US 5,348,336 A · Walking aid

Abstract

A walking aid for a handicapped person having a frame with wheels and brakes, handles attached to the frame at a suitable height for a person, who is enabled to push the walking aid along a walking surface, at least one brake operating assembly including a fixed handbar portion fixed as a handgrip extension of the handles, and a moveable member movably secured to the fixed handbar portion in coaxial relation so that the moveable member may be swung relative to the axis of the fixed portion, the moveable member being normally aligned with and substantially coaxial with the fixed portion, movement of said moveable member moving it out of coaxial alignment, and the brake cable being attached between the fixed portion and the moveable member so that movement of the moveable member will cause extension of the brake cable thus retarding the walking aid. Also disclosed is a folding mechanism for a walking aid, having swing arms linked together for swinging between extended and folded positions, and a lock for securing the arms in a semi-folded position and having a seat with height adjustments supported by the swing arms.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A walking aid for a handicapped person and which comprises;

a frame;
wheels on said frame for engaging a walking surface;
brake means for engaging at least one of said wheels;
handle means attached to said frame, and being oriented at a suitable height for a person, who is thereby enabled to push the walking aid along the walking surface;
two fixed handbar portions fixed to said handle means oriented for gripping by respective hands of the person each said fixed handbar portion defining a predetermined longitudinal axis;
at least one brake operating moveable member movably secured to a said fixed handbar portion in alignment with its said predetermined axis whereby said moveable member may be swung relative to said one fixed handbar portion, said moveable member being normally aligned with and substantially coaxial with said fixed handbar portion, movement of said moveable member moving the same out of such alignment, and,
brake connection means extending between said fixed handbar portion and said moveable member, whereby movement of said moveable member out of alignment with said fixed handbar portion will cause movement of said brake connection means thereby applying said brake means, and retarding said walking aid.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Walking aid

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Walking aid

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15