Abstract:
An aid for use when transporting elderly people and disabled people, comprising a frame provided with handle bars, the frame comprising a front and a rear frame section, each essentially consisting of a pair of frame bars or frame tubes with transverse connections, the frame bars or frame tubes having their lower ends designed for movement across the ground and the frame sections being foldably connected about a transverse axis that is located under handle bar level. The frame sections are also foldable in the transverse direction, due to the transverse connections between the frame tubes of the frame sections being formed by connecting bars which are adapted to be folded in or substantially in the plane of the respective frame section. The aid is adapted to be used both as a walking aid (rollator) and as a passive wheel chair.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This a continuation application of PCT/NL01/00006 filed Jan. 5, 2001, which PCT application claims priority of Dutch patent application number 1014025 filed Jan. 6, 2000 and of Dutch patent application number 1015178 filed May 12, 2000, both herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a rolling aid for use by elderly and disabled people. Such aids are well-known e.g. as “rollator” or “walker” which are used by elderly people and disabled people to render self-reliant walking easier and safer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An aid of the latter type, being in fact a walking aid, is known from DE 4328875. The advantage of this well-known aid is to be seen in that its frame is foldable in both the rolling (walking) direction and the transverse direction, so that in the (completely) folded state, it occupies so little space, that it may be readily carried along when going by bus or tram, or taken along in the trunk of an automobile. The well-known aid, however, has certain disadvantages which may affect the ease of use as will be explained hereinafter. 
     With the well-known device the second foldable transverse connection is carried out in the form of two articulated V-bars, which have the respective apex directed upwardly and downwardly respectively and cross one another to form a double linkage, wherein one leg of each articulated V-bar extends through and is pivotally connected to a bifurcated leg of the other V-bar. The outer ends of the V-bar that has its apex directed upwardly, engage the frame tubes of the first pair of frame tubes, whereas the outer ends of the V-bar that has its apex directed downwardly, engage the ends of the sections of the frame tubes of the second pair of frame tubes that deviate substantially horizontally towards said first pair of frame tubes and extend parallel to one another. In order that folding in the transverse direction will cause the frame tubes of both pairs of frame tubes to move towards one another in the rolling (walking) direction, it is essential that the V-bars are located in a plane that makes an angle with the plane in which the frame tubes of the first pair of frame tubes are located, and that this angle will decrease when folding. The latter condition, however, implies that the outer ends of the V-bars must be allowed to pivot relative to the frame tubes of the first pair of frame tubes and relative to the horizontally deviating sections of the frame tubes of the second pair of frame tubes respectively about two mutually perpendicular axes, which involves a rather complex structure and may be detrimental to a smooth folding and unfolding procedure respectively. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention aims at providing an improved rolling aid, which does not have the disadvantages mentioned hereinabove. According to the invention this aim is achieved thanks the features mentioned in claim 1. 
     Thanks the features of the invention the hinge bars of the second foldable transverse connection may be simply positioned within the plane of the frame tubes of the first pair of frame tubes and may thus pivot about single axes at right angles to this plane, while the required concurrence of the procedure of folding in the transverse direction and the procedure of folding in the rolling (walking) direction is effected in a smooth manner by the sections of the frame tubes of the second pair of frame tubes, which extend—in the rolling (walking) position—obliquely inwardly and are rotatably mounted to the respective hinge joint platform halves. Moreover, the obliquely inwardly directed frame tube sections substantially contribute to the stability of the aid. 
     A simple and practical embodiment of the aid of the present invention also has the features of claim 2. In this case the second foldable transverse connection comprises two crossing links only, which in the unfolded position need to function as a “shore” only. 
     An alternative embodiment having the possibility of locking the aid in the use-position, has the features of claims 3-5. 
     A particular embodiment of the aid of the present invention has the features mentioned in claim 6 and 7, wherein the feature of claim 6 provides for a simple way of preventing the deviating frame tube sections, which are rotatably mounted to the hinge joint platform, from turning about their axes relative to one another, and the feature of claim 7 provides for handle bars, to which merely a vertically directed lifting force needs to be applied to have the frame of the aid fold together simultaneously in both directions (transverse direction and rolling (walking) direction). 
     It will be understood that when the aid according to the present invention is used as a rollator (rolling walking aid) the pair of frame tubes which hereinabove is defined as “the first pair of frame tubes” will constitute the forward pair of frame tubes and that “the second pair of frame tubes” may in that case be considered as the rear pair of frame tubes. 
     Through the features defined in claims 6 and 7 the aid according to the present invention is also suitable for use as a wheel chair. In that case the handle bars, which function as push handle bars in case of use as a rollator, may in case of use as a wheel chair, fulfil the function of armrests, whereas the handle bars at the upper end of the upwardly directed tube sections of the frame tubes of the second pair of frame tubes (claim 7) may serve—when using the aid as a wheel chair—as push handle bars. Moreover, a “real” backrest could be provided, removably if desired, in two parts. In that case the rolling direction is opposite to that in case of using the aid as a rollator. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features and advantages of the rolling aid according to the present invention are explained hereinafter by way of two examples with reference to the accompanying drawing. 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the aid according to the invention, designed as a rolling walking aid or “rollator”; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view as seen from the left in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view according to the arrow III in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view according to the arrow IV in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of the platform of the walking aid of FIGS. 1-4 in the folded position; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially in section according to the midplane of the walking aid, showing a detail of a locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 7 shows an alternative for the lower hinge joint bar used in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1-6 and 
     FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the aid according to the invention, now designed as a passive type of wheel chair. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to FIG. 1, the walking aid shown therein in the use position essentially consists of a front frame section A and a rear frame section B. The front frame section A (see also FIG. 2) comprises two transversely spaced and parallel frame tubes  1 , each with a lower, forwardly bent end portion provided with a front wheel  2 , while each of the frame tubes have an upper, extended end portion which is bent to a handle bar  3 .  4  is a lever mechanism mounted adjacent the handle  3  and serving to control a device (not shown) for blocking the wheels  2 . 
     In the use-position shown in FIG. 1 the front frame section A is taking a slightly rearwardly inclined position (e.g. at an angle of 15°). Between the frame tubes  1  of the front frame section A there are provided a lower transverse connection a and an upper transverse connection b. The lower transverse connection is constituted by a hinge joint bar, the two bar halves a 1  are pivotally connected to opposite pivot plates  5  provided on the respective tubes and are pivotally connected to one another in the center by means of a connecting piece  6 . The lower end of an upwardly extending tie rod  7  positioned in the plane of the frame section A is also connected to the connecting piece  6 . From each of the opposite pivot plates  5  a support link  8  extends obliquely upwardly towards the center between the two frame tubes  1 , where the two support links  8  pivotally connect to a guide piece  9 , through which the tie rod  7  extends upwardly. 
     The upper transverse connection b is provided at about knee level and forms a special hinge joint bar. In the extended position it constitutes a platform which extends rearwardly from the frame section A. The upper hinge joint bar halves or platform halves b 1  are provided at their outer edge with a bushing  10  (see FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular), that is pivotally seated on a tubular stub  11 , fastened to the inner side of the respective frame tube  1  and extending from the latter rearwardly. The two hinge joint bar halves or platform halves b 1  are connected to a central piece  13  about parallel axes  12  (see FIGS. 2,  3  and  5 ). On the front side of the central piece  13  (see FIGS. 2 and 3) there is provided a ring member  14  which projects forwardly from between the two platform halves and surrounds the upper free end of the tie rod  7  connected to it. A rear pivot plate  15  (see FIGS. 3 and 5) covers the central piece  13  at the rear side and is provided on the rearwardly extending ends of the pivot axes  12 . In the use position (represented by solid lines in the drawings) the central piece  13  of the stretched platform b has its ring member  14  abutting the upper face of the guide piece  9  (see FIG.  2 ). 
     From the above it will be understood that applying an upwardly directed force to the central piece  13  of the platform b in FIG. 2 will cause the platform halves b 1  to swing upwardly about the tubular stubs  11 . The ring member  14  of the central piece  13  will thereby be lifted from the guide piece  9 , while taking the tie rod  7  along upwardly. The upward movement of the tie rod  7  causes the connecting piece  6  to be pulled from the lower (slightly “pushed through”) position upwardly into and through the completely stretched position of the hinge joint bar a, whereby the hinge joint bar halves a 1  and the supporting links  8  will fold together while the tie rod  7  is sliding upwardly relative to the guide piece  9 . This upward folding movements of the lower hinge joint bar  8  and the upper hinge joint platform b cause the two frame tubes  1  to be transversely pulled together. 
     The second frame section B essentially consists of two frame tubes  21 , each comprising four substantially straight tube sections  21   a - 21   d . In the use position shown in FIG. 1 the mutual parallel tube section  21   a  extend obliquely rearwardly from the stretched platform b at an angle to the vertical which is larger than the angle of inclination of the front frame section A and may be in the order of 40°. The frame tube sections  21   a  carry each at the lower end a rear wheel  22  and connect each adjacent a rear corner of the platform b through a connecting curve to a second frame tube section  21   b , position in a plane parallel to the plane of the stretched platform b and extending from the respective corner of the stretched platform b obliquely forwardly towards the midplane of the platform b. The frame tube sections  21   b  are each rotatably and non slidably mounted to the lower side of a platform halve b 1  by means of fastening clips  23 . 
     On the front side of the platform b (see particularly FIGS. 2 and 3) each of the frame tube sections  21   b  connect through a connecting curve to a third frame tube section  21   c , the axes of which are substantially parallel to those of the frame tube sections  21   a . The frame tube sections  21   c  extend through two slightly spaced parallel bores in a connecting piece  24 . The upper end portions of the frame tube section  21   c  project upwardly beyond the connecting piece  24  to form tube sections  21   d  adapted to be used as handles. 
     The walking aid described hereinabove may, with a simple operation, be folded together from the use position in FIG. 1 in the rolling (walking) direction as well as in the transverse direction. As mentioned before when describing the front frame section A, applying an upwardly directed force to the central piece  13  of the platform b is enough for causing front frame section A to fold together in the transverse direction. Standing in front of, or even better, behind the walking aid—between the wheels  22 —such force may be simply applied to the control handles  21   d  (see arrow P in FIG.  1 ). As a result of this the platform b will fold in the upward direction and this, in turn, will cause the tube sections  21   b  to turn about their axes, due to which the two frame tubes  21  as a whole will move relative to the frame tubes  1  of the front frame section A into the position represented by the dash-dotted lines. In reverse order the weight of the folded platform and the frame tubes will tend to cause the walking aid to unfold from a tending folded position into the use position shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The locking mechanism shown in FIG. 6 may be applied to have the walking aid locked in the use position. This locking mechanism comprises a substantially Z-shaped locking element  25 , which is resiliently received in the center piece  13  of the platform b and extends with its upper flange portion  25   a  forwardly over the upper end  14  of the central piece  13 . The locking element  25  is provided with a locking cam  25   b , which, in the use position, engages a rearwardly extending locking edge  9   a  of the guide piece  9 . In this way the central piece  13 ,  14  and the guide piece  9  are locked relative to one another, which excludes undesired folding of the walking aid. 
     To enable folding of the walking aid the locking element  25  may be simply depressed in the arrow direction indicated in FIG. 6, as a result of which the locking cam  25   b  gets disengaged from the locking edge  9   a.    
     Thus the invention provides a rolling walking aid which may be folded to an easily handable package and the comfort and stability in the use position of which are as good as with a walking aid with a completely rigid frame. 
     When utilizing the stretched platform b, in the use position of the walking aid, as a seat both of the handles  21   d  may also function as a backrest. 
     From a viewpoint of rigidity it may be desired to provide a flexible connecting element  26  between the front frame section A and the frame tube sections  21   a  of the rear frame section B. Preferably the frame tubes  1  of the front frame sections A are telescopingly adjustable, as shown in the drawing. 
     As a simple alternative for the lower hinge joint bar a used in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1-6, FIG. 7 shows an assembly C of two crossing links c 1 , which may move relative to one another between the “semi-stretched” position shown by solid lines in FIG. 7 which corresponds with the use position of the walking aid, and the folded position represented by dashed lines in FIG. 7, the latter position corresponding with the folded position of the walking aid. 
     The coupling between the upper hinge joint platform b and the alternative lower bar assembly, required for folding the walking aid, is in this case effected by pivotally connecting each of the free ends of the links c 1  to a platform halve b′ at c″. 
     The aid according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 is, in the first place, designed for use by elderly people and disabled people as a walking aid. As hereinabove, however, mention has already been made of the possibility to use the platform as a seat. In that case the aid is in fact a wheel chair of the passive type, which can be moved by a third person. The travelling direction will then be opposite to the travelling direction in FIG. 1, whereas the handles  21   d  may be serve as push bars. 
     The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is particularly adapted for use as a wheel chair. The major adaptations as compared with the walking aid of FIG. 1 are: 
     the push handle bars  3  of FIG. 1 have been transformed to an armrest  30  in FIG. 8; 
     the handle bars  21   d  of FIG. 1 are placed on a slightly higher level and transformed to transverse pushing bars  210   d  in FIG. 8; 
     in the embodiment of FIG. 8 a “real” backrest  31  is provided. Preferably the latter is formed from two parts, each of which is directly provided on a tube section  210   c  and extends from the latter in the transverse direction, so that folding the wheel chair together—which involves a rotary movement of the tube sections  210   c  about their axes—will cause the backrest to fold as well. The two backrest parts may be pivotally connected to one another in the area between the two tube sections  210   c  and about an axis that is parallel with said tube sections. The pivot connection may also form the connection between the two tube sections  210   c;    
     as compared with FIG. 1 the oblique tube section  210   a  and  210   c  of the rear frame section B (which in fact has become the front frame section in FIG. 8) are positioned at a slightly steeper angle; 
     as compared with the embodiment of FIG. 1 the fixed wheels and the swiveling wheels in the embodiment of FIG. 8 have been exchanged; 
     in the embodiment of FIG. 8 the lower end of the oblique tube section  210   a  has been bent inwardly to form a footrest  211 . 
     The folding procedure and the folding mechanism has remained the same. 
     The embodiment of FIG. 8 is particularly suitable for domestic use, where a partner or helper will be generally available for a quick fold-out of the wheel chair to transverse the patient to another part of the house, after which the wheel chair may be refolded to a package that takes little space.