US2626652A

US2626652A - Walking aid

Info

Publication number: US2626652A
Application number: US121349A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert L Steigler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-10-14
Filing date: 1949-10-14
Publication date: 1953-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 1970-01-27

Description

Jan. 27, 1953 A. STEIGLER 2,626,652

WALKING AID Filed Oct. 14, 1949 l0 Albert L. Ste/g/er JNVEN TOR.

BY Wm WWW Em Patented Jan. 27, 1953 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in vehicles for invalids.

An object of this invention is to assist an invalid or .a person incapacitated from illness, in-

jury or disease in walking, particularly during the didactic stage.

Another object of this invention is to perform the above function by means of a device which includes an extensible handle fixed to a platform,

the platform or base having fixed casters at the rear thereof .and swivelcasters at the front, together with a movable Weight member which is disposed on the base so .as to shift the load to the necessary place on the :base, depending upon the amount of resistance and control necessary as indicated by the individual requirements of the patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character to be described which is readily portable, compact and suitable for use in small houses having limited space and usable even in the smallest rooms thereof.

Other objects and features will become apparent in following the illustrated form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one device;

Figure 2 is a top view of a modification of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the use of a brake for one of the wheels.

In the illustrated forms of the invention, a platform or base panel I!) is provided with a handle I2 at the rear ends thereof. This handle consists of a pair of rods id and it which are disposed in extensible relationship with the sleeves l8 and 2B, the sleeves being slidably disposed on the outer ends of the rods. The lower ends of the rods have

feet

22 and 24 thereon which are screwed or otherwise rigidly connected with the base panel Hi.

The sleeves I8 and 20 have a connecting portion 26 at the upper ends thereof which is adapted to be grasped by the hands of an individual employing the device. A pair of

pins

28 and 3%, respectively, are disposed in apertures provided in the sleeves I8 and 2t and in a pair of the series of

apertures

32 and 34, respectively. This expedient locks the sleeves and, hence, the hand-holding portion 26 in the selected extended position with respect to the rods 14 and it.

A cover or housing 2'! having an opening 29 the front thereof is disposed on Lthe'base to form a seat for the patient and to cover the base panel. Fastening devices, as the screw accommodating ears 3|, are employed .to .hold the cover 2'! in place on the base.

A pair of fixed casters 3!! are disposed at the rear end of the base panel I l1 and a pair of swivel casters '39 are disposed at the corners of the base opposite the rear corners which mount the stationary casters 3'8. I

A pair of resilient bumpers 42- and 44, respectively, are disposed at the corners of 'the base panel above the swivel casters 39. The structureof the bumpers is preferably a metallic back plate M) which is substantially v -shaped cover'ed with a rubber web. By this expedient, the rubber web extends not only at the front of the device but also at the sides.

A weight member 48, which, in the illustration, is shown as a rectangular bar, is disposed on the upper surface of the platform or base panel It). It is slidable thereon for adjustment. It may be positioned directly over the casters 39 or at another place remote therefrom, toward the rear of the base panel. The position of the weight will depend upon the requirements of the individual patient. The weight provides the amount of resistance and control of the device necessary as required by the individual patient. Hence, by having the weight disposed as shown in Figure 1, it would be extremely difficult to cause the base panel [U to be pivoted about the axles of the casters 38 so as to raise the front end of the device. Itis also rather diflicult to turn the device either right or left with the weight reacting directly on the casters 39, as disclosed. To move the weight member 48 renders both of these functions easier.

A brake is operatively connected with one or more of the wheels of the casters, preferably the fixed casters 38. The brake consists of a rocker 52 mounted on a rocker shaft 54 which is disposed below the base panel IO. A braking plate 56 is secured to the rocker 52 for engagement with one or more of said wheels.

An operating arm 51 is secured to said rocker in order to operate the rocker, and a brake setting and releasing device 58 of conventional description is secured to one of the handle rods. Whether one or more rockers are used is a matter of choice. 1

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2 and 3, the same structure is employed, in addition to which, a switch 60 is carried in one of the sleeves so that it may be operated by the patient. This switch controls a motor 62 which is disposed on the base panel I!) and which is drivingly connected with one of the caster wheels 38. The driving connection consists of a pulley 64 which is mounted on the motor shaft, together with a belt '66 which is entrained therearound, and a second pulley 69 which is rigidly secured to the axle 70 of the caster assembly. A cover or housing 72 is disposed over the battery, whence the current is supplied to the motor, as controlled by the switch 60.

In Figure 2, the cover 2! and brake mechanism has been omitted for clarity.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a vehicle for invalids, a base panel having four corners, a wheel located at each corner to support said panel, a handle secured to said panel, a weight member carried by said panel and movable on the upper surface thereof to shift the center of gravity of the vehicle, and a stop secured to said panel and rising above the upper surface of said panel to prevent said member from sliding ofi said panel.

2. In a vehicle for invalids, a base panel hav ing four corners, a wheel located at each corner to support said panel, a handle secured to said panel, a weight member carried by said panel and movable on the upper surface thereof to shift the center of gravity of the vehicle, and a stop secured to said panel and rising above the upper surface of said panel to prevent said member from sliding off said panel, and said stop having a front surface constituting a seat for a bumper. 3. In a vehicle for invalids, a base panel having four corners, a wheel located at each corner to support said panel, a handle secured to said panel, a weight member carried by said panel and movable on the upper surface thereof to shift the center of gravity of the vehicle, and a stop secured to said panel and rising above the upper surface of said panel to prevent said members from sliding off said panel, and a housing disposed on said panel to cover said weight member and prevent separation of said weight member from said panel.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said housing has a notch therein, said stop being received in said notch.

ALBERT L. STEIGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,277,434 Leadbeather Sept. 3, 1918 1,290,475 Allen Jan. 7, 1919 1,399,040 Baines Dec. 6, 1921 1,486,660 Hajdu Mar. 11, 1925 2,285,778 Milward June 9, 1942 2,307,096 Zink et a1. Jan. 5, 1943 2,425,253 Little et al Aug. 5, 1947 2,490,870 Heyn Dec. 13, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 379,475 Germany Aug. 23, 1923 635,854 France Jan. 3, 1928