Abstract:
A convertible chair and walker assembly for providing additional support for persons with limited mobility. The convertible chair and walker assembly includes a frame assembly, a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame assembly adapted for facilitating the movement of the frame assembly and a seat assembly pivotally coupled to the frame assembly which is adapted to being selectively positioned with respect to the frame assembly in multiple positions including an adult seat position, a child seat position, a walking position, and a tray position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to configuring frame and more particularly pertains to a new convertible chair and walker assembly for providing additional support for persons with limited mobility. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of configuring frame is known in the prior art. More specifically, configuring frame heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,234; U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,967; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 365,785; U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,345; U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,211; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,517. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new convertible chair and walker assembly. The inventive device includes a frame assembly, a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame assembly adapted for facilitating the movement of the frame assembly and a seat assembly pivotally coupled to the frame assembly which is adapted to being selectively positioned with respect to the frame assembly in multiple positions including an adult seat position, a child seat position, a walking position, and a tray position. 
     In these respects, the convertible chair and walker assembly according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing additional support for persons with limited mobility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of configuring frame now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new convertible chair and walker assembly construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing additional support for persons with limited mobility. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the configuring frame mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new convertible chair and walker assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art configuring frame, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a frame assembly, a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame assembly adapted for facilitating the movement of the frame assembly and a seat assembly pivotally coupled to the frame assembly which is adapted to being selectively positioned with respect to the frame assembly in multiple positions including an adult seat position, a child seat position, a walking position, and a tray position. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the configuring frame mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new convertible chair and walker assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art configuring frame, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such convertible chair and walker assembly economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly for providing additional support for persons with limited mobility. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly which includes a frame assembly, a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame assembly adapted for facilitating the movement of the frame assembly and a seat assembly pivotally coupled to the frame assembly which is adapted to being selectively positioned with respect to the frame assembly in multiple positions including an adult seat position, a child seat position, a walking position, and a tray position. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly that is of medium weight and provides substantial support for the user while being capable of folding for transport or storage. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new convertible chair and walker assembly that accommodates a variety of everyday needs including shopping and transporting small children. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new convertible chair and walker assembly according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective rear view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention in the tray position. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention in the walking position. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective rear view of the present invention taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a detail view of the tray portion and baskets of and alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of and alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a detail view of an alternate the present invention in the folded condition. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new convertible chair and walker assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the convertible chair and walker assembly  10  generally comprises a frame assembly  40 , a plurality of wheels  50 , a seat assembly  20 , a first basket  54 , a second basket  58 , a foot rest assembly  60 , a hand brake assembly  70 , a first plurality of hooks  52  and a second plurality of hooks  56 . 
     The seat assembly  20  comprises a seat portion  22 , a back portion  24 , a tray portion  26 , a support member  28 , an extension portion  30 , a tray locking member  32 , a pair of straps  34 , and a pair of fixed handles  36 . The tray portion  26 , the seat portion  22 , and the back portion  24  each have a length dimension such that the length of the seat portion  22  is substantially two-thirds of the length of the tray portion  26  and the length of the back portion  24  is substantially two-thirds the length of the seat portion  22 . The seat portion  22  is coupled to the tray portion  26  such that the bottom surface of the seat portion  22  and the bottom portion of the tray portion  26  are substantially parallel and adjacent. The seat portion  22  is positioned relative to the tray portion  26  in such a manner that the front edge of the seat portion  22  and the leading edge of the tray portion  26  are aligned as to be substantially flush. The back portion  24  is positioned in such a manner that the bottom edge of the back portion  24  and the back edge of the seat portion  22  are substantially adjacent. This positioning of the back portion  24  relative to the tray portion  26  allows approximately one-third of the bottom surface of the tray portion  26  to remain unobstructed. The seat portion  22  and the back portion  24  are substantially perpendicular. 
     The support member  28  has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the side of the tray portion  26  adjacent to the leading edge of the tray portion  26 . The second end of the support member  28  is coupled to the side of the back portion  24  adjacent to the top edge of the back portion  24 . The seat portion  22 , back portion  24 , and support member  28  are in a triangular relationship when viewed from the side. 
     The seat assembly  20  is pivotally coupled to the frame assembly  40 . The seat assembly  20  may be pivoted into four stationary positions with respect to the frame assembly  40 : an adult seat position, a child seat position, a walking position, and a tray position. 
     The support member  28  has a protrusion  29  used to engage a locking slot  31  on an extension member  30 . When the seat assembly  20  is pivoted into position such that both the seat portion  22  and the back portion  24  are substantially upward from a supporting surface such as the ground, the convertible chair walker assembly  10  is in the child seat position. With the seat assembly  20  positioned in the child seat position, the extension portion  30  can be positioned such that the protrusion  29  on the support member  28  aligns with and extends through the locking slot  31  of the extension portion  30 . This maintains the position of the seat assembly  20  with respect to the frame assembly  40 . 
     The support member  28  has a support stop  27 . The support stop  27  rests against the frame assembly  40  when the seat assembly  20  has been pivoted such that the top surface of the tray portion  26  is substantially parallel to a supporting surface such as the ground, and is facing substantially upward from the supporting surface. When the seat assembly  20  is positioned such that the top surface of the tray portion  26  is facing upwardly from a supporting surface, the convertible chair and walker assembly  10  is in the tray position. 
     The tray portion  26  has a tray locking member  32 . When the seat assembly  20  is pivoted with respect to the frame assembly  40  such that the tray portion  26  is substantially perpendicular and the seat portion  22  is facing the forward direction with respect to the convertible chair and walker assembly  10 , the assembly  20  is in the walking position. The tray locking member  32  comprises a pin. The pin aligns with an aperture  42  in the frame assembly  40  when the seat assembly  20  is pivoted into the walking position relative to the frame assembly  40 . The tray locking member  40  is for selectively engaging the seat assembly  20  to the frame assembly  20  such that the position of the seat assembly  20  to the frame assembly  40  is fixed. 
     The tray portion  26  has a tray support stop  25 . When the seat assembly  20  is pivoted with respect to the frame assembly  40  such that the tray portion  26  is substantially parallel to the supporting surface and the top surface of the tray portion  26  is facing downward with respect to the supporting surface, the convertible chair and walker assembly  10  is in the adult seat position. The adult seat position is defined by the seat  22  facing upwards thus the seat  22  is designed for supporting a person sitting in the seat  22 . The tray support stop  25  of the tray portion  26  rests against the frame assembly  40  such that the seat assembly  20  is in a stationary position with respect to the frame assembly  40 . 
     The plurality of wheels  50  is coupled to the frame assembly  40  thus the plurality of wheels  50  is designed for facilitating moving of the frame assembly  40  on a supporting surface. 
     The first plurality of hooks  52  coupled to an outer face of a back portion  24  of the seat assembly  20 . The first basket  54  can be coupled to the first plurality of hooks  52  when the seat assembly  20  is in the adult seat position. 
     The foot rest assembly  60  is slidably engageable to the frame assembly  40  such that the foot rest assembly  60  is designed for supporting feet of a user seated on the seat  22  when the seat assembly  20  is in the adult seat or upright position. 
     The frame assembly  40  includes a pair of lower side members  44 . 
     The foot rest assembly  60  includes a pair of connection arms  62 . Each of the connection arms  62  is slidably insertable into an associated one of the lower side members  44 . 
     The seat assembly  20  includes a pair of straps  34 . The straps  34  are engageable to each other such that the straps  34  are designed for selectively securing a user to the seat  20 . 
     A distal end of each of the straps  34  includes an associated portion of hook and loop fastener. The portions of hook and loop fastener are complimentary to each other thus the distal ends are selectively engageable to each other. 
     The frame assembly  40  includes a pair of telescopic handles  46  for facilitating moving of the frame assembly  40  on the supporting surface. 
     The hand brake assembly  70  includes a brake handle  72  coupled to one of the telescopic handles  46 . The hand brake assembly  70  includes a brake member  74  coupled to the frame assembly  40  for engaging one of the wheels  50  when the brake handle  72  is actuated by a user thus the one of the wheels  50  is prevented from rotating. 
     The pair of fixed handles  36  are coupled to the seat  22  proximate a distal edge of the seat  22 . Each of the fixed handles  36  is positioned on an associated side of the seat  22  such that each the fixed handle  36  is designed for grasping by a respective hand of a user during getting into and out of the seat assembly  20 . 
     The frame assembly  40  is selectively collapsible for facilitating storage of the convertible chair and walker assembly  10  during periods of non-use. The frame assembly  40  includes at least one transport release  48 . The transport release  48  includes a transport release knob  49 . The transport release  48  selectively maintains the positioning of the frame assembly members with respect to one another. The transport release  48  allows the frame assembly members to selectively slide with respect to each other facilitating the folding of the convertible chair and walker assembly  10  when not in use. 
     The tray locking member  32  is extendably coupled to the bottom surface of the seat  22 . The tray locking member  32  is extendable to engage an aperture  42  in the frame assembly  40  for holding the bottom surface in a generally vertical position. 
     The second plurality of hooks  56  is coupled to the surface of the tray portion  26 . The second basket  58  is engageable to the second plurality of hooks  56  for holding the second basket  58  when the surface of the tray portion  26  is in the generally vertical position. 
     In use, the user pivots the seat assembly to the desired position. If the user desires the child seat position the user then positions the extension portion such that the protrusion on the back portion aligns with and extends through the locking slot on the extension portion, thus locking the seat assembly into position with respect to the frame assembly. If the user desires the walking position then the user positions the tray locking member such that it extends through the aperture in the frame assembly thus locking the seat assembly into position with respect to the frame assembly. If the user desires either the adult seat (upright) position or the tray position, the user simple pivots the seat assembly until the appropriate stop engages the frame assembly, thus holding the seat assembly in a static position with respect to the frame assembly. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.