Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention relates generally to an improved orthopaedic aid device
and more specifically to a therapy walker.
In its simplest form, a typical prior art walking frame comprises a four legged
5 tubular metal frame that is generally U-shaped in plan, being open at the rear to permit a
user to enter and stand within the frame. A major disadvantage with this type of walking
frame is that, in order to walk, the user must lift the frame and move it in the desired
direction. Certain other prior art walkers include wheels and various apparatus for supporting
the weight of a person. Furthermore, some known walkers are provided with brakes which
10 are manually operated.
For example, Canadian Patent No. 213,958 (Scot) discloses a rolling crutch
consisting of a rectangular roller mounted frame having uprights at the corners. The uprights
have upper inwardly offset extensions and arm rests in spaced parallel relation and have
depending bars at either ends, provided with clamping means in connection with the upper
15 ends of the extensions. A seat is supported by a rail on either side and extends from one
upright to another.
The prior art further reveals United states Patent No. 2,327,671 (Rupprecht)
which discloses an invalid walking and exercising device for use by an attending physician.
The device is essentially drawn towards offsetting a predetermined amount of the patient's
20 weight by use of a weight scale and springs.
Although various types of invalid walkers and exercising devices have evolved
in the past, they are, however, difficult or impossible to use effectively and beneficially by the
relatively seriously handicapped or infirm who need a great degree of support from the
frames of their supporting device and must therefore consequently lean very heavily thereon.
It is an object of the present invention to provide means whereby temporary or
permanently incapacitated persons can be enabled to walk with confidence and safety thus
enhancing the mobility of the user.
Another object of this invention is to provide a walking assisting device which can
30 be easily and quickly adjusted to the particular size and height of a patient.
Another object of this invention is to provide a walker in which the user assumes
a natural upright position with the hands providing support for the body from the side rather
than from a position in front of the body.
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According to the invention there is provided a therapy walker comprising: a frame
mounted on wheels, said frame comprising opposed left and right side frame meansoperatively coupled together by upper and lower connecting members, said left and right side
frame means and said upper and lower connecting members cooperating to surround the
body of a user on three sides, said frame being open on a fourth side thereof to permit said
user to easily enter said frame; closure means depending from the upper portion of said
frame and capable of operatively extending across said fourth side thereof, so as to prevent
said user from accidentally falling out of said therapy walker in the direction of said fourth
side; and support means depending from said frame, said support means being capable of
supporting said user through the upper portions of said user's legs so as to at least partially
support the weight of said user without requiring said user to grasp said walker in order to
provide himself with support.
The therapy walker of the invention includes a rigid frame of relatively simple
structure that can be readily assembled or dismantled for transport or storage. Furthermore,
the invention can be drawn close to a kitchen counter or a bed, for example, and permit the
user to closely approach that on which he may desire to be working. The structure and
operation of the present invention enables the user to work at different activities without
hanging on to the walker. Furthermore, bumpers arranged on each corner of the walker are
positioned to inhibit damage to walls and furniture, for example, if the walker makes contact
therewith.
The harness effectively assists the userto walk in an upright position by providing
support and stability to the body. In use it does not substantially obstruct the mobility of the
user and furthermore, by means of a strap mounted across the back the user is prevented
from falling backwards.
The structure of the invention is such that the user assumes a natural upright
position with the hands providing support for the body from the sides rather than from a
position in front of the body. This position is more natural. It requires less muscular effort
and consequently less strength on the part of the user. Furthermore, the position of the
user's spine is maintained upright and straight, thus the walker of the invention is less tiring
to use.
The present invention is mobile, its height can be vertically adjusted and it isstructured to effectively and comfortably assist a handicapped or aged person. By supporting
an important part of the user's weight, the walking action is facilitated. The device can be
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used in hospitals, therapy departments, rehabilitation centres or senior citizen homes. It can
also be used with benefit in private homes, shopping malls, parks or substantially anywhere
a wheelchair can be used.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent
from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 shows an exploded view illustrating the main components of an
embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 2 shows an assembled perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 1.
Figure 1 shows an exploded view illustrating the general components of a
preferred embodiment of the invention. The walker comprises a left base 2L and right base
2R which support respective left and right side frames 4L and 4R. The side frames are
operatively connected together by an upper connecting member 6 and a lower connecting
member 8.
Each base 2L, 2R comprises a horizontal bar 10 with, in this embodiment,
outwardly diverging ends supported by front and rear casters 14 and 16, respectively. As
illustrated in Figure 1, the front casters 14 are pivotable to facilitate changes in direction. The
rear casters 16 are fixed parallel to the horizontal bars 10. A vertical support member 12 is
disposed near the centre of the horizontal bar 10. The top of the vertical support member
12 terminates with an extension 18 which is adapted to be operatively inserted into a
respective side frame 4R or 4L.
Each side frame 4L,4R comprises a support column 20 which engages with the
extension 18 of the respective base 2L or 2R. As shown in Figure 1, the support column 20
extends substantially vertically upwards from the base, and then bends to angle upwards and
inwards. A handle assembly, denoted generally by reference numeral 22, is disposed near
the top of the support column 20. As illustrated in Figure 1, the handle assembly 22 is
comprised of an upper member 24, a lower member 26, and front and rear braces 28 and
30. A handrail 32 is disposed between the front and rear braces. The handrails 32 are
positioned on both sides of the user to permit the user to support or stabilize their upper body
with their arms as required. The upper members 24 can also provide lateral support to the
user's body.
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The extension 18 and the lower portion of the support column 20 are adapted
with holes (not shown in Figure 1) which permit height adjustment of the side frames. A
locking pin 34 is used to securely lock the side frame to the base at the desired height. By
this means, the height of the side frames 4L and 4R can be adjusted to suit the height of the
user.
The left and right sides of the walker are operatively fastened together by an
upper connecting member 6 and a lower connecting member 8. The upper connecting
member 6 can be conveniently shaped to at least approximately conform to the shape of a
user's torso. This permits the upper connecting member 6 to provide additional support for
the upper body of the user, and reduces possible interference with the movements of the
user's amms. The lower connecting member 8 is generally larger in dimension than the upper
connecting member 6, so as to avoid interference with movements of the user's legs. As
shown in Figure 1, the upper and lower connecting members 6 and 8, are adapted with
respective extensions 6a and 8a which are operatively inserted into corresponding openings
in the side frames 22, thereby fastening the opposite sides of the walker together. After
being inserted into the side frames 22, the extensions 6a and 8a can be locked in place using
any convenient locking means (not shown in figure 1) such as, for example, locking pins.
As mentioned above, the upper member 24 of the handle assembly 22 on both
side frames 4L and 4R, as well as the upper connecting member 6, can be used to provide
support for the user's upper body. In order to increase the user's comfort, these elements
can be fitted with padding, as illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a fully assembled embodiment of the
invention. As illustrated in Figure 2, a straps 36 are suspended from a point near the rear
of the upper members 24 of the side frames 4L and 4R, and is fastened to the upper
connecting member 6 via respective buckles 38. The straps 36 and buckles 38 cooperate
to fomm a hamess which can be used to support the weight of the user. In operation, the
user steps into the walker and stands facing the connecting members 6 and 8. The straps
36 are then passed under the user's legs and connected into the buckles 38. At this point
the user may adjust the straps for comfort, and allow the straps 36 to support their weight.
In order to prevent the user from falling backwards out of the walker, a back-strap 40 is
attached near the top of the rear member 30 of one of the side frames (in this case the right
side frame 4R), passes around the open rear of the walker, and is connected the front
member 28 of the opposite side frame (in this case the left side frame 4L) via a buckle 42.
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It will be apparent that this harness and back-strap combination provides the user
with a safe and comfortable support system. Furthermore, by appropriately selecting the
materials for the straps and buckles, the harness can be made sufficiently strong to safely
support the full weight of the user. Thus it can be seen that the harness, in combination with
5 the padded upper members 6 and 24 of the walker, can be used to support and stabilize the
body of the user, thereby leaving the user's hands free for other tasks. In addition, it can be
seen that the locations of the buckles 38 and 42 are appropriately selected so as to be within
easy reach of the user. This permits the user to adjust the harness as required, and even
to enter and/or exit the walker without assistance, thereby providing the user with an
10 enhanced degree of independence.
It should be noted that this arrangement can be changed in order to have the buckle 42 on
the left hand side, if desired.
The above described harness and frame arrangement does not obstruct walking,
and is effective in case the user falls in any direction.
Hard rubber bumpers (not shown) can be fixed on the two horizontal bars 10
above each caster or wheel so as to minimize damage to walls and furniture, for example,
in the event of accidental impact.
In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting height of the walker is in the range of40" - 46" which corresponds to the range of a patient having a height between 5 ft and 6 ft
4". The walker can be taken apart into six easy-to-transport pieces which can be put in the
trunk or back seat of a car. The device can be constructed of iron, chromed metal or
aluminum square tubing of sizes 1" x 2", 1" x 1" and 3/4" x 3/4". For the handrails 32, a 1"
round tubing can be used. The casters or wheels can vary in size according to the wishes
of the user. A 2" nylon strapping can be used for the harness and back strap, and the
buckles 38 and 42 can be provided as plastic quick release buckles. Locking pins 34 of
approximately 1/4" in diameter, can be used to hold the walker at the selected height.
When used only inside as in the case of a hospital where the frame does not
need to be disassembled, the upper and lower connecting members 6 and 8 can be welded
to the side frames 4L and 4R.
In another preferred embodiment, the shape of the connecting members 6 and
8 can be curved instead of angular. Furthermore, spring loaded wheels can be used to
obtain a braking or suspension effect.
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Finally, it will be apparent that each of the side frames 4L and 4R can be
supported by two respective support columns, rather than the single support column 20
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In this case, the single support column 20 would conveniently
be replaced by a pair of support columns extending downwards from the front and rear
braces 28 and 30 of each of the side frames 4L and 4R. Similarly, the single upright 12 and
extension 18 of each base 2L and 2R would be replaced by a pair of uprights and extensions
corresponding to the pair of support columns extending downwards from the front and rear
braces of each of the side frames. This arrangement improves the strength and rigidity of
the therapy walker.
While only certain embodiments of the present invention have been described,
it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modihcations can be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed
in the following claims.
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