US4188966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Walking support device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-10-04
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Granted: 1980-02-19
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Expires: 1998-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable walking support device adapted to restrain an infant or an invalid in an upright position and including a wheeled carriage through which the feet of the supported person descend to contact the ground. The support device itself includes a T-shaped seat bar cantilevered from one edge of a hinged parallelogram, the parallelogram including an internally directed spring for biasing the alignment thereof. Included further in the parallelogram and extending diagonally across the pivots thereof is a hydraulic strut for controlling the rate of descent or ascent of the seat support. Deployed above the seat support, once more in cantilever, is a U-shaped bracket for restraining the torso of the user. This same device may include, in alignment above the bracket and the seat support, a head support fixture, thus providing for control over the body alignment of incapacitated patients.
Inventors
- 👤 Oakley B. Palmer
- 👤 Russell M. Lett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H3/00; A61H3/04; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/16; A61H2201/1602; A61H2201/1614; A61H3/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A walking support device for restraining the body of a person in an upright position comprising: a U-shaped support frame mounted on casters for horizontal translation on ground; an adjustable frame member connected to said frame proximate the center of the middle element thereof; a pivotally joined parallelogram structure connected to said frame member for pivotal articulation over the opening in said U-shaped frame; spring biasing means connected between said parallelogram structure and said frame member for biasing thereof to a preselected deployment; seat support means connected to said parallelogram structure and deployed to extend in cantilever therefrom; and a U-shaped torso brace connected to said parallelogram structure above said seat support means, said brace being conformed to surround the upper torso of said person.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A walking support device for restraining the body of a person in an upright position comprising: a U-shaped support frame mounted on casters for horizontal translation on ground; an adjustable frame member connected to said frame proximate the center of the middle element thereof; a pivotally joined parallelogram structure connected to said frame member for pivotal articulation over the opening in said U-shaped frame; spring biasing means connected between said parallelogram structure and said frame member for biasing thereof to a preselected deployment; seat support means connected to said parallelogram structure and deployed to extend in cantilever therefrom; and a U-shaped torso brace connected to said parallelogram structure above said seat support means, said brace being conformed to surround the upper torso of said person.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said seat support means comprises a first tubular element extending horizontally from said parallelogram structure, a second tubular element connected to the free end of said first element and extending transversely thereacross; and sheath means of flexible foam material surrounding said first and second elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: said U-shaped torso brace includes a strap extending thereacross and flexible foam covering attached to said strap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said spring biasing means includes adjusting means for manual adjustment of said preselected deployment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: damping means connected across said spring means for controlling the rate of motion of said parallelogram structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: head support means deployed on said parallelogram structure above said torso brace for adjustably supporting the head of said person.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-18 | 1983-08-20 | 1984-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-18 | 1987-08-20 | 1988-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-18 | 1991-08-20 | 1992-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |