Abstract:
A foldable walking stabilizer device for a disabled person having a U-shaped base with caster assemblies on each leg of the base and up-right members extending from the base, the upright members having brake assemblies normally pre-venting the caster assemblies to move and adapted to release the casters for movement on manipulation of the brake assemblies, wherein the brake assemblies have an adjustable tension control associated with the caster assemblies for permitting a user to slow down or speed up walking movement. The invention also discloses a fulcrum device on the base which permits the user to lift the device over curbs and similar obstructions, as well as improved folding mechanism which permits the device to be conveniently collapsed by the user for storage and transport.

Description:
[0001]    Priority in this application is based on Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/542,660, filed Oct. 3, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to improvements in a foldable walking stabilizer device, and is particularly concerned with improvements for controlling movement of such a device by a disabled person. Such improvements include novel means for the user to lift the device over curbs and similar obstructions. The improvements also include novel arrangements of components of the stabilizer device in a more usable and convenient position for the user and more secure and safer for the user in that the device is locked in position unless the user continually activates the unit for movement. Other improvements include new and novel structure for making the device easier and more convenient for folding and transportation. 
         [0003]    Specifically, these improvements consist of 
         [0004]    1. Providing an adjustable side tension control for slowing down the walker device by rotating a convenient lever which causes frictional engagement of structure on the main wheels of the stabilizer device, thus permitting the user to slow down or speed up walking movement. 
         [0005]    2. Adding a rear press down frame on the device available to the user which can be easily manipulated for going over curbs and similar obstructions. 
         [0006]    3. Upgrading the spring loaded front caster on the device to improve its function and adjustability so that the stabilizer can traverse larger obstacles. 
         [0007]    4. Providing a central junction box on the device to reduce the length and complexity of control cables and to provide a convenient position for a laser cueing product, which enhances movement by the disabled person without fear or hesitation. 
         [0008]    5. Arranging an adjustable back rest which allows convenient use for people of different sizes, postures and disabilities, particularly for a user who has become exhausted. 
         [0009]    6. Devising an improved fold up means, making folding easier with better functionality and with simple release means operable with one hand and minimum effort, without excessive bending or uncomfortable movement by the user. 
         [0010]    7. Having a convertible brake bar means for a disable person to operate by means of a centrally located pivotally rockable bar, without having to rely upon just the hand brakes which require the ability to press them for operation. 
         [0011]    These and other improvements will become more apparent as this description proceeds, taking in conjunction with the accompanying drawings or photographs. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0012]    Foldable walking stabilizer devices for physically disabled persons or walkers are known in the prior art. Such a device is shown in applicant&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,258 granted Jul. 23, 1996 which is relevant to the present invention inasmuch as the improvements disclosed in this application may be incorporated into a modified and improved device. Additionally, applicant&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 7,484,740 teaches a laser cueing device and associated equipment of a kind which can be modified for use, improved and incorporated into a walking stabilizer embodying the improvements disclosed in the present application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    In the accompanying drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing one version of the device in operable position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the version of the device appearing in  FIG. 1  in folded position for transport or storage. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C show the steps for folding the devise from the position shown in  FIG. 1  to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a modified version of the device having a brake bar and modified seat arrangement. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of the tension control on an articulatable caster assembly for controlling and adjusting movement of the device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of the rear press down frame for rocking the device to maneuver it over a curb or other obstacle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is detail view of the adjustable spring loaded tensioning structure for the front central caster. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a detail view of a upright support and seat adjustment assembly, part of the upright support being broken away. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show the cable connection from the hand brake to the large wheel for locking the device from movement or allowing movement, depending upon whether the hand brake lever is free or depressed, respectively. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the walking stabilizer device  10  embodying the present improvements comprises a U shaped base  11  having spaced apart tubular members  12 , and opposed upright supports  20  pivotally secured on the base  11 . Secured on opposed side walls  15  of a frame  13  associated with the base  11  are large rotatable wheel assemblies  16 . Articulatable caster assemblies  17  are arranged on the base  11  substantially surrounding a user and bridging the base tubular members  12  on rear side of each wheel assembly  16 . Centrally of the base  11  is a spring loaded central caster  19 . The upright support members  20  are tubular and are telescopic and adapted to be adjusted in height to accommodate a user. A hand brake lever  41  may be provided at the distal end of each of the spaced apart upright support members  20 . 
         [0024]    In the mode of the device  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , a U shaped upright bar  22  having its free ends pivotally connected to the U shaped base  11  stabilize the unit. Bridging the upright bar  22  about midway their height may be a horizontal cross bar  24  and another cross bar  24   a  which may carry a seat  25  and a basket  26 . 
         [0025]    A central junction box  27  houses and connects cables which extend from the hand brakes  41 . These cables  28  are connected to the upright supports  20  (shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ) and the cables are connected from the junction box  27  to the large articulatable caster assemblies  17 . A laser cueing device of the kind disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,484,740 also may be mounted in the junction box  27  in a position to direct a laser beam downward to within the area C of U shaped base  11 . for cueing the user&#39;s movement. 
         [0026]    In the mode of the device  10  shown in  FIG. 3 , a brake bar  30  spans and is rockably pivotally secured to the spaced apart upright supports  20  and between the brake levers  41 . This brake bar  30  is connected through the levers  41  along the upright supports  20  to the junction box  27  and from the junction box to the articulatable caster assemblies  17  in the same manner as the brake levers  41  (cable  28  connections shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ). In this mode the backrest member  31  connected on the U shaped upright bar  22  shown in  FIG. 1  may be removed to permit the user, facing forward, to sit on the walker device seat  25 . 
         [0027]    As seen if  FIG. 2 , the walking stabilizer device  10  may be folded for storage and transport. This folding operation is easily accomplished with one hand by lifting up a hand release  32  on the front of the horizontal cross bar  24  adjacent the seat  25  until the seat flips up. The mid-level horizontal cross bar is pulled up until the upright supports  20  and the U shaped upright bar are aligned against one another as shown in  FIG. 2 . Unfolding is also easily accomplished by lifting the horizontal cross bar  24  on the U shaped upright bar  22  which cause the unit to unfold until the hand release  32  is re-engaged when the seat  25  is in proper position. This fold up structure permits the unit to be folded or unfolded without having to bend down to lift it or to collapse the device.  28 . An alternative device is shown in  FIG. 3 , which is substantially like the  FIG. 1  device, except there is a bridging brake bar  30  extending horizontally between the hand brakes  41  on the upright supports  20 . This bridging brake bar  30  is pivotally rockably connected to the end of each upright support  20  and the cables  28  and when rocked may engage or disengage the braking system without the need to manipulate the hand brakes  41 . In this embodiment, the U shaped bar does not extend above the seat  25  and is set at substantially the height of the seat, so that a user can go to the front side of the device and use the seat  25  for support. 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , friction tensioning means  33  for the side articulately caster assemblies  17  is shown. The friction tensioning means  33  comprises an aligned friction device arranged adjacent to the caster  17  and adjustable lever means  34  arranged in an arcuate slot  35  on the frame  13  for moving the caster toward or away from the friction tensioning means  33  to increase or reduce tension on the caster to regulate and control resistance movement of the walking stabilizer  10 . 
         [0029]    The press down rear frame portion  36  shown in  FIG. 5  permits the walking stabilizer  10  to be lifted when depressed fulcrum-like to manipulate the stabilizer over curbs and similar obstructions. By pressing down on this frame portion  36 , where the tubular members  12  are bent upwardly from the remainder of the frame  13 , the front of the walking stabilizer will lift to permit it to clear the curb or other obstruction. After the curb or obstruction has been cleared, the user removes his foot from the press down frame portion  36  and the stabilizer  10  can move forward on a level surface. Greater or lessened tension can be applied to the rear wheel  37  below the press down frame portion  36  by adjusting the rear wheel spring  38  on the wheel, which affects the tension of the lifting action in manipulating obstructions. 
         [0030]    A spring loaded central caster  19  is provided on the front of the frame  13 , and this caster assembly may be tensioned or loosened by adjustment of its associated central caster compression spring  39 , as depicted in  FIG. 6 , which is easy to adjust. 
         [0031]    Height of the seat  25  and the telescoped upright supports  20  can be adjust by use of the adjustment device  40  shown in  FIG. 7 , which may be raised or lower as desired, and this device also permits tightening of the cross bar  24  to make the walking stabilizer structure rigid by adjusting the threaded post  42  relative to the upright supports  20  and the cross bar  24 . 
         [0032]    The hand brake lever  41  shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , respectively, which may be associated with the brake bar  30  depicted in  FIG. 3  of the modified device, pulls or loosens cables  28  arranged along the upright supports  20 , as described. These cables  28  and the brake level  41  or bar  30  are always under tension by pressing the tensioning device  33  against the caster  17  as shown in  FIG. 7A , until and unless released by the user either by pressing on the hand brakes  41  or manipulating the brake bar  30  as shown in  FIG. 7B . The walking stabilizer cannot be moved until and unless the tension on the cables is released by manipulating the brake lever  41  or the brake bar  30 , so that the walking stabilizer  10  will not move unintentionally and perhaps cause an injuring to the user. The cables  28  extend through the upright supports  20  to the junction box  27  carried by the horizontal cross bar  24 , and from this junction box  27 , the cables  28  extend to the articulatable caster assemblies  17 . The upright supports  20  neatly hold the cables  28  and inhibits undesirable adjustments by the user and others and further lessens the possibility of unintended interference with or damage to the cables. 
         [0033]    As part of the junction box  27 , there may be provided structure for a laser cueing device in a position directed from the junction box downward to the center area C of the walking stabilizer  10 , making it easier for the user to follow walking cues emitted by the laser cueing device. The laser module can be programmed to turn on automatically by just starting to walk, and may be timed to turn off if the stabilizer device is not moving. 
         [0034]    While substantial disclosure has been made of the preferred embodiment improvements in the present walking stabilizer, it should be understood that it is not intended that the invention should be limited to the exact structure disclosed as many variations in the structure can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited, except as limitations in the claims for this invention are made.