Patent Publication Number: US-4729395-A

Title: Walking aid

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 696,868, filed Jan. 30, 1985 and abandoned in favor hereof, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 374,304, filed May 3, 1982 and abandoned in favor thereof. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a structure for supporting a handicapped person when standing and walking. 
     Structures of this type, commonly referred to as walking frames, are used by disabled or handicapped persons as an aid to walking, for raising themselves from a sitting position, or for climbing stairs. Known walking frames generally comprise a metal tubular framework having three or four legs and two support handles. The framework is usually rigid to provide a firm support and to stabilise the user when he applies his weight. However, such walking frames are often made of a relatively heavy material such as steel tubing, and being rigid, they are bulky and therefore awkward to store and awkward to manoeuvre in confined spaces. These disadvantages arise particularly if the user wishes to transport the frame by bus or in a car. 
     Folding walking frames are known, but the extent to which they can be collapsed is limited so that they are still relatively awkward and bulky to handle. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a collapsible support structure which is relatively compact when collapsed and also relatively light in weight. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of this invention a support frame for aiding a disabled person comprises a plurality of hinged elongate members arranged to form a three dimensional structure when in an operative state, which structure can be collapsed to a less bulky collapsed state in which at least two of the dimensions are substantially less than they are in the operative state by hinging the members relative to each other. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention the structure is based on a pair of support members hinged approximately at their mid-points to form an `X` when the frame is in its operative state. Handles are attached or linked to the upper ends of the `X` so that when they are brought together the two support members pivot relative to each other in a scissor action so that the overall width of the structure reduces until the two members are generally parallel to each other. This latter configuration defines the collapsed state. 
     The members forming the `X` constitute the front part of the frame and support a pair of front feet at their lower ends. The rear part of the frame is formed by a second pair of support members which are dependent from the upper portions of the members forming the `X` and support a pair of rear feet. Front-to-rear bracing members connect the lower portions of the members and are arranged to draw the second pair of members towards the members forming the `X` as the handles are brought together. This results in a collapsed structure in which all the major elongate component members are parallel to each other, forming a relatively compact unit of a width and depth both much less than its length. In the collapsed condition it is relatively easily handled and relatively easily stowed, for example, on board a vehicle. It is also possible to use the collapsed frame as a walking stick, and as such is particularly useful when climbing stairs or passing through small gaps. 
     The frame may be provided with wheels or rollers to aid manoevrability, and, in conjunction with these, automatic brakes. It may also incorporate a seat. A shopping basket could be attached to the frame. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Two embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first walking frame in the operative state; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 in the collapsed state; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one of the joints of the first frame; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the invention, shown in its operative state; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 4 in its collapsed state; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of one of the feet of the embodiment of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a hinged joint of the embodiment of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment in accordance with the invention, shown in its operative state; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the alternative foot of the embodiment of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 10 is a sectioned front view of a hinged joint of the embodiment of FIG. 8. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a first walking frame in accordance with the invention is a three-dimensional structure comprising a pair of generally upright members 1 and 2 pivotally connected at a central pivot 3 to form an `X``. The top ends of the members 1 and 2 have handles 4 and 5, and the lower ends are protected by rubber feet 6 and 7. The handles may be vertically adjustable on the members 1 and 2. The feet 6 and 7 are the front feet of the structure; rear feet 8 and 9 are provided at the rear ends of a pair of generally horizontal members 10 and 11 which are attached to the lower portions of the upright members 1 and 2 by hinged connections 12 and 13. Support members 14 and 15 connect the top portions of the upright members 1 and 2 to the rear portions of the horizontal members 10 and 11. Two centrally hinged bracing members 16 and 17 hold the members 1 and 2 in their operative `X` configuration. 
     Hinged connections are provided at the ends of the bracing members 16 and 17, preferably by moulded nylon blocks 18 to 21 fixed on the upright members 1 and 2. The upper pair of blocks 18 and 19 also incorporate ball and socket hinged joints (described below) for connecting to the upper ends of the support members 14 and 15, and the lower pair of blocks 20 and 21 incorporate and hinge connections 12 and 13. Connection of the support members 14 and 15 to the horizontal members 10 and 11 is made by means of hinged joints mounted on respective nylon sleeves 22 and 23 which are slidable on the members 10 and 11. 
     The structural members and struts are preferably manufactured from aluminium alloy tubing for lightness. 
     The central hinged joint 24 of the bracing member 16 is automatically locked by lock 44 when the frame is in its operative state. A resilient tongue 45 attached to one half of the number 16 by a ring has a latch member which engages a notch 46 (see FIG. 2) in the underside of the other half of the member 16 when the hinged joint reaches the position shown in FIG. 1. The lock is released by pushing down on the end of the tongue 45. 
     Folding of the frame to the fully collapsed state as shown in FIG. 2 is accomplished by releasing the lock 44 on the strut 16, lifting the central hinge 25 on the strut 17, and pulling the handles 4 and 5 together. The front, upright members 1 and 2 execute a scissor action, and the horizontal members 10 and 11 hinge upwardly about their front hinges 12 and 13. The sleeves 22 and 23 move forwardly along the horizontally members, so that in the fully collapsed state all the structural members lie generally parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 2. In this state the structure is relatively compact and therefore easily transported. 
     The ball and socket joint included in the connection block 19 is shown more clearly in FIG. 3. The block 19 has a main bore 26 for housing the upright member 1 and a pair of tongues 27 and 28, which extend rearwardly of the member 1 when mounted. A nylon insert 29 fits between the two tongues and is held in position by means of a bolt or dowel (not shown) housed in the holes 30 to 32 in the tongues and insert. The insert 29 has a recess 33 for housing a ball member 34 mounted on the upper end of the support member 15, so that when the insert is fitted between the tongues 27 and 28 it is trapped in the recess. 
     In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the support members 114 and 115 extend beyond the upper hinged joints 118 and 119 to form handles 104 and 105, the scissor members 101 and 102 terminating at the upper hinged joints. The lower ends of the rear support members 114 and 115 now form rear feet 108 and 109, and are located relative to the scissor members 101 and 102 by inclined front to back bracing struts 110 and 111. Each of these bracing struts has a forward hinged joint 112 or 113 which is pivotally mounted on a respective scissor member 101 or 102, and a rearward hinged joint 137 or 138. The forward hinged joint 112 is shown in more detail in FIG. 6, from which it will be seen that the strut 110 terminates in a tongue 150 located by a pin 151 between the arms of a U-shaped member 152 mounted on the scissor member 101. The geometry of the frame of this embodiment dictates that the member 152 shall be pivotable about an axis 153 to allow the frame to collapse without strain on the joints. 
     Connection of the scissor members 101 and 102 to the upright support members 114 and 115 is such that each scissor member can rotate about two axes of rotation relative to the respective support member. Referring to FIG. 7 which is an exploded perspective view of the joint 118, a U-shaped member 154 is pivotally mounted on a pin 155 projecting from the end of the cylindrical stub 156 fixed to the support member 114. The U-shaped member 154 is held in position by a washer 157 and a U-shaped spring clip 158 dimensioned to slide between the arms of the U-shaped member 154 to engage a groove 159 on the pin 155. The upper end of the scissor member 101 fits between the arms of the U-shaped member 154. Referring back to FIG. 4, the top portions of the scissor members 101 and 102 and rear support members 114 and 115 are held apart in the operative position by a centrally hinged transverse bracing member 116, the central hinge 124 being lockable by a sleeve member 160 when slid along the member 116 to cover the hinge 124. Referring to FIG. 7, each end of the bracing member 116 has an integral bush 161 which can rotate and slide on the stud 156. A coil spring 162 seated inside the bush 161 and acting against the base of the U-shaped member 154, urges the bush towards a transverse pin 163 which projects on opposite sides of the stub 156 when fitted therein. Notches 164 in the rearwardly facing edge of the bush 161 allow the bush to move rearwardly when the bracing member 116 reaches the position relative to the support member corresponding to the operative state of the frame. Thus the notches 164 engage the pin 163 to locate bracing member in the operative position. The engagement is released by pushing the member 116 forward. This feature aids unfolding of the frame into the operative state. 
     It will be appreciated that modifications can be made to the frame of FIGS. 4 and 5 within the scope of the present invention. A further embodiment including some such modifications is shown in FIG. 8. This frame is similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5, and the reference in FIG. 8 correspond to those of FIG. 4. The two modifications incorporated in the frame of FIG. 8 lie in the arrangement of the front feet 106 and 107 which in this case are attached to extended bracing struts 110 and 111, and in the connection of the bracing member 116 to the rear support members 114 and 115. These features are shown in more detail in FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively. 
     Referring firstly to FIG. 9, which is a detail of the frame in the region of the right hand front foot 106, the scissor member 101 terminates at the hinged connection 112, the foot 106 now being mounted on a curved end portion of the bracing member 110. When in the operative state, the foot 106 of this embodiment stands squarely on the supporting surface. It also provides a marginal additional compactness in that the foot 106 tucks under the rear foot 108 when the frame is collapsed. 
     The mechanism shown in FIG. 10 function similarly to that of FIG. 7 but differs in the manner in which the bracing member 116 is located relative to the support member 115 and in which the locating means is released. As before, the bracing member 116 has an integral bush 161 which rotates on the stub 156. Both the bush and the stub are sectioned in FIG. 10 immediately forward of the member 116. The means for locating the member 116 comprises a pivotable arm 165 with a pin 166 received in a hole in the bush 161 and engaging a recess 167 bored in the stub 156 when the member 116 is in its operative position. The arm 165 pivots on a lug 168 projecting from the bush 161 and is biased towards the stub 156 by a spring 169 acting against a release button 170 connected to the arm 165.