Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WALKERS AND METHODS OF USE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates to walkers and methods of use.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Walkers, some versions of which are known as rollators, are used
to assist the
elderly, the injured, and the infirm in walking from place to place. US patent
number
8,083,239 depicts a walker with a removable foldable basket and a rigid body
between the
wheels and the handles.
SUMMARY
[0003] A walker having a folded position and an unfolded position, the
walker
comprising: a structural frame with a first upright portion, a second upright
portion, a folding
mechanism between the first upright portion and the second upright portion,
and ground
engaging elements on each of the first upright portion and second upright
portion; and a
foldable basket with first and second opposed ends secured by one or more
fasteners to the
first upright portion and the second upright portion, respectively.
[0004] A walker comprising: a structural frame with a first end, a second
end, and
sides between the first end and the second end; a handle or handles on the
structural frame at
the first end of the structural frame; ground engaging elements at the first
end and the second
end of the structural frame; and a suspension system integrated with the
structural frame.
[0005] Methods of using the disclosed walkers. For example, a method of
folding
and unfolding the walker.
[0006] In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of
the
following features: The one or more fasteners are tool operated fasteners. The
one or more
fasteners include rivets. The one or more fasteners include one or more of
rivets, bonds,
threaded fasteners, nails, push fasteners, adhesive, straps, crimps, tape,
stitches, staples, and
rod and split pin combinations. The first and second opposed ends comprise
plates. A
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suspension system integrated with the first upright portion and second upright
portion. The
first upright portion and the second upright portion fold towards and away
from each other
and define respective sides of the walker extending between a first end of the
walker and a
second end of the walker, and further comprising a handle or handles on the
first upright
portion and the second upright portion at the first end of the walker. The
folding mechanism
comprises a pair of scissor beams, each scissor beam having an intermediate
pivot region
separating a first span and a second span, with the first span pivotally
connected to one of the
first upright portion or second upright portion, and the second span pivotally
connected to
the other of the first upright portion or second upright portion through a
lever arm, in which
each second span comprises a lock for engaging the respective lever arm to
lock the walker
in an unfolded position. Each lock comprises a latch pivotally connected to
the respective
second span and having a slot positioned to engage a corresponding pin on the
respective
lever arm in the unfolded position. Each pin defines a first travel path
between a folded and
an unfolded position, and in which each latch defines a second travel path
that intersects the
respective first travel path, each latch being biased into a closed position
and having an outer
profile shaped at a pin contact point on the second travel path to allow the
pin to open the
latch and enter the slot. A handle connected to open both latches when under
one or more of
tension or compression. the ground engaging elements comprise wheels. A seat
at the first
end of the structural frame. The ground engaging elements at the first end
comprise one or
more lever arms pivotally connected to the structural frame, with struts, of
the suspension
system, extended between the one or more lever arms and the structural frame.
The structural
frame comprises first and second upright portions that each define a
respective side of the
structural frame, extend to a respective handle, and are connected to a
respective strut, and in
which the structural frame further comprises a folding mechanism between the
first and
second upright portions to allow the first and second upright portions to fold
towards and
away from each other. The first and second upright portions each have a
respective fork that
mounts a respective ground engaging element at the second end, has a first
branch extended
to a respective handle, and has a second branch pivotally connecting a
respective lever arm.
Each strut is adjustable in stiffness.
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[0007] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in
the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures,
in which
like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in
which:
[0009] Figs. 1-3 are front perspective, side elevation, and rear
perspective views,
respectively, of a walker.
[0010] Figs. 4 and 5 are front perspective and side elevation views,
respectively, of a
foldable basket from the walker of Figs. 1-3.
[0011] Figs. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of the front and rear
wheel
assemblies, respectively, of the walker of Figs. 1-3.
[0012] Fig. 8 is a blow up view of the view area marked by 8-8 in Fig. 3.
[0013] Figs. 9-11 are rear elevation views of the folding mechanism of
the walker of
Figs. 1-3 shown in an unfolded position, an intermediate folded position, and
a folded
position, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described
here
without departing from what is covered by the claims.
[0015] A walker or walking frame is a tool for disabled or elderly people
who need
additional support to maintain balance or stability while walking. The British
English
common equivalent term for a walker is Zimmer frame. A walker is also a tool
for those who
are recuperating from leg or back injuries. It is also commonly used by
persons having
problems with walking or with mild balance problems.
[0016] Walkers started appearing in the early 1950s, though walkers for
babies have
existed at least since the fifteenth century. The first US patent was awarded
in 1953 to
William Cribbes Robb, of Stretford, England, for a device called "walking
aid", see US
patent no. 2,656.874. Two variants with wheels were both awarded US patents in
May 1957,
namely US patent nos. 2,792,052 and 2,792,874. The first non-wheeled design
that was
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called a "walker" was patented in 1965 by Elmer F. Ries of Cincinnati, Ohio,
see US patent
no. 3,165,112. The first walker to resemble modern walkers was patented in
1970 by Alfred
A. Smith of Van Nuys, California, see US patent no. 3,517,677. The first
walker cane hybrid
was developed by Dannie H. King, Ph.D. of Carlsbad, California in 2009, see US
patent no.
8,291,924.
[0017] The basic walker design has a frame that is about waist high.
Walkers are also
available in other sizes such as pediatric (for children) or bariatric (for
obese persons).
Modern walkers are height adjustable and may be set at a height that is
comfortable fbr the
user, but will allow the user to maintain a slight bend in their arms. This
bend allows for
proper blood circulation through the arms as the walker is used. The front two
legs of the
walker may or may not have wheels attached, depending on the strength and
abilities of the
person using it. It is also common to see caster wheels or glides on the back
legs of a walker
with wheels on the front.
[0018] The person walks with the frame surrounding their front and sides
and their
hands provide additional support by holding on to the top of the sides of the
frame.
Traditionally, a walker is picked up and placed a short distance ahead of the
user. The user
then walks to it and repeats the process. With the use of wheels and glides,
the user may
push the walker ahead as opposed to picking it up. This makes for easier use
of the walker,
as it does not require the user to use their arms to lift the walker. This is
beneficial for those
with little arm strength. Wheels may prevent safety issues, and brakes have
been added to
such wheels to address such issues.
[0019] Also related is a hemi-walker, a walker about half the size of a
traditional
walker which is intended for use by persons whose dexterity is limited or non-
existent in one
hand or arm. These walkers are more stable than a quad cane (a cane with four
points that
touch the ground, as opposed to one), but are not recommended as highly as a
traditional
walker for those who can use it.
[0020] Another type of walker is the rollator, also called wheeled
walker. Although
originally a brand name, ''rollator" has become a genericized trademark for
wheeled walkers
in many countries, and is also the most common type of walker in several
European
countries. The rollator may have a frame with three or four large wheels,
handlebars and a
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built-in seat, which allows the user to stop and rest when needed. Rollators
are also often
equipped with a shopping basket. Rollators are typically more sophisticated
than
conventional walkers with wheels. They are adjustable in height and are light-
weight, yet
sturdier than conventional walkers. The handlebars are equipped with hand
brakes that can
be lifted or pushed downward to instantly stop the rollator. The brakes can
also be used in
maneuvering the rollator; by braking one side while turning the rollator
towards that side a
much tighter turning radius can be achieved.
[0021] Walkers also exist that provide support and stability to dogs,
while allowing
them to rely partly on their hind legs. It is suitable for dogs with mobility
or stability
problems with hind legs. It also helps them to exercise their back legs and
can help
maintaining any partial mobility they may have left or, in some cases, help to
improve it.
[0022] Referring to Figs. 1-3, 9, and 11, a walker 10 is illustrated
having a structural
frame 12 and ground engaging elements 14. Structural frame 12 may have a first
upright
portion 16 and a second upright portion 18 (Fig. 1). Structural frame 12 may
have a first end
20, a second end 22, and sides 24, 26 between the first end 20 and the second
end 22 (Figs.
1, 2, and 9). Upright portions 16 and 18 define sides 24, 26, respectively, of
the structural
frame 12 (Fig. 9). Ground engaging elements 14 are located at each of the
first and second
ends 20, 22, for example on each of the first upright portion 16 and second
upright portion
18 (Fig. 1). A handle or handles 28, 30 may be on the structural frame 12, for
example on
each of portions 16 and 18, at the first end 20 of the structural frame 12. A
folding
mechanism 32 may be provided between the first upright portion 16 and the
second upright
portion 18 for moving the walker 10 between a folded position (Fig. 11), and
an unfolded
position (Fig. 9). A foldable basket 34 may be present (Fig. 1). A suspension
system 36 may
be integrated with the structural frame 12 (Fig. 1). A seat 23, for example
with a backrest 25,
may be provided at the first end 20 of the structural frame 12.
[0023] Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5 foldable basket 34 is
illustrated. Basket 34
may have first and second opposed ends 38, 40. Ends 38 and 40 may comprise
plates 39 and
41, respectively. Ends 38 and 40 may be secured by one or more fasteners 42 to
upright
portions 16 and 18, respectively (Figs. 1, 2, and 4). Two or more fasteners 42
may be used to
secure each end 38 and 40, to prevent tipping of basket 34 in use. Fasteners
42 may include
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rivets 43, which, for example, pass through respective sets of holes 44, in
plates 39 and 41,
and aligned holes 46 in upright portions 16 and 18 (Fig. 4).
[0024] The fasteners 42 are intended to secure basket 34 to frame 12 in a
fashion that
prevents the basket 34 from being removed by the user. Hence, fasteners 42 may
secure
basket 34 to the frame 12 by varying degrees of permanence, from a) a degree
where it is
inconvenient to manually disassemble the fastener, for example in the case of
a wingnut and
bolt combination, to b) a degree where tools are required to disassemble the
fastener, for
example in the case of a screw or other tool operated fastener, to c) a degree
where
disassembly of the fastener cannot be carried out without damaging the walker
10, which
includes the fastener 42 itself, for example in the case of rivets 43. Other
examples of
fasteners with type c) permanence include welds, bonds, stitches, staples, and
adhesive.
Other fasteners 42 may be used, for example threaded fasteners, nails, push
fasteners, straps,
tape, and rod and split pin combinations. Bonds include welds, soldering, and
brazing.
Adhesive includes cementing and gluing. Threaded fasteners include screws,
bolts and nuts.
Push fasteners include friction plugs such as Christmas tree fasteners. Rod
and split pin
combinations include cotter pins, and bowtie pins. Straps include tie wraps,
bands, and
wires. Other fasteners may be used, and each category and sub category of
fasteners may
include difference fasteners not mentioned here.
[0025] Plates 39 and 41 provide structural anchors across which to span
basket sides
48 and a basket bottom 50 (Fig. 4). Other suitable structural anchors may be
used for ends 38
and 40, including wire frames or structural webs. For example. ends 38 and 40
may each
comprise a structural peripheral loop 54 with a structural arm 55 extended
across the loop 54
(Fig. 5). In the example shown holes 44 pass through arm 55. Flexible material
such as cloth
may be used to construct at least part of sides 48 and bottom 50, for example
webbed fabric
as shown to provide a foldable structure between plates 39 and 41 (Fig. 4).
Ends 38 and 40
may also incorporate fabric, for example stretched across loop 54 (Fig. 5).
Bottom 50 may
include a flexible non porous platform 51 to prevent small objects from
falling out of the
bottom 50 (Fig. 4). One or more handles, such as handle holes 52 may be
provided in basket
34 to permit grasping by a user's hands, for example to facilitate folding of
walker 10 as
discussed further below. Basket 34 may have one or more fold lines (not
shown), for
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example perpendicular to a folding axis 53, between ends 38 and 40 to
facilitate folding
according to a predetermined pattern, like an accordion. A top cover or
partial top cover in
the form of one or more top ledges 56 may be provided over the basket 34.
[0026] Referring to Figs. 9-11, as mentioned above a folding mechanism 32
may be
provided. A method of folding the walker 10 with mechanism 32 is also
illustrated in Figs.
9-11. In the example shown the walker 10 is a side folding walker. Thus,
mechanism 32 may
permit first upright portion 16 and the second upright portion 18 to fold
towards (sequence
shown from Fig. 9 to Fig. 11) and away (sequence shown from Fig. 11 to Fig. 9)
from each
other.
[0027] Folding mechanism 32 may comprise a pair of scissor beams 58 (Fig.
9).
Each scissor beam 58 may have an intermediate pivot region, such as a pivot
point 59.
separating a first span 60 and a second span 62. The suffixes of "A" and "B"
are appended to
reference numeral 58 and associated parts of folding mechanism 32 in the
drawings and
places in this description to distinguish between the respective parts and
associated
components of the two scissor beams 58 and associated parts of the folding
mechanism 32.
In the example shown pivot point 59 is also defined as the location where
beams 58 pivotally
connect to one another. However, in other cases the beams 58 may merely cross
over one
another, with or without contact, in use when viewed along a pivot axis 59 of
one or more of
beams 58. Each first span 60 may be pivotally connected to one of the first
upright portion
16 or second upright portion 18, for example through a respective lever arm
(not shown), and
each second span may be pivotally connected to the other of the first upright
portion 16 or
second upright portion 18 through a respective lever arm 64. As shown, spans
60A and 60B
are connected to upright portion 16 and 18, respectively, and spans 62A and
62B are
connected, through lever arms 64A and 64B, to upright portions 18 and 16,
respectively.
Second spans 62B may each connect to a respective arm 68 that mounts seat 23,
which is
shown as being defined by one or more sheets 142 of flexible material (Figs. 8-
9). Sheet 142
or sheets may at least partially wrap over top of arms 68, with a rod 144 in
between sheet
142 and arm 68 (Fig. 8). Bolts 146 may pass through sheet 142. rod 144, and
arm 68 to
secure seat 23 in place.
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[0028] Referring to Figs. 8-10, each second span 62 may comprise a lock,
such as a
latch 65, for engaging the respective lever arm 64 to lock the walker 10 in
the unfolded
position shown. Latch 65 may be pivotally connected to the respective second
span 62. Latch
65 may have a slot 66 positioned to engage a corresponding pin 67 on the
respective lever
arm 64 in the unfolded position (Figs. 8-9). Each pin 67 may define a first
travel path 70
between a folded and an unfolded position, and each latch 65 may define a
second travel
path 71 that intersects the respective first travel path 70 (Fig. 10). Each
latch 65 may be
biased into a closed position, for example biased to rotate clockwise or
counterclockwise in
the case of latches 65B and 65A. respectively. Each latch 65 may have an outer
profile
shaped, for example to have a wedge portion 72, at a pin contact point 73 on
the second
travel path 71 to allow the pin 67 to open the latch 65 and enter the slot 66
when moving into
the unfolded position. Thus, in the example shown, in moving from the
intermediate folded
position (Fig. 10) to folded (Fig. 9), and considering lever arm attachment
points 74 to be
vertically stationary for description of relative movements of other parts
only, pins 67 travel
up, latches 65 travel down, pins 67 contact wedge portion 72, biasing latch 65
to open, and
pins 67 to enter slot 66 once pin 67 clears wedge portion 72.
[0029] One of more handles such as a strap 75 may be connected to open
one or both
latches 65 when under one or more of tension or compression. Thus, in the
example shown
strap 75 connects to both latches 65 to permit a user to pull on strap 75 to
apply force on
each latch in a direction opposite the biasing closing force of the latch 65,
to unlock both
latches 65 and initiate folding (Figs. 9-10). Strap 75 may connect to latches
65 underneath
seat 23, and pass through holes 76 in seat 23 to provide a handle portion 77
above seat 23 for
ease of access (Fig. 10). Each latch 65 may also include a ring 78 or other
hand grip element
for direct manipulation of latch 65 (Fig. 8).
[0030] Referring to Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 7, a suspension system 36 may be
integrated
with the first upright portion 16 and second upright portion 18. System 36 may
include two
or more struts 79 (Fig. 3), for example each having a cylinder 80, a piston 81
telescopically
mounted within the cylinder 80, and coil spring 82 connected between the
piston 81 and
cylinder 80 (Fig. 6). The ground engaging elements 14 at the first end 20 may
further
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comprise one or more lever arms 84 pivotally connected to the structural frame
12 (Figs. 2,
6, 7).
[0031] Struts 79 may be extended between the one or more lever arms 84
and the
structural frame 12. In the example shown, upright portions 16 and 18 are
pivotally
connected to a respective lever arm 84 extending to a respective ground
engaging element
14R at the first end 20 (Fig. 3). The first and second upright portions 16 and
18 may each
have a respective fork 86, for example in the shape of a sideways A-frame as
shown, that
mounts a respective ground engaging element 14F at the second end 22 (Figs. 2,
3, and 6).
Each fork 86 may have a first branch 87 extended to a respective handle 28,
30, and a second
branch 88 pivotally connecting a respective lever arm 84 (Fig. 2). Branches 87
and 88 may
intersect at a meeting point 89 at or near second end 22 as shown. A gusset 90
may be
spaced from meeting point 89 to span branches 87 and 88 to brace and increase
the
maximum vertical load tolerated by structural frame 12. Each strut 79 may
pivotally connect
to the respective upright portion 16 or 18 at a point on branch 87 or at a
point on a handle bar
mount portion 91. Handle bar mount portion 91 of each upright portion may
telescopically
connect to a respective handle, in this case handle 28, for height adjustment
of the handles 28
or 30 (Fig. 2). A threaded bolt 136 may be provided for locking the handles
28, 30 at a
particular height.
[0032] Referring to Fig. 2, struts 79 provide suspension at least for
rear wheels 14R.
In addition, struts 79 may cushion a user who is sitting down and assist the
user in standing
up from a sitting position upon seat 23. The latter advantage may be
understood as follows.
A user compresses struts 79 upon sitting upon seat 23. When the user goes to
stand up, the
potential energy stored in the compressed struts 79 is released to provide a
vertical assist to
the user leaving the seat 23. Each strut 79 may be adjustable in stiffness,
for example using
one or more insertable spacers 138 or another suitable mechanism to adjust the
vertical assist
in relation to the weight of a particular user. Allowing each strut 79 to be
tailored in stiffness
permits the walker 10 to be adjusted to suit a person who may lean to the left
or right.
Although only rear wheels 14R are shown to have suspension, in some cases all
ground
engaging elements 14 may have suspension, for example independent suspension.
Struts 79
also reduce vibration during movement.
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[0033] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, exploded views of an example
arrangement of
parts for mounting ground engaging elements 14R and 14F are shown. Wheel 14R
may be
mounted to lever arm 84, and wheel 14F may be mounted to respective upright
portion 16,
18, using a partially threaded bolt 92, bearings 93, bushings 94, spacers 95,
washers 96, and
nuts 97. Wheels 14F or 14R may be side mounted, for example wheels I4R, or
mounted in a
U-bracket 114 through holes 140, for example with wheels 14F. Other wheel
connections
may be used.
[0034] Two or more wheels, for example wheels 14F, may be pivotally
connected to
structural frame 12 to permit steering of walker 10. For example, U-bracket
114 may mount
for rotation to a respective upright portion, in this case portion 16, using a
partially threaded
bolt 116, bushings 117, bearings 118, and a nut 119, all mounted within a
cylinder 120,
which is connected to upright portion 16, and capped with a cap 121 over
cylinder 120. A
cane receiver 122 may be connected to frame 12.
[0035] A wheel lock tab 98 may be used to lock movement of one or more
wheels
14R or 14F (Fig. 6). Tab 98 mounts on bolt 92 within a spacer ring 99, and is
pivotally
connected to a hub 100 that mounts bolt 92. When a user steps on tab 98, hub
100
frictionally locks bolt 92 and prevents wheel rotation. To release the wheel
lock the tab 98 is
rotated upwards.
[0036] A U-bracket 102 and bolt 104 may be used to mount each strut 79 to
lever
arm 84 (Fig. 6). Similarly, each lever arm 84 may pivotally connect to a
respective branch 88
with a U-bracket 106 and bolt 108. Each strut 79 may pivotally connect to
structural frame
12 through a U-bracket 110 and bolt 112. Pivotal connections between parts may
be made by
other suitable connection mechanisms.
[0037] Referring to Fig. 1, brakes 124 may be provided on each handle 28,
30.
Brakes may comprise a hand grip 126 pivotally connected to impart tension when
gripped
upon a wire rope (not shown) within a cable 130. Cable 130 extends to a lever
132 pivotally
connected to lever arm 84, with the wire rope connecting to the lever 132 to
rotate the lever
13210 bring a brake pad 134 on lever 132 in contact with wheel 14R during
braking. Other
brake systems may be used.
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[0038] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive
sense and does
not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim
feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of
the individual
features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by
virtue only
of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as
defined by the
claims.
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