Walking aid

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a collapsible walking frame supporting a handicapped person when standing or walking.

[0002] Walking frames are used by disabled or handicapped persons as an aid to walking, for raising themselves from a sitting position or for climbing stairs. Known walking frames generally comprise a metal tubular framework having three or four legs and two support handles. The framework is usually rigid to provide a firm support and to stabilise the user when he applies his weight. However, such walking frames are often made of a relatively heavy material such as steel tubing, and being rigid, they are bulky and therefore awkward to store and awkward to manoeuvre in confined spaces. These disadvantages arise particularly if the user wishes to transport the frame by bus or in a car.

[0003] Folding walking frames are known, but the extent to which they can be collapsed is limited so that they are still relatively awkward and bulky to handle. One such frame suffering from these disadvantages is disclosed in US-A-3,442,276.

[0004] According to this invention a collapsible walking frame for supporting a handicapped person comprises a first pair of support members, a second pair of support members, and connecting members each connecting a support member of the first pair with a support member of the second pair, characterised in that the support members of the first pair are pivotally attached to each other at points between respective upper and lower ends thereof for executing a scissor action, and in that the support members of the second pair are coupled in the region of their upper ends to the support members of the first pair by a pair of hinged joints located in the region of the upper ends of the first pair of support members.

[0005] The frame is preferably arranged such that the said support members and connecting members together form a three dimensional structure when in an operative staite, which structure can be collapsed to a less bulky collapsed state in which at least two of the dimensions are substantially less than they are in the operative state by hingeing the members relative to each other.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention handles are attached or linked to the upper ends of the first pair of support members so that when they are brought together these members pivot relative to each other in a scissor action so that the overall width of the structure reduces until the members are generally parallel to each other. This latter configuration defines the collapsed state. The support members forming the first pair constitute the front part of the frame and support a pair of front feet at their lower ends. The rear part of the frame is formed by the second pair of support members which are dependent from the upper portions of the members and support a pair of rear feet. The connecting members connect the lower portions of the support members on each side of the frame and are arranged to draw the second pair of support members towards the first pair of support members as the handles are brought together. This results in a collapsed structure in which all major elongate component members are parallel to each other, forming a relatively compact unit of a width and depth both much less than its length. In the collapsed condition it is relatively easily handled and relatively easily stowed, for example, on board a vehicle. It is also possible to use the collapsed frame as a walking stick, and as such is particularly useful when climbing stairs or passing through small gaps.

[0007] The frame may be provided with wheels or rollers to aid manoeuvrability, and, in conjuction with these, automatic brakes. It may also incorporate a seat. A shopping basket could be attached to the frame.

[0008] Two embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first walking frame in the operative state;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame of Fig. 1 in the collapsed state;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of one of the joints of the first frame;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the invention, shown in its operative state;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the frame of Fig. 4 in its collapsed state;

Fig. 6 is a side view of one of the feet of the embodiment of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a hinged joint of the embodiment of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment in accordance with the invention, shown in its operative state;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the alternative foot of the embodiment of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 10 is a sectioned front view of a hinged joint of the embodiment of Fig. 8.

[0009] Referring to Fig. 1, a first walking frame in accordance with the invention is a three-dimensional structure comprising a first pair of generally upright support members 1 and 2 pivotally connected at a central pivot 3 to form an 'X'. The top ends of the members 1 and 2 have handles 4 and 5, and the lower ends are protected by rubber feet 6 and 7. The handles may be vertically adjustable on the members 1 and 2. The feet 6 and 7 are the front feet of the structure; rear feet 8 and 9 are provided at the rear ends of a pair of generally horizontal connecting members 10 and 11 which are attached to the lower portions of the upright members 1 and 2 by hinged connections 12 and 13. A second pair of members 14 and 15 connect the top portions of the upright members 1 and 2 to the rear portions of the horizontal members 10 and 11. Two centrally hinged bracing members 16 and 17 hold the members 1 and 2 in their operative 'X' configuration.

[0010] Hinged connections are provided at the ends of the bracing members 16 and 17, preferably by moulded nylon blocks 18 to 21 fixed on the upright members 1 and 2. The upper pair of blocks 18 and 19 also incorporate ball and socket hinged joints (described below) for connecting to the upper ends of the support members 14 and 15, and the lower pair of blocks 20 and 21 incorporate the hinge connections 12 and 13. Connection of the support members 14 and 15 to the horizontal members 10 and 11 is made by means of hinged joints mounted on respective nylon sleeves 22 and 23 which are slidable on the members 10 and 11.

[0011] The structural members and struts are preferably manufactured from aluminium alloy tubing for lightness.

[0012] The central hinged joint 24 of the bracing member 16 is automatically locked by lock 44 when the frame is in its operative state. A resilient tongue 45 attached to one half of the member 16 by a ring has a latch member which engages a notch 46 (see Fig. 2) in the underside of the other half of the member 16 when the hinged joint reaches the position shown in Fig. 1. The lock is released by pushing down on the end of the tongue 45.

[0013] Folding of the frame to the fully collapsed state as shown in Fig. 2 is accomplished by releasing the lock 44 on the strut 16, lifting the central hinge 25 on the strut 17, and pulling the handles 4 and 5 together. The front, upright members 1 and 2 execute a scissor action, and the horizontal members 10 and 11 hinge upwardly about their front hinges 12 and 13. The sleeves 22 and 23 move forwardly along the horizontal members, so that in the fully collapsed state all the structural members lie generally parallel to each other as shown in Fig. 2. In this state the structure is relatively compact and therefore easily transported.

[0014] The ball and socket joint included in the connection block 19 is shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The block 19 has a main bore 26 for housing the upright member 1 and a pair of tongues 27 and 28, which extend rearwardly of the member 1 when mounted. A nylon insert 29 fits between the two tongues and is held in position by means of a bolt or dowel (not shown) housed in the holes 30 to 32 in the tongues and insert. The insert 29 has a recess 33 for housing a ball member 34 mounted on the upper end of the support member 15, so that when the insert is fitted between the tongues 27 and 28 it is trapped in the recess.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the support members 114 and 115 extend beyond the upper hinged joints 118 and 119 to form handles 104 and 105, the scissor members 101 and 102 terminating at the upper hinged joints 118 and 119 are pivotally connected at a central point 103 to form an 'X'. The lower ends of the rear support members 114 and 115 now form rear feet 108 and 109, and are located relative to the scissor members 101 and 102 by inclined front to back connecting members 110 and 111. Each of these connecting members has a forward hinged joint 112 or 113 which is pivotally mounted on a respective scissor member 101 or 102, and a rearward hinged joint 137 or 138. The forward hinged joint 112 is shown in more detail in Fig. 6, from which it will be seen that strut 110 terminates in a tongue 150 located by pin 151 between the arms of a U-shaped member 152 mounted on the scissor member 101. The geometry of the frame of this embodiment dictates that the member 152 shall be pivotable about an axis 153 to allow the frame to collapse without strain on the joints.

[0016] Connection of the scissor members 101 and 102 to the upright support members 114 and 115 is such that each scissor member can rotate about two axes of rotation relative to the respective support member. Referring Fig. 7 which is an exploded perspective view of the joint 118, a U-shaped member 154 is pivotally mounted on a pin 155 projecting from the end of a cylindrical stub 156 fixed to the support member 114. The U-shaped member 154 is held in position by a washer 157 and a U-shaped spring clip 158 dimensioned to slide between the arms of the U-shaped member 154 to engage a groove 159 on the pin 155. The upper end of the scissor member 101 fits between the arms of the U-shaped member 154. Referring back to Fig. 4, the top portions of the scissor members 101 and 102 and rear support members 114 and 115 are held apart in the operative position by a centrally hinged transverse bracing member 116, the central hinge 124 being lockable by a sleeve member 160 when slid along the member 116 to cover the hinge 124. Referring to Fig. 7, each end of the bracing member 116 has an integral bush 161 which can rotate and slide on the stud 156. A coil spring 162 seated inside the bush 161 and acting against the base of the U-shaped member 154, urges the bush towards a transverse pin 163 which projects on opposite sides of the stub 156 when fitted therein. Notches 164 in the rearwardly facing edge of the bush 161 allow the bush to move rearwardly when the bracing member 116 reaches the position relative to the support member corresponding to the operative state of the frame. Thus the notches 164 engage the pin 163 to locate bracing member in the operative position. The engagement is released by pushing the member 116 forward. This feature aids unfolding of the frame into the operative state.

[0017] It will be appreciated that modifications can be made to the frame of Figs. 4 and 5 within the scope of the present invention. A further embodiment including some such modifications is shown in Fig. 8. This frame is similar to that of Figs. 4 and 5, and the references in Fig. 8 correspond to those of Fig. 4. The two modifications incorporated in the frame of Fig. 8 lie in the arrangement of the front feet 106 and 107 which in this case are attached to extended connecting members 110 and 111, and in the connection of the bracing member 116 to the rear support members 114 and 115. These features are shown in more detail in Figs. 9 and 10 respectively.

[0018] Referring firstly to Fig. 9, which is a detail of the frame in the region of the right hand front foot 106, the scissor member 101 terminates at the hinged connection 112, the foot 106 now being mounted on a curved end portion of the connecting member 110. When in the operative state, the foot 106 of this embodiment stands squarely on the supporting surface. It also provides a marginal additional compactness in that the foot 106 tucks under the rear foot 108 when the frame is collapsed.

[0019] The mechanism shown in Fig. 10 functions similarly to that of Fig. 7 but differs in the manner in which the bracing member 116 is located relative to the support member 115 and in which the locating means is released. As before, the bracing member 116 has an integral bush 161 which rotates on the stub 156. Both the bush and the stub are sectioned in Fig. 10 immediately forward of the member 116. The means for locating the member 116 comprises a pivotable arm 165 with a pin 166 received in a hole in the bush 161 and engaging a recess 167 bored in the stub 156 when the member 116 is in its operative position. The arm 165 pivots on a lug 168 projecting from the bush 161 and is biased towards the stub 156 by a spring 169 acting against a release button 170 connected to the arm 165.

Claims

1. A collapsible walking frame for supporting a handicapped person, comprising a first pair of support members (1, 2; 101,102), a second pair of support members (14, 15; 114, 115), and connecting members (10, 11; 110, 111) each connecting a support member of the first pair with a support member of the secbnd pair, characterised in that the support members of the first pair (1, 2; 101, 102) are pivotally attached to each to other at points between respective upper and lower ends thereof for executing a scissor action, and in that the support members of the second pair (14, 15; 114, 115) are coupled in the region of their upper ends to the support members of the first pair (1,2; 101, 102) by a pair of hinged joints (18, 19; 118, 119) located in the region of the upper ends of the first pair of support members (1, 2; 101, 102).

2. A frame according to claim 1, characterised in that the said support members and connecting members together form a three dimensional structure when in an operative state, which structure can be collapsed to a less bulky collapsed state in which at least two of the dimensions are substantially less than they are in the operative state by hingeing the members relative to each other.

3. A frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that support members of the first pair (1, 2; 101, 102) lie generally parallel to each other in the collapsed state of the frame, and are coupled to a pair of feet (6, 7; 106, 107) and to a pair of handles (4, 5; 104, 105) at their lower and upper ends respectively.

4. A frame according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each of the said connecting members has a hinged joint in the region of each of its ends.

5. A frame according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each support member (114, 115) of the second pair extends above the respective hinged joint (118, 119) attaching it to the first pair of support members (101, 102) to form a respective support handle (104, 105).

6. A frame according to any preceding claim characterised in that each support member of the second pair (114,115) extends below a respective one of the connecting members (110, 111) to form a respective rear foot (108, 109).

7. A frame according to claim 6, characterised in that each connecting member (110, 111) is connected to the lower end of a respective support member (101, 102) of the first pair and extends below the said lower end to form a respective front foot (106, 107).

8. A frame according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each of the hinged joints (18, 19; 118, 119) attaching the first pair of support members to the second pair of support members allows pivoting of the respective support member of the first pair relative to the respective support member of the second pair about at least two axes of rotation.

9. A frame according to any preceding claim, characterised by a transverse bracing member (16; 116) extending between the members of one of said pairs of members in the region of their upper ends and having a hinged connection (24; 124) at its mid-point to allow the bracing member to fold when the frame is collapsed.

10. A frame according to claim 9, characterised in that the transverse bracing member (16, 116) has a locking member (44; 160) for locking the hinged connection (24; 124) when the frame is in an operative state.

11. A frame according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterised in that the transverse bracing member (116) is pivotally connected to one of the support members at each of its ends by a bush (161) forming part of the bracing member (116) which is received on a stub (156) projecting laterally from the respective support member.

12. A frame according to claim 11, characterised in that the bracing member (116) has spring loaded location means (163,164; 167,168) at each of its ends for locating the bracing member (116) relative to a respective support member (114,115) in an operative position corresponding to an operative state of the frame.

Revendications

1. Cadre repliable pour la marche permettant de supporter une personne handicapée, comprenant une première paire d'organes supports (1,2; 101, 102), une seconde paire d'organes supports (14, 15; 114, 115), et des organes de liaison (10, 11; 110, 111), reliant chacun un organe support de la première paire à un organe support de la seconde paire, caractérisé en ce que les organes supports de la première paire (1, 2; 101, 102) sont montés articulés les uns aux autres en des points situés entre leurs extrémités respectives supérieure et inférieure de façon à réaliser une action en ciseau, et en ce que les organes supports de la seconde paire (14, 15; 114, 115) sont réunis deux à deux dans la région de leurs extrémités supérieures aux organes supports de la première paire (1, 2; 101, 102) au moyen d'une paire de joints d'articulation (18, 19; 118, 119) disposés dans la région des extrémités supérieures de ladite première paire d'organes supports (1, 2; 101, 102).

2. Cadre selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits organes supports et lesdits organes de liaison forment ensemble une structure tridimensionnelle lorsqu'elle est en position d'utilisation, cette structure pouvant être repliée dans une position repliée moins encombrante dans laquelle au moins deux des dimensions de la structure sont notablement inférieures aux dimensions qu'elles ont dans la position d'utilisation, du fait de l'articulation des organes les uns par rapport aux autres.

3. Cadre selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les organes supports de la première paire (1, 2; 101, 102) sont disposés de façon générale parallèlement les uns aux autres, dans la position repliée du cadre, et sont réunis deux à deux à une paire de pieds (6,7; 106, 107) et à une paire de poignées (4, 5; 104, 105) à leurs extrémités respectivement inférieures et supérieures.

4. Cadre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chacun desdits organes de liaison comporte un joint d'articulation au voisinage de chacune des ses extrémités.

5. Cadre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chaque organe support (114, 115) de la seconde paire s'étend au-dessus du joint d'articulation respectif (118, 119) qui le relie à la première paire d'organes supports (101, 102) de façon à constituer une poignée support correspondante (104, 105).

6. Cadre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chaque organe support de la seconde paire (114, 115) s'étend en-dessous de l'un respectif des organes de liaison (110, 111) de façon à constituer un pied arrière respectif (108, 109).

7. Cadre selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que chaque organe de liaison (110, 111) est relié à l'extrémité inférieure d'un organe support respectif (101,102) de la première paire et s'étend en-dessous de ladite extrémité inférieure de façon à constituer un pied avant respectif (106, 107).

8. Cadre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chacun des joints d'articulation (18,19; 118,119) reliant la première paire des organes supports à la seconde paire des organes supports permet une rotation de l'organe support respectif de la première paire par rapport à l'organe support respectif de la seconde paire autour d'au moins deux axes de rotation.

9. Cadre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il est prévu une entretoise transversale (16; 116) s'étendant entre les organes de l'une desdites paires d'organes dans la région de leurs extrémités supérieures et comportant une liaison articulée (24; 124) à son point milieu de façon à permettre de plier l'entretoise lorsque le cadre est replié.

10. Cadre selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que l'entretoise transversale (16; 116) comporte un organe de verrouillage (44; 160) permettant de verrouiller la liaison articulée (24; 124) lorsque le cadre est dans sa position d'utilisation.

11. Cadre selon la revendication 9 ou la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que l'entretoise transversale (116) est montée de façon pivotante sur l'un des organes supports à chacune de ses extrémités au moyen d'un manchon (161) formant partie de la traverse (116) qui est reçue sur un moyeu (156) faisant saillie latéralement à partir de l'organe support respectif.

11. Cadre selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que la traverse (116) comporte des moyens de positionnement à ressorts (163, 164; 167, 168) à chacune de ses extrémités de manière à positionner la traverse (116) par rapport à l'organe support respectif (114, 115) dans un positionnement d'utilisation correspondant à une position d'utilisation du cadre.

Ansprüche

1. Zusammenlegbarer Rahmen als Gehhilfe zum Abstützen einer behinderten Person, mit einem ersten Paar von Traggliedern (1, 2; 101, 102), einem zweiten Paar von Traggliedern (14, 15; 114, 115) und Verbindungsgliedern (10, 11; 110, 111), von denen jedes ein Tragglied des ersten Paares mit einem Tragglied des zweiten Paares verbindet, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Tragglieder (1, 2; 101, 102) des ersten Paares an Stellen, die zwischen ihren oberen und unteren Enden gelegen sind, zum Ausführen einer Scherenfunktion schwenkbar miteinander verbunden sind und daß die Traggliedern (14,15; 114, 115) des zweiten Paares in dem Bereich ihrer oberen Enden mit den Traggliedern (1, 2; 101, 102) des ersten Paares durch zwei Verbindungsgelenke (18, 19; 118, 119) gekuppelt sind, die in dem Bereich der oberen Enden der Tragglieder (1, 2; 101, 102) des ersten Paares angeordnet sind.

2. Rahmen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die genannten Tragglieder und Verbindungsglieder, wenn sie sich im Gebrauchszustand befinden, zusammen eine dreidimensionale Struktur bilden, die zu einem weniger sperrigen, zusammengelegten Zustand durch Schwenken der Glieder relativ zueinander zusammenlegbar ist, in welchem zumindest zwei der Dimensionen wesentlich kleiner sind als in dem Gebrauchszustand.

3. Rahmen nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Tragglieder (1, 2; 101, 102) des ersten Paares in dem zusammengelegten Zustand des Rahmens im wesentlichen parallel zueinander liegen und mit zwei Füßen (6, 7; 106, 107) sowie zwei Haltegriffen (4, 5; 104, 105) an ihren unteren bzw. oberen Enden gekuppelt sind.

4. Rahmen nach einem der vorausgehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedes der genannten Verbindungsglieder ein Verbindungsgelenk im Bereich jedes seiner beiden Enden besitzt.

5. Rahmen nach einem der vorausgehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedes Tragglied (114, 115) des zweiten Paares sich über das betreffende Verbindungsgelenk (118, 119), durch das es mit den Traggliedern (101, 102) des ersten Paares verbunden ist, hinaus nach oben erstreckt, um einen zugehörigen Haltegriff (104, 105) zu bilden.

6. Rahmen nach einem der vorausgehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedes Tragglied (114, 115) des zweiten Paares sich über das zugeordnete Verbindungsglied (110, 111) hinaus nach abwärts erstreckt, um einen zugehörigen Fuß (108, 109) zu bilden.

7. Rahmen nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedes Verbindungsglied (110, 111) mit dem unteren Ende eines zugehörigen Traggliedes (101, 102) des ersten Paares verbunden ist und sich unter das genannte Ende erstreckt, um einen zugehörigen vorderen Fuß (106, 107) zu bilden.

8. Rahmen nach einem der vorausgehenden Ausprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedes der Verbindungsgelenke (18,19; 118,119), die die Tragglieder des ersten Paares mit den Traggliedern des zweiten Paares verbinden, eine Schwenkbewegung der betreffenden Tragglieder des ersten Paares relativ zu den betreffenden Traggliedern des zweiten Paares um zumindest zwei Drehachsen ermöglicht.

9. Rahmen nach einem der vorausgehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch ein querverlaufendes Verstrebungsglied (16; 116), das sich zwischen den Traggliedern eines der Traggliederpaare in dem Bereich von deren oberen Enden erstreckt und in seiner Mitte ein Verbindungsgelenk (24; 124) besitzt, um das Zusammenlegen des Verstrebungsgliedes zu ermöglichen, wenn der Rahmen zusammengelegt wird.

10. Rahmen nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das querverlaufende Verstrebungsglied (16, 116) ein Verriegelungsglied (44; 160) aufweist, um das Verbindungsgelenk (24; 124) zu verriegeln, wenn der Rahmen in dem Gebrauchszustand ist.

11. Rahmen nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das querverlaufende Verstrebungsglied (116) an seinen beiden Enden schwenkbar mit je einem der Tragglieder mittels einer Buchse (161) verbunden ist, die einen Teil des Verstrebungsglieds (116) bildet, der auf einem Zapfen (156) sitzt, der sich von dem betreffenden Tragglied seitwärts erstreckt.

12. Rahmen nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Verstrebungsglied (116) federbelastete Feststellmittel (163, 164; 167, 168) an jedem seiner Enden aufweist, um das Verstrebungsglied (116) relativ zu einem zugehörigen Tragglied (114, 115) in einer wirksamen Stellung lagemäßig zu sichern, die dem Gebrauchszustand des Rahmens entspricht.

Drawing