CA2201020A1

CA2201020A1 - Combination walker/wheelchair

Info

Publication number: CA2201020A1
Application number: CA002201020A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Darren Rioh Hove; Taco Anton Niet; Keith George Bowers; Brian James Knoke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-03-27
Filing date: 1997-03-27
Publication date: 1998-09-27

Description

~;~0 ~ O 2 0 INVENTORS
Keith George Bowers Darren Rioh Hove 4181 Lynnfield Crescent 981- 7th Street Victoria, BC Kamloops, BC

Brian James Knoke Taco Anton Niet 4364 Northridge Crescent 1313 Minto Street Victoria, BC Victoria, BC
V8Z 4Z3 V8S lP3 GENERAL CLASS TO WHICH THIS INVENTION RELATES
This invention relates to a combination walker and wheelchair device which overcomes a number of shortcomings with traditional walkers. Traditional walkers provide their users with support while walking, and some models include a bench seat for the user to temporarily rest upon when they are tired. However, a traditional walker does not allow the user to sit down and be pushed around by a companion. As a result, the user must then utilize a wheelchair as an alternative to the walker.
Unfortunately, this scenario requires the user to either obtain both devices, or to choose between using one of the two. As a result, a combination device which can be used primarily as a walker (and resembles closely a traditional walker), with the added comfort and functionality of transforming into a temporary-use wheelchair would increase the user's mobility, freedom and quality of life.
This invention accomplishes this objective, by providing the user with a fully functional wheelchair within the context of a traditional walker. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a combined walker and wheelchair which easily transforms between modes of usage (including the capability of collapsing for compact storage).
In essence, it is the object of this invention to provide the user with greater mobility and ilnplov~d quality of life by providing all the realllre~ of a wheelchair within the confines of a traditional walker.

DRAWINGS
Included in appendix A of this preliminary filing are six drawings, which illustrate our yrotolype (which is only one possible embodiment of our invention). The first three figures illustrate the walker mode of the protoly~e (Figure 1 is a side view, Figure 2 is a front view and Figure 3 is a top view). The last three figures illustrate the wheelchair mode of the ~rololy~e (Figure 4 is a side view, Figure 5 is a front view and Figure 6 is a top view).
Also, included in appendix B of this preliminary filing packa$e is a colour photocopy of photographs depicting the prototype. These photographs sk.~ the prololype in walker, wheelchair and collapsed modes.

Page 1 of 6 ~20 1 0 2 0 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION
In the present preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a frame 1 which has both a left side 2 and a right side 3. The two sides of the frame are connected with a cross folding mechanism 4, as currently found on most wheelchairs. The cross folding mechanism's top bar 5 is connected to the seat extension 6 with the seat hinge 7.
One end of the frame top bar 12 serves as handles 26 for walker mode. These handles are covered with a comfortable grip, not shown. This grip can be extended along the frame top bar 12, thus providing padding for the wheelchair armrests.
When not in the collapsed storage mode, the cross folding mechanism's top bar 5 rests in the seat rests 13. The seat rests 13 are similar to those commonly used on traditional wheelchairs.
The seat back 8 is connected to the seat back bottom piece 9 with the seat back hinge 10.
It is supported in the walker mode by the seat hooks 11 which hook onto the frame top bar 12. A seat back lock, not shown, consisting of an aluminum tube inside the main seat back, locks the seat back in place for wheelchair mode. The seat back lock handles 24 are used to move the seat back lock into position by sliding inside the seat back lock slot 25. When in wheelchair mode, the seat back 8 is in a nearly vertical configuration.
In this configuration, the wheelchair push handles 27 are easily accessible to the user's companion.
There are wheels 14 attached to the bottom of the frame 1. Cu~ lly the rear wheels 15 are attached using the rear wheel bracket 16 which is welded to the rear height adjustment post 19. The front wheels 17 are attached to the front height adjustment post 20 by a castor mechanism 18 which allows the wheels to swivel.
In the present embodiment of the invention, the height adjustment posts 19 and 20 are attached to the frame 1 by the height adjustment holes 21 and a height adjustment pin, not shown for clarity. This allows for easy height adjustment. Another embodiment of the invention would have the wheels at a fixed height from the bottom portion of the frame, with only the top part of the frame being height adjustable. This height adjustment would be made in a similar manner as the height adjustment from the wheels. Other possible embodiments regarding vertical height adjustment have been considered.
The seat fabric 22 is attached to the cross folding mechanism's top bar 5 and the seat extension 6 by similar means as those cullelllly used by wheelchair manufacturers (i.e.
the use of a metal strip and screws, not shown, to hold down the seat fabric 22). The seat back fabric 23 is sewn in such a way as to be fitted over the seat back 8 without any metal bars or screws to hold it in place. This is similar to the current method of attachment used by wheelchair manufacturers, but other possible attachments have also been considered.
Regarding braking, a braking system has been envisioned to be included on the invention.
In the present embodiment of the invention, the brake levers, not shown, would be placed directly below the walker handles 26. This braking system would indude both a user controlled, variable braking state, and also a locked brake state.
Foot rests (for wheelchair mode) have been considered for the invention. Foot rests, similar to those currently in use on traditional wheelchairs, can be attached to the Page 2 of 6 ~20 1 0 2 0 invention in a similar manner as currently used on traditional wheelchairs. Other possible footrest embodiments include bars that fold out and a strap pulled across the gap between the sides of the frame. These footrests would provide only a simple, small place to rest your feet, compared to a full size foot pedal, as used on most traditional wheelchairs. Other embodiments of potential foot rests have been allowed for in the design of this invention.
Other options for the invention would include, but not be limited to, a cane holder and a basket. These options have been allowed for in the present embodiment of the invention.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention and including such de~a~ es from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the central features herein before set forth and fall within the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
The present embodiment of the invention has three distinct modes of usage. Specifically, these are walker mode, wheelchair mode and collapsed mode. The invention is easily transformed into each independent mode, allowing each mode to closely resemble traditional devices (i.e. the invention does not look like a mixed hybrid of a walker and a wheelchair). The invention has two distinct modes of operation (walker and wheelchair) and three distinct transfer operations between modes ("transfer between walker and wheelchair modes", "transfer between collapsed mode and walker mode",and "transfer between collapsed mode and wheelchair mode"). Each of these five operations will be described separately. Note that these descriptions refer to the present plefell~ed embodiment of the invention only.
Walker Mode Operation In walker mode, the seat extensions 6 are folded back, to rest above the cross-folding mechanism top bar 5. This allows the user to position herself within the frame 1 and inside the wheel base (for stability). The seat back 8 is folded down into its horizontal position, and is suppolled by seat hooks 11 which hook onto the frame top bars 12.
The seat back now acts as a bench seat, for walker mode.
To operate the present embodiment of the invention while in walker mode, the user approaches the invention and substantially stands between the walker handles 26.While facing towards the folded-down seat back 8, the user grasps the walker handles.
The user can now begin walking, while using the invention for support. The brakehandles are conveniently located directly below the user's grip, and can be easily applied at any time. To change direction, the user turns the invention while keeping all wheels on the ground. This is facilitated by the castors 18.
In order to utilize the folded-down seat back 8 as a bench seat, the user first locks the brakes to stabilize the invention. The user now turns around, so that her back faces the folded-down seat back 8. The user now sits down on the folded-down seat back fabric 23. The frame top bars 12 can be utilized as allllresls while the user is seated.

Page3 of 6 ~2 0 1 0 2 0 Finally, while seated on the folded-down seat back fabric 23, the user has the option (if so desired~ to unlock the brakes, and propel the invention by her feet. This allows the user to pull the invention up to a counter or table while remaining seated.
Note that when the user is seated on the folded-down seat back fabric 23 she is not in a fully-seated position, but rather in a partially-seated position (i.e. the knees are not fully bent). Also note that the folded-down seat back fabric 23 does not provide a full-depth seat, but rather a temporary-use bench seat. The user cannot at this point be propelled by a companion.
Wheelchair Mode Operation In wheelchair mode, the seat extensions 6 are folded out, to rest upon the seat rests 13.
In this position, the seat extensions 6 are in a position which is co-axial with the cross-folding mechanism top bars 5. The seat back 8 is fully extended into its near-vertical position, and is locked into place by the seat back locks. The full wheelchair seat is now revealed.
To operate the present embodiment of the invention while in wheelchair mode, the user approaches the invention and seats herself in the full wheelchair seat (positioning the body substantially between the sides 2 and 3). The user's back is now resting against the fully extended seat back 8. The frame top bars 12 can now be utilized as allll.es~.
If so desired, the user can now utilize her feet to self-propel themselves. Again, the brakes are c~llv~lliently located within easy reach, allowing full braking capability by the user at all times.
As a second and plefel.ed option, a companion can maneuver the invention with the user still seated (as described in the preceding paragraph), by means of the wheelchair push handles 27. To change direction, the companion turns the invention while keeping all wheels on the ground. Again, this is facilitated by the castors 18.
Transfer Operation Between Walker and Wheelchair Modes In this embodiment of the invention, a simple transfer operation is required to transform the invention between walker and wheelchair modes. For the purposes of this description the transfer operation will be described assuming the invention is in walker mode, and is being transformed into wheelchair mode. The reverse process is followed by simply reversing the transfer operation steps.
First, the seat back 8 is rotated from its horizontal position to its near-vertical position.
The seat back lock handles 24 are then slid down the seat back lock slots 25, thus moving the seat back locks into the seat back bottom bars 9 (i.e. fully downward, locked position). Next, the seat extensions 6 are folded out, to rest upon the seat rests 13. In this position, the seat extensions 6 are in a position which is co-axial with the cross-folding mechanism top bars 5.

Transfer Operation Between Collapsed and Walker Modes In this embodiment of the invention, a simple transfer operation is required to transform the invention between walker and collapsed modes. For the purposes of this description the transfer operation will be described assuming the invention is in walker mode, and is Page4 of 6 ~ ~ o 1 o 2 0 being transformed into collapsed mode. The r~verse process is followed by simplyreversing the transfer operation steps.
First, the seat extensiorls 6 are folded out, to rest upon the seat rests 13. In this position, the seat extensions 6 are in a position which is co-axial with the cross-folding mechanismtop bars 5. Next, the cross-folding mechanism top bars 5 are grasped and pulled upwards towards the frame top bars 12 while simultaneously applying inward pressure to the frame sides 2 and 3. The cross-folding mechanism 4 folds inwards onto itself, allowing the frame sides 2 and 3 to collapse inwards. The invention is now in collapsed mode.
Transfer Qperation Between Collapsed and Wheelchair Modes In this embodiment of the invention, a simple transfer operation is required to transform the invention between wheelchair and collapsed modes. For the purposes of this description the transfer operation will be described assuming the invention is in wheelchair mode, and is being transformed into collapsed mode. The reverse process is followed by simply r~v~,~ing the transfer operation steps.
First, the seat back locks ~re moved out of the seat back bottom bars 9 (i.e. fully upward, unlocked position) by sliding the seat back lock handles 24 up the seat back lock slots 25. Next, the seat back 8 is rotated from its near-vertical position to its horizontal position, where it is supported by seat hooks 11 which hook onto the frame top bars 12.
Next, the cross-folding mechanism top bars 5 are grasped and pulled upwards towards the frame top bars 12 while simultaneously applying inward pressure to the frame sides

2 and 3. The cross-folding mechanism 4 folds inwards onto itself, allowing the frame sides 2 and 3 to collapse inwards. The invention is now in collapsed mode.

MATERIALS
The prototype (see appendix B) was built of strong, lightweight materials having a total weight of about 22 pounds. In this constructed embodiment the prototype had the following dimensions:
Wheelchair Mode: 33 inches long x 24 inches wide x 36 inches high WaLker Mode: 26.8 inches long x 24 inches wide x 31 5 inches high Collapsed Mode: 26.8 inches long x 9 inches wide x 31.5 inches high The basic frame was fabricated using thin walled seamless aluminum tubing of the 6063-T5 and 6064-T4 types. Miscellaneous aluminum round stock and plate were also utilized. The joints were welded, and the overall prototype was assembled using stainless steel nuts, bolts, washers and rivets. Suitable plastic plugs were included on open ends of tubing. After welding, the frame parts were powder-coated for a long-lasting and durable finish. The seat fabric 22 and seat back fabric 23 were made of nylon.
Other materials, components, sizes and finishing processes have been envisioned for this invention. The information presented here only includes that for the prototype, and is in Page5 of 6 ~2 0 1 0 2 0 no means a limit to the potential materials, components, sizes and finishing processes envisioned for future production or embodiments.

PUBLICDISCLOSURES
The conceptual design of the present embodiment of the invention was publicly disclosed for the first time on April 1, 1996. It was presented in the lobby of the Engineering Laboratory Wing at the University of Victoria, in Victoria, BC. This public disclosure was made to fellow students, faculty and the general public.
Subsequently, the present embodiment of the invention (complete with the prototype depicted in appendix B) was publicly disclosed at the Solutions+ '96 BC Student Design Competition on April 27, 1996. The competition was held at Science World in Vancouver, BC. At this competition the invention placed 2nd in the transportation devices category.
On January 31, 1997 the present embodiment of the invention (complete with the protolype depicted in appendix B) was publicly disclosed at the Western Engineering Conference and Competition '97 (WECC '97). This competition was held in Calgary,AB. At this competition the invention placed 1st in the er,t~eplelleurial design cate~,oly.
Finally, on March 7, 1997 the present embodiment of the invention (complete with the prototype depicted in appendix B) was publicly disclosed at the Canadian Engineering Competition '97 (CEC '97). This competition was held at the Université de Moncton, in Moncton, NB. At this co~-,yelition the invention placed 1st in the er,l~e~r~-leurial design category.

Page6 of 6