US3780663A

US3780663A - Ambulatory system

Info

Publication number: US3780663A
Application number: US00221950A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Pettit
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-01-31
Filing date: 1972-01-31
Publication date: 1973-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-25

Abstract

An ambulatory system for use by debilitated ambulatory patients and the like. The system consists of a track network including a primary track, which extends the length of communicating corridors, and a plurality of secondary tracks, each extending from a point in close proximity with the primary track, and terminating at a point remote therefrom, and a travelling truck, supported by the track network, having a harness depending therefrom for substantially supporting the weight of a human body in suspension for assisting the patients in walking along the corridors as well as to enter and depart from various areas through which the secondary tracks are extended.

Description

United States Patent [191 Pettit 1 Dec. 25, 1973 1 1 AMBULATORY SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Marshall G. Pettit, 255 E. Sandra,

Tulare, Calif. 93274 [22] Filed: Jan. 31,1972

[21] Appl. No.: 221,950

[52] US. Cl. 104/1 R, 35/29 C, 104/91,

105/148, 119/96, 128/25 R, 272/70, 188/43 [51] Int. Cl B6lb 13/00 [58] Field of Search 104/1, 88, 89-94,

104/130; 105/148, 150; 119/96; 272/70; 35/29 R, 29 C; 128/25 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 755,478 3/1904 Gilmour 104/91 957,757 5/1910 Fitzgerald.. 104/91 3,404,637 10/1969 Lerch 104/96 272,431 2/1883 Harrington.... 104/103 3,314,376 4/1967 Lerch et a1. 104/130 3,583,322 6/1971 Vykukal.... 104/1 R 1,848,963 3/1932 McKenny... 104/91 293,832 2/1884 Wildman 104/89 2,589,803 3/1952 Haley 104/94 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 9,426 4/1909 Great Britain 104/89 Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch Attorney-Herbert A. Huebner et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT ing the weight of a human body in suspension for assisting the patients in walking along the corridors as well as to enter and depart from various areas through which the secondary tracks are extended.

14 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAIENTED DEC 2 5 I973 MUZUFQ Mvl m Q PATENTEU M62 5 I973 SIEEIBGFB AMBULATORY SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an ambulatory system particularly suited for use by those having debilitating ambulatory conditions such as is prevalent among patients including the aged and the crippled.

Numerous attempts have been made to provide practical solutions to the age-old problem of assisting patients and the like having debilitated ambulatory conditions, particularly those who have lost their strength or limbs, due to age, accident, combat and the like. Among the devices currently employed are wheel chairs, crutches and canes, as well as prosthetic devices including artificial limbs of various types. Unfortunately, all of these devices suffer a common deficiency in that until a patient attains strength sufficient for supporting himself, he necessarily must be aided by another as he attempts to ambulate. Consequently, when employing currently available devices, it often is necessary that a patient have strength sufficient for supporting himself or, alternatively, rely upon the assistance of another. In many instances, assistance from others is not readily forthcoming and the patient is unavoidably confined, often to his detriment.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide an ambulatory system which overcomes the aforementioned difficulties and disadvantages.

It is another object to provide an ambulatory system which affords patients an opportunity to walk between selected points, without the assistance of another.

It is another object to provide an ambulatory system which readily can be employed in hospitals, homes and the like for use by those having debilitated ambulatory capabilities.

It is another object to provide a safe, economic, and practical system for unaided use by those having insufficient strength, muscular control and/or limbs for ambulation along corridors, walkways and the like.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved by employing an ambulatory system which includes a track network including a primary track extended along major corridors of a building or the like, and a plurality of secondary tracks extending from a point in close proximity with the primary track to areas remote therefrom such as hospital rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms and other areas normally frequented by ambulatory patients.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view ofa fragmented portion of an ambulatory system embodying the principles of the instant invention which includes a primary track, a plurality of secondary tracks and a plurality of bridges, each supporting a pivotal transfer track for coupling a secondary track with the primary track. FIGS. 2 and 3 are pictorial illustrations depicting one manner in which the system of FIG. 1 is employed.

FIG. 4 is a fragmented, top plan view of a portion of the primary track, a secondary track, and a bridge supporting a transfer track including a manually operable actuator for pivotally displacing the transfer track.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmented top plan view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, front elevation taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmented elevational view, on an enlarged scale, taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view, on an enlarged scale, taken generally along line 99 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned, fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, of the truck shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a fragmented, front elevation of the truck shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a partially sectioned plan view taken generally along line 12-42 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a harness which is particularly suited for use with the system of the instant invention.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the bridge which includes an electrically energizable actuator for pivotally displacing the transfer track.

FIG. 15 is a fragmented view of the actuator shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a partially sectioned elevation of the actuator shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 an ambulatory system, generally designated 10, which embodies the principles of the instant invention.

The system of the instant invention is hereinafter described for use by patients in a hospital environment. However, it is to be understood that the system can be employed by any person suffering from a debilitated ambulatory capability in any environment wherein it is desirable to assist such a person in transferring himself between selected areas such as dining rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, community rooms, utility rooms and the like.

As shown, the system 10 includes a segmented primary track 12 extended along a corridor l3 and a plurality of secondary tracks 14 which extend from a point adjacent to the track through doorways 15 into rooms, not shown, of various types. A transfer track 16 is provided for selectively integrating each of the secondary tracks 14 with the primary track 12 so that the network 10 can selectively be integrated to include all of the secondary tracks 14, as well as the primary track 12.

The primary track 12 and the secondary tracks 14 preferably are supported in suspension by a plurality of suspension rods 18 fixed to suitable anchors, not shown, fixed within the ceiling of the corridor and the rooms. While the suspension rods 18 form no specific part of the instant invention, is is to be understood that the rods 18 are of a suitable length for supporting the I network of tracks 10 at suitable elevations which the anchors include suitable structure capable of with standing the combined weight of tracks and one or more patients as they employ the network 10.

It is further to be understood that the primary and/or

secondary tracks

12 and 14, respectively, can be fabricated employing back-to-back extruded structural shapes including angles and T-bars or any suitable combinations thereof. In any event, it is to be understood that each of the tracks 12, I4 and 16 includes horizontal surfaces 19, FIG. 4, for supporting thereon a rolling truck 20.

The truck 20 includes a pair of laterally spaced vertically oriented side plates 22 supporting therebetween a plurality of pairs of rollers 23, mounted through suitable bearings 24 on the plates 22. In practice, the surfaces I9 of the tracks of the network it) are provided by a pair of coplanar, laterally extended members 26 of the extruded shapes while surfaces of vertical portions of the shapes serve as a guide 28. This guide is interposed between the rollers 23 as the rollers are supported by the lateral members 26 and impart lateral support to the truck. It is therefore to be understood that the truck 20 is afforded a rolling motion along the network as it is supported vertically by the surfaces of the lateral members 26 and supported laterally by the surfaces of the guide 28.

From the truck there is suspended a patientsupporting harness 30. As best illustrated in FIG. 13, the harness 30 is fabricated from suitable straps 32 of webbing material having a plurality of buckles 34 which permit a patient to don the harness 30 in a manner somewhat similar to that in which a parachute harness is strapped to the human body. It will, of course, be appreciated that the configuration of the harness employed is dictated, in part, by the severity of a patients condition. Hence, the harness 30 can be replaced with specialized structure even more suited to specific needs of a patient.

As shown, the harness 30 is provided with a pair of hanger eyes 36 through which the harness 30 is suspended from a hanger bar 38. A pair of lines is extended between the eyes 36 and the bar 38 and serves to support a patient strapped in the harness 30 in suspension. The lines 40 are coupled with the eyes 36 and the hanger bar 38 by any suitable means, including spring-biased snaps, open hooks and the like, not designated.

The hanger bar 38, in turn, depends from a reversely driven drum 42 through a suspension line 44 connected with the hanger bar 38 at its midsection. The drum 42 is supported by a bracket 45 and includes a suitable reel 46 mounted in the bracket, FIG. 11, coupled in a driven relationship with a reversible electric motor 48 ofa suitable design and construction. The motor 48, in turn, is connected with a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, through suitable leads, also not shown. It will, of course, be appreciated that. the leads are suitably supported for being paid-out and retracted as the truck 20 traverses the network 10, so that the motor 48 can be operated for winding the suspension line 44 about the reel 46, for elevating the hanger bar 38 and thereafter reversed for unwinding the suspension line 44 for lowering a patient at any point along the network 10.

In practice, a selector switch 50 is interposed between the motor 48 and the source of energy and is so designed and positioned as to reversely energize the motor for both forward and reversed rotation, as well as to impose a de-energized condition thereon. Control of the switch 50 is achieved through a pivotally supported control bar 52, coupled with the switch in any.

suitable manner, having selector leads 54 depending from its opposite ends to be grasped by a patient or an attendant for selectively manipulating the switch by imparting a pivotal displacement to the bar.

In given instances and environments, it is desirable to delete the motor 48 and include in lieu thereof a manually driven gear train for driving the reel 46. In such instances, a hand-operated gear train, not shown, including a selectively operable ratchet mechanism of a suitable design can be employed quite satisfactorily.

It is to be understood that once a patient has been attached to the truck 20, through the harness 30 and suitably elevated through an operation of the drum 42, the truck 20 partially supports the weight of the patient while the patient is afforded an opportunity to propel himself. Accordingly, it is desirable to include a brake unit 56, FIG. 10, which arrests motion of the truck 20 in response to changes in the weight supported thereby so that in the event a patient becomes incapacitated and is unable to support himself to a preselected extent motion of the truck automatically halts.

The brake unit 56 includes a plurality of brake pads 58 supported at the distal ends of a plurality of horizontally extended, pivotally supported brake bars 60 arranged in fore-and-aft pairs. The particular manner in which the pads 58 are coupled to the bars 60 is a matter of convenience, however, as best illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, a vertically disposed stem 62, orthogonally related to the distal end of the brake bars 60, functions quite satisfactorily for this purpose.

The brake bars 60 are pivotally coupled with the side plates 22 by pivot pins 64. These pins serve as fulcrums about which the bars 60 are pivoted for driving the pads 58 into frictional engagement with the lower surfaces of the lateral members 26 for thereby establishing a braking coupling therebetween. Of course, reversed pivotal motion of the brake bars 60 in an opposite direction serves to disengage the brake pads 58 from the lower surfaces of the lateral members 26 and thus releases the previously established braking coupling.

The drum 42 is coupled with the innermost end of the brake bars 60 through a pivotal coupling 66 fixed to the upper end of a support shaft 68 vertically extended from the bracket 45. The support shaft 68 is fixed to the bracket by any suitable means, including a flattened head 72. The coupling 66 includes an upper transverse plate 74 and a lower transverse plate 76 arranged in spaced parallelism with the plate 74. As a practical matter, each of the outermost edges of the plate 76 is turned toward the plate 74 in order to provide a lip 78 which together functions as a pair of stops for a pair of actuator bars 80 extended between the plates of the coupling 66.

The coupling 66 is interposed between the adjacent ends of the fore-and-aft pairs of brake bars 60 while the actuator bars 80 extend between and serve to unite the innermost ends of the bars 60 of each pair. Therefore, it should be apparent that axial reciprocating motion imparted to the support shaft 68 serves to elevate and lower the plates 74 and 76 so that the bars 80 are ele vated and lowered in response to the reciprocating motion. This motion is imparted to the brake bars 60 which pivot about the pivot pins 64 for thereby causing the pads 58 to engage and disengage the lowermost surfaces of the lateral members 26.

Since a downward displacement of the shaft 68 results in the pads 58 being brought into braking engagement with surfaces of the lateral members 26, it can readily be appreciated that a patient can stop the motion of the truck 20 simply by permitting the harness 30 to support his total weight.

' most end of the spring 32 abuts the plate 76 so that the spring is caused to act against the

plates

76 and 84 for supporting a compressing load applied thereto through the shaft 68. Hence, the effective force of the spring 82 readily can be varied by repositioning the retention plate 84 along the hanger bolts 86. Thus, it should readily be apparent that the weight required for activating the brake unit 56 can be varied. Hence, for a given patient, the spring 82 can be adjusted to accommodate the patients strength and weight in order that the patient support a determinable portion, or all of his weight on his legs and ambulate. In the event it becomes desirable to arrest the motion of the truck 20, a given portion of the patients weight, applied to the hanger bar 38, activates the brake unit 56. A similar result is achieved in the event the patient slips, falls or becomes unconscious.

Each of the transfer tracks 16 is supported by a suspended bridge 100. Since all of the bridges 100 are of a similar design and construction, a detailed description of a single one of the bridges is deemed sufficient to provide an adequate understanding of the instant invention.

Turning for a moment to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is noted that the bridge 100 is coupled with and supports the adjacent ends of adjacent segments of the tracks 12 and the tracks 14, as well as the transfer track 16. Each of the tracks 16 is supported for pivotal displacement into alignment with adjacent segments of the primary track 12, for thus completing the primary track through the bridge 100. Alternatively, the transfer track 16 can be displaced into contiguous engagement with an adjacent end of one of the tracks 14 for thereby establishing an uninterrupted juncture of the

tracks

12 and 14, while simultaneously interrupting the track 12.

In order to support the adjacent end portions of the

tracks

12 and 14, the bridge 100 includes a pair of horizontally oriented, laterally diverging support beams 104 and 106. The

beams

104 and 106 are coupled together by welding and the like, with the longitudinal axis of the beam 104 being in parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the track 12. The beam 106 extends from the beam 104 and terminates with its distal end positioned above the adjacent end portion of the track 14. In practice, the beam 104 is united with one end of an adjacent segment of the track 12 by a suspension bar 108 while the adjacent segment of the track 12 is united with the opposite end of the beam 104 through a suspension bar 110. Similarly, the distal end of the beam 106 is united with the track 14 through a suspension bar 112. The bridge 100 is, in turn, supported by a hanger 114 depending from the ceiling and coupled with the bridge 100 by a transverse hanger bracket 116 fixed to the

beams

104 and 106 by any suitable means, including bolts, welds and the like. It should be appreciated that the

tracks

12 and 14 are united through the bridges 100 into a rigid, fully integrated unit.

One end of each of the transfer tracks 16 is supported within one of the bridges 100 by a vertically extended suspension bolt 118. This bolt includes one end fixed to the beam 104 while the lowermost end thereof is provided with a head 120, positioned beneath one end of the transfer track 16, immediately adjacent one end of a segment of the primary track 12. The opposite end of the transfer track 16 is supported by a suspension bolt 122 depending from the distal end portion of a transfer arm 124, pivotally coupled at its base to the distal end of a rigid clevis 126. Thus, the arm 124 is supported for pivotal displacement in a horizontal plane.

As a practical matter, the distal portion of the transfer arm 124 is supported in a vertical plane by a laterally extended transfer bracket 128. The transfer bracket 128 includes a laterally extended slot 130 supported at one end by a hanger 132 coupled with the beam 104, and a hanger 134 coupled between its opposite end and the beam 106. The slot 130 slidingly receives therein the transfer arm 124 and accommodates lateral displacement of the arm so that the suspension bolt 122 can be displaced from a plane passing vertically through the longitudinal axis of the track 12, to an angularly related plane passing vertically through the axis of symmetry of the track 14. Thus, the one end of the transfer track 16 is supported in a manner such that selective integration of the transfer track 16 with a combination of the

tracks

12 and 14, or simply the track 12, is facilitated.

As a practical matter, the bracket 128 is fabricated employing a pair of substantially parallel, vertically spaced beams 136 coupled with the

hangers

132 and 134 in any suitable manner, including bolts, welds and the like.

The clevis 126, in turn, is suspended from the beam 104 by a suitable bolt 138 fixed thereto. The bolt 138 is welded in place and is rigidly fixed to both the beam 104 and the clevis 126. The clevis is supported to extend along an axis bisecting the angle formed between the

beams

104 and 106. About the bolt there is mounted a concentrically arranged anchor 140, provided for one end of an over-center spring 142. The opposite end of the spring 142 is fastened to the transfer arm 124, by a suitable bracket I44 suitably spaced from the clevis 126. Thus, the spring 142 serves as the tension member for continuously urging the transfer arm 124 in pivotal displacement, about the adjacent end of the clevis 126, to a seated position in either of two bistable positions, FIG. 9. Accordingly, it is to be understood that as the transfer arm 124 is advanced to a seated position within a plane passing through the axis of symmetry of the track 14, the spring 142 is first elongated, as the arm 124 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the clevis 126, and thereafter permitted to contract as the transfer arm positions the transfer track 16 adjacent the end of the secondary track 14. Of course, a reverse effect is achieved as the transfer track 16 is repositioned into alignment with the adjacent segments of the primary track 12.

In order to assist in maintaining the transfer arm 124 in either of its bistable positions, the arm 124 is provided with a pair of spring-biased

latches

146 and 148 and a pair of fixed latch pins 150 and 152 for supporting the transfer arm 124 against lateral displacement.

As a practical matter, each of the

latches

146 and 148 is of a bellcrank configuration, having a vertical lever arm 153 and a horizontally extended lever arm 154. Each latch is pivotally supported by a bracket 156 and is spring-biased by a torsion spring 158, toward a position wherein the lever arm 153 is latched to an adjacent one of the

pins

150 and 152. Each of the lever arms 153 is provided with a detent relief 160 and an inlcined cam surface 162 so positioned that as the surface 162 engages one of the

pins

150 and 152 the lever arm 153 is cammed upwardly, against the applied force of the torsion spring 158. The lever arm 153, of course, is forced downwardly as the detent relief 160 is brought into vertical alignment with the pin for thus completing a latching function in order to secure the transfer track 16 in a selected position relative to the

tracks

12 and 14.

As a practical matter, each of the

latches

146 and 148 is supported for rotation by a pivot pin 164 extending through the bracket 156, by a drawstring 166 affixed to the lever arm 154. The drawstring 166 extends from the distal end of the lever arm 154 and is passed about a sheave 168 and terminates in a depending handle 170 positioned to be grasped by a patient. Hence, it is to be understood that by manually tensioning either of the drawstrings 166, the associated lever arm 154 is pivoted about the pivot pin 164, against the force of the spring 158, for thereby rotating the detent 160 out of engagement with the associated pin.

Continued tension of the drawstring 166 serves to draw the transfer arm 124 in displacement along the slot 130. Hence, tension applied to a drawstring 166 serves to rotate the latch affixed thereto in an appropriate direction for releasing the detent 160 from engagement with a pin and for displacing the transfer arm 124 to its opposite bistable position, whereupon the other latch is activated for latching the transfer track 16 in the position to which it has been displaced in response to the tension applied to the drawstring 166.

In view of the fact that a relatively large number of patients may simultaneously employ the network 10, it is necessary that means be provided for arresting travelling motion of the trucks in the event the trucks approach an open track within one of the bridges 100. Accordingly, each bridge 100 is provided with a pair of

mechanical stops

172 and 173, which serve to obstruct and thus arrest motion of a truck 20 as it approaches an opening formed through the displacement for the transfer track 16. As shown, the stop 172 is positioned above a segment of the track 12 while the stop 173 is positioned above the track 14.

Since the

stops

172 and 173 are of a similar design and function in a similar manner, a detailed description of the stop 172 is deemed adequate to provide a complete understanding of the instant invention.

As best shown in H0. 5, the stop 172 includes a lever 174 pivotally supported by a suspension bar 110 by a suitable pivot pin 176 and includes a terminal block 178 fixed to the distal end thereof. The lever 174 is sufficiently heavy at its distal end to permit the block 178 to gravitate into engagement with the track segment. The opposite, or base, end of the lever 174 includes an inclined cam surface 180 immediately adjacent to the distal end of the transfer arm 124 and in the path of the distal end of the transfer arm 124. The distal end of the transfer arm is provided with a double-wing cam 182 I having a pair of upwardly inclined camming surfaces 184 which intercepts the cam surfaces 180 of the levers 174 as the arm 124 is advanced toward either of its bistable positions. Hence, it is to be understood that as a arm 124 is displaced toward a segment of the track 12, the cam surface of the cam 182 engages the cam surface 180 of the lever 174 for forcing the lever in pivotal rotation about the pivot pin 176 for thus elevating the terminal block 178 to a height above the track 12 sufficient for accommodating passage of a truck 20 therebeneath. However, once the transfer track 16 is advanced toward its opposite bistable condition, the cam surface of the lever 174 is disengaged by the cam surface of the cam 182 for thereby permitting the block 178 to fall into engagement with the adjacent surface of the track 12 for establishing an obstacle for any truck 20 as it approaches the opening formed through the displacement of the transfer track 16. Similarly, the stop 173 is activated as the transfer arm 124 is repositioned to its initial bistable position for repositioning the transfer track 16 between adjacent segments of the track 12.

Turning now to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, it is important to note that where desired, the transfer arm 124 can be displaced between its alternate positions through the use of a motor-driven worm and internally threaded block mechanism 200. in such instances, the mechanism 200 includes a block 201 fixed to the terminal end of the transfer arm 124 and receives therein a transversely oriented worm 202. The worm 202 is splined or otherwise suitably coupled to a drive sprocket 204 supported by suitable bearings 206. The sprocket 204, in turn, is driven by an electrically energizable motor 208 through a suitable chain-and-sprocket unit 210. As a practical matter, the block 201 includes a finger 212 positioned to alternately engage one of a pair of normally closed

limit switches

214 and 216 mounted at opposite sides of the bridge 100. The motor 208, in turn, is a reversible motor such that the chain-and-sprocket unit 210 is reversely driven as the motor 208 is reversely energized. Consequently, as the motor 208 is energized, the chain-and-sprocket unit 210 is activated for rotating the worm 202 for thus advancing the block 201 therealong until the block and the transfer arm 124 coupled therewith are repositioned to the opposite side of the bridge 100. As the transfer arm approaches the bistable position to which it is being moved, the finger 212 serves to interrupt an electrical circuit by engaging one of the

limit switches

214 and 216.

While not shown, it is to be understood that control over the direction of energization for the motor is achievable through a selective use of cables coupled with a suitable switch, not shown.

OPERATION It is believed that in view of the foregoing description, the operation of the system will be readily understood and it will be briefly reviewed at this point.

With the network 10 suspended from the ceiling within a building, such as a hospital or the like, a patient may be prepared to employ the system of the instant invention by being strapped into the harness 30 and suspended beneath the hanger bar 38. The patient initiates operation by manually tensioning the selector leads 54 for causing the drum 42 to elevate the harness 30 to a height such that the harness assists the patient by supporting a portion of the patients weight. The patient now propels himself along a secondary track 14 to a bridge 100. Upon approaching the bridge 100, the truck 20 will engage a terminal block 17 8 of a stop 173 in the event the transfer track 16 has been removed from a position wherein it is extended between the secondary track 14 and the primary track 12. In such instances, the patient will grasp the handle 170, apply tension to the drawstring 166 for unlatching the latch 146 and thereafter drawing the transfer track 16 in pivotal displacement into an aligned relationship with the track 14 and the adjacent segment 12. As the transfer track 16 approaches its position in alignment with the track 14 and the adjacent segment of the track 12, the cam surface 184 of the cam 182 engages and downwardly displaces the cam surface 180 at the adjacent end of the lever 174 of the stop 173 for thus elevating the terminal block 178 to a height sufficient to accommodate passage of the truck 20 therebeneath. Once the block 178 is elevated the transfer track 16 is latched into its appropriate bistable position by the latch 148. As a practical matter, the over-center spring 142 assures the patient that the transfer track 16 can never remain in a centered position whereby an accessible opening in the network it) is provided.

Once a patient has repositioned the transfer track 16 into an appropriate position with respect to the secondary track 14 and the primary track 12, passage of the truck 24) beneath the terminal block 178 is accommodated so that a patient can propel himself along the track to a selected destination. Should the patient encounter a terminal block 178 guarding a void in the primary track 12 created by a displacement of the transfer track 16, the appropriate drawstring 166 is tensioned for repositioning the transfer track and lifting the terminal block 178.

In the event the patient becomes tired or suffers some disability, his weight, upon being suspended in the harness 30, causes the brake pads 50 to engage the lower surfaces of the adjacent lateral members 26 for thus arresting motion of the truck 20. The truck 20 will be thereby fixed relative to the track until the patients weight is removed from the hanger bar 38 so that the spring 82 is permitted to recover and pivot the arms 60 in a direction for thus withdrawing the brake pads 58 from engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the members 26.

In view of the foregoing, it should readily be apparent that the ambulatory system of the instant invention provides a practical solution to the perplexing problem of assisting patients and the like in exercising, and in ambulating between spaced zones or areas defined within buildings, including hospitals, rest homes and the like.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred system, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A system for use in assisting debilitated ambulatory patients comprising:

A. a network of tracks extended between mutually spaced points;

B. a truck including a plurality of wheels mounted on the tracks of said network and supported for rolling displacement therealong;

C. support means suspended from the truck for receiving a human body and partially supporting the weight of the body in suspension; and

D. brake means mounted on said truck and connected with said support means for restraining the truck against rolling displacement in response to a predetermined load of weight applied to said support means to be supported in suspension thereby.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said network includes a primary track and a secondary track angularly related to the primary track for receiving said truck, and transfer means for transferring the truck between said segments.

3. The system of claim 2 further including suspension means for suspending said network above a walkway.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said system is supported within a building and the primary track is extended along a corridor and said auxiliary track is extended through a doorway opening into the corridor.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said transfer means includes a transfer track alternately displaceable between a first position wherein the transfer track is aligned with adjacent portions of the primary track and a second position wherein the transfer track is aligned with adjacent portions of the primary track and the secondary track.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said transfer means further includes:

A. means pivotally coupling said transfer track with said primary track, means for supporting said transfer track for pivotal displacement in coplanar relationship with said primary track and said secondary track; and

B. means for displacing said transfer track between said first and second positions.

7. An ambulatory system supported within a building comprising:

A. means including a network of tracks including a primary track extending along a corridor within a building, an auxiliary track extended through a doorway opening into the corridor, and transfer means including a transfer track, means pivotally coupling the transfer track with the primary track for pivotal displacement in coplanar relation with the primary track and the secondary track between a first position wherein the transfer track is aligned with mutually spaced adjacent portions of the primary track, and a second position wherein the transfer track is aligned with mutually spaced adjacent portions of the primary track and the secondary track, and means for displacing said transfer track between said first and second positions; and

a truck mated with said tracks and supported for movement therealong, including support means depending from said truck for lending support to a human body, and a plurality of wheels affixed to the truck and vertically supported by the tracks of said network, and brake means responsive to predetermined forces downwardly applied to said support means for arresting motion of said truck.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said support means comprises means including a flexible member for receiving a human being.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said support means further includes a winch interposed between said truck and said flexible member for vertically repositioning said flexible member relative to said truck.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said transfer means further includes a selectively energizable actuator for repositioning said transfer track between said first and second positions.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising arresting means responsive to displacement of said transfer track for arresting motion of said truck.

12. An ambulatory system for use, by those having debilitated ambulabory capabilities, in acquiring access to multiple, mutually remote zones within homes, hospitals, rest homes and similar establishments wherein care for the weakened, aged and the crippled is dispensed, comprising:

A. a network of tracks suspended above walkways extended between said areas and including a primary track, a plurality of secondary tracks, each of the secondary tracks being extended from a point in close proximity with the primary track and terminating at a point located in a zone remote therefrom:

B. selectively operable transfer means displaceable along a given path including means for coupling the secondary tracks with said primary track;

C. a travelling truck supported for rolling motion along said network and having a harness depending therefrom and configured to support the weight of a human body in suspension;

D. selectively operable means for elevating and lowering said harness;

E. means responsive to a change in weight supported by said harness for arresting rolling motion of said travelling truck; and

F. means adjacent said transfer means and responsive thereto for positioning a barrier in the path of said travelling truck, whereby the rolling motion of said truck is arrested as said transfer means is operated.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said means responsive to a change in weight supported by said harness for arresting rolling motion of said travelling truck includes a plurality of pivotally supported arms, each having affixed to the distal end thereof a brake pad, and means for pivoting said arms in a direction such that said pads are displaced into frictional engagement with a surface of the track of said network.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the means adjacent said transfer means and responsive thereto for positioning a barrier in the path of said travelling truck includes a terminal block supported at the distal end of the cam-operated lever positioned in the path of said transfer means.

Claims

1. A system for use in assisting debilitated ambulatory patients comprising: A. a network of tracks extended between mutually spaced points; B. a truck including a plurality of wheels mounted on the tracks of said network and supported for rolling displacement therealong; C. support means suspended from the truck for receiving a human body and partially supporting the weight of the body in suspension; And D. brake means mounted on said truck and connected with said support means for restraining the truck against rolling displacement in response to a predetermined load of weight applied to said support means to be supported in suspension thereby.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said transfer means further includes: A. means pivotally coupling said transfer track with said primary track, means for supporting said transfer track for pivotal displacement in coplanar relationship with said primary track and said secondary track; and B. means for displacing said transfer track between said first and second positions.

7. An ambulatory system supported within a building comprising: A. means including a network of tracks including a primary track extending along a corridor within a building, an auxiliary track extended through a doorway opening into the corridor, and transfer means including a transfer track, means pivotally coupling the transfer track with the primary track for pivotal displacement in coplanar relation with the primary track and the secondary track between a first position wherein the transfer track is aligned with mutually spaced adjacent portions of the primary track, and a second position wherein the transfer track is aligned with mutually spaced adjacent portions of the primary track and the secondary track, and means for displacing said transfer track between said first and second positions; and B. a truck mated with said tracks and supported for movement therealong, including support means depending from said truck for lending support to a human body, and a plurality of wheels affixed to the truck and vertically supported by the tracks of said network, and brake means responsive to predetermined forces downwardly applied to said support means for arresting motion of said truck.

12. An ambulatory system for use, by those having debilitated ambulabory capabilities, in acquiring access to multiple, mutually remote zones within homes, hospitals, rest homes and similar establishments wherein care for the weakened, aged and the crippled is dispensed, comprising: A. a network of tracks suspended above walkways extended between said areas and including a primary track, a plurality of secondary tracks, each of the secondary tracks being extended from a point in close proximity with the primary track and terminating at a point located in a zone remote therefrom: B. selectively Operable transfer means displaceable along a given path including means for coupling the secondary tracks with said primary track; C. a travelling truck supported for rolling motion along said network and having a harness depending therefrom and configured to support the weight of a human body in suspension; D. selectively operable means for elevating and lowering said harness; E. means responsive to a change in weight supported by said harness for arresting rolling motion of said travelling truck; and F. means adjacent said transfer means and responsive thereto for positioning a barrier in the path of said travelling truck, whereby the rolling motion of said truck is arrested as said transfer means is operated.