Walker Having Automatically Activated Protective Dynamic Padding

Abstract

A walking aid ( 100, 200 ) has been configured with static padding ( 112 ) and air bags ( 114 ) to protect the user in case of a fall. The air bags ( 114 ) are generally not deployed. However, the walking aid has a tilt sensor ( 128 ) which, when a fall is detected, triggers air bag ignitors ( 116 ). In one embodiment, the tilt sensor ( 128 ) may comprise one or an array of sensors, and may further be coupled through microprocessor control to a dynamic active suspension ( 102 ) that controls both the height of the walker and the height of individual legs such that the walker will land softly, while adjusting individual leg heights where necessary or appropriate to stabilize the user to reduce the chance of a fall. In addition to providing more extensive protection for the user, the walking aid has several additional options which increase the comfort and convenience it offers. Such options can include locking hinges ( 120 ), allowing the walking aid to fold up; rubber ( 124 ) on the end of the legs where they contact the ground; wheels ( 126 ) on the legs; brakes for the wheels; height adjustable legs ( 102, 122 ); a water bottle holder; a basket; a removable or folding seat; a dashboard ( 140 ) including various communications devices such as cellular telephones, emergency call buttons, locators, and the like; and audio-video devices.

1 . A walker having automatically activated protective cushions which improves the quality of life and longevity of a person in spite of at least one limitation that interferes with unassisted walking, comprising:
 vertical legs coupled with a plurality of side and front bars to form a walking aid;   dynamic padding coupled to and supported by said walking aid and defining a region protected by said dynamic padding;   means for detecting a fall; and   means to deploy said dynamic padding responsive to said means for detecting a fall, to thereby cushion a person within said protected region in the event of a fall.   
   
   
       2 . The walker of  claim 1 , wherein said means to enable deployment of dynamic padding further comprises a means for detecting the presence of an individual within said protected region. 
   
   
       3 . The walker of  claim 2 , wherein said means for detecting the presence of an individual within said protected region further comprises an electrical switch. 
   
   
       4 . The walker of  claim 2 , wherein said means for detecting the presence of an individual within said protected region further comprises a proximity detector. 
   
   
       5 . The walker of  claim 1 , wherein said means for detecting a fall further comprises at least one tilt detector. 
   
   
       6 . The walker of  claim 1 , wherein said walking aid encompasses at least three vertical surfaces, and has at least one open vertical surface through which said person will pass into and out from said protected region, and said dynamic padding deploys to close said at least one open vertical surface and thereby enclose said person within said protected region. 
   
   
       7 . The walker of  claim 1 , further comprising a bi-directional motive apparatus which provides assistance in moving said walker over a surface. 
   
   
       8 . The walker of  claim 7 , wherein said bi-directional motive apparatus further comprises at least one wheel adjacent a bottom termination of said vertical legs, at least one motor coupled to said at least one wheel operative to drive said at least one wheel, and at least one brake coupled to at least one wheel operative to prevent movement of said at least one wheel. 
   
   
       9 . The walker of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one joystick operative to control at least one of said at least one wheel, at least one motor, and at least one brake. 
   
   
       10 . The walker of  claim 1 , wherein a height of said vertical legs is adjustable responsive to a magnitude of load upon said vertical legs. 
   
   
       11 . The walker of  claim 10 , wherein said height of said vertical legs is further adjusted responsive to said means for detecting a fall, to reduce tilt that might otherwise be associated with a fall. 
   
   
       12 . The walker of  claim 1 , further comprising a communications device. 
   
   
       13 . The walker of  claim 12 , further comprising a means for measuring a human medical parameter. 
   
   
       14 . The walker of  claim 13 , wherein said means for measuring a human medical parameter further comprises a heart rate and blood pressure monitor. 
   
   
       15 . A method of improving the quality of life and longevity of a person in spite of at least one limitation that interferes with unassisted walking, comprising the steps of:
 providing a walking aid suitable for structurally supporting said person and having dynamic padding defining a protected region;   enabling said dynamic padding to be deployed during use and disabling said dynamic padding when not in use;   detecting a fall of at least one of said person and said walking aid; and   deploying said dynamic padding responsive to said detecting step.   
   
   
       16 . The method of improving the quality of life and longevity of a person of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of at least partially encompassing said person by providing dynamic padding that is opposed upon deployment by similar dynamic padding. 
   
   
       17 . The method of improving the quality of life and longevity of a person of  claim 15 , wherein said step of enabling said dynamic padding to be deployed during use and disabling said dynamic padding when not in use further comprises the step of sensing said person within said protected region. 
   
   
       18 . The method of improving the quality of life and longevity of a person of  claim 17 , wherein said step of sensing said person within said protected region further comprises the step of monitoring the state of a manually activated switch. 
   
   
       19 . The method of improving the quality of life and longevity of a person of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of propelling said walker by a motive power source separate and distinct from but under the control of said person. 
   
   
       20 . A walker, comprising:
 two vertical rear legs, two vertical front legs, and a plurality of side and front bars to form a three sided, unshaped walking aid;   dynamic padding adjacent to each of said two vertical rear legs and a front bar defining a protected region;   a means for detecting a fall;   a means for detecting the presence of an individual within said protected region;   said dynamic padding deployed when said means for detecting a fall detects a fall and said means for detecting the presence of an individual within said protected region detects the presence of an individual within said protected region, whereby said dynamic padding cushions said individual in the event of a fall;   a means to adjust a height of at least one of said two vertical rear legs and two vertical front legs responsive to a magnitude of compressive load applied thereupon, and to further adjust said height responsive to said means for detecting a fall, to reduce tilt that might otherwise undesirably lead to a fall;   a communications device;   a heart rate monitor; and   a blood pressure monitor.