Abstract:
A walker for elderly, handicapped or convalescing people which includes a frame with a top rail member positioned above a user&#39;s center of gravity and a harness located inside the frame and suspended from the top rail member to provide stability and resist tipping, enable hands free movement of the walker, and allow sitting in the walker. The walker further includes a plurality of substantially vertical frame members extending downward and outward to form a circumference around the user which is larger than a circumference formed by the top rail member. The harness includes a waist belt, a seat strap, and thigh straps such that the harness may be positioned and secured on the user. The walker may be provided with wheels for mobility or adjustable footpads for stable use with a treadmill. The walker may also be provided with lock-open hinges on selected frame members to permit collapsing the walker to a smaller size for easier transportation or storage.

Description:
[0001]     This is as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/653.547, entitled Walker With Harness for an Elderly, Handicapped or Convalescent Person, filed Sep. 2, 2003. 
     
    
       [0002]     In accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 202(c)(6), the present invention was made with support by the United States government. The United States government has certain rights in the invention. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates generally to mobile support devices and, more specifically, to an improved walker for an elderly, handicapped or convalescing person comprising a top rail member, a plurality of base members, a plurality of leg members communicating therebetween, and a plurality of ground engaging caster wheels connected to the underside of the base member. A section of the top rail member is pivotally hinged to allow for ease in entering and exiting the walker and is closed once the user is secured therein so that the person can grip the top rail member for support or move the improved walker along the ground with the hands free.  
         [0005]     A harness made of nylon material attaches to the top rail member and has two substantially parallel belt members positioned one above the other with straps connecting the two. The upper belt is secured around the user&#39;s waist and the lower belt provides the means of attaching the harness to the top rail and has two sets of straps to secure the lower belt around the thighs of the user so that the user may sit thereon, while the larger base members having a greater circumference will maintain stability thereto and prevent the improved walker from falling over.  
         [0006]     The present invention is an improved walker for elderly handicapped or convalescing people. The walker comprises a frame with a top rail member, base members, and a plurality of vertical leg members connecting the top rail member to the base members. The top rail member is waist high and forms a circumference around the user. It is composed of a top rail member that is waist high, and a plurality of base members, connected by a plurality of leg members. The base members have a larger circumference than the top rail to maintain stability and prevent the walker from falling over. Caster wheels are connected to the underside of the base members to enable the device to move along as a person walks. The person can grip the top rail member for support, or can walk in the device hands free. A section of the top rail member is pivotally hinged to allow for ease in entering and exiting the walker and is closed once the user is secured therein. A harness made of nylon material attaches to the top rail member and has two substantially parallel belt members positioned one above the other with straps connecting the two. The upper belt is secured around the user&#39;s waist and the lower belt provides the means of attaching the harness to the top rail and has two sets of straps to secure the lower belt around the thighs of the user so that the user may sit therein.  
         [0007]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0008]     Numerous mobile support devices have been provided in prior art that are adapted to be utilized by elderly people with varying degrees of disability. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention discloses an improved walker for an elderly, handicapped or convalescing person generally comprising a frame with a top rail member, base members, and a plurality of generally vertical leg members connecting the top rail member to the base members. The walker further includes a plurality of ground engaging caster wheels connected to the base members. Sections of the top rail member are pivotally hinged to a door to allow for ease in entering and exiting the walker so that the door is closed once the user is secured therein so that the person can grip the top rail member for support or move the improved walker along the ground with the hands free. A harness made of nylon material attaches to the top rail member and has two substantially parallel belt members positioned one above the other with straps connecting the two. The upper belt is secured around the user&#39;s waist and the lower belt provides the means of attaching the harness to the top rail and has two sets of straps to secure around the thighs of the user so that the user may sit thereon, while the base members with greater circumference will maintain stability thereto and prevent the improved walker from falling over.  
         [0010]     A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved walker that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved walker that will aid elderly, handicapped and convalescent persons in having healthier and more independent lives by enabling them to walk unattended without the risk of injury due to falling.  
         [0012]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved walker that has a higher center of gravity so that it can be safely and conveniently used by a person who is prone to lose balance and fall since the present invention has the person secured to a harness suspended from the top rail of the walker that will support the user, if necessary, should the user happen to lose their balance.  
         [0013]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved walker wherein said harness is secured around the user&#39;s waist and thighs using straps with hook and loop fastening elements to provide reliable support that is fast and easy to connect.  
         [0014]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved walker that is economical in cost to manufacture and operate.  
         [0015]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved walker that is adaptable for stable use in connection with treadmills of various sizes.  
         [0016]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved walker that is collapsible to a small size for easier transportation or storage.  
         [0017]     One more object of the present invention is to provide an improved walker that is simple and easy to use.  
         [0018]     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.  
         [0019]     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the walker of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the walker of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the walker of the present invention with the gate open.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of the latch mechanism of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of a caster wheel of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a detailed perspective view of the hinge assembly of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the harness of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the harness of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown positioned for use with a treadmill.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is a side detail view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with wheels positioned on height-adjustable members.  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative, collapsible embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0033]     With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings. 
     10  present invention      12  user      13  frame      14  top rail      16  base member      17  support member      18  vertical post      19  legs      20  wheels      21  cross member      22  door      24  harness      26  rings      28  door latch      29  slam latch      30  lower latch catch      32  rubber jacket      34  hinge      36  door frame      40  caster rod      42  foot brake      44  brake on indicator      46  brake off indicator      52  welding      54  hinge pins      56  snap hooks      58  waist belt      60  waist belt buckle      62  first hook and loop element      64  second hook and loop element      66  grip handles      68  intermediate straps      70  support seat strap      72  thigh straps      74  first hook and loop element      76  second hook and loop element      78  ring      80  suspension straps      82  buckles      84  rear direction arrow      86  front direction arrow      88  upper horizontal door frame      90  lower horizontal door frame      92  caster wheel plate      100  treadmill      110  footpad      120  vertical adjustment member      130  bracket      140  detent      150  vertical hinge      160  front hinge      170  pivot sleeve      200  hinge      210  hinge plug      220  tubular frame member      230  hinge plate      240  locking sleeve      250  detent hole      260  detent pin    
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0093]     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims.  
         [0094]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is an illustrated view of the present invention  10  being an improved walker for elderly, handicapped or convalescent persons  12  that generally comprises a frame  13  with a top rail  14  attached to a base plate or member  16  at each corner at an angle by means of welded vertical multiple posts  18  which angle outwardly forming a structure that completely surrounds the user. Also shown is an additional support member  17  being downwardly U-shaped having legs  19  parallel and contiguous to vertical posts  18  and a cross-member  21  substantially perpendicular to legs  19 . The plurality of base members  16  have a greater circumference than top rail  14  and each base member has a caster style wheel  20  on its underside providing easy mobility for the user  12 . The rear entry door  22  latches in a closed position when the user  12  is within the structure. A harness  24  is attached to the top rail member  14  and passes around the waist and each thigh of the user  12  so that the user can sit thereon. Also note that the walker of the present invention  10  could be shaped to be substantially round rather than as shown in  FIG. 1  wherein it is shown to be substantially rectangular.  
         [0095]     Turning to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Direction arrow  84  shows the rear of the present invention  10  and arrow  86  shows the front. Shown is a top rail  14  attached to multiple base plates or members  16  at an angle by means of welded vertical posts  18  forming a structure that completely surrounds the user. The four base members  16  have a greater circumference than the top rail  14  for added stability and a plurality of caster style wheels  20  providing easy mobility for the user. Additional support members  17  having legs  19  and cross-members  21  are also shown with the cross-members being disposed about one-third the distance between the top rail  14  and the base plates  16 . The entry door  22  latches in a closed position when the user is within the structure. A harness  24  is attached to the top rail member  14  and passes around the waist and each thigh of the user so that the user can sit thereon. Shown is the vertical post  18  frame assembly of the present invention  10  with the entry door  22  in a closed and latched position. The door  22  can pivotally open at  34  when needed to enter or exit the structure. The door  22  is hingedly fastened at  34  to the main structural vertical post  18  allowing the door to pivotally open and close. A plurality of hook rings  26  are attached to the top rail  14  to which the harness  24  is attached. A door latch member  28  is also shown.  
         [0096]     Turning to  FIG. 3 , shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10  with a rubber jacket  32  placed on the top rail  14  to cover the joints that separate the door  22  from the main frame structure  18  and to provide padding all the way around the top rail  14 . The base plates  16 , rings  26 , door hinge  34 , wheels  20 , and latch member  28  are also shown. The front  86  and rear  84  of the present invention are also shown along with support member  17 .  
         [0097]     Turning to  FIG. 4 , shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10  with the door  22  open. The entry door  22  is shown in an open position to allow the user to enter or exit the structure. A rubber jacket  32  fits completely around the top rail and covers the joints that separate the door  22  from the main structure. The door  22  is hingedly fastened at  34  to the main structure post  18  to the door frame rail  36  allowing the door portion to pivotally open and close. The door has an upper and lower horizontal frame  88 ,  90 . Latch  28  is also shown and the rear  84  and front  86  are also shown.  
         [0098]     Turning to  FIG. 5 , shown therein is a perspective view of the latch assembly of the present invention showing the latch  28  having a slam latch bar  29  and a lower latch catch  30  in the closed or connected position. The slam latch  29  is disposed on post  18  and latch catch  30  is disposed on door frame  36  to permit the door to be secured to the post  18 .  
         [0099]     Turning to  FIG. 6 , shown therein is a detailed perspective view of a caster wheel  20  assembly of the present invention. Shown are a threaded caster rod  40 , a caster wheel plate  92 , and foot brake  42  which has an indicator to show that the brake is either on  44  or off  46 . The caster rod  40  is designed to be attached to the bottom end of the base plate member and vertical posts.  
         [0100]     Turning to  FIG. 7 , shown therein is a detailed perspective view of the hinge assembly  34  with hinge pins  54  of the present invention that connect by welding  52  to the door frame  36  and to the main structure post  18  and allows for pivotal movement of the door from a closed position to an open position.  
         [0101]     Turning to  FIG. 8 , shown therein is a rear view of the harness of the present invention which is worn by the user and attaches to the hook rings of the structure of the walker by means of multiple snap hooks  56  thereby securing the user within and providing a seat for rest. Shown is a waist belt member  58  with buckle  60  and a first  62  and second  64  hook and loop element having multiple grip handles  66  thereon. At least a pair of intermediate straps  68  connect the waist belt  58  to a support seat strap  70  which has a plurality of thigh straps  72  having a first  74  and second  76  hook and loop element thereon for connection about the thigh of the user. Also shown are suspension strap retaining rings  78  for connection of suspension straps  80  having buckles  82  and snap hooks  56  thereon.  
         [0102]     Turning to  FIG. 9 , shown therein is a perspective view of the harness  24  of the present invention as it would appear if all the connections were fastened to secure a person into the walker. Shown is a waist belt member  58  with buckle  60  and a first  62  and second  64  hook and loop element. At least a pair of intermediate straps  68  connects the waist belt  58  to a support seat strap  70  which has a plurality of thigh straps  72  for connection about the thigh of the user. Also shown are suspension straps  80  having snap hooks  56  thereon.  
         [0103]     In another embodiment, the walker is provided with adjustable foot pads to provide steady support while a person uses the walker with a treadmill. In  FIG. 10 , the walker  10  is shown positioned above a treadmill  100 . Note that the location of horizontal support members  17  provides clearance while using the walker  10  with treadmill  100 . Walker  10  is shown equipped with adjustable foot pads  110  with a flat bottom surface such the walker  10  remains steady and stationary during use of the treadmill  100 .  
         [0104]     In  FIG. 10 , foot pads  110  are shown located at the bottom of each vertical post  18 . Foot pads  110  optionally include vertical adjustment members  120 , which slidably engage in bracket  130  located at the bottom of each vertical post  18 . Bracket  130  further includes a bolt or detent mechanism  140  for engaging one of a plurality of holes in the vertical adjustment members  120  so that the overall height of the walker can be selectively adjusted and fixed as needed to use the walker with treadmills of various heights.  
         [0105]     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , wheels  20  may be used in place of foot pads  110  to provide height adjustment during mobile uses of the walker. Here, wheels  20  are pivotably mounted at the bottom of vertical adjustment members  120  so that the overall height of the walker  10  may be easily adjusted up or down to provide optimum stability for users of different heights.  
         [0106]     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the frame members of the walker are split and fitted with hinges or pivots strategically located so that the walker may be folded to a more compact size for easier storage or transportation. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the walker frame is adapted to include vertical hinges  150  positioned at approximately the midpoint of each vertical post  18  so that vertical posts  18  may be folded in a stowed position to reduce the height of the walker.  
         [0107]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the top rail  14  is generally rectangular and includes side rails  15 A and a front rail  15 B. Front rail  15 B includes a front hinge  160  positioned at approximately its midpoint. Each end of the front rail  15 B includes additional pivot mechanisms at each distal end thereof, each being pivotably connected to vertical post  18 . Preferably, these additional pivot mechanisms are formed by perpendicular pivot sleeves  170  of slightly larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of vertical post  18 . Pivot sleeves  170  are welded or otherwise attached to front rail  15 B and pivotably engage vertical post  18  near the top thereof. As shown in  FIG. 12 , front hinge  160  and pivot sleeves  170  are oriented such that front rail  15 B may be collapsed inward in a generally horizontal plane indicated by the arrow. Thus, in a collapsed and stowed position, the width of walker  10  is substantially reduced and its height is reduced by approximately one-half.  
         [0108]     As would be recognized by someone skilled in the field of the invention, with reference to this specification, vertical hinges  150  and front hinge  160  may be any number of hinge or pivoting connection designs that are capable of locking securely in the open position such that the hinge does not collapse while the walker is in use. In  FIG. 13 , there is shown a preferred embodiment of a lock-open hinge embodiment of vertical hinges  150  and front hinge  160  ( FIG. 12 ). In  FIG. 13 , hinge  200  includes two hinge blocks or plugs  210  adapted to fit securely within each opposing end of a tubular frame member  220 . Hinge  200  is formed by pivotably connecting each opposing hinge plug  210  with two opposing interior hinge plates  230 . In this manner, the hinge  200  does not protrude beyond the outside diameter of tubular member  220 .  
         [0109]      FIG. 13  also depicts a preferred hinge-locking mechanism to prevent the hinges from collapsing during use of the walker. Locking sleeve  240  (also shown in  FIG. 12 ) is formed from a tubular member of slightly larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of tubular member  220  such that, when positioned over tubular member  220 , locking sleeve  240  slides along tubular member  220 . When locking sleeve  240  is positioned over hinge  200  (e.g., vertical hinge  150  or front hinge  160  in  FIG. 12 ), the hinge is locked in an open position to prevent the collapse of tubular member  220 .  
         [0110]     The preferred hinge-locking mechanism further includes a latch or detent pin to retain the locking sleeve  240  in an open or closed position. As shown in  FIG. 13 , locking sleeve  240  may include two detent holes  250  (only one of which is shown) positioned near opposite ends. The detent holes  250  are adapted to receive a spring-loaded detent pin  260  and thus prevent axial movement of the locking sleeve  240  along tubular member  220 . In this manner, hinge  200  (e.g., vertical hinge  150  and front hinge  160  in  FIG. 12 ) can be locked in an open position during use of the walker.  
         [0111]     Although  FIG. 12  depicts walker  10  with wheels  20  to provide mobility for elderly or handicapped persons, those skilled in the relevant field would also recognize that the collapsible walker of  FIG. 12  could be readily adapted for use with a treadmill in the general manner shown in  FIG. 10 . In order to provide for such a collapsible walker adapted for stable use with a treadmill, wheels  20  shown in  FIG. 12  may be removed and replaced with footpads  110  as shown in  FIG. 10 .