WO2018209421A1

WO2018209421A1 - Three- wheeled walker

Info

Publication number: WO2018209421A1
Application number: PCT/CA2018/000093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Peter ANAKA
Original assignee: Anaka Robert Peter
Priority date: 2017-05-15
Filing date: 2018-05-15
Publication date: 2018-11-22

Abstract

A walker having rear wheels with disc brakes, each wheel connected by to a rear frame bracket; a vertical handle support extending from the rear frame bracket: a circular handle extending above each handle support; a brake lever within each hand! e, the lever connected to a brake; a front frame bracket, each end of the front frame bracket extending from an opposing side of the rear frame bracket to connect to a common front wheel socket; a front wheel, fork, attached to the front wheel socket; and a front wheel disposed within the front wheel fork. The walker may have a seat base frame having side brackets, each attachable to a handle support, and a rear bracket extending between the brackets; a seat between the side and rear brackets, a pair of seat back supports extending upwardly from the rear bracket; and a seat back extending between seat back supports.

Description

TITLE

Three-Wheeled Walker

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mobility devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a three-wheeled walker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the walker apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of one embodiment of the walker apparatus, of the invention;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D depict top, front, left side, and rear plan views of one embodiment of the three-wheeled walker of the invention in an expanded operational position;

FIGS. 4A. 4B, 4C, and 4D depict top, front, left side, and rear plan views of one embodiment of the three-wheeled walker of the invention in a folded storage position.

In the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and arc not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a walker having opposing rear wheels having disc brakes, each wheel connected by a rear wheel fork to a corresponding end of a rear frame bracket; a vertical handle support extending upwardly perpendicular to the rear frame bracket; a circular handle extending from the top of each vertical handle support; a brake lever disposed within each circular handle, the brake lever connected by a cable to a corresponding disc brake; an acutely angled front frame bracket, each distal end of the front frame bracket extending from an opposing side of the rear frame bracket to connect to a common front wheel socket; a front wheel fork attached to the front wheel socket; and a front wheel disposed within the front wheel fork.

The walker may have a seat base frame having opposing side brackets, each side bracket attachable to a midpoint of a corresponding vertical handle support, and a rear bracket extending between the side brackets; and a scat extending between the side and rear brackets. The walker may have a pair of spaced vertical seat back supports extending upwardly from the rear bracket of the scat base frame; and a seat hack extending between the vertical seat back supports.

The brake lever may be curved. Each of the vertical handle supports may be a telescoping lube.

All wheels may have the same diameter, or the rear wheels are larger than the front wheel, preferably having a diameter at least 25% larger.

The walker may have a pair of hinges, each hinge connecting the rear frame bracket to one distal end of the front frame bracket, and the front wheel and front frame bracket may be rotated into a position in which the front wheel is positioned between the rear wheels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is know to provide wheeled walkers. Prior art walkers often are not comfortable for all users for several reasons. In some cases, the walkers are too short for taller users. For some users with hand movement restrictions, prior art walker handles are not comfortable. Some prior art walkers are bulky and have poor manoeuverability.

It would be desirable to provide a collapsible walker which is very stable, is adjustable for users of different heights, has a small axis of rotation, and has handles which allow a variety of hand positions. The present invention achieves this result. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in Figures 1 through 4D, there is provided a three wheeled walker apparatus for use as a mobility device. The walker apparatus comprises a sturdy and supportive triangular frame connecting each of a pair of rear wheels 2 to a single centred front wheel 4, and having vertical handle supports 6 ending in circular handles 8. The triangular frame base comprises a rear frame bracket 10 and a front frame bracket 12. The rear wheels are connected by rear forks 14 to the rear frame bracket, and the front wheel is connected by the front fork 16 to the front wheel socket 17 in the front frame bracket.

The walker apparatus further comprises a seat base frame comprising side brackets 18 and a rear bracket 20, the seat base frame extending horizontally between adjacent midpoints of each of the vertical handle supports, and a seat back extending between opposing vertical seat back posts 22 which extend from the rear bracket of the seat base frame. A seat base 24 extends between the side brackets, and a seat back 26 extends between the seat back posts.

Optionally, a seat cushion (not shown) with or without attached pocket may be connectable to the seat. A carrying basket of fabric or other lightweight, weather-resistant material may be attachable to the seat back posts to permit transport of personal cargo such as grocery purchases, jacket, purse, etc.

The handle supports may comprise telescoping tubes to permit adjustment of the supports to a wide range of vertical positions. Similarly, the seat may be adjusted vertically and locked into a selected pair of openings on the support posts at a desired height.

In a prefeiTcd embodiment, at least the rear wheels are equipped with disc brakes 28 which are controlled by a lever 30 within each of the circular handles. A brake lever is positioned within each of the circular handles, with each brake cable extending through the corresponding handle to attach to the disc brake of the corresponding rear wheel.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame sections extending between the front wheel and each of the rear wheels may include a hinge mechanism. As best seen in Figs. 3A-3D, in an operational position the front wheel is extended in front of the rear wheels to create a stable triangular base for the walker. As best seen in Figs. 4A-4D, when the walker is not in use, the front wheel and front wheel posts may be rotated downwardly on the pair of hinges located between the rear end of the front wheel posts and the base of the vertical handle supports until the front wheel is in a folded position between the rear wheels. In a folded position, the walker is easily stored or transported as it occupies a smaller space.

A key feature of the invention is the curvature of the circular handles. For many walker users, including for example users living with multiple sclerosis, hand manipulation and control may be restricted, making it difficult to maintain a grip on a horizontal handle typical of prior art walkers. The use of a curved handle allows the user to choose a position which is comfortable and permits easy adjustment of the hand position to maintain comfort. The brake levers are also curved to allow braking from a wide range of hand positions along the circular handles.

Preferably, the rear wheels have a diameter at least 25% larger than the front wheel. In a preferred embodiment, the rear wheels have a diameter of 16 inches and the front wheel has a diameter of 12 inches, but other wheel sizes are possible and are within the scope of the invention. According to an alternate embodiment, all wheels may have the same diameter. For example, all wheels may have a diameter of 12 inches.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame of the walker is manufactured of tubing having a diameter of 1.25 inches. The distance between the front wheel and the rear frame element preferably is approximately 13.5 inches, and the length of the forks extending to the rear wheels preferably is approximately 1 1.5 inches. The rear wheels preferably are 19 inches apart. Other dimensions are possible and are within the scope of the invention.

Preferably the handle supports are manufactured of tubing 1 inch in diameter, and the tubing of the circular handles preferably is 1.25 inches.

As the preferred embodiment of the walker has three wheels rather than four, it is very easy to control and may be rotated without having to reverse direction within a very small axis of rotation. This can greatly increase the functionality of the walker by allowing easier access to locations which are di fficult to navigate using a four-wheeled walker. According to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the walker may have 4 wheels.

In this disclosure, the term "walker" is understood to include rollators. As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope of the claims, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of the preferred embodiment may also be practised without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A walker, comprising:

opposing rear wheels haying disc brakes, each wheel connected by a rear wheel fork to a corresponding end of a rear frame bracket;

a vertical handle support extending upwardly perpendicular to the rear frame bracket; a circular handle extending from the top of each vertical handle support;

a brake lever disposed within each circular handle, the brake lever connected by a cable to a corresponding disc brake; an acutely angled front frame bracket, each distal end of the front frame bracket extending from an opposing side of the rear frame bracket to connect to a common front wheel socket; a front wheel fork attached to the front wheel socket; and

a front wheel disposed within the front wheel fork.

2. The walker of claim 1 , further comprising:

a seat base frame having opposing side brackets, each side bracket attachable to a midpoint of a corresponding vertical handle support, and a rear bracket extending between the side brackets; and a seat extending between the side and rear brackets.

3. The walker of claim 2, further comprising a pair of spaced vertical scat back supports extending upwardly from the rear bracket of the seat base frame; and a seat back extending between the vertical seat back supports.

4. The walker of claim 1 , wherein the brake lever is curved.

5. The walker of claim 1 , wherein each of the vertical handle supports is a telescoping tube.

6. The walker of claim 1 , wherein all wheels have the same diameter.

7. The walker of claim 1. wherein the rear wheels arc larger than the front wheel.

8. The walker of claim 7, wherein the rear wheels have a diameter at least 25% greater than the front wheel.

9. The walker of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of hinges, each hinge connecting the rear frame bracket to one distal end of the front frame bracket.

10. The walker of claim 9, wherein the front wheel and front frame bracket may be rotated into a position in which the front wheel is positioned between the rear wheels.

1 1. The walker of claim 10. further comprising: a seat base frame having opposing side brackets, each side bracket attachable to a midpoint of a corresponding vertical handle support, and a rear bracket extending between the side brackets; and

a scat extending between the side and rear brackets.

12. The walker of claim 1 1, further comprising a pair of spaced vertical seat back supports extending upwardly from the rear bracket of the seat base frame; and

a seat back extending between the vertical seat back supports.

13. The walker of claim 9, wherein the brake lever is curved.

14. The walker of claim 9, wherein each of the vertical handle supports is a telescoping tube.

15. The walker of claim 9, wherein all wheels have the same diameter.

16. The walker of claim 9, wherein the rear wheels are larger than the front wheel.

17. The walker of claim 16, wherein the rear wheels have a diameter at least 25% greater than the front wheel.