CA2278889C - Push and pull handles for walkers - Google Patents

Abstract

The push and pull handle for walkers is a mechanical device consisting of a "U" shaped handle, a single "L" or "J" shaped handle or a club having an "S" type handle linked to a wheeled walker by one or two adjustable or folding anchor points. The device is used as a pull or push handle when attached to a geriatric walker often consisting of four wheels, two handles, brakes and a seat. The device enables a person to push or pull a person seated on the walker seat.

Description

PULL HANDLE FOR INVALID WAL><ERS
TECHNICAL FIELD
Simply this device is mechanical in nature to aid loved ones or assistants in taking invalids on excursions HACCGROUND OF 'flfE INVENTION
Invalid walkers have b!!Pn d~9igned so far except for a very few, with a seat facing backwards and it is with great difficulty if not completely ispossible to keep an outing in motion with eaistinR rear facing handles.
Walkers already take advantage of lightweightness portability and easy storage evpP~ir~lly when compared to a wheelchair or a scooter and co9t is also a consideration_ For most invalid9 fatigue or balance problems would eke placing the seat on the front of the walker or over a forward-facing heaN~t would he imprnctical. Hence according ZO to this invention a forward facing hr3ndle on an inexpensive genetic walker would be m valuable to the invalid and their caretakers 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A forward facing handle can help pull, push, turn in a circle if need be. It can be stored in an upright position and secured with a strip of hook and loop type fastener or other. It will not interfere with an unassisted walk nor will it add significant weight.
Friends and family or caretakers will fall in love with the new ability to assist when the invalid one is tired.
This would be most noticeable and most appreciative during a long outing or when an appointment must be met, sometimes either can be mentally exhausting or taxing for either one.
As stated earlier merely moving the seat to the other side of the walker may exclude the need to have a handle at all but would increase the chance of a fall trying to turn the walker around or walking around it in order to sit.
Other features and objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description made with reference to the aecampanying drawings, in which:

HR1(:F Ul;SC:RIPTION l)F DRAWINGS
Fig. 1-a is a perspective view of a "generic" type walker usually posessing a seat. and two h;mdles with brakes.
Fig. 1-h is the embodiment of a "cane" type adjustable (or telescoping) handle atmr~hrd to a "generic" type walker.
Fig, l-c is a perspective view and a blow-up of a "generic"
adjuster button from Fif;. 1-a .
Fig. 1-d is an r~nrivir~w of a "generic" adjuster button in the handle tubing of thc~ blown up view from Fig, l-c .
Fig. l-a is a perspectcve exploded view of a "cane" type adjustable (or telescoping) handle.
Fig.. 1-f is ~ pPrspeW m a drawinf; of a possible attachment clamp.
Fig. 1-g is a blown-up perspcctivc~ view of Fig. 1-f Fig. 1-h is a perspective view of a "U" type handle on a "generic" type walker, ZO Fig.. l-i is a perspective exploded view of a "fits-all"
type extendable or expandable "l1" type handle.
Fi.g. 1-j is a pc>rspPOtrve view of the embodiment of a "T"
type handle attached to a '~generir" type walker.
Fig. L-k is a perepec:live explndod view of a "'f" type handlf~.
Fig. 1-1 is a pcrspec-tivo drawing of a possible attachment clamp.
4.

l~'iR.. I-m is a pcecayeW ivc expl~dF~d view showi.nf; details of a poasible ~>Ittachment clamp.
Fig. a is a per_<;pec:tive view of the embodiment of ~ "U"
shaped handle arcordty; to this inven(_iun.
Fig. ~i is a pcr;;pc~o.tmr~ view of a split--foam grip to be slid over the "U" shaped h;tndla with a 110° bend a. in Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a perapeut me char view of the "U" shaped handle with a 110° hend .~,howin;; it , ad pstablc-~ widCh capahilities.
Fig. i is a per;~lm.tivo view of a protective plastic ertd cap to be inserted in the end of Lltc~ metal tuhing of all models o( pull handle.
Fig. 6 is a :;ide v iew of the :tatmc prot Pctive (safety) end cap.
Fig. 7 is a bottom view o1 t.ito game protective end cap.
Fig. H is a p<~rsp~otiv~ vnrw of the Embodiment of 3 single or "L" Lype handle with ,~ wngn~ type pul l on its' end according to this invention.
Fi g. r1 is a t op v i crw ml a common hose c lamp.
Fig. 1l7 is a perspc>ct tvc~ mc~w crl the embodiment of z "T"
type pull (as nn nltorn~tive~ pull) atccording Lo Lhis invention.
a0 Fig. 11 is a top vicew of the omhmiiment of a awivel mount for a single or "1," ivpc~ lwir:dlr~ <.tccording to this invention.
FiK. 12 is 1 ~icir view of thin <;am~ swivel mount.
Fig. 1'3 common lock rut with nylon insert.
is a F i g 1 4 common niac:lne~ :.o cew of t hc same . is i throad and a 2~ pitch;approx.5 c-m, lont;inches).
( f Fig. 15 is a cutaway view of the "U" type handle and its' adjustable mechanism, Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the same adjustable button, Fig. 17 is a top view of the same button, 5 Fig. 18 is a cross section of the tubing of both sides of the "U" handle (one slid over the other) with the same button, Fig. 19 is a protective rubber cover for covering any exposed machine screw ends. Fig. 20 is a "TYPE 1" handle mount.
Fig. 21 is a side view of the same mount.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An embodiment of this invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First referring to Fig. 1 a common or generic walker having two handles (i), brakes also fastened at point (i), and having a seat (ii), four casters (v), some models have a forward facing horizontal bar (iv), others have only two vertical bars (iii), the only drawback with common walkers being that when an invalid is tired and sits one must stand between the invalids legs if one is to assist in moving walker or long waits must be endured. Fig. 2 is a "TYPE 1" handle of this invention (or an adjustable width version of a "U" shaped handle with an 80° bend (vi)) which is hinged at (ia). To attach first place two mounts as in Fig. 20 and find an unobstructed spot on the two vertical bars on said generic walker. After pressing them back into :shape place a machine screw Fig. 14 through a hole (xzii) after first aligning it with the hole (xiz) or (xzx) of the mount Fig" 20 itself (perhaps also using a safety end F'ig. S making sure to line up its' hole (zxiii) as well), then fasten using a nylon lock nut Fig. 13.
Common washers can be weed to reduce friction on either side of the tubing as well. Care should be taken that the lock nut is not too tight. Notice tube (z) is slid over tube (xi) and is ajusted to the proper width snapping the button as in Fig or (xzi) into one of the holes (xii) which best suits the 10 width of the walker. A split foam grip Fig. 3 is then slid over the tubing at point (viii) of Fig. 2.
Alternatively if only a horizontal bar is available on the generic wa ker an "L" handle "TYPE 2" is required. First a swivel mount Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 is attached on the horizontal 15 bar (iv) using a common hose damp Fig. 9 on both sides. Next align holes of mount(xxv) and of the handle (xvi) and possibly the insertion <>~ a protective end Fig. 5 while aligning its' hole (xxiii) or (xxiv). Insert a machine screw Fig. 14 with a common washer in between the handle and the maunt. Then fasten the machine screw with a nylon lock nut Fig. 13.
A protective rubber boot Fig. 19 may be placed over the exposed end of the machine screw of both handle designs. Tn addition the completed handle is held in an upward position when not in use by a strip of common hook and loop fastener or common snaps.

Claims (10)

1. A handle bar connectable to a wheeled invalid walker for pulling or pushing a seated invalid, said walker having a frame and a seat, said handle bar comprising:
- a bar;
- a handle situated at one end of the bar; and - a hinged mount situated at the other end of the bar and connectable to the walker, said handle bar folding toward the walker on the hinged mount into an upright non-operating position.

2. A handle bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hinged mount is made of two semi-circular plates surrounding a horizontal tube of the walker frame, said two semi-circular plates being hold together by holding clamps, and one of the semi-circular plates being connected with a hinge fixed to the other end of the bar.

3. A handle bar as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the handle bar is adjustable in length.

4. A handle bar as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the handle bar comprises two hollow bars sliding in each other and being adjustable in length by means of a spring actuated button adjuster inserted into one of the hollow bars.

5. A handle bar as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the handle bar is held in the upright position with a holding strap attached to the walker.

6. A handle bar as claimed in one of claims 1-5 wherein the other end of the bar is capped with a protective cap.

7. A handle structure connectable to a wheeled invalid walker for pulling or pushing a seated invalid, said walker having a frame and a seat, said handle structure comprising:

- a U-shape bar having two side sections and a horizontal middle section joining the two side sections, each side section having an end;
- a handle formed by the middle section; and - a hinged mount situated at each end of the side sections and connectable to a generally vertically oriented tube of the walker frame, said U-shape bar folding toward the walker on the hinged mount into an upright non-operating position.

8. A handle structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein the U-shape bar allows distance adjustment between the two side sections.

9. A handle structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein the middle section is covered with a foam grip.

10. A handle structure as claimed in one of claims 7-9 wherein each end of the side sections is capped with a protective cap.