GB2439396A

GB2439396A - Wheeled walking aid that is pulled rather than pushed

Info

Publication number: GB2439396A
Application number: GB0612547A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Charles Hersom
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-23
Filing date: 2006-06-23
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: GB0612547D0

Abstract

A walking aid 2 for a disabled person 4, which walking aid comprises a frame 6, wheel means 8 which enable the walking aid to move, and hand grip means 10 which are gripped by the person during walking with the walking aid. The walking aid has a front reception area 12 for receiving the person such that the person is able to grip the hand grip means and walk forwardly with the walking aid being pulled behind and thereby providing required walking assistance without blocking the forward path of the person. The frame may fold and may incorporate a seat 16 and backrest 24, stabilisers 42 and hand grip extension members 50. The wheels may have brakes, with the brake levers 66 being mounted adjacent the hand grips.

Description

1 2439396

A WALKING AID FOR A DISABLED PERSON

This invention relates to a walking aid for a disabled person.

Walking aids are known which are for disabled persons, and which comprise a frame, wheel means which enables the walking aid to move, and hand grip means which is gripped by the person during walking with the walking aid. A disabled person uses one of the known walking aids by standing behind the walking aid, gripping the hand grip means, and pushing the walking aid forward. The walking aids are often known as rollators.

There are a number of problems which occur using the known walking aids.

These problems are as follows: 1. The person is constantly made aware of their disability by the presence of the walking aid in front of them. This is psychologically undesirable.

2. The person tends to crouch or bend forward, leaning into the walking device, rather than walking in a normal upright position.

3. Because the walking aid is in front of the person, it is not possible for the person to undertake face to face conversations with another person.

4. Because the walking aid is in front of the person, it is not possible for the person to get close to supermarket shelves in order to see and remove goods for purchase.

5. Because the walking aid is pushed in front of the person, the walking aid is not well suited for approaching check-out counters in supermarkets.

6. Because the walking aid is pushed in front of the person, the person is not able easily to approach cupboards in their home in order to gain access to goods inside the cupboards.

7. Because the known walking aid is pushed in front of the person, the person cannot easily approach work surfaces in their home, for example in their kitchen. This makes it difficult or virtually impossible to prepare food for cooking.

8. When the known walking aid is being used outdoors, the person often finds it difficult or impossible to negotiate curbs or other obstacles because the walking aid is pushed in front of the person, and it cannot be raised or pushed sufficiently hard to rise up the curb or other obstacle.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a walking aid for a disabled person, which walking aid comprises a frame, wheel means which enables the walking aid to move, and hand grip means which is gripped by the person during walking with the walking aid, characterised in that the walking aid comprises a front reception area for receiving the person such that the person is able to grip the hand grip means and walk forwardly with the walking aid being pulled behind the person and thereby providing required walking assistance without blocking the forward path of the person.

It will be apparent by having a walking aid which is able to be pulled, the above disadvantages of the known walking aids having to be pushed in front of the person are able to be obviated or reduced. More specifically, the disabled person is no longer constantly made aware of their disability by the presence of a walking aid in front of them. The person is able to undertake face-to-face conversations with another person. The person is able to get close to supermarket shelves and easily approach check out counters.

Similarly, the person is able to approach easily counters and cupboards in homes. The person is better able to negotiate curbs or other obstacles with the walking aid of the present invention than would be the case with a known walking aid as mentioned above. This is because, with the walking aid of the present invention, the person is able simply to step up onto the curb or other obstacle, supported by the handgnp means as necessary, and then to lift the front of the wheel means onto the new level formed by the curb or other obstacle. It is then relatively easy to pull the remainder of the walking aid up and onto the curb or other obstacle.

Preferably, the walking aid is one in which the hand grip means extends forward, and in which the front reception area is defined by the hand grip means and a front part of the frame. Other designs for defining the front reception area may be employed.

Advantageously, the walking aid includes a seat which is accessed from the front reception area such that the person is able to sit down whilst still facing forward. This feature of the present invention is advantageous to that on currently known types of walking aids with which the user pushes the frame. With the known walking aids, the person has to turn around through 1800 in order to sit down on the seat and this turning presents a hazardous operation for many disabled persons, involving them removing their hands from the hand grip means. In contrast, with the walking aid of the present invention, the seat is immediately behind the disabled person, and is available for use without the person having to turn. This inspires confidence in the person. Also, if the person senses any instability, it is immediately possible for the person to counteract this by simply sifting down on the seat.

The seat may comprise a seat portion and a backrest portion.

Preferably, the seat is one in which the backrest portion comprises a pair of side members which are connected to and supported by the frame, a backrest member extending between the pair of side members at a first end of the pair of side members, and a seat support member extending underneath the seat portion and between the pair of side members at a second end of the pair of side members. Preferably, the seat support member is formed as an integral part of the pair of side members. Other constructions for the backrest portion may be employed.

The walking aid may include stabiliser means for stabilizing the walking aid when the person is sifting on the seat.

Preferably, the stabiliser means comprises a pair of removable members which extend to the rear and limit any backward tipping of the frame to a predetermined amount. These are generally known anti-tips and are widely used on wheelchairs for disabled users. Other types of stabiliser members may be employed.

Preferably, the hand grip means is adjustable in height in order to provide a required hand grip height for persons of different heights. In this case, the hand grip means may comprise first and second extension members which extend into first and second parts of the frame, and locking means for locking the first and second extension members at desired height positions along their length in the first and second parts of the frame.

Alternatively, if desired, the hand grip means may be non-adjustable hand grip means.

The hand grip means may comprise a right hand grip arrangement for a right hand of the person, and a left hand grip arrangement for a left hand of the person. The right and left hand grip arrangements may each comprise a tubular hand grip portion for being gripped in the palm of the person's hand, and a finger receiving portion for receiving the fingers of the person's hand. Other designs for the hand grip means may be employed.

The waling aid may include a braking system actuated through levers on the hand grip means, for example as on a normal bicycle braking system.

The brakes may be locked in place to stabilise the walking aid when the user is positioning himself or herself in order to use the device.

The levers that operate the brakes are preferably positioned on the hand grip means so that the levers may be actuated by the fingers. In one embodiment, the levers are positioned outwardly to avoid interfering with obstructions such as table tops or the tops of work surfaces when the walking aid is drawn close to them. This enables the disabled person to approach very close to the table or the work surface.

Preferably, the frame is a foldable frame. The foldable frame may include foldable stays which fold out to keep the frame in its un-folded use condition, and which fold inwardly when it is desired to fold the frame into a folded storage position. If desired, the frame could be a non-foldable frame.

The wheel means will usually be wheels. The wheels may be spoked wheels or disc wheels. Alternatively, the wheel means may be rollers, castors or any other suitable and appropriate arrangement.

Preferably, there are four of the wheels, with one of the wheels being positioned at one each of the four corners of the frame.

The frame and appropriate parts of the hand grip means, the seat, and the stabiliser means are preferably made in tubular form. The tubular components are preferably of circular cross section but they may be of other cross sectional shapes if desired. Similarly, flat components may be employed instead of the tubular components. The walking aid will usually be made of metal. Preferably, the metal used is lightweight and non-rusting.

Typically, the metal is aluminium. If desired, other materials may be employed so that, for example, the frame and appropriate parts of the hand grip means, the seat, and the stabiliser means may be made of plastics materials which are sufficiently strong, robust and rigid.

An embodiment of the invention will be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a walking aid being used by a disabled person; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front and one side of the walking aid shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the walking aid shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a side view of the walking aid shown in Figure 1 and in a folded condition.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a walking aid 2 for a disabled person 4. The walking aid 2 comprises a frame 6, wheel means 8 which enable the walking aid to move, and hand grip means 10. The hand grip means 10 is gripped by the person 4 during walking with the walking aid 2.

The walking aid 2 is characterised in that it comprises a front reception area 12 for receiving the person 4 such that the person 4 is able to grip the hand grip means 10 and walk forwardly with the walking aid being pulled behind the person as shown in Figure 1. The walking aid 2 is thereby able to provide walking assistance for the person 4 without blocking the forward path of the person 4. It will thus be appreciated that during use of the walking aid 2 as shown in Figure 1, the person 4 is not constantly made aware of their disability by the presence of the walking aid 2. This is because the walking aid 2 is behind the person 4 and not in front of the person 4. As shown in Figure 1, the person 4 is able to walk forward in an upright position, and without having to lean forward in order to use the walking aid 2. The person 4 is able to undertake face-to-face conversations with another person because the walking aid 2 is behind the person 4.

Similarly, the person 4 is able to use the walking aid 2 and still get close to supermarket shelves, checkout counters in supermarkets, and cupboards and work surfaces in their home. The negotiation of curbs and other obstacles is relatively simple in that the person 4 simply steps onto the curb or other obstacle whilst gripping the hand grip means. The user then simply lifts up the front wheel means Ba to the new level formed by the curb or other obstacle, and then proceeds in the forward direction, easily pulling the remainder of the walking aid 2 onto the curb or other obstacle.

The hand grip means 10 extends forwardly. The front reception area 12 is defined by the hand grip means 10 and a front part 14 of the frame 6.

The walking aid 2 includes a seat 16. The seat 16 is accessed from the front reception area 12 such that the person 4 is able to sit down whilst still facing forward. This is advantageous because the person 4 can sit down immediately if the person 4 senses instability or become fatigued. There is no need for the person 4 to turn around through 1800. The person can simply sit down facing the forward direction, and whilst maintaining a grip on the hand grip means 10.

The seat 16 comprises a seat portion 18 and a backrest portion 20.

The backrest portion 20 comprises a pair of side members 22 which are connected to and supported by the frame 6. The backrest portion 20 also comprises a backrest member 24 which extends between the pair of side members 22 at a first end 26 of the pair of side members 22. The backrest portion 20 further comprises a seat support member 28 which extends underneath the seat portion 18 and between the pair of side members 22 at a second end 30 of the pair of side members 22. The seat 16 and the backrest 20 further comprise a pair of support brackets 32, 34 which connect to front frame members 36, 38 respectively of the frame 6.

The walking aid 2 includes stabiliser means to prevent the frame 6 tipping backward when the person 4 is seated. The stabiliser means 40, or anti-tips as it is known, comprises a pair of struts 42 and 44 terminating with rollers 46 and 48 respectively.

The hand grip means 10 is adjustable in height in order to provide a required hand grip height for persons of different heights. The hand grip means 10 comprises first and second extension members 50, 52. The first and second extension members 50, 52 extend respectively into first and second parts 54, 56 of the frame 6. The hand grip means 10 also comprises locking means 57 for locking the first and second extension members 50, 52 at desired height positions along their length in the first and second parts 54, 56 of the frame. As shown, the locking means 57 is a hand screw locking means.

The hand grip means 10 comprises a right hand grip arrangement 58 for a right hand 60 of the person 4, and a left hand grip arrangement 62 for a left hand of the person 4. The right and left hand grip arrangements 58, 62 each comprises a tubular hand grip portion 64 for being gripped in a palm of the person's hand. Brake actuating levers 66 are shown. These may be locked in position so that the person 4 can stabilise the waling aid 2 when positioning himself or herself before using the walking aid 2.

The frame 6 is a foldable frame. Figures 1 -3 show the frame 6 in an unfolded condition ready for use. Figure 4 shows the frame 6 in a folded condition ready for being stored in a convenient position for a next use, or ready for being transported somewhere, by example by a vehicle. It will be seen that the frame 6 comprises stay members 65. The stay members 65 are foldable stay members which fold between the non-folded condition as shown in Figures 1 -3 to the folded position as shown in Figure 4. In the unfolded position shown in Figures 1 -3, the stay members maintain the frame 6 in its unfolded condition.

The wheel means 8 are in the form of wheels 68 as shown. The wheels 68 may be spoked wheels or disc wheels. Other types of wheel means such for example as rollers or castors may be employed if desired.

Similarly, the rollers 46, 48 can be in the form of wheels, castors or other suitable and appropriate means. As best shown in Figure 2, there is one of the wheels 68 at one each of four corner of the frame 6.

The front wheels 68 are positioned in front of the hand grip portions 64 in order that pressure on the hand grip portions 64 does not tip or pivot the walking aid 2 forward. The wheels 68 are also positioned outwardly to prevent them interfering with foot movement of the person 4.

The walking aid 2 is such that the frame 6 and appropriate parts of the hand grip means 10, the seat 6, and the stabiliser means 40 are made of tubular metal of circular cross section. Aluminium is a presently preferred metal because it is light and yet sufficiently strong. Other metals may be employed if desired, for example steel.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example the frame 6, the hand grip means 10, and the seat 16 may be of different shapes to those shown. Also, the walking aid of the present invention may include a motorised drive means, for example a motorised battery driven wheel, to assist motion or to drive the walking aid whilst the user is seated.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A walking aid for a disabled person, which walking aid comprises a frame, wheel means which enables the walking aid to move, and hand grip means which is gripped by the person during walking with the walking aid, characterised in that the walking aid comprises a front reception area for receiving the person such that the person is able to grip the hand grip means and walk forwardly with the walking aid being pulled behind the person and thereby providing required walking assistance without blocking the forward path of the person.

2. A walking aid according to claim I in which the hand grip means extends forwardly, and in which the front reception area is defined by the hand grip means and a front part of the frame.

3. A walking aid according to claim I or claim 2 and including a seat which is accessed from the front reception area such that the person is able to sit down whilst still facing forward.

4. A walking aid according to claim 3 in which the seat comprises a seat portion and a backrest portion.

5. A seat according to claim 4 in which the backrest portion comprises a pair of side members which are connected to and supported by the frame, a backrest member extending between the pair of side members at a first end of the pair of side members, and a seat support member extending underneath the seat portion and between the pair of side members at a second end of the pair of side members.

6. A walking aid according to claim 5 in which the seat portion member is formed as an integral part of the pair of side members.

7. A walking aid according to any one of claims 3 -6 and including stabiliser means for stabilizing the walking aid when the person is sitting on the seat.

8. A walking aid according to claim 7 in which the stabiliser means comprises a pair of removable members which extend to the rear and limit any backward tipping of the frame to a predetermined amount.

9. A walking aid according to any one of the preceding claims in which the hand grip means is adjustable in height in order to provide a required hand grip height for different persons of different heights.

10. A walking aid according to claim 9 in which the hand grip means comprises first and second extension members which extend into first and second parts of the frame, and locking means for locking the first and second extension members at desired height positions along their length in the first and second parts of the frame.

11. A walking aid according to any one of the preceding claims in which the hand grip means comprises a right hand grip arrangement for a right hand of the person, and a left hand grip arrangement for a left hand of the person.

12. A walking aid according to claim 11 in which the right and left hand grip arrangements each comprise a tubular hand grip portion for being gripped in a palm of the person's hand.

13. A walking aid according to any one of the preceding claims and including a braking system actuated through levers on the hand grip means.

14. A walking aid according to any one of the preceding claims in which the frame is a foldable frame.

15. A walking aid according to any one of the preceding claims in which the wheel means are wheels.

16. A walking aid according to claim 15 in which there are four of the wheels, with one wheel being positioned at one each of four corners of the frame.

17. A walking aid for a disabled person, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.