Patent Publication Number: US-10765587-B2

Title: Walker attachment for wheelchairs

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. PROVISIONAL Application Ser. No. 62/467,307, filed Mar. 6, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention concerns a walker attachment for wheelchairs. More specifically it is a device that can be attached to any manually operated wheelchair, either for short-term or long-term use and once attached provides a walker function that can be used as needed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wheelchairs are mobility devices that are used primarily by two groups of individuals. One group includes long-term patients who are chronically weak or ill and the other are short-term patients who are in rehabilitation programs such as after a trauma or surgery. Many patients who are long-term wheelchair users still maintain the ability to walk short distances unsupervised. They however, require the use of a walker for such ambulation. Usually the distances they can walk before needing to sit and rest is often limited. Long-term care facilities lack the staffing to supervise such brief episodes of walker-assisted ambulation so most residents are relegated to spending almost all of their time in a wheelchair. This puts patients at higher risk for dependent edema, pressure ulcers, and thrombophlebitis (blood clots). 
     The other primary group of wheelchair users includes patients who are non-ambulatory for short periods such as when recovering from trauma or a major surgery such as hip or knee replacement. Many of these patients also need a wheelchair intermittently, in between walker use. 
     Traditionally, in order for a wheelchair user to transition to use of a walker, a separate walker device is needed. This normally requires participation of a second assistant other than the wheelchair user, such as a nurse, physical therapist, family member, or other medical assistant. 
     Accordingly, a need has been identified for a device that would allow the wheelchair user to transition to a walker that may not require assistance from a third person. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the invention generally relates to a walker for use by a user, the walker adapted for connection to a wheelchair including a frame. The walker comprises a first vertical rod and a second vertical rod adapted to assist in supporting the user when the walker is in a walking position. In addition, the walker includes a gate rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the first vertical rod, said gate being removably connectable to the second vertical rod, wherein the gate is connected to the second vertical rod in the walking position and is disconnected from the second vertical rod in a stored position. At least two wheelchair attachment supports are adapted for removable connection to the frame of the wheelchair when the walker is in the walking position. 
     In one aspect, the wheelchair attachment supports comprise an outer support tube and an inner support tube adapted to telescopically slide with respect to the outer support tube between an extended condition and a retracted condition. The supports may further include a stop adapted to selectively limit a distance that the inner support tube may telescope with respect to the outer support tube. The extended condition of the wheelchair attachment supports may correspond to the walking position of the walker, and the retracted condition of the wheelchair attachment supports may correspond to the stored position of the walker. 
     The walker may further include at least one clamp assembly associated with each of the wheelchair attachment supports, said clamp assembly adapted for removable connection of the each of the wheelchair attachment supports and the frame of the wheelchair when the walker is in the walking position. The at least one clamp assembly comprises a clamp body including a recess defined by a base connecting two sides, and the clamp assembly further comprises a sliding head adapted to slide within the recess to capture and hold one of the wheelchair attachment supports and the frame of the wheelchair within the clamp body. 
     The first vertical rod and the second vertical rod each may include a wheel at a bottom and a handle at the top, said handle adapted for gripping by the user when the walker is in the walking position. 
     A retainer may be provided to attach the gate to one of the wheelchair attachment supports when the walker is in the stored position. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a walker is provided for use by the user, said walker adapted for connection to a wheelchair including a frame, the walker comprising two vertical rods adapted to assist in supporting the user when the walker is in a walking position. The walker may include a gate rotatably connected to a first of the two vertical rods and removably connectable to a second of the two vertical rods, wherein the gate is connected to the second of the two vertical rod in the walking position and is disconnected from the second of the two vertical rods in a stored position. At least two wheelchair attachment supports may be provided, each of said supports extending from a corresponding one of the two vertical rods, wherein each of the supports includes at least one clamp assembly adapted to removably connect each of the supports to the frame of the wheelchair when the walker is in the walking position. 
     The walker may further include two braces, each of said two braces connecting one of the at least two wheelchair attachment supports to a corresponding one of the two vertical rods. 
     The two vertical rods may be adapted to be the only portions of the walker contacting a floor beneath the walker when the walker is in the walking position. Each of the two vertical rods may comprise a wheel, and the wheel may be adapted to contact the floor when the walker is in the walking position. 
     In one aspect, the at least one clamp assembly comprises a clamp body including a recess defined by a base connecting two sides, and the clamp assembly further comprises a sliding head adapted to slide within the recess to capture and hold one of the wheelchair attachment supports and the frame of the wheelchair within the clamp body. The clamp assembly may further include a screw adapted to move the sliding head within the recess. The clamp body may include an aperture through said clamp body for receiving the screw, said aperture including a longitudinal axis forming an angle greater than zero degrees with the base of the clamp body. 
     In another aspect of a walker for use by a user and adapted for connection to a wheelchair including a frame, a first vertical rod and a second vertical rod may be adapted to assist in supporting the user when the walker is in a walking position. The walker may further comprise a gate rotatably connected to the first vertical rod and removably connectable to the second vertical rod, wherein the gate is connected to the second vertical rod in the walking position and is disconnected from the second vertical rod in a stored position. At least two telescoping wheelchair attachment supports may be provided, each of said supports extending posteriorly from one of the first vertical rod or the second vertical rod and adapted for removable connection to the frame of the wheelchair, wherein the telescoping wheelchair attachment supports are in an extended condition when the walker is in the walking position and are in a retracted condition when the walker is in the stored position. 
     Each of the at least two telescoping wheelchair attachment supports may include an outer tube and an inner tube adapted to move longitudinally with respect to each other. The walker may further include at least one bearing between the outer tube and the inner tube. At least one stop may be provided in association with the telescoping wheelchair attachment supports, said stop adapted to limit relative movement of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube. In the walking position, the supports are attached to the frame of the wheelchair and are telescopically extended to the at least one stop. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a walker of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the legs of the walker of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the walker of  FIG. 1  attached to a wheelchair; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the supports of the walker of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate a clamp assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the walker of  FIG. 1  in the walking position; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a latch of the gate of the walker of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the expandable section of the gate of the walker of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a retainer for locking the gate of the walker of  FIG. 1  in a stored position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The description provided below and in regard to the figures applies to all embodiments unless noted otherwise, and features common to each embodiment are similarly shown and numbered. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a walker  10  is disclosed for use with a wheelchair W. The walker  10  may include a plurality of legs such as vertical rods  12 , which may be connected by a horizontal support such as gate  14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vertical rods  12  may comprise a first vertical rod  12   a  and a second vertical rod  12   b . The first and second vertical rods  12   a ,  12   b  may be left and right vertical rods. The plurality of legs may be in the form of only the first and second vertical rods  12   a ,  12   b , with no further legs or other vertical supports supporting the weight of the walker. Each vertical rod  12   a ,  12   b  may include a wheel  13  at a lower end of the vertical rod for assisting the user in moving the walker, such as in the form of a swivel caster. The vertical rods  12   a ,  12   b  may further include a handle  25  at an upper end of the vertical rods for a user to grip when using the walker  10  for assistance with walking. 
     As is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the vertical rods  12  may be telescoping in nature. For example, the vertical rods  12  may comprise an outer telescoping tube  26 , which may slidably fit over an inner telescoping tube  28 . As shown, the outer telescoping tube  26  of the left vertical rod  12  is shown as transparent so that the inner telescoping tube  28  may be seen. One or more bearings  30  may be provided for assisting the inner and outer telescoping tubes in expanding and contracting the length of the vertical rods  12 . As illustrated, the bearings  30  may comprise sleeve bearings that may be press fit into the outer telescoping tube  26 . One or more locking mechanisms may be provided for locking the relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer telescoping tubes  26 ,  28 , such as detents (e.g. detent plungers) and matching apertures. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the gate  14  may be adapted to removeably, laterally attach the vertical rods  12   a ,  12   b  to one another when the walker  10  is in use. The use of the gate  14  provides stability to the walker and prevents relative movement between the vertical rods  12   a ,  12   b . In one aspect, the gate  14  may be pivotally connected to a first vertical rod  12   a , such as by one or more hinges  16 . These hinges  16  may allow the gate  14  to pivot for connection with the second vertical rod  12   b  when the walker  10  is in use, and pivot away from the second vertical rod  12   b  when the walker  10  is not in use. In one aspect, these hinges may allow for at least 270 degrees of rotation of the gate about the hinge. 
     One or more gate latches  18  may be provided for removably fixing the gate  14  to the second vertical rod  12   b  when the walker is in use. The latches may allow for a user to attach the rotating gate  14  to the second vertical rod  12   b  when the walker is in use, and release the rotating gate  14  from the second vertical rod  12   b  when the walker is not in use, such as for storage. As will be described in further detail with respect to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , one or more stops  24  may be provided for contacting the second vertical rod  12   b  and preventing further rotation of the gate  14 . 
     The walker  10  may further include a plurality of wheelchair attachment supports  20  for connecting the vertical rods  12  to the wheelchair W. These supports  20  may extend from the vertical rods  12 , such as in a generally horizontal direction, and may comprise beams, poles, or pipes. One or more braces  21  may be provided for connecting the supports  20  to the vertical rods  12 , such as for bracing the supports  20  and maintaining a relative position between the supports  20  and the vertical rods  12 . One or more clamp assemblies  22  may be provided for attaching the supports  20  to the wheelchair W, thereby providing a vertical support for the walker  10  rearward of the vertical rods  12 . In one aspect, a plurality of clamp assemblies  22  may be adapted for use with each support  20 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5A , the clamp assemblies  22  may be adapted to removably connect the supports  20  to a frame F of the wheelchair W. The term “removably connect” means that a first element, such as the clamp assembly  22 , is adapted to connect to a second element, such as the frame F of the wheelchair W, and be removed therefrom without the assistance of tools. As will be discussed in further detail below, the clamp assemblies  22  may be adapted for easy connection and removal from the frame F by the user without the assistance of any third party. In use, the walker  10  may remain attached to the wheelchair W by way of the clamp assemblies  22  when the walker is in the walking position as described herein, thereby affording the user the ability to sit down in the wheelchair whenever the user tires from using the walker. This may reduce the risk of the user falling from fatigue, such as may result by use of a traditional walker that is separate from a wheelchair. 
     The clamp assemblies  22  may be adapted for attachment and removal from frame F of the wheelchair W in a manner that allows the supports  20  to be connected to the frame F at different positions with respect to the wheelchair. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the clamp assemblies  22  may attach the supports  20  to the frame F of the wheelchair W at a first forward position, and at a second, rearward position. This allows the user to locate the walker  10  at fixed relative positions with respect to the wheelchair W. Such manipulation of the relative position of the walker  10  with respect to the wheelchair W by way of the removable connection via the clamp assemblies  22  allows for users of different body sizes to use the walker  10  for assistance with walking (e.g. users with different arm lengths or different body proportions). Additionally, the manipulation of the relative position of the walker  10  with respect to the wheelchair W by way of the removable connection via the clamp assemblies  22  allows for a user to manipulate the walker from a walking position to a stored position. Furthermore, this manipulation of position of the walker  10  by way of the clamp assemblies  22  allows for the walker  10  to be used with wheelchairs W of different sizes. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the wheelchair attachment supports  20  are illustrated in further detail. In one aspect, the supports  20  may be telescoping in nature, thereby further assisting the user in adjusting the configuration of the walker  10  as needed. The supports  20  may include an outer tube  32  and an inner tube  34  that are adapted to slide longitudinally with respect to one another. One or more bearings  30 , such as sleeve bearings, may be provided for assisting in the telescoping of the outer and inner tubes  32 ,  34 . These sleeve bearings may be press fit into the outer tube  32 , or may be press fit onto the inner tube  34 . 
     One or more stops  36  may be provided for limiting the relative longitudinal positions of the outer and/or inner telescoping tubes  32 ,  34 . As illustrated, the stop  36  may comprise a radially extending element attached to the inner tube  34  which may prevent further longitudinal movement of the outer tube  32  beyond said stop. In one aspect, the stop  36  may comprise one or more detents (such as detent plungers) associated with the inner tube, which are adapted to mate with one or more apertures associated with the outer tube. The stop  36  may be positioned at a medically relevant position, such as at a distance large enough to allow the user to stand from the wheelchair W and use the walker  10  with sufficient room between the walker  10  and the wheelchair W for the user&#39;s legs to be used to ambulate. In one example, the stop  36  may be positioned approximately 15 inches along the inner tube  34  from the vertical rod  12 . The stop  36  may be positioned so as to allow the walker  10 , once attached to the frame F of the wheelchair W, to be extended by the user by way of the telescoping nature of supports  20  from the stored position to the walking position. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C , the details of the clamp assembly  22  are further indicated. The clamp assembly  22  may include a clamp body  40 , which may include a base  54  located between first and second sides  58   a ,  58   b . The sides  58   a ,  58   b  may be arcuate in cross-section so as to coordinate with a rounded frame element F associated with an arm A of the wheelchair W and/or with a rounded support  20  of the walker  10 . The curved nature of the sides  58   a ,  58   b  may cushion and/or prevent movement of the walker  10  with respect to the frame F when the clamp assembly  22  is in use. The base  54  and sides  58   a ,  58   b  may define a recess  56  therebetween. As can be seen in  FIG. 5A , the clamp assembly  22  may be adapted to hold both a portion of the frame F of the wheelchair W and the support  20  of the walker  10  within the recess  56  of the clamp assembly  22 . 
     The clamp assembly  22  may further include a sliding head  42 . The sliding head  42  may be adapted for movement within the recess  56  of the body  40  and be adapted to apply a pressure to a body within the clamp assembly  22 , thereby fixing the clamp assembly in place. The sliding head  42  may also be arcuate in cross-section so as to coordinate with a rounded frame element F or a rounded support  20  of the walker  10 . With further reference to  FIG. 5A , upon placement of both a portion of the frame F of the wheelchair W and the support  20  of the walker  10  within the recess  56 , the sliding head  42  may be actuated from the second side  58   b  toward the first side  58   a  of the body  40 , thereby applying pressure to both the support  20  and the frame F of the wheelchair W, and fixing the walker  10  to the wheelchair W. 
     The clamp assembly  22  may include a screw  44  adapted to move the sliding head  42  back and forth within the body  40  of the clamp assembly  22 . The screw  44  may pass through an aperture  50  in the body  40 . The aperture  50  may be threaded to receive the screw, or a helical insert  48  may be provided within the aperture  50  for receiving the screw  44 . A locking nut  46  may be provided for limiting the distance that the screw  44  may travel, thereby limiting the range of motion of the sliding head  42  within the recess  56 . In one aspect, the aperture  50  may be oriented with a longitudinal axis  52  which is offset at an angle from the base  54  of the body  40 . This offset angle may cause the screw  44  to apply a force to the sliding head  42  that has both a horizontal factor across the recess  56  from one side  58   b  to the other side  58   a , as well as a vertical factor from a top of the recess  56  toward the base  54  of the body  40 . This directional force applied to the sliding head  42  by way of the angled orientation of the aperture  50  biases the support  20  and the frame F of the wheelchair downward and into the first side  58   a  of the clamp body  40 , thereby better securing the walker  10  and wheelchair W to one another. Overall, the screw-based attachment and disengagement of the clamp assembly  22  allows the user to easily attach, disengage, and reposition the walker  10  with respect to the wheelchair W. this is at least because the attachment location of the walker  10  to the wheelchair W is along the armrest A of the wheelchair W, which is easily accessible to the user. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , the gate  14  may be seen from the front of the walker. The gate  14  may include one or more cross beams  60 . The cross beams  60  may span from the first vertical rod  12   a , connected at the hinge  16 , to the stop  24 , said stop  24  adapted to contact the second vertical rod  12   b  when the gate  14  is in the closed configuration. This closed configuration may be achieved by joining the gate  14  with the second vertical rod  12   b  by way of the latch  18 . In the embodiment in which a plurality of cross beams are present, as is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , one or more connecting beams  62  may be provided. These connecting beams  62  connect the cross beams  60  and provide support and stability to the gate. As illustrated, the cross beams  60  are substantially horizontal and the connecting beams  62  are substantially vertical. 
     The latch  18 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , may be used to attach the pivotable gate  14  to the second vertical rod  12   b .  FIG. 7A  illustrates the latch  18  in the closed configuration, while  FIG. 7B  illustrates the latch  18  in the open configuration. The latch may include a lever arm  70  attached to the second vertical rod  12  by, such as by anchor  74 . The lever arm  70  may be adapted to rotate with respect to the anchor  74 , such as via a spring pin  76 . The spring pin  76  may bias the lever arm  70  in a given direction, such as downward. The gate  14  may include a catch  72  for engaging the lever arm  70  when the latch  18  is in the closed configuration. The catch  72  may be located on a cross beam  60  of the gate  14 . In practice, the catch  72  may be received by the lever arm  70 , such as within recess  78 . As illustrated, the catch  72  may be arcuate in shape along a top of the catch in order to facilitate the receipt of the catch  72  by the recess  78 . In order to further secure the latch  18  in the closed configuration, the lever arm  70  may include a lip  80  that may be received by a notch  82  associated with the catch  72 . 
     In use, the user may swing the gate  14  from the stored position to the walking position in which the gate  14  is attached to the second vertical rod  12   b . As the gate  14  approaches the second vertical rod  12   b , the user may raise the lever arm  70  and cause the stop  24  to contact the second vertical rod  12   b . The lever arm  70  may then be rotated down over the catch  72  in order to secure gate  14  in connection with the second vertical rod  12   b . The lip  80  may engage the notch  82  as the catch  72  is received within the recess  78  of the lever arm  70 , thereby locking the walker  10  in the walking configuration. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 8 , the gate  14  is illustrated with an extendible section  90 . The extendible section may be adapted to allow a width of the gate to be expanded from a first width to a second width. This ability to expand the width of the gate  14  allows the walker  10  to be utilized with different wheelchairs W of different widths. 
     As illustrated, the extendible section  90  may comprise an outer tube  92 , which may be positioned over the cross beam  60 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the cross beam  60  may comprise a first cross beam section  60   a  that aligns with but is separated from a second cross beam section  60   b . The lower of the two outer tubes  92  of  FIG. 8  is shown as transparent so that the first cross beam section  60   a  and the second cross beam section  60   b  may be seen. The outer tube  92  may receive at least a portion of the first cross beam section  60   a  and the second cross beam section  60   b , and may allow relative longitudinal movement of at least one of the first cross beam section  60   a  and the second cross beam section  60   b  within the outer tube  92 . One or more bearings  30  may be provided for facilitating relative longitudinal movement between the outer tube  92  and at least one of the first and second cross beam sections  60   a ,  60   b.    
     One or more stops may be provided for preventing and allowing relative movement between the outer tube  92  and at least one of the first and second cross beam sections  60   a ,  60   b . For example, one or more detents (such as detent plungers) may be associated with the first and/or the second cross beam sections  60   a ,  60   b , which may be adapted to coordinate with one or more apertures on the outer tube  92 . Actuation of the detent may allow for the outer tube  92  to slide with respect to one or more of the first and second cross beam sections  60   a ,  60   b , such as for a fixed distance, until the detent moves from a first aperture in the outer tube  92  to a second aperture in the outer tube. This movement of the outer tube  92  with respect to at least one of the first and second cross beam sections  60   a ,  60   b  allows for expansion and contraction of the width of the gate  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a retainer  100  may be provided for retaining the gate  14  in the stored position. When the latch  18  is released and the gate  14  is disconnected from the second vertical rod  12   b . The gate  14  may be adapted to rotate about the first vertical rod  12   a  by way of hinges  16  into the stored position. For example, the gate  14  may be rotated approximately 270 degrees from the walking configuration until the cross beams  60  of the gate  14  are substantially parallel with the support  20  extending from the first vertical rod  12   a . The retainer  100  may be used to lock the gate  14  in this position. Once the gate has been rotated into the stored position, the wheelchair W may be used as a wheelchair with the user seated therein without interference from the walker  10 , but while the walker  10  remains attached to the wheelchair. When the user wishes to use the walker  10  again, the gate  14  may be released from the retainer  100  and rotated about hinges  16  until it may be reattached to the second vertical rod  12   b  again. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 9 , one embodiment of the retainer  100  will be described in further detail. As shown, the retainer  100  includes a base  102  from which one or more first extensions  104  and one or more second extensions  106  extend. The first extensions  104  may be adapted to attach the retainer to the support  20  attached to the first vertical rod  12   a . The second extensions  106  may be adapted to attach the gate  14  to the retainer  100  when the walker is in the stored position. As illustrated, the first extensions  104  comprise laterally spaced, oppositely facing arc-shaped members. These oppositely facing arc-shaped members are adapted to retain the support  20  therebetween. Similarly, the second extensions  106  comprise laterally spaced, oppositely facing arc-shaped members, which are adapted to retain a cross beam  60  of the gate  14  therebetween. In one aspect, the retainer  100  may be made of a flexible material, such that the extensions  104 ,  106  are adapted to bend to allow the support  20  and the cross beam  60 , respectively, to be placed between said extensions. For example, the retainer may be made at least partially of rubber or plastic. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be understood that numerous variations, modifications and additional embodiments are possible, and all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the drawings, while illustrating the inventive concepts, are not to scale, and should not be limited to any particular sizes or dimensions. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.