Walking carriage

Abstract: The present invention provides a walking carriage (1) or ambulatory aid comprising: a frame (2) of which one or more push bars (13,14) form part for pushing along the walking carriage (1); a number of wheels (3-6) for causing travel of the walking carriage (1) when it is pushed along, which wheels (3-6) are suspended rotatably and/or pivotally on the frame (2); a seat part (18) which is arranged on the frame (2) and which extends in substantially lying position at a level lower than the outer ends of the push bars (13,14); and collapsing means for collapsing or folding up the frame (2) between a first position of use wherein the walking carriage can be pushed along and a second stable intermediate position.

Description: A walking carriage, also known as a "rollator", is used both outdoors and indoors as ambulatory aid by people such as the elderly who have difficulty walking. Existing rollators are often provided with a seat on which the user can rest from time to time and braking means for braking and locking these brakes when standing still. In addition, known rollators are usually provided with collapsing means for folding up the rollator, for instance into the trunk of an automobile. When such a rollator is not in use it can also be placed in collapsed state at a location in a home where it occupies as little space as possible. The known rollator usually has the drawback that collapsing thereof is awkward, for instance because the rollator falls over during folding, whereby the user can also lose his balance and be injured if he falls. Such a known rollator is described for instance in the German Gebrauchsmuster G 90 05 744.9. This known walking carriage comprises: a frame of which one or more push bars form part for pushing along the walking carriage; a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels for causing travel of the walking carriage when it is pushed along, which wheels are arranged rotatable and/or pivotally on downward extending tubes of the frame; collapsing means for collapsing or folding up the frame between a first position of use wherein the front and rear wheels are situated at relatively large mutual distance and wherein the walking carriage can be pushed along and a second collapsed position wherein the front and rear wheels are situated relatively closely to each other; and a seat part which is arranged pivotally on the frame and which in said position of use extends in substantially lying position at a level lower than the outer ends of the push bars. The height of this known walking carriage can be easily adapted to the height of the user. This known walking carriage has the drawback however that for collapsing thereof the user must lean forward or bend over, which may represent a problem for many users. The present invention has for its object to provide a walking carriage which obviates the above stated drawback and which is easily collapsible by the user. The present invention provides a walking carriage or ambulatory aid comprising: a frame of which one or more push bars form part for pushing along the walking carriage; a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels for causing travel of the walking carriage when it is pushed along, which wheels are arranged rotatable and/or pivotally on downward extending tubes of the frame; collapsing means for collapsing or folding up the frame between a first position of use wherein the front and rear wheels are situated at relatively large mutual distance and wherein the walking carriage can be pushed along and a second collapsed position wherein the front and rear wheels are situated relatively closely to each other; and a seat part which is arranged pivotally on the frame and which in said position of use extends is substantially lying position at a level lower than the outer ends of the push bars, characterized in that the seat part is provided with a hand-grip and that the seat part is operatively coupled to the collapsing means such that when the hand-grip is engaged and the seat part pivoted upward the walking carriage is carried by the collapsing means into fully or partially collapsed position. The present invention therefore prevents the user having to bend down when collapsing the walking carriage. The collapsing means are preferably embodied such that in the first instance the walking carriage is collapsed into an intermediate position which is usually sufficient to stow away the walking carriage temporarily indoors. If the walking carriage must be transported for instance in the back of an automobile, the carriage can be collapsed further into a fully collapsed position in which it takes up little space. To provide a stable fully or partially collapsed position the walking carriage is preferably provided with guide members on both sides for guiding frame parts between the first position and the fully or partially collapsed second position. In a further preferred embodiment the frame parts are rotatable in one of the extreme positions as defined by the guide members so that the walking carriage can easily be brought from the partially collapsed position into the fully collapsed position. It is noted that an ambulatory aid is per se known from the American patent specification 5.261.682, in particular for rehabilitation purposes in a hospital environment. While this rehabilitation aid may be collapsible into an intermediate position, it lacks for instance a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels arranged on downward extending tubes of the frame as well as a seat part. The rollator according to the present invention is further preferably provided with carrying means and a pivotable tray plate member which in downward pivoted position closes the carrying means. This makes it less easy for a bag-snatcher to steal bags from the carrying means. In addition the walking carriage according to the present invention is preferably provided with brake cables fed through or directly against the frame in order to prevent a cable catching on an obstacle during travel with the walking carriage, whereby accidents could occur. In existing walking carriages use is often made of a braking member which engages on a wheel which is usually provided for that purpose with a solid rubber tyre, wherein such a solid rubber tyre preferably has roughly the same height as a pneumatic tyre and is manufactured from solid polyurethane, so that this solid rubber tyre achieves a roughly equivalent level of comfort for the user. With the use of pneumatic tyres and a braking member which engages on a pneumatic tyre, the pneumatic tyres have to be replaced after a comparatively short time because of the wear that occurs. Thinner solid tyres can likewise be susceptible to wear and/or adversely affect the level of comfort. The walking carriage according to the present invention is preferably provided with a drum brake so that it can be provided with pneumatic tyres which are less expensive and which have the effect of increasing comfort. The drum brake is preferably manufactured as far as possible from plastic components in order to further decrease the weight of the walking carriage. As such a brake drum for reducing the closing speed of a rotating door is disclosed in US-A-3,778,866. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; fig. 2 shows a view in perspective of the walking carriage of fig. 1 as seen from another angle, fig. 3 is a side view of the walking carriage shown in fig. 1 and 2 in a first folded-open position; fig. 4 is a side view of the walking carriage shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3 in a second intermediate position; fig. 5 is a side view of the walking carriage shown in fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in a fully collapsed position; and fig. 6 is a perspective view of another preferred emodiment of a walking carriage according to the present invention. A preferred embodiment of a walking carriage 1 (fig. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) comprises a frame 2 of metal tubes to which wheels 3, 4, 5 and 6 are preferably suspended for rotation and pivoting in forks 7, 8, 9 and 10. The forks 7-10 are preferably manufactured from a strong plastic. Frame 2 is provided on the upper part with bent push bars 13 and 14 which are height-adjustable using adjusting members 11 and 12 and which are provided with handles 15 and 16 for gripping by the user of the walking carriage. On a cross bar 17 of frame 2 rests a seat 18 on which the user of the walking carriage can take up position, for instance to rest. The seat 18 is preferably further provided with a hand-grip 19 which can be easily gripped by the user to fold up the walking carriage 1, as will be further described hereinbelow. Preferably also arranged on frame 2 is a luggage carrier 20 in the form of a basket of metal wires which, in the position shown in fig. 1 and 2, is partially closed by a tray plate 21 which can be pivoted upward in the direction of arrow A (fig. 1). Tray plate 21 is preferably manufactured from a transparent plastic. In the upward pivoted position (see fig. 3) the tray plate 21 rests on the seat 18 and a cup of tea or the like can be placed thereon. The tray plate is easily removable using screw members 22 and 23 rotatable for instance through a half turn. Arranged close to one of the wheels, preferably both rear wheels 6 and 7, are drum brakes 25 respectively 26 which are preferably constructed entirely or for the greater part of plastic components. In order to obtain a sufficient braking action the brake shoes are preferably manufactured from a wear-resistant plastic. To further increase the braking action a rough plastic belt, which is not visible in the figures, is preferably accommodated between the brake shoes and the brake drum. Using brake cables 27 respectively 28 which, as can be seen in fig. 1 and 2, are preferably guided partially through the interior of a frame part, the drum brakes 25 and 26 are connected to brake operating means 29 respectively 30 which extend close to the handles 15 and 16 respectively. It is also possible to attach to a frame part a separate guide for guiding the brake cable. When the walking carriage 1 is folded up (fig. 3, 4 and 5) the tray plate 21 is first pivoted downward from the position shown in fig. 3 to the position shown in fig. 4. The seat 18 is then gripped by the hand-grip 19 and moved upward, wherein, because the seat 18 is connected via frame bars 35 on both sides via a shaft end to frame bars 36, the rear wheels 6 and 3 are moved toward the front wheels, wherein the extreme positions of this movement are defined by guide members 37 which are arranged on the frame and in which a recess 38 is arranged such that the transverse shaft ends snap into the guide members in both extreme positions shown in fig. 3 and 4. In the intermediate position shown in fig. 4 it is still possible for the user to receive some support from the walking carriage, as it will not yet fall over of itself. The user then has ample time to move frame bars 36 and 39 in the direction of arrow B until the walking carriage 1 assumes the position shown in fig. 5, wherein it occupies little space and can thus be laid easily into for instance the trunk of an automobile or placed in a corner of a room in a home. Preferably arranged between frame bars 36 and 39 is an arm 40 which can pivot on both sides on hinge pins 41 on frame part 39 and on hinge pins 42 on frame part 36. Further shown in fig. 2 is that the walking carriage according to the present invention is preferably provided with a holder 50 and a clip 52 arranged thereabove on the frame for receiving a walking stick W as designated in broken lines. In the further preferred embodiment of the walking carriage according to the present invention as shown in fig. 6, the diverse components are designated with the same reference numerals. In this embodiment unintentional collapsing of the walking carriage by a user is prevented by means of a locking bracket 50 which extends in the locked position between bar 17 and bar 51 and which is formed such that it is snapped fixedly in the locked position and can also be easily snap released during collapsing of the walking carriage. Locking bracket 50 is preferably embodied in plastic and arranged on the frame using connecting element 52 which is provided with a slot 53, wherein bracket 50 is slightly height-adjustable in order to cause the bracket to clamp easily and in order to enable changing of the height adjustment in the case this bracket becomes worn. Although the present invention is described in detail in the foregoing with reference to one embodiment thereof, the rights deriving from this patent application should not be deemed as being in any way limited thereby; the rights applied for are defined by the following claims.

Claims: Walking carriage (1) or ambulatory aid comprising: a frame (2) of which one or more push bars (13, 14) form part for pushing along the walking carriage; a pair of front wheels (4, 5) and a pair of rear wheels (3, 6) for causing travel of the walking carriage when it is pushed along, which wheels are arranged rotatable and/or pivotally on downward extending tubes of the frame; collapsing means (35-42) for collapsing or folding up the frame between a first position of use wherein the front and rear wheels are situated at relatively large mutual distance and wherein the walking carriage can be pushed along and a second collapsed position wherein the front and rear wheels are situated relatively closely to each other; and a seat part (18) which is arranged pivotally on the frame and which in said position of use extends in substantially lying position at a level lower than the outer ends of the push bars, characterized in that the seat part is provided with a hand-grip (19) and that the seat part is operatively coupled to the collapsing means such that when the hand-grip is engaged and the seat part pivoted upward the walking carriage is carried by the collapsing means into a fully or partially collapsed position. Walking carriage (1) as claimed in claim 1, provided with one or more guide members (37) for guiding one or more frame parts between the first folded open position and the second fully or partially collapsed position. Walking carriage (1) according to claim 2, wherein said guide members (37) define extreme positions of the movement of frame bars (36) relative to one another. Walking carriage (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the seat part (18) is pivotable around a cross bar extending between two upright frame parts (13, 14) at a level lower than the seat part. Walking carriage (1) according to any of the claims 1-4, comprising: carrying means for carrying baggage (20); and a substantially flat tray plate member (22) which is pivotable between a first closing position for at least partially closing the carrying means and a second active position wherein the tray plate member extends substantially above the seat part. Walking carriage (1) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein one or more brake cables (27, 28) running between braking means (25, 26) close to one of the wheels and an operating member (29, 30) close to one of the pushing ends extend at least partially through the interior of or directly against a frame part. Walking carriage (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the braking means comprise a drum brake (25, 26). Walking carriage (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the drum brake (29, 30) comprises a drum of plastic and brake shoes of plastic. Walking carriage (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a rough peripheral belt with rough surface extends between the brake shoes and the brake drum. Walking carriage (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the belt is of plastic. Walking carriage as claimed in any of the claims 1-10, provided with locking means (50-53) for locking the walking carriage in folded-out position.

Inventors: KEUNING RONALD, KEUNING, RONALD
Applicants: PREMIS MED BV, PREMIS MEDICAL B.V.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61H3
IPC codes: B62B3, A61H3, A61G5