CN113384437B

CN113384437B - Walking aid

Info

Publication number: CN113384437B
Application number: CN202110723177.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陶春静; 李剑; 樊瑜波
Original assignee: Beihang University
Current assignee: Beihang University
Priority date: 2021-06-28
Filing date: 2021-06-28
Publication date: 2022-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-28
Also published as: CN113384437A

Abstract

A walker comprising an upper and a lower support assembly, the upper support assembly including at least one arm panel, the lower support assembly including a movement device for moving the walker and defining a standing space for a patient; the upper support assembly and the middle support rod can rotate together relative to the lower support assembly, so that the walking aid can be switched between an autonomous walking aid mode and a pushing mode of other people, the seat and the standing space are on the opposite sides of the middle support rod in the autonomous walking aid mode, the upper support assembly and the standing space are on the same side of the middle support rod in the pushing mode of other people, and the seat and the standing space are on the same side of the middle support rod in the opposite sides of the upper support assembly and the standing space in the pushing mode. The walking aid can be switched between an autonomous walking aid mode and a pushing mode of other people according to the use requirements of users.

Description

Walking aid

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of walking aids, in particular to a walking aid which can be switched between an autonomous walking aid mode and a pushing mode of other people according to the use requirements of a user.

Background

The walking aid is mainly an appliance for assisting patients to stand and walk by means of upper limb strength, can effectively help the patients to improve and improve walking ability, and a large number of disabled patients need the walking aid for rehabilitation assistance. It compares in the armpit to turn, the stick has better stability and security, compares in the wheelchair can play exercise and recovered effect. However, existing walkers can only be used to assist a patient in rehabilitation training and cannot be used to transport the patient. When the patient needs to be returned to the ward or transported to another place after rehabilitation training by means of the walker, the medical staff must seek other equipment, such as a wheelchair, to transport the patient, which causes inconvenience to the medical staff.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a walker that at least partially addresses the problems of the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the technical problems, the invention provides a walking aid, and aims to solve the problem that the walking aid in the prior art can only be used for assisting a patient to perform rehabilitation training and cannot be used for transporting the patient.

The invention provides a walking aid. The walker comprising an upper support assembly including at least one arm rest panel and a lower support assembly including a movement device for moving the walker and defining a standing space for a patient; the walking aid also comprises a middle supporting rod, the upper part of the middle supporting rod is fixedly connected with the upper supporting component, the lower part of the middle supporting rod is connected with the lower supporting component in a rotatable way, the middle supporting rod is provided with a seat part for the patient to sit, the upper support assembly and the intermediate support bar being rotatable together relative to the lower support assembly to enable the walker to be switched between an autonomous walking mode and a pushing mode, in the autonomous walking assist mode, the seat and the standing space are located on opposite sides of the central support bar, the upper support assembly and the standing space are located on the same side of the central support bar, in the other person pushing mode, the seat part and the standing space are positioned on the same side of the middle supporting rod, the upper support assembly and the standing space are located on opposite sides of the intermediate support bar.

Preferably, the height of the intermediate support bar is adjustable.

Preferably, the lower support assembly comprises a first bottom longitudinal tube, a second bottom longitudinal tube and at least one bottom cross bar pivotally hinged to the first bottom longitudinal tube and the second bottom longitudinal tube such that an angle between the first bottom longitudinal tube and the second bottom longitudinal tube can be adjusted.

Preferably, at least one handle is provided on the at least one balustrade panel, the at least one handle is inserted into an end of the at least one balustrade panel, and an insertion depth of the at least one handle is adjustable.

Preferably, the upper support assembly is provided with at least one force sensing device configured to sense a pushing force exerted by a user on the upper support assembly.

Preferably, the walking aid further comprises a walking controller configured to control the walking aid to walk or stop depending on the pushing force sensed by the at least one force sensing device.

Preferably, the walker further comprises a lighting device disposed on the central support bar.

Preferably, the seat includes a case having an accommodation space for accommodating articles, and a cover openably and closably provided on the case and capable of covering the accommodation space.

Preferably, the seat is provided with a safety protection device to prevent the patient from falling out of the seat.

Preferably, the at least one balustrade panel is of an integral U-shaped configuration.

The invention has the beneficial effects that: the walking aid has two use modes, namely an autonomous walking aid mode and a pushing mode of others, and is convenient to use at different stages; when the walking aid is used in the autonomous walking aid mode, a patient can stand in a standing space and push at least one armrest plate to push the walking aid to assist walking, so that the aim of rehabilitation training of the patient is fulfilled; when the walking aid is used in a pushing mode of other people, a patient can sit on the seat part, medical staff stands in a space opposite to the standing space, and at least one armrest plate is pushed to push the walking aid to move to a destination, so that the purpose of transferring the patient is achieved. Therefore, when the patient needs to be returned to the ward or transported to another place after rehabilitation training by means of the walker of the present invention, the medical staff does not have to seek other equipment, such as a wheelchair, to transport the patient, but only rotates the upper support assembly (specifically the at least one arm rest), rotating the upper support assembly and the intermediate support bar together relative to the lower support assembly, thereby switching the walker from the autonomous walking mode to the other people pushing mode, and then let the patient sit on the seat, and the medical staff pushes the walker to the destination for the purpose of transporting the patient while ensuring the center of gravity is stable, which brings great convenience to the medical staff.

Drawings

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a walker in an autonomous walking mode in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the walker in an autonomous walking mode in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the walker in an autonomous walking mode in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the walker in an autonomous walking mode in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of the walker in a person pushing mode in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the walker in a pushing mode according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the walker in a person pushing mode in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the walker in a person pushing mode in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the use of the walker according to the present invention in an autonomous walking mode (including a mannequin) wherein the patient is standing in a standing space for the patient; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the use of the walker according to the present invention in a push mode of another person (including a mannequin) with the patient seated on the seat and the medical personnel standing in a space opposite the standing space.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent, the present invention is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and do not delimit the invention.

The invention provides a walking aid 1, wherein the walking aid 1 can be switched between an autonomous walking aid mode and a pushing mode of other people according to the use requirements of a user. FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a walker 1 according to the present invention in an autonomous walking mode. FIG. 2 is a side view of the walker 1 according to the present invention in an autonomous walking mode. FIG. 3 is a front view of the walker 1 according to the present invention in an autonomous walking mode. FIG. 4 is a top view of the walker 1 according to the present invention in an autonomous walking mode. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the walking aid 1 according to the present invention in a pushing mode of another person. FIG. 6 is a side view of the walker 1 in a person pushing mode according to the present invention. Figure 7 is a front view of the aid 1 according to the invention in a pushing mode by another person. Figure 8 is a top view of the aid 1 according to the invention in a pushing mode by another person. Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the use of the walker 1 according to the invention in an autonomous walking mode (including a manikin) wherein the patient stands in a standing space for the patient. Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the use of the walker 1 according to the invention in a push mode (including manikin) with the patient seated on the seat and the medical staff standing in a space opposite to the standing space.

The walking aid 1 according to the invention will be described in detail below with reference to figures 1 to 10.

As shown in fig. 1 to 8, the walker 1 comprises: an upper support assembly 10 and a lower support assembly 20. The upper support assembly 10 includes at least one balustrade panel 11. Preferably, the at least one balustrade panel 11 comprises one balustrade panel constructed in an integral U-shaped structure. The balustrade panel 11 may also have other configurations, such as circular, V-shaped. The at least one balustrade panel 11 may also comprise another number of balustrade panels. The lower support assembly 20 comprises a moving means 50 for moving the walker 1 and defines a standing space for the patient. The walker 1 further comprises a central support bar 30, the upper portion of the central support bar 30 being fixedly connected to the upper support assembly 10 and the lower portion of the central support bar 30 being rotatably connected to the lower support assembly 20. The term "fixedly connected" as used herein means that the two are fixed relative to each other in a connected state. It will be appreciated that the upper portion of the intermediate support pole 30 may be permanently attached (e.g., welded or integral) to the upper support assembly 10 or may be removably attached (e.g., by threaded fasteners). Preferably, the moving means 50 comprise a driving wheel 51 and a driven wheel 52. More preferably, the driving pulley 51 is disposed below an end of the lower support assembly 20 distal from the intermediate support rod 30, and the driven pulley 52 is disposed below an end of the lower support assembly 20 proximal to the intermediate support rod 30. The intermediate support bar 30 is provided with a seat 40 for seating the patient. The upper support assembly 10 and the intermediate support bar 30 are able to rotate together, for example by 180 ° relative to the lower support assembly 20, thereby enabling the aid 1 to be switched between an autonomous walking aid mode as shown in figures 1 to 4 and a pushing by others mode as shown in figures 5 to 8.

When the patient needs assisted walking with the aid of the walker 1 for rehabilitation training purposes, the walker 1 may be switched to an autonomous walking mode. As shown in fig. 1 to 4, in the autonomous walking assist mode, the seat 40 and the standing space are located on opposite sides of the central support rod 30, and the upper support assembly 10 and the standing space are located on the same side of the central support rod 30. When the walking aid 1 is used in the autonomous walking aid mode, the patient can stand in the standing space and push the at least one arm rest plate 11 to push the walking aid 1 to assist walking, thereby achieving the purpose of rehabilitation training of the patient. When the patient needs to be brought back to the ward or transported elsewhere after rehabilitation training by means of the walker 1, the walker 1 may be switched to the other person pushing mode. As shown in fig. 5 to 8, in the push mode, the seat 40 and the standing space are located on the same side of the middle support bar 30, and the upper support assembly 10 and the standing space are located on opposite sides of the middle support bar 30. When using the walking aid 1 in the push mode of another person, the patient can sit on the seat 40 and a medical person can stand in the space opposite to the standing space, pushing the at least one arm rest panel 11 to push the walking aid 1 to travel to the destination, thereby achieving the transport purpose of the patient. In the autonomous walking aid mode, as shown in fig. 9, the patient pushes the walking aid 1 alone, the patient and the walking aid 1 constituting a man-machine system with a center of gravity between the patient and the walking aid 1, when the patient, the upper support member 10 and the standing space defined by the lower support member 20 are on the same side of the central support bar 30, in which case the center of gravity between the patient and the walking aid 1 is stable; in the other-person pushing mode, as shown in fig. 10, there is a medical staff in addition to the patient and the walker 1, the patient, the walker 1 and the medical staff constituting a human-machine-third-person system of higher complexity than the human-machine system consisting of both the patient and the walker 1, the center of gravity of the human-machine-third-person system being between the patient, the walker 1 and the medical staff, so that, in order to adapt to the complexity of the system, when switching the walker 1 from the autonomous walking mode to the other-person pushing mode, the upper support assembly 10 together with the intermediate support bar 30 is rotated, for example, 180 ° relative to the lower support assembly 20, when the patient and the standing space defined by the lower support assembly 20 are located on one side of the intermediate support bar 30, while the upper support assembly 10 and the medical staff are located on the opposite side of the intermediate support bar 30, the center of gravity among the patient, the walking aid and the medical care personnel is more stable, and the structural adaptability of the walking aid 1 to different functions is enhanced. Thus, when the patient needs to be brought back to the ward or transported elsewhere after rehabilitation training by means of the walking aid 1 of the present invention, the medical staff does not have to seek other equipment, such as a wheelchair, to transport the patient, but only has to turn the upper support assembly 10 (in particular the at least one arm rest panel 11), rotate the upper support assembly 10 and the intermediate support bar 30 together relative to the lower support assembly 20, thereby switching the walking aid 1 from the autonomous walking mode to the other-person pushing mode, and then let the patient sit on the seat 40, the medical staff pushing the walking aid 1 to the destination for the purpose of transporting the patient while ensuring a stable center of gravity, which brings great convenience to the medical staff.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 to 2 and 6 to 7, the height of the intermediate support rod 30 is adjustable. For example, the lower end of the middle support bar 30 may be connected to the lower support assembly 20 by means of a spring pin or the like such that the height of the middle support bar 30 is adjustable. As another example, the intermediate support pole 30 is a telescoping support pole. In particular, the intermediate support bar 30 comprises a first bar section, a second bar section located below the first bar section, one of the first and second bar sections being inserted into the other, one of the first and second bar sections being movable in the other to adjust the height of the intermediate support bar 30 when the locking device is in the unlocked position. The overall height of the walking aid 1 can be adjusted by adjusting the height of the middle support rod 30 to meet the height requirements of different users (such as patients, medical staff, etc.) on the walking aid 1.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 to 10, the upper support assembly 10 is further provided with at least one, e.g. two, profiled bars 13, each profiled bar 13 having one end fixedly connected to the lower surface of the corresponding balustrade panel 11 and the other end fixedly connected to the intermediate support bar 30, so that at least one balustrade panel 11 is more firmly fixed to the intermediate support bar 30 and the structure of the walking aid 1 is more stable.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, 3 to 5, and 7 to 10, the lower support assembly 20 includes a first bottom longitudinal pipe 21, a second bottom longitudinal pipe 22, and at least one bottom cross bar 23 pivotably hinged (e.g., by a hinge) to the first bottom longitudinal pipe 21 and the second bottom longitudinal pipe 22, such that an angle between the first bottom longitudinal pipe 21 and the second bottom longitudinal pipe 22 can be adjusted. Preferably, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, 3, 5 and 7, at least one bottom cross bar 23 has a substantially inverted T-shaped structure, an upper end portion of the bottom cross bar 23 is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of the middle support bar 30, and left and right ends of the bottom cross bar 23 are pivotally hinged to inner sides of the first and second bottom

longitudinal pipes

21 and 22, respectively. Thus, the deployment angle of the lower support assembly 20 of the walker 1 may be adjusted, thereby allowing the operational centre of gravity of the entire walker 1 to be adjusted, making the walker 1 more secure and reliable. The adjustable deployment angle of the lower support assembly 20 of the walker 1 allows the width of the lower support assembly 20 of the walker 1 to be adjusted to meet the width requirements of different users (e.g., patients, medical personnel, etc.) for the lower support assembly 20 of the walker 1.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, 2, 4 to 6, and 8 to 10, at least one handle 12 is provided on at least one balustrade panel 11. In the autonomous walking assist mode and the other person pushing mode, the user (e.g. patient, medical staff, etc.) may push the at least one arm rest panel 11 by pushing the at least one handle 12, and thus the walking aid 1, for the purpose of assisting walking and transporting the patient. At least one handle 12 is inserted into the end of at least one arm rest panel 11 and the insertion depth of the at least one handle 12 is adjustable so that the length of the upper support assembly 10 of the walker 1 can be adjusted to meet the length requirements of different users (e.g., patients, medical personnel, etc.) for the upper support assembly 10 of the walker 1.

Preferably, the upper support assembly 10 is provided with at least one force sensing device (not shown) configured to sense a pushing force exerted by a user (e.g., a patient, a medical professional, etc.) on the upper support assembly 10. At least one force sensing device may be provided on at least one balustrade panel 11 or on at least one handle 12 (if present). By providing a force sensing device, the present invention allows for the acquisition of force data of a user generated when the user manipulates the aid 1.

Preferably, the aid 1 further comprises a drive means (not shown), such as a servo motor, the rotational speed of which is adjustable, the direction of rotation being either forward or reverse. The driving device is connected with the moving device 50 (in particular the driving wheel 51) and is configured to drive the moving device 50 (in particular the driving wheel 51) to move. The drive means may be provided integrally in the moving means 50, in particular the drive wheel 51, but also at other locations of the walking aid 1. The invention can drive the moving device 50 to move by arranging the driving device, thereby moving the walking aid 1.

Preferably, the walking aid 1 further comprises a braking device (not shown) configured for braking the moving device 50 to stop the moving device 50 from moving, thereby emergency braking the walking aid 1.

Preferably, the walking aid 1 further comprises a walking controller (not shown) configured to control the walking aid 1 to walk or stop depending on the pushing force sensed by the at least one force sensing device. Specifically, when the at least one force sensing device senses a pushing force applied by a user (e.g., a patient, a medical staff, etc.) on the at least one arm rest plate 11, a signal containing information on a value of the pushing force is sent to the walking controller, which receives the signal and compares the value of the pushing force with a predetermined threshold value; if the pushing force value is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, the walking controller controls the driving device to drive the moving device 50 (particularly the driving wheel 51) to move, thereby assisting the user in walking; if the pushing force value is larger than the preset threshold value, the walking controller judges that an abnormal condition occurs, and controls the braking device to brake so as to stop the moving device 50, thereby causing the walking aid 1 to perform emergency braking.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 to 10, the walking aid 1 further comprises an illumination device 31, the illumination device 31 is arranged on the middle support bar 30 and can provide an illumination function for a user (such as a patient, a medical staff and the like). More preferably, the lighting device 31 further comprises a warning lamp, which has a warning function and can remind passers-by to notice the walking aid 1, so as to ensure the safety of patients and passers-by.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 to 10, the seat 40 includes a case 41 and a cover 42, the case 41 having an accommodation space for accommodating articles, and the cover 42 openably and closably provided on the case 41 and capable of covering the accommodation space. Therefore, the seat 40 can be used not only for the patient to sit, but also as a storage box, and the user can store personal belongings or purchased goods in the box body 41, which brings convenience to the user.

Preferably, the seat 40 is provided with a safety protection device (not shown), such as a safety harness, to prevent the patient from falling off the seat 40. Through setting up safety arrangement, can prevent that the patient from falling the wound and then aggravate the state of an illness to guarantee patient's safety in utilization.

The walking aid 1 of the invention has the following beneficial effects:

1. the walking aid has two use modes, namely an autonomous walking aid mode and a pushing mode of others, and is convenient to use at different stages; when the walking aid is used in the autonomous walking aid mode, a patient can stand in a standing space and push at least one armrest plate to push the walking aid to assist walking, so that the aim of rehabilitation training of the patient is fulfilled; when the walking aid is used in a pushing mode of other people, a patient can sit on the seat part, medical staff stands in a space opposite to the standing space, and at least one armrest plate is pushed to push the walking aid to move to a destination, so that the purpose of transferring the patient is achieved. Therefore, when the patient needs to be returned to the ward or transported to another place after rehabilitation training by means of the walker of the present invention, the medical staff does not have to seek other equipment, such as a wheelchair, to transport the patient, but only rotates the upper support assembly (specifically the at least one arm rest), rotating the upper support assembly and the intermediate support bar together relative to the lower support assembly, thereby switching the walker from the autonomous walking mode to the other people pushing mode, and then let the patient sit on the seat, and the medical staff pushes the walker to the destination for the purpose of transporting the patient while ensuring the center of gravity is stable, which brings great convenience to the medical staff.

2. The walking aid can adjust the overall height of the walking aid, the width of the lower supporting component and the length of the upper supporting component, and can meet the requirements of users with different heights, different body types and different weights.

3. The walking aid of the invention can adjust the unfolding angle of the lower supporting component, thereby adjusting the operation gravity center of the whole walking aid and ensuring that the walking aid is safer and more reliable.

4. The walking aid of the invention adopts the force sensing device and the walking controller, and the walking controller can control the walking aid to walk or stop according to the pushing force sensed by the force sensing device.

5. The walking aid is provided with the illuminating device, so that an illuminating function can be provided for a user; the lighting device preferably further comprises a warning lamp which has a warning function and can remind passers-by to pay attention to the walking aid, so that safety of patients and passers-by is guaranteed.

6. The seat portion of the walker of the present invention may be used as a storage compartment to provide convenience to the user.

7. The walking aid is provided with the safety protection device, so that the patient can be prevented from falling off the seat part, and the use safety of the patient is ensured.

The technical features of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and for the sake of brevity, all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are not described, but should be considered as the scope of the present specification as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of the technical features.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the embodiments, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description and drawings are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A walker characterised in that it comprises an upper support assembly including at least one arm rest panel and a lower support assembly including movement means for moving the walker and defining a standing space for a patient; the walking aid also comprises a middle supporting rod, the upper part of the middle supporting rod is fixedly connected with the upper supporting component, the lower part of the middle supporting rod is connected with the lower supporting component in a rotatable way, the middle supporting rod is provided with a seat part for a patient to sit,

the upper support assembly and the intermediate support bar being rotatable together relative to the lower support assembly to enable the walker to be switched between an autonomous walking mode and a pushing mode,

in the autonomous walking assist mode, the seat and the standing space are located on opposite sides of the central support bar, the upper support assembly and the standing space are located on the same side of the central support bar,

in the other-person pushing mode, the seat and the standing space are located on the same side of the middle support rod, and the upper support assembly and the standing space are located on opposite sides of the middle support rod.

2. The walker of claim 1 wherein the height of the central support bar is adjustable.

3. The walker of claim 1 wherein the lower support assembly comprises a first longitudinal bottom tube, a second longitudinal bottom tube and at least one bottom cross bar pivotally hinged to the first and second longitudinal bottom tubes such that the angle between the first and second longitudinal bottom tubes can be adjusted.

4. The walker of claim 1 wherein at least one handle is provided on the at least one balustrade panel, the at least one handle being inserted into an end of the at least one balustrade panel, and the insertion depth of the at least one handle is adjustable.

5. The walker of claim 1 wherein the upper support assembly is provided with at least one force sensing device configured to sense a pushing force exerted by a user on the upper support assembly.

6. The walker of claim 5 further comprising a walking controller configured to control the walker to walk or stop in accordance with the pushing force sensed by the at least one force sensing device.

7. The walker of claim 1 further comprising an illumination device disposed on the central support bar.

8. The walker of claim 1 wherein the seat portion comprises a box having a receiving space for receiving items and a cover openably disposed on the box and capable of covering the receiving space.

9. The walker of claim 1 wherein the seat is provided with a safety guard to prevent the patient from falling from the seat.

10. The walker of claim 1 wherein said at least one arm panel is a unitary U-shaped structure.