Foldable walker apparatus

• US 8,083,239 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2008
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evolution Technologies Incorporated (Strategic Enterprise Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Evolution Technologies Incorporated (Strategic Enterprise Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Liu, Julian
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, John R
• Application Number:
  US12/247,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20100083994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 280/639, 280/645, 280/646, 280/42, 280/651, 280/47.34, 135/67, 135/74
• US Class Current: 280/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/02 propelled by the patient or disabled person
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/002 with attached or incorporated article carrying means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/046 with braking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1633 Seat A61H2201/0149 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04; orthopaedic devices for correcting deformities of, or supporting, limbs A61F5/0102; exercising apparatus for the feet or toes A63B23/10; stairways or ramps E04F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for disabled persons A61H3/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A foldable walker apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart inner frame members of two parts each hinged together, with a pair of link members diagonally extending therebetween. Each link has a bend extending upwardly and outwardly. The walker has support members that are arc-shaped with a seat extending between their apexes. A collapsible basket is provided with two end members each having a rigid peripheral portion connecting the frame members and a basket member of flexible fabric extending therebetween. A self-adjusting brake rod is provided with a gripping member spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod until the gripping member is operatively actuated to engage and thereby actuate the brake rod. A brake housing fully extends around a brake pad mechanism, including a means for connecting and adjusting the corresponding brake pad, to at least the outer periphery of one of the wheels for fully protecting the brake pad mechanism.

Claims

1. In combination, a collapsible walker and a collapsible basket, the walker including a pair of spaced-apart, operatively interconnected frame members, the frame members each having an upper end for placing one'"'"'s hand and a lower end spaced-apart from the upper end, ground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted to the lower ends of the frame members, and a folding mechanism for allowing the frame members to be brought together for folding the walker, the collapsible basket including:

a pair of spaced-apart end members, each having a respective rigid peripheral portion and being connectable with a respective one of said frame members, the rigid peripheral portions of the end members each comprising a respective wire loop; and

a flexible basket member extending substantially about, extending between and being supported by said wire loops, the end members being moveable towards each other and the basket member thereby folding to collapse the basket when folding the walker.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end members are flat.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basket member is made of rubberized nylon and includes an opening between the end members for inserting objects into the collapsible basket.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collapsible basket has a top facing the upper ends of the frame members, the top having an opening thereon for inserting objects into the collapsible basket, a bottom opposite the top that extends between the end members, and two spaced-apart sides extending respectively from both the top and bottom and between the end members, the sides being made of netting.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 1, each of the end members having one from the group consisting of an insert and a connection bracket shaped to slidably receive the insert and each of the frame members having a corresponding other one from the group consisting of the insert and the connection bracket, the end members connecting to and being readily removable from the respective frame members thereby.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the folding mechanism is configured to fold the walker laterally and wherein the basket is configured to collapse laterally.

7. In combination, a collapsible walker and a collapsible basket, the walker including a pair of spaced-apart, operatively interconnected frame members, the frame members each having an upper end for placing one'"'"'s hand and a lower end spaced-apart from the upper end, ground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted to the lower ends of the frame members, and a folding mechanism for allowing the frame members to be brought together for folding the walker, the folding mechanism being configured to fold the walker laterally, the collapsible basket being configured to collapse laterally and including:

a pair of spaced-apart, flat end members, each having a respective rigid peripheral portion and being connectable with a respective one of said frame members, the rigid peripheral portions of the end members each comprising a respective wire loop, each of the end members having one from the group consisting of an insert and a connection bracket shaped to slidably receive the insert and each of the frame members having a corresponding other one from the group consisting of the insert and the connection bracket, the end members connecting to and being readily removable from the respective frame members thereby; and

a basket member, the basket member being made of flexible material, the basket member having a top facing the upper ends of the frame members, the top having an opening thereon for inserting objects into the collapsible basket, the basket member having a bottom opposite the top that extends between the end members, and the basket member having two spaced-apart sides extending respectively from both the top and bottom and between the end members, the sides being made of netting, the basket member extending substantially about, extending between and being supported by said wire loops, the end members being moveable towards each other and the basket member thereby folding to collapse the basket when folding the walker.