WO1998033466B1

WO1998033466B1 - Walking frame

Info

Publication number: WO1998033466B1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/000287
Authority: WO
Filing date: 1998-01-29
Publication date: 1998-09-11

Abstract

A walking frame having side frame parts (10, 12) interconnected by crosspieces (14, 16), front wheels (20) and swivelling rear wheels (22), a rear seat (18), a lever controlled brake acting on the front wheels and a spring loaded pressure brake linked to the seat acting on the rear wheels, wherein the seat (18) is swingable out of the way to allow rear access into the frame between its side frame parts.

Claims

-11-AMENDED CLAIMS[received by the International Bureau on 27 July 1998 (27.07.98); original claims 1 and 9-15 amended; remaining claims unchanged (2 pages)]

1. A walking frame comprising side frame parts bridged by at least one crosspiece, front and rear wheels, a rear seat, and braking means for preventing the frame from running rearwardly when a user grips the frame to assist movement from a seated position to a standing position, characterised in that the rear seat is movable to the side to allow wheelchair access into the frame from the rear.

2. A walking frame according to claim 1, having braking means acting on both the front wheels and the rear wheels.

3. A walking frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, having front wheel braking means comprising means for preventing rotation of at least one of the front wheels at least in the sense corresponding to rearward movement of d e frame.

4. A walking frame according to claim 3, wherein the braking means comprises a lever controlled brake for at least one front wheel, the lever being releasable after the user has stood up to enable forward movement of die frame.

5. A walking frame according to any of claims 1 to 4, having rear wheel braking means for preventing running of the frame when the user is seated.

6. A walking frame according to claim 5, wherein the said braking means acts on at least one rear wheel and comprises a spring loaded pressure brake linked to d e seat.

7. A walking frame according to claim 6, wherein the pressure brake is not released until d e user has substantially completed lifted his or her body from me -12-

seat.

8. A walking frame according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wheels comprise fixed front castors and swivelling rear castors.

9. A walking frame according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seat is carried on a sub-frame which is swingable to a non-operative position to allow access from the rear into the frame.

10. A walking frame according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the seat is adjustable in height.

11. A walking frame according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein d e side parts of d e frame preferably include supports for serving as forearm rests.

12. A walking frame according to any of claims 1 to 11, having either hand grips at the front of the forearm supports or a grab rail in the form of a front crosspiece at the top of the side parts of the frame to assist the user in lifting himself or herself into a standing position.

13. A walking frame according to either of claims 11 and 12, wherein die forearm rests and/or d e grab rail are adjustable in height.

14. A walking frame according to claim 13, wherein the adjustment means comprises one or more sliding or telescopic connections with die frame, and a locking device or clamp.

15. A walking frame according to any of claims 1 to 11, having a carrier basket at d e front or means for attachment of a carrier basket at the front.