Patent Publication Number: US-7588043-B1

Title: Apparatus for mobilization of individuals resulting from injury or surgery to foot

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention refers to a device to simplify and help people who have a foot operation or have a sprain or injure to walk and move around. 
   PROBLEM TO SOLVE 
   For the people who&#39;ve been injured or operated on the foot, the classical crutches are known for mobilization, such element not being practical or easily handled by patients, presenting difficulties to be used especially taking in consideration if the patient is of an older age. This apparatus solves the problem due to its stability, inclusive during mobilization, especially on people that should not lean their injured foot during long periods of time, helping to rest the remaining of the body. 
   OBJECT OF INVENTION 
   This invention is a foldable walker with a fabric support to assist a person with a foot or leg injury, pursuing the finality to favor people with medical prohibition of leaning the injured foot, either being on a cast or not. 
   Leaning the knee on this apparatus and accompanying the movement of the step, making the body rest on it, enables the patient to move around the house with ease, to do the usual chores as cooking, washing, ironing, laundry and keeping up with the daily hygiene, etc., as also makes one able to keep up with the traveling for the doctors or recuperation appointments, as it is foldable and easily fits on any vehicle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In order for the object of the invention to be more comprehensible, it has been illustrated with six drawings as demonstrative examples. 
       FIG. 1 : is a view of the front of the apparatus fully open. 
       FIG. 2 : is a view of the same, on the left side. 
       FIG. 3 : is a view of the same, on the right side. 
       FIG. 4 : is a view of the back. 
       FIG. 5 : is a view of the front, ready to be folded. 
       FIG. 6 : is a view of the apparatus fully folded. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   On the drawings, the reference numbers are indicating the different elements and their application. 
   As seen in  FIG. 1  this invention is a foldable walker with a fabric support. 
   On  FIG. 1 , front view, on the superior part there is a cross over member ( 1 ) for better stability of the complete unit. This member is made on aluminum conduit as the rest of the unit frame. The same mentioned member is attached on the left side with a swivel, and it rests on the right side on a plate. It can be detached from the left side easily and rolled over the left side when folding the unit. 
   Also on the superior part of the apparatus we find two rubber grips ( 2 ) for better handling. 
   The main frame is composed of two U shape structures ( 3 ) of aluminum conduit facing down, separated, attached together by a cross over member ( 10 ) with locked swivels ( 11 ) at both ends of the cross member. The swivels are made on metal and plastic material, with a push down handle for unlocking, in order to fold the unit. 
   The ends of the legs ( 4 ) are extendible for comfortable height adjustability of the patient stature, just by pushing a button that fits on different holes of the telescopic outer leg. 
   The front legs end on plastic cups ( 5 ), while the rear legs end on small wheels ( 6 ) for easier mobility. 
   Both sides have cross members ( 7 ) on the center of the U, made out of plastic or aluminum, with the purpose of holding the fabric ( 8 ) where the leg of the patient is intended to rest. This fabric is firmly attached to one side, and rolled over the other side attaching it self with Velcro to it&#39;s under belly. 
   This cross over members ( 7 ) can be welded to the main frame U, or they can slide up and down the U conduits with a locking devise for fine adjustment of height. 
   On the front of the unit there is a cross member ( 9 ) bolted to the right leg, and attached to the left leg with a hook type shape at the end, fitting on another bolt attached to the leg. The purpose of this member is stability of the unit under pressure, and it can be easily detached when folding.