GB2620966A

GB2620966A - A mobility device

Info

Publication number: GB2620966A
Application number: GB2211008.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scouler Valerie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-07-27
Filing date: 2022-07-27
Publication date: 2024-01-31
Also published as: GB202211008D0

Abstract

A mobility device comprising a body 10 defining a volume, one or more front 8 and rear 7 wheels greater than 10 cm in diameter, a power source and motor to drive one or more wheels, and a handle 1 extending above the body and the rear wheels. The body may have features to display a plurality of removable information bearing discs 11. The body may comprise a rigid structural skeleton and have a seat 12 located on the top. The device may comprise an annular seat with a central hole 3, arranged to fold from a storage to a usage position. The device may comprise a loudspeaker or horn, a light source, or a video camera. An emergency pull switch may be coupled to the motor. The wheels may be provided with a brake means. The body may include an external pocket to receive a folding walking stick.

Description

A MOBILITY DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobility device, in particular a device for aiding users with reduced mobility capabilities.

Background

Many societies in many countries are increasingly seeing ageing populations.

At the same time many societies have increasingly crowded and underfunded public spaces.

This can lead to issues with access to facilities as well as impairing individual choice, for example where a user of facilities or public spaces

Prior Art

US 2017 0 354 564 (DIRAUF et al) discloses a mobile walker, comprising: a frame; at least two wheels embodied and disposed on said frame to move the mobile walker around on a ground surface; at least one hand grip embodied and disposed on said frame to be used by a user of the mobile walker as a support and pushing aid; at least one measured value recording unit embodied and programmed to record at least one vital parameter of the user; and a processor unit connected communicatively to said measured value recording unit and embodied and programmed to assess a recorded vital parameter and/or transmit the recorded vital parameter to a control center disposed separately from the mobile walker.

GB 2 505 880 (CRISP) discloses a trolley for the carriage of shopping or other goods embodying a platform on which a child may stand, comprising a container for said goods, at least one first ground engaging wheel which can freely rotate about and axis located at the rear of said container, a platform located close to the wheel axis to support a standing child, a handle to push or pull the trolley, the handle and container adopting one of two operative positions, in the first operative position the container and handle are in their most upright position and in the second operative position the handle extends rearward and the container tilts forward away from its most upright position allowing the platform to adopt a substantially horizontal plane suitable for a standing child, at least one second ground engaging wheel forward of the at least one rear wheel.

EP 2 684 762 (PONTICELLI et al) discloses a device has a set of supporting elements, where one of the supporting elements is swingable and definably arranged on the other supporting element over a holding structure. The former supporting element includes rolling elements and foot rest, and the latter supporting element includes rollers and a base pipe. A telescopic-shaped guide bar is provided in the base pipe, and another telescopic-shaped guide bar is detachably fixed in the former telescopic-shaped guide bar. The guide bars include a handle grip and a release unit, respectively.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a mobility device comprising: a body defining an intemal volume; a frame defining a handle that extends above the body; a one or more front wheel and one or more rear wheels above 10 cm in diameter; a motor; and an electrical energy source; wherein the motor is powered by the electrical energy source to tum at least one of the wheels; and wherein the handle extends above the rear wheels.

In some embodiments the body is arranged to display a plurality of information discs.

In some such embodiments the discs are displaceable from the body, so as to allow * 30 for customisation. For example the discs may be secured using ferromagnetism or hook and loop means such as Velcro (RTM).

In some embodiments the device includes a seat. This seat may be envisaged to provide somewhere for a user to sit when tired or otherwise. It may be envisaged for 35 example that the seat may be located on the body, or top thereof. In this way it may be envisaged that the body includes a rigid structural skeleton, for example formed in steel or similar, and clad in fabric or other flexible material.

In some embodiments the device comprises an annular seat with a central hole. This 5 annular seat may be in addition to or alternative.

Such annular seat may be envisaged to provide a toilet seat, wherein the toilet seat may extend from the body, for example to its rear, so as to provide a means of toileting when required, for example using a container below the toilet seat.

In some such embodiments either or both seats may be envisaged to fold from a first storage position to a second in use position. In this way it may be envisaged that the toilet seat in particular may be displaced, minimised, and/or hidden, when not in use.

In some embodiments the device comprises a loudspeaker. Such loudspeaker may be utilised for broadcasting radio for example, or may be operable as an audible alarm means if the user feels under threat In some embodiments therefore the device comprises a horn. In other embodiments 20 the device may include an antenna or transceiver.

In some embodiments the device comprises a light source, for example so as to illuminate in front of the device or around it.

In some embodiments the device comprises a videocamera. Such videocamera may enable the user to film surroundings when feeling threatened for example, so as to provide a record of inncidents.

In some embodiments the device comprises an emergency pull-switch for the motor. 30 Such emergency switch may be envisaged to comprise a connector to the user, such that should the connector be pulled the motor will be cut for example.

In some embodiments the device comprises a braking means, for example so as to brake the wheels when desired, limiting opportunities for the device to roll away from 35 the user undesirably.

In some embodiments the body includes external pocket for receipt of a walking stick and in some embodiments the device comprises a folding walking stick, which may be stored within the pocket.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Fioures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with annular seat folded up; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown 15 in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with seat partially folded down; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with seat folded down; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown 30 in Figure 1; and Figure 8 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device 35 shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a mobility device 99 generally comprising: a body 10 defining an internal volume; a frame defining a handle 1 that extends above the body 10; a plurality of wheels 7,8 comprising two front wheels 8 and two rear wheels 7 above 10 cm in diameter; a motor; and an electrical energy source 15; wherein the motor is powered by the electrical energy source to turn at least one of the wheels; and wherein the handle 1 extends above the rear wheels 7.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises two sets of two wheels, with larger rear wheels and smaller front wheels.

The handle extends above the rear wheels, such that in use a user is located behind 15 the handle and the device in general, whereby the device is pushed.

The body 10 is substantially cuboid, with an internal steel or stainless steel skeleton 24 and a fabric covering 26 defining an internal volume, which volume is subdivided horizontally to allow for compartments. The body has a hinge at the rear and a 20 substantially rectangular lid 12.

This lid 12 is formed in a substantially rigid material, such as a plastic like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), so as to allow the lid to form a seat in use.

The front of the body includes a plurality of information discs 11, which are displaceable and replaceable.

It may be envisaged that the information that the discs may supply is selected from a selection of instructions to other people, such that the user of the device may be enabled to communicate with other people even if incapacitated or otherwise distracted. Such information may be from a selection such as 'please do not speak loudly', 'please ask me if I need help first' and similar.

The handle 1 includes a control means 16 for the motor, which motor is enabled to 35 drive some or all of the wheels, particularly for example when ascending an incline. The front wheels are joined by an axle 9.

The control means also includes an emergency shut-off, which requires holding when the motor is required, such that upon release, intentionally or otherwise, the motor will be stopped. The shut-off is provided by a tether 13 and a clip 2.

The motor is driven by a rechargeable battery energy source 15, which is located in the bottom of the volume for stability of the device. The battery may be displaceable for charging or charged in situ, and may comprise a socket for mains electrical connection.

The body on its rear face includes a loudspeaker 25, for an integrated alarm and radio. In this way it may be envisaged that the device may include a transceiver or antenna for receipt of radio wave signals or other wireless connectivity.

Additionally to the rear of the body the handle includes a frame 4 on a pivot 55. The frame supports a pivoting toilet seat 3. This is an annular ring with a central hole, formed in a robust plastic, as is known in the art. The pivot allows the seat to be pivoted up against the handle for storage and transport, and down orthogonal the handle for usage.

The seat includes a leg 6 which is hinged from below to the seat frame 4 on another pivot 5, so as to drop into position to support the user when on the seat.

The seat is also supported by the handle and it may be envisaged that the handle or 25 wheels provide braking means to prevent the wheels turning, for example when the user is seated.

On the side of the body there is a pocket for receipt of a folded walking stick.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A mobility device comprising: a body defining an internal volume; a frame defining a handle that extends above the body; a one or more front wheel and one or more rear wheels above 10 cm in diameter; a motor; and an electrical energy source; wherein the motor is powered by the electrical energy source to turn at least one of the wheels; and wherein the handle extends above the rear wheels.
2. A mobility device according to claim 1 wherein the body is arranged to display a plurality of information discs.
3. A mobility device according to claim 2 wherein the discs are displaceable.
4. A mobility device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising a seat.
5. A mobility device according to claim 4 wherein the seat is located on the top of the body.
6. A mobility device according to any preceding claim wherein the body includes a rigid structural skeleton.
7. A mobility device according to any preceding claim comprising an annular seat with a central hole.
8. A mobility device according to claim 7 wherein the seat is arranged to fold from a first storage position to a second in use position.
9. A mobility device according to any preceding claim comprising a loudspeaker. 30
10. A mobility device according to claim 9 comprising a horn.
11. A mobility device according to any preceding claim comprising a light source.
12. A mobility device according to any preceding claim comprising a videocamera.
13. A mobility device according to any preceding claim comprising an emergency pull-switch for the motor.
14. A mobility device according to any preceding claim comprising a braking means for one or more wheels.
15. A mobility device according to any preceding claim wherein the body includes external pocket for receipt of a walking stick.
16. A mobility device according to any preceding claim comprising a folding walking stick.