Patent ID: 8251380
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: A61G,A61H

Abstract:
1. A walker apparatus comprising: a pair of spaced-apart, operatively interconnected frame members, the frame members each having an upper end and a lower end spaced-apart from the upper end, the frame members each including telescoping tubes having an adjustment range for adjusting the height of the upper end and a means for locking the telescoping tubes together; ground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted to the frame members at the lower ends; a handle bar assembly at the upper ends of the frame members including a gripping handle for squeezing with one's hand, a connection member operatively connected to the gripping handle, and an actuation means for actuating the connection member when the gripping handle is squeezed; a brake pad means for braking at least one of said wheels, the brake pad means being operatively connected to the lower ends of the frame members, both the actuation means and the brake pad means being disposed within at least one of the frame members; and a self-adjusting brake rod assembly disposed within at least one of the frame members, the brake rod assembly including a brake rod operatively connected to the brake pad means and a gripping member operatively connected to the connection member, the gripping member remaining adjacent to the brake rod throughout the adjustment range of the telescoping tubes, the gripping member being spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod in a non-actuated mode and, when the gripping handle of the walker is squeezed to actuate the connection member, the gripping member is thereby actuated to engage and thereby actuate the brake rod, the brake pad means braking at least one of said wheels upon actuation of the brake rod.