Schoelift

Abstract

 The present invention provides an apparatus for lifting in order to lift the bearing surface of at least one foot of a person who is going upstairs or downstairs at equal height with a next substantially horizontal step, wherein said apparatus comprises a control device for energizing said apparatus respectively at going upstairs or downstairs, wherein at going upstairs or downstairs said apparatus forms one body with said at least one foot and is carried away by said foot. Pneumatics, lifting tables having suitable driving devices, and further devices can be arranged between the two surfaces in order to lift and retract the upper surface like a lift. Both a shoe, certain shoe parts or separate shoe parts can be provided with such apparatus. Controls with processor devices can be programmed such that walking behaviour will be supported substantially. For example the movement of drawing the other foot as regards the first one, however also normal going upstairs or downstairs including bypassing feet can be programmed.
Going upstairs or downstairs for handicapped people or other users will be simplified substantially.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns an apparatus, and also a shoe, a shoe part, and a system comprising said apparatus as described in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore the present invention concerns methods for driving said apparatus, footwear, or parts of shoes, to be worn by a single foot or by both feet.

[0003] Such an apparatus or lifting device is known from FR2536731. In said document a system for lifting is described each step of a staircase having a built-in lifting apparatus. Thus a step can be lifted or lowered up to a next step upwardly or downwardly. For a person who is using such a step lift it is no longer necessary to lift his or her own weight to the next level. It is only necessary to move his or her feet and legs in order to arrive at a next step upwardly, or in the reverse way downwardly.

[0004] With such a staircase lifting device it is easily possible for elder and/or disabled people to go upstairs or downstairs because it is not anymore necessary to climb steps or to descend steps. However, certain disadvantages remain in such an apparatus. Firstly, it is necessary to modify the whole staircase for having such a built-in lifting device. Secondly, only in few buildings, houses, or apartments such devices will be built-in, especially in environments for people as mentioned just before.

[0005] In order to remedy such inconvenience the apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that at going upstairs or downstairs said apparatus forms one body with said at least one foot and is carried away by said foot. It is very advantageous for people as mentioned just before to take such apparatus along thus having the possibility to go upstairs or downstairs at many other places than only at home or at adapted locations. Further to remedying inconveniences it will be clear also that high cost for adapting living environments can be anticipated.

[0006] Although movable lifting devices are known, for example from US4606433, such devices can only be used for charging and discharging trucks and containers or suchlike transport means.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention hereinafter several embodiments and further examples for said apparatus and said method are presented.

[0008] In a first embodiment said apparatus comprises two surfaces for carrying and supporting, which are substantially parallel, which are arranged above each other, which are substantially equally sized, and which are connected to a single pneumatic drive extending mainly in the direction perpendicular to said surfaces, wherein said foot is resting on the upper of said surfaces, and wherein a carrying device is comprised for the necessary compressed gas, wherein said apparatus can reach two target positions, the first one a starting position at which surfaces are substantially on top of each other, and the second one a final position at which said surfaces have the biggest intermediate distance.

[0009] In a second embodiment said apparatus comprises two surfaces for carrying and supporting, which are substantially parallel, which are arranged above each other, which are substantially equally sized, further comprising there between a lifting device the whole functioning as a lifting table driven by a driver, wherein said apparatus can reach two target positions, the first one a starting position at which surfaces are substantially on top of each other, and the second one at which said surfaces have the biggest intermediate distance. In particular said driver is an electromotor to taken with.

[0010] In yet a further embodiment said apparatus is part of a shoe for said foot. Thus advantageously the inconvenience is reduced substantially

[0011] In another embodiment said apparatus comprises the running surface of said shoe.

[0012] In yet another embodiment said control device is driven by a manual control apparatus by said person.

[0013] Furthermore there is an embodiment wherein said control device comprises a self learning processor thus controlling and driving said driver.

[0014] There is a further embodiment wherein said processor is processing signals signalled from amongst others a memory unit and from input units for respectively stocking and inputting data, wherein said data comprise for said person, at the one side specific data, such as there are weight and spatial weight distribution, and at the other side data as to his or her walking behaviour and walking kinetics.

[0015] There is yet a further embodiment wherein said apparatus furthermore comprises clamping means or location means for clamping said apparatus thus forming one body with said foot or with said shoe.

[0016] There is another embodiment presenting shoe, boot, or artificial limb, provided with the apparatus in accordance with one of the foregoing claims and forming one body therewith.

[0017] This embodiment is very advantageous because the user can walk and go at least parts of the day wearing such apparatus thus avoiding changing his shoes.

[0018] In a further example the invention comprises a sole of shoe, boot, or artificial limb, provided with the apparatus in accordance with one of the foregoing claims and forming one body therewith.

[0019] In an advantageous way processes for manufacturing orthopaedic tools, more in particular orthopaedic shoes, cam be started. Such series manufacturing will reduce costs when buying substantially.

[0020] In yet a further example the invention comprises a system of two apparatuses in accordance with one of the foregoing claims, wherein said system is used by both feet for going upstairs or for going downstairs.

[0021] Thus it is very advantageous that a person or user can apply such apparatus with more ease.

[0022] In another example there is a system wherein the control device controls a walking cycle for energizing said system for going upstairs or for going downstairs.

[0023] In yet another example the system is characterized in that for help of said person for each start or end of said walking cycle a start or end indication cycle is given, for example a sound signal, a light signal, or a vibration signal, thus making possible a very focussed use.

[0024] Furthermore the invention presents a method for driving an apparatus for lifting in order to lift the bearing surface of at least one foot of a person who is going upstairs or downstairs at equal height with a next substantially horizontal step, wherein said method comprises lifting and retracting an apparatus as presented hereinabove, wherein the foot forming one body with said apparatus is allowed to arrive at equal height with the other foot when said person is going upstairs or is going downstairs.

[0025] In a further method of the invention said method for going upstairs comprises the following steps;

a) positioning of the at least one foot upon a substantially horizontal surface of said apparatus for carrying and supporting, the apparatus being in its starting position, the starting position being one of two target positions, the first starting position when said surface is not lifted, and a second final position when said surface is lifted up to the height of the next step;

b) forming one body of said foot and said apparatus;

c) positioning the other foot upon the first next step;

d) energizing said apparatus thus lifting said apparatus to its second position and consequently lifting said one foot up to the height of said next step;

e) energizing said apparatus thus retracting said apparatus to its starting position while remaining said one foot in its lifted position; and

f) positioning said one foot on said next step by moving said foot forwardly, and repeating steps c) to f) for a next stair step cycle.

[0026] Having such method in an easy way going upstairs and downstairs is possible only necessitating one foot to be drawn at the same level. Ii is especially suitable for persons being handicapped only temporary at such foot or leg. Furthermore said method is applied for going downstairs following said steps of said method in the reversed order.

[0027] In another example the invention presents a method for driving a system comprising two apparatuses for lifting in order to lift both feet of a person who is going upstairs or downstairs by lifting his or her feet to equal height with a next substantially horizontal step, wherein said method comprises lifting and retracting of said apparatuses in accordance with one of the above embodiments or examples, wherein each of both feet, each foot forming one body with one of said apparatuses, is allowed to arrive at a next step, the one foot after the other foot and arriving at mutually different steps.

[0028] In yet a further embodiment of the method of the present invention said method for going upstairs comprises the following steps;

a) positioning both feet upon correspondingly a substantially horizontal surface of said apparatus for carrying and supporting, the apparatus surface being in its starting position, the starting position being one of two target positions, the first starting position when such surface is not lifted, and a second final position when such surface is lifted up to the height of the next step;

b) forming one body of each of said feet and correspondingly each of said apparatuses;

c) energizing both apparatuses in order to lift both feet over a height distance equal to said one step;

d) energizing one of said apparatus thus retracting said one apparatus to its second position;

e) positioning said one foot on said next step by moving said foot forwardly;

f) carrying out said steps d) and e) for the other foot; and
repeating said steps c) to f) for a next stair step cycle.

[0029] In an advantageous and suitable way for more exercised people or users such method makes a more continuous or even faster way of going upstairs or downstairs possible. Besides said method is applied for going downstairs following said steps of said method in the reversed order.

[0030] Hereinafter the invention will be explained in more detail, thereby referring to some figures,
wherein figure 1 gives an isometric view of a first embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention;
wherein figure 2 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention;
wherein figure 3 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention;
wherein figures 4A-D schematically show a sequence of situations when applying the method of the invention in a first mode; and
wherein figures 5A-D schematically show a sequence of situations when applying the method of the invention in a second mode.
In said figures corresponding parts are numbered correspondingly.

[0031] In figure 1 for the apparatus of the invention two surfaces for carrying and supporting 1,2 are shown. When being used one foot is positioned upon the surface 1 whereas the foot is locked with for example clamping strips 30,31 at the edge rims of said surface 1. Such a foot can yes or no wear a shoe. The two surfaces 1,2 are in between connected by means of a pneumatic lifting cylinder 10 which is connected by means of a compressed air hose which in turn is connected to compressed air reservoir (not shown) having a well known system of air valves for building or releasing air pressure. For example the reservoir can be a compressor. The direction of lifting and retracting during lifting when going upstairs or going downstairs is represented by an arrow H. The device for transporting the apparatus as explained is not shown. In the present embodiment the cylinder 10 is arranged perpendicular with regard to the surfaces 1,2. Furthermore rim parts around the upper surface 1 are shown in order to give support to the foot when positioned.

[0032] Further hoses, cylinders and tubes for gas such as compressed air are not shown. In general sizes of such parts will be chosen suchlike that they can be transported at least partly in an easy way, for example to have the possibility to be connected to compressed air conducts arranged at the floor to be arrived when going upstairs. Furthermore it is to be considered to arrange conducts aside of the stairs.

[0033] In figure 2 a side view of a second embodiment is shown wherein a lifting table 20 having coupled hinging bars 21, driven by means a rack drive, or by means of a screw spindle with nut, for example connected to an electromotor 22, resulting in a lifting action. Suchlike lifting devices are very well known in the field of transporting technology.

[0034] In figure 3 schematically a side view of a further embodiment quite similar to that of figure 2 is shown. In this embodiment lifting table 20 is comprised within a bellows 40 having therein enclosed a volume of air having the function of a pneumatic spring. In a well known way pressure can be built up or released, respectively for lifting or retracting. Furthermore combinations of bellows can be applied.

[0035] In the figures no examples of control devices are shown. Firstly it is preferred to arrange such devices in manual remote control devices, such as for example manual TV remote controls. In a well known way a microprocessor or chip is applied and programmed such that the lifting apparatus, or a system of such apparatuses, can be driven in an adequate way. Moreover the programmes as applied can be programmed such that built in signals from built in sensors will be processed. Such signals will represent both personal data and walking behaviour data. As personal data weight and weight distribution can be mentioned. As walking behaviour data for example data on walking kinetics or change of weight distribution can be measured, monitored, and processed during walking. Thus a walking or moving cycle can be set, resulting in driving signals as firing signals or for firing an indicating device thereby helping and supporting the person or user when going upstairs or downstairs, even in such a way that the person or user can be free from activating such control device in a continuous way.

[0036] It will be clear for those skilled in the art that materials for soles, for surfaces for carrying and supporting, for buckles, for leg supports, or for leg guards or leg shafts, will be chosen adequately. Also these devices are dependant on the individual person, for example as regards the health situation of the user.

[0037] In the figures 4 A-D en 5 A-D methods for use of the apparatuses as described hereinabove will be explained wherein only the movement of going upstairs is shown. The situations of figure 4 can be typified as going upstairs wherein the other foot will be drawn together with said other, i.e. said other foot arrives at the step where the first foot arrived just before. In other words this means a way of going upstairs step by step, and in the reverse way going downstairs step by step, thus no foot bypassing the other. On the contrary in figure 5 a method of going upstairs is shown the method comprising the usual sequence of going upstairs, thus the one foot bypassing the other, consequently bypassing the corresponding steps.

[0038] More in particular in figure 4 substantially horizontal steps 100, 200 of a staircase are shown. For this embodiment of going upstairs or going downstairs, more in particular for going upstairs, each foot will use the apparatus of the invention. The surfaces 41, 42 belong to the apparatus for the right foot, and the surfaces 41', 42' belong to the left foot. After the feet or shoes having been secured for starting the movement, the step of the method as shown in figure 4A is started up. In the situation of figure 4B it shown how both feet are lifted by the corresponding both apparatuses, thus lifting the person vertically upwardly. At the transition from figure 4B to figure 4C the apparatus secured to the right foot will be retracted. As soon as the retraction is finished the right foot can be moved forwardly thus being positioned on the next step 200, as shown in figure 4D.

[0039] In the figures 5, for the right foot with an apparatus of the invention having surfaces 51, 52, and for the left foot an apparatus of the invention having surfaces 51', 52', for reason of simplifying the figure not all intermediate situations, for example as shown in figures 4, are shown. However, preceding to the situation of figure 5A the situations of the figures 4 A-C should be inserted. Subsequently figure 5B shows the situation in accordance with that of figure 4C, thereby retracting the apparatus for the left foot simultaneously. Figure 5C shows that the apparatus for the right foot is starting to lift for the situation that the apparatus for the left foot is in a partly retracted position. Finally in figure 5D it is shown how the left foot just passed the step 200 and now will be moved towards step 300. Thus a situation will result which closely corresponds to that of figure 5B, now with exchanged feet.

[0040] For those skilled in the art it will be clear that for going downstairs a suchlike method must be applied, but then in the reverse order.

[0041] Further embodiments and modifications which can be derived easily from the above description arte considered to be covered by the attached claims. For example a step motor can be chosen suitably for driving the apparatus of the invention. Furthermore driving such motor can be controlled on pressure caused by a fired compression ignition of a fuel mixture. Moreover it is noted that the two said surfaces have substantially the same size in order to provide the right stability. However, dependant on the personal situation or circumstances different sizes are possible, such as type of shoes, health condition of user, or specific living situation.

Claims

1. Apparatus for lifting in order to lift the bearing surface of at least one foot of a person who is going upstairs or downstairs at equal height with a next substantially horizontal step, wherein said apparatus comprises a control device for energizing said apparatus respectively at going upstairs or downstairs,
characterized in that,
at going upstairs or downstairs said apparatus forms one body with said at least one foot and is carried away by said foot.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that,
said apparatus comprises two surfaces for carrying and supporting, which are substantially parallel, which are arranged above each other, which are substantially equally sized, and which are connected to a single pneumatic drive extending mainly in the direction perpendicular to said surfaces, wherein said foot is resting on the upper of said surfaces, and wherein a carrying device is comprised for the necessary compressed gas, wherein said apparatus can reach two target positions, the first one a starting position at which surfaces are substantially on top of each other, and the second one a final position at which said surfaces have the biggest intermediate distance.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that,
said apparatus comprises two surfaces for carrying and supporting, which are substantially parallel, which are arranged above each other, which are substantially equally sized, further comprising there between a lifting device the whole functioning as a lifting table driven by a driver, wherein said apparatus can reach two target positions, the first one a starting position at which surfaces are substantially on top of each other, and the second one at which said surfaces have the biggest intermediate distance.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that,
said driver is an electromotor.

5. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that,
said apparatus is part of a shoe for said foot.

6. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that,
said apparatus comprises the running surface of said shoe.

7. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that,
said control device is driven by a manual control apparatus by said person.

8. Apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that,
said control device comprises a self learning processor thus controlling and driving said driver.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that,
said processor is processing signals signalled from amongst others a memory unit and from input units for respectively stocking and inputting data, wherein said data comprise for said person, at the one side specific data, such as there are weight and spatial weight distribution, and at the other side data as to his or her walking behaviour and walking kinetics.

10. Apparatus in accordance with one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that, said apparatus furthermore comprises clamping means or location means for clamping said apparatus thus forming one body with said foot or with said shoe.

11. Shoe, boot, or artificial limb, provided with the apparatus in accordance with one of the foregoing claims and forming one body therewith.

12. Sole of shoe, boot, or artificial limb, provided with the apparatus in accordance with one of the foregoing claims and forming one body therewith.

13. System of two apparatuses in accordance with one of the foregoing claims, wherein said system is used by both feet for going upstairs or for going downstairs.

14. System in accordance with claim 13, wherein the control device controls a walking cycle for energizing said system for going upstairs or for going downstairs.

15. System in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that,
for help of said person for each start or end of said walking cycle a start or end indication cycle is given, for example a sound signal, a light signal, or a vibration signal.

16. Method for driving an apparatus for lifting in order to lift the bearing surface of at least one foot of a person who is going upstairs or downstairs at equal height with a next substantially horizontal step,
characterized in that,
said method comprises lifting and retracting an apparatus as claimed in one of the claims 1-15, wherein the foot forming one body with said apparatus is allowed to arrive at equal height with the other foot when said person is going upstairs or is going downstairs.

17. Method in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that,
said method for going upstairs comprises the following steps;

a) positioning of the at least one foot upon a substantially horizontal surface of said apparatus for carrying and supporting, the apparatus being in its starting position, the starting position being one of two target positions, the first starting position when said surface is not lifted, and a second final position when said surface is lifted up to the height of the next step;

b) forming one body of said foot and said apparatus;

c) positioning the other foot upon the first next step;

d) energizing said apparatus thus lifting said apparatus to its second position and consequently lifting said one foot up to the height of said next step;

e) energizing said apparatus thus retracting said apparatus to its starting position while remaining said one foot in its lifted position; and

f) positioning said one foot on said next step by moving said foot forwardly, and repeating steps c) to f) for a next stair step cycle.

18. Method in accordance with claim 17, characterized in that,
said method is applied for going downstairs following said steps of said method in the reversed order.

19. Method for driving a system comprising two apparatuses for lifting in order to lift both feet of a person who is going upstairs or downstairs by lifting his or her feet to equal height with a next substantially horizontal step,
characterized in that,
said method comprises lifting and retracting of said apparatuses in accordance with one of the claims 1 - 15, wherein each of both feet, each foot forming one body with one of said apparatuses, is allowed to arrive at a next step, the one foot after the other foot and arriving at mutually different steps.

20. Method in accordance with claim 19, characterized in that,
said method for going upstairs comprises the following steps;

a) positioning both feet upon correspondingly a substantially horizontal surface of said apparatus for carrying and supporting, the apparatus surface being in its starting position, the starting position being one of two target positions, the first starting position when such surface is not lifted, and a second final position when such surface is lifted up to the height of the next step;

b) forming one body of each of said feet and correspondingly each of said apparatuses;

c) energizing both apparatuses in order to lift both feet over a height distance equal to said one step;

d) energizing one of said apparatus thus retracting said one apparatus to its second position;

e) positioning said one foot on said next step by moving said foot forwardly;

f) carrying out said steps d) and e) for the other foot; and
repeating said steps c) to f) for a next stair step cycle.

21. Method in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that,
said method is applied for going downstairs following said steps of said method in the reversed order.

Drawing