Motorized walker

• US 5,168,947 A
• Filed: 04/09/1991
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fern Rodenbourn
• Original Assignee: Eugene P. Rodenborn
• Inventors: Rodenborn, Eugene P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US07/682,358
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 180/19.1, 180/216, 180/220, 180/221, 180/208, 180/65.1, 180/65.7, 482/66, 482/68
• US Class Current: 180/19.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/043 with a drive mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/046 with braking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2036 Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/24 Personal mobility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/461 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/24 by lever actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/02 the driver standing in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A motorized walker includes a base upon which a person can stand, with wheels on the base for rollably supporting the base. Variable speed reversible electric motors are provided for driving the wheels. A walker frame within which a person can stand is detachably mounted on the base, and includes control switches for separately and independently actuating the electric motors such that the person can stand on the motorized walker and maneuver it in any desired direction.

Claims

1. A motorized walker comprising:

a motorized base having a platform upon which a person stands and having wheels for rollably supporting the base on a support surface;

a frame having spaced-apart, upright opposite sides between which a person can stand and having handles for gripping by the person, the sides being detachably mounted on the base;

power means for driving the base and connected frame;

control means on the frame for actuating the power means such that the person can ride from one location to another; and

a pair of electrical circuits interconnecting the power means and control means, each circuit including male and female connectors, one of the connectors being on the frame and the other connector being on the base, the male and female connectors being coupled when the frame is mounted on the base.

2. The motorized walker of claim 1 wherein the wheels include a pair of drive wheels, and the power means includes first and second independent motors each being connected to one of the drive wheels whereby the drive wheels are rotatable independently of each other.

3. The motorized walker of claim 2 wherein the control means includes a pair of switch means, each being operatively connected to one of the motors for actuating the motors independently of one another.

4. The motorized walker of claim 3 wherein the motors are reversible whereby one motor can rotate one wheel forwardly while the other motor rotates the other wheel rearwardly such that the motorized walker can turn.

5. The motorized walker of claim 3 wherein the motors are variable speed whereby the wheels are rotatable at different speeds to turn the motorized walker.

6. The motorized walker of claim 3 wherein the switch means are mounted in the walker frame for actuation by the person'"'"'s hands.

7. A motorized walker comprising:

a base upon which a person can stand;

wheels on the base for rollably supporting the base;

power means for rotating at least one of the wheels;

control means for actuating the power means;

a walker frame having a pair of spaced-apart, upright opposite sides between which a person can stand and a handle portion on each side for gripping by a person, the sides being detachably mounted on the base;

the wheels including a pair of drive wheels, and the power means including first and second independent motors each being connected to one of the drive wheels whereby the drive wheels are rotatable independently of each other; and

the motors being variable speed and reversible electric motors, and the control means including a pair of switch means each connected to one of the motors for independently controlling the speed and direction of movement of the motorized walker.

8. The motorized walker of claim 7 further comprising a pair of electrical circuits each operatively connecting one switch means to the respective motor, each circuit including male and female electrical connectors, one of the connectors being on the walker frame and the other connector being on the base whereby upon mounting the walker frame on the base, the male and female connectors are coupled so as to close the electrical circuit.

9. The motorized walker of claim 8 wherein the walker frame has a plurality of legs with terminal ends, the ends of the legs of the walker frame being matingly received in corresponding recesses in the base.

10. The motorized walker of claim 9 wherein the one connector is recessed within the end of the leg and the other connector is mounted within the recess in the base, such that the connectors are protected from damage when the walker is detached from the base.

11. The motorized walker of claim 8 further comprises a battery for providing power to the motors.

12. A motorized walker comprising:

a motorized base having a platform upon which a person stands and having wheels for rollably supporting the base on a support surface;

a frame having spaced-apart, upright opposite sides between which a person can stand and having handles for gripping by the person, the sides being detachably mounted on the base;

power means for driving the base and connected frame;

control means on the frame for actuating the power means such that the person can ride from one location to another; and

the sides of the frame having lower ends which are matingly received in corresponding recesses in the base.

13. The motorized walker of claim 12 wherein the frame is foldable and height adjustable.

14. The motorized walker of claim 12 wherein the wheels include a pair of drive wheels, and further comprising a pair of electric motors each being operatively connected to one of the drive wheels for independently driving the drive wheels.

15. The motorized walker of claim 14 further comprising an electric circuit for each motor, the circuit extending through the frame to one of the handles, and the circuit being closed only when the frame is mounted on the base.

16. The motorized walker of claim 15 wherein the control means includes switch means for each electric circuit, the switch means being mounted on the handles of the frame.

17. A motorized walker comprising:

a motorized base having a platform upon which a person stands and having wheels for rollably supporting the base on a support surface;

a frame having spaced-apart, upright opposite sides between which a person can stand and having handles for gripping by the person, the sides being detachably mounted on the base;

power means for driving the base and connected frame;

control means on the frame for actuating the power means such that the person can ride from one location to another;

the wheels including a pair of drive wheels, and the power means comprising a pair of electric motors each being operatively connected to one of the drive wheels for independently driving the wheels; and

an electric circuit for each motor, the circuit extending through the frame to one of the handles, and the circuit being closed only when the frame is mounted on the base.

18. The motorized walker of claim 17 wherein the frame includes left and right handles, the control means includes left and right switch means mounted on the left and right handles respectively, the base including left and right drive wheels and a motor for each drive wheel, whereby the person can manually and independently actuate the switch means for each motor to control thee speed and direction of rotation of each drive wheel.

19. The motorized walker of claim 17 wherein the sides of the frame have lower ends which are matingly received in corresponding recesses in the base.

20. The motorized walker of claim 17 further comprising a pair of electrical circuits interconnecting the power means and control means, each circuit including male and female connectors, one of the connectors being on the frame nd the other connector being on the base, the male and female connectors being coupled when the frame is mounted on the base.

21. A motorized walker comprising:

a base upon which a person can stand;

wheels on the base for rollably supporting the base;

power means for rotating at least one of the wheels;

control means for actuating the power means;

a walker frame having a pair of spaced-apart, upright opposite sides between which a person can stand and a handle portion on each side for gripping by a person, the sides being detachably mounted on the base;

the wheels including a pair of drive wheels, and the power means including first and second independent motors each being connected to one of the drive wheels whereby the drive wheels are rotatable independently of each other;

the control means including a pair of switch means, each being operatively connected to one of the motors for actuating the motors independently of one another; and

the motors being reversible whereby one motor can rotate one wheel forwardly while the other motor rotates the other wheel rearwardly such that the motorized walker can turn.