Patent Description:
Various types of walking frames are known, for different types of motor disabilities. Typically, these walking frames are provided with a support frame with a plurality of support points for contact with the ground and gripping elements which the user uses for support and/or to grip with his/her hands.

In particular, there are walking frames whose support points are fixed points, the disadvantage of which is that they need to be lifted every time the user has to advance a few steps. In addition to being tiring and uncomfortable in the long term, this can cause greater instability for the user as, every time the user lifts the walking frame, he/she loses its support and consequently risks falling.

Furthermore, this type of walking frame can only be used for short distances, since it requires constant physical effort and mental concentration on the part of the user.

There are also walking frames in which the support points are mobile points, called "rollators" in jargon, that is, provided with wheels in contact with the ground. Four wheels, or two fixed points and two wheels, can be provided. On the gripping elements there may be commands to operate the brakes on the wheels.

Document <CIT>discloses a walking device with a braking system displaying an element which partly moves away from the wheel and is blocked from further rotation by a fixed means.

However, although it allows continuous walking, this type of wheeled walking frame requires a quick reflex on the part of the user who, in the event of possible instability, must exert an action on the brakes.

There are also wheeled walking frames equipped with a device to limit motion, configured to allow discreet control of the advance of the walking frame.

Document <CIT> discloses a walking device having a limiting element and a moving stop element which provides limited forward travel until the user deactivates the anti-rotation device.

One disadvantage of such walking frames is that the limiting device is very complex and requires modifications to be made to the structure of the walking frame on which it is to be mounted.

There is therefore a need to provide a wheeled walking frame that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a walking frame that provides the user with greater safety when walking than known walking frames.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a walking frame that provides an effective support action even in the event that the user loses his/her balance.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a walking frame that does not require significant physical efforts on the part of the user for moving the walking frame.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a walking frame that can be used as an aid to walking even for long distances, without requiring excessive physical effort for the user.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a walking frame that is equipped with a limiting device for the discreet control of the user's advance, which is simple, very easy to install even on a traditional walking frame, and which consists of a number limited of components.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a walking frame having a selectively pre-adjustable forward travel. This is to increase the flexibility and range of use of the orthopedic device.

In accordance with the above purposes, a wheeled walking frame comprises a support frame with which respective wheels are associated and a unit to limit the forward travel configured to limit the rotation of at least one of the wheels.

According to one aspect, the limiting unit comprises an anti-rotation device provided at least with a fixed stop element and with a limiting mean which is selectively integral with at least one wheel in order to interfere with a first side of the stop element and block the advance of the walking frame, or which is able to be selectively distanced from at least one wheel in order to interfere with a second side of the stop element and restore a new travel of the walking frame.

According to another aspect, the limiting mean comprises a first disc coaxial to the at least one wheel and on which a slot is perimetrally made along a segment of arc having a length correlated to a predefined angle of rotation. The slot has, at the respective ends, a first and a second end-of-travel abutment, wherein the first disc is alternatively disposed between a condition of contact with at least one wheel and a distanced condition from at least one wheel.

According to another aspect, the fixed stop element projects from the support frame and is inserted in the slot.

According to another aspect, in the condition of contact the first disc is configured to pass from a position of advance, in which it is in an angular position such that the second end-of-travel abutment abuts on the stop element, to a blocking position, in which it is in an angular position such that the first end-of-travel abutment abuts on the stop element. In the distanced condition, the first disc is uncoupled from the wheel and is configured to rotate in the opposite sense to that which causes the advance of the walking frame.

According to another aspect, the anti-rotation device comprises return means configured to activate the rotation of the first disc from the blocking position to the position of advance when it is in the distanced condition as above.

According to another aspect, the limiting mean is provided with interference elements present on a surface thereof facing toward at least one wheel which are configured to couple indirectly or directly therewith, in order to make the limiting mean integral with the at least one wheel.

According to another aspect, the walking frame comprises an actuation device configured to deactivate the anti-rotation device so as to restore a new travel of the walking frame and a transmission unit. The transmission unit comprises a rigid guide member, sliding on a tubular element of the support frame and a first cable, made through in the guide member, connected on one side to the actuation device and on the opposite side to the anti-rotation device in order to move the limiting mean from the position integral with the wheel to the position distanced from the wheel.

According to another aspect, the limiting unit comprises an angular adjustment mechanism associated with the anti-rotation device and configured to selectively determine the pre-adjustment of the angle of rotation as above which is correlated to a pre-selected limited forward travel of the walking frame. This solution advantageously allows to make the walking frame particularly flexible since the forward travel can, on each occasion, be selected and adjusted according to the user's needs.

It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

The embodiments described here concern a walking frame <NUM> with wheels <NUM>, <FIG>.

The walking frame <NUM> comprises a support frame <NUM> provided with tubular elements <NUM> with which respective wheels <NUM> are associated.

The walking frame <NUM> comprises a unit <NUM> to limit the forward travel, configured to limit the rotation of at least one of the wheels <NUM> only for a predefined angle of rotation α correlated to a predefined limited forward travel of the walking frame <NUM>.

The limiting unit <NUM> comprises an anti-rotation device <NUM> to block the rotation of at least one of the wheels <NUM> of the walking frame <NUM> in a forward direction of normal advance D of the walking frame <NUM>.

According to one aspect, the anti-rotation device <NUM> is provided at least with a fixed stop element <NUM> and with a limiting mean <NUM> which is selectively integral with at least one of the wheels <NUM> in order to interfere with a first side of the stop element <NUM> and block the advance of the walking frame <NUM>, or able to be selectively distanced from the wheel <NUM> in order to interfere with a second side of the stop element <NUM> and restore a new travel of the walking frame <NUM>.

The limiting mean <NUM> comprises a first disk 17a pivoted to the same rotation shaft <NUM> of the at least one wheel <NUM>.

The first disc 17a is selectively mobile between a condition of direct or indirect contact with the wheel <NUM> and a distanced condition from the wheel <NUM>.

The first disc 17a is normally disposed in a condition of contact with the wheel <NUM>. In the condition of contact, the first disc 17a can rotate integrally with the wheel <NUM> following a rotation thereof.

When the first disc 17a is in the distanced condition, the first disc 17a is free to rotate independently with respect to the wheel <NUM>, while the wheel <NUM> remains advantageously blocked by the action of a brake <NUM>, as will be described in more detail below. In particular, in the distanced condition the first disc 17a is released from the wheel <NUM>.

The anti-rotation device <NUM> comprises a slot <NUM> perimetrally made on the first disc 17a along a segment of arc having a length correlated to the predefined angle of rotation α. The slot <NUM> has, at the respective ends, a first <NUM> and a second <NUM> end-of-travel abutment.

The stop element <NUM> is configured as a fixed limiting pin 22a that projects from the tubular element <NUM> and is inserted in the slot <NUM>.

In the condition of contact, the first disc 17a can be in a position of advance or in a blocking position.

In the position of advance, the first disc 17a is in an angular position such that the second end-of-travel abutment <NUM> abuts on the limiting pin 22a.

In the blocking position, the first disc 17a is in an angular position such that the first end-of-travel abutment <NUM> abuts on the limiting pin 22a.

When the first disc 17a is in the condition of contact and in the position of advance, <FIG> and <FIG>, it is able to rotate integrally with the wheel <NUM>, in the sense indicated by the arrow F of <FIG>, until it reaches the blocking position, <FIG> and <FIG>, for the purpose of the advance of the walking frame <NUM> by a predefined and limited travel in the direction of normal advance D.

Once the blocking position has been reached, the advance of the walking frame <NUM> is temporarily denied, <FIG> and <FIG>.

The first disc 17a is then configured to be taken in the distanced condition in which it is uncoupled from the wheel <NUM>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and is able to rotate freely in the sense, indicated by the arrow G of <FIG>, opposite to the one that causes the advance of the walking frame <NUM> in order to move once again from the blocking position to the position of advance, <FIG> and <FIG>.

The anti-rotation device <NUM> comprises return means <NUM> configured to activate the rotation of the first disc 17a, when it is in the distanced condition, from the blocking position to the position of advance, in order to restore a new predefined and limited travel of the walking frame <NUM> in the direction of normal advance D.

The return means <NUM> can be of the mechanical or electromechanical type.

In the example described here, the return means <NUM> are of the mechanical type and comprise a torsion-type spring <NUM> configured to load when the first disc 17a is in the condition of contact and passes from the position of advance to the blocking position, and to unload when the first disc 17a is in the distanced condition allowing the rotation of the first disc 17a from the blocking condition to the condition of advance.

In possible embodiments, the spring <NUM> can be suitably pre-loaded.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the walking frame <NUM> comprises an actuation device <NUM> configured to command, by means of a command lever <NUM>, the deactivation of the anti-rotation device <NUM> in such a way as to take the first disc 17a from the condition of contact to the distanced condition, and a transmission unit <NUM> connected on one side to the actuation device <NUM> and on the opposite side to the anti-rotation device <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the first disc 17a is provided with interference elements <NUM> present on the surface that faces toward the wheel <NUM> and configured to indirectly or directly couple to the latter in order to make the first disc 17a integral with the wheel <NUM>, when the first disc 17a is in the condition of contact.

The interference elements <NUM> can be configured as protrusions that project from the surface of the first disc 17a which faces toward the wheel <NUM>.

The interference elements <NUM> can be made in a single body with the first disc 17a or they can be distinct and separate components from the first disc 17a. In the latter case, the interference elements <NUM> can comprise, for example, pins, rivets, screws, or other similar or comparable elements disposed in such a way as to protrude from the surface referenced above.

In the example described here and with reference to the condition of contact, the first disc 17a is indirectly coupled to the wheel <NUM>. In fact, between the first disc 17a and the wheel <NUM> there is a second disc <NUM> that has, on the surface facing toward the first disc 17a, corresponding cavities <NUM> able to accommodate the interference elements <NUM>. The second disc <NUM> is centrally attached to the wheel <NUM> and is coaxial with the rotation shaft <NUM>.

According to one variant, the cavities <NUM> can be made directly on the wheel <NUM>.

According to another variant, the wheel <NUM> or the second disc <NUM> are provided with the interference elements <NUM>, while the first disc 17a is provided with the cavities <NUM>.

In the example described here, there are four interference elements <NUM> and four corresponding cavities <NUM> disposed along respective circumferences of the first disc 17a and the second disc <NUM> respectively, and they are angled with respect to each other by about <NUM>°.

According to some embodiments, the first disc 17a has a plate <NUM> and a drum <NUM> that projects from the plate <NUM>, from the surface opposite to that facing toward the wheel <NUM>.

The plate <NUM> has a central hole in which the rotation shaft <NUM> is made through.

The plate <NUM> and the drum <NUM> can be made in a single piece.

The plate <NUM> has a contact surface <NUM> on which the interference elements <NUM> are present, and an opposite abutment surface <NUM> from which the drum <NUM> projects.

The drum <NUM> is coaxial with the central hole and comprises an annular wall <NUM> on the external surface of which the torsion-type spring <NUM> is wound.

The annular wall <NUM> develops around the central hole and has a radial and axial size sufficient to allow the installation and functioning of the spring <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> has a first end attached to the first disc 17a and a second end attached to the support frame <NUM>.

In the example described here, the disc 17a has a fastening pin <NUM> to which the first end of the spring <NUM> is attached. The second end of the spring <NUM> is fastened to the limiting pin <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the plate <NUM> has a circular shape and is peripherally provided with the slot <NUM>.

The slot <NUM> is disposed at a radial height greater than that which defines the radial position of the annular wall <NUM> of the drum <NUM>.

The slot <NUM> is open in the radial direction and in the direction of the axis of rotation of the wheel <NUM>.

In possible embodiments, the slot <NUM> is configured as a pocket open only in the direction of the limiting pin 22a.

According to possible embodiments, the first disc 17a can be solid and the slot <NUM> can be defined by a pair of abutment elements angularly distanced on the periphery of the first disc 17a by an angular height equal to the angle of rotation α and configured for interfere with the limiting pin 22a as described above.

According to some embodiments, the transmission unit <NUM> comprises a rigid guide member <NUM>, sliding on the tubular element <NUM>, a first cable 39a made through in the guide member <NUM> and connected on one side to the anti-rotation device <NUM> and on the opposite side to the actuation device <NUM>, and a second cable 39b connected on one side to the brake <NUM> and on the opposite side to the actuation device <NUM>.

Advantageously, the first cable 39a and the second cable 39b are two distinct and separate components.

The guide member <NUM> can be a single body, as shown in <FIG>, or it can comprise, as can be seen in <FIG>, a first guide portion 38a, inside which the first cable 39a is sliding, and a second guide portion 38b, inside which the second cable 39b is sliding, wherein the second guide portion 38b is distinct and separate from the first guide portion 38a.

In particular, the first cable 39a has at least one terminal cable portion <NUM> guided in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel <NUM> and directly or indirectly associated with the first disk 17a. A pull of the terminal cable portion <NUM> allows to move the first disc 17a from the condition of contact to the distanced condition.

According to some embodiments, the transmission unit <NUM> comprises a plate <NUM> interposed between the first disk 17a and the tubular element <NUM>.

The plate <NUM> is coupled with clearance to the first disc 17a cooperating on each occasion with the abutment surface <NUM> of the latter. The coupling is guaranteed by means of stop elements <NUM> which can be made in a single body with the first disc 17a or which can be distinct and separate components such as, for example, screws or other similar or comparable means.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first cable 39a is attached to the plate <NUM>. When the first cable 39a is driven, the plate <NUM> pulls the first disc 17a with it, releasing it from the second disc <NUM>.

The transmission unit <NUM> comprises elastic means <NUM> interposed between the plate <NUM> and the tubular element <NUM> and configured to thrust the plate <NUM> against the first disk 17a in order to return it from the distanced condition to the condition of contact. This thrusting action occurs simultaneously with the counter-rotation of the first disc 17a, from the blocking position to the position of advance, generated by the spring <NUM>.

In particular, when the user interrupts the action exerted on the actuation device <NUM> by means of the command lever <NUM>, the elastic means <NUM> allow the repositioning of the first disc 17a in the condition of contact and recall means <NUM> associated with the guide member <NUM> assist its ascent in order to correctly reposition at least the second cable 39b, and at the same time move the brake <NUM> away from the rolling surface of the wheel <NUM>.

The brake <NUM>, visible in the example embodiments of <FIG>, is operatively associated with at least one of the wheels <NUM> in order to block its rotation, when necessary. The brake can be driven by means of a brake lever <NUM>, <FIG>.

The brake lever <NUM> can be an independent and autonomous component with respect to the command lever <NUM>, or it can be integrated or coincident with the command lever <NUM> in such a way that when the anti-rotation device <NUM> is deactivated, the brake is simultaneously driven and the walking frame <NUM> is completely blocked in complete safety. This second configuration can be preferable because it allows greater safety when using the walking frame <NUM>.

The brake lever <NUM> and the command lever <NUM> can be associated with a gripping element <NUM> that can be gripped by a user, <FIG>.

According to some embodiments, shown in <FIG>, the limiting unit <NUM> comprises an angular adjustment mechanism <NUM> associated with the anti-rotation device <NUM> and configured to selectively determine the angle of rotation α allowed for the rotation of the wheel <NUM>.

The adjustment of the angle of rotation α is performed before using the walking frame <NUM> and can be provided whenever this parameter is to be changed, for example to meet the different walking needs of the user. This adjustment allows to increase the flexibility of use of the walking frame <NUM>.

The angular adjustment mechanism <NUM> comprises an adjustment disk <NUM> coaxial and coupled to the first disk 17a in an angular position selectively adjustable with respect to the latter.

The adjustment disk <NUM> is associated with the drum <NUM> of the first disk 17a, thus helping to radially contain the spring <NUM>, <FIG>. The adjustment disk <NUM> is substantially parallel with respect to the plate <NUM> of the first disk 17a.

The adjustment disk <NUM> is integral with the first disk 17a and has a radial size smaller than the radial size of the latter, and also smaller than the height at which the stop element <NUM> is located.

The adjustment disk <NUM> is positioned between the first disk 17a and the tubular element <NUM> to which the wheel <NUM> on which the limiting unit <NUM> acts is attached.

The angular adjustment mechanism <NUM> comprises a contrast element <NUM> protruding radially and axially from the adjustment disk <NUM> and disposed inside the slot <NUM>, between the first end-of-travel abutment <NUM> and the second end-of-travel abutment <NUM>, in order to limit, according to the adjustment provided, the circumferential extension of the slot <NUM>.

The angular rotation is therefore defined by the angular distance between the contrast element <NUM> and the first <NUM> or second <NUM> end-of-travel abutment, depending on the position of the contrast element with respect to the stop element <NUM>.

The contrast element <NUM> can therefore be provided between the first end-of-travel abutment <NUM> and the stop element <NUM>, or between the stop element <NUM> and the second end-of-travel abutment <NUM>.

The contrast element <NUM> has an axial size, measured in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel <NUM>, sufficiently wide to interfere with the stop element <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the contrast element <NUM> is disposed between the first end-of-travel abutment <NUM> and the stop element <NUM>. In this configuration, the contrast element <NUM> replaces the first end-of-travel abutment <NUM>, reducing the angular arc of the slot <NUM> and consequently limiting the forward travel of the walking frame <NUM>.

In the embodiment described in <FIG>, the contrast element <NUM> is made in a single body with the adjustment disk <NUM>. However, it is not excluded that the contrast element <NUM> may be an independent element associated with the adjustment disk <NUM> in a known way.

The angular adjustment mechanism <NUM> also comprises adjustment means <NUM> configured to stably fix the angular position of the adjustment disk <NUM> with respect to the first disk 17a.

The adjustment means <NUM> comprise a plurality of adjustment holes <NUM> made on the perimeter strip of the plate <NUM> of the first disc 17a, complementary to the slot <NUM>, and at least one blocking element <NUM> able to block the adjustment disc <NUM> to the first disc 17a through the adjustment holes <NUM>.

The blocking element <NUM> can be selected from a group comprising an adjustable screw, a rivet, a pin or other similar or comparable devices.

The adjustment holes <NUM> are made through in the plate <NUM> and can be angularly equidistant. For example, the adjustment holes <NUM> can be disposed at a reciprocal angular distance comprised between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, preferably around <NUM>°.

The adjustment holes <NUM> can be made on the entire perimeter strip of the plate <NUM> which does not affect the slot <NUM>, or only on a limited portion thereof.

The adjustment disk <NUM> can therefore be positioned according to a plurality of stable positions defined by the angular position of the adjustment holes <NUM>.

According to possible embodiments, the walking frame <NUM> can comprise disengagement means able to temporarily release the limiting mean <NUM> in order to allow the continuous advance of the walking frame <NUM>, as occurs for traditional walking frames. These disengagement means are configured to keep the first disc 17a in a distanced condition without there being an action by the user on the actuation device <NUM>.

The disengagement means can comprise an adjustment screw, a pin or other suitable device and they can be directly associated with the limiting unit <NUM> or they can be disposed in a remote position close to the actuation device <NUM>.

The disengagement means can comprise, as an alternative or in addition, an electromechanical disengagement device to facilitate this operation.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the walking frame <NUM> as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claim 1:
Walking frame (<NUM>) comprising a support frame (<NUM>) with which respective wheels (<NUM>) are associated, and a unit (<NUM>) to limit the forward travel configured to limit the rotation of at least one of said wheels (<NUM>), characterized in that said limiting unit (<NUM>) comprises an anti-rotation device (<NUM>) provided at least with a fixed stop element (<NUM>) and with a limiting mean (<NUM>) selectively integral with at least one said wheel (<NUM>) in order to interfere with a first side of said stop element (<NUM>) and block the advance of said walking frame (<NUM>), or able to be selectively distanced from at least one said wheel (<NUM>) in order to interfere with a second side of said stop element (<NUM>) and restore a new travel of said walking frame (<NUM>).