance/range and other barriers for transmitting the signal like walls, floors and around the corners..etc. It will send the signal to an intelligent unit, which is provided with receiver, teleoperation component, HPMD (High Power Motor Driver) and all it needs, to translate the commands of the device into mechanical moves including joint actuators with associated power banks. This unit will be installed on the third fixed (not flexible) curved stripe/plate that is attached to the main bars of body (human torso) connecting the two sides (left and right). Refer to Drawing No. 7A.
The functions could be operated, mounted and distributed on the handles of the nested/extendable sticks attached to the device (if needed receiving units will be fixed inside the handles), so the user (if he/she is capable) could maintain control of his/her moves and command it as he/she wish. Refer to Drawing No. 3A and 3B.
The same functions could be controlled from a separate control tool/apparatus, so the care-giver could maintain the control of the elderly disabled person if the later is incapable (the controls on the handles will be provided with covers if the user is in such case) of having the responsibility of such activities due memory problems or physical strength..etc. Refer to Drawing No. 7B.
Although the motor/remote controlling unit is intended to be separate from the skeleton of the AUD-M
but it will be portable and provided with wheels, so it could be moved with the elderly disabled person, moving it from one place to another. It is intended to be supplied with rechargeable batteries that could be charged through normal electricity power source (110v/230v) that should last for good few hours (depends on the batteries manufacturer). Refer to Drawing No. 8.
The inner space of the motor/remote controlling unit is divided into two chambers, the lower chamber is dedicated for the rechargeable batteries fixed on a sliding tray for the ease of use and replacement (when it needs to be) and the upper chamber is dedicated to the motor/remote controlling unit that is also fixed on a sliding tray for the ease of troubleshooting (if so needed), which has access to ventilation surface that is necessary for heat discharge. There is also the ON/OFF switch and two leds; one indicates the battery charging and one for the power ON and the electric cord to be used to connect to the electric socket and generate power (110v/230v). Refer to Drawings No. 8 and 9.
The motor/remote controlling unit, works with normal electricity power source that operate with 110v/230v, providing the needed electric power and mechanical motion (main three motions: standing, sitting and walking) is to be designed and operated as a stand-alone unit controlled remotely by a Page 8 of 9 remote control tool/apparatus, and that is to guarantee the light weight of the device and the flexibility of operating control. The motor/remote controlling unit will be designed to provide portability and offer the ease of transportability, and for that reason it will be supplied with rechargeable batteries that could last for few hours.
The Engine or Motor/remote controlling unit will be provided with Trans-Receiver to transmit and receive RF signals to and from the AUD-M remote control unit fixed on the device and the remote control tool/apparatus.

Claims

Claim 1: An automated mobility assistance device for supporting a user in sitting, standing and walking, the device comprising:

.cndot. A frame comprising metal bars configured to engage the user's torso, upper arms, forearms, legs and feet, using supporting curved slabs and belts for securing the metal bars to the user, .cndot. Actuated joints with associated power banks providing relative rotation between the metal bars near the user's ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists, .cndot. Multidirectional actuated joints with associated power banks shaped to hold out the needed support and comfort underarm with their boat shape, said joints configured to provide the back-front and the sides movements engaging the user's upper arms, .cndot. Handles configured to engage the user's hands, said handles being connected to the metal bars engaging the user's forearms, said handles including a user interface for controlling the device, .cndot. Walking crutches integrated with the handles, said crutches extending substantially perpendicularly to the metal bars engaging the user's forearms, said crutches being automatically adjustable in length in coordination with the actuated joints movement to provide balance for the device, .cndot. Actuated Foot-Arm with associated power banks configured to engage the user's feet, said foot-arm being connected to the lower leg bar for the foot to provide the needed move to make a step (forward/backward), .cndot. Foot-arm inside mechanism supported by an outer Push mechanism provided to engage the user's feet and initiate a step forward resulting in moving the foot forward, .cndot. Foot-arm inside mechanism supported by an outer Pull mechanism provided to engage the user's feet and initiate a step backward resulting in moving the foot backward, .cndot. Locks in the foot-arm provided with breaks mechanism configured to lock itself while it is performing the step movement, and it unlock itself for the foot-arm to go back to its original place using the said foot-arm inside mechanism, .cndot. An intelligent control unit configured to enable standing, sitting and walking motion of the device, .cndot. A remote controlling for controlling the device remotely.