Folding walker

• US 8,708,363 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph Hsiao-Wen Chang
• Original Assignee: Joseph Hsiao-Wen Chang
• Inventors: Chang, Joseph Hsiao-Wen
• Primary Examiner(s): WALTERS, JOHN DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US13/616,126
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 280/639, 280/38, 280/39, 280/87.021, 280/87.051, 280/47.34, 280/642, 280/647, 280/649, 135/66, 135/67, 135/74
• US Class Current: 280/642
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1633 Seat A61H2201/0149 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons

Abstract

A folding walker includes a first frame of two parallel main supports separated by a horizontal cross bar. An inverted U-shaped second frame has one leg pivotally affixed to each main support of the first frame and pivotal between an extended operable position and a folded storage position. At least one brace extends from an intermediate portion of a leg of the second frame and is pivotally affixed thereto, and an upper end of the brace is slidably attached to an upper portion of one of the main supports of the first frame. At least one tension brace extends between a lower portion of one of the main supports of the first frame and one of the legs of the inverted U-shaped second frame. The tension brace is intermediately hinged wherein a first segment of the tension brace is pivotal with respect to a second segment of the tension brace.

Claims

1. A folding walker for aiding elderly and disabled individuals to walk, said folding walker comprising:

a first frame including two substantially parallel main supports laterally separated by at least one horizontal cross bar;

an inverted U-shaped second frame having two legs, each said leg pivotally affixed to one of said main supports of said first frame and pivotal between an extended operable position forming an X-shaped configuration with said first frame and a folded storage position wherein said first frame and said second frame are pivoted one with respect to the other;

at least one brace extending from an intermediate portion of one of said legs of said second frame and pivotally affixed thereto, and an upper end of said brace slidably attached to an upper portion of one of said main supports; and

at least one tension brace extending between a lower portion of one of said main supports of said first frame and one of said legs of said inverted U-shaped second frame, said tension brace intermediately hinged wherein a first segment of said tension brace is pivotal with respect to a second segment of said tension brace.

2. A folding walker according to claim 1 wherein said first frame includes a hand grip at a top of each said main support.

3. A folding walker according to claim 2 wherein said hand grip is affixed to an end of an extension tube, said extension tube is telescopically received in said main support and is selectively adjustable along a longitudinal axis.

4. A folding walker according to claim 3 wherein said extension tube includes a plurality of regularly spaced lateral holes therein and said main support includes a lateral hole therethrough, and further wherein said extension tube is retained in a selected longitudinal relationship with said main support by a keeper engaging said hole in said main support and one of said holes in said extension tube in registration therewith.

5. A folding walker according to claim 4 wherein said keeper includes:

a resilient C-clip having an internal diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said main support;

a pin having a first end embedded in said C-clip and a second end oriented radially toward a center of said diameter;

wherein;

said resilient C-clip engages about a partial circumference of said main support, and said pin engages in said holes in said main support and said extension tube.

6. A folding walker according to claim 5 wherein said resilient C-clip engages about greater than one-half of said circumference of said main support.

7. A folding walker according to claim 6 wherein said first frame includes an upper horizontal cross bar extending between said main supports at an upper portion of said main supports such that in combination with a base of said U-shaped second frame, said upper horizontal cross bar and said base define a substantially horizontal plane when said second frame is in said extended operable position and said walker is resting on a horizontal surface.

8. A folding walker according to claim 7 further including a seat extending between said base of said U-shaped second frame and said upper cross bar.

9. A folding walker according to claim 8 wherein said seat is pivotally affixed to said base of said U-shaped second frame and selectively engagable with said upper cross bar.

10. A folding walker according to claim 9 wherein said seat includes on a bottom thereof, an engagement clip positioned for retaining said seat to said upper cross bar.

11. A folding walker according to claim 10 further including a flexible cord extending between said seat bottom and said central hinge of said tension brace such that when said seat is disengaged from said cross bar and is rotated about said base of said U-shaped second frame, said flexible cord operates on said tension brace to at least begin folding said tension brace and further folding said second frame with respect to said first frame.

12. A folding walker according to claim 1 wherein a bottom of each said main support has a wheel assembly affixed thereto, and further wherein said wheel assembly is selectively removable from said main support.

13. A folding walker according to claim 12 wherein said wheel assembly includes at least one wheel rotatably affixed to a bottom end of a connector tube and an upper end of said connector tube is telescopically received in said bottom of said main support.

14. A folding walker according to claim 13 wherein a bottom of each said leg of said second frame has a wheel affixed thereto, said wheel resiliently mounted to said leg.

15. A folding walker for aiding elderly and disabled individuals to walk, said folding walker comprising:

a first frame including two substantially parallel main supports laterally separated by at least one upper horizontal cross bar, each said main support including at an upper end thereof a hand grip affixed to an end of an extension tube telescopically received in said main support and retained therein by a keeper, said keeper comprising a resilient C-clip having an internal diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said main support and a pin embedded in said C-clip, said pin extending inwardly from said C-clip and engaging a hole in said extension tube and a hole in said main support, said holes in registration one with the other;

an inverted U-shaped second frame having two legs interconnected by a substantially horizontal base, each said leg pivotally affixed to one of said main supports of said first frame and pivotal between an extended operable position forming an X-shaped configuration with said first frame and a folded storage position wherein said first frame and said second frame are pivoted one with respect to the other,

at least one brace extending from an intermediate portion of one of said legs of said second frame and pivotally affixed thereto, and an upper end of said brace slidably attached to an upper portion of one of said main supports;

at least one tension brace extending between a lower portion of one of said main supports of said first frame and one of said legs of said inverted U-shaped second frame, said tension brace centrally hinged wherein a first segment of said tension brace is pivotal with respect to a second segment of said tension brace; and

a seat extending between said base of said U-shaped second frame and said upper cross bar.

16. A folding walker according to claim 15 wherein said seat is pivotally affixed to said base of said U-shaped second frame and selectively engagable with said upper cross bar.

17. A folding walker according to claim 16 wherein said seat includes on a bottom thereof, an engagement clip positioned for retaining said seat to said upper cross bar.

18. A folding walker according to claim 17 further including a flexible cord extending between said seat bottom and said central hinge of said tension brace such that when said seat is disengaged from said cross bar and is rotated about said base of said U-shaped second frame, said flexible cord operates on said tension brace to at least begin folding said tension brace and further folding said second frame with respect to said first frame.

19. A folding walker according to claim 18 wherein a bottom of each said main support has a wheel assembly affixed thereto, and further wherein said wheel assembly is selectively removable from said main support.

20. A folding walker according to claim 19 wherein a bottom of each said leg of said second frame has a wheel affixed thereto, said wheel resiliently mounted to said leg.