CA2471692C

CA2471692C - Foldable mobility support device

Info

Publication number: CA2471692C
Application number: CA2471692A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Christopher D. Sanders; Phillip M. Willis
Original assignee: Access Product Marketing LLC
Current assignee: Drive Medical Canada Inc
Priority date: 2003-10-07
Filing date: 2004-06-21
Publication date: 2012-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-21
Also published as: CA2471692A1; US20050257819A1; US7073801B2; US20040079405A1; MXPA04006192A; US7066484B2

Abstract

A mobility device includes at least a first front leg and at least a first rear leg connected to the first front leg. The first rear leg includes an upper member having a first end and a second end and a lower member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the upper member is pivotally connected to the first end of the lower member, and the lower member is preferably pivotal between an extended use position and a folded storage position.

Description

KHR. Docket No. 190123-1010 FOLDABLE MOBILITY SUPPORT DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001 ] The present invention generally relates to mobility support devices.
More particularly, the invention relates to a foldable walker, in preferred embodiments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Elderly persons, disabled persons, surgery patients, etc., often require assistance when attempting to walk or move about. Walkers and canes are two devices typically used to provide such assistance by allowing a user to support a portion of his or her weight on the device, thereby providing increased stability to the user and removing weight normally supported by the user's extremities. Of the two devices, walkers provide more stability for the user. However, due to their size and general structure, walkers are often bulky and cumbersome to transport and store.

[0003] Because walkers are frequently transported between uses, some walkers are designed to be foldable so that they are easier to handle and require less space during transportation. For example, many walkers are sized such that they would not adequately f t into the trunk of a vehicle when they are in their fully extended use positions. A
foldable walker is generally more easily lifted by a user and more likely to fit adequately within a vehicle. However, the collapsibility of known walkers is limited in that the walker still must offer the structural integrity needed to support the user.
As such, many existing foldable walkers only partially fold and are still considerably bulky and cumbersome to carry a.nd store in their folded positions. Various foldable walkers also . KHF: Docket No. 190123-1010 include wheels and brake assemblies that render the walker less conducive to folding.
For example, it is important to ensure that any handbrakes, cables, a.nd wheel brake assemblies are not damaged and remain in proper functioning condition as the walker is repeatedly transitioned between the folded and in-use positions.

[0004] Manufacturers and retailers may also benefit from a foldable walker that requires less storage space than those currently available. For example, from an economical standpoint, reducing the overall size of the foldable walker while in its folded position may translate into reduced shipping costs for the manufacturer. As well, reduced size requires that a retailer dedicate less shelf space to each walker being offered for sale.

[0005] From the foregoing, ii: can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a stable yet foldable walker, or other device, thereby facilitating the transportation, storage, and use of the walker or device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly described, in one embodiment, among others, a foldable walker provides an apparatus for assisting a user with mobility. An embodiment, among others, of a foldable walker includes at least a first front leg and at least a first rear leg connected to the first front leg. The first rear leg includes an upper member having a first end and a second end and a lower member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the upper member is pivotally connected to the first end of the lower member, and the lower member is preferably pivotal between an extended use position and a folded storage position.

~'KHl2 Docket No. 190123-1010

[0007] Another embodiment, among others, of a foldable walker includes a first front leg, a second front leg, and a first cross-member. Each of the first and second front legs includes a first end and a second end, and the first cross-member connects the first and second front legs. A first rear leg is connected to the first front leg, and the first rear leg includes an upper member having a first end and a second end, a lower member having a first end and a second end, and a hinge connecting the first end of the upper member to the first end of the lower member. A second rear Ieg is connected to the second front leg, and the second rear leg includes an upper member having a first end and a second end, a lower member has a first end and a second end, and a hinge connecting the first end of the upper member to the first end of the lower member. The lower members of the first and second rear legs are preferably pivotal between an extended use position and a folded storage position.

[0008] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present foldable walker will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A mobility device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of a foldable walker.
Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

KHR Docket No. 190123-1010

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment, amon~f others, of a foldable walker.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the foldable walker as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the foldable walker shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B are front and side views of an upper portion of an embodiment of a hinge assembly as used on the foldable walker shown in FIG. I .

[0014] FIGS. SA and SB are front and side views of a lower portion of an embodiment of a hinge assembly as used on the foldable walker shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIGS. 5A-6D are partial, cut-away side views of an embodiment of a hinge assembly, including upper and lower portions as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B and SA-SB, respectively, as used with the foldable walker shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the foldable walker shown in FIG.
l, in a partially folded position.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the foldable walker shown in FIG.
l, in a fully folded position.

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of tile foldable walker as illustrated in the drawings. ~Nhile the foldable walker will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED El'VIBODIMENT

[0019] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, FIGs. l-3 illustrate an embodiment of a foldable walker 100. As shown, the foldable walker 100 includes a first front leg _ _..~.. ~a.~ ~ ~,~~~~,~..~~,x . .~_n.v~ ~...M. ~.~ A. ~ .~_m m _ _ __ . KHR Docket No. 190123-1010 I l0a and a second front leg :( l Ob secured to each other by at least a, first cross member 128. The first front leg 11 Oa and second front leg 1 l Ob are each pivotally connected to a first rear leg 120a and a second rear leg 120b, respectively. The first and second rear legs 120a, 120b each include an upper member 122a, 122b hingably attached to a respective lower member 130a, 130b by hinge assemblies 1 SOa, 150b, respectively, as is discussed in greater detail hereinafter. Preferably, the first upper member 122a and second upper member 122b are connected by a second cross member 136 which i.s positioned so as to be the same height above a suppoxt surface beneath the foldable walker 100 as the first cross member 128. Additional cross members, such as cross member 129, may (though not necessarily in all embodiments) be provided between the first amd second front legs I 10a, 1 lOb and the first and second upper members 122a, 122b to provide additional stability to the foldable walker 100. Preferably, the first cross member 128, the second cross member 136, and cross member 129 are welded to brackets 127 which are in turn welded to their respective legs of the foldable walker 100. Of course, other connection structures are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Fuuther, the first and second front legs 11 Oa, 1 l Ob are preferably connected to the first and second upper members 122a, 122b, respectively, by folding brackets 116a ;and 116b.
The first and second folding brackets 116a, 116b are preferably connected to each other with a tie rod 118 and are configured such that the folding brackets 116a, 116b only collapse when the tie rod 118 is pushed upwardly away from the support surface beneath the foldable walker 100.

[0020] As previously noted, and as best shown in FIG. 2, the first and second upper members 122a, 122b are hingably connected to the first and second lower members 130a, fKHR Docket No. 190123-1010 130b by first and second hinge assemblies 150a, 150b, respectively. For ease of description, only the first rear Ieg 120a will be discussed. As shown, the second end 126a of the first upper member 122a is preferably rotatably connected through a pivot structure, such as a pivot assembly 125a, to the first front leg 110x.
Similarly, pivot assembly 125b rotatably connects the second end 126b to the second front leg I
l Ob. The upper portion I52a (FIGS. 4A and 4B) of the first hinge assembly 1 SOa is secured to the first end 124a of the first upper member 122a. Similarly; the lower portion 160a (FIGS.
SA and SB) is mounted to the first end 132a of the first lower member 130a. By passing an axle 166 through corresponding axle apertures 159a in the upper portion 152a and a corresponding axle channel 166a in the lower portion 160a, the upper and lower portions 152a, 160a are hingably secured to each other. As such, the first lower member 130a is secured to the first upper member 122a, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIGs. 6A-6D, the Iower portion 160a includes a locking pin 170 that is threadably secured to a low profile button 172 to facilitate operating the first hinge assembly 150a. As well, the locking pin 170 is biased by a spring I74. Operation of the first and second hinge assemblies 1 SOa, 150b and the folding of the foldable walker 100 are discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

[0021] Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, preferred embodiments of the foldable walker 100 may include a seat 142 supported by the first and second cross members 128, I36, and a backrest 144 supported between the first and second front Iegs 110a, 1 lOb.
Preferably, the seat 142 is configured to rotate about the first cross member 128 such that the seat 142 can be rotated toward the backrest 144, thereby exposing a storage compartment 148 disposed beneath the seat 142. Preferably, the storage compartment 148 is supported by i'KHR Docket No. 190123-1010 the first and second cross members 128, 136. As shown, the storaF;e compartment 148 comprises a bag secured to the first and second cross members 128, 136 with a plurality of snaps 149 that permit the storage compartment 148 to be removed. However, embodiments are envisioned wherein the storage compartment 148 comprises a wire mesh basket or other like structure. As shown, the backrest 144 includes a pad 146 for the comfort of the user.

[0022] Preferably, each leg of the foldable walker 100 includes a wheel assembly. First and second front legs 110a, 110b each include a front wheel assembly 188 disposed at the second end 114a, 114b of each leg. As shown, front wheel assemblies 188 are preferably caster-mounted such that they are fully rotatable about the first and second front legs 110a, 1 lOb, thereby increasing the maneuverability of the foldable walker 100. The first and second rear legs 120a, 120b each include a rear wheel assembly 180 disposed on the second end 134a, 134b of the first and second lower members 130a., 130b.
Preferably, the rear wheel assemblies 180 are not caster-mounted and therefore do not pivot about the first and second reax legs 120a, 120b. The first and second front legs 110a, 1 l Ob further include a first and a second handlebar 140a, 140b adjustably connected to the first end 112a, 112b of each front leg 110a, 1 l Ob, respectively. Preferably, the first and second handlebars 140a, 140b are secured to the walker I 00 with easily manipulated threaded knobs 143, as are other parts of the walker I 00. The first and second handlebars 140a, 140b are connected to the first and second front legs 1 I Oa, 1 lOb such that they can be adjusted based upon the height of the user. Also, each handlebar 140a, 140b includes a lever 184 which is used to activate a brake I 82 that is adjacent the rear wheel assemblies 180. By urging the lever 184 upwardly toward the respective handlebar 140a, 140b, a 1'KH:R Docket No. 190123-1010 cable 186 is pulled which in turn causes the brake 182 to engage the rear wheel assembly 180, thereby preventing the foldable walker 100 from rolling. Further, the levers 184 may be manipulated such that the brakes 182 are activated although the user is no longer exerting force on the lever 184.
OPERATION

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1~-3, the foldable walker 100 is configurcJd to assist a user to walk while the first and second lower members 130a, 130b are locked in their fully extended use positions. For ease of description, only the first hinge assembly 150a is discussed. During use, first hinge assembly 150a is configured as shown in FIG. 6A, as viewed from the front of the walker 100. The core 162 of lower portion 160a is disposed within the sleeve 154 of the upper portion 152a. The core I62 is secured in position by a locking pin 170 that extends through both the upper portion 152a and lower portion 160a.
As shown, when the core 162 is properly seated within the sleeve 154, a locking channel 164 that houses the locking pin 170 aligns with a locking aperture :156 formed in the sleeve 154. The locking channel 164 also houses a spring 174 which biases the locking pin I70 such that a portion of the locking pin 170 extends outwardly from the locking channel 164 and engages the locking aperture 156.

[0024] To fold the foldable walker 100, the user first pushes upwardly on one of the folding brackets 1 I6a, 116b or the tie rod 118. As the tie rod 118 moves upwardly the first and second rear legs 120a, 120b rotate toward the first and second front legs 110a, 1 lOb about the pivot points adjacent the second ends 126a, 126b ofthe first and second upper members 122a, 122b. The first and second rear legs 120a, 120b will rotate t'KHR Docket No. 190123-1010 inwardly until the walker is configured in the manner shown in FICi. 7. The walker is shown in FIGs. 7 and 8 without the storage compartment 148 in order to more clearly show the folding operation.

[0025] To further reduce the overall size of the foldable walker 100, a user can fold the lower members 130a, 130b of the first and second rear legs 120a, 120b and their associated rear wheel assemblies 180 inwardly toward one another. In order to fold first lower member 130a into its storage position, the user first pulls buiaon 172 inwardly toward the center line of the foldable walker 100. In so doing, the user compresses the spring 174 and causes the locking pin 170 to be disengaged from the locking aperture 156 of the upper portion 152a, as shown in FIG. 6B. After the locking pin 170 is disengaged from the locking aperture 156 the lower portion 160a is pivotal about the axis 166 (FIG.
6C), thereby allowing lower member 130a to be swung into its storage position, as shown in FIG. 8. Similar steps are performed on the second hinge assembly 150b so that lower member 130b can be swung into its storage position.
[00261 Once a user releases 'the button 172, the spring 174 causes t:he locking pin 170 to be urged outwardly from the core 162 into its fully extended position. To lock the wheels in place for use once again, the user may pivot the first lower member 130a downwardly from its storage position until the locking pin 170 encounters caroming surface 158, as shown in FIG. 6D. As lower member 130a continues to be rotated into alignment with upper member 122a, the locking pin 170 travels along the caroming surface 158, subsequently causing the spring 174 to be compressed and the button 172 to be urged away from the lower portion 160a of the first hinge assembly 1 SOa.
Eventually, the locking pin 170 encounters the locking aperture 156 and extends therethrough because of t~KHR Docket No. 190123-1010 the biasing effect of the spring 174, as shown in FIG. 6A. After the; lower member 130b has been similarly positioned, the first and second front legs 1 I Oa, 1 l Ob and the first and second rear legs 120a, 120b are urged outwardly away from each ol:her thereby causing folding brackets 116a, I 16b to become fully extended. With the lower members 130a, 130b so positioned, the foldable walker 100 is configured to assist <~ user in walking.
[0027) Preferably, the locking pin 170 is configured such that it is not likely to be inadvertently disengaged from the locking aperture 156. For example, as shown in FIGS.
6A-6D, the button 172 is shaped such that it is of a low profile and is therefore not prone to being snagged or pulled during use. As well, it is preferable that the button 172 is shielded by a portion of the hinge assembly 150. As best shown in FIG. 6A, the button 172 is shielded by the portion of the hinge assembly 1 SOa that houses the axle 166.
However, the button as shown is merely one embodiment and numerous other shapes are envisioned.
[0028) It should be emphasised that the above-described embodimc°nts of the present foldable walker 100, particularly, any "preferred" embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations and merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the foldable walker 100. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodirnent(s) of the foldable walker 100 without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the foldable walker 100. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present foldable walker 100 and protected by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A walker assembly structured to facilitate an individual's mobility, said walker assembly comprising:
a frame selectively disposable between an operative orientation and a stored orientation;
said frame including a front leg assembly and a rear leg assembly movably interconnected and disposable relative to one another between said operative and stored orientations;
a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly respectively connected to a lower portion of corresponding ones of said front and rear leg assemblies, at least one of said front or rear leg assemblies having two legs each structured to have a variable length when disposed between said operative and stored orientations, said stored orientation at least partially defined by said frame having a compact configuration of substantially reduced transverse and longitudinal dimensions, each of said two legs including an upper portion and a lower portion disposable into a coaxially aligned relation when in said operative orientation and into a folded storage position when in said stored orientation, said folded storage position at least partially defining said reduced longitudinal dimension, and said folded storage position at least partially defined by each of said lower portions of said two legs disposed inwardly towards one another in substantially angular, transverse relation to corresponding ones of said upper portions.

2. A walker assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein a brake cable is disposed in interconnecting relation between said rear wheel assembly, said lower portion and said frame while in said folded storage position.

3. A walker assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said lower portion of each of said two legs comprises a different wheel assembly connected thereto, each of said wheel assemblies disposable with a corresponding one of said lower portions into said folded storage position to at least partially define said reduced longitudinal dimension.

4. A walker assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said two legs further comprise a hinge assembly pivotally interconnecting said lower and upper portions of each of said two legs, said lower portion and a corresponding one of said wheel assemblies of each of said two legs pivotally disposable relative to a corresponding one of said upper portions of each of said two legs, about a corresponding one of said hinge assemblies, to at least partially define said reduced longitudinal dimension.

5. A walker assembly structured to facilitate an individual's mobility, said walker assembly comprising:
a frame selectively disposable between an operative orientation and a stored orientation;
said frame including a front leg assembly and a rear leg assembly movably interconnected and disposable relative to one another between said operative and stored orientations;
a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly respectively connected to corresponding ones of said front and rear leg assemblies, at least one of said front or rear leg assemblies having two legs, each structured to have a variable length when disposed between said operative and stored orientations, said stored orientation at least partially defined by said frame having a compact configuration of substantially reduced transverse and longitudinal dimensions, each of said two legs including an upper portion and a lower portion disposable into a coaxially aligned relation when in said operative orientation and into a folded storage position when in said stored orientation, said folded storage position at least partially defining said reduced longitudinal dimension, and said folded storage position at least partially defined by each of said lower portions disposed inwardly towards one another and in substantially angular, transverse relation to corresponding ones of said upper portions and in substantially overlapping relation to one another.

6. A walker assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said rear wheel assembly includes said two legs, said lower portion of each of said two legs of said rear leg assembly comprises a different wheel assembly of said rear wheel assembly connected thereto, each of said wheel assemblies disposable with a corresponding one of said lower portions into said folded storage position to at least partially define said reduced longitudinal dimension.

7. A walker assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said two legs further comprises a hinge assembly pivotally interconnecting said lower and upper portions of each of said two legs, said lower portion and a corresponding one of said wheel assemblies of each of said two legs pivotally disposable relative to a corresponding one of said upper portions of each of said two legs, about a corresponding one of said hinge assemblies, to at least partially define said folded storage position and said reduced longitudinal dimension.