Assistive walking device with adjustable dimensions

An adjustable walker includes a tubular frame construction having front and lateral telescoping tubes defining a walker space for a user. The lateral tubes have handgrips suitable for being grasped by a user. The front telescoping tubes are adjustable in length to adjust the width of the walker space for the user and the lateral telescoping tubes are adjustable in length to adjust the height of the handgrips. Locking mechanisms are provided for locking the front telescoping tubes and the lateral telescoping tubes. Actuators on the handgrips selectively unlock the locking mechanisms to allow a user to adjust the width of the walker space and for selectively unlocking the second locking to allow a user to adjust the height of said handgrips to adjust the height and/or width of the walker by use of said actuators on said handgrips without bending or letting go of the walker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an assistive walker with adjustable dimensions. More specifically, this invention will allow users to adjust the height and width of the walker from the top of the walker. The invention will also allow for removable attachments.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Walkers are devices that can be used by adults to help assist them whenever they need to walk somewhere. Walkers can be used by a wide variety of people for various reasons. They may be used by the elderly and/or obese if they have difficulty supporting themselves. They may also be used by amputees. They are even used by people who are going through rehabilitation for various injuries. Because of their vase cliental base, walkers can come in many different variations. Some of these variations include zero, two, and four wheeled walkers. There are also walkers with adjustable dimensions and various attachments.

Walkers are often utilized in nursing homes and/or hospitals where they may be used by multiple people in a single day. Because of this, the more robust a walker is the more valuable and useful it can become. Robustness can include walkers that have attachments which can be swapped in and out as well as walkers that can be adjusted to different dimensional requirements. It is also important that walkers be robust enough to support heavy weighs. There are many walkers that address these issues; however it is done in a way such that a new problem may arise. Most walkers with adjustable dimensions are able to transform by using a pin and lock system to lock the walker into place certain pre-described distance points. While this does solve the initial problem, it also creates another one. Anytime adjustments need to be made a user must disengage with the walker to make the adjustments, usually near the bottom of the walker.

In many cases the user is relying on the walker as their means of support. Whenever this is the case a helper must do the adjustments for the user. This usually results in the user having to be sat down or supported by something else. It would be much more preferable if the adjustments could be made without the user having to disengage from the walker. Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide a walker that has adjustable dimensions and that allows the user to adjust the dimensions without disengaging from their standard upright position. This invention will also allow for removal wheels and other attachments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable walker comprises a tubular frame construction having front and lateral telescoping tubes defining a walker space for a user therebetween. Said lateral tubes have handgrips suitable for being grasped by a user, said front telescoping tubes being adjustable in length to adjust the width of the walker space for the user and said lateral telescoping tubes being adjustable in length to adjust the height of the handgrips. First locking means are provided for locking said front telescoping tubes and second locking means are provided for locking said lateral telescoping tubes. A first actuator is provided on said handgrips for selectively unlocking said first locking means to allow a user to adjust the width of the walker space. A second actuator is provided on said handgrips for selectively unlocking said second locking means to allow a user to adjust the height of said handgrips. A user can, thereby, adjust the height and/or width of the walker by use of said actuators on said handgrips without bending or letting go of the walker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a walker that will allow users to adjust the height and width dimensions so that people of different weights, girths, and heights can comfortably use the device. The present invention is also a walker that will allow users to change its dimensions without requiring the user to bend down or fully disengage from the walker itself. The invention has two different adjustments at the top of the walker. The first adjustment will be used to change the height of the walker and the second will be used to adjust the width of the walker. The present invention will also have one bottom adjustment. The bottom part of the walker can have an adjustment that can allow for various attachments, including wheels.

The present invention will, generally, resemble a standard walker. There are support legs, support arms, handles, grips, attachment wheels, actuators and adjustment mechanisms. The support legs are vertically positioned cylindrical shaped columns that are spaced a distance apart in a rectangular shape. The support legs are connected together by the support arms. The support arms are cylindrical shaped pillars that are placed horizontally between all of the legs except for the back two. There are multiple support arms placed between each of the legs. These arms are vertically spaced a distance apart from each. The handles are semi circular shaped objects at the top of the walker. They are connected to the tops of two of the arms, creating the left and right side of the walker. Attached to the handles, near their apex, are the grips. The attachment wheels may or may not be attached to the walker at any point in time. When attached, the wheel attachments will be positioned at the bottom of the walker, on the ends of the support legs. The adjustment mechanisms and the actuators will be placed at various locations in and around the invention.

In the present invention the support legs and the support arms are used to support most of the weight of the user. They also give the walker its shape and structural support. The support legs and support arms may also be used to house some of the adjustment mechanisms and actuators. The handles, located at the top of the walker, are the components that users can grab to support themselves when they are using the invention. The handles may also house some of the adjustment mechanisms and actuators. The grips are ergonomically designed hand cushions that are placed at the top of the handles. The grips are the areas of the invention where users will hold the invention to use it. The attachment wheels are detachable wheels that can be taken off of the invention. This will allow the invention to go from a wheel-less state with increased stability to a wheeled start with increased mobility to a semi-wheeled state that brings a balance of both. The actuators are any devices or series of devices that are used to induce the change in dimension of the invention. This can include, but is not limited to, motors, gear, springs, screws, pistons, and any combination of the aforementioned devices. The adjustment mechanisms are any of the devices that are used to power or activate any of the actuators. This can include, but is not limited to buttons, triggers, and switches.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the dimensional transformation of the walker is achieved through the use of a caulking-gun type mechanism (FIGS. 1-6). In another embodiment (FIGS. 7-14) use is made of gas (pneumatic) springs or hydraulic pistons. For the preferred embodiment, the general positions of the components do not change; however there are slight variations in their construction because of the introduction of sub components. In the preferred embodiments, the support legs are broken into two subcomponents; the lower support legs and the upper support legs. The support arms are also broken into two sub components; the outer support arms and the inner support arms. The lower support legs have two distinct regions; a hollow region and a solid region. The solid region of the support legs constitutes approximately the bottom two-thirds of the support legs. The hollow region starts where the solid region ends and continues up to the top of the lower support leg. The solid and hollow regions have identical diameters, but the hollow region is hollowed out, with an indented top. The indented top is a section of the hollow region that has a smaller diameter than the rest of the region. Inside the hollow region of the lower support leg rests the upper support leg. The upper support leg rests inside the lower support leg. The upper support legs have a diameter equal to that of the indent region of the lower support legs, except at its bottom. The bottom of the upper support legs has an extended base with a wider diameter, equal to that of the inner diameter of the hollow region. The outer support arms are the mostly hollow, exterior region of the support arms. The right most edge of the outer support arms has an indented edge. The indented edge is indented such that its diameter is less that of the diameter of the rest of the outer arm. The inner support arm is also hollow. It has an outer diameter equal to that of the indented edge of the outer support arm; except at its left most edge. At the left edge the inner support arm has an extended edge, with an outer diameter equal to that of the inner diameter of the outer support arm. The handle is also hollow in the preferred embodiment.

In the preferred embodiments, the upper support legs will rest inside of the lower support legs. The upper support legs will be able to slide up and down inside the lower support legs because there is no rigid connection between the two. The upper supports legs are constrained from travelling outside of the lower support legs by the indented top and the extended base. The narrow diameter of the indented top overlaps with the diameter of the extended base and prevents the upper support arms from travelling outside the confines of the lower support arms. When the preferred embodiment is in the rest position the bottom of the extended base is flush with the top of the solid region. When the preferred embodiment is in the extend position the top of the extended base is flush with the bottom of the indented top. The inner support arms will rest inside of the outer support arms. The inner support arms will be able to slide left and right inside the outer support arms because there is no rigid connection between the two. The inner supports arms are constrained from travelling outside of the outer support arms by the indented and extended edges. The narrow diameter of the indented edge overlaps with the diameter of the extended edge, which prevents the upper support arms from travelling outside the confines of the lower support arms. When the preferred embodiment is in the rest position the bottom of the extended edge is flush with the bottom of the outer support arm. When the preferred embodiment is in the extend position the top of the extended edge is flush with the bottom of the indented edge.

A specific example of one presently preferred embodiment will be described in connection withFIGS. 1-6. The walker is generally designated by the reference numeral10and consists of a tubular frame construction having a front side “F” and two lateral sides “L” that define a space “S” for a user. The front and lateral sides share front vertical outer tubes12and front vertical inner tubes14which are arranged to be in telescoping relationship with the tubes12. The lateral sides also include rear vertical outer tubes16and rear vertical inner tubes18that are in telescoping relationship with the outer tubes16. The front and rear inner tubes14,18are connected by upper arcuate handgrips20that are affixed to the inner tubes14and18. However, the shape of the handgrips is not critical and other shapes such as square, round, elliptical, etc. can be used.

Lateral upper and lower connecting tubes22,24are affixed to the front and rear vertical outer tubes12,16as shown. The front F of the walker10includes an upper front horizontal outer tube26telescopically coupled to an upper front horizontal inner tube28and, similarly, a lower front horizontal outer tube30is telescopically associated with a lower front horizontal inner tube32. The telescoping tubes both at the lateral sides L of the walker as well as the front F of the walker allow the telescoping tubes to be lenghtened or shortened. The adjustment of the vertical telescoping tubes12,14and16,18raising or lowering the handgrips20while adjustment of the telescoping front tubes26,28and30,32allow the walker to be adjusted in width from one lateral side to the other.

An important feature of the present invention is the provision of locking mechanisms that affix the telescoping tubes in place to normally prevent inadvertent or undesired adjustment or telescoping movements in height or width. Selective adjustments can be effected by the actuating members34,36provided on the handgrips to allow convenient and ready access by a user using the walker or by a third party caregiver to adjust the height of the handgrips20or the width of the walker to accommodate the size of the patient or user. Towards this end there are provided upper and lower actuating members34(34a,34b) and36, respectively. The upper actuating members34a,34bcan be used to adjust the height of the handgrips while the lower actuating member36can be used to adjust the width of the walker10.

Referring theFIGS. 3 and 4, a presently preferred embodiment of the locking and adjustment mechanism is shown in greater detail. Vertical rods38are fixed in relation to the outer tubes12and extend into the inner tubes14. The rods may be fixed to the outer tubes at the lower ends12aor at an intermediate point12b(FIG. 3). As suggested inFIG. 3, the rods need not extend all the way to the bottom of the tubes12and may be shortened as shown. The rods are preferably stabilized both at the top and the lower ends and any means of stabilization can be used to maintain the rods generally centrally positioned within the tubes or generally extending along the axes of the vertical and horizontal tubes while allowing axial sliding movements along the inner tubes14. Rod stabilizers40,40′ shown, by way of example, as one method of affixing and stabilizing one end of the rod. The specific method used is not critical and any suitable method for maintaining the rods in the desired positions can be used.

InFIGS. 3 and 4, locking mechanism42is shown for locking the telescoping tubes12,14to each other when downward pressure is applied to the handgrips20. The locking mechanism42is generally in the nature of a well known caulking-gun type mechanism. A width locking mechanism, also a caulking-gun type mechanism44, is similarly used in conjunction with adjustments and locking of the horizontal tubes26,28relative to each other.

Each locking mechanism includes a plate46(FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6) that has a central opening through which the rods38can pass with small clearance. When the plate46is horizontal, as shown inFIG. 5B, the plate is tranverse or perpendicular to the axis of the rod38and the plate46and, therefore, the inner tube can move upwardly or downwardly relative to the rod. The plate46is affixed to the inner tube14, preventing the plate46from moving relative to the rod when normally inclined as shown, it also fixes the inner tube relative to the outer tube12. As is well known from caulking-gun type mechanism constructions, locking takes place when the plate is inclined relative to the rod and clearances therebetween are eliminated. This is normally achieved by pivoting the plates at pivots48on the inner tubes. A line50extends from the plate46to the actuators34a,34bto enable the plates46to be moved or pivoted to the normal, horizontal or perpendicular orientations against the action of a tension spring52which normally draws the plate to its incline or locking position. When inclined or in its normal relaxed condition, the plate46, as indicated, seizes upon the rod38and prevents relative telescoping movements between the tubes12,14. When it is desired to raise or lower the handgrips20, requiring relative movements of the telescoping tubes, the actuators34a,34bare moved by the user, such as by a pivoting action, to apply a tension to the line50thereby drawing the plates46to their horizontal orientations, as shown inFIG. 5B, enabling relative movement between the inner and outer tubes. This allows the handgrips to be either raised or lowered to accommodate the height of the user. Similarly, referring toFIG. 6, a rod38′ is stabilized at the end of the horizontal outer tube by means of a rod stabilizer (not shown) while the free end shown is slidably received within the inner tube for movements relative thereto. The plate46′ may be “righted” to move to a plane normal to the rod by pulling on the line50′ by hand of the user manipulating the actuator or trigger36which is secured to the plate46′ by means of a diverting sheave or pulley54as shown inFIG. 6. When the line50′ has a tension applied to it by the trigger or actuator36sufficient force must be applied to overcome the tension of the spring52which normally maintains the plate46′ in an inclined locking position. The line50′ may be wound on a spring-loaded spool60mounted for movement with the actuator36to maintain a tension on the line50.

It will be appreciated that the described example of the adjustment and locking mechanisms for the height and width adjustments of the walker is only by way of example. Other mechanisms can be used to provide the same or similar functions, with different degrees of advantage.

In another embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 7-14) the telescoping tubes are adjusted by the use of gas or pneumatic springs or hydraulic cylinders. There are two different types of gas springs used, a large gas spring and a small gas spring. The gas springs serve as the actuators in this embodiment. The large gas springs are vertically positioned inside each of the upper support legs, but the bottom of the large gas springs are rigidly attached to the tops of the solid regions of the lower support legs. The bases of the handles are attached to the tops of the upper support legs. This will allow for the handles and the upper support legs to move together. The small gas spring is horizontally positioned inside of the upper most inner support arm, but the bottom of the small gas spring is rigidly attached to the bottom of the outer support arm. The left end of the outer support arm is attached to one of the support legs and the right side of the inner support arm is attached to another support leg. This will allow the two sides of the walker to move toward and away from each other.

The adjustment mechanisms in this embodiment are a trigger system and a switch system. The trigger is attached to the exterior of the handles with the rest of the system remaining inside. The trigger system works similar to that of an office chair. When the trigger is squeezed the trigger system engages the large gas springs. While active the handles will either raise or lower depending on how much force is being applied. When the trigger is released the gas spring becomes inactive and the vertical movement of the handles becomes locked. The switch system works in a very similar fashion. The switch is located on the exterior of the inner support arm and the rest of the system is located inside of the inner support arm. When the switch is pressed, the switch system engages the small gas spring. While the small gas spring is active the left and right and right sides of the invention are free to move towards or apart from each other, depending on the magnitude and direction of force applied. When the switch is moved back and the switch system disengages the small gas spring, the horizontal movement of the gas spring becomes locked.