Abstract:
A rollator carrier is operable to quickly support and secure a rollator. The carrier includes a pair of cradles to support the rollator, and an arm that rotates between a horizontal and vertical position. With the arm down, a user can easily lift the rollator into the relatively low cradles. The user can then rotate the arm up to the vertical position and secure the rollator to the carrier with a clamp of the carrier extending from the top end of the arm.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/688,229 filed May 10, 2012, entitled “Steady&#39;s Rollator Carrier” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to carriers for rollators. More particularly, this invention pertains to foldable vehicle receiver hitch mounted rollator carriers. 
     Rollators are used by people to enhance mobility. Generally, users of rollators are elderly individuals who are substantially independent and able to safely drive a vehicle. It is difficult for these users to lift their rollator several feet high to place the rollator in the trunk of a car. A user may strap a rollator to a platform or basket style cargo area mounted in a vehicle&#39;s receiver hitch, but it is difficult and time consuming to secure the rollator to the cargo area. With separate straps and ropes. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention provide a rollator carrier that is operable to quickly support and secure a rollator. The carrier includes a pair of cradles to support the rollator, and an arm that rotates between a horizontal and vertical position. With the arm down, a user can easily lift the rollator into the relatively low cradles. The user can then rotate the arm up to the vertical position and secure the rollator to the carrier with a clamp of the carrier extending from the top end of the arm. 
     In one aspect, a carrier is operable to support and secure a rollator for transportation of the rollator. The carrier includes a first tube section, a second tube section, a first cradle, a second cradle, a third tube section, a fourth tube section, and a clamp. The first tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is operable to engage a mount. The first tube section has a longitudinal axis extending along the first tube section from the first end to the second end. The second tube section is affixed to the first tube section adjacent the first end of the first tube section. The first tube section is substantially centered with respect to the second tube section, and the second tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second tube section is substantially horizontal when the carrier is in an upright position. The first cradle is affixed to the second tube section at the first end of the second tube section or adjacent to the first end of the second tube section. The second cradle is affixed to the second tube section at the second end of the second tube section or adjacent to the second end of the second tube section, and the second cradle is operable to support the rollator in cooperation with the first cradle. The third tube section is operable to engage the second end of the first tube section, and the third tube section is operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the first tube section. The fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section and is operable to extend substantially perpendicularly from the third tube section. The fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section at or adjacent to a first end of the third tube section and a point adjacent to a first end of the fourth tube section. The clamp extends from the fourth tube section and is operable to secure the rollator to the carrier by engaging the relator and preventing the rollator from bouncing out of the first cradle and the second cradle while the rollator is being transported on the carrier. The third tube section is rounded adjacent to a second end of the third tube section opposite the first end of the third tube section. The third tube section is operable to fit within or over a portion of the first tube section such that a longitudinal axis of the third tube section is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the first tube section. The first tube section has an alignment hole adjacent the first end of the first tube section. The third tube section has a first hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube sections substantially parallel to the second tube section. The third tube section has a second hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube sections substantially vertical and the carrier is in a substantially upright position. 
     In another aspect, a carrier is operable to support and secure a rollator for transportation of the rollator. The carrier includes a first tube section, a second tube section, a first cradle, a second cradle, a third tube section, a fourth tube section, and a clamp. The first tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is operable to engage amount. The first tube section has a longitudinal axis extending along the first tube section from the first end to the second end. The second tube section is affixed to the first tube section adjacent the first end of the first tube section. The first tube section is substantially centered with respect to the second tube section, and the second tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second tube section is substantially horizontal when the carrier is in an upright position. The first cradle is affixed to the second tube section at the first end of the second tube section or adjacent to the first end of the second tube section. The second cradle is affixed to the second tube section at the second end of the second tube section or adjacent to the second end of the second tube section, and the second cradles operable to support the rollator in cooperation with the first cradle. The third tube section is operable to engage the second end of the first tube section, and the third tube section is operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the first tube section. 
     The fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section and is operable to extend substantially perpendicularly from the third tube section. The fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section at or adjacent to a first end of the third tube section and a point adjacent to a first end of the fourth tube section. The clamp extends from the fourth tube section and is operable to secure the rollator to the carrier by engaging the relator and preventing the rollator from bouncing out of first cradle and the second cradle while the relator is being transported on the carrier. The clamp includes a spring, a hook, and a handle. The book has a first portion extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section and a second portion extending generally parallel to the fourth tube section toward the first end of the fourth tube section. The spring is connected to the hook and connected to the fourth tube section, and the spring biases the hook into the second end of the fourth tube section. The handle extends generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section in a direction generally opposite the first portion of the hook. 
     In another aspect, a carrier is operable to support and secure a rollator for transportation of the rollator. The carrier includes a first tube section, a second tube section, a first cradle, a second cradle, a third tube section, a fourth tube section, and a clamp. The first tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is operable to engage amount. The first tube section has a longitudinal axis extending along the first tube section from the first end to the second end. The second tube section is affixed to the first tube section adjacent the first end of the first tube section. The first tube section is substantially centered with respect to the second tube section, and the second tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second tube section is substantially horizontal when the carrier is in an upright position. The first cradle is affixed to the second tube section at the first end of the second tube section or adjacent to the first end of the second tube section. The second cradle is affixed to the second tube section at the second end of the second tube section or adjacent to the second end of the second tube section, and the second cradles operable to support the rollator in cooperation with the first cradle. The third tube section is operable to engage the second end of the first tube section, and the third tube section is operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the first tube section. The fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section and is operable to extend substantially perpendicularly from the third tube section. The fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section at or adjacent to a first end of the third tube section and a point adjacent to a first end of the fourth tube section. The clamp extends from the fourth tube section and is operable to secure the rollator to the carrier by engaging the relator and preventing the rollator from bouncing out of first cradle and the second cradle while the relator is being transported on the carrier. The clamp includes a spring, a hook, and a handle. The book has a first portion extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section and a second portion extending generally parallel to the fourth tube section toward the first end of the fourth tube section. The spring is connected to the hook and connected to the fourth tube section, and the spring biases the hook into the second end of the fourth tube section. The handle extends generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section in a direction generally opposite the first portion of the hook. The third tube section is rounded adjacent to a second end of the third tube section opposite the first end of the third tube section. The third tube section is operable to fit within or over a portion of the first tube section such that a longitudinal axis of the third tube section is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the first tube section. The first tube section has an alignment hole adjacent the first end of the first tube section. The third tube section has a first hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube sections substantially parallel to the second tube section. The third tube section has a second hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube sections substantially vertical and the carrier is in a substantially upright position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of a carrier for a rollator. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a carrier for a rollator mounted to a vehicle receiver hitch with an arm of the rollator in an up or vertical position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a carrier for a rollator mounted to a vehicle receiver hitch with an arm of the rollator in a down or horizontal position. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a carrier for a rollator mounted to a vehicle receiver hitch with a rollator supported and secured for transportation thereon. 
     
    
    
     Reference will now be made in detail to optional embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawing and in the description referring to the same or like parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. 
     To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a carrier  100  is operable to support and secure a rollator  102  for transportation. The carrier  100  includes a first tube section  104 , a second tube section  106 , a first cradle  108 , a second cradle  110 , a third tube section  112 , a fourth tube section  114 , and a clamp  116 . The first tube section  104  has a first end  120  and a second end  122  opposite the first end  120 . The second end  122  of the first tube section  104  is operable to engage a mount  130 . In one embodiment, the amount  130  is a receiver hitch of a vehicle. The first tube section has a longitudinal axis  124  extending along the first tube section  104  from the first end  120  to the second end  122 . In one embodiment, the first tube section  104  is formed from square metal tubing and has a hitch pin hole  126  adjacent the second end  122  of the first tube section  104 . The hinge pin hole  126  is operable to receive a hitch pin when mounting the carrier  100  to a mount  130  (e.g., receiver hitch). 
     The second tube section  106  is affixed (e.g., welded) to the first tube section  104 . The first tube section  104  is substantially centered with respect to the second tube section  106 , and the second tube section  106  has a first end  132  and a second end  134  opposite the first end  132 . The second tube section  106  is substantially horizontal when the carrier  100  is in an upright position (e.g., mounted in a vehicle&#39;s receiver hitch). The first cradle  108  is affixed to the second tube section  106  at the first end  132  of the second tube section  1064  at a point adjacent to the first end  132  of the second tube section  106 . The second cradle  110  is affixed to the second tube section  106  at the second end  134  of the second tube section  106  or at a point adjacent to the second end  134  of the second tube section  106 . The second cradle  110  is operable to support the rollator for transportation on the carrier  100  in cooperation with the first cradle  108 . In one embodiment, the first cradle  108  and the second cradle  110  each comprise a pair of protrusions extending generally upwardly from the second tube section  106  when the second tube section  106  is in an upright position for receiving the rollator  102 . In one embodiment, the second tube section  106  is split into two portions. A first portion is welded to the first tube section  104  on a first lateral side of the first tube section  104 , and a second portion of the second tube section  106  is welded to a second lateral side of the first tube section  104  opposite the first lateral side of the first tube section  104 . 
     The third tube section  112  is operable to engage the second end  120  of the first tube section  104 . The third tube section  112  is operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis  124  of the first tube section  104 . In one embodiment, the third tube section  112  is rounded adjacent a second end  142  of the third tube section  112  opposite the first end  138  of the third tube section  112 . The third tube section  112  is operable to fit within or over a portion of the first tube section  104  adjacent the first end  120  of the first tube section  104  such that the longitudinal axis  136  of the third tube section  112  substantially co-linear with the longitudinal axis  124  of the first tube section  104 . 
     In one embodiment, the first tube section  104  has an alignment hole  150  adjacent the first end  120  of the first tube section  104 . The third tube section  112  has a first hole  154  operable to align with the alignment hole  150  in the first tube section  104  when the fourth tube section  114  is substantially parallel to the second tube section  106 . An alignment pen  156  is operable to engage the alignment hole  150  and the first hole  154  of the third tube section  112  to maintain the fourth tube section  114  and a position substantially parallel to the second tube section  106 . The third tube section  112  also has a second hole  152  operable to align with the alignment hole  150  in the first tube section  104  when the fourth tube section  114  is substantially vertical and the carrier  100  is in a substantially upright position (e.g. managed to a vehicle&#39;s receiver hitch). The alignment pen  156  is further operable to engage the alignment hole  150  and the second hole  152  of the third tube section  112  to hold or maintain the fourth tube section  114  in the substantially vertical position. In one embodiment, the alignment hole  150  is in a top surface of the first tube section  104 , and the alignment pen  156  is tethered to the carrier  100  at, for example, the fourth tubing section  114 . In another embodiment, the alignment pen  156  is a spring-loaded pin, and the alignment hole  150  is on a lateral surface of the first tube section  104 . The lateral surface of the first tube section  104  is a vertical portion of the first tube section  104  when the carrier  100  is in an upright position. 
     The fourth tube section  114  is affixed to the third tube section  112  (e.g., welded) and extends substantially perpendicularly from the third tube section  112 . The fourth tube section  114  is affixed to the third tube section  112  at a first end  138  of the third tube section  112  or at a point adjacent to the first end  138  of the third tube section  112  at or at a point adjacent to a first end  140  of the fourth tube section  114 . 
     The clamp  116  extends from the fourth tube section  114 . The clamp  116  is operable to secure the rollator  102  to the carrier  100  by engaging the rollator  102  and preventing the rollator  102  from bouncing out of the first cradle  108  and the second cradle  110  while the rollator  102  is being transported on the carrier  100 . In one embodiment, the clamp  116  extends from a second end  160  of the fourth tube section  114  opposite the first end  140  of the fourth tube section  114 . The clamp  116  includes a spring  162 , a hook  164 , and a handle  166 . The spring  162  is connected to the clamp  116  and anchored to the fourth tube section  114  to bias the clamp  116  into the second end  160  of the fourth tube section  114 . The hook  164  has a first portion  170  extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section  114  and a second portion  172  extending generally parallel to the fourth tube section  114  toward the first end  140  of the fourth tube section  114 . A handle  166  extends generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section  114  in a direction generally opposite the first portion  170  of the hook  164 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the carrier  100  is shown mounted in a receiver hitch of a vehicle. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the carrier is shown with an arm of the carrier (i.e., the fourth tubing section  114  and parts attached thereto) in a down or horizontal position. The rollator  102  can then be placed in the first carrier  108  and second carrier  110  to support the rollator  102  on the carrier  100 . The arm is rotated into a vertical position and secured via the alignment hole  150  as described above. The handle  166  is then used to pull the clamp  116  out of the second end  160  of the fourth tubing section  114  and secure the hook  164  of the clamp  116  on to the rollator  102  holding the rollator  102  into the first cradle  108  and second cradle  110  for transportation as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the hook  164  of the clamp  116  may extend away from the second end  122  of the first tubing section  104 . In this embodiment, the user would position the rollator  102  in the first cradle  108  and second cradle  110 , push the rollator against the fourth tubing section  114  and hook  164 , and then use the handle  166  of the clamp  116  to secure the hook  164  onto the rollator  102 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 
     It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
     All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE CARRIER FOR A ROLLATOR it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.