GB2397779A

GB2397779A - A container for a walking frame

Info

Publication number: GB2397779A
Application number: GB0302368A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon John Buckingham; Christine Anne Clarke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-03
Filing date: 2003-02-03
Publication date: 2004-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-03
Also published as: GB2397779B; GB0302368D0

Abstract

A basket 10 for a walking frame of the type having a rearwardly inclined front frame formed from a top generally horizontal bar and two front legs depending from the top bar leading to two front feet and two side legs connected to the front frame. The basket 10 has a first bowl member 11 having a rear side 11A have a width to span the distance between the front legs of a frame, and a hook member, such as a second bowl 12 and bridge member 13, connected to the top of the first bowl member 11. In use the hook member can be placed over the top bar with the rear face 11A of the bowl member abutting the front legs whereby the basket is supported on the frame and items can be carried in the first bowl member 11. An optional second bowl or tray may be fitted over the first bowl.

Description

Title: Walking Frame Basket and optional Trav The present invention

relates to a basket and optional tray for a walking frame.

Many elderly and infirm persons use a walking frame to help them walk, especially those who - find it difficult to balance on their legs. Most frames are formed from a rearwardly inclined front U-shaped frame providing two front ground support feet. The front frame is formed from a top generally horizontal bar and two front legs depending from the top bar, and the front frame is supported by two curved side legs providing two rear ground support feet (one or more of the ground support feet may be wheels). In use a user grips a handle provided on the top of each side leg and walks into the frame until the side legs of the frame lie generally alongside the hips. The frame is then lifted by the user and placed forward of the body and the user then walks into the frame again.

The use of both hands to grip the handles necessarily means that the user cannot carry items such a drink or food, or personal items like books, glasses, medicines or toiletry bags. It is known to provide a string bag supported within the front frame to carry personal items, but this is not considered helpful to many users of walking frames, since such users generally do not have the mobility to bend down to place items in the bag, or retrieve items from the bag.

Such bags are also unsuitable to carry food on a plate or drinks in a cup.

It is also been suggested in prior patents to secure a tray to a frame, but the trays are permanently secured to the frame by fixings which may not be desirable for the user, and the fixings can damage the frames both structurally and also cosmetically. As many frames are lent to users, frame damage is undesirable.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a basket for a walking frame of the type having a rearwardly inclined front frame formed from a top generally horizontal bar and two front legs depending from the top bar leading to two front feet, and two side legs connected to the front frame, said basket having a first bowl member having a rear side having a width to span the distance between said front legs, and hook member connected to the top of the first bowl member, in use said hook member can be placed over the top bar with the rear face of the bowl member abutting the front legs whereby the basket is supported on the frame, and items can be carried in the first bowl member.

Preferably the first bowl is adapted to be positioned so that it sits forward of the front frame.

Preferably the basket is of such a dimension so that its centre of gravity when placed on the walking frame is to the rear of the front feet thereby preventing the frame from becoming imbalanced.

Preferably a tray is provided to sit over the first bowl. Preferably the first bowl member and hook member provide a generally planar rim to receive a tray.

Preferably the hook member is provided by a second bowl member spaced from the first bowl member, a cavity being formed between the two bowl members to receive the top bar of a frame.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a perspective view of a walking frame, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a basket and tray, Figure 3 shows a side cross section view of a basket and tray on a walking frame, and Figure 4 shows a drinking vessel holder for use on the tray.

Referring to Figure 1 a walking frame 1 of the type well known in the art. Walking frame 1 has a rearwardly inclined front frame formed from a single length of tubing 2 bent to create a top generally horizontal bar 2A and two front legs 2A,2B depending from the top bar leading to two front rubber feet 3B,3C. Two side legs 4A,4B (formed from a single length of tube 4 bolted to tube 2 by bolts 5A,5B) are connected to the front frame. Curved side legs 4A,4B lead to feet 6A,6B. Handles 7A,7B are provided on the top of the side legs. Support arms 8A,8B,8C may be provided to add rigidity to the walking frame 1.

Referring now to Figure 2, a basket 10 is provided having a generally semi-circular first bowl member 11 having a planar rear side I I A having a width to span the distance between the front legs 2A,2B. A hook member is provided by a smaller second bowl 12 connected to the top of the first bowl member by a bridge member 13. A downward facing cavity 14 is provided between the first and second bowl members. The second bowl 12 and bridge member 13 provide a hook member.

The first and second bowl members 1 1,12 provide a generally planar turned rim 15 to receive the turned rim 21 of a generally semi-circular tray 20, so tray 20 sits over basket 10. Rim 15 may include a cut out 1 5A to allow access into bowl 12 when the tray 20 is placed on the basket 10. Tray 20 extends over the first and second bowl and includes a curved rear section 20A to cover second bowl 12. Ideally the dimensions of the basket and tray are such that a plate is just received in the centre of the tray with the rim of the plate generally following the curve of rear section 20A.

As shown in Figure 3, in use the hook member formed by bridge member 13 and second bowl 12 can be placed over the top bar 2A (which is received in cavity 14) with the rear face I I A of the bowl member abutting the front legs 2B,2C whereby the basket 10, and optionally the tray 20 is supported on the frame, and items can be carried in the first and second bowl members I 1, 12 and/or the tray 20. The first bowl is adapted to be positioned so that it sits forward of the front frame. s

The basket is of such a dimension so that its centre of gravity when placed on the walking frame is to the rear of the front feet, i.e. to the rear of line "X", thereby preventing the frame from becoming imbalanced. In this respect the provision of a second bowl and the tray extending over the rear bowl, helps to push the centre of gravity well to the rear of line X. The basket and tray are raised up high enough on the frame to allow items to be placed on or in the tray and basket, and removed therefrom, without the user having to bend over. The basket and tray also allow space for a user to walk into the frame.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described. For example a simple hook could be provided instead of a second bowl. In order to span the distance between the front legs of a walking frame, the rear side 11 A could include extension arms to abut the front legs, with the actual bowl internal size being less than the distance between the front legs.

The tray could have a non-slip surface and/or indentations to support items such as a plate or drinking vessel. Alternatively separate holders could be provided, e.g. to hold a drinking vessel.

A separate holder is shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4 holder 30 comprises a circular base 31 generally of a diameter to fit in tray 20. Base 31 has an upturned rim as shown to retain any spillage thereon. Extending up from base 31 are three radially spaced curved and tapered projections 32A, 32B,32C with vertical spaces 33A.33B,33C in between. A mug 34 (or other drinking vessel) may be positioned in and supported by the generally cylindrical aperture 35 defined by the projections 32A,32B,32C. Aperture 35 may be of a diameter just larger than a mug. l lolder 30 prevents the mug from topling. The spaces 33A,33B,33C arc designed to receive the mug handle 34A., and also the mug may be removed from the holder by inserting thumb and forefinger through two of the spaces.

Holder 30 may be sold and/or used on its own or with the tray and basket. Holder 30 may be used for supporting drinking vessels other than mugs.

The invention also extends to a holder comprising: a) a base, b) a plurality of projections extending from the base defining a generally cylindrical aperture to receive a drinking vessel.

It is envisaged that the basket and/or tray and/or holder would be moulded as a unitary construction, e.g. by injection moulding or vacuum forming. The basket and/or tray may be sold singly or in combination.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

I. A basket for a walking frame of the type having a rearwardly inclined front frame formed from a top generally horizontal bar and two front legs depending from the top bar leading to two front feet, and two side legs connected to the front frame, said basket having a first bowl member having a rear side having a width to span the distance between said front legs, and hook member connected to the top of the first bowl member, in use said hook member can be placed over the top bar with the rear face of the bowl member abutting the front legs whereby the basket is supported on the frame, and items can be carried in the first bowl member. ;
2. A basket according to claim 1, wherein the first bowl is adapted to be positioned so that it sits forward of the front frame.
3. A basket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the basket is of such a dimension so that its centre of gravity when placed on the walking frame is to the rear of the front feet thereby preventing the frame from becoming imbalanced.
4. A basket according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein a tray is provided to sit over the first bowl.
5. A basket according to claim 4, wherein the first bowl member and hook member provide a generally planar rim to receive a tray.
6. A basket according to any preceding claim, wherein the hook member is provided by a second bowl member spaced from the first bowl member, and a cavity is formed between the two bowl members to receive the top bar of a frame.
7. A basket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.