GB2382534A

GB2382534A - An all terrain walking aid

Info

Publication number: GB2382534A
Application number: GB0124281A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Richard Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-10
Filing date: 2001-10-10
Publication date: 2003-06-04
Also published as: GB0124281D0

Abstract

An all terrain walking aid comprises a 3 sided frame fabricated from tubular aluminium. Small wheels are fitted to the rear supports, which also have hand grips. A wheel device on a spindle having a plurality of legs each ending in a wheel may be attached to the legs at the front of the frame. Preferably damping devices are fitted into the front legs of the frame to reduce impact stress.

Description

Patent Application Product description The design of this Device This invention relates to a device which will be benificial to all persons who suffer from a variety of conditions, who need physical support to enable them to lead a normal life style as is practicable.

The conditions People suffering from.

I. Arthritis 2. Post Operative and Traumatic conditions 3. Postural Instability 4. Semi ambulant patients.

This Invention relates to a walking Aid for the elderly, partially sighted and will enable them to overcome obstacles we meet in every day life.

Construction The Invention relates to a Rigid tubular frame comprising of four legs the distally opposed legs (Rear) have affixed to them a set of 4"dia wheels and are affixed to rotate in a foreword direction only.

The proximal opposed (Front) legs are shorter in order to accomodate The Rotating Cruciform device (Cross shaped) each of the segments is of equal lengths attached to central Hub like device in order to rotate through (360. ) degrees, the hub device is attached to the front legs on a fixed spindle.

The tubular aluminum frame is constructed in a simular design to the Zimmer frame walking aid the benefits are to give greater mobility to the users to negotiate undulations in areas like uneven footpaths, curbs, potholes. Slopes, Steps, etc, and forewarn the user of an obsticle as the obsticle is encountered the leading wheels stop and this has the effect of rotating the step over effect of the obsticle and warns the operator to be cautious of the obsticle the movement of the frame is an indication of how high the obsticle is as the wheel rotates over and contacts the ground to continue the foreword motion the user would adjust his posture to compensate for the inclination of the frame when the rear wheels come to strike the obsticle the user would elevate the the frame to a level footing. and proceed in a normal manner.

DESCRIPTION This design is a solid structure walking aid. But thanks to its lightweight materials is still light and easy to lift and move.

It is square in shape and is reinforced with an internal structure of overlapping bars of metal, it has a wheel at the at the back and at the front it has a tube (metal) going down and linked to that is a suspension spring and then coming off the suspension is the most interesting part, the rotating legs which consist of bars and wheels coming off a rotating joint and on contact any obstacles it will adapt itself to get past it quickly.

The wheels will probably be about 2-3 inches in width and height to give sufficient grip and stability.

The frame wherever possible will be aluminium or a similar sort of light weight material to make it as light as possible but at the same time strong and durable and also corrosion resistant from damp weather.

DESIGN BRIEF This design is used to aid the elderly disabled & even blind people to walk and overcome obstacles with little difficulty and should feel completely safe.

Thanks to its unique structure and mechanical abilities e. g.- the rotating wheel legs design it can over come obstacles such as steps, pavements and even sticks and stones in the road.

What is unique about the design? This design has a rotating wheel structure situated at the front.

This device can cope with steps and other obstacles, therefore giving the elderly comfort and reassurance. This may also help the blind people without the cost of training dogs.

What benefits it have? There are many benefits with this design, such as being able to identify an obstacle in the way and actually adapting to get over it.

This also has benefits when it comes to training guide dogs for the blind.

It will cut down the number of dogs being trained therefore saving a large sum of money.

And with the extras that would be available the possibilities are endless.

What features are new? The main new feature has to be the rotating wheels which I have said on a previous page has benefits for the elderly and even blind by being able to overcome obstacles.

There are also some optional extras such as a seat and hangers for bags e. t. c.

Key to drawings on page 1 of 2 1) Soft Rubber grip handles.

2) 2-3 inch solid wheels.

3) Light-weight sturdy frame.

4) Suspension spring for added comfort.

5) Rotating joint.

Information relating to drawing 2 of 2 This drawing is showing the design in motion and illustrates how it works.

The wheel joint rotates to get up steps and pavements.

Claims

Patent Application Kevin Williams

1 This invention relates to an all terrain walking aid the construction is fabricated from tubular aluminium 32mm dia with a wall thickness of 5mm. in order to give strength and rigidity and support the weight of the user. the distribution of weight and support balance are in the 3 sided box like construction this enables the user to be supported in a three dimensional aspect front and sides, with the hand grips over the rear leg supports.

2 According to the claims in (1) the rear upright supports are terminated with 4"dia wheels affixed to the uprights by means of collar like sleeves bolted through the tubular structure in a foreword inclination, the construction of the collar like sleeve has a termination of 2 parallel plates curved in a foreword manner with 8mm diameter holes opposed to each other to allow the wheel spindle to be fitted in position.

3 According to-the claims in (2) the opposing leg is fitted in the same manner, according to the claims in (1) the rear legs are cross braced to the front legs by 2 lengths of 32mm dia tubular aluminium as a diagonal to the box like frame from the top (rear) down to the Bottom (front) to provide extra strength to the leading support spindle device to improve impact stresses involved in contact with obstacles.

4 According to the claim in (3). the impact stresses are reduced by damping devices built in as integral part of the front spindle device, The method of fixation is by the insertion of a spring loaded bolt action spindle which when resistance is met e. g. an obstacle this cushions the impact. When the resistance is met the the four branch rotating device moves over a (90 degree) arc and the accompaning wheel segment creates a step over action.

5 According to the claim in (4) the front rotating segment is constructed in an equal sided cross, constructed section is of flat bar whose central portion is removed toaffix a bearing like hub to allow (360 degree) rotation on the spring loaded bolt action spindle device the rotating segment is constructed in duplicate and is affixed to the opposite end of the hub device to allow the wheel to be mounted by spindle bolts to the extremities (North, South, East, and West) 6 According to the claim in (5) the Bearing hub device is fixed on to the bolt action spindle by means of lock nuts and washers. the front legs are machined out to accomodate the slide mechanism and damping spring and is anchored on to the legs by means a sleeve collar bolted through the tubing.

4 According to the claim in (3). the impact stresses are reduced by damping devices built in as integral part of the front spindle device, The method of fixation is by the insertion of a spring loaded bolt action spindle which when resistance is met e. g. an obstacle this cushions the impact. When the resistance is met the four branch rotating device moves over a (90 degree) arc and the accompanying wheel segment creates a step over action.

5 According to the claim in (4) the front rotating segment is constructed in an equal sided cross, constructed section is of flat bar whose central portion is removed toaffix a bearing like hub to allow (360 degree) rotation on the spring loaded bolt action spindle device the rotating segment is constructed in duplicate and is affixed to the opposite end of the hub device to allow the wheel to be mounted by spindle bolts to the extremities (North, South-east, and West).

6 According to the claim in (5) the Bearing hub device is fixed on to the bolt action spindle by means of lock nuts and washers. the front legs are machined out to accommodate the slide mechanism and damping spring and is anchored on to the legs by means a sleeve collar bolted through the tubing.

CLAIMS Contd

7 According to all preceding claims of the assembly the rotating wheel device can overcome most obstacles like curb stones, steps, etc. and would be beneficial to partially sighted users with mobility difficulties due to arthritis etc.

8. According to the claims in (7) as the ground wheel strikes an object and cannot rotate foreword the wheel in position at 3 o clock flips over and locates the next area of flatland or level surface, the movement of the frame alerts the user of a different level they then adjust their foreword gait to accommodate the change in the terrain..

9 According to the claims in (8) The obstacle could be a curb stone and as the foreword wheels flip over they locate the next level the user walks on and when the rear wheels stop at the curb stone they would lift the rear of the frame on to the level identified by the Front rotating device wheels, then continue to proceed on their journey.