Walker-shaped hoverboard attachment

Abstract

A walker-shaped hoverboard attachment provides a center platform having a cavity and a rim around the cavity configured to rest on either side of a hoverboard's upper surface. Support rails and crossbars collectively configured as a walker may be fixedly connected to the platform. One or more brakes on one or more grips may enable a user to control the hoverboard while a user is standing on the platform.

Claims

1. An attachment for walker-shaped mobility assistance device, comprising: a platform defining at least one cavity and a rim surrounding the cavity, wherein the rim is configured to rest on either side of a mobility assistance device; at least one wheel disposed on the platform; at least one support rail fixedly connected to the platform, wherein the at least one support rail extends orthogonally up from the platform; at least one grip disposed on the at least one support rail; at least one brake disposed on the at least one grip; at least one seat support bar fixedly connected to the at least one support rail; and at least one seat fixedly connected to the at least one seat support bar, wherein an end of the at least one seat support bar closest to the at least one seat is positioned closer to the inside of the rim than the opposite seat support bar end, thus positioning the seat above a center of the rim's cavity.

2. The attachment for walker-shaped mobility assistance device of claim 1, wherein the at least one support rail is two arcuate support rails.

3. The attachment for walker-shaped mobility assistance device of claim 1, further comprising at least one crossbar orthogonally disposed across at least two support rails.

4. The attachment for walker-shaped mobility assistance device of claim 3, wherein the combination of crossbars and support rails is configured in the shape of a walker.

5. The attachment for walker-shaped mobility assistance device of claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel is four wheels.

6. The attachment for walker-shaped mobility assistance device of claim 5, wherein the at least one support rail is two arcuate support rails each having two ends, wherein each support rail end terminates at the inside of a wheel, and wherein each wheel is next to only one end.

7. The attachment for walker-shaped mobility assistance device of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat is a bicycle seat.

8. The attachment for walker-shaped mobility assistance device of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat support bar is two seat support bars, and wherein each seat support bar is fixedly connected to a support rail and to the seat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention may become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a front view of a walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of a walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment in use in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a new and more effective walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment.

(7) All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As may be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure may be determined by its intended use.

(8) It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to one embodiment or an embodiment is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment or an embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

(9) Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

(10) As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term comprise and variations of the term, such as comprising, comprises and comprised are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

(11) In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it may be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Well-known features, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

(12) In some embodiments, the present invention may comprise a walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment having a) a platform defining at least one cavity and a rim surrounding the cavity, wherein the rim is configured to rest on either side of a HOVERBOARD; b) at least one wheel disposed on the platform; c) at least one support rail fixedly connected to the platform, wherein the at least one support rail extends orthogonally up from the platform; d) at least one grip disposed on the at least one support rail; e) at least one brake disposed on the at least one grip; f) at least one seat support bar fixedly connected to the at least one support rail; and g) at least one seat fixedly connected to the at least one seat support bar.

(13) In some embodiments, the at least one support rail may be two arcuate support rails, wherein the rails go up orthogonally relative to the platform, curve into a half-moon or bow-shaped curve at their top, then proceed straight down orthogonally to make contact with the platform again.

(14) In some embodiments, the present invention may further comprise at least one crossbar orthogonally disposed across at least two support rails. In some embodiments, the combination of crossbars and support rails may be shaped as a walker.

(15) In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for four wheels. In embodiments wherein the support rails and crossbars together comprise a walker, each of the walker's legs, or ends of a support rail, may be fixedly connected to the platform, and may be located adjacent to the inside of a wheel.

(16) In some embodiments, the at least one seat support bar may be two seat support bars fixedly connected to a support rail on one end of the seat support bar and a seat or seat post on the other end of the seat support bar. In some embodiments, the ends of the seat support bars closest to the seat may be positioned closer to the inside of the rim than the opposite seat support bar ends, thus positioning the seat more or less above the HOVERBOARD and/or the center of the rim's cavity.

(17) Turning attention to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of a walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive hand grips 101, seat 102, wheels 103, motorized wheels 104, ring (configured to surround hover board) 105, walker frame 106, brakes 107, support rail 108, crossbar 109, and seat support bar 110.

(18) It is contemplated that seat 102 may be of any shape or size known in the art, including but not limited to bucket shaped seats, banana seats, a chair with a belt, or any other shaped seat 102. As well, seat support bar 110 may be of any size or configuration necessary or desirable, or otherwise known in the art, to support seat 102.

(19) It is contemplated that support rail 108 may be an element of walker frame 106. Although support rail 108 is shown in FIG. 1 (and elsewhere) in the dual support rail 108, both arcuate-shaped configuration known to be associated with traditional walkers, such shapes and configurations for support rail 108 may vary in different embodiments. For example, the various support rails 108 may provide for one or more crossbars 109 as disclosed in FIG. 1. However, in other embodiments, two or more crossbars 109 may be provided, or none. Additionally, one or more support rails 108 may not be arcuate, but may instead come to one or more right angles. In some embodiments, one support rail 108, two support rails 108 (as shown in FIG. 1), or three or more support rails 108 may be provided.

(20) With respect to FIG. 2, a front view of a walker-shapedHOVERBOARD attachment in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive hand grips 101, seat 102, wheels 103, motorized wheels 104, ring 105, walker frame 106, brakes 107, support rail 108, crossbar 109, and seat support bar 110.

(21) FIG. 2 provides a different view of walker frame 106, showing its relative dimensions. Notably, as should be apparent to those of skill in the art, in some embodiments, walker frame 106 can be of any different shape known in the art from the shape of walker frame 106 as disclosed in FIG. 2.

(22) FIG. 2 also discloses the relative depths of motorized wheels 104 in comparison with ring 105 and wheels 103. Again, as may be evident to those of skill in the art, the relative dimensions of motorized wheels 104 in comparison with ring 105 and wheels 103 may vary between embodiments and can take any relative dimension(s) known in the art.

(23) With respect to FIG. 3, a top perspective view of a walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive HOVERBOARD 301, as well as grips 101, seat 102, wheels 103, ring 105, walker frame 106, brakes 107, support rail 108, crossbar 109, and seat support bar 110.

(24) FIG. 3 discloses the open space of ring 105 around HOVERBOARD 301 and discloses some of the area that a user may have to work with when operating HOVERBOARD 301.

(25) With respect to FIG. 4, a side perspective view of a walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment in use in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive user 401, as well as grips 101, seat 102, wheels 103, motorized wheels 104, ring 105, walker frame 106, brakes 107, support rail 108, crossbar 109, and seat support bar 110.

(26) Although user 401 is depicted as walking erect in FIG. 4, it is contemplated that the present invention may be configured to assist a user 401 in other postures. In such embodiments, any of grips 101, seat 102, wheels 103, motorized wheels 104, ring 105, walker frame 106, brakes 107, support rail 108, and crossbar 109 may be of different size or configuration. Most likely, were user 401 to be hunched-over, in one or more embodiments, walker frame 106, support rail 108, and crossbar 109 in particular may be of different height or size than depicted in FIG. 4.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

(27) Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes may be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

(28) All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(29) Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state means for performing a specified function or step for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a means or step clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. 112.

(30) While the walker-shaped HOVERBOARD attachment generally described herein has been disclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.