Patent ID: 8573613
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: A61H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A walker apparatus comprising: a pivotable wheel fork having a first end configured to pivotally engage with a ground-engaging wheel, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore extending from the second end towards to the first end; a frame portion having a first end facing the wheel fork, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore extending from the first end towards the second end; a shaft partially disposed within the bore of the frame portion so as to be coupled to the frame portion and partially disposed within the bore of the wheel fork; a bearing disposed within the bore of the wheel fork and having an outer race coupled to the wheel fork and an inner race coupled to the shaft, the bearing thereby rotatably supporting and enabling pivoting of the wheel fork about the shaft; and an alignment member at least partially disposed within the bore of the wheel fork, the alignment member having a first portion shaped to extend around and abut with the shaft and a resilient second portion configured to abut against portions of the wheel fork surrounding the bore, the alignment member thereby rotatably aligning and further supporting pivoting of the wheel fork about the shaft.