Mobility Device

Abstract

A mobility device for use in physical therapy comprising a base; a vertically adjustable tension post attached to the base; a vertically adjustable center post attached to the base posterior the tension post; means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup to allow for a stirrup to pivot inwardly and outwardly and upwardly and downwardly, and rotate circularly about a vertical axis corresponding to the center post, such means attached to the center post; a stirrup attached to the angular orientation adjustment means; one or more stirrup straps; a lateral slide track attached to the tension post; a laterally displaceable lateral slide bracket positioned within the lateral slide track; means for securedly engaging the lateral slide bracket to the lateral slide track; a tension strap for securing a leg of the foot secured in the stirrup; and means for adjusting the tension strap tension of the tension strap.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A mobility device for use in physical therapy comprising:
 a. A base;   b. A tension post attached to the base wherein the vertical position of the tension post is adjustable through means for vertically adjusting the tension post;   c. A center post attached to the base posterior the tension post and that is longitudinally displaceable, wherein the vertical position of the center post is adjustable through means for vertically adjusting the post;   d. Means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup to allow for the stirrup to pivot inwardly and outwardly, pivot upwardly and downwardly, and rotate circularly about a vertical axis corresponding to the center post, wherein such means is attached to the center post;   e. A stirrup attached to the means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup;   f. One or more straps attached to the stirrup for securing a foot to the stirrup;   g. A lateral slide track attached to the tension post;   h. A lateral slide bracket positioned within the lateral slide track and that is laterally displaceable;   i. Means for securedly engaging the lateral slide bracket to the lateral slide track;   j. A tension strap attached for securing a leg of the foot secured in the stirrup; and   k. Means for adjusting the tension in the tension strap, such means attached to the lateral slide bracket.   
     
     
         2 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more rails is attached to the lateral slide track and the lateral slide bracket is laterally displaceable along such one or more rails. 
     
     
         3 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal length of the stirrup is adjustable. 
     
     
         4 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the stirrup has positioned therein a plurality of vertical channels and the means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup comprise a ball joint assembly with an upper portion attached to the stirrup and a lower portion attached to the center post, and wherein the ball joint assembly comprises:
 a. A stirrup support plate through which extend a plurality of support plate channels and wherein each of the one or more support plate channels aligns with one of the plurality of stirrup vertical channels; 
 b. One or more support plate-stirrup attachment assemblies wherein each assembly attaches the stirrup support plate to the stirrup and is accommodated in one of the one or more support plate-stirrup vertical channels; 
 c. A ball joint comprising a bearing stud and a socket to which is attached the bearing stud and wherein the bearing stud extends through one of the plurality of support plate-stirrup vertical channels and is securedly engaged to the stirrup; 
 d. One or more brakes abutting the socket; 
 e. One or more brake screws comprising a horizontal segment comprising a first end and a second end and a vertical segment attached to the second end of the horizontal segment and wherein the first end of the horizontal segment of each brake screw has attached thereto one brake; 
 f. A rail abutting each of the one or more brakes and wherein each of the one or more brakes is slidably displaceable along the rail; and 
 g. A casing attached to the center post and having one or more casing hollow channels, wherein within the casing is accommodated at least a portion of the socket, each of the one or more brakes, at least the first end of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws, and the rail, and wherein the rail is securedly attached to the casing, and wherein the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws extends through one of the one or more casing hollow channels so that the second end of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws and the vertical segment of each of the one or more brake screws is positioned outside the casing; 
 h. Wherein the vertical segment of each of the one or more brake screws can be manipulated to retract at least a portion of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws from the casing and slidably displace each of the one or more brakes to form a gap between each of the one or more brakes and the socket of the ball joint to allow for movement of the ball joint and adjustment of the angular orientation of the stirrup which is securedly engaged to the bearing stud of the ball joint. 
 
     
     
         5 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a middle longitudinal portion with an anterior end connected to the anterior portion of the base and a posterior end connected to the posterior end of the base, and further comprising:
 a. A plurality of sensors comprising
 i. one or more stirrup sensors integrated in the stirrup and wherein at least one stirrup sensor measures the height and angle of the stirrup with respect a longitudinal axis defined by the middle longitudinal portion of the base, a lateral axis defined by an axis passing through such sensor and parallel to one of the anterior portion of the base and the posterior portion of the base, and vertical axis defined by the center post; and 
 ii. A calf sensor band comprising a flexible band and one or more calf sensors integrated in the flexible band and wherein at least one calf sensor measures the distance between the calf sensor and at least one stirrup sensor and the angular orientation of the such calf sensor relative to at least one stirrup sensor; and 
   b. Means for relaying sensor measurements to a means for recording the measurements.   
     
     
         6 . A mobility device for use in physical therapy comprising:
 a. A base;   b. A tension post attached to the base wherein the vertical position of the tension post is adjustable through means for vertically adjusting the tension post;   c. A center post attached to the base posterior the tension post and that is longitudinally displaceable, wherein the vertical position of the center post is adjustable through means for vertically adjusting the post;   d. Means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup to allow for the stirrup to pivot inwardly and outwardly, pivot upwardly and downwardly, and rotate circularly about a vertical axis corresponding to the center post, wherein such means is attached to the center post;   e. A stirrup attached to the means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup;   f. One or more straps attached to the stirrup for securing a foot to the stirrup;   g. A lateral slide track attached to the tension post;   h. A lateral slide bracket positioned within the lateral slide track and that is laterally displaceable;   i. Means for securedly engaging the lateral slide bracket to the lateral slide track; and   j. A tension strap reel assembly comprising:
 i. A reel assembly base attached to the lateral slide bracket; 
 ii. A reel supported by the reel assembly base, wherein the reel is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the lateral slide bracket and to which is secured one end of a tension strap for securing a leg of the foot secured in the stirrup and wherein the tension strap is woundable around the reel; 
 iii. A reel assembly cover attached to the lateral slide bracket, wherein the reel assembly cover has positioned therein a void in which is accommodated the reel; 
 iv. A reel pawl attached to the reel assembly cover and with an anterior end and a posterior end and a first side and a second side, wherein a tab extends anteriorly from one of the sides; 
 v. A reel pawl spring with a first end attached to the reel pawl and a second end attached to the reel assembly cover; 
 vi. A reel gear rotatably attached to the reel comprising a substantially circular disc with a plurality of adjacent reel gear teeth disposed around the disc circumference with each reel gear tooth separated from an adjacent reel gear tooth by a depression therebetween and wherein at least an end or side of the reel pawl engages a surface of a reel gear tooth and wherein the stiffness in the reel pawl spring maintains the reel pawl engaged to the reel gear with the positioning of the reel pawl engaged surface in a depression between adjacent reel gear teeth; 
 vii. A reel knob rotatably attached to the reel gear; 
 viii. Wherein the reel gear moves without restriction in a first direction when the plurality of reel gear teeth move in the first direction and with restriction in a second direction resulting from engagement of the reel pawl with at least one reel gear tooth; 
 ix. Wherein tension in the tension strap is imparted by the rotation of the reel knob in the first direction whereby the reel gear and the reel rotate in the first direction resulting in the winding of the tension strap around the reel; and 
 x. Wherein tension in the tension strap is removed by triggering and holding the reel pawl tab causing the extension of the reel pawl spring and the disengagement of the reel pawl from the reel gear and the rotation in the second direction of the reel, the reel gear, and the reel knob. 
   
     
     
         7 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein one or more rails is attached to the lateral slide track and the lateral slide bracket is laterally displaceable along such one or more rails. 
     
     
         8 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal length of the stirrup is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 6  ball joint assembly, wherein the stirrup has positioned therein a plurality of vertical channels and the means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup comprise a ball joint assembly with an upper portion attached to the stirrup and a lower portion attached to the center post, and wherein the ball joint assembly comprises:
 a. A stirrup support plate through which extend a plurality of support plate channels and wherein each of the one or more support plate channels aligns with one of the plurality of stirrup vertical channels; 
 b. One or more support plate-stirrup attachment assemblies wherein each assembly attaches the stirrup support plate to the stirrup and is accommodated in one of the one or more support plate-stirrup vertical channels; 
 c. A ball joint comprising a bearing stud and a socket to which is attached the bearing stud and wherein the bearing stud extends through one of the plurality of support plate-stirrup vertical channels and is securedly engaged to the stirrup; 
 d. One or more brakes abutting the socket; 
 e. One or more brake screws comprising a horizontal segment comprising a first end and a second end and a vertical segment attached to the second end of the horizontal segment and wherein the first end of the horizontal segment of each brake screw has attached thereto one brake; 
 f. A rail abutting each of the one or more brakes and wherein each of the one or more brakes is slidably displaceable along the rail; and 
 g. A casing attached to the center post and having one or more casing hollow channels, wherein within the casing is accommodated at least a portion of the socket, each of the one or more brakes, at least the first end of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws, and the rail, and wherein the rail is securedly attached to the casing, and wherein the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws extends through one of the one or more casing hollow channels so that the second end of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws and the vertical segment of each of the one or more brake screws is positioned outside the casing; and 
 h. Wherein the vertical segment of each of the one or more brake screws can be manipulated to retract at least a portion of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws from the casing and slidably displace each of the one or more brakes to form a gap between each of the one or more brakes and the socket of the ball joint to allow for movement of the ball joint and adjustment of the angular orientation of the stirrup which is securedly engaged to the bearing stud of the ball joint. 
 
     
     
         10 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 6 ,
 a. wherein the base comprises an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a middle longitudinal portion with an anterior end connected to the anterior portion of the base and a posterior end connected to the posterior end of the base, and further comprising   b. A plurality of sensors comprising
 i. one or more stirrup sensors integrated in the stirrup and wherein at least one stirrup sensor measures the height and angle of the stirrup with respect a longitudinal axis defined by the middle longitudinal portion of the base, a lateral axis defined by an axis passing through such sensor and parallel to one of the anterior portion of the base and the posterior portion of the base, and vertical axis defined by the center post; and 
 ii. A calf sensor band comprising a flexible band and one or more calf sensors integrated in the flexible band and wherein at least one calf sensor measures the distance between the calf sensor and at least one stirrup sensor and the angular orientation of the such calf sensor relative to at least one stirrup sensor; and 
   c. Means for relaying sensor measurements to a means for recording the measurements.   
     
     
         11 . A mobility device for use in physical therapy comprising:
 a. A base;   b. A tension post attached to the base wherein the vertical position of the tension post is adjustable through means for vertically adjusting the tension post;   c. A center post attached to the base posterior the tension post wherein the vertical position of the center post is adjustable through means for vertically adjusting the post;   d. Means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup to allow for the stirrup to pivot inwardly and outwardly, pivot upwardly and downwardly, and rotate circularly about a vertical axis corresponding to the center post, wherein such means is attached to the center post;   e. A stirrup attached to the means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup;   f. One or more straps attached to the stirrup for securing a foot to the stirrup;   g. A lateral slide track attached to the tension post;   h. A lateral slide bracket positioned within the lateral slide track and that is laterally displaceable;   i. Means for securedly engaging the lateral slide bracket to the lateral slide track;   j. A ratchet gear attached to the lateral slide bracket;   k. A handle comprising a lever and a lever joint that is rotatably attached to the ratchet gear; and   l. A tension strap attached to the handle for securing a leg of the foot secured in the stirrup.   
     
     
         12 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein one or more rails is attached to the lateral slide track and the lateral slide bracket is laterally displaceable along such one or more rails. 
     
     
         13 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal length of the stirrup is adjustable. 
     
     
         14 . A mobility device for use in physical therapy as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the stirrup has positioned therein a plurality of vertical channels and the means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup comprise a ball joint assembly with an upper portion attached to the stirrup and a lower portion attached to the center post, and wherein the ball joint assembly comprises:
 a. A stirrup support plate through which extend a plurality of support plate channels and wherein each of the one or more support plate channels aligns with one of the plurality of stirrup vertical channels;   b. One or more support plate-stirrup attachment assemblies wherein each assembly attaches the stirrup support plate to the stirrup and is accommodated in one of the one or more support plate-stirrup vertical channels;   c. A ball joint comprising a bearing stud and a socket to which is attached the bearing stud and wherein the bearing stud extends through one of the plurality of support plate-stirrup vertical channels and is securedly engaged to the stirrup;   d. One or more brakes abutting the socket;   e. One or more brake screws comprising a horizontal segment comprising a first end and a second end and a vertical segment attached to the second end of the horizontal segment and wherein the first end of the horizontal segment of each brake screw has attached thereto one brake;   f. A rail abutting each of the one or more brakes and wherein each of the one or more brakes is slidably displaceable along the rail; and   g. A casing attached to the center post and having one or more casing hollow channels, wherein within the casing is accommodated at least a portion of the socket, each of the one or more brakes, at least the first end of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws, and the rail, and wherein the rail is securedly attached to the casing, and wherein the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws extends through one of the one or more casing hollow channels so that the second end of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws and the vertical segment of each of the one or more brake screws is positioned outside the casing; and   h. Wherein the vertical segment of each of the one or more brake screws can be manipulated to retract at least a portion of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws from the casing and slidably displace each of the one or more brakes to form a gap between each of the one or more brakes and the socket of the ball joint to allow for movement of the ball joint and adjustment of the angular orientation of the stirrup which is securedly engaged to the bearing stud of the ball joint.   
     
     
         15 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the base comprises an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a middle longitudinal portion with an anterior end connected to the anterior portion of the base and a posterior end connected to the posterior end of the base, and further comprising:
 a. A plurality of sensors comprising
 i. one or more stirrup sensors integrated in the stirrup and wherein at least one stirrup sensor measures the height and angle of the stirrup with respect a longitudinal axis defined by the middle longitudinal portion of the base, a lateral axis defined by an axis passing through such sensor and parallel to one of the anterior portion of the base and the posterior portion of the base, and vertical axis defined by the center post; and 
 ii. A calf sensor band comprising a flexible band and one or more calf sensors integrated in the flexible band and wherein at least one calf sensor measures the distance between the calf sensor and at least one stirrup sensor and the angular orientation of the such calf sensor relative to at least one stirrup sensor; and 
   b. Means for relaying sensor measurements to a means for recording the measurements.   
     
     
         16 . A mobility device for use in physical therapy comprising:
 a. A base;   b. A tension post attached to the base wherein the vertical position of the tension post is adjustable through means for vertically adjusting the tension post;   c. A center post attached to the base posterior the tension post wherein the vertical position of the center post is adjustable through means for vertically adjusting the post;   d. Means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup to allow for the stirrup to pivot inwardly and outwardly, pivot upwardly and downwardly, and rotate circularly about a vertical axis corresponding to the center post, wherein such means is attached to the center post;   e. A stirrup attached to the means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup;   f. One or more straps attached to the stirrup for securing a foot to the stirrup;   g. A lateral slide track attached to the tension post;   h. A lateral slide bracket positioned within the lateral slide track and that is laterally displaceable;   i. Means for securedly engaging the lateral slide bracket to the lateral slide track;   j. Tension strap reel assembly comprising:
 i. A reel assembly base attached to the lateral slide bracket; 
 ii. A reel supported by the reel assembly base, wherein the reel is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the lateral slide bracket and to which is secured one end of a tension strap for securing a leg of the foot secured in the stirrup and wherein the tension strap is woundable around the reel; 
 iii. A reel assembly cover attached to the lateral slide bracket, wherein the reel assembly cover has positioned therein a void in which is accommodated the reel; 
 iv. A reel pawl attached to the reel assembly cover and with an anterior end and a posterior end and a first side and a second side, wherein a tab extends anteriorly from one of the sides; 
 v. A reel pawl spring with a first end attached to the reel pawl and a second end attached to the reel assembly cover; 
 vi. A reel gear rotatably attached to the reel comprising a substantially circular disc with a plurality of adjacent reel gear teeth disposed around the disc circumference with each reel gear tooth separated from an adjacent reel gear tooth by a depression therebetween and wherein at least an end or side of the reel pawl engages a surface of a reel gear tooth and wherein the stiffness in the reel pawl spring maintains the reel pawl engaged to the reel gear with the positioning of the reel pawl engaged surface in a depression between adjacent reel gear teeth; 
 vii. A reel knob rotatably attached to the reel gear; 
 viii. Wherein the reel gear moves without restriction in a first direction when the plurality of reel gear teeth move in the first direction and with restriction in a second direction resulting from engagement of the reel pawl with at least one reel gear tooth; 
 ix. Wherein tension in the tension strap is imparted by the rotation of the reel knob in the first direction whereby the reel gear and the reel rotate in the first direction resulting in the winding of the tension strap around the reel; and 
 x. Wherein tension in the tension strap is removed by triggering and holding the reel pawl tab causing the extension of the reel pawl spring and the disengagement of the reel pawl from the reel gear and the rotation in the second direction of the reel, the reel gear, and the reel knob. 
   
     
     
         17 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein one or more rails is attached to the lateral slide track and the lateral slide bracket is laterally displaceable along such one or more rails. 
     
     
         18 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the longitudinal length of the stirrup is adjustable. 
     
     
         19 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the stirrup has positioned therein a plurality of vertical channels and the means for adjusting the angular orientation of a stirrup comprise a ball joint assembly with an upper portion attached to the stirrup and a lower portion attached to the center post, and wherein the ball joint assembly comprises:
 a. A stirrup support plate through which extend a plurality of support plate channels and wherein each of the one or more support plate channels aligns with one of the plurality of stirrup vertical channels;   b. One or more support plate-stirrup attachment assemblies wherein each assembly attaches the stirrup support plate to the stirrup and is accommodated in one of the one or more support plate-stirrup vertical channels;   c. A ball joint comprising a bearing stud and a socket to which is attached the bearing stud and wherein the bearing stud extends through one of the plurality of support plate-stirrup vertical channels and is securedly engaged to the stirrup;   d. One or more brakes abutting the socket;   e. One or more brake screws comprising a horizontal segment comprising a first end and a second end and a vertical segment attached to the second end of the horizontal segment and wherein the first end of the horizontal segment of each brake screw has attached thereto one brake;   f. A rail abutting each of the one or more brakes and wherein each of the one or more brakes is slidably displaceable along the rail; and   g. A casing attached to the center post and having one or more casing hollow channels, wherein within the casing is accommodated at least a portion of the socket, each of the one or more brakes, at least the first end of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws, and the rail, and wherein the rail is securedly attached to the casing, and wherein the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws extends through one of the one or more casing hollow channels so that the second end of the horizontal segment of each of the one or more brake screws and the vertical segment of each of the one or more brake screws is positioned outside the casing;   
     
     
         20 . A mobility device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises an anterior portion, a posterior portion, and a middle longitudinal portion with an anterior end connected to the anterior portion of the base and a posterior end connected to the posterior end of the base, and further comprising:
 a. A plurality of sensors comprising
 i. one or more stirrup sensors integrated in the stirrup and wherein at least one stirrup sensor measures the height and angle of the stirrup with respect a longitudinal axis defined by the middle longitudinal portion of the base, a lateral axis defined by an axis passing through such sensor and parallel to one of the anterior portion of the base and the posterior portion of the base, and vertical axis defined by the center post; and 
 ii. A calf sensor band comprising a flexible band and one or more calf sensors integrated in the flexible band and wherein at least one calf sensor measures the distance between the calf sensor and at least one stirrup sensor and the angular orientation of the such calf sensor relative to at least one stirrup sensor; and 
   b. Means for relaying sensor measurements to a means for recording the measurements.