although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings , it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention . various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit , scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims . described briefly , the present invention is a physical therapy apparatus for people with leg problems as well as an assist , on a permanent basis , for certain currently non - ambulatory patients . it provides vertical stability for the user as well as battery powered assistance in movement when required . a preferred embodiment of the physical therapy apparatus includes a frame structure supported by a pair of independent - mounted front and rear wheels , two jackscrew mechanisms driven by two dc motors for raising or lowering of a sling assembly , a drive motor and an electric storage battery . fig1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention physical therapy apparatus 2 . referring to fig1 and 2 , the physical therapy apparatus 2 is a motorized walker which is utilized for people with leg problems as well as an assist , on a permanent basis , for certain currently non - ambulatory patients . the physical therapy apparatus 2 is a generally rectangular shaped frame structure 4 which includes a pair of juxtaposed , interconnected side frame sections 6 and 8 . each of the four corners of the frame structure 4 is provided with vertical legs , having lower portions 10 attached to a lower side rail 12 and upper portions 14 which telescope onto the lower portions 10 . the upper portions 14 are interconnected to a middle side rail 16 and an upper side rail 18 . each of the lower leg portions 10 has a multiplicity of equally spaced apart holes 20 located therein and facing toward each other for vertical adjustment of the side frame sections 6 and 8 with respect to the ground . the vertical adjustment is effected by means of metal pins 22 inserted into the desired hole position on each lower leg portion 10 . the upper side rails or handrails 18 of each side frame section 6 , 8 can serve as an arm rest and can be grasped by a user when entering or adjusting his position within the physical therapy apparatus 2 . each of the upper handrails 18 has an elongated narrow side groove 38 which faces each other and contains an electrically operated jackscrew mechanism . the upper portion of the frame structure 4 is tapered inwardly such that a user can be comfortable within the physical therapy apparatus 2 . the front and rear of the physical therapy apparatus 2 are formed by a pair of horizontally spaced apart bars 24 and 26 . these horizontal bars 24 and 26 and other members of the frame structure 4 function as rigidifying and strengthening means , and also function as support means for other components of the physical therapy apparatus 2 . the pair of horizontal bars 24 and 26 at the rear of the frame structure 4 are removable to allow for easy access to the physical therapy apparatus 2 and are snapped - on at the rear of the frame structure 4 to selectively close the area occupied by the person using the physical therapy apparatus 2 . the present invention physical therapy apparatus 2 is preferably constructed of steel tubing or any suitable means . the outside dimensions of the rectangular lower portion of the frame structure 4 , which is the largest part , is approximately twenty - six ( 26 ) inches wide by thirty ( 30 ) inches long . the dimension is limited to easily fit through a normal doorway . the upper portion of the frame structure 4 is slightly smaller than the lower portion , for example approximately four ( 4 ) inches . the upper portion is parallel to the lower portion , and is made slightly smaller for added stability . it will be appreciated that the dimensions described above are merely one illustrative embodiment and can include many other comparable sets of dimensions . referring to fig3 there is shown an enlarged partial cut - out side view of one of the two jackscrew mechanisms 28 , 30 utilized in the present invention . because the jackscrew mechanisms 28 and 30 are substantially identical in construction , only one will be described in detail . the jackscrew mechanism 28 is driven by a dc motor 36 which is mounted underneath the upper side rail 18 adjacent to the rear of the frame structure 4 . the jackscrew 28 has a lower end 34 and an upper end 32 which can be extended or retracted in a horizontal axis . the lower end 34 of the jackscrew 28 is affixed to the rear of the upper side rail 18 such that the upper end 32 can be extended forwardly or backwardly . there are provided two locking hook means 42 which are affixed at the rear of each upper side rail 18 and the upper end 32 of each of the jackscrews 28 and 30 respectively . the locking hook means 42 at the upper ends 32 of the jackscrews 28 and 30 are extending outwardly beyond the narrow side grooves 38 . this allows the locking hook means 42 to be moved in the horizontal direction . each of the jackscrew mechanisms 28 and 30 is provided with a control means 44 for controlling the raising and lowering of a sling assembly 48 , as shown in fig4 . each respective jackscrew mechanism 28 and 30 is conveniently located within the upper side of both the left hand and right hand handrails 18 . referring to fig1 , 3 and 4 , there are two cables or straps 40 , one on each of the side frame sections 6 and 8 . each cable 40 has a first end 41 and a second end 45 with locking hook means 42 for attachment to the sling assembly 48 . each cable 40 forms a closed circle which is hooked to the locking hook means 42 at rear of the upper side rail 18 and the upper end 32 of the jackscrew 28 such that the first and second ends 41 , 45 of the cable 40 are extending downwardly toward the sling assembly 48 . referring to fig4 there is shown a perspective view of the sling assembly 48 which is adapted to pass entirely between the legs of the person using the physical therapy apparatus 2 . the sling assembly 48 includes an elongated adjustable belt 50 for encircling the waist of the person and a generally hourglass shaped diaper 52 . one end of the belt 50 is provided with a buckle assembly 54 with which the other free end of the belt 50 can be operatively engaged in order to adjust the effective circumference of the belt 50 . the belt 50 includes a multiplicity of peripherally spaced apart connecting rings 56 which are located at the top of the belt 50 . these connecting rings 56 are utilized for allowing the locking hook means 42 to be hooked to the sling assembly 48 . the hourglass shaped diaper 52 can be two wide cloth straps , fitting on the inside of the thighs . the diaper 52 is attached to the bottom of the belt 50 . the person is supported by the sling assembly 48 which will be adapted to fit the medical condition of the patient . the two cables 40 , one on each side of the body , are connected to one of the multiplicity of connecting rings 56 at the front and rear of the belt 50 . the position of the attachment is adjustable to provide the optimum support with the least stress to the user by connecting the locking hook means 42 to the proper connecting rings 56 of the sling assembly 48 . as the jackscrew 28 is extended , the separating of the respective locking hook means 42 will raise that side of the body to the desired height . if the patient had a medical problem which would not allow for this type of sling assembly , a girdle type device belt would be fastened around the waist area or above , with the same connecting points and cables as the sling for connection to the device . referring again to fig1 and 2 , the storage battery 58 is preferably one which will hold a substantial charge and which can be repeatedly charged . by way of example , an automobile lead - acid storage battery or any suitable battery can be used . the storage battery 58 is mounted adjacent to the lower portion of the frame structure 4 and powers a drive motor ( not shown ) to drive the physical therapy apparatus 2 and the dc motors 36 which drive the jackscrew mechanisms 28 and 30 . there are a pair of large independently - mounted front and rear wheels 60 , 62 , 64 and 66 attached to the frame structure 4 to allow for easy rolling . these wheels support the frame structure for transportational movement over a surface . the front wheels 60 , 62 are each rotatably carried on forks 69 and 71 , respectively . the forks 69 , 71 are mounted for swivel movement in vertical sleeves 73 , 75 , which are joined to the frame structure 4 at the front of the lower side rails 12 . one of the front wheels 60 is powered and serves as the drive wheel and the steering , while other front wheel 62 is free - wheeling . the rear wheels 64 , 66 are also each rotatably carried on forks 68 and 70 , respectively . the forks 68 , 70 are mounted in vertical sleeves 72 , 74 , which are joined to the frame structure 4 at the rear of the lower side rails 12 to prevent directional turning of the rear wheels 64 and 66 . the rear wheels 64 and 66 are fixed for forward - reverse movement only . the physical therapy apparatus 2 provides for movement on level floors and ramps . it will easily navigate through normal doorways . it allows the user freedom of hand movements while remaining in an upright position , without fear of falling . steering means 76 is connected at its lower end to one of the front wheels 60 and rotatably connected at its upper end to one of the two handrails 18 for hand operation by a person using the physical therapy apparatus 2 . steering means 76 is provided for changing the direction in order to control the directional movement of the physical therapy apparatus 2 . the steering means 76 and the power control switch means 78 are similar to those currently used in motorized wheelchairs to allow for accurate steerage and power adjustments , and the description thereof will not be described . it will be appreciated that the one drive wheel in front to be used for both power and steering is not limited to the description above . it is noted that the power and steering that propels the physical therapy apparatus 2 can be replaced with comparable power and steering mechanisms . in addition , it will not be too hard for one skilled in the art to change the power and steering of the physical therapy apparatus 2 . all of the electrical wirings are concealed within the steel tubing of the frame structure 4 . this not only is aesthetically pleasing but eliminates the risk of the user becoming tangled in any of the electrical wirings . the operation of the foregoing embodiment now will be described . to properly utilize the physical therapy apparatus 2 , the sling assembly 48 is first worn . the locking hook means 42 at the ends 41 , 45 of the cables 40 are connected to the appropriate connecting rings 56 on the belt 50 on both sides of the user &# 39 ; s body . the cables 40 are sufficient in length to be hooked to the locking hook means 42 at the rear of the upper side rails 18 and the upper ends 32 of the jackscrews 28 and 30 . when the person is properly connected to the physical therapy apparatus 2 , the amount of weight by which the person is supported by each leg independently can be properly adjusted . the amount of weight which is allowed on each leg can be individually adjusted from zero to full body weight . if the person is able to put enough weight on his or her legs to propel the physical therapy apparatus 2 without assistance from the motor , the motorized wheel can be disengaged to use the physical therapy apparatus 2 as a walker . the patient would still have the full support of the apparatus 2 to keep him or her erect and prevent falling . if the person is only able to put minimal pressure on his or her legs , the proper adjustment can be made by adjusting the locking hook means 42 to the appropriate connecting rings 56 and the amount of extension on the jackscrew mechanisms 28 , 30 and the motor would assist in movement to whatever extent the patient required . in addition , the location of the pressure can be adjusted depending on which one of the connecting rings 56 is used . if the person has had surgery on the interior of his or her legs , it is desirable for the carrying pressure to be on the outer portion of the belt 50 . therefore , the cables 40 and respective locking hooks 42 are hooked onto outer connecting rings 56 . conversely , if it is desired to have the lifting pressure on the inner portion , the locking hook means 42 are attached to inner connecting rings 56 . it is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have different amounts of pressure on each side so that one side of a person is supported higher than the other side . referring to fig5 there is shown a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention physical therapy apparatus 102 . this alternative embodiment is identical to the preferred embodiment as previously described above except that the hydraulically operated piston fluid cylinders 128 , 130 are substituted for the jackscrew mechanisms 28 and 30 shown in fig3 . the parts are numbered correspondingly with 100 added to each number . only the modified components of the physical therapy apparatus 102 will be described . the upper side rails or handrails 118 of each side frame section 106 , 108 can serve as an arm rest and can be grasped by a user when entering or adjusting his position within the physical therapy apparatus 102 . each of the upper handrails 118 has an elongated narrow side groove 138 which faces each other and contains the hydraulically operated piston fluid cylinder . the storage battery 158 is preferably one which will hold a substantial charge and which can be repeatedly charged . by way of example , an automobile lead - acid storage battery or any suitable battery can be used . the storage battery 158 is mounted adjacent to the lower portion of the frame structure 104 and powers a drive motor ( not shown ) which drives the physical therapy apparatus 102 and another drive motor 109 which drives a hydraulic pump assembly 111 . fig6 shows an enlarged partial cut - out side view of one of the two hydraulic piston fluid cylinders 128 , 130 utilized in the alternative embodiment of the present invention . because the hydraulic piston fluid cylinders 128 and 130 are substantially identical in construction , only one will be described in detail . the hydraulic piston fluid cylinder 128 includes a lower portion which is a fluid cylinder 134 and an upper portion which is a piston 132 . the piston 132 can be extended or retracted in a horizontal axis by a control means 144 . the fluid cylinder 134 is affixed to the rear of the upper side rail 118 such that the piston 132 can be extended or retracted in the horizontal direction . referring to fig5 and 6 , each of the hydraulic piston fluid cylinders 128 and 130 is provided with the control means 144 for controlling the raising and lowering of the sling assembly 148 , and is conveniently located within the upper side of both the left hand and right hand handrails 118 . the drive motor 109 drives the hydraulic pump assembly 111 which supplies fluid under pressure to a valve assembly ( not shown ). suitable hoses interconnect the valve assembly , a hydraulic pump 115 and two fluid cylinders 134 ( one on each side ) and as well as the motor 109 through the control means 144 . of course , any suitable form of hydraulic control assembly of a well known type may be used for this purpose . the hydraulic piston fluid cylinders 128 and 130 can be manually operated by the hydraulic pump 115 which is mounted on the middle side rail 116 of the frame structure 104 . all of the hydraulic hoses and the electrical wirings are concealed within the steel tubing of the frame structure 104 . this not only is aesthetically pleasing but eliminates the risk of the user becoming tangled in any of the electrical wirings . it is conceivable that the hydraulic hoses can be mounted outside of the steel tubing of the frame structure 104 . referring to fig7 and 8 , there is shown a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention physical therapy apparatus 202 . this alternative embodiment is identical to the preferred embodiment as previously described in fig1 through 4 except that the two bevel gear mechanisms 228 , 230 are substituted for the jackscrew mechanisms 28 and 30 shown in fig3 the parts are numbered correspondingly with 200 added to each number . only the modified components of the physical therapy apparatus 202 will be described . fig8 shows an enlarged partial cut - out top plan view of one the two bevel gear mechanisms 228 , 230 . because the two bevel gear mechanisms 228 and 230 are substantially identical in construction , only one will be described in detail . the upper side rails or handrails 218 of each side frame section 206 , 208 can serve as an arm rest and can be grasped by a user when entering or adjusting his position within the physical therapy apparatus 202 . each of the handrail 218 has an elongated narrow side groove 238 which faces each other and contains the bevel gear mechanism 228 . an internal elongated threaded driving rod 233 is affixed within the handrail 218 . a screw collar 229 is threadedly engaged with the internal threaded driving rod 233 and has a locking fastener or hook 227 protruding outwardly from the narrow side groove 228 . there is also another locking hook ( not shown ) affixed at the rear of the handrail 218 . a cable 240 is hooked to both the locking hooks 227 such that both ends of the cable 240 are extending downwardly toward the sling assembly 248 . at the ends of the cable 240 are provided with locking hook means for attaching to the sling assembly 248 . the two bevel gears 235 and 237 are secured within the upper side handrail 218 and located adjacent to the front of the frame structure 204 . the first bevel gear 235 is attached to the elongated threaded driving rod 233 at one end and is in mesh with the second bevel gear 237 which is rotatable by a crank 241 . when the crank 241 is rotated , which action revolves the second gear 237 , which in turn will revolve the first gear 235 thereby turning the elongated threaded driving rod 233 , this action allows the screw collar 229 to move forward or backward in a horizontal direction , thereby raising or lowering the sling assembly 248 . the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement , or any specific embodiment disclosed herein , or any specific use , since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus shown is intended only for illustration and for disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which the present invention might be embodied or operated . the present invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its forms . however , such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the present invention , or the scope of patent monopoly to be granted .
the present invention is a physical therapy apparatus for someone who either is a paraplegic and cannot walk or has had hip surgery and therefore cannot put full weight on one or both his or her legs . the novelty is that by having an adjustable sling assembly , the amount of weight the person can put on one or both of his or her legs can be varied so that as the physical therapy apparatus is used which can be used in a manual stage of walking or in a motorized stage with varying speeds , the person can put varying amounts of weight on either leg and can adjust the amount of weight relative to either leg based upon the alternating jackscrew movements driven by a dc motor to raise or lower the sling assembly from various heights to the ground .