Abstract:
A rollator is disclosed, including first and second upright members, each including handle portions, wheels, hinges disposed between the wheels and the handle portions, channels disposed along the upright members between the hinges and the wheels, and lateral hinges orthogonal to the hinges. First and second foldable support members having wheels are attached to the hinges. At least one lateral support member is disposed between and attached to the lateral hinges, and includes an intermediate hinge. Brake systems include brake lines communicating between brake controls and brakes. In a reversible storage configuration, the foldable support members are rotated to be at least partially disposed in the channels, and the lateral hinges and intermediate hinge rotate to collapse the lateral support member, bringing the upright members with the folded foldable support members adjacent to one another.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/423,879, filed Nov. 18, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to mobility aids. More particularly, the present invention is directed to mobility aids that compress in at least two dimensions for storage. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Rollators are mobility aid devices that incorporate wheels onto walker-like devices to further improve mobility. Rollators often incorporate a seat, which is incorporated into the support and rigidity structure of the device. 
     Rollators, while providing important lifestyle and mobility-improving benefits to persons having limited movement capabilities, whether due to age, injury, illness, or disability, suffer from significant disadvantages that limit the benefits provided by the rollators, or introduce new disadvantages or inconveniences to persons making use of the devices. By way of non-limiting example, existing rollators are bulky to store (particularly in communal settings such as assisted living facilities), are difficult to disassemble, are inconveniently bulky to stow (particularly in vehicles), fail to provide adequate support to assist users in rising from a seated position, are frequently unsuited to outdoor conditions or non-ideal terrain, are typically unattractive, with tubular frames and clinical aesthetics, include exposed brake lines which may present a safety hazard or mobility impediment, may be ergonomically predisposed to encourage poor posture and exacerbate osteoporosis, have insufficiently effective brakes, have seats which interfere with ideal walking stride length, do not provide adjustable or variable resistance, do not permit the seat to be removed to increase stride area, do not have ventilated seats, do not provide reversible seat backs, do not provide sufficiently supportive and sized seat backs, are unable to be operated as a light-duty assisted transporter, do not provide independent braking for improved directional changes, do not provide a parking brake which does not slip, are unable to be hung on a hook or rail in a tight bundle or otherwise for compact storage, do not permit significant custom identity personalization by users, or include various combinations of these disadvantages. Those rollators which are designed to collapse into a more compact shape merely fold into a flat configuration, which remains bulky, difficult to manipulate, and inconvenient to stow. 
     A mobility aid that does not suffer from one or more of the above drawbacks would be desirable in the art. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a rollator includes a first upright member and a second upright member. The first upright member includes a first handle portion at an upper end of the first upright member, a first wheel at a lower end of the first upright member, a first hinge disposed between the first wheel and the first handle portion, a first channel disposed along the first upright member between the first hinge and the first wheel, and at least one first lateral hinge orthogonal to the first hinge. The second upright member includes a second handle portion at an upper end of the second upright member, a second wheel at a lower end of the second upright member, a second hinge disposed between the second wheel and the second handle portion, a second channel disposed along the second upright member between the second hinge and the second wheel, and at least one second lateral hinge orthogonal to the second hinge. The second upright member is aligned parallel to the first upright member. The rollator further includes a first foldable support member and a second foldable support member. The first foldable support member includes an upper end of the first foldable support member attached to the first hinge, a lower end of the first foldable support member including a third wheel, and a conformation which fits at least partially within the first channel. The second foldable support member includes an upper end of the second foldable support member attached to the second hinge, a lower end of the second foldable support member including a fourth wheel, and a conformation which fits at least partially within the second channel. The second foldable support member is aligned parallel to the first foldable support member. The rollator further includes at least one lateral support member. The at least one lateral support member is disposed between and attached to the first lateral hinge and the second lateral hinge. The at least one support member includes an intermediate hinge disposed between the first lateral hinge and the second lateral hinge. The rollator further includes a first brake system and a second brake system. The first brake system includes a first brake control disposed on the first handle portion, a first brake associated with one of the first wheel and the third wheel, and a first brake line communicating between the first brake control and the first brake. The second brake system includes a second brake control disposed on the second handle portion, a second brake associated with one of the second wheel and the fourth wheel, and a second brake line communicating between the second brake control and the second brake. The first foldable support member and the second foldable support member are arranged and disposed to rotate at the first hinge and the second hinge between a storage configuration in which the first foldable support member is at least partially disposed within the first channel and the second foldable support member is at least partially disposed within the second channel, and an engaged configuration in which the first foldable support member and the second foldable support member are reversibly locked at a predetermined angle to the first upright member and the second upright member. The at least one lateral support member is arranged and disposed to transition between the storage configuration in which the first lateral hinge, the second lateral hinge, and the intermediate hinge are in a collapsed arrangement with the first upright member adjacent to the second upright member, and the engaged configuration in which the first lateral hinge, the second lateral hinge, and the intermediate hinge are in an extended arrangement with the first upright member distal from the second upright member across an extended length of the at least one lateral support member, the intermediate hinge being reversibly locked in the extended arrangement. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rollator in an extended configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the rollator of  FIG. 1  transitioning between the extended configuration and a storage configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the rollator of  FIG. 1  transitioning between the extended configuration and a storage configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the rollator of  FIG. 1  in the storage configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the rollator of  FIG. 1  including a removable seat, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the rollator of  FIG. 5  with the seat back reversed, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the rollator of  FIG. 5  with the seat back folded, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the rollator of  FIG. 7  with the removable seat rotated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the rollator of  FIG. 8  in the storage configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the intermediate hinge of  FIG. 1  in an extended arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the intermediate hinge of  FIG. 10A  with the intermediate hinge in a collapsed arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Provided are exemplary rollators. Embodiments of the present disclosure, in comparison to rollators not utilizing one or more features disclosed herein, decrease storage bulk, increase stowability, increase support for rising from a seated position, improve stability on non-ideal terrain, reduce safety hazards and mobility impediments, improve ergonomics, increase brake effectiveness, increase available stride length, provide adjustable or variable resistance, permit the seat to be removed to increase stride area, improve seat ventilation, provide reversible seat backs, increase support and size of seat backs, increase operability as a light-duty assisted transporter, provide independent braking for improved directional changes, provide a parking brake which does not slip, are able to be hung on a hook or rail in a tight bundle or otherwise for compact storage, permit significant custom identity personalization by users, or a combination thereof. Although discussed primarily herein in the context of rollators, it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited and that principles of the invention can be applied to other types of mobility aids as well, including walkers, for example. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , in one embodiment, a rollator  100  includes a first upright member  102  and a second upright member  104 . 
     The first upright member  102  includes a first handle portion  106  at an upper end  108  of the first upright member  102 , a first wheel  110  at a lower end  112  of the first upright member  102 , a first hinge  114  disposed between the first wheel  110  and the first handle portion  106 , a first channel  116  disposed along the first upright member  102  between the first hinge  114  and the first wheel  110 , and at least one first lateral hinge  118  orthogonal to the first hinge  114 . 
     The second upright member  104  includes a second handle portion  120  at an upper end  122  of the second upright member  104 , a second wheel  124  at a lower end  126  of the second upright member  104 , a second hinge  128  disposed between the second wheel  124  and the second handle portion  120 , a second channel  130  disposed along the second upright member  104  between the second hinge  128  and the second wheel  124 , and at least one second lateral hinge  132  orthogonal to the second hinge  128 . The second upright member  104  is aligned parallel to the first upright member  102 . 
     The rollator  100  further includes a first foldable support member  134  and a second foldable support member  136 . 
     The first foldable support member  134  includes an upper end  138  of the first foldable support member  134  attached to the first hinge  114 , a lower end  140  of the first foldable support member  134  including a third wheel  142 , and a conformation which fits at least partially within the first channel  116 . 
     The second foldable support member  136  includes an upper end  144  of the second foldable support member  136  attached to the second hinge  128 , a lower end  146  of the second foldable support member  136  including a fourth wheel  148 , and a conformation which fits at least partially within the second channel  130 . The second foldable support member  136  is aligned parallel to the first foldable support member  134 . 
     The rollator  100  further includes at least one lateral support member  150 . The at least one lateral support member  150  is disposed between and attached to the first lateral hinge  118  and the second lateral hinge  132 . The at least one lateral support member  150  includes an intermediate hinge  152  disposed between the first lateral hinge  118  and the second lateral hinge  132 . 
     The rollator  100  further includes a first brake system  154  and a second brake system  156 . 
     The first brake system  154  includes a first brake control  158  disposed on the first handle portion  106 , a first brake  160  associated with one of the first wheel  110  and the third wheel  142 , and a first brake line  162  communicating between the first brake control  158  and the first brake  160 . The first brake system  154  may include secondary brakes on the same wheel as the first brake  160  is associated with, the other wheel of the first wheel  110  and the third wheel  142 , or both. 
     The second brake system  156  includes a second brake control  164  disposed on the second handle portion  120 , a second brake  166  associated with one of the second wheel  124  and the fourth wheel  148 , and a second brake line  168  communicating between the second brake control  164  and the second brake  166 . The first brake system  156  may include secondary brakes on the same wheel as the second brake  166  is associated with, the other wheel of the second wheel  124  and the fourth wheel  148 , or both. 
     In one embodiment (not shown), the first brake system  154  and the second brake system  156  are linked, such that the first brake control  158  may control the first brake  160  and the second brake  166 , the second brake control  164  may control the first brake  160  and the second brake  166 , or each of the first brake control  158  and the second brake control  164  may control the first brake  160  and the second brake  166 . The first brake system  154  and the second brake system  156  may include a selector for selecting between the aforementioned brake control options. 
     The first foldable support member  134  and the second foldable support member  136  are arranged and disposed to rotate at the first hinge  114  and the second hinge  128 , respectively, between a storage configuration  400  (see  FIGS. 4 and 9 ) in which the first foldable support member  134  is at least partially disposed within the first channel  116  and the second foldable support member  136  is at least partially disposed within the second channel  130 , and an engaged configuration  170  in which the first foldable support member  134  and the second foldable support member  136  are reversibly locked at a predetermined angle  172  to the first upright member  102  and the second upright member  104 . 
     The at least one lateral support member  150  is arranged and disposed to transition between the storage configuration  400  in which the first lateral hinge  118 , the second lateral hinge  132 , and the intermediate hinge  152  are in a collapsed arrangement  402  (see  FIGS. 1, 4 , and  9 ) with the first upright member  102  adjacent to the second upright member  104 , and the engaged configuration  170  in which the first lateral hinge  118 , the second lateral hinge  132 , and the intermediate hinge  152  are in an extended arrangement  174  with the first upright member  102  distal from the second upright member  104  across an extended length  176  of the at least one lateral support member  150 , the intermediate hinge  152  being reversibly locked in the extended arrangement  174 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the transition between the storage configuration  400  and the engaged configuration  170  may proceed by first rotating the first foldable support member  134  and the second foldable support member  136  and then rotating the first lateral hinge  118 , the second lateral hinge  132 , and the intermediate hinge  152 , or by first rotating the first lateral hinge  118 , the second lateral hinge  132 , and the intermediate hinge  152  and then rotating the first foldable support member  134  and the second foldable support member  136 . The first foldable support member  134  and the second foldable support member  136  are rotatable simultaneously or independently. In one embodiment, the intermediate hinge  152  reversibly locks in the engaged configuration  170 , and must be released in order to rotate to the storage configuration  400 . 
     In one embodiment, at least one of the first brake  160  and the second brake  166  is a disc brake. In a further embodiment, both of the first brake  160  and the second brake  166  are disc brakes. The first brake  160  and the second brake  166  may be independently operated or jointly operated. 
     In one embodiment, the first wheel  110 , the second wheel  124 , the third wheel  142 , and the fourth wheel  148  are arranged and disposed such that in the storage configuration  400 , the first wheel  110  and the fourth wheel  148  are at least partially disposed between the second wheel  124  and the third wheel  142 . In another embodiment, the first wheel  110 , the second wheel  124 , the third wheel  142 , and the fourth wheel  148  are arranged and disposed such that in the storage configuration  400  the second wheel  124  and the third wheel  142  are at least partially disposed between the first wheel  110  and the fourth wheel  148 . 
     The at least one lateral support member  150  may be disposed at any suitable position along the first upright member  102  and the second upright member  104 . In one embodiment, the at least one lateral support member  150  is disposed below the first hinge  114  and second hinge  128  and above the first wheel  110  and the second wheel  124 . The rollator  100  may include any suitable number of lateral support members  150 . In one embodiment, the rollator  100  includes a first lateral support member  178  and a second lateral support member  180 , wherein the first lateral support member  178  is disposed below the first hinge  114  and second hinge  128  and above the first wheel  110  and the second wheel  124 , and the second lateral support member  180  is disposed below the first lateral support member  178  and above the first wheel  110  and the second wheel  124 . 
     In one embodiment, at least one of the first brake system  154  and the second brake system  156  is reversibly lockable in a fully engaged configuration, which may be referred to as a “parking brake”. In further embodiment, each of the first brake system  154  and the second brake system  156  is reversibly lockable in the fully engaged configuration. In another embodiment, each of the first brake system  154  and the second brake system  156  is reversibly lockable in a partially engaged configuration, independently or together, to provide variable degrees of resistance, which may be referred to as a “resistance brake”. Such variable degrees of resistance may assist users in need of assistance achieving improved or optimal balance. The parking brake and the resistance brake may be engaged by any suitable mechanism, including, but not limited to, a switch or similar device located at the first brake control  158 , the second brake control  160 , or both, a foot-operated control located at the first brake  160 , the second brake  166 , or both, or combination thereof. The parking brake and the resistance brake may be engaged by the same mechanism or different mechanisms. In one embodiment, the parking brake may be engaged by a flip-lever, and the resistance brake may be engaged by and controlled by a dial or slide. 
     The rollator  100  may include any suitable dimensions in the engaged configuration  170  and the storage configuration  400 . In one embodiment, in the storage configuration  400 , the rollator  100  includes a height of less than about 45 inches, a width of less than about 12 inches, and a depth of less than about 18 inches, alternatively a height of less than about 40 inches, a width of less than about 9 inches, and a depth of less than about 15 inches, alternatively a height of about 38.6 inches, a width of about 8.5 inches, and a depth of about 14.1 inches, alternatively a height of less than about 38.6 inches, a width of less than about 8.5 inches, and a depth of less than about 14.1 inches, or any combination of the such dimensions. 
     In one embodiment, the height of the rollator  100  is adjustable by at least about 2 inches, alternatively at least about 3 inches, alternatively at least about 3.5 inches, alternatively at least about 4 inches, while in the engaged configuration  170 . 
     The predetermined angle  172  of the engaged configuration  170  from the first foldable support member  134  and the second foldable support member  136  to the first upright member  102  and the second upright member  104  may be any suitable angle, including, but not limited to, an angle between about 15° and about 120°, alternatively between about 20° and about 90°, alternatively between about 25° and about 75°, alternatively between about 30° and about 60°, alternatively between about 45° and about 75°, alternatively between about 60° and about 70°, alternatively between about 63° and about 67°, alternatively about 64°. As used herein, angle measurements are measured between the centers of the members at the points closest to the wheels, with the hinges serving as the vertices of the angles. 
     In one embodiment, at least about 50% of the first brake line  162  is disposed within one of the first upright member  102  and the first foldable support member  134 , and at least about 50% of the second brake line  168  is disposed within one of the second upright member  104  and the second foldable support member  136 , alternatively at least about 60% of the first brake line  162  and at least about 60% of the second brake line  168 , alternatively at least about 70% of the first brake line  162  and at least about 70% of the second brake line  168 , alternatively at least about 75% of the first brake line  162  and at least about 75% of the second brake line  168 , alternatively at least about 80% of the first brake line  162  and at least about 80% of the second brake line  168 , alternatively at least about 85% of the first brake line  162  and at least about 85% of the second brake line  168 , alternatively at least about 90% of the first brake line  162  and at least about 90% of the second brake line  168 , alternatively at least about 95% of the first brake line  162  and at least about 95% of the second brake line  168 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , in one embodiment, the rollator  100 , includes a removable seat  500  having a seat bottom  502  and a seat back  504 . The removable seat  500  is reversibly attached to the first upright member  102  and the second upright member  104  above the at least one lateral support member  150 . The removable seat  500  may further be attached to the first foldable support member  134  and the second foldable support member  136 . 
     The rollator may include removable support arms  506  positioned at a height suitable for stabilizing and aiding a transition of an individual between a seated and a standing position. The removable support arms  506  may rotate by about 150° to 180° between a first position and a second position. 
     In one embodiment, the seat back  504  attaches to the seat bottom  502  on rails  508  along the seat bottom  504 , and the removable seat  500  is arranged and disposed such that the seat back  504  is slideable between a first end  510  of the seat bottom  502  ( FIG. 5 ) and a second end  512  of the seat bottom  502  ( FIG. 6 ). The seat back  504  may reversibly lock at the first end  510  and the second end  512 . 
     In one embodiment, the seat back  504  is arranged and disposed to rotate between an open position ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) in which the seat back is reversibly locked about perpendicular to the seat bottom  502 , and a closed position ( FIG. 7 ) in which the seat back  504  is reversibly locked about parallel to and adjacent to the seat bottom  502 . “About perpendicular” may include a deviation from 90° within about ±20°, alternatively within about ±15°, alternatively within about ±10°, alternatively within about ±5°. 
     In one embodiment, the removable seat  500  is arranged and disposed to rotate between a first position ( FIG. 8 ) in which the seat bottom  502  is reversibly locked about parallel to the first upright member  102  and the second upright member  104 , and a second position ( FIGS. 5-7 ) in which the seat bottom  502  is reversibly locked about parallel to a plane defined by the first wheel  110 , the second wheel  124 , the third wheel  142 , and the fourth wheel  148 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the removable seat  500  may be arranged and disposed to compress laterally when the rollator  100  transitions from the engaged configuration  170  ( FIG. 8 ) to the storage configuration  400  ( FIG. 9 ), and expand laterally when the rollator  100  transitions from the storage configuration  400  ( FIG. 9 ) to the engaged configuration  170  ( FIG. 8 ). In one embodiment, the seat back  504  and the seat bottom  502  include a foldable material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , in one embodiment, the at least one lateral support member  150  includes a latch  1000  at the intermediate hinge  152 . The latch  1000  at least partially covers the intermediate hinge  152 , and may inhibit compression of fingers during the folding of the intermediate hinge  152 . In one embodiment, the latch  1000  may unlock the intermediate hinge  1000  to transition from the extended arrangement  174  ( FIG. 10A ) to the collapsed arrangement  402  ( FIG. 10B ), by way of example through a rotating motion. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.