# US 5,349,977 A · Adjustable walker

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- Number: US 5,349,977 A
- Document ID: US5349977A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/680,843
- Filed: 1991-04-05
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1991-04-05
- Inventors: Maurice S. Wood
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5349977A

## CPC

- A61H 3/00: Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about (apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04 {; applying electrical currents by contact electrodes for stimulating motor muscles, e.g. walking assistance A61N1/36003})
- A61H 2003/001: {on steps or stairways}
- Y10T 403/32426: Plural distinct positions
- Y10T 403/32516: Remotely actuated
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The present invention relates to invalid walkers which are designed to aid the handicapped. Specifically, the present invention relates to an attachment to an existing walker, or a modified existing walker which is hand operated and designed to be made adjustable to accommodate inclines or stairs. This walking aid will enable persons using it to ascend and descend stairs and inclines much easier.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A walker comprising:
a frame having a pair of hand grips formed thereon;
a plurality of legs connected to said frame and extending downwardly therefrom, said plurality of legs comprising four legs, each of said legs positioned at a corner of said frame;
a plurality of extensible leg portions slidably received by said plurality of legs and extending downwardly therefrom; and
actuator means connected to said frame generally adjacent said hand grips, said actuator means interconnected to said legs and to said extensible leg portions for controlling a movement of said extensible leg portion with respect to said legs, said actuator means movable between a first position and a second position, said first position for causing said extensible leg portions to move freely with respect to said legs, said second position for causing said extensible leg portions to lock in position relative to said legs said actuator means comprising:
a first actuator bar extending between said first pair of legs on one side of said frame;
a second actuator means extending between said second pair of legs on another side of said frame, said first and second actuator bars positioned below said hand grips; and
housing means interconnected to said first and second actuator bars and to said legs and to said extensible leg portions, said housing means for controlling the movement of said extensible leg portions with respect to said legs.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The walker of claim 1, each of said legs having a hollow tubular configuration, each of said legs opening at one end, said extensible leg portions received through said opening and slidable interior of said legs.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The walker of claim 1, said housing means comprising: a cylindrical sleeve extending around a portion of a leg and an extensible leg portion, said cylindrical sleeve rigidly affixed to said leg;
a ring member resiliently mounted within said cylindrical sleeve, said ring member having an open portion surrounding an exterior surface of said extensible leg portion, said ring member connected to one of said first and second actuator bars, a movement of one of said actuator bars causing said ring member to release said extensible leg portion for gravity-induced movement, and
boot means for covering said housing means.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The walker of claim 3, said cylindrical sleeve having a T-shaped opening, said ring member having a tab extending outwardly through said T-shaped opening, one of said first and second actuator bars connected at one end to said tab.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The walker of claim 3, said cylindrical sleeve having a shoulder formed therein, said housing means further comprising:
a spring extending between said shoulder and said ring member so as to exert a resilient downward force on said ring member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The walker of claim 3, each of said extensible leg portions having a stop formed at an end interior of said legs, said stop having a greater diameter than said open portion of said ring member, said stop for limiting the movement of said extensible leg portions with respect to said legs.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The walker of claim 3, said cylindrical sleeve having a plurality of longitudinal slits formed therein, said housing means further comprising:
a clamp extending around said longitudinal slits of said cylindrical sleeve, said clamp for affixing said cylindrical sleeve to an exterior surface of one of said legs.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The walker of claim 3, said boot means consisting of a resilient covering which encompasses the exterior of said housing means to conceal said housing means from sight.

### Claim 9

A leg attachment for a walker of the type having a plurality of hollow tubular legs, said leg attachment comprising:
an extensible leg portion;
a housing means extending around an exterior of said extensible leg portion;
attachment means connected to said housing means for affixing said housing means to an exterior of said tubular leg; and
actuator means interconnected to said housing means for controlling the movement of said extensible leg portion with respect to said housing means, said actuator means movable between a first position and a second position, said first position for causing said extensible leg portion to move freely, said second position for locking said extensible leg portion in a desired position, said housing means comprising:
a cylindrical sleeve extending around said extensible leg portion;
a ring member resiliently mounted within said cylindrical sleeve, said ring member having an open portion extending around an exterior surface of said extensible leg portion, said ring member connected to said actuator means, said actuator means causing a movement of said ring member so as to release said extensible leg portion for gravity-induced movement; and
boot means for covering said housing means.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The leg attachment of claim 9, said extensible leg portion comprising a hollow tubular member having a stop formed on one end, said stop having a diameter greater than said hollow tubular member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The leg attachment of claim 10, said extensible leg portion further comprising:
a rubber cap fastened to an end of said hollow tubular member opposite said stop, said rubber cap covering said end of said hollow tubular member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The leg attachment of claim 9, said cylindrical sleeve having a T-shaped opening, said ring member having a tab extending outwardly through said T-shaped opening, said actuator means connected at one end to said tab.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The leg attachment of claim 12, said actuator means comprising:
an actuator bar connected to said ring member and extending upwardly therefrom, a movement of said actuator bar for causing said tab of said ring member to move within said T-shaped opening.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The leg attachment of claim 9, said cylindrical sleeve having a shoulder formed therein, said housing means further comprising:
a spring extending between said shoulder and said ring member so as to exert a resilient downward force on said ring member.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The leg attachment of claim 9, said cylindrical sleeve having a plurality of longitudinal slits formed therein, said attachment means comprising:
a clamp extending around said longitudinal slits of said cylindrical sleeve, said clamp for affixing said cylindrical sleeve to an exterior surface of one of the legs of the walker.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The leg attachment of claim 9, said boot means consisting of a resilient covering which encompasses the exterior portion of said housing means to conceal said housing means from sight.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The leg attachment of claim 16, said actuator bar comprising a generally U-shaped member having a height sufficient to position a portion of said actuator bar in proximity to a top of said walker.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The leg attachment of claim 16, further comprising:
a plurality of conforming bands extending around said actuator bar for allowing said actuator bar to be attached to the walker and for allowing said actuator bar to move relative to the walker.