US2713887A - Safety walking aid - Google Patents

Description

' July 26, 1955 A. R. THOMAS 2,713,887

SAFETY WALKING AID Filed May 29, 1953 INVENTOR.

SAFETY WALKING AID Alvin R. Thomas, Weyauwega, Wis. Application May 29, 1953, Serial No. 358,288 6 Claims. (Cl. 15522) This invention relates to a walking aid and more particularly to apparatus for aiding and training invalids, crippled children, spastic persons, and the like in developing or redeveloping their ambulatory abilities.

It is an important object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for teaching the art of walking, said apparatus having greatly improved rigidity and stability. Many devices have heretofore been proposed for aiding the development of skill and self-reliance in persons learning or relearning to walk. The devices heretofore proposed have generally failed to satisfactorily provide a sturdy, stable device useful under the varying conditions encountered in the home. These devices generally have utilized skids or slides for movement along a smooth surface such as a wooden or composition fioor or have employed a rectangular structure having four caster-type wheels at the corners, capable of motion in any arbitrary direction, and consequently lacking lateral stability. Such devices as the two types above described are generally poorly adapted for use in the home, where such surface discontinuities as rugs and thresholds are encountered and where it is desirable to maintain motion only in the forward direction to avoid possible uncontrollable lateral movement and consequent damage to household furnishings and injury to the patient.

Therefore it is a further object of this invention to provide an improved walking aid having a high degree of lateral stability.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved walking aid well adapted for use by individuals of varying ability and by a single individual throughout the successive stages of development of walking ability.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved walking aid which is especially useful in d ascending, descending, and traversing small surface discontinuities such as the edges of carpets, thresholds, small steps, and the like.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved walking aid of simple construction which may be easily disassembled for convenient and inexpensive transportation.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved walking aid having an attractive appearance which is constructed preferably of materials readily available and adapted for attractive finishing.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved walking aid which will not damage or destroy the surface of floors or furnishings or otherwise aflect the surrounding appurtenances. 1

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved Walking aid adjustable for use by patients of various heights.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved walking aid which is mounted on cooperating rolling means and sliding'means whereby an niteci States Patent 0 increase in walking skill will enable a patient to utilize the rolling means to an increasing extent.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved walking aid which is further adapted for the transportation of collateral articles, such as magazines, newspapers, or the like.

Further and additional objects of this invention will become obvious from a consideration of this description, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.

In one form of this invention a walking aid is provided having a transverse handle supported in adjustable spaced relationship from the floor or other walking surface by a pair of generally vertical supports adapted at their lower edges to form smooth sliding surfaces or skids. A second pair of supports extend forwardly from the generally vertical supports and have secured thereto at their lower and forwardmost ends a pair of rollers or wheels having a fixed axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to the handle aforementioned. The axis of the wheels is generally disposed forwardly of the angular supports, whereby a longitudinal force applied to the angular supports by a patient will generally force the skid portions of the vertical supports into frictional contact with the floor, thus preventing rapid, uncontrollable motion or rotation of the wheels. The angular supports extend downwardly adjacent to the wheels to a point in close proximity to the walking surface. Thus if the wheels suddenly encounter a break or discontinuity in the surface which would normally cause the device and patient to move forward rapidly, the downward extensions on the angular supports will engage the surface to provide a stable support for the patient until the apparatus is tilted forward to cause the wheels to controllably engage the lower surface for continued forward motion.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. I, viewed from one side thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, illustrating the construction of theback portions thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, illustrating one wheel construction adapted for use with this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. l, a walking aid 10 is provided having a pair of generally vertical supports 12 mounted in spaced relationship with a horizontal transverse bar 16 extending therebetween. The bar 16 is fixed to each of thevertical supports 12 by a cooperating nut and bolt '18 extending transversely through the vertical support and passing through the end portion of the bar 16 which is received in aperture 20 in said vertical support. Each of the vertical supports 12 is provided with a vertical row of aligned apertures 22. One of the lowermost ones of these aper-. tures will normally receive a bolt 24 which supports a pivotally mounted extension 26. The vertical extension 26 may be pivoted to a vertical position (as shown in Fig. 2) at which an aperture 28 in the extension will align with one aperture of the row 22. By passing a bolt through the aligned apertures 28 and 22 and securing a nut thereto, the vertical extensions 26 will be fixed in a position above the vertical supports 12 and will position a handle 30 secured between the vertical extensions 26 at any desired height above the floor surface. The length of vertical supports 12 is so chosen that the bar 16 will be at the minimum height as required for relatively short patients. This has been generally found to be at a height of approximately 32 inches above the floor. By appropriately positioning bolts 24 and 28 to extend through preselected apertures 22 in the vertical supports, the handle 30 may be positioned at one-inch intervals between 33 and 36 inches above the floor.

A pair of angular supports 32 are also received on the bar 16 and extend forwardly at a predetermined angle to the vertical supports to form a wheel-supporting struc-* ture. The angular supports 32 are maintained in a predetermined angular relationship withrespect to the vertical supports by bolts 34 extending through the juxtaposed portions of the two supports. To further reinforce the structure thus formed, a transverse member 36 extends between the lower portion of each of the vertical supports 12 and a preselectedposition-on the corresponding angular support 32 somewhat above the lower end thereof. The transverse member 36- is secured to the associated supports by bolts 38 and cooperating nuts, not shown,- and the lower edge 40- of the transverse member 36 is provided with a smooth floor-engaging surface and rounded corners at each end thereof, whereby the edge 40 serves as a slide or skid capable of surmounting small obstacles such as thresholds and carpet edges.

Extending forwardly from each of the angular supports 32 are a pair of wheel brackets 42' and 43. The brackets 42 and 43 extend forwardly and downwardly at an angle to each angular support 32. The bracket 43 is secured to the inside surface and the bracket 42 to the outside surface of support 32, whereby a wheel 44-having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the angular support may be received therebetween. Wheel 44 is mounted on the brackets 42 and 43 by passing an axle 46 through aligned apertures in the brackets 42' and 43 and the wheel 44. This structure is most clearly shown in the sectional view of Fig. 4. The axle 46 is preferably of wood or similar high-friction material and has a relatively large diameter. The axle is maintained inposition by a pair of collars 48 and 50 disposed on opposite sides of the brackets 42 and 43, respectively. The collars 48 and 50' have transverse apertures therethrough' which align with apertures 52 in the axle 46 whereby a cotter pin 54 or other similar retainer may be passed therethrough, thusretaining the wheel 44 rotatably positioned between the brackets 42 and 43. exhibit a relatively large frictional force with respect to the axle 46 whereby a patient utilizing this device will not find that, upon the application of weight and a slight forward force on the bar 16, the device will lean forward slightly and the wheels will suddenly begin to roll rapidly, causing a jarring, sporadic motion which would generally render walking more difficult.

A large planar member 56 is disposed between the angular supports 32 and rigidly secured thereto to provide substantial strength in the transverse plane to prevent any skewing or distortion in the structure above described. Mounted to the planar member 56 is a receptacle comprising a pair of forward extensions 58 with a cover 60 substantially coextensive with the planar member 56 secured to the extensions 58 to form a box-like receiver therebetween for retaining various articles which the patient may wish to transport. A bottom member, not shown, will enclose the rectangle formed by planar member 56, extensions 58, and cover 60.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the walking aid 10 is adapted for use by relatively tall persons. Therein pivotally mounted extensions 26 have been positioned in alignment with vertical supports 12 whereby the handle 30 is maintained a predetermined distance above the bar 16. The position of extensions 26 and handle 30 may readily be shifted by removal of the bolts 24 and 28 and the cooperatingwing nuts 62, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3.

The lower extremity 64 of the angular supports 32 are maintained a predetermined distance above the floor surfacewhen the edges 40 of the transverse members 36 It is desirable that the wheels 44' are in contact therewith. In one embodiment of this invention it was found desirable that the lower extremity 64 be maintained one-eighth inch above the floor surface. The purpose of so terminating the angular supports 32 is to serve as an aid in ascending or descending small steps or risers, such as are encountered in thresholds. When encountering such as discontinuity it will generally be found that the wheel 44 will tend to rotate at an excessive rate and would cause the patient to fall forward, unable to maintain stability, unless some retarding force is provided. This retarding force is provided by this invention by the engagement of the lower extremity 64 of the angular supports 32 with the threshold surface or the like. Thus a rigid contact is formed between the extremity 64 and the surface, and in order to effect rolling movement of the device it will be necessary for the patient to provide a substantial forward force on the handle 30 in order to tilt the device forwardly and once again produce engagement of the wheels 44 with the surface.

Whileone particular embodiment has herein been describedwhich con-templates the use primarily of wooden elements andnut and bolt securing means, it is believed obvious that the structure may be composed of steel tubing or the like; either bolted or riveted into the desired assembly or welded into an integral structure. Furthermore, various modifications of this invention may be readily conceived which-will employ alternate positioning of the wheels at varying angles forwardly of the angular supports 32 or may provide skid surfaces 40 extending rearwardly from the vertical supports 12 a greater distance than that hereinshown, whereby increased stability is attained to insure against inadvertent loss of balance and backwardmotion of the patient. Also, any type of vertical extension may readily be employed for positioning the handle 30 at any desired height, or if the apparams is designed for a particular patient it may be initially manufactured having bar 16' at the predetermined desirable height for said particular patient, thus completely eliminating the need for vertical extensions 26 and handle 30. As the walking skill and self-confidence of a patient develops he will'find it desirable to place increasing force on the front wheels and reduce the weight borne by the skids. Thus more normal strides may be taken as skill develops with less reliance being'placed upon the walking aid. Withoutfurther' elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the character of my invention that others may, by applying" current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use und'e'r'varying conditions of service, while retaining certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items" of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A walking aid comprising handle means, a supporting structure for'positioning said handle means in spaced relationship to a walking. surface, wheel means secured to the forward portion of said supporting structure for engagemen't with such walking surface and having a fixed axis of rotation, skid means fixed to the rearward portion of said supporting structure, and stop means fixed adjacent to said wheel'means having awalking surfaceen agingrace disposed above'the' plane of said skid means and the surface-engagin'g-portion of said wheel means.

2. A walking" aid comprising handle means, a supporting structure for positioning said handle means in spaced relationship to a walking: surface, said supporting structure having; a pair of planar membersdisposed in spaced parallel relationship with the handle means disposed therebetween, wheel means'for engaging such walking surface and secured tothe-forward portion of each of said spaced parallel members with a fixed axis of rotation substantially. normal thereto, skid means at the rearward portion of each of said planar members, and stop means fixed adjacent to and rearwardly of each of said wheel means, said stop means having a lower walking surfaceengaging face disposed above the plane of said skid means and the surface-engaging portion of said wheel means.

3. A walking aid comprising handle means, a supporting structure for maintaining said handle means in spaced relationship to a walking surface, wheel means secured to the forward portion of said supporting structure for engagement with such walking surface and having high rotational friction on a fixed axis, skid means disposed at the rearward portion of said supporting structure, and stop means fixed adjacent to said wheel means having a Walking surface-engaging face disposed above the plane of said skid means and the surface-engaging portion of said wheel means.

4. A walking aid comprising handle means, a supporting structure for positioning said handle means in spaced relationship to a walking surface, said supporting structure having a pair of planar members disposed in spaced parallel relationship with the handle means disposed therebetween, Wheel means for engaging such walking surface and secured to the forward portion of each of said spaced parallel members with a fixed axis of rotation substantially normal thereto and a high coefiicient of rotating friction, skid means at the rearward portion of each of said planar members, and stop means fixed adjacent to and rearwardly of each of said wheel means, said stop means having a lower walking surface-engaging face disposed above the plane of said skid means and the surfaceengaging portion of said wheel means.

5. A walking aid comprising handle means, a supporting structure for positioning said handle means in spaced relationship to a walking surface, means secured to said supporting structure for adjusting the position of said handle means with respect to such walking surface, said supporting structure having a pair of planar members disposed in spaced parallel relationship with the handle means disposed therebetween, wheel means for engaging such walking surface and secured to the forward portion of each of said spaced parallel members with a fixed axis of rotation substantially normal thereto, skid means at the rearward portion of each of said planar members, and stop means fixed adjacent to and rearwardly of each of said wheel means, said stop means having a lower walking surface-engaging face disposed above the plane of said skid means and the surface-engaging portion of said wheel means.

6. A walking aid comprising handle means, a supporting structure for positioning said handle means in spaced relationship to a walking surface, said supporting structure having a pair of planar members disposed in spaced parallel relationship with the handle means disposed therebetween, wheel means for engaging such walking surface and secured to the forward portion of each of said spaced parallel members with a fixed axis of rotation substantially normal thereto, article-receiving means disposed between said planar members and secured thereto, skid means at the rearward portion of each of said planar members, and stop means fixed adjacent to and rearwardly of each of said wheel means, said stop means having a lower walking surface-engaging face disposed above the plane of said skid means and the surface-engaging portion of saidwheel means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,572,480 Hislop Feb. 9, 1926 1,729,557 Stoll Sept. 24, 1929 2,656,874 Robb Oct. 27, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,820 Great Britain Aug. 17, 1891 185,067 Great Britain Aug. 31, 1922

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