WO2008079019A1

WO2008079019A1 - Apparatus for helping children to crawl

Info

Publication number: WO2008079019A1
Application number: PCT/NO2007/000456
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom-Arne Solhaug
Original assignee: Krabat As
Priority date: 2006-12-22
Filing date: 2007-12-20
Publication date: 2008-07-03
Also published as: NO20065994A; EP2101615A4; EP2101615B1; NO324885B1; EP2101615A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns an aid apparatus to facilitate crawling for children. The apparatus includes, a frame (1) with rolling elements (3, 5) to allow the apparatus to move over a surface and a with a frame (1) connected support element (2) with a support face. The support element (2) is pivotally secured to the frame (1) such that a tilting motion of the support element (2) in relation to the frame (1) between two outer positions is allowed. A spring element (4) provides a springing action between the frame (1) and the support element (2).

Description

An apparatus to aid children in crawling

The present invention concerns an apparatus to aid crawling for children.

The apparatus is particularly adapted for disabled children with problems related to crawling. The problem for these children is in many cases to be able to pull the legs towards the abdomen such that the hips are lifted.

It is a purpose with the present invention to provide an apparatus that facilitates disabled children in that it helps children to lift the hip such that the child is able to pull the legs under the hip and thereby to crawl. It is known various solutions to help children crawling. It is for instant shown in WO 03/053195 a mobile support for children where a platform includes wheels, and where the child can lay on top of the platform. In the shown solution the upper body of the child can move somewhat up and down in that the platform is raised or lowered as the child pushes against the surface. In JP 2005218464 it is shown a pivoted device that can aid a person that can not stand or walk, to walk on the knees.

In DE 3823062 it is shown a rolling board for small children where the child can lay on top of the board and kick towards the ground. Alternatively it can be attached a handle to the board such that the board with the child can be moved around by a helper.

In US 3992023 it is also shown a board with a frame with rolling elements, where the child can lay on top of the board, and where the board is resiliently secured to the rolling frame.

The shown elements do primarily give a passive support to the user and do not substantially promote crawling without assistance. Several of the existing aids promote motion, but in an unnatural way that do not stimulate motion without use of aids.

The present invention as defined in the independent claim solves these problems by providing an aid where the user is actively facilitated in lifting the hips such that he/she manages to get the knees under the body and thereby to a grater extend is capable of crawling. A condition to be able to use this aid, is that the user attempts to lift the hips and has a desire to crawl. The present invention thereby concerns an aid apparatus for helping children to crawl. The aid is as mentioned particularly suited for children that for some reason have problems related to start crawling.

The apparatus includes a frame with rolling elements. The frame may typically be made of aluminium or plastic and will be designed such that the frame in combination with the rolling elements provide sufficient support and stability for the apparatus.

The rolling elements may typically be wheels or rollers well known within many subject areas. The main issue is however that a user shall be able to push the aid over a surface. The apparatus may also have mounted there to elements that can slide over the surface, even if this is considered less favourable as such elements may result in a reduced control and increased friction.

At least one of the rolling elements should be attached such that it allows the apparatus to turn. A with the frame connected support element with a support face is movably attached to the frame such that it is allowed a pivoting motion of the support element in relation to the frame between two outer positions. The attachment may also be formed such that the support element can pivot or rock from side to side in a vertical plane to give the user a greater freedom of movement. This attachment can be formed by a common joint that allows movement both back and forth and to the side, or of an elastic element of for instance an elastomer or rubber. The joint or the elastic element may also be designed such that it allows the support element to be twisted some degrees from side to side in relation to the frame to allow a freedom of movement without twisting the frame. Elements that ensure that the support element can not move too much to each side can be placed between the support element and the frame. Elements that ensure that the outer positions are held within predetermined limits both in relation to pivoting forwards, backwards and possibly twisting can also be situated between the support element and the frame. Such elements can be made adjustable to enable adjustment of the outer positions. The elements may be separate elements, or be formed by parts integrated in the frame or the support element, or be an integrated part of the joint. The support element is designed to allow the user to lie on top of the element, and it is therefore important that the support element is designed such that it provides a certain comfort for the user.

A spring element for providing a spring action between the frame and the support element is provided to help the user in lifting the hip from the surface. The support element imposes an upwardly directed force towards the hip of the user.

The tilting or pivoting motion can be allowed by a joint placed between the frame and the support element. It may be used any kind of joint well known within mechanical subject areas, as long as it allows a tilting motion of the support element in relation to the frame about a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. In some cases it can as mentioned above be favourable that the joint to some extent also allows tilting in a transversal direction of the longitudinal direction of the apparatus, and possibly a certain twisting motion.

The spring element may bias the support element towards an outer position, preferably such that a rear end of the support element is biased away from the surface.

The rolling elements may include at least three wheels, where at least one of these can be turned such that the apparatus can roll and turn on the surface.

The support elements may be loosely fitted to the upper body of a user and includes a substantially curved or concave surface adapted to be provided towards a user substantially from the hip and upwards and at least towards parts of the chest.

The support element may in other words support the user from the hip, such that the user receives help to lift the hip. The user shall preferably have the arms free and at the outside of the support element.

The frame must be adapted such that it does not prevent motion of the arms and legs of the user. The frame and the support element should preferably be designed to reduce the possibility for the user to get caught.

The support element may include a substantially curved or concave surface.

The spring element may include a gas damper, springs, elastic rubber, elastomer or other elastic or resilient elements well known within many subject areas that provide a spring action. In a preferred embodiment it is used a commercially available gas clamper that provides both spring action and damping in one unit.

The frame may be designed such that when the rolling elements are assembled on the frame, these are arranged such that when a user is using the apparatus, is one rolling element placed at each side of and outside the hip of the user. This provides a good stability, and the rolling elements are placed a reasonable distance from the center of gravity of the apparatus when the apparatus is used.

The joint between the frame and the support element is preferably placed within the forward half of the support element close to the chest of the user when the user uses the apparatus. The joint may be placed at the leading edge of the support element. The forward rolling device is preferably placed ahead of the joint.

Short description of the enclosed figures: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2a-d is a perspective view of the apparatus, where the various positions of the support elements in relation to the frame are clearly shown;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus, where the various components are clearly shown; Figure 4 is a top elevation of the apparatus shown on the other figures; and

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown on the other figures.

Detailed description of the enclosed figures:

In figure 1 it is shown a frame 1 of aluminium. However this frame may well be made of other materials such as plastic, carbon fiber or other suitable materials. The width of the frame 1 at the hips should be such that the legs when in use shall not touch the frame 1 , as that may be unpleasant. This is also important to prevent the apparatus from rolling over to easily. The frame 1 is shaped as a U or a blunt V, and the rear rolling elements or wheels 3 are placed at the outer ends of the frame 1 , and a forward rolling element of wheel 5 is placed at a forward edge of the frame 1. This is to give a user sufficient room for the body between the rear rolling elements or wheels 3. As initially mentioned is the essential feature with these elements that the apparatus can move over the surface. Rolling elements are therefore meant to cover all forms of elements that contribute to this, for instance fixed elements, designed for, or made of materials to ensure low or correct friction towards the surface.

A support element 2, that may be designed as a formed moulded plastic board, is pivotally attached to the frame 1 via a hinge or joint 6 between the frame and the support element. The joint 6 ensures that the support element 2 may tilt in vertical plane in the longitudinal direction of the aid.

The longitudinal direction in this connection in considered to be a direction forward of the aid, where forward is in the direction of a users head, when the user has the hip placed approximately between the rearmost rolling elements 3.

The joint 6 may be designed in any way well known within the subject area. The joint may be a mechanical joint with mutually movable parts, or may be made of an elastic material.

The support element 2 should be comfortable to lie on for a user.

Additionally should the support element 2 be esthetically appealing, and sharp edges should be prevented. Likewise it should be designed of a material that is not cold and unpleasant to be in contact with, and the material should be reasonably light. The support element 2 should be designed such that the user has a certain freedom of movement in the support element 2, such that this not unnecessarily limits the movements of the user.

A spring element 4 may be a common commercially available gas damper used within a number of areas. The stiffness of the spring element 4 or the springing action of the support element 2 in relation to the frame 1 , can be adjusted by attachment of springing elements of various stiffness, or by varying the placement of attachment of the spring element, such that the springing action of the support element 2 can be adapted to the user. From figure 2a, b, c and d it is shown how the positions of the support element can vary in relation to the frame. In position a it is shown the position where a user typically will have the hips close to the floor, and in a position where a user will not attempt to/ is not able to rise or crawl. Figure b shows a position where typically the apparatus has helped a user to lift the hip, such that the hip is lifted above the floor and the user is able to pull the legs under the body and crawl.

Figure c shows a third position where the upper body of a user will be directed downward, and the user can stand on the knees or legs.

Figure d shows an angel where the upper body of a user will be directed inclined downwards, a position that will not occur frequently. This is the position the support element typically will be placed in when the apparatus is not in use.

The figures clearly show how a user is able to get his knees under the body and thereby to a greater extend is capable of crawling.

A condition to make use of the aid is that the user attempts to lift the hips and has a will to crawl. The user is lying on his abdomen on the support element 2. Because the support element 2 is hinged or pivoted at the leading edge and the gas damper 4 gives a push upwards, the user will be lifted when the user lifts the hips.

In a first embodiment the wheels 3, 5 are not braked and rolls easily. In an embodiment the rear wheels 3 may turn and the front wheel 5 may be fixed. In one embodiment, the springing mechanism 4 of the support element 2 is designed such that the user is given the greatest lifting force before he or she gets up into a knee standing position. The height of the support element 2 in relation to the surface must be lower than for a knee standing position in the initial position.

Thus the apparatus must be adjustable to be adapted to users of different size, and as a user will grow.

In an alternative embodiment the wheels can be imposed with a certain friction such that the apparatus do not roll too easily. If the apparatus rolls too easily, the crawling may be more difficult.

In an alternative embodiment the front wheel 5 will pivot instead of the rear wheels 3. Figure 3 shows the apparatus seen from the side where the joint 6 and the spring element 4 are clearly shown. The forward rolling element 5 and rear rolling element 3 are schematically shown placed at the outer points of the frame 1. The joint 6 is shown placed close to the forward edge of the support element 2. The height of the support element 2 in relation to the surface can be adapted to users with various needs and size. Normally a user will need more pushing action or the greatest force before the person gets up into a knee standing position, and the height of the support element 2 or the board the user is lying on should preferably be lower than a knee standing position in the initial position.

The frame 1 may be encased (not shown) such that the rolling elements are not visible and such that the user or others can not get body parts under the rolling elements 3, 5. The force the support element 2 imposes on the hip portion of the user, can as previously mentioned be varied by installation of springing elements with various resistance. Alternatively the resistance may varied by changing the geometry or the attachment of the springing element in relation the joint 6 and the frame 1. A strap, belt or another suitable element of harness (not shown) preferably holds the user on to the support element 2. The strap may for instance stretch over the buttock. The essence is that the hips are in contact with the support element 2. A bracket 7 for attaching the spring element 4 is shown placed on the support element 2. The bracket 7 can be a separate part attached to the support element 2 or be an integrated part of this. The spring element 2 is pivotally secured to the bracket 7. If the support element 2 is to be freely movable in several directions, the pivotal attachment of the springing element 2 can be formed by ball joints or other joints that allow motion in several directions. The same concerns the joint 6 between the frame 1 and the support element 2. Figure 4 shows the apparatus seen from above where the position of the wheels 3, the support element 2 and the frame 1 are clearly shown. The figure clearly shows the shape of the frame 1 , and how the wheels 3 are placed in relation to the frame and the support element. Furthermore the placement of the joint 6 and the spring element 4 are clearly shown. Figure 5 shows the apparatus seen from the front where the wheels 3, 5, the support element 2 and the frame 1 are clearly shown. The figure clearly shows the curved shape of the support element 2, and how the wheels 3, 5 are placed in relation to the frame 1 and the support element 2. Furthermore the position of the joint 6 and the spring element 4 are shown.

Claims

1. An aid apparatus for helping children to crawl, with a frame (1) with rolling elements (3, 5) for allowing motion of the apparatus over a surface and a with the frame (1 ) connected support element (2) with a support face, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t: the support element (2) is movably attached to the frame (1) such that it is allowed a tilting motion of the support element (2) in relation to the frame (1) between two outer positions; and a spring element (4) for providing springing action between the frame (1) and the support element (2).

2. The aid apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a joint (6) is placed between the frame (1) and the support element (2) and the spring element (4) biases the support element (2) towards one of the outer positions.

3. The aid apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the rolling elements (3, 5) includes at least three wheels, and whereof at least one of these are pivotal such that the apparatus can roll and turn on the surface.

4. The aid apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the support element (2) includes a substantially curved or concaved surface adapted to be provided towards a user substantially from the hip and upwards and towards at least parts of a chest.

5. The aid apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the spring element (4) includes a gas damper.

6. The aid apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the rolling elements (3, 5) on the frame (1) are arranged such that when a user uses the apparatus, a rolling element (3) is placed on each side of and outside the hips of the user.

7. The aid apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein it further includes a flexible body to be provided between the legs of the user.

8. The aid apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it further includes that the joint (6) is placed inside the forward half of the support element (2) at the side of the support element (2) that is directed towards the head of the user.

9. The aid apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the joint is placed at the leading edge of the support element (2).

10. The aid apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it further includes that the joint (6) allows a twisting of the support element (2) in a transversal direction of the longitudinal direction of the apparatus.