Abstract:
A supportive device for use as a wheelchair and a walker. A pair of handgrips are pivotally attached to a frame so as to have a rearwardly-facing position and a forwardly-facing position. A seat is pivotally attached to the frame so as to have a horizontal position and a vertical position. When using the supportive device as the wheelchair, a pair of front legs of the frame terminate in wheels, the seat is in the horizontal position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the rearwardly-facing position thereof. When the supportive device is used as the walker, the pair of front legs terminate in either wheels or caps, the seat is in the vertical position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the forwardly-facing position thereof.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The instant non-provisional application is a Continuation application of non-provisional application Ser. No. 10/359,492, filed on Feb. 7, 2003, and entitled COMBINED WHEELCHAIR, WALKER, AND SITTING CHAIR. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the general art of chairs and seats, and to the particular field of interchangeable, occupant-propelled, and third party-assisted chairs and seats. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   Many people who require the use of a walker at times also require a wheelchair, and as with everyone, a sitting chair. Often, these people are required to own more than one device in order to fulfill their needs. Not only is this expensive, it may also be wasteful of space and may require the person to move from one device to another. Space may be an important consideration in nursing and adult homes, and the like, where many people may require use of such devices. This in turn often requires the assistance of another person, thereby inhibiting a person&#39;s mobility. 
   While today&#39;s walker-chairs offer some similar functionality, they offer neither the safety nor do they fully satisfy all of the needs of certain individuals who at times require the wheelchair function as well. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a combination device which is versatile. The device combines the functions of sitting, standing, ambulation assistance, and assisted and self-propelled transfer (via wheelchair functionality), to be most versatile. 
   Still further, many people have a balance problem. This may make getting into, or out of, a wheel-chair difficult. Some people may require the assistance of another person when getting into, or out of, presently available walker-chairs. If such an assistant is not available, the person may try to hold onto something outside of the chair, such as a table or the like. This may not be safe, especially if the person has a balance problem or is weak. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a combined device which makes getting into, or out of, the device as easy and safe as possible, without requiring the person to hold onto an object located outside the device (which in most cases are non-stationary objects which creates for an unsafe transfer). Armrests on the device provide the necessary safety and comfort feature currently lacking in today&#39;s devices. Anything other than armrests is inherently anatomically and physiologically incorrect for people with low balance and muscle weakness. 
   Due to their current structure, walker-chairs are not amenable for use at a table or at a desk because the front beams are not recessed and the chair cannot be pulled beneath the table or desk. If special designs for the tables or desks are required, comfort of the user of the walker-chair would be restricted or the user&#39;s mobility may be inhibited. Therefore, there is a need for a combined device which can be used in connection with presently existing tables and/or desks or the like. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly stated, it is an object of the present invention to provide a supportive device for use as a wheelchair and a walker. The device includes a pair of handgrips, a seat, and a frame. The frame includes a back portion, a pair of side portions, a seat portion, a pair of rear legs, and a pair of front legs. The pair of rear legs of the frame terminate in wheels. The pair of front legs of the frame terminate in either wheels or caps. The pair of handgrips are pivotally attached to the pair of side portions of the frame, respectively, so as to have a rearwardly-facing position where they face away from the pair of front legs of the frame and a forwardly-facing position where they face towards the pair of front legs of the frame. The seat is pivotally attached to the seat portion of the frame so as to have a horizontal position where it faces the seat portion of the frame and a vertical position where it faces the back portion of the frame. The pair of front legs of the frame terminate in the wheels, the seat is in the horizontal position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the rearwardly-facing position thereof so as to allow a person to sit on the seat and face away from the back portion of the frame and have another person stand behind the person, grip the pair of handgrips, and push the supportive device so as to allow the supportive device to be used as the wheelchair. The pair of front legs of the frame terminate in either the wheels or the caps, the seat is in the vertical position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the forwardly-facing position thereof so as to allow a person to stand between the pair of side portions of the frame, face the back portion of the frame, grip the pair of handgrips, and push the supportive device so as to allow the supportive device to be used as the walker. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the combined device embodying the present invention with wheel units on all legs thereof; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the combined device embodying the present invention with caps on the two front legs thereof, the side opposite to the side shown in  FIG. 2  being identical thereto; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the combined device embodying the present invention with a back support pillow strapped thereto; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of two caps that are used in the combined device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two foot rests that are used in the combined device of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a combined device embodying the present invention with a foot pedal mounted on a lower cross brace. 
   

   LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
   
       
         10  combined device 
         12  frame 
         14  first front leg of frame  12   
         16  first end of first front leg  14  of frame  12   
         18  second end of first front leg  14  of frame  12   
         20  second front leg of frame  12   
         22  first end of second front leg  20  of frame  12   
         24  second end of second front leg  20  of frame  12   
         26  first rear leg of frame  12   
         28  first end of first rear leg  26  of frame  12   
         30  second end of first rear leg  26  of frame  12   
         32  second rear leg of frame  12   
         34  first end of second rear leg  32  of frame  12   
         36  second end of second rear leg  32  of frame  12   
         40  first arm rest of frame  12   
         42  first end of first arm rest  40  of frame  12   
         44  second end of first arm rest  40  of frame  12   
         46  second arm rest of frame  12   
         48  first end of second arm rest  46  of frame  12   
         50  second end of second arm rest  46  of frame  12   
         60  first cross arm of frame  12   
         62  first end of first cross arm of frame  12   
         64  second end of first cross arm  60  of frame  12   
         66  second cross arm of frame  12   
         68  first end of second cross arm  66  of frame  12   
         70  second end of second cross arm  66  of frame  12   
         74  first back rest element of frame  12   
         76  first end of first back rest element  74  of frame  12   
         78  second end of first back rest element  74  of frame  12   
         80  second back rest element of frame  12   
         82  first end of second back rest element  80  of frame  12   
         84  second end of second back rest element  80  of frame  12   
         96  first rear cross brace of frame  12   
         98  first end of first rear cross brace  96  of frame  12   
         100  second end of first rear cross brace  96  of frame  12   
         102  second rear cross brace of frame  12   
         104  first end of second rear cross brace  102  of frame  12   
         106  second end of second rear cross brace  102  of frame  12   
         110  first top brace of frame  12   
         112  first end of first top brace  110  of frame  12   
         114  second end of first top brace  110  of frame  12   
         116  second top brace of frame  12   
         118  first end of second top brace  116  of frame  12   
         120  second end of second top brace  116  of frame  12   
         130  first support brace of frame  12   
         132  first end of first support brace  130  of frame  12   
         134  second end of first support brace  130  of frame  12   
         136  second support brace of frame  12   
         138  first end of second support brace  136  of frame  12   
         140  second end of second support brace  136  of frame  12   
         150  seat 
         152  back support 
         154  first end of back support  152   
         156  second end of back support  152   
         160  first arm rest cover 
         162  second arm rest cover 
         166  first tray mounting element 
         169  second tray mounting element 
         170  tray 
         172  first hand grip pivot mount 
         174  second hand grip pivot mount 
         180  first hand grip 
         182  proximal end of first hand grip  180   
         184  distal end of first hand grip  180   
         190  second hand grip 
         192  proximal end of second hand grip  190   
         194  distal end of second hand grip  190   
         200  first sleeve 
         202  first end of first sleeve  200   
         204  second end of first sleeve  200   
         206  cap of first sleeve  200   
         208  first lock 
         210  holes through first sleeve  200   
         212  button on first front leg  14   
         220  second sleeve 
         222  first end of second sleeve  220   
         224  second end of second sleeve  220   
         226  cap of second sleeve  220   
         230  second lock 
         234  holes through second sleeve  220   
         236  button on second front leg  20   
         250  first wheel unit 
         252  second wheel unit 
         260  first set of rear wheels 
         262  second set of rear wheels 
         270  first brake handle 
         272  second brake handle 
         274  first brake shoe 
         276  second brake shoe 
         280  first connection mechanism 
         282  second connection mechanism 
         288  weight 
         290  back support cushion 
         292  strap of back support cushion  290   
         294  first foot rest 
         296  second foot rest 
         300  lower cross brace 
         302  foot pedal 
     
  
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
   The device embodying the present invention combines the functions of a wheelchair, a walker, and a sitting chair. In the interest of brevity, the combined wheelchair, walker, and sitting chair will be referred to herein as a device. As shown in the figures, the invention is embodied in a device  10 . 
   The device  10  comprises a frame  12 , which includes a first front leg  14 , which extends vertically upward in a use orientation shown in  FIG. 1 , and has a first end  16  and a second end  18 , with the first end  16  of the first front leg  14  of the frame  12  being located beneath the second end  18  of the first front leg  14  of the frame  12  in the use orientation. 
   The frame  12  further includes a second front leg  20 , which extends vertically upward in the use orientation, and has a first end  22  and a second end  24 , with the first end  22  of the second front leg  20  of the frame  12  being located beneath the second end  24  of the second front leg  20  of the frame  12  in the use orientation. 
   The frame  12  further includes a first rear leg  26 , which extends upward at an oblique angle in the use orientation, and has a first end  28  and a second end  30 , with the first end  28  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12  being located beneath the second end  30  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12  in the use orientation. 
   The frame  12  further includes a second rear leg  32 , which extends upward at an oblique angle in the use orientation, and has a first end  34  and a second end  36 , with the first end  34  of the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12  being located beneath the second end  36  of the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12  in the use orientation. 
   The frame  12  further includes a first arm rest  40 , which connects the second end  18  of the first front leg  14  of the frame  12  to the second end  30  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12 . The first arm rest  40  of the frame  12  has a first end  42  connected to the second end  18  of the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 , and a second end  44  spaced-apart from the second end  30  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12 , with the second end  30  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12  being connected to the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 , at a location between the first end  42  of the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12  and the second end  44  of the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 . 
   The frame  12  further includes a second arm rest  46 , which connects the second end  24  of the second front leg  20  of the frame  12  to the second end  36  of the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12 . The second arm rest  46  of the frame  12  has a first end  48  connected to the second end  24  of the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 , and a second end  50  spaced-apart from the second end  36  of the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12 , with the second end  30  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12  being connected to the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 , at a location between the first end  48  of the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12  and the second end  50  of the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 . 
   The frame  12  further includes a first cross arm  60 , which connects the first front leg  14  of the frame  12  to the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12 . The first cross arm  60  of the frame  12  has a first end  62  connected to the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 , at a location between the first end  16  of the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 , and the second end  18  of the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 , and a second end  64  connected to the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12 , at a location between the first end  28  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12  and the second end  30  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12 . The first cross arm  60  extends parallel to the first arm  40 . 
   The frame  12  further includes a second cross arm  66 , which connects the second front leg  20  of the frame  12  to the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12 . The second cross arm  66  of the frame  12  has a first end  68  connected to the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 , at a location between the first end  22  of the second front leg  20  of the frame  12  and the second end  24  of the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 , and a second end  70  connected to the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12 , at a location between the first end  34  of the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12  and the second end  36  of the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12 . The first cross arm  60  of the frame  12  extends parallel to the second arm  46  of the frame  12 . 
   The frame  12  further includes a first back rest element  74 , which has a first end  76  connected to the first rear leg  26 , adjacent to the second end  64  of the first cross arm  60  of the frame  12 , and extends vertically upward therefrom in the use orientation. The first back rest element  74  of the frame  12  has a second end  78  located above the first end  76  of the first back rest element  74  of the frame  12  in the use orientation. 
   The frame  12  further includes a second back rest element  80 , which has a first end  82  connected to the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12 , adjacent to the second end  70  of the second cross arm  66  of the frame  12 , and extends vertically upward therefrom in the use orientation. The second back rest element  80  of the frame  12  has a second end  84  located above the first end  82  of the second back rest element  80  of the frame  12  in the use orientation. 
   The frame  12  further includes a first rear cross brace  96 , which has a first end  98  connected to the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12 , adjacent to the second end  64  of the first cross arm  60  of the frame  12 , and a second end  100  connected to the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12 . The first rear cross brace  96  of the frame  12 , the first cross arm  60  of the frame  12 , and the second cross arm  66  of the frame  12  are coplanar. 
   The frame  12  further includes a second rear cross brace  102 , which has a first end  104  connected to the second end  78  of the first back rest element  74  of the frame  12 , and a second end  106  connected to the second end  84  of the second back rest element  80  of the frame  12 . The second rear cross brace  102  of the frame  12  is parallel to the first rear cross brace  96  of the frame  12 . 
   The frame  12  further includes a first top brace  110 , which has a first end  112  connected to the second end  78  of the first back rest element  74  of the frame  12 , and a second end  114 . The first top brace  110  of the frame  12  extends parallel to the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 . 
   The frame  12  further includes a second top brace  116 , which has a first end  118  connected to the second end  84  of the second back rest element  80  of the frame  12 , and a second end  120 . The second top brace  116  of the frame  12  extends parallel to the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 . 
   The frame  12  further includes a first support brace  130 , which has a first end  132  connected to the second end  114  of the first top brace  110  of the frame  12 , and a second end  134  connected to the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 , at a location between the second end  30  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12  and the first end  42  of the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 . The first support brace  130  of the frame  12  extends vertically upward from the second end  134  of the first support brace  130  of the frame  12  to the first end  132  of the first support brace  130  of the frame  12  in the use orientation, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   The frame  12  further includes a second support brace  136 , which has a first end  138  connected to the second end  120  of the second top brace  116  of the frame  12 , and a second end  140  connected to the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 , at a location between the second end  36  of the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12  and the first end  48  of the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 . The second support brace  136  of the frame  12  extends vertically upward from the second end  140  of the second support brace  136  of the frame  12  to the first end  138  of the second support brace  136  of the frame  12  in the use orientation. 
   The device  10  further comprises a seat  150 , which is mounted on the first rear cross brace  96  of the frame  12 , the first cross arm  60  of the frame  12 , and the second cross arm  66  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a back support  152 , which has a first end  154  connected to the first back rest element  74  of the frame  12 , at a location adjacent to the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 , and a second end  156  connected to the second back rest element  80  of the frame  12 , at a location adjacent to the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a first arm rest cover  160 , which is mounted on the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 , between the second end  134  of the first support brace  130  of the frame  12  and the first end  42  of the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 , and a second arm rest cover  162 , which is mounted on the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 , between the second end  140  of the second support brace  136  of the frame  12  and the first end  48  of the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a first tray mounting element  166 , which is mounted on the first arm rest  40  of the frame  12 , and a second tray mounting element  168 , which is mounted on the second arm rest  46  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a tray  170 , which is mounted on the first and second tray mounting elements  166 ,  168  to support food, work, or the like, for a person sitting in the device  10 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a first hand grip pivot mount  172 , which is located on the first top brace  110  of the frame  12 , and a second hand grip pivot mount  174 , which is located on the second top brace  116  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a first hand grip  180 , which has a proximal end  182  pivotally mounted in the first hand grip pivot mount  172 , and a distal end  184  spaced-apart from the proximal end  182  of the first hand grip  180 . The first hand grip  180  is pivotally movable between a use position, shown in  FIG. 1 , having the first back rest element  74  of the frame  12  located between the distal end  184  of the first hand grip  180  and the proximal end  182  of the first hand grip  180 , and a stored position, shown in  FIG. 2 , having the first support brace  130  of the frame  12  located between the distal end  184  of the first hand grip  180  and the proximal end  182  of the first hand grip  180 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a second hand grip  190 , which has a proximal end  192  pivotally mounted in the second hand grip pivot mount  174 , and a distal end  194  spaced-apart from the proximal end  192  of the second hand grip  190 . The second hand grip  190  is pivotally movable between a use position, shown in  FIG. 1 , having the second back rest element  80  of the frame  12  located between the distal end  194  of the second hand grip  190  and the proximal end  192  of the second hand grip  190 , and a stored position, shown in  FIG. 2 , having the second support brace  136  of the frame  12  located between the distal end  194  of the second hand grip  190  and the proximal end  192  of the second hand grip  190 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a first sleeve  200 , which is telescopingly connectable to the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 . The first sleeve  200  has a first end  202 , a second end  204 , and a cap  206  on the second end  204  of the first sleeve  200 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a first lock  208 , which releasably connects the first sleeve  200  to the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 , and has a plurality of holes, such as holes  210 , defined through the first sleeve  200 , with the holes  210  being spaced-apart from each other, from adjacent to the first end  202  of the first sleeve  200 , toward the second end  204  of the first sleeve  200 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a button  212  on the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 , which is received in one of the plurality of holes  210  of the first sleeve  200  when the first sleeve  200  is connected to the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a second sleeve  220 , which is telescopingly connectable to the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 , and has a first end  222 , a second end  224 , and a cap  226  on the second end  224  of the second sleeve  220 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a second lock  230 , which releasably connects the second sleeve  220  to the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 , and has a plurality of holes, such as holes  234  defined through the second sleeve  220 , with the holes  234  being spaced-apart from each other, from adjacent to the first end  222  of the second sleeve  220 , toward the second end  224  of the second sleeve  220 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a button  236  on the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 . The button  236  is received in one of the plurality of holes  234  of the second sleeve  220  when the second sleeve  220  is connected to the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 . 
   One form of the device  10  further comprises a third sleeve telescopingly connectable to the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 . The third sleeve has a first end and a second end. This form also comprises a third lock releasably connecting the third sleeve to the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 . The third lock has a plurality of holes defined through the third sleeve, with the holes being spaced-apart from each other, from adjacent to the first end of the third sleeve, toward the second end of the third sleeve. The button on the first front leg  14  of the frame  12  is received in one of the plurality of holes of the third sleeve when the third sleeve is connected to the first front leg  14  of the frame  12 . This form further comprises a fourth sleeve telescopingly connectable to the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 . The fourth sleeve has a first end and a second end. This form still further comprises a fourth lock, which releasably connects the fourth sleeve to the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 . The fourth lock has a plurality of holes defined through the fourth sleeve, with the holes being spaced-apart from each other, from adjacent to the first end of the fourth sleeve, toward the second end of the fourth sleeve. The button on the second front leg  20  of the frame  12  is received in one of the plurality of holes of the fourth sleeve when the fourth sleeve is connected to the second front leg  20  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises wheel units, such as a first wheel unit  250  and a second wheel unit  252 , which can be connected to either the first and second sleeves  200 ,  220  or to the third and fourth sleeves, as desired. 
   The device  10  further comprises a first set of rear wheels  260 , which is mounted on the first end  28  of the first rear leg  26  of the frame  12 , and a second set of rear wheels  262 , which is mounted on the first end  34  of the second rear leg  32  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a brake unit, which includes a first brake handle  270  on the first hand grip  180 , and a second brake handle  272  on the second hand grip  190 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a first brake shoe  274 , which is on the first set of rear wheels  260 , and a second brake shoe  276 , which is on the second set of rear wheels  262 . 
   The device  10  further comprises first connection mechanism  280 , which operably connects the first brake handle  270  to the first brake shoe  274 , and a second connection mechanism  282 , which operably connects the second brake handle  272  to the second brake shoe  276 . The brake connection mechanisms  280 ,  282  may include cables, joints, and the like, such as might be used to connect the hand brake of a bicycle to the brake shoes of the bicycle, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Thus, the exact structure of the brake mechanisms will not be discussed in detail. Brakes can also be operated by a person sitting in the device  10  using straps or the like, as is known to those skilled in the art. The strap brakes can be used to provide further stability to the device  10  while the person is moving into or out of the device  10 . 
   The first rear cross brace  96  of the frame  12 , the first cross arm  60  of the frame  12 , and the second cross arm  66  of the frame  12  are all located beneath the second ends  134 ,  140  of the first and second support braces  130 ,  136  of the frame  12 , at a distance sufficient to locate a center of gravity of the frame  12  beneath the second ends  134 ,  140  of the first and second support braces  130 ,  136  of the frame  12 . 
   The device  10  further comprises a weight, such as a weight  288 , which can be included to further control the location of the center of gravity of the device  10  and thus increase the stability thereof. 
   Another form of the device  10  comprises a back support cushion  290  having straps, such as strap  292 , which releasably engage the back support  152  when the back support cushion  290  is in place, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The back support cushion  290  assists in maintaining proper posture. 
   The device  10  may also comprise first and second foot rests  294  and  296 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , mounted on the frame  12 . 
   Yet another form of the device  10 , shown in  FIG. 6 , comprises a lower cross brace  300  and a foot pedal  302  on the lower rear cross brace  300 . The lower cross brace  300  and the foot pedal  302  provide further control of the device  10  for a person pushing the device  10 . 
   It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.