CA2019375C

CA2019375C - Therapy walker

Info

Publication number: CA2019375C
Application number: CA 2019375
Authority: CA
Inventors: Dan Mclaren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-06-20
Filing date: 1990-06-20
Publication date: 1996-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-20
Also published as: CA2019375A1

Abstract

A therapy walker comprises a frame having the general shape of a truncated pyramid for accommodating the body of the user. A back side is opened to allow the user to directly step into the frame. Casters are mounted on the frame to facilitate movement thereof and securing means facilitate secure and comfortable attachment of the body of the user to the frame.

Description

, The present invention relates generally to an improved orthopaedic aid device and more specifically to a therapy walker.

In its simplest form, a typical prior art walking frame comprises a four legged 5 tubular metal frame that is generally U-shaped in plan, being open at the rear to permit a user to enter and stand within the frame. A major disadvantage with this type of walking frame is that, in order to walk, the user must lift the frame and move it in the desired direction. Certain other prior art walkers include wheels and various apparatus for supporting the weight of a person. Furthermore, some known walkers are provided with brakes which 10 are manually operated.
For example, Canadian Patent No. 213,958 (Scot) discloses a rolling crutch consisting of a rectangular roller mounted frame having uprights at the corners. The uprights have upper inwardly offset extensions and arm rests in spaced parallel relation and have depending bars at either ends, provided with clamping means in connection with the upper 15 ends of the extensions. A seat is supported by a rail on either side and extends from one upright to another.
The prior art further reveals United states Patent No. 2,327,671 (Rupprecht) which discloses an invalid walking and exercising device for use by an attending physician.
The device is essentially drawn towards offsetting a predetermined amount of the patient's 20 weight by use of a weight scale and springs.
Although various types of invalid walkers and exercising devices have evolved in the past, they are, however, difficult or impossible to use effectively and beneficially by the relatively seriously handicapped or infirm who need a great degree of support from the frames of their supporting device and must therefore consequently lean very heavily thereon.
It is an object of the present invention to provide means whereby temporary or permanently incapacitated persons can be enabled to walk with confidence and safety thus enhancing the mobility of the user.
Another object of this invention is to provide a walking assisting device which can 30 be easily and quickly adjusted to the particular size and height of a patient.
Another object of this invention is to provide a walker in which the user assumes a natural upright position with the hands providing support for the body from the side rather than from a position in front of the body.

B

-According to the invention there is provided a therapy walker comprising: a frame mounted on wheels, said frame comprising opposed left and right side frame meansoperatively coupled together by upper and lower connecting members, said left and right side frame means and said upper and lower connecting members cooperating to surround the body of a user on three sides, said frame being open on a fourth side thereof to permit said user to easily enter said frame; closure means depending from the upper portion of said frame and capable of operatively extending across said fourth side thereof, so as to prevent said user from accidentally falling out of said therapy walker in the direction of said fourth side; and support means depending from said frame, said support means being capable of supporting said user through the upper portions of said user's legs so as to at least partially support the weight of said user without requiring said user to grasp said walker in order to provide himself with support.
The therapy walker of the invention includes a rigid frame of relatively simple structure that can be readily assembled or dismantled for transport or storage. Furthermore, the invention can be drawn close to a kitchen counter or a bed, for example, and permit the user to closely approach that on which he may desire to be working. The structure and operation of the present invention enables the user to work at different activities without hanging on to the walker. Furthermore, bumpers arranged on each corner of the walker are positioned to inhibit damage to walls and furniture, for example, if the walker makes contact therewith.
The harness effectively assists the userto walk in an upright position by providing support and stability to the body. In use it does not substantially obstruct the mobility of the user and furthermore, by means of a strap mounted across the back the user is prevented from falling backwards.
The structure of the invention is such that the user assumes a natural upright position with the hands providing support for the body from the sides rather than from a position in front of the body. This position is more natural. It requires less muscular effort and consequently less strength on the part of the user. Furthermore, the position of the user's spine is maintained upright and straight, thus the walker of the invention is less tiring to use.
The present invention is mobile, its height can be vertically adjusted and it isstructured to effectively and comfortably assist a handicapped or aged person. By supporting an important part of the user's weight, the walking action is facilitated. The device can be B

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used in hospitals, therapy departments, rehabilitation centres or senior citizen homes. It can also be used with benefit in private homes, shopping malls, parks or substantially anywhere a wheelchair can be used.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 shows an exploded view illustrating the main components of an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows an assembled perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view illustrating the general components of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The walker comprises a left base 2L and right base 2R which support respective left and right side frames 4L and 4R. The side frames are operatively connected together by an upper connecting member 6 and a lower connecting member 8.
Each base 2L, 2R comprises a horizontal bar 10 with, in this embodiment, outwardly diverging ends supported by front and rear casters 14 and 16, respectively. As illustrated in Figure 1, the front casters 14 are pivotable to facilitate changes in direction. The rear casters 16 are fixed parallel to the horizontal bars 10. A vertical support member 12 is disposed near the centre of the horizontal bar 10. The top of the vertical support member 12 terminates with an extension 18 which is adapted to be operatively inserted into a respective side frame 4R or 4L.
Each side frame 4L,4R comprises a support column 20 which engages with the extension 18 of the respective base 2L or 2R. As shown in Figure 1, the support column 20 extends substantially vertically upwards from the base, and then bends to angle upwards and inwards. A handle assembly, denoted generally by reference numeral 22, is disposed near the top of the support column 20. As illustrated in Figure 1, the handle assembly 22 is comprised of an upper member 24, a lower member 26, and front and rear braces 28 and 30. A handrail 32 is disposed between the front and rear braces. The handrails 32 are positioned on both sides of the user to permit the user to support or stabilize their upper body with their arms as required. The upper members 24 can also provide lateral support to the user's body.

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The extension 18 and the lower portion of the support column 20 are adapted with holes (not shown in Figure 1) which permit height adjustment of the side frames. A
locking pin 34 is used to securely lock the side frame to the base at the desired height. By this means, the height of the side frames 4L and 4R can be adjusted to suit the height of the user.
The left and right sides of the walker are operatively fastened together by an upper connecting member 6 and a lower connecting member 8. The upper connecting member 6 can be conveniently shaped to at least approximately conform to the shape of a user's torso. This permits the upper connecting member 6 to provide additional support for the upper body of the user, and reduces possible interference with the movements of the user's amms. The lower connecting member 8 is generally larger in dimension than the upper connecting member 6, so as to avoid interference with movements of the user's legs. As shown in Figure 1, the upper and lower connecting members 6 and 8, are adapted with respective extensions 6a and 8a which are operatively inserted into corresponding openings in the side frames 22, thereby fastening the opposite sides of the walker together. After being inserted into the side frames 22, the extensions 6a and 8a can be locked in place using any convenient locking means (not shown in figure 1) such as, for example, locking pins.
As mentioned above, the upper member 24 of the handle assembly 22 on both side frames 4L and 4R, as well as the upper connecting member 6, can be used to provide support for the user's upper body. In order to increase the user's comfort, these elements can be fitted with padding, as illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a fully assembled embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 2, a straps 36 are suspended from a point near the rear of the upper members 24 of the side frames 4L and 4R, and is fastened to the upper connecting member 6 via respective buckles 38. The straps 36 and buckles 38 cooperate to fomm a hamess which can be used to support the weight of the user. In operation, the user steps into the walker and stands facing the connecting members 6 and 8. The straps 36 are then passed under the user's legs and connected into the buckles 38. At this point the user may adjust the straps for comfort, and allow the straps 36 to support their weight.
In order to prevent the user from falling backwards out of the walker, a back-strap 40 is attached near the top of the rear member 30 of one of the side frames (in this case the right side frame 4R), passes around the open rear of the walker, and is connected the front member 28 of the opposite side frame (in this case the left side frame 4L) via a buckle 42.

It will be apparent that this harness and back-strap combination provides the user with a safe and comfortable support system. Furthermore, by appropriately selecting the materials for the straps and buckles, the harness can be made sufficiently strong to safely support the full weight of the user. Thus it can be seen that the harness, in combination with 5 the padded upper members 6 and 24 of the walker, can be used to support and stabilize the body of the user, thereby leaving the user's hands free for other tasks. In addition, it can be seen that the locations of the buckles 38 and 42 are appropriately selected so as to be within easy reach of the user. This permits the user to adjust the harness as required, and even to enter and/or exit the walker without assistance, thereby providing the user with an 10 enhanced degree of independence.
It should be noted that this arrangement can be changed in order to have the buckle 42 on the left hand side, if desired.
The above described harness and frame arrangement does not obstruct walking, and is effective in case the user falls in any direction.
Hard rubber bumpers (not shown) can be fixed on the two horizontal bars 10 above each caster or wheel so as to minimize damage to walls and furniture, for example, in the event of accidental impact.
In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting height of the walker is in the range of40" - 46" which corresponds to the range of a patient having a height between 5 ft and 6 ft 4". The walker can be taken apart into six easy-to-transport pieces which can be put in the trunk or back seat of a car. The device can be constructed of iron, chromed metal or aluminum square tubing of sizes 1" x 2", 1" x 1" and 3/4" x 3/4". For the handrails 32, a 1"
round tubing can be used. The casters or wheels can vary in size according to the wishes of the user. A 2" nylon strapping can be used for the harness and back strap, and the buckles 38 and 42 can be provided as plastic quick release buckles. Locking pins 34 of approximately 1/4" in diameter, can be used to hold the walker at the selected height.
When used only inside as in the case of a hospital where the frame does not need to be disassembled, the upper and lower connecting members 6 and 8 can be welded to the side frames 4L and 4R.
In another preferred embodiment, the shape of the connecting members 6 and 8 can be curved instead of angular. Furthermore, spring loaded wheels can be used to obtain a braking or suspension effect.

B

Finally, it will be apparent that each of the side frames 4L and 4R can be supported by two respective support columns, rather than the single support column 20 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In this case, the single support column 20 would conveniently be replaced by a pair of support columns extending downwards from the front and rear braces 28 and 30 of each of the side frames 4L and 4R. Similarly, the single upright 12 and extension 18 of each base 2L and 2R would be replaced by a pair of uprights and extensions corresponding to the pair of support columns extending downwards from the front and rear braces of each of the side frames. This arrangement improves the strength and rigidity of the therapy walker.
While only certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modihcations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed in the following claims.

B~

Claims

1. A therapy walker comprising:
a frame mounted on wheels, said frame comprising opposed left and right side frame means operatively coupled together by upper and lower connecting members, said left and right side frame means and said upper and lower connecting members cooperating to surround the body of a user on three sides, said frame being open on a fourth side thereof to permit said user to easily enter said frame;
closure means depending from the upper portion of said frame and capable of operatively extending across said fourth side thereof, so as to prevent said user from accidentally falling out of said therapy walker in the direction of said fourth side; and support means depending from said frame, said support means being capable of supporting said user through the upper portions of said user's legs so as to at least partially support the weight of said user without requiring said user to grasp said walker in order to provide himself with support.

2. A therapy walker as claimed in claim 1, further comprising height adjusting means for adjusting the height of said frame so as to accommodate users of different heights.

3. A therapy walker as claimed in claim 1, further comprising impact absorbing means, for reducing damage to objects in the environment resulting from accidental impact therewith by said therapy walker.

4. A therapy walker as claimed in claim 1, further comprising handle means operatively disposed near the sides of said user whereby said user can use their hands to support at least a portion of their weight, and further to provide lateral support for their upper body.

5. A therapy walker as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closure means comprises a strap, one end of said strap being attached to the upper portion of one side of said frame, the other end of said strap being releasably fastened to the upper portion of the other side of said frame.

6. A therapy walker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of said frame is contoured to at least partially conform to the shape of said user's torso and further is disposed relatively close to said user's torso so as to provide lateral support thereto.

7. A therapy walker as claimed in claim 6, wherein said upper portion of said frame is provided with padding so as to increase the comfort of said user.

8. A therapy walker as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a pair of support straps depending from the upper portion of said frame, said support straps being designed to pass under the legs of said user so as to cooperatively form a supporting harness for the user.

9. A therapy walker as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said support straps comprises fastening means to promote ease of entry into and exit from said supporting harness.