WALKER AND SEAT ASSEMBLY THEREFOR

Abstract

A walker is provided for assisting a person to walk independently, the walker including a frame, one or more wheels connected to a base of the frame, a seat connected to the frame, in which the seat can swivel and a resistance means is provided for resisting rotation of the seat about its pivot during use.

Claims

1. A walker for assisting a person to walk independently, the walker comprising: a frame including a front end, a rear end and a base; one or more wheels at the base of the frame for rolling the walker along the ground; a frame portion or seat mount for connection to the frame; a seat rotatably connected to the frame portion or seat mount at a pivot for rotating or swivelling about a substantially vertical axis in either direction; and resistance means extending substantially perpendicularly to the substantially vertical axis, the resistance means being adjustable to provide a force for resisting rotation of the seat in either direction about the pivot.

2. A walker as claimed claim 1, in which the seat is tiltable about a lateral axis relative to the frame, and in which tilt adjustment means is provided for setting a forward and/or rearward tilt angle of the seat.

3. A walker as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of control means, a knob and a dial is connected to the resistance means for adjusting the force provided by the resistance means.

4. A walker as claimed in claim 1, in which the seat has a front region, a rear region opposite the front region, and a middle region approximately equidistant between the front region and the rear region, and the pivot is disposed at the middle region of the seat for the front region and rear region of the seat to oppositely move about the substantially vertical axis during seat rotation or swivel.

5. A walker as claimed in claim 4, in which the middle region of the seat overlies the resistance means.

6. A walker as claimed in claim 1, in which the resistance means includes at least one of: a leaf spring for customising the force resisting rotation or swivel of the seat; and a deformable elongate member connected between the seat and the frame for laterally deforming when the seat is rotated or swivelled about the substantially vertical axis, and a block slidably disposed on or about the elongate member for constraining deformation of the elongate member.

7. A walker as claimed in claim 6, in which the block has a groove for receiving the elongate member, and in which the elongate member comprises a ribbon or cable made of metal or plastic.

8. A walker as claimed in claim 6, in which the elongate member is connected at one end to part of a lower portion of the seat proximal to or at the pivot axis.

9. A walker as claimed in claim 6, in which swivel of the seat from a default forward-facing position imparts a force for deforming the elongate member out of shape to provide a degree of resistance to seat swivel.

10. A walker as claimed in claim 9, in which the degree of resistance increases with increasing seat swivel from the default forward-facing position.

11. A walker as claimed in claim 9, in which when the block is in a first position relative to the vertical axis, the resistance means provides a first degree of resistance to seat swivel, and when the block is in a second position which is further from the vertical axis than the first position, the resistance means provides a second degree of resistance to seat swivel, the second degree of resistance being lower than the first degree of resistance.

12. A walker as claimed in claim 6, in which the resistance means is provided within an enclosed housing or L-shaped member, and in which the block is disposed within a channel in the enclosed housing or L-shaped member and is slidable within enclosed the housing or L-shaped member via at least one of control means, a knob and a dial.

13. A walker as claimed in claim 12, in which left and right sidewalls of the enclosed housing or L-shaped member are configured to provide a substantial limit or restriction to deformation of the elongate member during rotation of the seat clockwise or anticlockwise for limiting the overall angular range of seat swivel.

14. A walker as claimed in claim 1, in which the seat is a saddle.

15. A walker as claimed in claim 1, in which a back support member is provided behind the seat and pivotally attached to the seat.

16. A walker as claimed in claim 1, in which one or more shock absorbers are provided on the frame.

17. A seat assembly for a walker for assisting a person to walk more independently, the seat assembly comprising: a frame portion or seat mount for connection to a walker frame; a seat rotatably connected to the frame portion or seat mount at a pivot for rotating or swivelling about a substantially vertical axis in either direction; and resistance means extending substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis, the resistance means being adjustable to provide a force for resisting rotation of the seat in either direction about the pivot.

18. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 17, in which the resistance means provides force for resisting but not preventing seat rotation or swivel away from a default forward-facing seat position when the seat is sat on during use.

19. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 17, in which at least one of control means, a knob and a dial is connected to the resistance means for adjusting the force provided by the resistance means.

20. A walker as claimed in claim 17, in which the seat has a front region, a rear region opposite the front region, and a middle region approximately equidistant between the front region and the rear region, and the pivot is disposed at the middle region of the seat for the front region and rear region of the seat to oppositely move about the substantially vertical axis during seat rotation or swivel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0120] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0121] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a frame of a walker with its seat in a lowered position;

[0122] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the walker of FIG. 1;

[0123] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the walker of FIG. 1 with its seat in a raised position;

[0124] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the walker of FIG. 3;

[0125] FIG. 5A shows an underside partial perspective view of part of the seat and frame of the walker of FIG. 1, showing a resistance means in a first position;

[0126] FIG. 5B shows an underside partial perspective view of the region depicted in FIG. 5A, showing internal parts;

[0127] FIG. 6A shows another underside partial perspective view of the region depicted in FIG. 5A, showing the resistance means in a second position;

[0128] FIG. 6B shows an underside partial perspective view of the region depicted in FIG. 6A, showing internal parts;

[0129] FIG. 7A shows a further underside partial perspective view of the region depicted in FIG. 5A, showing the resistance means in a third position;

[0130] FIG. 7B shows an underside partial perspective view of the region depicted in FIG. 7A, showing internal parts;

[0131] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged partial perspective view of a lift means of the walker of FIG. 1; and

[0132] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged partial perspective view of the lift means of the walker of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0133] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 4, a walker for use by a person to aid themselves to walk is indicated generally at 10. The front end of the walker 10 is at the left side of FIG. 1 as shown.

[0134] The walker 10 comprises a frame 12 which has a front end indicated generally at 12a, a rear end indicated generally at 12b, and a base indicated generally at 12c. The frame 12 includes a first frame portion 14 and a second frame portion 16. A seat positioning means 60 is pivotally connected to the first frame portion 14. The second frame portion 16 is pivotally connected to another part of the seat positioning means 60. A seat (or saddle) 18 connected to the second frame portion 16.

[0135] The seat 18 includes a front region indicated generally at 18a, a rear region indicated generally at 18b, and a middle region indicated generally at 18c. The middle region 18c is located between the front and rear regions 18a, 18b, which are disposed on opposite sides of the pivot axis A-A.

[0136] The first frame portion 14 is disposed at the base of the frame 12 and may be considered as a base frame. The first frame portion 14 includes a U-shaped member 20 arranged laterally, with the closed end of the U-shaped member at the front of the walker 10. The U-shaped member has a U-shaped profile when viewed from above. The U-shaped member 20 defines a stepping space within the walker 10.

[0137] There are also two approximately Y-shaped members 22 disposed at the rear end of the frame 12. Each Y-shaped member has a Y-shaped profile when viewed from the left or right side of the walker 10. The Y-shaped members 22 are connected to either side of the open end of the U-shaped member. The Y-shaped members 22 are each disposed in a vertical plane. Each Y-shaped member includes two Y-shaped plates spaced apart from each other for accommodating a wheel and frame guide member.

[0138] Each Y-shaped member 22 of the first frame portion 14 comprises an approximately V-shaped body 24 having two ends and an elongate body 26. A first end of the elongate body 26 extends substantially centrally from a convex side of the V-shaped body 24.

[0139] A first end of the V-shaped body 24 of each Y-shaped member 22 is connected to an end of the U-shaped member 20, forming the first frame portion 14.

[0140] Two front wheels 28 are connected at either side of the U-shaped member 20. The front wheels 28 connect to respective wheel housings which are spaced apart on the U-shaped member 20 at the front end of the walker 10. The wheels 28 are disposed to either side of a centre of the U-shaped member 20. Two rear wheels 30 are also provided. Each rear wheel 30 is connected to a second end of the elongate body 26 of each Y-shaped member 22 at the rear end of the frame 12. The wheels 28, 30 allow the walker 10 to be easily rolled along the ground during use.

[0141] The second frame portion 16 comprises an L-shaped member 32. The L-shaped member 32 has first and second flanges 34, 36 extending perpendicularly to each other. First and second arms 38, 40 extend laterally from the L-shaped member 32 as a cross bar, then rearwardly and finally downwardly towards the first frame portion 14 on either side of the seat 18. First and second guide members 54, 56 are provided for guiding the sliding movement of the first and second arms 38, 40 respectively.

[0142] A first end of each arm 38, 40 is connected to a side of the L-shaped member 32. Each arm 38, 40 extends in opposing directions from a side of the first flange of the L-shaped member 34 towards a side of the frame 12. Each arm 38, 40 then extends substantially parallel to the other arm towards the rear end of the frame 12. Each arm 38, 40 then extends substantially parallel to the other arm towards the base of the frame 12, terminating at a second end. The parts of each arm 38, 40 extending towards the ground are parallel to each other.

[0143] The first flange 34 of the L-shaped member 32 is substantially parallel to the part of the first and second arms 38, 40 extending towards the base of the frame 12. The second flange 36 is substantially perpendicular to the part of the first and second arms 38, 40 extending towards the base of the frame 12.

[0144] The seat 18 is rotatably connected to the frame 12 about a pivot P for rotating in either direction.

[0145] A seat rod or mount 44 is provided on the underside or lower end of the seat 18 for connecting the seat 18 to the frame 12. The seat rod 44 is connected to a distal end of the second flange 36 of the L-shaped member 32. In other words, the seat rod 44 is connected to an end of the second flange 36 opposite the connection of the second flange 36 with the first flange 34.

[0146] The second flange 36 of the L-shaped member 32 and the major length of the seat 18 extends in a direction between the front end and the rear end of the frame 12. The first flange 34 of the L-shaped member 32 extends upwards away from the first frame portion 14.

[0147] A back support member (or seat back/back rest) 46 is provided on the seat 18. The back support member 46 is pivotally attached to a rear end of the seat 18 for dropping it to a position below the seat. The back support member 46 allows the upper body of the person using the walker 10 to be supported and prevents the person falling backwards off the seat 18. The back support member 46 can be locked in a raised position behind the seat by a suitable lock or interlock (not shown).

[0148] A body/torso support member 48 is attached to the second frame portion 18 above a distal end of the first flange 34 of the L-shaped member 32. The body support member 48 includes a support rod 50 extending upwards from the walker 10, and two support projections 52 for positioning as a loop substantially surrounding the user's torso or waist. Each support projection 52 is attached to an end of the support rod 50. Each support projection 52 extends towards a side and rear end of the frame 12 in a curved manner, together forming the body support member 48 that provides support around the torso or waist of the person using the walker 10.

[0149] The body support member 48 is disposed above the seat 18 where a pivotal axis A-A for swivelling of the seat 18 passes through a central space or region defined by the body support member 48. This provides another type of support to prevent the person using the walker 10 from falling off from the walker 10.

[0150] The first and second guide members 54, 56 are slidably connected to the first and second arms 38, 40 of the second frame portion 16. A first end of each guide member 54, 56 of the second frame portion 16 is pivotally mounted substantially centrally of the elongate body 26 of each Y-shaped member 22 of the first frame portion 14. Each guide member 54, 56 extends from its first end to a second end in a direction towards the L-shaped member 32 of the second frame portion 16 and the seat 18.

[0151] The first and second arms 38, 40 are slidable through the first and second guide member 54, 56, respectively. The sliding movement of the arms 38, 40 through the guide members 54, 56 allows the second frame member 16 and the seat 18 to be configured in a lowered position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in the raised position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0152] A grip member or grip bar 58 is connected to the second frame portion 16, in this embodiment to the arms 38, 40. The grip member 58 is in the shape of a loop, but other forms of grip member may be provided in other embodiments.

[0153] The seat positioning means 60 is pivotally mounted to each arm 38, 40 of the second frame portion 16 about a first lateral axis. The first axis extends in a direction between the parallel first arm 38 and second arm 40 of the second frame portion 16 extending towards the first frame portion 14.

[0154] The seat positioning means 60 is disposed mainly in the front half of the walker 10, and operable from the front of the frame 12. The seat positioning means 60 may be considered as another portion of the frame 12. The seat positioning means 60 has a U-shaped profile or bar having two ends. Each end of the seat positioning means 60 is pivotally connected to a central portion of the parallel arms 38, 40 of the second frame portion 16 extending towards the first frame portion 14.

[0155] The U-shaped seat positioning means 60 is substantially similar to the U-shaped part of the first frame portion, such that it can substantially overlie the U-shaped member 20 when in the configuration in FIGS. 3-4. The seat positioning means 60 is a handle or a lever. The seat positioning means 60 can be manually operated (that is, pulled down or up by hand) to actuate the movement of the second frame portion 16 and the seat 18 between the lowered and raised positions.

[0156] A lower side of the seat positioning means 60 is pivotally mounted to a second end of the V-shaped part 24 of each Y-shaped member 22 about a second lateral axis. The second axis extends in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis. The pivotal connection of the seat positioning means 60 with the Y-shaped member 22 is disposed between the front end of the frame 12 and the second pivotal connection (where the arms 38, 40 of the second frame portion 16 are pivotally connected with the seat positioning means 60).

[0157] In other words, the pivotal connection of the seat positioning means 60 and the Y-shaped members 22 is disposed between the rear wheel 30 and the connection of the Y-shaped member 22 to the U-shaped member 20 of the first frame portion 14.

[0158] A lift or assistance means 62 such as a piston is disposed on one side of the frame 12 (although lift means may be provided on both sides in other embodiments).

[0159] A first end of the lift means 62 is connected to the first frame portion 12, in this embodiment to part of the U-shaped member 20 which sits in the Y-shaped member 22. The piston 62 connection to the first frame portion 12 is situated substantially vertically below the pivotal connection between the handle 60 and the first frame portion 12.

[0160] A second end of the lift means 62 is pivotally connected to a side (preferably an underside) of the U-shaped seat positioning means 60 between the front end of the frame 12 and the pivotal connection of the Y-shaped member 22 with the seat positioning means 60. The piston 62 connection to the handle 60 is relatively close to the pivotal connection between the handle 60 and the first frame portion 12.

[0161] A shock absorber 42 is provided on each arm 38, 40 of the second frame portion 16. The shock absorber 42 is disposed substantially centrally of the arm 38, 40 above the pivotal connection of the arm 38, 40 with the seat positioning means 60. A cover is provided around each shock absorber 42 to protect the shock absorber.

[0162] The seat positioning means 60 can be manually actuated by moving it downwards to move the second frame portion 16 and the seat 18 from a lowered position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 into the raised position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (and vice versa by moving the handle/lever 60 upwards).

[0163] To commence use of the walker, with a user sat on or positioned over the lowered seat, pivoting the seat positioning means 60 about the first axis moves the seat 18 and the second frame member 16 upwards and forwards at the same time (or downwards and rearwards for lowering the seat 18). Starting from the FIG. 1 arrangement, this moves the second frame portion 16 and the seat 18 into the raised position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0164] Pivoting the seat positioning means 60 towards the front end of the frame 12 causes the arms 38, 40 of the second frame portion 16 to move upwards towards the second end of the guide members 54, 56, which can also hide the ends of the arms 38, 40 so that they are not in the way during walking in the walker 10. This moves the second frame portion 16 and the seat 18 into the raised position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0165] As the lever 60 is pushed/pulled down towards the first frame portion 12, the lift means 62 retracts or is forced to compress/shorten (see FIG. 9) as the distance between the first frame portion 14 and the seat positioning means 60 reduces. This primes the lift means 62 for subsequent controlled raising of the seat 18. The seat positioning means 60 thus raises the second frame portion 16 and the seat 18 into the raised position, which corresponds to a walking position. The walking position is the position the walker 10 is kept in while the person walks using the walker 10.

[0166] Following use of the walker, with a user standing over or supported by the raised seat, pivoting the seat positioning means 60 towards the rear end of the frame 12 causes the arms 38, 40 of the second frame portion 16 to move downwards towards the first end of the guide members 54, 56. Starting from the FIG. 3 arrangement, this moves the second frame portion 16 and the seat 18 in the lowered position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0167] As the seat positioning means 60 is pivoted towards the rear end of the frame 12, the lift means 62 such as a piston extends (see FIG. 8) and helps to control the speed with which the handle rises and the seat lowers. This avoids dropping the seat away from the person in the walker 10 too quickly, so that they are able to safely transfer their weight more fully onto their legs (having previously been partially supported by the seat 18). The lift means 62 also restricts the seat positioning means 60 from lowering the second frame portion 16 and the seat 18 further than desired, e.g. because the piston has a maximum working extension. Once the seat has been lowered, this allows the person using the walker 10 can easily exit from the rear of the walker 10, and the walker is ready for use next time.

[0168] The seat 18 in the described embodiment is a saddle, although other forms of seat are contemplated within the scope of the disclosure. The seat 18 can swivel about a substantially vertical axis during use. This helps the person using the walker to walk with a more natural gait, as the seat 18 pivots left and right in a reciprocating manner as the person walks.

[0169] Referring also to FIG. 5A onwards, a seat assembly is indicated generally at 100. The seat assembly depicted is part of the walker 10 discussed earlier, but it will be appreciated that it may be provided independently of the walker, for attachment or retrofit to the walker (or a different walker).

[0170] To avoid the seat swivelling in a way which might destabilise the user, the seat includes a resistance means 64, such as a leaf spring or deformable elongate member 64a, for resisting the rotation of the seat 18 about the pivot during use. The resistance means 64 is shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B.

[0171] The resistance means may be considered to be an elongate deformable member connected between the seat and frame.

[0172] The resistance means (or tension adjuster) 64 is disposed along and/or within the lateral portion 36 of the L-shaped member 32 of the second frame portion 16.

[0173] A first end of the resistance means 64 is disposed at the distal end of the second flange 36. The resistance means 64 is attached to the seat rod 44 by extending through the centre of the seat rod 44 substantially perpendicularly to the length of the seat rod 44, i.e. to the pivot axis. A second end of the resistance means is disposed at the proximal end of the second flange 36.

[0174] It will be appreciated that it the resistance means has a length of cable 64 or other member 64, then using a mechanism like that discussed with respect to FIGS. 5A to 7B allows a degree of control over the angular range through which the seat may swivel clockwise/anticlockwise during use. For an inextensible cable, adjusting the length of slack in the cable can affect the resistance to seat swivelling. For an extensible cable, the stretchiness or extensibility of the cable (or material thereof) can affect the resistance to seat swivelling. Ideally, the range is limited to less ±45 degrees, and may be in the region of ±30 degrees, from a default forward-facing orientation of the seat 18.

[0175] A control means 66 is provided under the second flange 36 of the L-shaped member 32. The control 66 is connected to the resistance means 64 for adjusting the resistance force provided by the resistance means 64 to rotation of the seat 18. The control means 66 includes a knob or dial 66 that can be moved towards or away from the pivot axis to adjust the resistance of the resistance means 64.

[0176] The control means includes a block 66a, which has a groove or receiving portion 66b for the resistance means 64. A similar groove/receiving portion is provided in the seat rod 44. The block 66a is sized to fit in and slide along the underside of the L-shaped member 32.

[0177] Internal left/right side walls 32a, 32b of the L-shaped member limit lateral deformation of the resistance means when the seat is swivelled.

[0178] A plate including a longitudinal slot (see e.g. FIG. 6A) is provided under the resistance means 64. The control means is configured to move between the closed ends of the slot, or to any intermediate position along the slot.

[0179] When the plate is provided, the L-shaped member 32 may be considered to be an enclosed housing indicated generally at 33.

[0180] The control means 66 (or block) contacts the resistance means 64 on either side and is slidable linearly along the resistance means 64. The further the control means 66 is positioned from the first end of the resistance means 64 (i.e. further from the seat pivot axis), the less resistance is applied to the rotation of the seat 18. On the other hand, the further the control means 66 is positioned from the second end of the resistance means 64 (i.e. closer to the seat pivot axis), the more resistance is applied to the rotation of the seat 18.

[0181] In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the control means 66 is in a first position (the slotted plate is not shown in FIG. 5B). The control means 66 is disposed at the far end of the resistance means 64, furthest from the seat pivot axis, and at the proximal end of the second flange 36 of the L-shaped member 32 of the second frame portion 16. From FIG. 5B, the resistance means 64 is shown to be curved or deformed between the control means 66 and the seat rod 44. The resistance means 64 is less constrained against deformation by the control means 66, so the seat 18 is subjected to a lower force against swivelling from the resistance means 64.

[0182] In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the control means 66 is in a second position (the slotted plate is not shown in FIG. 6B). The control means 66 is disposed partway along the length of the resistance means 64 (and slot). That is, partway along the length of the second flange 36 of the L-shaped member 32. From FIG. 6B, the resistance means 64 is more constrained against deformation by the control means 66, relative to FIG. 5A, meaning that a greater force must be applied to achieve the same degree of swivel as in FIG. 5A. That is, rotation of the seat 18 is more limited compared to the first position.

[0183] In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the control means 66 is in a third position (the slotted plate is not shown in FIG. 7B). The control means 66 is disposed at the near end of the resistance means 64, closest to the seat pivot axis, and next the seat rod 44 at the distal end of the L-shaped member 32. From FIG. 7B, the resistance means 64 is constrained by the control means 66 such that it is substantially planar. This restricts the resistance means 64 further compared to the second position. In this position, the resistance means 64 has restricted the rotation of the seat 18 to the maximum resistance allowed by the resistance means 64. That is, the seat cannot swivel very much at all. This may be preferred when a user is first learning to use the walker.

[0184] In some embodiments, the seat 18 is tiltable towards the front end of the frame 12 and/or towards the rear end of the frame 12. The tilt angle can be set prior to use. A tilt adjustment means (70) is connected to the seat 18 for setting the tilt angle of the seat 18.

[0185] The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.