Mobility enhancement system having a force multiplier

Abstract

A mobility enhancement system is provided. The mobility enhancement system includes a leg wrap having a first pulley assembly coupled therewith. The first pulley assembly has two or more pulley wheels. A chair leg anchor has a second pulley assembly coupled therewith. The second pulley assembly has two or more pulley wheels. A rope has a secured end and a free end. The secured end is coupled to the chair leg anchor. The rope is threaded from the secured end through the two or more pulley wheels of the first pulley assembly and through the two or more pulley wheels of the second pulley assembly such as to create a force multiplier of the rope pulling force.

1 . A mobility enhancement system comprising:
 a leg wrap having a first pulley assembly coupled therewith, the first pulley assembly having two or more pulley wheels;   a chair leg anchor having a second pulley assembly coupled therewith, the second pulley assembly having two or more pulley wheels; and   a rope having a secured end and a free end, the secured end being coupled to the chair leg anchor, wherein the rope is threaded from the secured end through the two or more pulley wheels of the first pulley assembly and through the two or more pulley wheels of the second pulley assembly such as to create a force multiplier of the rope pulling force.   
     
     
         2 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the force multiplier is at least 4.0. 
     
     
         3 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more pulley wheels of the first pulley assembly have axles with a common axis. 
     
     
         4 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more pulley wheels of the second pulley assembly have axles with a common axis. 
     
     
         5 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more pulley wheels of the first pulley assembly are positioned in a common framework. 
     
     
         6 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more pulley wheels of the second pulley assembly are positioned in a common framework. 
     
     
         7 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pulley assembly is configured to move as leg wrap moves. 
     
     
         8 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the second pulley assembly is configured to be stationary as the leg wrap moves. 
     
     
         9 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the each of the two or more pulley wheels of the first pulley assembly is supported by its own axle. 
     
     
         10 . The mobility enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the each of the two or more pulley wheels of the second pulley assembly is supported by its own axle. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using a mobility enhancement system for leg extension, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a chair leg anchor to a leg of a chair;   inserting a user's leg through a leg wrap until the leg wrap is above the user's knee;   bending a corresponding knee and placing a corresponding foot on an elevated surface of comfortable height, thereby forming an elevated leg;   extending a rope between a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly such that the rope engages pulley wheels of both the first and second pulley assemblies, the first pulley assembly having two or more pulley wheels and the second pulley assembly having two or more pulley wheels; and   pulling the rope to extend the elevated leg to a position that is closer to being parallel to a surface of a floor, wherein the first and second pulley assemblies are configured to provide a force multiplier that allows a user to urge the leg wrap in a direction toward the chair leg anchor with a minimum of force.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a chair leg stirrup is attached to the chair leg anchor and configured to maintain the chair leg anchor in an attached arrangement with the leg of the chair. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a leg stirrup is attached to the leg wrap and configured to maintain the leg wrap in a wrapped arrangement with the leg of the user. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the force multiplier is at least 4.0. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first pulley assembly is configured to move as leg wrap moves. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using a mobility enhancement system for leg flexion, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a chair leg anchor to a leg of a chair;   inserting a user's leg through a leg wrap until the leg wrap is proximate the user's ankle;   placing a corresponding foot on a floor surface;   extending a rope between a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly such that the rope engages pulley wheels of both the first and second pulley assemblies, the first pulley assembly having two or more pulley wheels and the second pulley assembly having two or more pulley wheels; and   pulling the rope to bend the leg at the knee to a position where the leg wrap is closer to the chair leg anchor, wherein the first and second pulley assemblies are configured to provide a force multiplier that allows a user to urge the leg wrap in a direction toward the chair leg anchor with a minimum of force.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a chair leg stirrup is attached to the chair leg anchor and configured to maintain the chair leg anchor in an attached arrangement with the leg of the chair. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a leg stirrup is attached to the leg wrap and configured to maintain the leg wrap in a wrapped arrangement with the ankle of the user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the force multiplier is at least 4.0. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first pulley assembly is configured to move as leg wrap moves.