FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an assistant apparatus, and more particularly to
an assistant apparatus that helps elderly people suffering from the degenerative joint
disease to walk.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] In an era of aging society, degenerative joint disease is a very common issue for
elderly people. Whenever the weather changes drastically or the temperature drops
suddenly, they tend to suffer from joint swelling, inflammation and severe pain, which
make it difficult for them to walk. This has led to significant restrictions to their
mobility and activity, and in certain cases, artificial joints may need to be implanted
in elderlies suffering from more severe joint conditions. While conventional assistant
apparatuses such as crutches can aid with walking, they cannot effectively reduce
the weight of the human body borne by the joints, so that their effects are rather
limited.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacies, the present disclosure
provides an assistant apparatus that can effectively share the weight of the human
body to reduce the burden on the joints, thereby helping the user in walking and effectively
reducing the discomfort of the waist and the joints.
[0004] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an assistant apparatus for degenerative
joint, including an apparatus main body, a first leg-lifting mechanism, and a second
leg-lifting mechanism. The apparatus main body has an upper section, a middle section,
and a lower section. The middle section is connected between the upper section and
the lower section. The upper end of the upper section is provided with a supporting
member. The lower end of the lower section is provided with a carrying member. The
upper section is bendable relative to the middle section, and the middle section is
bendable relative to the lower section. The first leg-lifting mechanism is connected
between the upper section and the middle section of the apparatus main body. The second
leg-lifting mechanism is connected between the middle section and the middle section
of the apparatus main body. The upper section, the middle section, the lower section,
the first leg-lifting mechanism, and the second leg-lifting mechanism of the apparatus
main body each include an elastic buffering mechanism to provide elastic buffer effects.
[0005] Therefore, the assistant apparatus of the present disclosure is a kind of walking
crutch that can support the weight of the human body in a multi-sectional manner and
generate elastic buffering effect. It can also use the weight of the human body to
store kinetic energy when it is stepped down on, so as to help users save energy when
they lift their thighs and calves. The assistant apparatus of the present disclosure
can effectively reduce the discomfort of the waist and the joints, and is suitable
for patients with symptoms such as deteriorative joints, osteoporosis, mild stroke,
as well as for traffic accident rehabilitation so that patients can walk more effortlessly
and easily. Furthermore, the elastic buffering mechanism of the assistant apparatus
of the present disclosure has an adjustment function, with which the elastic force
can be appropriately adjusted according to the heights of the users and the use conditions.
[0006] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following
description of the embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings and
their captions, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without
departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed
description and accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assistant apparatus for degenerative joint of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the assistant apparatus for degenerative joint of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the assistant apparatus for degenerative joint of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a detailed view of section VI of FIG 4.
FIG. 7 is a detailed view of section VII of FIG 4.
FIG. 8 is a detailed view of section VIII of FIG 4.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the assistant apparatus for degenerative joint of the
present disclosure in operation.
FIG. 10 is another schematic view of the assistant apparatus for degenerative joint
of the present disclosure in operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0008] The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that
are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein
will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate
like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout
the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning
of "a", "an", and "the" includes plural reference, and the meaning of "in" includes
"in" and "on". Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader,
which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure.
[0009] The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case
of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail.
The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms
can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be
placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or
more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere
in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in
no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified
term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given
herein. Numbering terms such as "first", "second" or "third" can be used to describe
various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal
from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose
any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like.
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the assistant apparatus for degenerative joint in
accordance with the present disclosure includes an apparatus main body 1, a first
leg-lifting mechanism 2, and a second leg-lifting mechanism 3. The apparatus main
body 1 has an upper section 11, a middle section 12, and a lower section 13. The upper
section 11, the middle section 12, and the lower section 13 are sequentially arranged
from top to bottom, and the middle section 12 is connected between the upper section
11 and the lower section 13. The upper end of the middle section 12 can for example
be pivotally connected to the lower end of upper section 11 such that the upper section
11 is bendable relative to the middle section 12, and the middle section 12 can swing
back and forth using its upper end as the fulcrum. The lower end of middle section
12 can for example be pivotally connected to the upper end of the lower section 13
such that middle section 12 is bendable relative to the lower section 13, and the
lower section 13 can swing back and forth using its upper end as the fulcrum. The
upper section 11 of the apparatus main body 1 is provided with a supporting member
111. The supporting member 111 can be placed under the armpit of the user so that
the apparatus main body 1 can function like a crutch to support the weight of the
human body. The lower end of lower section 13 is provided with a carrying member 131,
which can be placed inside the user's shoe to uphold the user's foot. In addition,
the apparatus main body 1 can also use fastening members 100, 200, 300 and 400 (as
shown in FIG. 10) such as Velcro tapes or webbing to be fixed onto the user's body,
thighs and calves, so that apparatus main body 1 can be as close to the human body
as possible. The apparatus main body 1 may also include a handgrip 14, which may be
connected to the middle section 12 for the user to hold.
[0011] The upper section 11, the middle section 12, the lower section 13, the first leg-lifting
mechanism 2, and the second leg-lifting mechanism 3 of the apparatus main body 1 each
include an elastic buffering mechanism S. That is, all above-mentioned devices have
elastic members to provide elastic buffering effects. The upper section 11, the middle
section 12, and the lower section 13 of the apparatus main body 1 each include the
elastic buffering mechanism, which provides the apparatus main body 1 with elasticity.
The first leg-lifting mechanism 2 is connected between the upper section 11 and middle
section 12 of the apparatus main body 1. The second leg-lifting mechanism 3 is connected
between the middle section 12 and the lower section 13 of the apparatus main body
1. The first leg-lifting mechanism 2 and the second leg-lifting mechanism 3 both have
the elastic buffering mechanism S, so that the first leg-lifting mechanism 2 can be
used to assist the user to lift his thigh, and the second leg-lifting mechanism 3
can be used to assist the user to lift his calf.
[0012] Here, the structures of these elastic buffering mechanisms S are not limited. For
example, the structures of these elastic buffering mechanisms S may be the same or
different. In this embodiment, the structures of these elastic buffering mechanisms
S are substantially the same. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, only the structure
of the elastic buffering mechanism S of the upper section 11 of the apparatus main
body 1 is specifically described herein. As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8, the elastic
buffering mechanism S includes a tube body S1, an adjusting member S2, a bolt S3,
a nut S4, a first elastic member S5, a second elastic member S6, a sliding assembly
S7, and a connecting rod S8.
[0013] The tube body S1 is a hollow object that can either be straight or curved, and there
is no limitation to its shape. In this embodiment, the tube bodies S1 of the elastic
buffering mechanisms S of the upper section 11, the middle section 12, the lower section
13, and the second leg-lifting mechanism 3 of the apparatus main body 1 are all straight.
The tube body S1 of the elastic buffering mechanism S of the first leg-lifting mechanism
2 is curved.
[0014] The adjusting member S2 is disposed at the upper end of the tube body S1, and the
bolt S3 is disposed inside the tube body S1. The adjusting member S2 is fixed at one
end of the bolt S3, so that the adjusting member S2 can be used to drive the bolt
S3 to rotate. The nut S4 is disposed inside the tube body S1 and screwed to the bolt
S3. The nut S4 can include a guiding member S41. The guiding member S41 is slidably
fitted in a guiding groove S11 of the tube body S1 and extends along the axial direction
of the tube body S1 to guide the movement of the nut S4.
[0015] The first elastic member S5, the second elastic member S6, the sliding assembly S7,
and the connecting rod S8 are disposed inside the tube body S1. The first elastic
member S5 and the second elastic member S6 can both be elastic members such as compression
springs. The diameter of first elastic member S5 is larger than that of the second
elastic member S6. The sliding assembly S7 is disposed between the first elastic member
S5 and the second elastic member S6. The upper end of the connecting rod S8 is connected
to the sliding assembly S7. The lower end of the connecting rod S8 extends out of
the tube body S1 such that the connecting rod S8 can be connected to the adjacent
devices such as the upper end of the middle section 12. The sliding assembly S7 can
include one slider S71 and two magnets S72 and S73, and the two magnets S72 and S73
are disposed above the slider S71. The slider S71 and the two magnets S72 and S73
are movably disposed in the tube body S1. The adjacent sides of the magnets S72 and
S73 have the same magnetic polarity, so that the magnets S72 and S73 can generate
repulsive force, so as to increase the upward pushing force against the first elastic
member S5 and the second elastic member S6. The upper end of the connecting rod S8
is connected to the slider S71 of sliding assembly S7.
[0016] When the adjusting member S2 is driving the bolt S3 to rotate, the nut S4 is pushed
to move inside the tube body S1 along the axial direction thereof. This drives the
nut S4 to push upward against the first elastic member S5, the sliding assembly S7,
and the second elastic member S6, thereby changing the lengths of the first elastic
member S5 and the second elastic member S6. When the first elastic member S5 and the
second elastic member S6 become shorter, their elasticities are reduced. When the
first elastic member S5 and the second elastic member S6 become longer, their elasticities
increase. In this manner, the elastic buffering mechanism S can have an adjustment
function of different elasticity and tightness.
[0017] Specifically, the adjusting member S2 and the connecting rod S8 of the elastic buffering
mechanism S can be used to connect the upper section 11, the middle section 12, and
the lower section 13 of the apparatus main body 1. For example, the adjusting member
S2 of the elastic buffering mechanism S of the middle section 12 can be connected
to the connecting rod S8 of the elastic buffering mechanism S of the upper section
11 through a first connecting assembly 121. The connecting rod S8 of the elastic buffering
mechanism S of the middle section 12 can be connected to the adjusting member S2 of
the elastic buffering mechanism S of the lower section 13 through a second connecting
assembly 132. The first connecting assembly 121 and the second connecting assembly
132 may include existing connecting members such as rotating shafts and connecting
rods, but are not limited thereto.
[0018] The tube body S1 and the connecting rod S8 of the elastic buffering mechanism S can
be used to connect the upper section 11, the middle section 12, and the first leg-lifting
mechanism 2 of the apparatus main body 1. For example, the tube body S1 of the elastic
buffering mechanism S of the first leg-lifting mechanism 2 can be connected to the
tube body S1 of the elastic buffering mechanism S of the upper section 11 through
a third connecting assembly 21. The connecting rod S8 of the elastic buffering mechanism
S of the first leg-lifting mechanism 2 can be connected to the upper end of middle
section 12 through a fourth connecting assembly 22. The third connecting assembly
21 and the fourth connecting assembly 22 may include existing connecting members such
as rotating shafts and connecting rods, but are not limited thereto.
[0019] The adjusting member S2 and the connecting rod S8 of the elastic buffering mechanism
S can be used to connect the middle section 12, the lower section 13, and the second
leg-lifting mechanism 3 of the apparatus main body 1. For example, the adjusting member
S2 of the elastic buffering mechanism S of the second leg-lifting mechanism 3 can
be connected to the tube body S1 of the elastic buffering mechanism S of the middle
section 12 through a fifth connecting assembly 31. The connecting rod S8 of the elastic
buffering mechanism S of the second leg-lifting mechanism 3 can be connected to the
upper end of the lower section 13 through a sixth connecting assembly 32. The fifth
connecting assembly 31 and the sixth connecting assembly 32 may include existing connecting
members such as rotating shafts and connecting rods, but are not limited thereto.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the assistant apparatus for degenerative joint in
accordance with the present disclosure includes the apparatus main body 1, the first
leg-lifting mechanism 2, and the second leg-lifting mechanism 3. The assistant apparatus
can be worn onto the human body to assist with walking. The apparatus main body 1
has the upper section 11, the middle section 12, and the lower section 13. The assistant
apparatus can support the weight of the human body in a multi-sectional manner and
can provide elastic buffering effect using the elastic buffering mechanism S of each
section. The assistant apparatus can also store kinetic energy through body weight
when stepped down on, and coupled with the designs of the first leg-lifting mechanism
2 and the second leg-lifting mechanism 3, can assist users to lift their thighs and
calves.
[0021] In conclusion, the assistant apparatus of the present disclosure is a kind of walking
crutch that can support the weight of the human body in a multi-sectional manner and
generate elastic buffering effect. It can also use the weight of the human body to
store kinetic energy when it is stepped down on, so that users can save energy when
they lift their thighs and calves. The assistant apparatus of the present disclosure
can effectively reduce the discomfort of the waist and the joints, and is suitable
for patients with symptoms such as deteriorative joints, osteoporosis, mild stroke,
as well as for traffic accident rehabilitation so that patients can walk more effortlessly
and easily. Furthermore, the elastic buffering mechanism of the assistant apparatus
of the present disclosure has an adjustment function, with which the elastic force
can be appropriately adjusted according to the heights of the users and the use conditions.
[0022] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been
presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
[0023] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the
disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art
to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as
are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become
apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without
departing from its spirit and scope.
1. An assistant apparatus for degenerative joint, comprising:
an apparatus main body (1) including an upper section (11), a middle section (12),
and a lower section (13), wherein the middle section (12) is connected between the
upper section (11) and the lower section (13), an upper end of the upper section (11)
is provided with a supporting member (111), a lower end of the lower section (13)
is provided with a carrying member (131), the upper section (11) is bendable relative
to the middle section (12), and the middle section (12) is bendable relative to the
lower section (13);
a first leg-lifting mechanism (2) connected between the upper section (11) and the
middle section (12) of the apparatus main body (1); and
a second leg-lifting mechanism (3) connected between the middle section (12) and the
lower section (13) of the apparatus main body (1);
wherein the upper section (11), the middle section (12), the lower section (13), the
first leg-lifting mechanism (2), and the second leg-lifting mechanism (3) of the apparatus
main body (1) each include an elastic buffering mechanism (S) for providing elastic
buffering effects.
2. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 1, wherein an upper
end of the middle section (12) is pivotally connected to a lower end of the upper
section (11), a lower end of the middle section (12) is pivotally connected to an
upper end of the of the lower section (13), the middle section (12) is swingable back
and forth using its upper end as a fulcrum, and the lower section (13) is swingable
back and forth using its upper end as a fulcrum.
3. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 1, wherein the elastic
buffering mechanism (S) includes a tube body (S1), an adjusting member (S2), a bolt
(S3), a nut (S4), a first elastic member (S5), a second elastic member (S6), a sliding
assembly (S7), and a connecting rod (S8); wherein the adjusting member (S2) is disposed
at an upper end of the tube body (S1), the bolt (S3) is disposed inside the tube body
(S1), the adjusting member (S2) is fixed at one end of the bolt (S3), and the nut
(S4) is disposed inside the tube body (S1) and screwed to the bolt (S3); wherein the
first elastic member (S5), the second elastic member (S6), the sliding assembly (S7)
and the connecting rod (S8) are disposed inside the tube body (S1), and the sliding
assembly (S7) is disposed between the first elastic member (S5) and the second elastic
member (S6); wherein an upper end of the connecting rod (S8) is connected to the sliding
assembly (S7), and a lower end of the connecting rod (S8) extends out of the tube
body (S1); and wherein when the adjusting member (S2) is driving the bolt (S3) to
rotate, the bolt (S3) can push the nut (S4) to move inside the tube body (S1) along
an axial direction thereof to drive the nut (S4) to push the first elastic member
(S5), the sliding assembly (S7), and the second elastic member (S6) such that the
elastic buffering mechanism (S) is adjustable.
4. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 3, wherein the nut
(S4) is provided with a guiding member (S41), the guiding member (S41) is slidably
fitted in a guiding groove (S11) of the tube body (S1), and the guiding groove (S11)
extends along an axial direction of the tube body (S1) to guide a movement of the
nut (S4).
5. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 3, wherein the first
elastic member (S5) and the second elastic member (S6) are both compression springs,
and a diameter of first elastic member (S5) is larger than that of the second elastic
member (S6).
6. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 3, wherein the sliding
assembly (S7) includes one slider (S71) and two magnets (S72)(S73), the two magnets
(S72)(S73) are disposed above the slider (S71), the slider (S71) and the two magnets
(S72)(S73) are movably disposed in the tube body (S1), adjacent sides of the two magnets
(S72)(S73) have the same magnetic polarity, and an upper end of the connecting rod
(S8) is connected to the slider (S71) of the sliding assembly (S7).
7. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 3, wherein the adjusting
member (S2) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the middle section (12) is connected
to the connecting rod (S8) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the upper section
(11) through a first connecting assembly (121), and the connecting rod (S8) of the
elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the middle section (12) is connected to the adjusting
member (S2) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the lower section (13) through
a second connecting assembly (132).
8. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 7, wherein the tube
body (S1) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the first leg-lifting mechanism
(2) is connected to the tube body (S1) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the
upper section (11) through a third connecting assembly (21), and the connecting rod
(S8) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the first leg-lifting mechanism (2)
is connected to the upper end of the middle section (12) through a fourth connecting
assembly (22).
9. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 8, wherein the adjusting
member (S2) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the second leg-lifting mechanism
(3) is connected to the tube body (S1) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the
middle section (12) through a fifth connecting assembly (31), and the connecting rod
(S8) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S) of the second leg-lifting mechanism (3)
is connected to the upper end of the lower section (13) through a sixth connecting
assembly (32).
10. The assistant apparatus for degenerative joint according to claim 3, wherein the tube
bodies (S1) of the elastic buffering mechanisms (S) of the upper section (11), the
middle section (12), the lower section (13), and the second leg-lifting mechanism
(3) are all straight, and the tube body (S1) of the elastic buffering mechanism (S)
of the first leg-lifting mechanism (2) is curved.