Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COLLAPSIBLE AND CONVERTIBLE WALKER
FOR DISABLED PERSONS
TECHNICAL FIELD
s The present invention relates to a walker
apparatus for a disabled person and more particularly to a
collapsible and convertible walker apparatus which is easy
to store and transport and which may be used solely by the
disabled person which imparts movement and steering of the
~o walker or which may be displaced by an attendant person
pushing on a retractable pusher arm disposed behind the
apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
15 Walker-type apparatus for disabled persons are
known and examples of these may be found in issued U.S.
Patent Nos. 3,488,088, 4,861,051, 5,158,313, 5,167,597, and
5,741,020. There are several disadvantages to such devices,
one being that they are bulky and difficult to transport,
2o for example in the trunk of a car or on the seat of a car
and most of these are not transportable on public transport
vehicles such as buses and airplanes as they cannot fit in
overhead storage compartments provided in such vehicles.
Further, many of these apparatus resemble wheelchairs and do
z5 not provide a means for the disabled person to perform an
exercise which is beneficial to his impairment. Another
disadvantage of these prior art devices is that some of
these, such as that disclosed in U. S . Patent 5, 167, 597, are
unstable and require the disabled operator to have dexterity
3o in order to control same. Some of these also have their
center of gravity too high. Many of these apparatus are
also adapted for use by older disabled persons.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
35 It is a feature of the present invention to
provide a walker apparatus for disabled persons which
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substantially overcome the above disadvantages of the prior
art.
Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker apparatus which is collapsible and which is
s easy to transport and which may be used in the overhead
storage compartments of aircraft or public transport
vehicles, and which can easily fit in the trunk of a car or
on the seat of a car and wherein it is easy to position from
a storage collapse condition to a condition of use.
~o Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker apparatus for disabled persons of all ages
and which provide beneficial results to handicapped persons,
particularly those of young age.
Another feature of the present invention is to
15 provide a walker apparatus which is of a modern design and
which does not resemble the wheelchair concept making it
more appealing to the disabled user person thus achieving a
greater use of the apparatus and a greater psychological
benefit to the user.
zo Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker apparatus of modern design and which may be
used solely by disabled persons and particularly children of
young age who are in school and wherein the apparatus is
provided with a containment means for placing articles to be
25 used by the disabled person.
Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker which resembles a bicycle in design and
which can be painted of colours resembling a bicycle,
thereby having a psychological effect on a user disabled
3o person, and particularly children.
Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker apparatus which may be used solely by a
disabled person or easily converted into a walker apparatus
which is displaced by an attendant pushing on a telescopic
35 arm secured to the back of the vehicle while the vehicle is
steered by the disabled person and/or the attendant.
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Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker apparatus provided with a foot rest plate
which is displaceable from a storage position to a position
of use wherein the disabled person can rest his feet and
s legs while the attendant provides the motor force to
displace the apparatus.
Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker apparatus having adjustable steering arms
as well as an adjustable seat whereby to adapt to
~o handicapped persons of various stature.
Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker apparatus which is stable while supported
on three wheels with the front wheels being spaced apart and
displaceable in tandem and wherein the frame of the vehicle
15 1S disposed low to the center of gravity whereby to prevent
the disabled user person, who may not have perfect motor
control of his legs, from having his feet caught up under
the frame which could cause physical damage to the user.
Accordingly, the walker apparatus is designed with a high
zo safety standard.
Another feature of the present invention is to
provide a walker apparatus which may be used by persons
which are momentarily disabled, such as a person in
rehabilitation.
z5 According to the above features, from a broad
aspect, the present invention provides a walker apparatus
for disabled persons and comprised of a frame having a pair
of spaced-apart wheels mounted at a front end of the frame.
A seat is secured to the frame rearwardly of the front end.
3o The wheels are connected to a steering assembly having a
tandem connecting linkage to cause the wheels to turn in
parallel relationship. Handle means is connected to the
steering assembly to control the position of the wheels for
steering the apparatus during displacement. A rear support
35 wheel is secured to the frame and disposed behind the seat
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and substantially central between the pair of spaced-apart
wheels.
According to a further broad aspect of the present
invention, the walker apparatus is provided with a
retractable pusher means secured behind the seat for
displacing the walker apparatus while being steered by a
disabled user.
According to a still further broad aspect of the
present invention, the walker apparatus is provided with a
~o foot support means to support the feet of a disabled user
while the walker apparatus is being displaced by an
attendant person using the pusher means.
According to another broad aspect of the present
invention the walker apparatus is provided with brake means
~s which is operable by the disabled user person to arrest the
apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention
2o will now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. I is a perspective view of the walker
apparatus of the present invention in its simplest form;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1
zs but showing the apparatus provided with a telescopic pushing
arm and a foot rest plate for the disabled user whereby the
apparatus may be displaced by an attendant person much like
a wheelchair;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the walker apparatus of
3o the present invention showing additional construction
features;
FIG. 4 is a front view of Figure 3;
FIG. 5 is a side view similar to Figure 3 but
showing the telescopic pusher arm in an extended position
3s and the foot rest plate in a position of use;
FIG. 6 is a front view of Figure 5;
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FIG. 7 is a side view, partly fragmented,
showing the pivotal connection between the front end of the
frame and the straight rear portion of the frame;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the pivotal
s connection illustrating the construction of the
disengageable lock for collapsing the frame;
FIG. 9 is a view of the front end section of the
walker apparatus showing an improvement to the intermediate
connecting frame thereof; and
~o FIG. 10 is a plan view of the U-shaped tubular
f rame .
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and more
15 particularly to Figure 1, there is shown generally at 10 the
construction of the walker apparatus of the present
invention suitable for a disabled user person. The
apparatus comprises a frame having a front end section 11 to
which is secured a pair of spaced-apart wheels 12 which are
zo connected by a steering assembly having a tandem connecting
linkage 13. The front end section also has opposed vertical
guide tubes 14 and an intermediate connecting frame 15
secured between the vertical guide tubes. A rear frame
section is comprised of a straight tubular frame 16 secured
z5 transversely of the intermediate connecting frame 15 and
extending rearwardly from a bottom end thereof. A rear
support wheel 17 is secured between a rear fork 18 of the
frame 16 and disposed behind a vertical seat supporting
tubular frame member. A seat 20 is mounted on a telescopic
3o rod 21 which is received in a top end of the vertical seat
support tubular frame member 19 and arrested therein at a
convenient height by an arresting bolt or other suitable
arresting means 22.
The steering assembly is comprised of a pair of
35 directional rods 25 extending in a respective one of the
vertical guide tubes and extending through a wheel support
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fork 26 to which a respective one of the wheels 12 is
connected on a respective axle 12'. The lower end of the
directional rod extends through the top wall 27 of the wheel
support fork member 26 and attaches to an arm 28 which is
s welded thereto. The ends of the arms 28 and 28' are
interconnected by a link rod 29 pivotally connected at
opposed ends 30 to the free ends of the arms 28 and 28'. At
the top end of the directional rods 25 is secured a handle
31. As shown in Figure 3 the handles 31 are secured to a
~o telescopically adjustable tubular support 32 which is
adjustably connected at the top end section of the
directional rods by attachment bolts 33 or other suitable
securement means.
With further reference now to Figures 2 to 6,
15 there will be described a further example of the
construction of the walker apparatus 10 of the present
invention. It is pointed out that the walker apparatus as
shown in Figure 1 is suitable for use solely by a disabled
person as a means for displacement by the user's legs.
zo However, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, the apparatus can also
be provided with retractable pusher means in the form of a
telescopic arm 34 which is secured to the base of the
vertical seat support tubular frame 19 by a connecting
bracket 35. A pivot connection 36 secures the telescopic
2s arm 34 to the bracket thereby permitting the telescopic rod
to be articulated along an arc. The pivot connection 36 may
also be provided by a bolt having a wing nut whereby to
secure the telescopic rod at a desired angle.
As shown in Figure 3, when the telescopic arm 34
3o is not in a position of use, it is telescoped inwardly and
maintained in a storage position by a catch 37 which is
engaged with the top portion 34' of the telescopic rod. A
handle 35 is provided at the end of the telescopic rod.
As also seen from Figures 2 to 6, a foot rest
35 plate 40 is also secured to the frame. As hereinshown it is
connected by hinge arms 41 to a lower tubular member 15' of
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the intermediate connecting frame 15 and is hingeable
upwardly to a storage position, as shown in Figure 3. The
foot rest plate 40 is maintained in the storage position by
attachment means in the form of a Velcro patch 42 glued to
s the top tubular rod 15" and a Velcro patch 43 appropriately
secured centrally of the foot rest plate 40. The central
part of the foot rest plate is formed with a bottom channel
44 to support and position same centrally on the straight
tubular frame 16. Accordingly, if the disabled user is
~o tired, the foot rest plate is brought downwardly to its
position of use as shown in Figure 2 and an attendant person
will displace the walker apparatus by the pusher telescopic
arm 34.
Another feature of the walker apparatus 10 of the
15 present invention is that it may be provided with a basket
50 in the front end of the apparatus and between the
vertical guide tubes 14. The basket provides a means to
store various articles of the disabled user person. For
example, if the person is a child attending school, the
2o child will place his school supplies and books in the
basket. It is also convenient when shopping.
As shown in Figure 3, the straight tubular frame
16 is disposed a distance "x" from the floor surface 49 and
this distance "x" is selected to prevent the disabled user
z5 person from accident by having its feet wedged under the
frame during movement. It also provides a low center of
gravity. The frame is low enough that the footwear of the
user is deflected to the sides of the straight tubular frame
16. It is also clear from Figure 3 that when the foot rest
3o plate 40 is in its storage position, it clears the foot area
to opposed sides of the frame 16 in the frontal area of the
seat 20.
With reference now to Figures 3, 5, 7 and 8, there
is shown the construction of the pivot connection 50 which
35 interconnects the front end section 11 of the frame to the
straight tubular rear frame 16. This pivotal connection 50
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_g_
is better illustrated in Figure 7 and as can be seen it
consists of two circular discs, namely a top disc 51 and a
bottom disc 52 interconnected in frictional juxtaposed
contact with one another along serrated faces 51' and 52' by
s a rod 53. The rod 53 extends through the lower tubular
frame 15' of the intermediate connecting frame 15 and is
welded thereto at 54. The bottom disc 52 is connected to
the front end 16' of the straight tubular frame 16 and it is
welded at 55 to the underface 56 of the bottom disc 52.
~o These two discs are interlocked together by a disengageable
lock mechanism 57 as shown in Figure 8 whereby the
intermediate tubular frame member 15' and the straight rear
tubular frame 16 are at right angles to one another.
As shown in Figure 8, the disengageable lock
mechanism 57 is mounted in a housing 58 on the underside of
the tubular frame 15' and a latch bolt 59 is spring-biased
by helical spring 60 in an engaged position wherein the bolt
59 extends out of the housing and into an engageable slot 61
formed in the bottom disc 52. When in this position the
zo lower tubular intermediate frame member 15' and the rear
straight tubular frame 16 are at right angles to one
another, as previously described. In order to release the
bolt 59 from engagement within the slot 61, a retracting
lever 62 is pulled rearwardly in the direction of arrow 63
zs to retract the bolt against the spring action. When the
bolt is retracted, the straight tubular frame 16 may be
hinged sideways towards the front end section 11 of the
frame or the tubular member 15'. Because the bolt 59 is
biased against the outer periphery 64 of the bottom disc 52
3o it will re-enter the engaging slot as soon as the slot is
disposed thereagainst and automatically locking the frame
sections in proper transverse alignment.
It is important to point out that it is essential
for the wheels at the front end to be connected in tandem.
35 If the wheels were simply freely pivotal, the user could not
be able to properly steer the walker apparatus and could be
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faced with the danger of the apparatus tumbling down a
staircase. As an added safety, the walker apparatus is
provided with brake means in the form of a brake lever 65
connected adjacent one of the handle grips 31 as shown in
s Figure 3. The brake lever 65 is attached to a brake
actuating wire 66 which extends under the front end section
11 of the frame and into the straight tubular frame 16. The
other end of the brake actuating wire 66 is secured to a
brake pad actuating mechanism 67 secured under the straight
~o tubular frame 16 and the rear end thereof adjacent the rear
wheel 17. A brake pad 68 extends out of the brake actuating
mechanism and by pulling the lever 65 the brake pad is
actuated to brake the rear wheel.
Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, there is shown
~s a modification to the front end section 11' of the walker
apparatus. As hereinshown, the intermediate connecting
frame is constituted by a pair of U-shaped tubular frame
members 101 which define opposed side arms 105 with their
free ends welded onto the pair of guide tubes 14. The
zo purpose of these U-shaped tubular frame members 101 is to
locate the pivotal connection 50 forwardly of the wheels 12
to improve on the stability of the walker device.
Accordingly, the rod 53 is an elongated rod extending
through an intermediate channel member 102 which is provided
z5 at opposed ends with washers 104 and interconnects the U-
shaped tubular frame with the pivotal connection 50 as
previously described. The tubular frame 16 also has a
forward arcuate extension section 16' which connects to the
bottom disk 52 as previously described. The intermediate
3o tubular member 102 is immovably connected to the main
tubular frame 16 by an intermediate frame member 103 welded
therebetwen. Like the walker apparatus illustrated in the
other drawings, the disengageable lock mechanism 57 is
provided whereby to hinge the straight tubular frame member
35 16 sideways towards the front end section 11 of the frame,
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herein the U-shaped tubular frame to transport and store the
walker apparatus of the present invention.
Because of the construction and design of the
walker apparatus 10 of the present invention and the fact
s that it may be painted with modern-type colours and designs
resembling a bicycle, it has been found that disabled
children quickly develop an interest in the apparatus and
enjoy its use. While doing so they exercise their muscles
thus undergo physical therapy and it has been found that
~o this therapy has greatly helped and reduced their
anticipated muscular deterioration. The design of the
apparatus has been found to have a psychological effect on
the patient as the patient feels that he does not look like
a handicapped person, as would be the case if he was sitting
in a wheelchair and being moved about by an attendant
person. In fact, the patient prefers to be left alone on
such apparatus and to motorize it himself, thus this
psychological effect also results in a physical and
beneficial exercise. It has been found that handicapped
zo children with such walker apparatus can be autonomous in
schools and displace themselves from classroom to classroom
following other children and have the ability to utilize the
storage basket as a means of transporting their schoolbooks,
etc. It is also simple for the parents of these young
zs adults to transport them to and from school due to the
collapsible and storable construction of the apparatus. To
provide ease of transportation there are also provided strap
loops and namely strap loop 69 connected to the transverse
intermediate rod 15" and a further strap loop 68 secured to
3o the vertical seat support tubular frame member 19 under the
seat 20, as shown in Figure 2. A strap is hooked around
these loops 68 and 69 and acts as a shoulder support for the
vehicle. The apparatus is also dimensioned so that in its
collapsed condition, it can be stowed in overhead storage
35 compartments of aircraft.
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It is within the ambit of the present invention to
cover any obvious modifications to the examples of the
preferred embodiment described herein, provided such fall
within the scope of the appended claims.
