Safety walker

• US 8,720,914 B1
• Filed: 11/05/2012
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan C. Heath, Sherrie Heath
• Original Assignee: Alan C. Heath, Sherrie Heath
• Inventors: Heath, Alan C., Heath, Sherrie
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLEMMONS, STEVE M
• Application Number:
  US13/669,057
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 280/87.021, 280/87.041, 280/87.05, 135/67, 135/74, 135/912, 220/407, 220/561, 220/564
• US Class Current: 280/87.021
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/002 with attached or incorporated article carrying means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/004 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/007 secured to the patient, e.g. with belts
• 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 3/008 using suspension devices for supporting the body in an upright walking or standing position, e.g. harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons

Abstract

A safety walker that provides a padded top member, a plurality of telescopic legs, a plurality of crossbars between the legs, a removable mesh seat, and a latchable door having a padded upper bar attached atop a U-shaped support base along with accessory attachments, including a holder frame for an oxygen tank, a table, and a receptacle bag. In addition to the telescopic legs, a hinge is disposed at each rear corner of the top member as well as between the crossbars to provide collapsibility.

Claims

1. A safety walker comprising:

a unitary rigid frame having a top member and an aperture in a front side of the top member;

a first hinge disposed at each of a rear corner of the top member;

a door pivotally attached to the top member of the frame, wherein the door is configured to engage and alternately disengage the aperture in a respective closed position and open position;

a plurality of spaced apart telescopic legs attached to the top member in a position extending downwardly from a bottom wall of the top member;

at least one crossbar disposed between each of legs except across the aperture;

a third hinge disposed between each of the crossbars;

an opening centrally disposed within the frame between an internal wall of the crossbars and an interior wall of the top member;

a wheel attached to a bottom end of each of the legs;

a braking mechanism attached to each of the wheels, each braking mechanism in operational communication with the respective wheel, wherein each braking mechanism locks and alternately unlocks the respective wheel;

the door hingedly attached to the top member, wherein the door has a door latch disposed on one of the legs proximal to the front of the top member;

a securement member disposed on an outer edge of the door, wherein the securement member operationally engages and alternately disengages the door latch in a locked position and in an alternate unlocked position, wherein upon the engagement of the securement member and the door latch in a locked position, the door engages the aperture in the closed position, further wherein upon the disengagement of the securement member and the door latch in an unlocked position, the door engages the aperture in the open position;

a seat removably attached to the crossbars, wherein the seat is disposed in the opening between the crossbars;

a length of padding continuously disposed around the top member, the padding completely surrounding the exterior wall of the top member;

a padded upper bar disposed on the door;

wherein the seat comprises;

a trapezoidal mesh body having a front end, a pair of sides, and a rear end, each of the front end and the rear end having a first end and a second end; and

a carabiner disposed on each of the first end and the second end of each of the front end and the rear end, wherein each carabiner removably engages a respective one of the crossbars;

a holder frame removably engaging the top member, wherein the holder frame comprises;

a horizontal base having a first side and a second side, wherein the base is configured to support a lower end of a personal oxygen tank thereon;

a pair of spaced apart vertical members disposed perpendicular to the base, each of the vertical members having a lower side disposed on the base and an upper side, one of the vertical members disposed proximal the first side and the other of the vertical members disposed proximal the second side;

a horizontal first member disposed on the upper side of each of the vertical members on a forward side thereof and perpendicular thereto;

a C-shaped attachment member disposed on an outer end of each first member, each attachment member having a breach disposed on a lowermost side thereof, wherein each attachment member is configured to removably attach to the top member;

an extension vertically disposed on an inside edge of each attachment member proximal the opening in a position parallel to the vertical member;

a horizontal second member disposed on a bottom side of each extension in a position parallel to the respective first member;

an annular support member disposed in a position parallel to the base and the first members, wherein an inner wall of the support member is disposed on an outer wall of each of the vertical members;

wherein the holder frame and the support member are configured to secure the oxygen tank in a vertical position upon the placement of the oxygen tank atop the base and within the support member;

a self-securing strap attached to an outermost wall of each attachment member proximal the breach; and

a crossmember disposed within each extension, wherein each strap engages an upper aperture disposed above the crossmember and a lower aperture disposed below the crossmember, wherein each strap has a distal edge engaging a proximal portion of the strap.