Walking aid, particularly for handicapped persons
First Claim
1. Walking aid for handicapped persons, havinga frame (1);
- wheel means (10, 11,
1001) on the frame for rolling movement thereof over a surface (S);
and a support structure adapted for engagement by the upper extremities of the using person secured to the frame;
wherein, in accordance with the invention, the wheel means comprisethree wheels (10, 11,
1001);
the frame comprisesa lower, generally U-shaped structure having a pair of parallel legs (12,
13) and a connecting frame element (1023),one each of the wheels (10,
11) being mounted laterally of the respective legs (12,
13) on the free end portions thereof for rotation in a plane essentially perpendicular to said surface, and about fixed axes of rotation, transverse to the U-shaped structure, the third wheel (1001) being a caster wheel means secured to the connecting element (1023) centrally thereof for rotation about an axis parallel to said surface and for swiveling about an axle which is freely movable about a vertical swivel axis,and projecting spurs (16-19) extending downwardly and terminating short of contact with the surface (S) leaving a clearance,two spurs (16,
17) each being positioned at one of the respective free end portions of the U-shaped structure and extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, and two spurs (18,
19) each being secured to one of the respective laterally spaced portions of the legs adjacent the connecting element (1023) and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, the lower end of each spur being positioned a slight distance above the surface to provide assurance against accidental tipping and provide braking on controlled tipping of the walking aid;
and wherein the support structure comprisesa pair of upright struts (14, 15;
24,
25) each extending upwardly from a location behind the center of a respective one of the parallel legs (12,
13) of the generally U-shaped structure,and a support surface (20) of generally U-shaped planar outline, secured to the upright struts and positioned in approximate alignment with the U-shaped structure, and adapted for supporting and partly surrounding the person.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To provide support and protection for an impaired person, a four-corner lower frame is provided, made of heavy metal, to insure a low center of gravity, which has two wheels at the rear corners operable about fixed axes of rotation, and a single central front caster wheel. The four corners of the frame, which is of generally U-shape, for example in form of an open square or rectangle, are formed with projecting spurs which project downwardly, with clearance from the ground surface, over which the walker is to operate, of about 1 cm. An upper frame, with padded arm rests and a forward front portion including a steering bar, is provided, secured to the lower frame by uprights located behind the center of the side legs, preferably close to the rear wheels, to provide a support for the person, for example by resting the elbows and forearms on the arm rest, with the hands grabbing the steering bar. Tilting the entire frame backwards, only slightly, will cause the rear spurs to engage the ground, thus providing braking, for example on an inclined surface; the two forward spurs at the forward corners of the open U provide assurance against tipping, and additional braking.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. Walking aid for handicapped persons, having
a frame (1); -
wheel means (10, 11,
1001) on the frame for rolling movement thereof over a surface (S);and a support structure adapted for engagement by the upper extremities of the using person secured to the frame; wherein, in accordance with the invention, the wheel means comprise three wheels (10, 11,
1001);the frame comprises a lower, generally U-shaped structure having a pair of parallel legs (12,
13) and a connecting frame element (1023),one each of the wheels (10,
11) being mounted laterally of the respective legs (12,
13) on the free end portions thereof for rotation in a plane essentially perpendicular to said surface, and about fixed axes of rotation, transverse to the U-shaped structure, the third wheel (1001) being a caster wheel means secured to the connecting element (1023) centrally thereof for rotation about an axis parallel to said surface and for swiveling about an axle which is freely movable about a vertical swivel axis,and projecting spurs (16-19) extending downwardly and terminating short of contact with the surface (S) leaving a clearance, two spurs (16,
17) each being positioned at one of the respective free end portions of the U-shaped structure and extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, and two spurs (18,
19) each being secured to one of the respective laterally spaced portions of the legs adjacent the connecting element (1023) and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, the lower end of each spur being positioned a slight distance above the surface to provide assurance against accidental tipping and provide braking on controlled tipping of the walking aid;and wherein the support structure comprises a pair of upright struts (14, 15;
24,
25) each extending upwardly from a location behind the center of a respective one of the parallel legs (12,
13) of the generally U-shaped structure,and a support surface (20) of generally U-shaped planar outline, secured to the upright struts and positioned in approximate alignment with the U-shaped structure, and adapted for supporting and partly surrounding the person. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification