GB2284768A - A lower limb co-ordination walking aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A walking aid includes a wheeled frame 9 provided with bracing 85 for securing the user's pelvis. Bracing is also provided for the user's lower limbs. The position, movement and angle of the foot to knee portion of the user's leg relative to each other and to the pelvis is controlled by interconnecting the user's lower limbs by straps 1 and 3 which pass round pulleys on the wheeled frame 9. The wheeled frame 9 and pelvic and lower limb bracing are adjustable to best suit the user and also to accommodate growth. Additional upper body bracing can also be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

LOWER LIMB CO-ORDINAlION WALKING AID This invention relates to a waLking aid.

There are existing wheeled frame mobility aids, intended to help the more severely disabled person, which incorporate orthotic trunk and lower limb bracing. These aids help keep the user upright by providing support and lift to the orthotic bracing, through their attachment to the wheeled frame, and in so doing, reducing the amount of body weight being supported by the user's lower limbs. However, for a great many people, providing lift to their braced body, no matter how much the amount, does not provide the help necessary to correctly position and straighten their lower limbs.

Further to this, the lower limb bracing employed by these aids only serves to limit the user's lower limbs to that of forward/rearward movement, and does not provide help to co-ordinate this movement into a natural and efficient gait, or help to establish the correct forward/rearward positioning of the feet and knees relative to the pelvis in order for the lower limbs to support the user's body weight with a good standing and walking posture. Therefore, if the user cannot support and control these elements for themself, which, by virtue of needing the help of such aids, is usually the case, then the user's lower limbs become too far forward or rearward of the pelvis, reducing the amount of body weight they can support, and causing the walking pattern to be un-natural and inefficient.

The wheeled frames employed by the above mentioned mobility aids do not accommodate for the increasing wheel base required by a growing child, making it necessary to periodically replace the child's frame v.ith one that provides a larger base. These wheeled frames also require a large amount of floor area to manoeuvre around obstacles, which inhibits their full use within the confines of the average home.

The orthotic bracing incorporated into these aids is hand fashioned to closely fit and follow the intended wearer's body and lower limb profiles, which is very time consuming and expensive to fit, and is not readily adjustable to compensate for the user's growth or weight change.

This invention is intended to offer a person, who cannot normally straighten and/or co-ordinate their lower limbs, the necessary help to attain and maintain a good upright standing and walking posture, and help to achieve a natural and efficient gait, the invention providing help to increase the user's ability to support their own body weight, rather than removing body weight from the lower limbs. The adjustable size wheeled frame is intended to provide the user with good manoeuvrability within a confined space, making the aid practical to use in the home.The body and lower limb bracing is provided in an arrangement that does not have to be fashioned to conform to the wearer's body profile, which greatly reduces the work and time involved with the initial fitting, and provides a wide range of adjustment to compensate for the user's growth and/or weight change; adjustments which can be easily made while being worn by the user.

According to the present invention there is provided a lower limb co-ordination walking aid comprising a wheeled frame, means for adjusting length of wheeled frame, means for adjusting width of wheeled frame, means for adjusting the amount by which a front wheel axil is offset relative to the vertical axis about which it pivots, means for adjusting the amount of torque required to pivot the front wheel arrangement about its vertical axis, pelvic bracing, means for adjusting height of pelvic bracing relative to wheeled frame, means for adjusting the size of user accommodation within the pelvic bracing, means for user to side step, means for user to rotate lower limb from hip, means for interconnecting the user's lower limbs via the wheeled frame to control the correct position, movement and angle of the foot to knee portion of the user's lower limbs relative to each other and to that of the pelvis while standing and walking, universal fitting lower limb bracing, means for adjusting lower limb bracing to accommodate user's growth and/or weight change, means for fitting lower limb bracing to user without the need to fashion vertical members to user's body profile.

For better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made by way of examples to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the lower limbs of a person using an example of the aid; Figure 2 shows in perspective an example of the four wheeled frame; Figure 3 shows in perspective the under view of an example arrangement for securing the telescoping adjustment of the wheeled frame; Figure 4 shows in perspective an example of the rear wheel and suspension arrangement; Figure 5 shows in part section a rear view of the suspension unit arrangement.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the pelvic bracing arrangement; Figure 7 shows a top view of the pelvic bracing arrangement with the user accommodation width reduced; Figure 8 shows in perspective the rear pelvic clamping members and the arrangement for releasably securing the pelvic bracing to the wheeled frame; Figure 9 shows side view of pelvic bracing side and hip joint arrangement; Figure 10 shows side view of user wearing lower limb bracing; Figure 11 shows in perspective the bracing adjustment arrangement between the left hip and knee; Figure 12 shows in section the front view of the hip joint arrangement; Figure 13 shows in perspective the free swing knee arrangement; Figure 14 shows front view of free swing knee arrangement; Figure 15 shows outer side view of arrangement for securing the lower limb bracing to the user's leg;; Figure 16 shows front view of arrangement for securing the lower limb bracing to the user's leg; Figure 17 shows in part sectioned top view of sideways adjustment means for knee strap frame arrangement; Figure 18 shows in part sectioned top view of knee strap frame arrangement, with strap frame positioned more inward to that of the setting shown in figure 17; Figure 19 shows in perspective the pelvic brace height setting arrangement and that of securing the rear pulley frame to the frame stem; Figure 20 shows in perspective the rear pulley arrangement; Figure 21 shows in part section side view of front pulley arrangement; Figure 22 shows in part section side view of spring loaded ankle hinge; Figure 23 shows front view of spring loaded ankle hinge; Figure 24 shows in part section front view of the front wheel pivot arrangement;; Figures 25 and 26 show side views of front wheel arrangement settings; Figure 27 shows in perspective means for attaching front control strap to bracing; Figure 28 shows in perspective means for attaching rear control strap to the bracing; Figure 29 shows side view of the arrangement for upper body bracing and Figure 30 shows in perspective an example of the present invention with two wheels.

Figure 1 illustrates a person making use of an example of the lower limb co-ordination walking aid. The user's pelvis is held secure within pelvic bracing, which is releasably attached to the wheeled frame assembly - see figure 8 - and each of the user's lower limbs are interconnected via the wheeled frame by linking arrangements which, in this example, are straps. The effect of the overall arrangement controls the position of the user's pelvis relative to the wheeled frame, and the position, movement and angle of the foot to knee portion of the user's lower limbs, relative to each other and to that of the pelvis, helping the user achieve a good upright posture, and a natural and efficient walking pattern, keeping the lower limbs correctly coordinated and positioned under the user's body weight and thus increasing and maintaining their capability of supporting such.

The arrangement for interconnecting the lower limbs via the wheeled frame could take many forms, for example, the lower limbs could be attached to the ends of steel cables sliding through conduit secured to the wheeled frame, (not shown), or the lower limbs could be pivotally attached to the ends of a beam which pivots about its centre attachment to the wheeled frame, (not shown).

Referring to figure 1. After passing around the front pulley 2, the end of front control strap 1 is attached by way of releasable trigger hook 126 - see figure 27 - to steel split ring 125 located in the cross hole of foot plate 103. The arrangement being the same for attaching the other end of front control strap 1 to the other foot. Adjustment to the length of the front control strap is provided by means of slide 127.

Rear control strap 3, being of a similar arrangement to that of front control strap 1, passes around rear pulley 4 and its ends attached to the user's lower limb bracing at the most effective height between the ankle and knee. Referring to figure 28. Means for attachment of rear control strap 3 to the lower limb bracing is by way of steel split ring 129, which is located between the split of ring clamp 128, and upon cross clamping screw 130. Ring clamp 128 can be located and secured upon any of the bracing vertical members by tightening clamping screw 130.

Adjusting the height at which rear control strap 3 is attached to the lower limb bracing changes its effect upon the user's walking pattern, for example, a lower attachment helps the user to achieve more knee bend and therefore helps lift each foot clear of the floor to take a step, whereas a higher attachment point helps reduce the knee bend for a user who is walking with excessive foot lift. The arrangement also allows the rear control strap 3 to be attached at a different height upon one limb to the other, making it possible for the user to produce a natural and efficient gait despite having lower limbs with differing characteristics.

The rear control strap 3 and the front control strap 1 can be made from a non-stretch webbing or cord, or alternatively, from an elasticated material and used in a combination that best suits the user. The elasticated control straps, applied at an appropriate tension, can keep the lower limbs correctly co-ordinated while walking, but also allow the user an amount of freedom to engage in activities other than walking and standing upright.

The wheeled frame could take many forms, for example, for someone with a good degree of balance the frame could be arranged to have only two wheels, one wheel to the front and one at the rear - see figure 30 -, or two wheels at the front and one at the rear, or one at the front and two at the rear. However, for easier understanding, one example of a four wheeled frame will be referred to in detail.

Figure 2 shows an example of the four wheeled frame, which is adjustable in its length and width to suit the ongoing needs of the user. This arrangement allows the user to initially be provided with a wide base for safety and to be able to easily reduce it as they gain confidence.

It also allows the user to increase or decrease the base size according to the environment, smaller for indoors and larger for outdoors for example. Most importantly, when the user is a child, it allows the frame base to be increased to accommodate growth, and therefore eliminates the need and expense of providing progressively larger frames.

Referring to figure 2. In this example the frame is constructed from square section tubing. Each of the two front wheels 5 and 6 can pivot about a vertical axis within their respective housings - see figures 24,25 and 26 - which allow the user to control direction of travel by incorporating a degree of side-step while walking forwards, or to turn the frame in a very small area by sidestepping only. A three hundred and sixty degree turn can be achieved within a radius of less than the length of the wheeled frame.

Referring to figures 24,25 and 26. Means are provided for adjusting the amount by which each front wheel axil is off-set to the vertical axis about which it pivots. The slackening of screws 114 and 115, allow arms 116 and 117 to move clear of the splined taper shoulders of shaft 118 and pivot about the smaller diameters of such. The arrangement is secured with the desired offset by re-tightening screws 114 and 115. Fig 25 shows a side view of the front wheel relative to the vertical swivel axis when the off-set is small, and figure 26 shows the same view when the off-set is larger.

Referring to figure 24. A slipping clutch arrangement is provided which can be adjusted to change the amount of torque required to turn the vertical spindle 120 within the housing 121.

Spindle 120 passes through thrust bearing 122 and into housing 121, within which it can turn.

Housing 121 is secured to the end of arm 7 in this example by welding - see figure 2. Nylon washer 119 is located on spindle 120 and between the top face of housing 121 and the bottom face of compression ring 124, which has a 'D' shaped bore to engage with a flat machined on the side of spindle 120, grub screw 133 securing the two so that they turn together. Adjusting screw 123 is used to increase or decrease the pressure upon the faces of the arrangement and so increases or decreases the torque required to turn spindle 120 within housing 121.

By providing the means to adjust the horizontal distance between the vertical swivel axis of the front wheel arrangement relative to the wheel axil, and the means to adjust the amount of torque required to turn the front wheel arrangement about the vertical axis, the front wheel arrangement can be adjusted to best suit the characteristics of the user's walking and weight shift pattern, alleviating any problem of the wheeled frame deviating from the user's intended direction of travel on uneven ground and side slopes, while allowing the user full control over direction of travel.

Referring to figure 2. The swivel housings 121 -see figure 24-of front wheels 5 and 6 are welded to the ends of square section tubular arms 7 and 8, which slide into either end of the square section tubular frame front member 9, in a telescopic fashion, providing the means to adjust the distance between the front wheels, each adjustment being secured by an arrangement shown in figure 3, in which the tightening of screw 10 draws together threaded lug 11 and plain lug 12, which are secured by brazing either side of a narrow slit at each end of the frame front member 9, effectively clamping the outer front member 9 onto the inner arm 7.

Provision for adjusting the length of the frame is by means of the horizontal arm of main frame 22, being arranged to slide within the bore of front member 9, in a telescopic fashion, the adjustment being secured by a similar arrangement to that shown in figure 3.

Alternatively, in a situation when frequent adjustments need to be made to the frame size, then a series of vertical through holes could be provided in inner arm 7, and a single vertical through hole in front member 9, enabling the telescopic arrangement to be secured at the desired setting by way of inserting a headed pin down through the nearest aligned holes. This arrangement could be used to secure any appropriate frame adjustment (this example is not shown).

Figure 4 shows the rear axil arrangement. The rear wheel 13 being free to rotate upon shaft 14, is kept in position by collar 15, secured by grub screw 16, and screw 17 with washer 18. The inner end of shaft 14 slides into the centre member 19, in a telescopic fashion, providing the means for adjusting the distance between the rear wheels, this adjustment being secured by tightening screw 20 in clamping ring 21 positioned over the slitted end of centre member 19, effectively clamping shaft 14 within. The arrangement for the other rear wheel being the same.

The rear suspension arrangement allows the main frame 22 to pivot about the contact points of the two front wheels 5 and 6 with the ground -see figure 2- which allows and encourages the user to take on a natural forward lean when walking, and further allows for the natural rise and fall wave pattern of the pelvis as the user takes steps. The rear suspension unit also accommodates uneven ground surfaces that may cause the user's feet to be at a lower or higher ground height than the wheels of the frame, and helps to absorb any shock from the wheels rolling over bumpy ground surfaces.

The suspension unit comprises arms 23 and 24 which, being split horizontally, form a clamping arrangement onto the rear axil centre member 19, when clamping screws 25 and 26 are tightened, and clamping onto the ends of pivot pin 27 in the same manner. Pivot pin 27 passes through and pivots within the frame bush 28, which is welded to main frame 22, allowing the rear wheel suspension unit and the main frame 22 to hinge at this point.

Figure 5 shows rear view of the suspension unit arrangement The rear wheel suspension unit is urged downwards about frame bush 28 by coil spring 30, acting between the suspension arms 23 and 24 and main frame 22, which is housed in atelescopic slide tube arrangement. The lower end of inner spring tube 31 pivots between spacers 134 and 135, and about pivot pin 32 passing through a cross hole, the ends of which are clamped between the two halves of arms 23 and 24 in the desired cross hole, there being provided a number of cross holes in arms 23 and 24, positioned at different distances from the suspension pivot, allowing the effectiveness of the spring, acting upon the suspension unit and frame, to be selected to best suit the user; fine adjustment being provided by means of the adjusting screw 33 located in the threaded end of the outer spring tube 34, the socket end of which locates onto ball ended screw pin 35, which is housed in plate 36, secured to main frame 22 by welding.

Fig 6 shows a top view of the pelvic bracing. The width of the accommodation within the bracing is adjustable by way of the round tubular pelvic side supports 37 and 38 being located in vertical bores between the two halves of rear pelvic clamping member 39 - see figure 8 from which they each pivot to reduce or increase the distance between pelvic sides 41 and 42, which in turn can pivot about the vertical ends of side supports 37 and 38, and are secured in the desired position by way of their split bores and clamping screws 43.

Figure 7 shows the pelvic accommodation reduced from that of figure 6, the arrangement being secured at the desired width setting by way of tightening the four clamp screws 40.

Figure 9 shows a side view of pelvic side 42. The pelvic strap 44 passes through steel loop 45, the ends of which locate and are a press fit into two holes in pelvic side 42. The length of pelvic strap 44 is adjusted to support the user's buttocks clear of rear pelvic clamping members and to align the user's hips with that of the orthotic hip hinges. Pelvic strap 44 is secured within steel loop 45 by wrapping around anchor rod 46, the diameter of pelvic strap 44 when wrapped around anchor rod 46 being greater than the slot width in steel loop 45, makes a securing arrangement when pelvic strap 44 is placed in tension. The ends of pelvic strap 44 are fastened together at the front of the user by means of slide 47.

A person with sufficient side stability to the lower limbs could gain benefit from the present invention without additional lower limb bracing, the front control strap 1 and the rear control strap 3 being secured to the user's legs by way of cushioned bands wrapped around the user's lower limbs at the required positions (not shown). However, for those requiring side support to their lower limbs, there is provided lower limb bracing.

Figure 10 illustrates the arrangement of the lower limb bracing which makes the minimum of contact with the user, and is readily adjustable to fit any intended user's lower limbs, without the need to bend the vertical members to the user's profile. The lower limb bracing comprises hinges at the hip, knee and ankle, each being attached to straight vertical members 48, 49, 50 and 51, which overlap and are secured to each other by way of clamps 52, 53, 54 and 55, positioned so as to be just clear of the user's limbs. This arrangement provides the means to adjust the hip, knee and ankle hinges to be dimensionally and angularly in harmony with that of the user's anatomical joints, and provides the means to accommodate for user height growth and/or weight changes, all adjustments being easily made while the user is wearing the bracing.

Figure 11 shows the bracing adjustment arrangement between the left hip and knee, the arrangement being the same between all joints. Upper thigh rod 48 and lower thigh rod 49, being of a round tubular section, are located in the bores of clamp blocks 52 and 53, within which they can slide and rotate, providing the means by which the distance between the hip and knee hinge, and the rotation relative to each can be adjusted. The clamp blocks 52 and 53 being split between the bores, secure the adjustment by tightening clamp screws 54 and 55.

The lower limb bracing must allow the user to side step in order to manoeuvre the wheeled frame in the desired direction of travel. Figure 12 shows in section the front view of an example arrangement of a hip hinge which incorporates a second hinge to allow the user to side step.

Referring to figures 9 and 12. Headed bush 56, having a threaded bore, is pressed into the c/ bored cross hole in pelvic side 42 and forms the axil about which thigh pivot 57 is free to pivot between thrust bearing 58 and 59. The assembly is retained by headed screw 60, which is tightened to allow the thigh pivot 57 to swing freely with the minimum of side play, the end of which is then flared to secure. Thigh hinge bar 61 pivots about hinge pin 62, which is a press fit into the cross hole in thigh pivot 57. The minimum distance between the user's feet is adjusted by way of turning stop screw 63.

Provision for the user to rotate their lower limb about their hip joint while in the bracing is by way of a rotation arrangement, within which rotation rod 64 is free to turn within the vertical bore of thigh hinge bar 61 and is retained within by retaining screw 65, the end of which locating into a radial groove. Steel ball 66 is positioned to take the end forces applied to rotation rod 64. The lower end of rotation rod 64 is secured into the bore of upper thigh rod 48 by riveted cross pin 67. The stepped upper end of thigh rod 48 engages with the stepped lower end of thigh hinge bar 61, with a clearance between the vertical faces of each step to provide the required amount of rotation that best suits the user.

Figures 13 and 14 show an example configuration of the free swinging knee hinge. Upper leg rod end 68 is free to pivot between hardened steel washers 69 and 70 and about headed pivot pin 71, the end of which is secured tightly into the cross hole in lower thigh rod end 72 and riveted so as to allow upper leg rod end 68 to swing freely with the minimum of side play.

Referring to figure 13. The lower thigh rod 49 and upper leg rod 50, having cross holes, are located and clamped tightly within the respective slotted vertical bores of lower thigh rod end 72 and upper leg rod end 68, by clamping cross screws 73 and 74.

Figures 15 and 16 show an example arrangement for locating and securing the user's leg to upper leg rod 50. Upper leg rod 50 and strap frame 75 pass through the bores of clamping blocks 76 and 77, and are secured in the desired position by clamping screws 78 and 79. Strap frame 75 passes around and clear of the user's calf and forms a vertical member to the end of which is riveted knee strap 80. This configuration allows strap 80 and foam cushioning 81 to be positioned upon the user's knee, at a point least likely to cause pressure sore problems, while leaving the rear of the knee clear to allow the user unrestricted knee movement. The free end of knee strap 80 can be wrapped around upper leg rod 50 or the outer end of strap frame 75, whichever is most appropriate for the user, and is secured to its other end by way of a slide 82.

Referring to figures 17 and 18. Sideways positioning of strap frame 75, relative to upper leg rod 50, to align with the user's leg, is provided by way of rotating clamping blocks 76 and 77 about upper leg rod 50, and rotating strap frame 75 within the bores of clamping blocks 76 and 77. Figure 18 shows strap frame 75 more inward to that of the setting shown in figure 17.

A user having the ability to control their own foot and toe lift about their ankle while walking would only require a simple free swing ankle hinge (not shown) to use and gain benefit from the present invention. However, for a user requiring help with such, there is provided an ankle hinge which helps to lift the foot and toes about the ankle.

Figures 22 and 23 show an example configuration of a spring-loaded ankle hinge. Foot plate 103 pivots between hardened washers 104 and 105, and about headed pin 106, which is secured into the cross bore of spring block 107 by riveting its smaller diameter end. Foot plate 103 is urged to pivot about headed pin 106 by compression spring 108, acting through domed-ended and hardened plunger 109 which, being a slide fit within a vertical bore of spring block 107, pushes downwards upon the cam profile of foot plate 103, the force being adjustable by way of turning adjusting screw 110. The lower leg rod 51 - see figure 10 - is located and clamped tightly within the slotted vertical bore of spring block 107, by clamping screw 111. Foot plate 103 is secured, or releasably secured, to the user's footwear using existing orthotic practices.

Figure 29 shows one side of the arrangement for those users requiring additional upper body bracing. The tubular pelvic side support 38 is extended to protrude above pelvic side 42, providing a vertical housing, into which slides round tubular thoracic members 134, in a telescopic fashion. The top portion of thoracic member 134 is pressed flat and has cross holes, through which pass rivets 136 to secure the upper body bracing requirements of the user which, in this example, comprises a simple chest strap 137 and back strap 138 arrangement. The top of pelvic side support 38 has a vertical slit, over which slides clamping ring 135, which secures thoracic member 134 into pelvic side support 38, at the desired height, by tightening screw 136.

Referring to figure 8. The pelvic bracing arrangement is releasably secured to the frame by means of peg 83, which slides into the vertical bore of stepped catch 84 welded to the top face of frame stem 85 - see figure 2. The angular face of a flat machined into the rear side of the larger diameter of the peg 83, locates face to face with that of the stepped catch 84, preventing peg 83 from rotating within stepped catch 84. The upper diameter of peg 83 is clamped between the two halves of rear pelvic clamping member 39 and further secured by way of screw 131 located into the vertical threaded hole in the top end of peg 83, which is tightened onto washer 132 and top face of clamping member 39.

Referring to figures 1 and 19. Means for adjusting the height of the pelvic bracing is provided by way of frame stem 85, being of a slide fit into the bore of vertical upright of main frame 22, in a telescopic fashion and is set at the desired height by securing the two halves of stop 87 onto frame stem 85 by tightening the two clamping screws 86. This arrangement allows frame stem 85 to be lifted from main frame 22, without affecting the setting and so reducing the overall height of the unit for easier transport and storage. For re-use, stem 85 is re-located into frame 22, its downward travel within such being arrested at the previously set height when stop 87 makes contact with the top end face of frame 22.

Figure 20 shows detail of the rear pulley arrangement, around which rear control strap 3 passes - see figure 1. Needle bearings are fitted into either end of the bore in pulley 4, (only the lower needle bearing 88 shown), which is free to rotate, between washers 95 and 96, upon vertical axil 89, the ends of which are located within the smaller bores of clamping blocks 90 and 91.

The larger bores of clamping blocks 90 and 91 are located and free to slide upon the rear pulley frame 92, providing the means to adjust the height of the rear pulley arrangement, which is secured upon rear pulley frame 92 by tightening clamping screws 93 and 94.

Referring to figures 19 and 2. Rear pulley frame 92 is located and can slide within the bore of clamping block 113, which is located and can slide upon frame stem 85, the whole arrangement enabling the rear pulley assembly to be positioned at any height to the rear of the user's lower limbs and being secured at the desired position by tightening clamping screws 112.

Figure 21 shows detail of the front pulley arrangement, around which front control strap 1 passes - also see figure 1. Front pulley 2 is fitted with two needle bearings, similar to that of rear pulley 4, and is free to rotate, between washers 97 and 98, upon vertical axil 99, the upper end of which is located into holes in front member 9 and is secured by brazing. Front control strap 1 is prevented from leaving the front pulley arrangement by a keep strap 100, made from webbing or similar material which, having a cross hole at either end, locates upon axil 99, so as to bridge front pulley 2. The front pulley assembly is retained upon axil 99 by tight fitting rubber bushes 101 and 102.

The bracing is of a configuration that allows the user to don and doff while sitting in a chair or the like.

Claims (43)

1 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid comprising a wheeled frame, pelvic bracing, lower limb bracing, means for interconnecting the user's lower limbs via the wheeled frame to control the correct position, movement and angle of the foot to knee portion of the user's lower limbs relative to each other and to that of the pelvis while standing and walking.

2 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means for interconnecting the user's lower limbs via the wheeled frame is by way of at least one strap, which can reciprocate around a member of the wheeled frame, when its ends are attached one to each of the user's lower limbs.

3 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein means to adjust the height at which the ends of the strap are attached to the rear of the user's lower limbs is provided.

4 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 1 to 3 wherein means to adjust the height of the member of the wheeled frame, around which a strap to the rear of the user can reciprocate, is provided.

5 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 1 to 4 wherein the member of the wheeled frame, around which the strap can reciprocate, is a pulley.

6 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means for interconnecting the user's lower limbs via the wheeled frame is by way of at least one steel cable, which can slide through conduit secured to the wheeled frame, when its ends are attached one to each of the user's lower limbs.

7 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means for linking the user's lower limbs to the wheeled frame is by way of at least one beam, pivoted at its centre attachment to the wheeled frame, its ends pivotally attached one to each of the user's lower limbs.

8 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wheeled frame has at least two wheels.

9 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for the user to change direction of travel of the wheeled frame is provided by way of at least one frame wheel arrangement being able to swivel about a vertical axis horizontally off-set to that of the wheel axil.

10 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 9 wherein means to adjust the amount by which a front wheel axil is horizontally off-set to vertical axis about which it can swivel is provided.

11 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 9 and 10 wherein means to adjust the amount of torque required to swivel the front wheel arrangement about its vertical axis is provided.

12 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 9, 10 and 11 wherein means to adjust the amount of torque required to swivel the front wheel arrangement about its vertical axis is provided by way of an adjustable slipping clutch arrangement.

13 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means for adjusting the distance between any opposing wheels is provided.

14 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means for adjusting the distance between the front and rear wheels is provided.

15 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means for adjusting the width of the accommodation within the pelvic bracing in provided.

16 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 15 wherein means for adjusting the width of the accommodation within the pelvic bracing is provided by way of a left and a right horizontal arm, each of which curve from the hip side to a vertical axis at the rear of the pelvis from which the distance between the hip side ends can be pivotally adjusted and secured.

17 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 16 wherein hip bracing members are adjustably secured on a vertical axis to each hip side arm end.

18 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means for supporting the users buttocks is provided by way of a wide flexible belt located horizontally around the buttocks, its ends attached to hip bracing members either side of the user.

19 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 18 wherein means for adjusting the length of the flexible belt is provided so as to correctly align the user's hips with the orthotic hip hinges.

20 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pelvic bracing arrangement can be detached from the wheeled frame assembly by means of a releasable catchment arrangement.

21 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 20 wherein the releasable catchment means is by way of a vertical peg engaging into a vertical bore.

22 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 20 and Claim 21 wherein the means for preventing the vertical peg from rotating in the vertical boreis by way of providing a flat angular faced step in each, which engage face to face when the vertical peg is fully engaged into vertical bore.

23 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means for adjusting the height of the pelvic bracing relative to the wheeled frame is provided by way of a vertical rod to which the pelvic bracing is releasably secured being located and able to slide within the bore of a vertical member of the wheeled frame, in a telescopic fashion.

24 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 23 wherein the vertical rod and the bore of the vertical member of the wheeled frame are multi-sided to prevent one from rotating within the other.

25 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 23 and 24 wherein means for arresting the downward movement of vertical rod within the bore of the vertical member of the wheeled frame, at the required height, allows the vertical member to be lifted and removed from the bore of the vertical member of the wheeled frame in order to reduce the overall height of the wheeled frame assembly for easier transporting or storage, while maintaining the height setting for re-assembly and use.

26 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 23,24 and 25 wherein means for arresting the downward movement of vertical rod within the bore of the vertical member of the wheeled frame, at the required height, is provided by way of a stop in the form of a clamping band positioned and clamped around the vertical member so as to arrest its downward movement into the vertical member of the wheeled frame when making contact with the end face of such.

27 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more of the frame wheels are mounted on a sub-frame horizontally hinged to the main frame.

28 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 27 wherein a resilient means acting between the sub-frame and main frame urges the sub-frame downwardly about the horizontal hinge relative to the main frame.

29 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 28 wherein the force exerted by resilient means acting between the sub-frame and main frame is adjustable.

30 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 28 and 29 wherein the resilient means acting between the sub-frame and main frame is a compression coil spring.

31 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for adjusting the distance between the hinges of the lower limb bracing is by way of releasable clamping arrangements positioned across the overlapping independent vertical members secured to each orthotic hinge.

32 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 31 wherein the means for adjusting the rotational relationship between each orthotic hinge is by way of the overlapping independent vertical members secured to each orthotic hinge being round in section and able to rotate and be secured within the round bores of clamping arrangements positioned across their over-lap.

33 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 32 wherein the clamping arrangements are blocks, each having the section between their two vertical bores slitted through into each bore, and the sections either side of the slit drawn together with a clamping cross screw to close both bores and effectively clamp the suitably adjusted independent vertical members within.

34 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means to allow the user to sidestep is by way of providing horizontal orthotic hinge to the sides of the bracing at hip level.

35 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 34 wherein the sidestep hinges are incorporated into the forward swinging hip hinge arrangements.

36 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 34 and 35 wherein means to limit the amount by which the lower limbs can sidestep inwards about the sidestep hinges is provided.

37 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 36 wherein the means to limit the amount by which the lower limbs can sidestep inwards about the sidestep hinges is adjustable.

38 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for the user to rotate their lower limb about the hip is provided.

39 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 38 wherein means for the user to rotate their lower limb about the hip is provided by way of a vertical axis pivot located between orthotic hip and knee hinges.

40 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claims 38 and 39 wherein means to limit the amount by which the user can rotate their lower limb about the hip is provided.

41 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means to urge the user's foot to toe-up is provided.

42 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid as claimed in Claim 41 wherein the means to urge the user's foot to toe-up is provided by way of a spring-loaded ankle hinge.

43 A lower limb co-ordination walking aid substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-30 of the accompanying drawings.