Patent Publication Number: US-10772788-B2

Title: Rollator

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a utility patent application claiming priority and benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/582,588 filed Nov. 7, 2017. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention is directed to a wheeled mobility-assistance device and more particularly to a foldable, height adjustable rollator which allows the user to have full gait when standing upright and is provided with a plurality of hand brakes, each of which when activated locks the rear wheels simultaneously. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are numerous examples of products designed and manufactured for people who suffer with mobility/walking problems. The disability that is experienced may be minor and easily managed or major to the individual significantly affecting balance, stability, strength, range of motion, endurance, etc. People may cope with one specific annoyance, but a significant number of persons are seriously affected by one or multiple disabilities that compromise their mobility. Such disability issues include rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis in the knee joint, orthopedic impairment of the lower extremities, stroke, chronic injury of back and neck, cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson&#39;s disease, to list just a few of the conditions that impede mobility. Usually patients who suffer from arthritis of the knee joint also have significant wasting of thigh muscles. The cause of this muscle wasting can be explained by the fact that such individuals decrease their activity due to knee pain. They use their thigh muscles less often and try to put less strain on them. As a result the muscles become weaker and thinner. Weak muscles can&#39;t support the body weight adequately. Muscles of the thigh and buttock both take part in the standing up process. The quadriceps muscle of the thigh receives the most strain when standing up. 
     The range of impairments that affect walking are more common with aging, each affecting an individual&#39;s unique struggle with mobility and a need for walking support, balance and assistance. In many cases people are able to manage these problems and be mobile with the assistance of a walker. A basic walker limits the speed and transition of a user&#39;s walking gait to a slow deliberate step by step process, which is different from normal walking. 
     A wheeled walker (also called rollator) is well-known in the art as an improvement to the earlier walker and cane mobility aids and is a popular mobility assistance vehicle for the mobility impaired. The advantages of the wheeled walker are known to include smoother and more comfortable movement along even surfaces without requiring the user to lift or slide the walking aid along. 
     The addition of wheels to improve the mobility of the walker introduces the disadvantages of instability and user safety as well as impairing the full gait of the user. 
     A rollator provides fluid mobility compared to a walker along with enhanced mobility, increased support and encourages walking with a normal gait. 
     There is also a subset of people that have no adverse disability but would like to extend their range of walking endurance and add convenience to their daily activities. For this subset there is a latent need for a device that becomes a personal mobile assistant enabling the user to: go food shopping in a supermarket, walk to the gym or to the physical therapy location with a gear bag, transport things from store to home, spend a day in a museum, take a long walk on the deck of a cruise ship, spend a day at the mall, walk to a beautiful location, sit down/observe, and so on. 
     This subset of users may need some additive support but they principally want to benefit from additional freedom, to move about longer distances with faster mobility or perhaps exercise over distance and be able to transport personal items in a mobile carrying device that looks stylish, innovative, active and intelligent. 
     Walking with a full range gait coincides with normal bipedal walking physiology. Gait locomotion involves the entire body. The body&#39;s center of gravity is located at the hips, as balance starts there as does the walking motion. To attain a normal gait cycle a person should be standing upright in a vertical upright posture. 
     Normal walking involves the lower extremities and trunk for propulsion as well as balance and stability. The faster the speed of travel, the more the body engages the upper extremities and trunk for propulsion, balance, and stability. 
     In the human bipedal mobility system, three major joints of the lower body and pelvis work in concert as the muscles and momentum propels the body forward. The degree in which the body&#39;s center of gravity moves during the forward gait cycle defines walking efficiency. The body&#39;s center of balance moves side to side and up and down during gait but the axis of the spine remains upright. 
     While rollators or similar walking aids are helpful and enable walking mobility, these devices also create unintentional constraints with posture and gait cycle. The hands and arms of the user are extended forward relative to the torso; the hips, upper legs and knees no longer maintain a vertically stacked alignment as the spine is angled forward rather than positioned vertical to the ground plane and the pelvis is offset away from the arms and hands. The range of motion of the upper legs is impeded by the support structure (seat and or traverse frame member) of the rollator. In the standard rollator framework, a person&#39;s balance is offset and the gait cycle is constrained from enacting a full range of motion. 
     Almost all of the rollators on the market today have two brake handles which are independent. The dual handle configuration requires balanced hand force applied simultaneously to two brakes with left and right hands. If one hand is stronger than the other the braking force will be uneven resulting in turning and uneven tracking of the rollator. In many cases, the aged cannot apply the same hand strength on both the left and right side. In some users one hand may be significantly compromised. For those users, the user must rely on one hand for all tasks that require grip strength. 
     In addition to the problems noted above, there is a need to illuminate the ground or floor areas at twilight, night or in heavily shaded areas and to measure the distance traveled so that the user can meet physical therapy requirements. 
     Many practitioners have suggested further improvements to mitigate these added disadvantages. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,794, issued Mar. 13, 1990 discloses a foldable rolling walker having a high crossbar for easier walking convenience, height adjustable handles centered over offset wheels for greater stability and lockable pivoting front wheels and reversible brakes. Other similar improvements made to wheeled walkers include folding mechanisms, user-controlled wheel brakes and larger wheel sizes to improve stability and user safety. U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,313, issued Feb. 21, 2006 discloses a rollator that has four large pneumatic tires, with its rear tires being larger than the front tires, to facilitate safer movement over rough terrain while U.S. Pat. No. 9,173,802, issued Nov. 3, 2015 discloses a collapsible wheeled walker with large wheels and a folding mechanism for convenient storage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,663 issued Apr. 30, 2002 is directed toward a brake mechanism for a walker. The brake mechanism is operated by handles which manipulate a brake cable which releases the wheel. An intermediate turning block connects the brake handle cables and activates the brake mechanism. 
     Some practitioners propose improving the walker mobility by adding upper body support means for supporting the user&#39;s forearms, hands or shoulders, to improve user comfort and posture. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,783, issued Aug. 19, 1997 discloses accessory forearm rests that may be mounted to any conventional invalid walker, preferably disposed above the normal hand-grips to provide added upper body support. 
     Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 9,585,807, issued Mar. 7, 2017 discloses a collapsible upright wheeled walker with adjustable arm rests that support a user upper-body weight to facilitate upright gait and provide mobility for a wide range of mobility-impaired individuals. The apparatus can also include mechanical brakes and a pair of handles. 
     The present invention overcomes these problems and deficiencies and the same are solved by this invention in the manner described below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention changes the physical and spatial relationship of the user and the rollator enabling a full gait cycle to be used. 
     The present invention enhances control, stability, balance, standing posture, gait cycle, turning, and ease of use. The frame geometry, structure, and spatial relationships of the rollator&#39;s frame have been reconfigured so that a full upright user standing posture could be attained along with a full walking gait cycle. The full gait cycle is thus not impeded by obstructions caused by either the frame or a seat mounted to the frame. The user is positioned in the center of the open frame so that the turning axis is aligned approximately with the vertical axis of the user. 
     The present inventive rollator is designed to maintain stable and erect body posture of a user and allow a full gait of the user. It is constructed with a sectional frame having a U-shaped upright main section, a U-shaped lower base section mounted to the upright section and an intermediate support section mounted to the upright main section and the lower base section. A plurality of rear wheels are mounted to the upright support section and a plurality of pivotable front wheels are mounted to the lower base frame section. A brake assembly is mounted to the frame for braking the rear wheels and a pivotable seat assembly is mounted to the frame for retraction of the seat into the frame during walking or opening the seat in the frame for use by the user. 
     When the present invention rotator device is turned (changes direction) it rotates about the vertical axis of the user so that the user is always supported and is walking within the wheel base rather than being outside or behind the wheel base. In addition, an upright walking “push bar/resting bar” or accessory rail is incorporated into the frame structure. The upright walking push bar enhances upright posture so that users may support themselves with the hand grips or alternatively in any comfortable grip position along the upright push bar. It also enables the user to lean and rest on the bar. 
     The present invention solves the upright wheeled walker stability problem by providing a wheel suspension assembly that, for the first time, suppresses lateral motion from wheel load fluctuations created by user when stepping while also dampening wheel shocks caused from engaging irregular terrain. 
     The invention couples both rear wheel brakes to the action of a single lever with balanced brake force applied to both wheels. Each of the two rear wheel are evenly braked with a single handed squeeze of the brake lever. The brake lever may be mounted to either left or right side depending on preference of user or mounted on both sides of the rollator. This provides a meaningful functional opportunity for stroke patients who may have issues with the strength or coordination of one side vs the other side. 
     A therapist activated tensioner can be used to modulate controlled brake resistance on the rear wheels to manage/limit the user&#39;s speed or effort. Continuous controlled resistance may be utilized by the user through the brake system to reduce velocity when moving downhill over a distance. Controlled resistance may also be applied to the wheels to satisfy a different objective. Continuous controlled resistance may be applied by a physical therapists and utilized to make the user apply additional muscular force to push (walk with) the upright mobility device. 
     The invention can be provided with an odometer which measures walking distance for objective documentation and charting user improvements over time. This allows physical therapists to apply walking objectives that change over time. The physical therapist may need quantified measurement of distances travelled over time for clinical documentation and patient charting. The odometer provides a practical and simple means to obtain this data and use that data over time to see trending and changes. 
     Integrated lighting is mounted on the invention for downward, and forward projecting illumination. Two types of illumination are available in the rollator to enable the user to see in various dark environments. One dark environment may be outdoors when ambient lighting is insufficient to provide clear visualization forward or downward while walking on a travelled pathway; examples may be a sidewalk, a dirt path, a country road, a backyard, etc. A second dark environment is indoors at one&#39;s home for example when the room lighting is turned off or simply not available. In this condition, downward flood lighting projects a soft pool of light around the perimeter of the rollator. This illumination enables the user to see around the perimeter of the rollator, providing sufficient illumination to enable one to walk down a hall way or through a room without turning on the room lighting in that space. 
     It is a principal object of this invention to provide a height adjustable frame that will move up or down to accommodate a small individual or accommodate a tall standing individual. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a wheel suspension for wheeled walkers that stabilizes the walker both laterally during user stepping and longitudinally over irregular surfaces. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a preload adjustment that may be made to facilitate customization for any user. 
     It is still another object of the invention to allow the frame of the rollator to be folded allowing easy storage and transportation of the rollator and to allow the seat to be retracted for walking and opened for sitting. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent when considered with the teachings contained in the detailed disclosure along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present rollator invention will be described with reference to the appended Figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the rollator with the seat retracted showing the user in full gait; 
         FIG. 2  is a an enlarged top plan view of the inventive rollator without the seat and the user shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the inventive rollator with the seat in the retracted position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the inventive rollator with the seat in an open position for seating; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view of the inventive rollator in  FIG. 1  with the seat in an open position for seating; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the rollator with the seat removed and the handgrip frame adjusted to the highest position; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the rollator of  FIG. 6  with the handgrip frame adjusted to the lowest position; 
         FIG. 8  is a front and side perspective view of the rollator as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of the rollator as shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the rollator shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the rollator as shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the rollator shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the rollator as shown in  FIG. 12  in a folded position; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the folded rollator shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged side elevational view of the most preferred embodiment of the rollator with the seat in place showing the showing the finger joint fold assembly mounted in the lower base frame section; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the frame of the rollator as shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16A  is an enlarged perspective view of the pivot assembly shown in the encircled area A of the frame of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a front elevational view of the frame of the rollator shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 17A  is an enlarged cross section taken of the lower caster mount for the front wheel yokes and the front of the frame section and front of the intermediate frame section; 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of the rollator frame shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective isolated view of the back rest frame of the rollator shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged perspective view showing the front of the intermediate frame section and the lower strut hinge and caster of the lower base frame section in phantom; 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged perspective view of a carry all mount which can be used for the embodiment of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged rear wheel assembly and brake calipers with a lower base frame section shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 23  is an enlarged perspective view of the seat frame, base frame section and intermediate section of the rollator; 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the finger joint fold assembly of the invention shown in the lower base frame section of the rollator shown in  FIGS. 15, 16 and 18 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a side elevational view of the finger joint fold assembly of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a front and side perspective view of the finger joint fold assembly of FIG.  25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a side elevational view of the finger joint fold assembly of  FIG. 25  showing the finger joint fold assembly in folded condition when the rollator frame is folded for storage; 
         FIG. 28  is a front elevational view of the finger joint fold assembly of  FIG. 27   
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the finger joint fold assembly of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the force transfer mechanism which transfers force from activation of the brake lever via cables to a brake rotor mounted on the rear wheels of the rollator; 
         FIG. 31  is a smaller top plan view of the force transfer mechanism of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 32  is an end view of the right end of the force transfer mechanism of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a side elevation view of the force transfer mechanism of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of the rollator with the seat retracted showing the user in phantom; 
         FIG. 35  is a top plan view of the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 34  with the seat removed; 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of the third embodiment rollator with the seat in the retracted position 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the third embodiment rollator with the seat in a seating position; 
         FIG. 38  is a side view of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 34  of the rollator with the seat removed and the handgrip frame adjusted to the lowest position and the user in phantom; 
         FIG. 40  is a side view of  FIG. 39  with the handgrip frame adjusted to the highest position and the user in phantom; 
         FIG. 41  is a front and side perspective view of the rollator embodiment as shown in  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of the rollator embodiment shown in  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a front elevational view of the rollator embodiment of  FIG. 40  showing a schematic odometer; 
         FIG. 44  is a side view of the rollator embodiment as shown in  FIG. 43  without an odometer; 
         FIG. 45  is a front and side perspective view of the rollator embodiment shown in  FIG. 44 ; 
         FIG. 46  is a frontal perspective view of the rollator shown in  FIG. 45  in a folded position; 
         FIG. 47  is a side elevational view of the rollator shown in  FIG. 46 ; 
         FIG. 48  is an enlarged perspective view of the wheel, rim, spokes, rotor and tire; 
         FIG. 49  is a smaller reversed side elevational view of the wheel of  FIG. 48 ; 
         FIG. 50  is a front elevational view of the wheel of  FIG. 49 ; 
         FIG. 51  is a cross-sectional view of the wheel of  FIG. 50  taken along line  49 ′- 49 ′ of  FIG. 49 ; and 
         FIG. 52  is a plan view of a brake rotor which can be used with the rollator. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed towards a height adjustable rollator with a first preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 through 14 , a second most preferred embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 15 through 33  and a third preferred embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 34 through 47 . The wheel construction and brake rotors which can be used for all three embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 48 through 52 . The drive mechanism for transferring force from the brake hand levers to the rear wheels is shown in  FIGS. 30 through 33 . 
     In general, all embodiments of the invention are specifically designed to facilitate erect walking posture of the user while also enabling responsive rotational movement of the user within a small space. It is also designed to enable a wide range of locomotor speeds and rehabilitative applications by enabling adjustment of the user&#39;s center of body weight relative to the rollator base of support. Finally, this invention can be configured to allow seated mobility through leg pushing or pulling movements. 
       FIG. 1  shows an upright wheeled walker (rollator)  100  with a frame  102  supported above a ground surface  103  on two rear wheels  112  and two front wheels  111 . These wheels have a standard hub with spokes which engage the wheel rim or alternatively the wheel design for the rear wheels can be the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 48 through 51 . The rollator can have one or more (e.g., preferably two) front wheels  111 , each of which can be mounted on a swivel yoke structure  119  with the rear wheels mounted on axles which do not swivel. The tires of the device can be made of a material selected from the group consisting of hard rubber, pneumatic tires, and cushion supported wheel treads. As previously noted, the rear brake wheels are shown in more detail in  FIGS. 48 through 51 . The handle bar/backrest assembly slides up and down on the main upright frame section to adjust to the users height. 
     The front wheel yokes  119  as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, 8  though  10  and  20  can be made of round metal tubing, square metal tubing, or structural plastic, with aligned mounting holes on the distal end of each folk of the yoke to receive a front wheel axle. 
     One preferred embodiment of the rollator  100  comprises a multi-sectional coupled frame  102  which is constructed of a U-shaped upright main frame section  104  which is mounted on axles  108  as shown in  FIG. 2 . A U-shaped lower base frame section  110  is also mounted to axles  108  and is positioned adjacent the ends of upright main frame section  104 . The lower base frame section  110  has curved legs and the upright section  104  has legs which angle away so that the user is centralized and standing upright in the frame  102  which provides balance and stability to the user. The legs  106  of the U-shaped main upright section  104  are of fixed length and the handle bar/back rest assembly moves up and down the main upright frame section  104  to adjust for height relative to the ground plane. A removable pin  105  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3-5  is inserted into an aligned series of holes of upright main frame section  104  and leg  106  to hold the handle bar and seat assembly in place. Each leg  106  holds or supports an axle  108  at its distal end. The axles  108  also hold the curved or bowed U-shaped lower base frame section  110  by its distal leg end section  110   a  as seen in  FIG. 10 . Thus base frame section  110  is mounted adjacent to leg  106  of the upright section  104  on axle  108 . Rear wheels  112  are mounted on axle  108  via bearing assembly  109  mounted on the outside distal end of the U-shaped lower base frame section  110 . The bearing assembly  109  is more clearly shown in  FIG. 10  or in  FIG. 37 . A curved U-shaped intermediate support and pivot frame section  114  is mounted to the U-shaped upright support  104  by pin means  115  which rides in groove  104   a  as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 13 . The front of intermediate support and pivot frame section  114  is connected by pivotable linkage member  113  to the U-shaped lower base section frame  110  as shown by  FIG. 5 . The front swivel wheels  111  are mounted in yokes  119  secured to the lower pivoting base section frame  110 . Thus, the user is positioned upright within the composite frame  102  and the four wheel base in a stable orientation. A handgrip frame member  116  as shown by  FIGS. 4 and 6  is mounted to each side of the U-shaped upright section  104  with the distal end of each handgrip frame member  116  being provided with a brake lever  117  and a handgrip  118  adjacent to the brake lever  117 . Each brake lever  117  is operatively connected to right and left calipers which engages rotors  120  which are synchronized to engage rear wheels  112  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 10 . An illuminator or light  410  provides illumination for the rollator as seen in  FIG. 6  as is later discussed. 
     The invention couples both brakes to a single lever with balanced brake force applied to the wheels. Each of the two rear wheel are braked evenly with single handed squeeze of the brake handle. The brake handle may be mounted to either left or right side or on both sides depending on preference of user. This provides a meaningful functional opportunity for stroke patients who may have issues with the strength or coordination of one side vs the other hand. 
     Only one single brake handle lever  117  is used to apply even balanced braking force to the two rear wheels which provides the following benefits to the user. 
     In many cases the aged cannot apply the same hand strength on left and right side. In some users one hand may be significantly compromised. Therein, the user must rely on one hand for all tasks that require grip strength. 
     The rollator has a “therapist activated” tensioner to modulate controlled brake resistance on the rear wheels to manage/limit the user&#39;s speed or effort. Continuous controlled resistance may be utilized by the user through the brake system to reduce velocity when moving downhill over some distance. Controlled resistance may also be applied to the rear wheels to satisfy a different objective. Continuous controlled resistance may be applied by a physical therapists and utilized to make the user apply additional muscular force to push (walk with) the upright mobility device. This would be analogous to an exercise bicycle or treadmill where the resistance is utilized to improve muscle tone. With a precision brake the resistance can be applied (increased/decreased) to precisely manage the level of resistance the user must work against. 
     The handgrip frame members  116  can be adjusted as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7  to high or ow positions. An accessory rail/back rest support  121  is mounted on the forward surface of upright frame section  104  opposite handgrip frame member  116 . A push bar brake lever  123  is mounted on the upright section  104  above the accessory rail rest support  121 . 
     The rollator can be provided with a seat assembly  122  as shown in  FIGS. 3-5  which discloses a seat  126  mounted to pivoting linkage members  124  which are also pivotally mounted to each side of the curved U-shaped intermediate support section  114 . This allows the seat  126  to be retracted as seen in  FIG. 3  or opened for seating as shown in  FIG. 4 . It should be noted that the ends of intermediate frame section  114  are adjustably mounted in groove  104 A cut in the inner side of U-shaped frame  104  as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Locking latches  130  are each secured on the front portion of the curved U-shaped support and pivot frame  114  and receive latch support member  132  which are mounted on the front section lower base frame section  110  to hold the seat  126  and frame in open position (See  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and are released or disengaged to allow the frame  102  to fold into a compact folded position as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     A second most preferred embodiment of the rollator  150  is shown by  FIGS. 15 through 23  comprises a multi-sectional coupled frame  152  which is constructed of a U-shaped main upright frame section  154  which is connected to a U-shaped lower base frame section  160  at an angle away from the vertical and an intermediate frame section  164  which is mounted to the lower base frame section  160  and the upright main frame section  154  so that the user is centralized and standing upright within the frame  152  which provides balance and stability to the user. 
       FIG. 15  shows an upright wheeled walker (rollator)  150  with a frame  152  as seen in  FIGS. 16, 17, and 18  supported on a surface  103  by two rear wheels  162  and two front wheels  161 . The rollator can have one or more (e.g., two) front wheels, each of which can be mounted on a swivel yoke structure  169 . The rear wheels do not swivel. The front wheel yokes  169  can be made of round metal tubing, square metal tubing, or structural plastic, with mounting holes on the distal end of each yoke to receive a front wheel axle. The tires of the device can be made of a material selected from a group of materials such as hard rubber, pneumatic tires, and cushion supported wheel treads. Preferably, the tires are a low profile rubber tire. The wheels can be a standard spoke, custom spoke or solid from shaft to rim or can be configured as shown in  FIGS. 48 through 51 . 
     During use, a user stands between the frame sections and grasps each of the upper handle grips  166  with one hand. 
     The legs  156  of the U-shaped main upright frame section  154  allow the handle bar/back rest assembly  170  to be adjusted for height and the preferred height is set by means of a removable spring pin  155  which is inserted into sleeve  172  of the handle bar/back seat assembly  170  into aligned holes of upright main frame section leg  156  as best seen in  FIGS. 16, 17 and 19 . Each main frame leg  156  holds or supports an axle or wheel shaft in an axle mount  159  as shown in  FIG. 16A . The axle mount  159  also holds a curved connector member  165  which is mounted to the end  163  of U-shaped lower base section frame  160  as seen in  FIGS. 16, 16A . Rear wheels  162  are mounted on axles  158  via a bearing race  159 . A curved U-shaped intermediate support and pivot frame section  164  is mounted to the U-shaped lower base frame section  160  by hinge assembly  168 . The hinge assembly  168  is formed by a rotating plug  179  rotatably mounted in the lower base strut section  160  as seen in  FIG. 17A  and having a threaded fastener  178  as also seen in  FIG. 17A  which is mounted in intermediate strut section  164 . The front swivel wheels  161  are mounted in yokes  169  secured to the lower base frame section  160 . Each of the legs  163  of the lower base frame section  160  are provided with a finger joint fold assembly  300  allowing the lower base frame section  160  to be folded. 
     The finger joint fold assembly  300  as shown in  FIGS. 24-29  is mounted in the leg segments  163 ,  163 ′ of the U-shaped lower base frame section  160  allowing the frame to fold. A finger loop  350  as seen in  FIG. 23  is used to disengage a sliding lock member  346  on the finger joint assembly  300 . When the user desires to fold the frame he or she would pull up on the loop  350  and a connecting line would pull back on the sliding lock member  346  allowing the finger joint assembly to fold. The finger joint fold assembly  300  is formed with a composite body  302  of interlocking male and female segments. The female yoke segment  304  defines a slot  306  cut through the body of the yoke segment which is open at the rear of the yoke segment and a circular aperture  308  which leads from the outside of the yoke prong  307  into the slot  306 . Aperture  308  is positioned perpendicular to slot  306  and communicates with slot  306 . The aperture  308  receives a bushing  310  which engages a seat on the opposite prong of the yoke and is held in place by a hex socket screw  312 . The hex socket screw  312  passes through the bushing  310  and is fastened to a threaded side of the female yoke segment  304 . Opposite the slot  306  on the front of female yoke segment  304  is a solid cylindrical shaft member  305  which extends distally from the female yoke segment and is inserted into a tubular leg portion  163 ′ to support and hold the female yoke segment  304  in the leg portion. The shaft member  305  can be friction fit, glued, welded or crimped in the tubular leg portion  163 . The yoke prongs  307  are angled at their end and have a rounded upper portion  309  allowing the two segments of the finger joint fold assembly to easily fold. 
     The male segment  330  is provided with a linear planar front section  331  having an angled planar front surface  333  which is designed to fit in slot  306 . The planar front section  331  also has a throughgoing aperture  332  which runs perpendicular to the plane of the front segment  331  and has the same diameter as aperture  308  of the female yoke segment  304  so that it can receive and hold bushing  310  while allowing pivotal movement of the male and female segments. When the front section  331  is seated in slot  306 , bushing  310  can be inserted through aperture  308 . The bushing  310  is inserted through hole  308  in the yoke segment and through slot  306  as holes  308  and  332  are axially aligned. 
     The rear portion  335  of the male segment  330  is cylindrical and defines a throughgoing slot  338 . The opposite end of male segment  330  adjacent rear portion  335  defines a solid cylindrical end member  336  which is held in tubular leg portion  163  or  163 ′ in the same manner as previously noted. The cylindrical end member  336  holds a compression spring member  342  in its planar distal end which extends rearwards ending in a stop button  344 . The stop button  344  is designed to engage the rear wall of cylindrical sliding lock member  346 . The sliding lock member  346  receives a tubular sleeve  334  which has an inner diameter greater than the rear cylindrical portion  335  of the male segment  330  and an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the sliding lock member  346 . The tubular sleeve  334  may be provided with a sleeve bearing or alternatively the sliding lock member  346  may be molded with a low friction polymer without the additional sleeve bearing. The sliding lock member  346  is provided with opposing aligned apertures  350  and  351  which are adapted to receive a slotted spring pin  352 . The slotted spring pin  352  is inserted through aperture  350  of the sliding lock member through a slot  338  cut through the body of male member  330  into sliding lock member aperture  351  to hold the assembly locked together as shown in  FIGS. 25 and 29 . The sliding lock member  346  is spring loaded by spring member  342  and when the rollator frame is to be collapsed, the user pulls on a handle mounted on the upright strut member that in turn pulls on a connective cord that is attached to the sliding lock member  346  pulling it back so that pin  352  engages the rear of slot  338 . When the sliding lock member  346  is retracted, the finger joint fold assembly  300  can be pivoted allowing the lower base frame section  160  to fold. 
     The user is positioned upright within the rotator frame  152  and the four wheels in a stable orientation. Each brake lever is operatively connected to right and left calipers  167  as seen in  FIG. 22  which are synchronized to engage the rotors  190  of the rear wheels  162  as shown. 
     The invention couples both right and left brakes to a single lever with balanced brake force applied to the rear wheels. The two rear wheel are thus braked evenly with a single hand squeeze of the brake handle. The brake handle may be mounted to either left or right side depending on preference of user. This provides a meaningful functional opportunity for stroke patients who may have issues with the strength or coordination of one side vs the other hand. 
     One single brake handle lever can be used to apply even balanced braking force to the two rear wheels which provides the following benefits to the user. 
     In many cases the aged cannot apply the same hand strength on left and right side. In some users one hand may be significantly compromised. Therein, the user must rely on one hand for all tasks that require grip strength. 
     The handgrip frame member  166  can be adjusted to low, intermediate or high positions. A handle bar/back rest sddrmbly  170  is mounted on the forward surface of upright section  154  opposite handgrip frame member  166 . A carry all mount  173  as shown by  FIG. 21  can be mounted to the back rest  123 . 
     The brake levers in the first embodiment initially were connected by cables to a rack and pinion assembly which in turn operated the brake rotor on each wheel as is well known in the art. The handle levers in all three preferred embodiments are optionally connected to a bell crank or force transfer mechanism  250 . The bell crank mechanism  250  as shown in  FIGS. 30 through 33  is mounted on the rollator frame. The bell crank or force transfer mechanism comprises a linear support plate member  252  having an upturned flange  254  and  256  at each end and a rotatable bell crank member  260  mounted to the center of the linear support plate member  252 . Clamps  262  and  264  are mounted on each end of the bell crank member  260  and are used to secure brake cables to the bell crank member  260 . The force transfer mechanism or bell crank  250  is mounted by a set screw  261  to the linear support plate  252  which acts as a pivot post for the bell crank on the plate or linear support member. Each flange is provided with two cable mounts  265 ,  267  and  266 ,  268  which are axially aligned and receive the cables connected to a respective brake lever and to the brake caliper. 
     The cable from the right brake lever is mounted in cable mount  266  and the cable to the right brake caliper is mounted in cable mount  268 . Both cable mounts  266  and  268  are mounted to flange  256  and their respective cables are secured to clamps  262  and  264  of the bell crank member  260 , respectively. The cable from the left hand brake lever is mounted in cable mount  267  and the cable to the left brake caliper is mounted in cable mount  265 . Both cable mounts  266  and  268  are mounted to flange  256  and secured to the opposing respective clamps of the bell crank member as shown. 
     The rollator can be provided with a seat frame  176  having a slide mechanism  174  positioned on each side of seat frame  176 . The slide mechanism  174  comprises a clip member  175  secured to the seat frame  176  and a slideable sleeve member  177  secured to the clip member  175  as seen in  FIG. 23 . The sleeve member  177  engages and slides along leg  164  allowing the seat frame  176  to be retracted as seen in  FIGS. 34 and 36  or positioned midway or opened for seating as shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 . Further, support is provided by the pivot linkage which is more clearly shown in  FIGS. 16A and 18 . 
     In another third preferred embodiment of the rollator  200  as shown in  FIGS. 34 through 47 , a multi-sectional coupled frame  202  is provided with a generally U-shaped upright main frame section  204  angled away from the vertical toward the user so that the user is centralized and standing upright which provides balance and stability to the user. A U-shaped handgrip assembly  205  is mounted to the top of the main frame section  204  The handgrip assembly  205  can be extended for walking as shown in  FIG. 34  or folded over for sitting as seen in  FIG. 37 . Rear legs  208  are mounted to an angled connector member  210  which in turn is secured to U-shaped upright main frame section  204 . Each rear leg  208  holds or supports an axle  209  which holds rear wheels  212 . Pivoting front wheels  211  are mounted in yokes  213  which are in turn mounted to the U-shaped base of upright frame  204 . Thus, the user is positioned upright within the four wheel base in a stable orientation. 
     A handgrip assembly is mounted to each side of top section handgrip assembly  205  with the distal end of top section  205  being provided with a brake lever  217  and a handgrip  218  positioned adjacent to the brake lever  217 . Each brake lever  217  is respectively connected to right and left rotors  220  which are synchronized together with the associated calipers to brake the rear wheels of the rollator  200 . The top section assembly  205  can be adjusted as seen in  FIGS. 41-43  to assume low, intermediate or high positions by raising or lowering it with respect to top section legs  206  from their prior set position on legs  206 . A transverse push bar brake lever  219  mounted on the upright section  205  is also synchronized with the handgrip brakes. 
     The rollator  200  can be provided with a seat assembly  222  as shown in  FIG. 38  and is mounted to pivoting linkage members  224  which are pivotally mounted to the upright frame  204  and to the opposite sides of seat frame  226  or associated seat frame. This allows the seat  226  to be retracted or opened for seating. Folding braces  228  provide for additional support between the main frame section  204  and the legs  208 . 
     Each rollator frame can additionally be provided with an odometer  400  schematically shown in  FIG. 43 , to measure walking distance for objective therapy documentation and to chart user improvements over time so that a physical therapist may apply walking objectives that change over time. The physical therapist may need quantified measurement of distances travelled over time for clinical documentation and patient charting. The odometer provides a practical and simple means to obtain this data and use that data over time to see trending and changes and lighting. 
     As previously noted, the rear brake wheels of the invention on any of the embodiments may be of the standard rotor and caliper type but can also incorporate the rear brake wheels as shown by  FIGS. 48 through 51 .  FIGS. 48 and 51  show the rear wheel  280  with a wheel hub  282  and associated socket  287  provided with a bearing race  283 . Circular spokes  284  which are dished  285  (See  FIGS. 48 and 51 ) to allow the brake rotor  286  to nest adjacent the wheel hub  282 . A low profile tire  288  is mounted around the wheel rim  290  and may be comprised of solid rubber or copolymer as desired. The spokes  284  part of the overall injected molded wheel hub and are made of rigid plastic. Alternately the spokes  284  are preferably made of flat strips of stainless steel which are bent to form a circular shape or cut to form a circular shape with one side of each circular spoke being secured or integral to the wheel hub  282  and the opposite side being secured to the inner rim surface  291 . The round spokes  284  provide a spring effect which cushions the wheel and eliminates jarring to the user. The wheel hub  282  contains a bearing assembly  283  which is mounted inside the hub socket  287 . The hub socket receives a shaft or axle which extends from the rear legs of the rotator frame. 
     Integrated lighting  410  as shown by  FIGS. 5 and 6  can be provided on any designated rollator embodiments noted herein for downward, and or forward projecting illumination. Two types of illumination are available in this upright mobility device to enable the user to see in different light environments. One environment may be outdoors when ambient lighting is insufficient to provide clear visualization forward or downward while walking on a travelled pathway; examples may be a sidewalk, a dirt path, a country road, a backyard, etc. Another environment is indoors at one&#39;s home, for example, when the room lighting is turned off or simply not available. In this condition, downward directed flood lighting projects a soft pool of light around the perimeter of the upright mobility device. This illumination enables the user to see around the perimeter of the upright mobility device and provide sufficient illumination to enable one to walk down a hall way or through a room without turning on the room lighting in that space. 
     The use of conventional rolling walker grips with horizontal handles allows the rollator to be steered by pushing or pulling on respective handles as needed. The conventional walker is also designed to provide a place for the user to sit and rest as needed or desired. In the present invention, a backrest member connected with the main frame supports the user&#39;s back when the user is setting down. 
     The knee joint is one of the primary and most affected joints of the user that takes part in the standing position. Other joints that are involved in the standing position are the hip, ankle, knee, elbow, wrist and shoulder joint. The knee joint gets the most strain, and the knee joint is comparatively less supported. That is why usually it is the knee joint that first starts to signal pain because of arthritis. Knee joint arthritis causes long term knee pain, which makes the movement difficult at knee joint. Arthritis also makes the knee joint stiffer and slower and its range of motion also decreases. All these conditions make it difficult to stand up from a sitting or squatting position. 
     A seat is utilized in the embodiment of the present invention which is higher than the standard 18 inch distance from the floor to the seat top. The rollator offers a 20 inch to 22 inch seat height size to accommodate different users. In testing it was fond that for some users it was helpful to stand up from a seated position, but for more able body users it was less comfortable for longer term seating. The seat is provided with a flexible forward edge seat pan to assist the user to transition from a seated to a standing posture. As a person ages, they may lose the strength and balance affecting their ability to stand upright from a traditional chair. The seat of a standard chair is too low to the floor which results in a compromised biomechanical disadvantage as one ages. The seat is increased to 22 inches to improve the conditions for standing from a seated position. This elevated seat pan height changes the angle between the user&#39;s buttocks and lower leg to be greater than 90 degrees. The user&#39;s thighs are angled downward relative to the floor, initiating the first transition to standing. To further enhance this posture the seat pan is flexible and spring-like along the forward edge of the seat. The flexing feature added to the inventive seat engages the forward edge of the seat pan. The forward edge will flex upward as the seated person begins to stand up providing a contact area that remain with the user until the user is in a upright balance posture. 
     The present inventive device offers the following important features:
         Low cost because of minimal parts.   Frame is strong and stable.   Frame is constructed of simple sections which can be easily and economically repaired or replaced.   The seat frame has a groove detail that runs along the perimeter of the frame.   Seat frame is one piece injected molded reinforced plastic frame.   A specialized woven polymer mesh is stretched across the seat frame with specified softness and compliance to make the seat pan have a tighter tension or a looser tension   The seat frame swings out of the open frame to clear the area for the user to stand and walk with full normal gait.   Frame is of open construction which does not impede or alter a natural full gait cycle or an upright standing posture.   Upright support bar enables user alternatives for grip posture, support, and balance. The upright support bar encourages full gait cycle, encourages upright standing posture. The upright support bar will also serve as a leaning/resting bar; allowing the user to take a break from walking and rest on the bar and also allows the user to open doors with one hand and maintain support with other hand.   Upright support bar provides a convenient (push from behind) handle. This feature comes into play when a person is seated in the rollator and is being moved about by another person pushing the rollator.   Frame is foldable to enable storage and transport including transport in car trunk.   Two types of ground plane illumination  410  are provided with high and low lighting levels. The light  410  schematically shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  can be utilized in any of the embodiments can be mounted on the upright frame section or across the upright frame legs   A retractable seat can be retained in a position that does not impede upright walking position.   Brake handle is modified for use by either hand to provide even braking force to both wheels.   Traverse brake bar positioned parallel to upright support bar. User may apply brake while pushing rollator from upright support bar. This is additional brake activation control.   Single lever brake system which may be locked and utilized as parking brake. It engages and/or disengages both rear wheels; a safety feature which prevents accidental rolling while seated in the rollator.   An added accessory rail can accommodate carry bags, an illumination bar, cup holder, phone caddy, distance and speed computer and other desired add-on features located within any an arm&#39;s reach of the user.   Brake resistance can be modified to manage the level of resistance to move the rollator.   Height adjustable handgrips.   Solar panel  420  (not shown) for battery charging. This panel can be mounted on the intermediate frame section on either leg or across both legs   Odometer  400  provides objective documentation of user activity for physical therapy.   Elevated seat pan changes angle between buttocks and lower leg.       

     The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims: