Safety mobilizer walker

• US 4,953,851 A
• Filed: 11/07/1988
• Issued: 09/04/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lila A. Sherlock, Maryann P. Finn
• Original Assignee: Lila A. Sherlock, Maryann P. Finn
• Inventors: Sherlock, Lila A., Finn, Maryann P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flaxman, H.
• Application Number:
  US07/268,035
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 272/70, 272/70.3, 272/70.4, 297/5, 297/6, 297/274, 297/275, 297/441, 297/8, 135/65, 135/67, 280/87.02 R, 280/87.02 W
• US Class Current: 482/66
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1633 Seat A61H2201/0149 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for disabled persons A61H3/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A safety mobilizer walker is provided and consists of a curved arm member hinged at one end to a C-shaped rim member and can be secured at free end in a closed position to the rim member forming an O-shaped configuration. Four vertical support legs are spaced about and affixed to the rim member while four brace members are affixed diagonnally between the support legs to form two X-shaped frames for stabilizing the support legs. A wheel assembly is mounted to bottom of each support leg so that a disabled person can enter the rim member, close the arm member and be supported therein when moving about. A sling seat is also provided so that the disabled person can sit within the sling seat and be supported therein when moving about.

Claims

1. A safety mobilizer walker which comprises:

(a) a generally circular shaped rim member having a stationary portion and allowing user to grip said generally circular shaped rim member during an atoxia attack, a vertigo attack, or fatigue until help arrives;

(b) a curved arm member hinged at one end to said generally circular rim member;

(c) means for securing said arm member at its free end in a closed position to said generally circular rim member and forming an "O"-shaped configuration, said arm member securing means including a rivet pin carried on top of said free end of said curved arm member and said generally circular rim member having a cutout area with topnotch in distal end thereof to receive said rivet pin when free end of said curved arm member swings into said cutout area in said distal end of said generally circular rim member, said cut out area contained in said free end of said fixed member to assist in connecting said free end of said fixed member with said free end of said curved arm member while said fixed end remains pivotable in a plane defined by said generally circular rim member, since said generally circular rim member and said curved arm member are substantially curved and only said curved arm member is disposed pivotally in the same plane as said generally circular rim member the connection can only be achieved by pivotable means so that said free end of said curved arm member swings into said free end of said generally circular rim member;

(d) four vertical support legs spaced about and affixed to said stationary portion of said generally circular rim member;

(e) four brace members affixed diagonally between said support legs to form two X-shaped frames for stabilizing and for preventing torsional deformation and shear stress of said support legs;

(f) four wheel assemblies, each mounted to bottom of each of said support legs and having adjustment means to adjust height of said generally circular rim member without having to remove any members so that a disabled person can enter said generally circular rim member, close said arm member and be supported therein when moving about;

(g) a non-rigid sling seat having a second side and a first side, said first side being disposed on and removably suspended from said generally circular shaped rim member, said sling being readily adjustable while being removably attached at said first end and said second end to said generally circular shaped rim member so that said sling is readily removed for cleaning incontinence accidents, in addition to the normal cleaning, and repairing;

(h) means for removably suspending said sling seat from said second side said sling seat being disposed on said generally circular shaped rim member and said sling seat being in an open position so that the disabled person can sit within said sling seat which is in said opened position and be supported therein when moving about; and

(i) means for suspending said sling seat in a folded position onto itself so that the disabled person can stand within said walker and be supported therein when moving about.

2. A safety mobilizer walker as recited in claim 1, further including a resilient covering placed over said generally circular shaped rim member and said curved arm member for protecting the disabled person.

3. A safety mobilizer walker as recited in claim 3, wherein each of said wheel assemblies is adjustable and includes an L-shaped extendable leg member slideably disposed into the bottom of one of said support legs, a wheel rotatably affixed to the end of said leg member, and means for locking said leg member to said support leg in any one of a number of vertical positions thereto sop that the height of said generally circular rim member is adjustable.

4. A safety mobilizer walker as recited in claim 3, wherein said leg member locking means includes:

(a) a detent formed on said leg member; and

(b) said support leg having a plurality of vertically spaced apart holes in which any of said holes can receive said detent when said leg member is slideably disposed into bottom of said support leg.

5. A safety mobilizer walker as recited in claim 4, wherein said sling seat open position suspending means includes a pair of support straps, each suspended from said fixed portion of said generally circular rim member, a pair of female snaps, each affixed to one of said support straps, and a pair of male snaps, each affixed to said second side of said sling seat so that when said sling seat is placed in the open position said male snaps will attach to said female snaps.

6. A safety mobilizer walker as recited in claim 5, wherein said sling seat folded position suspending means includes a second pair of female snaps, each affixed to said first side of said sling seat so that when said sling seat is placed into the folded position said male snaps will attach to said second female snaps.