Abstract:
A assisted walking device is disclosed that is usable by an elderly or mobility impaired person to assist them in walking over various surfaces including paved surfaces, grassy surfaces, unpaved paths or surfaces, and natural terrain. The disclosed assisted walking device includes a frame with a set of four all-terrain wheels, a pair of rearwardly disposed handles over the frame to permit a user to support his/her weight and permitting unimpeded leg motion while walking, a centrally disposed seat for resting, a basket for storing items, and a performance monitoring device. The handles include an actively set and a non-actively set brake, such that the non-actively set brake automatically engages when a user loses control or releases the handle and the actively set brake permits a user to engage the brake to stop or impede motion.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/699,226, filed on Jul. 14, 2005, the entire contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to walking devices, and more particularly to a wheeled walking device for assisting elderly or mobility impaired persons to walk in mixed terrains.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Walking devices are used by elderly and mobility impaired persons each day to assist them in their regular walking activities and also for their conditioning or rehabilitation. Usually, the walking devices are most helpful in flat and solid surfaces, such as hallways or sidewalks. However there are many places that do not have smooth walkways such as a beach or park where people enjoy walking or may need to walk. The problem with conventional walking devices is that they cannot be used in such areas or cause a person using such a walking device a great deal of inconvenience or hardship.  
         [0004]     One walking device of the prior art is a modified wheelchair with a bidirectional seat and handle bars. This device features the traditional large pair of wheels on the rear axle under the seat and small swiveled wheels at the front. While providing a resting place for a walker, this device fails to solve problems encountered by a person walking on a beach or over non-paved terrain such as may be found in a park.  
         [0005]     Other wheeled walkers have four wheels and a handled frame that provide some measure of stability to mobility impaired or elderly persons needing assistance while walking. Some of the wheeled walkers have a basket for carrying items, others have a seat for resting, and some have a folding frame for storage.  
         [0006]     In some walking devices, a frame is provided for support without wheels that make it easier to move over non-paved or uneven surfaces; however, a user must lift and carry these walking devices. While these devices provide greater mobility over mixed terrain surfaces, these devices do not normally have a seat for resting or a basket for carrying items, such as a pet or groceries, and hence limit the useful distance for walking by many mobility impaired or elderly persons.  
         [0007]     There is therefore a need for a walking device for mobility impaired or elderly persons that may easily be utilized over uneven or mixed terrain surfaces, and offer greater distance mobility and utility by providing a seat for resting and basket for carrying items.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention provides a wheeled walking device for assisting mobility impaired or elderly persons in walking over multi-faceted surfaces or terrain. The assisted walking device comprises a frame with handles at a level near or about the waist and disposed over the frame to permit a user to support a portion of his/her weight, over-sized wheels of a type similar to conventional garden carts or all-terrain bicycles, and a resting seat.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serves to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawing:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side-overhead view of an embodiment of the assisted walking device of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a brake assembly of an embodiment of the assisted walking device of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of a speedometer assembly of an embodiment of the assisted walking device of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the transponder assembly attached to the speedometer assembly of an embodiment of the assisted walking device of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of the assisted walking device of the present invention that includes an umbrella and detachable umbrella mount.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a view of the alternative embodiment of the assisted walking device of the present invention with the umbrella shown open and mounted on the umbrella mount. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the assisted walking device  10  of the present invention is shown that is usable by an elderly or mobility impaired person to assist them in walking over various surfaces including paved surfaces, grassy surfaces, unpaved paths or surfaces, and natural terrain. In the embodiment, assisted walking device  10  comprises a frame  12 , handles  14 , a set of four wheels  16  axially attached to frame  12 , seat  18 , basket  20 , brake handles  22 ,  24 , and speedometer  26 . Frame  12  comprises a tubular assembly which may be comprised of a rigid plastic, aluminum, or steel material sufficient to support the weight of a user, a pet, and various items such as groceries or supplies. Frame  12  includes horizontal lower base portion  28 , and intermediate level portion  30 , and upper base portion  32  that are connected with a set of vertically oriented tubular support members  34 . Handles  14  are comprised of a gripping material such as a ridged rubber or flexible plastic material that slips over an area of the upper base portion  32  that is disposed rearward and provides a gripping surface for a user. The set of four wheels  16  are mounted on the horizontal base portion  28  with axles  36 ,  38  and comprised of oversized rims  40  with reflectors  41  and oversized inflatable tires  42  as conventionally utilized with garden carts or all-terrain bicycles, such as rims  40  having a twenty inch diameter and tires  42  mountable on the rims and inflatable to approximately fifty pounds per square inch (psi). Reflectors  41  are conventionally available to reflect lights such as light beams of a car and to identify the location of assisted walking device  10 , such as when a user is crossing a street. Additional reflectors may be connected such as on handles  14  and facing rearward or placed on basket  20  facing forward. Additionally a headlight (not shown, such as conventionally available and operated with batteries) may be placed on a forward location such as basket  20  or axial portion  57  or similar location to provide light for a user as the user navigates in areas of reduced lighting.  
         [0017]     Intermediate level portion  30  is comprised of a pair of rigid axial members  44 ,  46  that are secured with T-joints  48  connected to tubular support members  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  which are part of the set of vertically oriented tubular support members  34 . Seat  18  is mounted on axial members  44 ,  46  and comprised of a rigid material capable of supporting the weight of a user, such as a block of one inch thick wood approximately twenty-four inches across and twelve inches deep. Basket  20  is comprised of a metal mesh framework and is supported by forward support member  58  which is part of the set of vertically oriented tubular support members  34  connecting forward axial portion  57  of upper base portion  32  to forward axial portion  59  of lower base portion  28 . Basket  20  is removably attached to forward axial member  57  with clamp  60 . Brake handles  22 ,  24  are connected to upper base portion  32  and disposed under respective of handles  14 . Brake handle  24  is connected through cable  66  to brake apparatus  62  which is mounted on support member  56 ; similarly, brake handle  22  is connected through cable  64  to a brake apparatus (not shown) which is mounted on support member  54 . Speedometer  26  is connected to forward axial portion  57  and connected to the axle of one of the wheels through cable  68 . Speedometer  26  is comprised of a conventional speedometer such as is attached to conventional bicycles. Upper base portion  32  includes longitudinal portions  70 ,  72 . Axial portions  57 ,  74  connect longitudinal portions  70 ,  72  and provide rigidity to maintain the parallel relationship of longitudinal portions  70 ,  72  together with the set of vertically oriented tubular support members  34  so that a user can support his/her weight without deforming the shape of assisted walking device  10 . Axial portion  74  also provides support to the back of a user when seated on seat  18 . Axial portion  74  includes a pad  76  to cushion the back of a user. Pad  76  surrounds axial portion  74  and is comprised of a rubber or Styrofoam material. Seat  18  is located sufficiently centrally over the lower base portion  28  to provide a stable platform when a user is seated facing rearward and leaning against pad  76 . Upper base portion  32  is disposed rearward with respect to lower base portion  28  so that a user has sufficient space between longitudinal portions  70 ,  72  to move his/her feet and legs while walking and using handles  14  for support without striking seat  18  or axle  36 . The disposition of upper base portion  32  with respect to lower base portion  28  also provides stability permitting all or a substantial portion of a user&#39;s weight to be supported by handles  14  and reduces the risk of tipping assisted walking device  10  when the user&#39;s weight is supported by handles  14 . A user can additionally add counter weight in basket  20  or along the forward locations if necessary. Vertical portions  78 ,  80  are disposed rearward of axle  36  and provide additional support to longitudinal portions  70 ,  72 . Longitudinal portions  82 ,  84  of lower base portion  28  are disposed forward of forward axle  38  and are connected and supported with axial portions  59 ,  86 . The forward positioning of the lower base portion offers additional counter-balance to avoid tipping when a user supports his/her weight on handles  14 .  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of brake assembly  62  is shown connected to vertical portion  56 . Spring  88  maintains pressure on the rearward portion  90  of brake lever  92  when brake handle  24  is not compressed towards handle  14  by a user and forward portion  94  is not engaged with tire  42 . A user stops assisted walking device  10  by compressing brake handle  24 . The brake assembly (not shown) connected to brake handle  22  operates opposite to brake assembly  62 ; and as long as brake handle  22  is not compressed, the brake is engaged with tire  42 . So that when a user loses control of assisted walking device  10  or stops to rest and sits on the seat, assisted walking device  10  becomes or remains stationary unless or until brake handle  22  is compressed towards handle  14 .  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 3A , an embodiment of speedometer  26  is shown connected to forward axial portion  57 . Speedometer  26  includes a digital display and may include an odometer for measuring the distance traveled by a user, a clock with or without a timer, and a reset such as with button  96 . Additional buttons  98 ,  100  may provide for viewing calories burn rate or total calories or similar displays as provided by conventional displays on exercise equipment. Referring to  FIG. 3B , speedometer  26  connects to transponder (and/or sensor)  101  through cable  68 . Transponder  101  responds to magnet  43  which connects to rim  40 . Magnet  43  rotates on rim  40  and produces a magnetic field sufficient to be sensed as the magnet comes into proximity with transponder  101  during each revolution of the wheel and causes an electrical impulse to be transmitted from transponder  101  to speedometer  26 . Magnet  43  is adjustable with bolt  45  to reduce or increase the gap between magnet  43  and transponder  101  as needed to produce the desired interaction between the two components and display on speedometer  26 . Speedometer  26  and transponder  101  are conventionally available. Speedometer  26  includes conventional circuitry, such as a digital signal processor or application specific processor, for translating the impulses from the transponder into the user-related display information. As with conventional display packages, individual user data may be input to be used with the algorithms generating the user-related display information, such as calories burned. In the preferred embodiment, magnet  43  is attached to the forward left wheel. It may be appreciated that magnet  43  and transponder  101  may alternatively be connected to operate in conjunction with any of the other rims  40 .  
         [0020]     In the preferred embodiment, bolt  45  inserts through a PVC tube which is cut to a length to hold magnet  43  within about ⅛ inch of transponder  101 . Magnet  43  has a threaded hub which accepts bolt  45 . Bolt  45  has been sized and selected as a 6 mm bolt; however, the particular sizing is only one example as are any of the dimensions and sizes referred to within the description. Magnet  43  also has a collar which rests neatly against the PVC spacer where it is held in place by the bolt.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of assisted walking device  10  is shown that includes storable umbrella  102 , umbrella bin  104 , and detachable umbrella mount  106 . Umbrella  102  may be of a conventional design that may be stored within umbrella bin  104  during non-use. Umbrella bin  104  may be of a conventional design or may be produced from plastic or metal or similar substance that may be formed into a tube with sufficient inner diameter for easy insertion and removal of umbrella  102  by a user. Umbrella bin  104  is attached to assisted walking device  10  with clamps  108  that are connected to support members  52  and  56  or  50  and  54  so that both umbrella bin  104  and umbrella  102  are secure and non-obstructive during operation of assisted walking device  10 . Clamps  108  may be formed with a rigid metal or plastic and may be adjustable to accommodate various width umbrella bins  104 . The portion of clamps  108  that attach to the support members may also be adjustable as with a screw to permit umbrella bin  104  to be raised or lowered according to the preferences of a user.  
         [0022]     Umbrella mount  106  may be formed of a rigid metal or plastic that includes clips  110  at the ends of bar  112 . Bar  112  fits between longitudinal portion  70 ,  72  and removably attaches to them with clips  110 . Umbrella mount  106  also includes mounting rod  114 . Mounting rod  114  includes a hollow portion for receiving and securing umbrella handle  116  such that umbrella  102  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) is maintained upright and supported by umbrella mount  106 .  
         [0023]     The foregoing description includes the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiments described are presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For instance in one embodiment, additional forward weighting to shift the center of balance can be provided either by choice of materials or by additional weighting of the forward portion of the lower base portion in order to reduce the possibility of tipping assisted walking device  10  backward while being used. Additionally, in another embodiment, the height of upper base portion  32  can be modifiable as by adding finger or wrench adjustable screws or bolts to T-joints  38  and having upper portions of each of the set of vertical members being slidable into the lower portions of those members as with conventional bicycle seats. The embodiments described are chosen to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably titled.