Abstract:
A walking aid apparatus configured to provide additional horizontal support for a user engaged therewith. The walking aid apparatus comprises a frame that includes four leg members being substantially tubular in shape and hollow. Suspended between the four leg members is a support sling configured to partially or fully support a user engaged with the walking aid. Proximate one end of the four leg members are four adjustable support sling members configured to releasably secure the support sling to the frame. The walking aid further includes a plurality of lateral support members intermediate the four leg members. Contiguously mounted to the leg members distally located from the support sling members are four vertical control members configured to adjust the height of the frame. The frame further has mounted thereon at least two wheels proximate the vertical control members.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a walking aid apparatus, more specifically but not by way of limitation, to walking aid apparatus configured with a sling configured to receive the user and to facilitate the user with aid in walking and further to provide additional safety and support. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Millions of individuals suffer from illnesses or aging that cause deterioration of muscles and bones resulting in a difficulty of common physical tasks such as walking. In the United States alone, more than ten thousand people a day reach the age of fifty-five years of age. The onset of old age creates symptoms that are enhanced by conditions such as calcium deficiencies, osteoporosis, and arthritis. 
         [0003]    During the aging process and the onset of the referenced conditions, individuals can began having difficulty walking. The walking abilities can be greatly reduced and slowed and individuals suffering from a variety of these symptoms whether in combination or by themselves began to develop issues with maintaining balance while being ambulatory. Traditionally, such individuals began to regularly require a walking aid to assist in the process of walking. 
         [0004]    One problem with current walking aids is that while they provide a method of assisting the user in walking they do not provide an area in which the user of the walking aid apparatus can rest during the walking process. As users of walking aids usually suffer from muscle atrophy, they routinely need to rest during walking. Additionally, traditional walkers require the user to support themselves with their arms while engaged with the walking aid. As many users of such devices do not have the strength to support themselves for an extended period of time while walking, they are in need of a walking device that can provide adequate support for the user in order to rest or during the walking process. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can assist a user in being ambulatory and be able to provide a method for supporting the individual during periods of rest and during the walking process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a walking aid apparatus that includes a method for supporting the user when the user is engaged with the walking aid apparatus. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a walking aid apparatus that utilizes a sling to provide a suitable support structure for the user when engaged with the walking aid apparatus, and further protects the user from injury by preventing the user from falling during use and thus enables the user to use the walking aid apparatus with little or no assistance. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a walking aid apparatus that is collapsible in order to facilitate easier transportation or storage thereof. 
         [0009]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a walking aid apparatus that includes a fabric sling horizontal support for a user that is light weight and easy to use. 
         [0010]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a walking aid apparatus that provides a user a method of suitable support while engaged with the walking aid apparatus that is adjustable. 
         [0011]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an embodiment of the support sling of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein like elements are identified with like reference numerals and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a walking aid  100 . 
         [0016]    The walking aid  100  comprises a frame  10  that is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to aluminum tubing. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous materials could be utilized in order to construct a frame  10  according to the principles of the present invention. The frame  10  includes leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  that are positioned opposite each other and are substantially vertically oriented in manner during operation of walking aid  100 . Leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  are positioned at opposing corners of the frame  10 . Leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  function to provide structural support for the walking aid  100  and are positioned in order facilitate assisting a user balance themselves when engaged with the walking aid  100 . Although the walking aid  100  is illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith as having four leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76 , those skilled in the art will recognize that the frame  10  could be manufactured with numerous different amount of leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  configured to provide structural support for the walking aid  100 . The leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  are constructed of a suitable durable hollow material being substantially tubular in shape such as but not limited to aluminum tubing. 
         [0017]    Receivably connected to one end  75  of each leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  are support members  135 , 137 , 139 , 141 . The support members  135 , 137 , 139 , 141  are manufactured to be of an appropriate diameter such that the support members  135 , 137 , 139 , 141  are receivable into each of the leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76 . The support members  135 , 137 , 139 , 141  are partially disposed within the leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  and are operable to vary the height of the walking aid  100 . The length of support members  135 , 137 , 139 , 141  extending from leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  can be varied to provide a comfortable height for a user. 
         [0018]    Surroundably mounted to the ends  75  of each leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  are tension collars  125 . The tension collars  125  are mechanical fasteners that function to secure the support members  135 ,  137 ,  139  and  141  with friction at a desired position within the leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  thus allowing the user to adjust the height of the walking aid  100 . 
         [0019]    Perpendicularly secured to each of the support members  135  and  137  and distal to the tension collar  125  are wheel brackets  80 . Wheel brackets  80  function to mechanically connect wheels  85  and  90  to support members  135  and  137 . Good results have been achieved using rubber swivel caster type wheels for wheels  85  and  90 . This facilitates easy maneuvering of the walking aid  100  by a user. Those skilled in the art will recognize that different types and numbers of wheels  85  and  90  could be utilized to assist a user in movement of the walking aid  100 . 
         [0020]    Contiguously mounted to support members  139  and  141  are rear support members  160  and  162 . The rear support members  139  and  141  function to engage the walking surface upon which walking aid  100  is to be used. Rear support members  139  and  141  operate to inhibit the walking aid  100  from becoming unstable and from moving in a generally backward direction with respect to the user that is engaged with the walking aid  100 . 
         [0021]    Mechanically secured to each leg member  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  distally located from the support members  135 ,  137 ,  139  and  141  are top rail members  50  and  55 . The top rail members  50  and  55  are intermediate leg members  70  and  72  and leg members  74  and  76  respectively and are configured in a generally perpendicular manner with the leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  and are further parallel with respect to each other. The top rail members  50  and  55  are manufactured from a suitable durable material such as aluminum tubing and are secured to the leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  by conventional mechanical methods. 
         [0022]    The top rail members  50  and  55  function as an interface for the user that is engaged with the walking aid  100 . The top rail members  50  and  55  further function to increase the structural rigidity of the frame  10 . Surroundably mounted to the top rail members  50  and  55  are grips  60 . Grips  60  function to increase the comfort of the user subsequent to engagement with top rail members  50  and  55  and are manufactured with a durable and soft material such as but not limited to foam rubber. 
         [0023]    The ends  57  and  59  of the top rail members  50  and  55  are secured to the leg members  70  and  72  with hinge connectors  130 . The hinge connectors  130  function to allow the leg members  70  and  72  to be collapsed or folded towards leg members  74  and  76  in order to facilitate easier storage or transportation of the walking aid  100 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of mechanical fasteners could be utilized to manufacture the hinge connections  130  and perform the desired function as described herein. 
         [0024]    Side support members  105  and  107  are positioned below top rail members  50  and  55 , respectively, with support member  105  positioned intermediate legs  70  and  74  and support member  107  is positioned intermediate legs  72  and  76 . The side support members  105  and  107  are manufactured from a durable suitable material such as but not limited too aluminum tubing. Each of side support members  105  and  107  are secured to the corresponding leg members by conventional mechanical methods such as screws  109 . 
         [0025]    Each of side support member  105  and  107  are connected to leg members  70  and  72  respectively with hinges  180 . Hinge connectors  180  function to hingeably secure the ends  111  of the side support members  105  and  107  to the leg members  70  and  72  permitting the leg members  70  and  72  to be moved proximate the leg members  74  and  76  in order to facilitate the folding of walking aid  100 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of mechanical fasteners could be utilized for hinge connectors  180 . 
         [0026]    Proximate the top rail members  50  and  55  and superposed on each leg member  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  extending in an upward direction are the sling support members  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178 . The sling support members  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178  are configured to have a first portion  184  and a second portion  194 . The first portion  184  is proximate the leg members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  and are generally round in shape and are substantially hollow being configured to mateably receive therein the second portion  194 . The second portion  194  is manufactured to be of an appropriate diameter such that the second portion  194  is slidably received into the first portion  184 . The second portion  194  is releasably secured to the first portion  184  with a keeper  140  that is located on one end  142  of each of the sling support members  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of mechanical fasteners could be utilized to manufacture the keeper  140  such as but not limited to a spring pin. Although no specific length of the sling support members  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178  is required, good results have been achieved with sling support members  172 ,  174   176  and  178  that are adjustable between approximately twenty-four to thirty inches in length. 
         [0027]    Secured to each end  90  of the second portions  194  of the sling support members  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178  are hooks  66 . The hooks  66  are designed to interface with each aperture  32  of the sling  15  in order to releasably secure the sling to the frame  10 . The hooks  66  are manufactured from a suitable, durable material such as but not limited to aluminum and is secured to the second portion  194  through conventional methods such as but not limited to welding. 
         [0028]    Interposed the leg members  70  and  72  are a plurality of lateral support members  45 . The lateral support members  45  are secured to the leg members  70  and  72  by suitable mechanical methods such as but not limited to screws. The lateral support members  45  are manufactured from a suitable and durable material such as but not limited to aluminum tubing. The lateral support members  45  are generally perpendicular with respect to the leg members  70 ,  72  and function to provide structural support for the frame  10 . Although the lateral support members  45  are illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith as generally u-shaped tubular bars, those skilled in the art will recognize that the lateral support members  45  could be numerous different shapes and provide the desired functionality as described herein. While in the drawings submitted herewith, the walking aid  100  is illustrated as having three lateral support members  45 , it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that many different amounts of the lateral support members  45  could be utilized. More specifically but not by way of limitation, one lateral support member  45  could be utilized in order to provide structural support for the frame  10 . 
         [0029]    Suspended from the hooks  66  and generally positioned within the frame  10  is the sling  15 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sling  15  has a plurality of apertures  32  that are positioned at the ends of sling  15 . Apertures  32  facilitate the receipt of hooks  66  in order to releasably secure the sling  15  to the second portion  194  of the sling support members  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178 . The sling  15  is manufactured from a durable flexible material such as polyester or cotton. The sling  15  functions to provide the user engaged with the walking aid  100  a suitable support structure to provide full or partial support for the user when utilizing the walking aid  100  by being substantially disposed beneath the user when the user is engaged with the walking aid. 
         [0030]    The sling  15  has a rear portion  19  that extends proximate the hooks  66  located on the second portion  194  of the sling support members  176  and  178 . This configuration is designed to inhibit a user from falling backward while using the walking aid  100 . A front portion  21  of the sling  15  is secured to sling support members  172  and  174  and is structured such that it is smaller in size compared to the rear portion  19 . While the sling  15  is illustrated as being a particular shape in the drawings submitted herewith, those skilled in the art will recognize that the sling  15  could be manufactured in numerous different shapes. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the sling  15  further includes padding in the area that engages with the groin of the user to increase the comfort while engaged with the walking aid  100 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a description of the operation of the walking aid is as follows. In use, a user will position themselves intermediate the leg members  70 , 72 , 74 ,  76  and engage the top rail members  50  and  55  for support. The user then secures the rear section  19  of the sling  15  to the hooks located on the sling support members  176  and  178 . Passing the sling  15  between their legs, the user will then secure the remaining apertures  32  to the hooks  66  to releasably secure the sling  15  to the sling support members  172  and  174 . 
         [0032]    Subsequent to securing the sling  15  to the sling support members  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178 , the user can then adjust the height of the sling support members  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178  to position the sling  15  in the desired location in order to provide the user full or partial support. The user then utilizes the walking aid  100  to traverse the path. To disengage with the walking aid  100 , the user will release hooks  66  from the apertures  32  and remove the sling  15  from the frame  10  allowing the user to exit the frame  10 . 
         [0033]    In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.