Abstract:
A basket that can be attached to a walking aid and that can store a large number of items but does not consume a large amount of space when not in use. The basket can be configured to be removably coupled to the walking aid. The basket includes a frame having sides and ends that are scissor hinges. The scissor hinges operate such that the frame sides can be position next to each other in a collapsed state and separated from each other in an expanded state so as to form an internal cavity to carry items. A flexible material is attached to the frame sides and scissor hinges thereby forming side walls and a bottom.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/505,039 entitled “Walker Basket”, filed Sep. 22, 2003, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to selfcare products and, more particularly, to a basket that is removably attachable to a walker.  
         [0004]     2. Background  
         [0005]     The elderly or handicapped often use a walker device to assist in overcoming mobility difficulties. A walker typically comprises a unshaped frame that includes downwardly-extending legs on which the user applies at least a portion of his or her weight. Although the walker can provide increased mobility, the user must typically use both hands on the walker, which makes it difficult or impossible to carry additional items while using the walker.  
         [0006]     One solution to this problem is to equip the walker with a container device, such as a basket, in which items can be inserted. The container is then attached to the walker so that the user can transport items in the container while using the walker. One problem with such containers is that they can consume a large amount of space. Indeed, it is generally desirable to make the container as large as possible so that it can store and transport a larger amount of items. However, this can make it difficult to store or transport the walker/container combination in small spaces. In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a walker and basket that can store a large number of items but does not consume a large amount of space when not in use.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     Embodiments disclosed herein address the above stated need for a walker basket that can store a large number of items but does not consume a large amount of space when not in use. In one embodiment a basket is configured to be removably coupled to a walking aid, also referred to as a walker. The basket includes a frame having a first and a second side and a first and a second scissor hinge. The scissor hinges are attached at opposed ends of the frame sides and operate such that the frame sides can be positioned next to each other in a collapsed state and separated from each other in an expanded state. In the expanded state the frame sides and scissor hinges form an internal cavity. A flexible material, such as canvas, is attached to the frame sides and scissor hinges thereby forming side walls and a bottom of the internal cavity when the frame is in the expanded state such that items can be placed in and removed. The flexible material can fold thereby allowing the frame to be collapsed so that the frame sides are positioned next to each other. The basket in the collapsed state occupies significant less space that when in the expanded state. The basket also include a coupling member, such as a hook, that can be removably mounted to the walking aid.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment the first and second frame sides each form a rectangular shape made up of a plurality of struts. In addition, the first and second scissor hinges are made up of a pair of elongated struts arranged in a cross-relationship such that the struts can rotate with respect to one another. In one embodiment the scissor hinges are slidably attached to the side frames struts by clips. The clips can include an annular region defining an opening into which a strut of the side frame is positioned. The clips may be elastically yieldable such one or more detents on the strut engage the clips to retain the clips in a predetermined orientation, for example in the expanded state or the collapsed state. Application of sufficient force can cause the clips to elastically yield thereby engaging or disengaging the detent to allow the basket to be expanded or collapsed.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the basket also includes at least one lower support member that is movably mounted to the frame. The support member can be extended so that at least a portion of the support member can be removably coupled to the walking aid. The support member can also be moved to a storage position with the support member being nestled closer to the frame so as to reduce the size of the frame in the collapsed state.  
         [0010]     In yet another embodiment the basket includes a retaining structure, such as a flexible strap, positioned on an internal surface of a frame side for retaining items inside the basket.  
         [0011]     Other features and advantages of the present invention should be apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which illustrate, by way of example, aspects of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a walker and a walker basket of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the walker basket in an expanded state.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the walker basket in a collapsed state.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a clip of the walker basket. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     Disclosed is a basket that is configured to be removably coupled to a walking aid commonly referred to as a walker. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the basket  110  is positioned on a walker  112 . The basket  110  defines an internal cavity in which one or more items can be removably located. The basket includes a coupling member, such as a hook  115 , that can be removably coupled to a walker  112  so that the basket  110  can be removably mounted on the walker  112 . The basket  110  has a generally rectangular shape and includes four side walls  130  that define the sides of the basket and a bottom wall (not shown) that forms the bottom of the basket. At least some of the walls are formed of a flexible material, such as a canvas, that can fold when the basket  110  transitions to a collapsed state, as described below.  FIG. 1  does not show the basket  110  having a top wall in order to provide access to the internal cavity, although it should be appreciated that the basket can be equipped with a top wall.  
         [0017]     The basket  110  can transition between an expanded state and a collapsed state.  FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an internal frame  210  of the basket  110  in an expanded state and  FIG. 3  shows the internal frame  210  in the collapsed state. For ease of illustration, the side walls  130  and bottom wall  132  are shown in  FIG. 2  using phantom lines. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the internal frame  210  comprises a plurality of struts that are collectively arranged to form a rectangular shape. In this regard, the struts form a first side frame  215  and a second side frame  220  that both are rectangular in shape. The side frames  215  and  220  provide the internal structure for the opposed side walls of the walker basket  110 .  
         [0018]     A pair of scissor hinges  225  connect the side frames  215 ,  220  to one another. Each scissor hinge  225  comprises a pair of elongated struts  227  that are arranged in a cross-relationship such that the struts  227  can rotate with respect to one another at a location  230 . A clip  235  is located at each of the ends of the struts  227 . As described below, each clip  235  is configured to slidably attach to a portion of the side frames  215 , such as to a vertical strut of the side frame. When attached in the correct manner, the scissor hinges  225  are located at opposed ends of the side frames  215 ,  220  to provide the entire internal frame  215  with a rectangular shape.  
         [0019]     With reference still to  FIG. 2 , the hook  115  is located at an upper region of the side frame  215 . The hook  115  can have any shape that permits it to be removably coupled to the walker  112 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the hook  115  is comprised of a wire or rod that forms a curved loop that can be hooked onto a horizontal bar on the walker. It should be appreciated, however, that other structures can be used.  
         [0020]     The internal frame  210  also includes one or more lower support members  240  that are movably mounted to the frame  210 , such as using a hinge  242 . The support members  240  are attached to the frame  210  such that they can be moved to an extended position in which the support members  240  extend outwardly from the frame  210 . In the extended position, the support members  240  are oriented such that at least a portion of the support members  240  can be removably coupled to the walker  112  when the basket  110  is mounted on the walker  112 . This is shown in  FIG. 1 , where the support members  240  are shown in the extended position and hooked onto vertically-oriented legs of the walker  112 . It should be appreciated that the support members  240  can be sized and shaped so as to attach to any of a variety of locations on the walker  112 . As described below, the support members  240  can be moved from the extended position to a storage position wherein the support members  240  are nestled closer to the internal frame  210  so as to reduce the size of the internal frame  210  during storage.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the internal frame in the collapsed state. When in the collapsed state, the internal frame and the basket consume less space then in the expanded state. The side frames  215  and  220  have been moved toward one another so that the internal frame  210  is flattened with respect to the expanded state. The internal frame  210  is moved into the collapsed state by pushing the side frames  215  toward one another such that the scissor hinge cross struts  227  rotate with respect to one another about the rotation location  230 . As the struts  227  rotate, the upper clips  235  on the ends of the struts  227  slide upward along the vertical side struts of the side frames  215  and  220 .  
         [0022]     Once the side frames  215  and  220  have been collapsed toward one another, the entire internal frame  210  has a reduced size with respect to size of the internal frame in the expanded state. The support members  240  are then rotated into the storage position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . When in the storage position, the support members  240  no longer protrude outward from the internal frame  210 , but are rather nestled beneath the side frames  215  and  220 . In this manner, the support members  240  advantageously do not increase the size of the internal frame  210  during storage.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one of the clips  235  that attach the scissor hinges to the side frames  215 ,  220 . The clip  235  has an annular region  410  that defines an opening into which vertical struts of the side frames can be positioned. The clip  235  also includes an attachment member, such as a tab  415  with an aperture  420 . An attachment device, such as a screw or bolt, can be mated with a strut  227  of the scissor hinge to attach the clip to the scissor hinge.  
         [0024]     The clip  235  and the vertical struts  227  of the side frames  215 ,  220  are manufactured of a material that can slightly yield in an elastic manner. In this regard, the struts  227  can be equipped with one or more detents, such as protrusions, that can engage the clips to retain the clips (and the scissor hinges) in a predetermined orientation, such as in the collapsed state or in the expanded state. A sufficient force can be applied to the clip  235  such that the annular region of the clip and/or the protrusion slightly yields and allow the clip to be slid over the protrusion. In this manner, the scissor hinges can be moved between the collapsed state and the expanded state.  
         [0025]     As mentioned, the internal frame  210  is covered with a material that forms peripheral walls of the internal frame. The walls provide support surfaces for supporting one or more items that are positioned within the internal cavity. As shown in  FIG. 1 , at least one retaining structure  145  is positioned on the internal surface of the wall for retaining an item inside the internal cavity. In one embodiment, the retaining structure comprises a flexible strap that can be stretched outwardly to receive an item between the strap and the wall to which it is attached. The strap is biased toward the wall so that it secures the item in between the strap and the wall. The strap can be manufactured of a flexible, elastic material.  
         [0026]     Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.