Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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REVERSIBLY ATTACHABLE SHADE FOR MOBILITY AIDS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to attachable=shades,
particularly shades that can be attached to walkers and similar
mobility aids.
[0002] The following lexicon sets forth the intended scope and
meaning of certain terms and concepts used in the specification
and claims. The examples provided in this lexicon are intended
to clarify and not to limit the meaning of the respective terms.
If not otherwise indicated, the definitions set forth here apply
to the plural and all grammatical variations of the terms
defined.
[0003] A/AN/THE - unless otherwise indicated, the articles "a"
and "an" include the plural. The article "the" when used to
refer to a noun introduced with "a" or "an" also includes the
plural.
[0004] MOBILITY AID - a device that enhances the personal
mobility of a user. Mobility aids include, by way of example,
walkers of all types, wheel chairs, electric scooters, prams,
motorized carts, and personal transport devices such as described
in US patent 6907949 to Wang, and those commonly referred to as
Segway personal transport devices. Although the invention is
disclosed herein with respect to rolling walkers, as will be
appreciated by those of skill in the art, the invention is
readily adaptable for use with mobility aids generally. The term
"mobility aid" is not intended to encompass devices colloquially
known as "vehicles," such as automobiles, motorcycles, buses,
trucks, trains, water craft, aircraft, or other commercial
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transportation devices.
[0005] INVENTION - the use of the word "invention" with respect
to a particular embodiment is not meant to restrict the scope of
the invention to that particular embodiment. The use of
"invention" encompasses all embodiments even when the term is
used with respect to a specific exemplary embodiment.
[0006] SHADING - refers to protecting a user from radiation,
precipitation, or other elements or substances that would
otherwise fall upon the user.
[0007] sHADE - when used as a noun, the term refers to
materials and surfaces that are held in a substantially
horizontal orientation above a user for the purpose of shading
the user. Unless otherwise modified, the term is used herein
broadly without limitation as to size or shape of the shade.
Consequently, the term includes, for example, conical or bowed
umbrella-type shades and planar fan-type shades. When used as a
verb the term shade refers to the act of shading a user.
[0008] PERIMETER - the boundary of a shade as viewed from above.
Unless otherwise indicated, the term perimeter is used in its
broadest sense to include any shape the shade may take, whether a
circle, ellipse, polygon, or other closed geometrical shape.
[0009] ARC - includes both smooth and continuous arcs such as
segments of a circle or ellipse, and polygonal arcs wherein the
convex vertices of a polygon define a continuous arc.
[0010] BASE SIDE - is defined functionally to mean that portion
of the perimeter of a shade that is equivalent to or analogous
to the base of a polygon or diameter of a semi-circle. The term
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is not restricted to a single edge or straight line, but may
comprise two or more joined segments.
[0011] WALKER - used in the common, contemporary parlance to
refer to a mobility aid that a user places in front of them to
assist them with walking and/or standing. Such walkers
generally comprise a frame that the user holds on to help them
maintain balance. US design patent D448706 shows one of many
types of such walkers. The term "walker" is used herein
generically to refer to walkers of all types including
orthopedic walkers, rehabilitation walkers, child learning-
walkers. The term "rolling walker" is used herein to refer
specifically to walkers having wheels.
[00121 FUNCTIONALLY HORIZONTAL - the term is used with respect to
an overhead shade to convey an orientation of the overhead shade
that is sufficiently horizontal to perform the function of
shading the user. The term is intended to convey that range of
orientations that is useful or necessary for the function of
shading a user.
[00131 FUNCTIONALLY VERTICAL - when used with respect to a
shaft, the term is intended to convey a range of orientations of
the shaft wherein the shaft is sufficiently vertical to serve
the function of holding a shade above a user's head when the
lower end of the shaft is attached to a mobility aid. When used
with respect to a shade, the term is intended to convey a range
of orientations of the closed shade in a non-deployed
configuration in which the shade is approximately parallel to
the shaft.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0014] Mobility aids have become a normal and necessary part
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of life and are particularly common in cities. One common
problem encountered by the users of mobility aids is that one
must almost always use of both hands to operate a mobility aid.
For instance, it is difficult, and in some cases impossible, for
the elderly and infirm to guide a rolling walker with one hand,
and it is even more difficult for many users to maintain their
balance when holding onto a rolling walker with just one hand.
Wheelchairs require two hands to propel, and motorized wheel
chairs are often used by handicapped individuals who do not have
full use of their hands. Personal transport devices, such as a
Segway , require two hands on the controls to operate safely.
Consequently, when the user of a mobility aid needs to deploy
an overhead shade, such as an umbrella or sun-shade, it can be
quite difficult, and in many instances impossible or dangerous,
for the person to remove their hand from the mobility aid to
hold the shade over their head. Consequently, those who are
dependent on mobility aids are often forced to avoid going out
of doors when the weather is inclement or is predicted to be
inclement; consequently, the quality of their lives is
compromised. .
[0015] What is needed is an overhead shade device that can
be easily and reversibly attached to a mobility aid and
therefore allow the user to operate the mobility aid easily and
safely with both hands while obtaining the benefits of the
shade.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The invention comprises an overhead shade device
adapted to be attached to a mobility aid. The invention has an
elongate shaft having an upper end and a lower end. The shaft
is attached to the mobility aid at the shaft's lower end in a
manner that holds the shaft functionally vertically. A shade is
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attached to the upper end of the shaft. The shade may be an
umbrella-type shade, or a fan, or other functionally horizontal
surface that shades the user when deployed.
[0017] In one embodiment of the invention the shaft is
reversibly attached to the mobility aid.
[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the length of the
shaft is adjustable. This may be accomplished, for instance, by
providing a telescoping shaft with a friction-sleeve.
[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the shade is a fan
that can be opened and closed.
[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the shade is
reversibly deployable from a non-deployed configuration to a
deployed configuration. This feature may be effectuated by
providing a shade that can be opened and closed and that is
attached to the shaft's upper end by an upper-end connector
joint that permits the closed shade to be rotated from a
functionally horizontal orientation to a functionally vertical
orientation such that in the non-deployed configuration the
shade is juxtaposed against the shaft or around the shaft.
[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the perimeter of
the shade when opened includes a base side and an arc of less
than 360 degrees, and more preferably, an arc of less than about
200 degrees. The base side does not extend significantly
beyond the outer edge of one side of the user andlor mobility
aid when said shaft is held in a functionally vertical
orientation. The area of the shade may be continuously variable
between its limits.
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[0022] In one embodiment of the invention the shade is a
collapsible type commonly used in umbrellas. When in the
collapsed, or closed, configuration the shade may surround the
shaft or it may be juxtaposed next to the shaft with its long
axis parallel to the shaft.
[0023] In one embodiment of the invention the upper
components including the joint and shade can be reversibly
removed from the shaft. If the shaft is of the telescoping
type, the entire device can be reduced to a size that permits
easy attachment, removal, handling, and storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] The above and other objects, elements, limitations,
features, and advantages of the invention will become more
apparent from the following description taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings. The drawings, unless otherwise
indicated, should not be assumed to be drawn to scale.
[0025] FIG. 1A. is a rear elevation of a rolling walker with
the invention attached and deployed into a open configuration.
[0026] FIG. 1B. is the same view as FIG 1A but with the shade
of the invention closed and j.uxtaposed against the shaft.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an over-head view looking down on a fan-type
shade that is deployed in its open configuration.
[0028] FIGS 3A and 3B are side elevations of a joint
mechanism used to connect a shade to the shaft.
[0029] FIG 3C is a cross-section of FIG 3A at the plane
indicate.
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[0030] FIG 4 is a view of a simple attachment mechanism for
attaching the shaft to the mobility aid.
[0031] FIG 5 is a view of the device in which a rachet and
pawl are used to hold the shade in the deployed configuration.
[0032] FIG 6 is a view of an attachment mechanism for
attaching the shaft to the mobility aid in which the shade
device is readily removed from the mobility aid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
BASIC PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Referring first to FIG lA, an attachable overhead
shade device 106 is shown attached to a mobility aid such as a
rolling walker 101. The device comprises a shaft 102 combined
with a shade 103.
[0034] The lower end of the shaft is reversibly attached to
the walker by connector 105, which holds the shaft in a
functionally vertical orientation. Shade 103 is connected to
the upper end of the shaft. In FIG 1A the invention is shown in
a deployed configuration, which is to say the shade is raised
into a functionally horizontal orientation and opened over the
user's head, thereby providing shade and protection to the user
from the elements such as sun and rain.
[0035] FIG 1B depicts the invention in a non-deployed
configuration in which shade 103 is closed and rotated
approximately 90 degrees from the deployed configuration so that
it is oriented functionally vertically and is substantially
parallel to and juxtaposed against shaft 102.
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[0036] Thus, FIGS 1A and 1B, taken together show a reversibly
deployable overhead shade device that is reversibly attachable
to a mobility aid. When the device is deployed, the shade is in
an open configuration and provides protection to the user
without the user having to hold the shade in place, and when the
device is in the non-deployed configuration, the shade is closed
and rotated such that it is parallel to and juxtaposed against
the shaft.
VARIATIONS, EMBELLISHMENTS, AND DETAILS.
Shade shapes and sizes
[0037] FIG 2 shows an overhead view of an opened fan-type
shade 200 as may be employed in various embodiments of the
invention. The fan-type shade comprises a first elongate
support 201 and a second elongate support 202 forming a base
side. One end of the first elongate support is attached to one
end of the second elongate support at a pivot 205. The free end
204 of the first elongate support and the free end 203 of the
second elongate support are thus free to rotate about the pivot.
A stiff material having a plurality of folds is attached to the
supports, thus producing the shade surface 206.
[0038) Depending upon the area and shape of the shade surface
attached to the supports, by rotating support 201 with respect
to support 202, the surface area and shape of the fan may be
continuously variable such that the perimeter of the opened
shade circumscribes an arc anywhere from a few degrees to 360
degrees. The arc of the fan-type shade shown in FIG 2
circumscribes an arc of approximately 190 degrees when fully
opened, that is, slightly more than a semi-circle.
[0039] The arc shown in FIG 2 is polygonal; i.e., formed by
the plurality of convex vertices of the shade. However, the arc
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can be continuous, forming approximately a semi-circle or a
slightly eccentric semi-circle when viewed from above. The
advantage of such a shade is that the base side is positioned
over the outer edge of one side of the user and mobility aid
when the shaft is held in a functionally vertical orientation
and, hence, no more than about 30%, and preferably no more than
about 10%, of the surface area of the shade extends beyond the
left or right outer edges of the user and mobility aid. This
feature, which is readily apparent in FIG 1A, allows the user to
more easily navigate crowded sidewalks or other tight situations
without hitting people or obstructions with the shade. This is
particularly helpful because, unlike a hand-held shade such as
an umbrella, users of this invention are often unable to easily
tip the shade to avoid obstructions.
[0040] One skilled in the art will recognize that the shape
and dimensions of the shade are variables that may be readily
modified to meet a variety of preferences, climates,
environments, and meteorological conditions. The invention is
not restricted with respect to the shape of the shades. The
perimeter the shade may be any regular or irregular polygon
having anywhere from one edge (circle) to a large number of
edges. For instance, shades having circular, square,
rectangular, triangular, octagonal, or dodecagonal profiles when
viewed from above may be easily adapted for use in the
invention. But in all cases, irregular perimeters having a base
side that does not substantially extend beyond the outer edge of
the user and/or mobility aid when the shaft is held in a
functionally vertical orientation are preferred, and
particularly shades in which the shade surface area is
continuously variable.
[0041] Although disclosed above within the context of a shade
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for a mobility aid, one embodiment of the invention is a shading
device used independently of a mobility aid wherein the device
has a shade with a perimeter shape of an irregular polygon
having a base side such that when the base side is positioned
over the outer edge of one side of the user when the shaft is
held in a functionally vertical orientation, not more than about
30%, and, preferably, not more than about 10%, of the surface
area of the shade extends beyond the outer edge of the right or
left side of the user. Such a device has very considerable
utility in its own right when used independently of a mobility
aid, for instance on crowded sidewalks.
Rotating shade connector-joint and shade pivot connection
[0042] Referring to FIGS 3A - 3C, one may appreciate a
preferred embodiment of a rotating shade connector-joint 306 for
attaching shade 103 to shaft 102. The joint includes an
adjustable friction member 301 that acts as a locking mechanism.
When wing nut 302 is tightened on through-bolt 310, sufficient
frictional pressure is exerted on end-piece 312 to hold the
shade in a functionally horizontal orientation. Through-bolt
310 is coincident with an axis of rotation 309 about which
support block 304 and shade 103 rotate relative to shaft 102.
This connector-joint allows the shade to be rotated between a
functionally horizontal orientation when the device is in a
deployed configuration and a functionally vertical orientation
when the device is in a non-deployed configuration, as shown in
FIGS lA and 1B. Another locking mechanism may be provided by
means of a pin that is inserted into aligned holes in support
bock 304 and end-piece 312 when the shade is in the proper
position.
[0043] Shade 103 is attached to support-block 304 by means of
a pivoting connection, which may be a rivet, or a through bolt
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308 with a wing nut 307, or the like. When a fan-type shade is
used, a bolt-wing nut pivoting connection is preferred because
the wing nut is used to vary the amount of frictional force
holding the shade in a desired shape. The function of the
pivoting connection is thus to attach shade 103 to support block
304 in a way that allows the shade to open and close by rotating
support 201 around the pivot point relative to support 202. A
retaining pin 311 may be used to prevent the movement of support
202.
[0044] FIG 3A shows the invention with the shade raised to an
essentially functionally horizontal position and ready for
opening. FIG 3B shows the invention with the shade lowered into
a non-deployed configuration, which is accomplished by loosening
wing nut 302 to ease the frictional pressure exerted by
frictional member 301 and then rotating the shade and support
block downwards about the axis formed by the shaft of wing bolt
302.
[0045] FIG 3C is a cross-section of the joint of FIG 3A to
better show the relationship between friction member 301 and its
wing nut 302 and through-bolt 308. FIG 3C also shows that the
through-bolt is co-existent with the axis of rotation 309, about
which axis of rotation the support block and shade rotate.
[0046] In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG 5,
the rotating shade connector joint comprises a toothed rachet
500 rotatably connected to support block 304 such that the
rachet rotates in the clockwise direction when shade 103 is
being raised to the deployed configuration. Pawl 502 is spring
501 loaded to engage the teeth of the rachet and prevent the
rachet, support block, and shade 103 from rotating in the
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counterclockwise direction unless the user disengages the pawl
from the teeth by forcing it against its spring.
[0047] In one embodiment of the invention, for instance as
shown in FIG 3B, the connector joint 306 and shade 103 can be
reversibly removed from shaft 102 at reversible articulation 305
so that the entire device can be disassembled for easy handling
and storage and then quickly re-assembled. This is
accomplished, for instance, by providing the reversible
articulation as mating threaded connectors between the lower end
of the connector joint 306 and the shaft 102.
Adjustable length shaft
[0048] The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS 1A and
1B includes an optional telescoping shaft 102 the length of
which can be adjusted by loosening frictional annulus 104,
adjusting the length of the shaft, and re-tightening the
annulus. Thus, the frictional annulus is used for fixing the
length of the shaft at a desired length.
Frame attachment
[0049] FIG 4 demonstrates a simple shaft attachment means for
attaching the shaft 102 of the shade device to the frame 101.
This embodiment of the attachment means comprises at least one
pair of interdigitating frictional collars; preferably, an upper
pair of interdigitating frictional collars 401a, 401b and a
lower pair of interdigitating frictional collars 401c, 401d.
Collars 401a and 401c snap onto frame 101. Collars 401b and 401d
slide onto the lower shaft-end. Each of collars 401a and 401c
have a pair of tabs with holes there through (not shown). Each
of collars 401b and 401d have a single tab with a hole there
through (not shown). The tabs of collars 401b and 401d are
brought into alignment with the tabs of collars 401a and 401c so
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that the tabs of collars 401b and 401d interdigitate with the
tabs of collars 401a and 401c, and a bolt is passed through the
holes. Wing nuts 402a and 402b are then used to apply
frictional force to the collars, thereby holding shaft 102
firmly attached to frame 101.
[0050] FIG 6 shows a more complex method of attaching a shaft
601 to the frame 101. In this embodiment, upper frictional
collar 600a and lower frictional collar 600b are hinged to
permit the frame connector to be more easily attached to and
removed from the frame. When in place, the frictional collars
are tightened by wing nuts 402a and 402b as in the previous
embodiment. Upper frictional collar 600a frictionally engages
upper tab 603 and lower frictional collar 600b frictionally
engages lower tab 604. The upper and lower tabs may be
conveniently oval or elongate.
[0051] Upper tab 603 has a hinged dog 605 which is formed to
receive the shaft and accommodate the diameter of shaft 601.
The hinged dog can be pressed against shaft 601 in order to
immobilize the shaft securely against the upper tab by
tightening wing-nut 609 onto a through-bolt that passes through
the upper tab and the hinged dog.
[0052] Shaft 601 has a recess in the lower end of the shaft
forming a hollow butt, which recess snugly receives adapter 602.
Conversely, the adapter may be hollow for receiving the shaft-
butt. The point is to provide a means for connecting the upper
end of the adapter to the lower end of the shaft to form an
easily reversible junction between the shaft and the adapter.
In either instance, the lower end of adapter 602 has a hole (not
shown) to receive a through-bolt (not shown), which passes
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through the adapter and through an elongate lower tab hole or
slot 608 in the lower tab. The adapter is thus able to rotate
about the axis formed by the through-bolt. The through-bolt is
secured to lower tab 604 by wing-bolt 607. By virtue of the
lower tab slot and the through-bolt, the butt shaft 601 can be
moved to and fro, thereby causing shaft 601 to yaw about a pivot
point formed by the upper tab. This permits the shaft to assume
an orientation that is either perfectly vertical or off-set from
vertical to a degree desired, and therefore, the position of the
shade above the user is adjusted. When shaft 601 is in a
desired orientation, wing bolts 607 and 609 are tightened
sufficiently to hold the shaft in that orientation.
[0053] When not being used in association with the mobility
aid, the shaft can be quickly and easily removed from the
mobility aid by removing wing-nut 609, opening hinged dog 605,
and freeing the butt of shaft 601 from adapter 602. The shade
device can then be used independently of the mobility aid.
SUMMARY
[0054] From the foregoing description the novelty, utility,
means of practicing my invention will be readily apprehended.
However, the foregoing description merely represents the best
mode known to me as of the present date. The embodiment herein
disclosed is not meant to be exclusive of other ways of
practicing my invention, and it will be obvious to those of
average skill in the field that other means of practicing the
invention lie within the scope of this disclosure and the
claims, below. It is to be understood that my invention is not
limited to the embodiment disclosed above but encompasses any
and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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