Patent ID: 8820338
Filing Date: 2014-09-02
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
1. A walker adapted to navigate stairways and inclined surfaces comprising: a) two substantially parallel U-shaped leg modules, each leg module comprising; b) a plurality of substantially horizontal struts fastening the leg modules together; c) two substantially vertical linear actuators each comprising an upper section and a lower section, d) an electric motor coupled to and capable of rotating the drive rods of said linear actuators; and e) a control for activating said electric motor; whereby activation of said electric motor causes rotation of said drive rods, which in turn causes extension or retraction of the front leg sections of the leg modules substantially in concert, wherein each of said linear actuators comprises a tubular upper cover section and a tubular lower cover section, the diameter of each said lower cover section being smaller than the diameter of the corresponding upper cover section and being partially slideably contained therein; the threaded drive rod is contained within the upper cover section and the threaded nut is attached to the lower cover section; the upper cover section of each linear actuator is attached to the upper section of one front leg and the corresponding lower cover section of said linear actuator is attached to the lower section of said front leg; whereby, as said nut travels along the threaded drive rod when the motor is engaged, such travel in turn causes the lower cover section to extend or retract thus extending or retracting the front legs.