Patent Document

The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/361,235 filed Mar. 1, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an accessory handle, or support handle, for use with a standard or folding walker. 
     Most individuals who utilize a walker require some form of support and assistance when rising from or returning to a seated position. No difficulty is found if the seated position includes armrests for which the individual is able to place one or both hands to improve the leverage and safety of rising or lowering. However, if the seated position has no armrests, individuals may experience great difficulty rising or lowering themselves. This is especially true when an individual may be seated on items such as a toilet, low couch, bed, or armless chairs. 
     It is therefore desirable to have a device which will assist individuals who utilize a walker in rising and lowering themselves from seated positions. Such a device would allow them increased seating options, and increased independence for their daily lives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a walker for aiding an individual rising from or returning to a seated position is disclosed. The walker comprises a frame structure including at least one leg having an axis, and a support assembly attached to the first leg, the support assembly including a handle being rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first leg. The handle is effective in aiding the individual rising from or returning to the seated position. 
     In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a walker for aiding an individual rising from or returning to a seated position is disclosed. The walker comprises a frame structure including a first side frame having a first anterior leg and a first posterior leg, a second side frame having a second anterior leg and a second posterior leg, and a center frame connecting the first side frame and the second side frame. The walker further includes a first support assembly attached to the first anterior leg of the first side frame, the first support assembly including a first support handle being rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first anterior leg. Thus, the first support handle is effective in aiding the individual rising from or returning to the seated position. 
     In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, a walker for aiding an individual rising from or returning to a seated position is disclosed. The walker comprises a frame structure including a first side frame having a first anterior leg and a first posterior leg, a second side frame having a second anterior leg and a second posterior leg, and a center frame connecting the first side frame and the second side frame. The walker further includes a first support assembly attached to the first anterior leg of the first side frame, the first support assembly including a first support handle being rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first anterior leg. Further, the walker includes a second support assembly attached to the second anterior leg of the second side frame, the second support assembly including a second support handle being rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the second anterior leg. The first support handle and second support handle are effective in aiding the individual rising from or returning to the seated position. 
     In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, a walker for aiding an individual rising from or returning to a seated position is disclosed. The walker comprises a frame structure including a first side frame having a first anterior leg and a first posterior leg, a second side frame having a second anterior leg and a second posterior leg, and a center frame connecting the first side frame and the second side frame. The walker further includes a first support assembly attached to the first posterior leg of the first side frame, the first support assembly including a first support handle being rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first posterior leg. Further, the walker includes a second support assembly attached to the second posterior leg of the second side frame, the second support assembly including a second support handle being rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the second posterior leg. The first support handle and second support handle are effective in aiding the individual rising from or returning to the seated position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative walker in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the support assembly of  FIG. 1  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an underside view of the support assembly of  FIG. 1  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an underside view of the handle of  FIG. 1  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the handle of  FIG. 1  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a side sectional view of the handle of  FIGS. 2 and 3  with the collar assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a side sectional view of the handle of  FIGS. 2 and 3  with the collar assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an underside view of the collar body of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail without the support handle attached in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the collar body of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail without the support handle attached in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an inside frontal view of the collar body of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the collar clamp of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an underside view of the collar clamp of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is an inside frontal view of the collar clamp of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative walker in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , walker  10  includes frame structure  20  comprised of first side frame  22  and second side frame  30 . First side frame  22  has a first anterior leg  24 , a first posterior leg  26 , and a pair of side supports  28 . Second side frame  30  has a second anterior leg  32 , a second posterior leg  34 , and a pair of side supports  36 . Center frame  40  connects first side frame  22  and second side frame  30 . It should be appreciated that walker  10  may comprise a standard or folding or collapsible walker, as well as any other known walkers to the extent they are not inconsistent with the invention. 
     A pair of support assemblies  100  are attached to the first anterior leg  24  and the second anterior leg  32  for aiding an individual using the walker  100  in rising from or lowering into a seated position (such as a chair, bed, toilet, for example). Each support assembly  100  includes a support handle  150  and collar assembly  200 . Collar assembly  200  includes collar body  210  and collar clamp  250 , which encircle and secure the support assembly  100  to the first anterior leg  24  and the second anterior leg  32 . Handle  150  is pivotably attached to the collar assembly  200  by a pivot member  300  such that handle  150  may pivotally rotate in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the walker legs. Handle  150  may be rotated over a fixed range, from a neutral position, towards the exterior of the walker and the support position, and also towards the interior of the walker. For the first side frame  22 , handle  150  in the neutral position is preferably disposed between the first anterior leg  24  and the first posterior leg  26  and parallel to side supports  28 . For the second side frame  30 , handle  150  in the neutral position is preferably disposed between the second anterior leg  32  and the second posterior leg  34  and parallel to side supports  36 . 
     Handle  150  and the other components of support assembly  100  may be constructed from any suitable material with good mechanical properties, such as may be required to support the weight of a person using the handles as support to rise or lower from or to a seated position. Preferably, the material should also be lightweight, for example, aluminum, graphite composite, or various polymers known to those in the art as suitable for such applications as those described herein. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the support assembly of  FIG. 1  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , support assembly  100  is in the neutral position with respect to second anterior leg  32 . Collar clamp  250  and collar body  210  are attached by machine screws  400  around second anterior leg  32 . It should, however, be appreciated that collar body  210  and collar clamp  250  may be joined around second anterior leg  32  by any means of attachment that provides the requisite stability. Additional stability may optionally be gained by utilizing a setscrew disposed through collar clamp  250  to apply a normal force against the leg  32  to prevent rotational motion of the collar assembly  200  about the leg  32 . Pivot stop  325  is disposed in collar body  210  to restrict the rotational movement of handle  150  when pivot stop  325  engages pivot stop detent  180 . It should be appreciated that in at least one embodiment of the invention, for each support assembly  100 , only one pivot stop  325  may be utilized. Thus, handle  150  is provided with secondary pivot stop  181  that may be further used to restrict the rotation of handle  150 . 
       FIG. 3  is an underside view of the support assembly of  FIG. 1  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Handle  150  is disposed in a plane parallel to an inferior surface  212  of collar body  210 . As described above, handle  150  is attached to the inferior surface  212  of collar body  210  by pivot member  300 , as shown in FIG.  3 . In this embodiment, pivot member  300  is a pin attaching handle  150  and collar body  210 . It should be appreciated that pivot member  300  may be any type of securing means that allows handle  150  to rotate in the plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the leg  32 . For example, pivot member  300  may also be a screw, bolt secured by washer and nut arrangement, or other suitable piece which serves to attach collar body  210  and handle  150 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , handle  150  is in the neutral position. Handle  150  may be displaced a fixed range of degrees from the neutral position internal (toward the center of the walker) to the support position shown by handle  150 B, or from the neutral position external (away from the walker) to the support position shown by  150 A (as illustrated in FIG.  1 ). The displacement is limited by pivot stop  325  which is affixed to the inferior surface  212  of collar body  210 . It should be appreciated other degrees of rotational displacement may be utilized in further embodiments by changing the location of the pivot stop  325  or removing it altogether. 
     In at least one embodiment of the invention, handle  150  may be rotated to a support position existing anywhere in a range of about ninety (90) degrees from the neutral position internal, and to about forty-five (45) degrees from the neutral position external. Accordingly, the ranges described are merely exemplary, and may be adjusted over any fixed range. This may include an embodiment that does not utilize a collar assembly and attaches directly to the walker leg, providing substantially three hundred sixty (360) degrees of rotation, to suit the intended purpose of the skilled artisan. 
     It should also be appreciated that there may be deflection in the vertical direction when handle  150  is used to support the weight of an individual. In further embodiments, handle  150  may be disposed at angle that is not perpendicular to the axis of the walker leg to which the support assembly is attached, i.e., at some angle between the vertical axis of the walker leg and the normal to the walker leg axis. However, in such embodiments, the handle would still rotate around an axis (pivot member) substantially parallel with the vertical axis of the walker leg. 
       FIG. 4  is an underside view of the handle of  FIG. 1  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , handle  150  is preferably one integral piece, substantially cylindrical, except for the end of handle  150  at which collar body  210  is attached, is preferably box-like to provide additional strength. Handle  150  also has pivot bore  155  through which pivot member  300  may be inserted to attach handle  150  to collar body  210 . Handle  150  includes a secondary bore  160 , into which a spring tension system with a spring tension member, a spring and a bearing, or other similar device is inserted. This spring tension system creates a temporary securing arrangement through interaction with a series of detents  220  on the inferior surface  212  of collar body  210  that urges the bearing of the spring tension system to rise into the detents  220  and secures the support handle  150  at a desired angled position from neutral. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the handle of  FIG. 1  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As described above, handle  150  includes pivot stop detent  180  and secondary pivot stop detent  181 . Pivot stop detent  180  receives pivot stop  325 , as handle  150  is rotated until it contacts pivot stop  325 . Handle  150  may also be fitted with a grip, which may be constructed from foam rubber or like materials. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side sectional views of handle  150  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  with collar body  210  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The partial sectional views shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are over range 6′ to 6′ from FIG.  4 . Pivot member  300  connects handle  150  to collar body  210 . In this embodiment, pivot member  300  is a bolt threaded through and secured by nut  304 , and spaced by washers  302  inside countersink  219  above pivot member bore  215 . A cap (not illustrated) may be used to cover countersink  219  and the components therein. 
     Bearing  175  is at least partially disposed within secondary bore  160 , with tension member  165 . Tension member  165  may be a pin, screw (threaded into bore  160 ), or an other device capable of holding spring  170  and bearing  175  in tension. Spring  170  is situated between bearing  175  and tension member  165 . As handle  150  is rotated about pivot member  300 , bearing  175  is primarily contained within secondary bore  160 , compressing spring  170  against tension member  165 . As handle  150  pivots such that handle  150  passes over a detent  220 , bearing  175  rises from the secondary bore  160  into detent  220 , spring  170  correspondingly decompresses, and handle  150  is secured in place (as shown in  FIG. 6A ) until sufficient lateral force is applied to force bearing  175  to recede into secondary bore  160 , recompressing spring  170  (as shown in FIG.  6 B). Alternatively, the spring tension system could simply comprise a spring loaded locking pin inserted through secondary bore  160 . 
       FIG. 7  is an underside view of the collar body of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As described above, collar body  210  includes pivot member bore  215 , which is configured to accept pivot member  300 . Collar body  210  also includes countersink  219 , which may be used to secure pivot member  300  such that handle  150  is secured to collar body  310 . For example, in one embodiment, pivot member  300  may comprise a bolt, and a nut may be secured to the bolt within countersink  219  to increase the strength of the attachment between collar body  210  and handle  150 . 
     A plurality of detents  220  are disposed on the inferior surface  212  of collar body  210 , as shown in FIG.  7 . As handle  150  is rotated about pivot member  300 , a spring tension system holds handle  150  in contact with the collar body  210 , as described above in reference to  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Handle  150  is held in place (at a fixed degree of rotation) by the force of the decompressed spring  170  holding the bearing  175  in the detent  220  until sufficient lateral force is applied to cause the spring  170  to compress and consequently cause the bearing  175  to recede from the detent  220  into the secondary bore  160 , at which point the handle  150  slides relative to the inferior surface  212  of the collar body  210  until the bearing  175  rises into another detent  220 . Additionally, it should be appreciated that when an individual uses handle  150  to support his weight, the downward force on handle  150  causes the spring tension system and bearing  175  to further secure the handle at the support position. The number of detents  220  determines the number of discrete angles at which handle  150  may be oriented with respect to the neutral position. At least one detent  220 A is preferably placed for alignment of handle  150  in the neutral position, so that handle  150  may be secured in the neutral position when not in use. 
     It should be appreciated that pivot stops  325  may be positioned at any point on the collar body  210 , but are preferably positioned on the inferior surface along the same arc formed by detents  220 . Pivot stop  325  may be a cylindrical rod or bolt which is attached to the collar body  210  and prevents handle  150  from rotating beyond the point at which pivot stop  325  is disposed. Pivot stop  325  may be permanently attached, by welding or brazing for example, or may be removably attached, for example, by inserting a threaded pivot stop into a threaded bore through the inferior surface  212  of collar body  210 . If multiple threaded bores are placed through collar body  210 , pivot stop  325  can be placed at various locations to variously restrict the range of motion when handle  150  is pivoted. 
     In this embodiment, collar body  210  has leg arch  235  formed within it. Leg arch  235  is substantially semi-circular (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) and is constructed to partially fit around, or engage one of the walker legs. Additionally, in the embodiment shown, collar body  210  has handle arch  240  formed within it. Handle arch  240  allows handle  150  to rotate freely at a fixed distance from collar body  210 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate collar body  210  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8  is a side view of collar body  210 , while  FIG. 9  is an inside frontal view of collar body  210 . As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , collar body  210  includes bored holes  245  for receiving machine screws  400  to attach collar body  210  to collar clamp  250  of collar assembly  200 . 
       FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  illustrate collar clamp  250  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in further detail in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 10  is a side view of collar clamp  250 , while  FIG. 11  is an underside view, and  FIG. 12  is an inside frontal view. Collar clamp  250  has leg arch  260  formed within it, which is complementary to leg arch  235  of collar body  210  for fitting around one of the walker legs. In this embodiment, collar clamp  250  includes complementary bored holes  265  that extend through both front and back vertical surfaces of collar clamp  250 . Collar clamp  250  is attached to collar body  210  by inserting machine screws  400  through bored holes  265  of collar clamp  250  into bored holes  245  of collar body  210 . 
     It should be appreciated that other means of attaching collar body  210  to collar clamp  250  to form collar assembly  200  around one of the walker legs include any equivalent removable fasteners known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, bolts and buckles. Additionally, the collar assembly may be permanently attached around a walker leg such as by welding, brazing, use of an epoxy-resin, or other equivalent methods known to those in the art. 
     While the support assembly may be positioned on one of the walker legs by a qualified technician, such as a doctor, therapist, or other skilled practitioner, it should further be appreciated that certain safety design changes may be made on further embodiments of the invention, including the rounding of edges on the collar assembly, for example. 
     Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, will be apparent to those skilled in the art by the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention. While the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Technology Category: 1