US 5,364,120 AGranted

Mobility aid for physically disabled people

OwnerDavid Shimanskyinventor

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Abstract

A multifunctional mobility device for physically disabled people comprises a L-shaped frame having at its lower end a platform adapted to receive thereon a user in a substantially standing position. Front and rear wheels support the frame and the platform. The front wheels are rotatably mounted to the frame just in front of the platform. The frame includes at its upper end a pair of grips which can be grasped by the user when standing on the platform. Therefore, to operate the mobility device, the user must exert on the frame a sufficient force oriented substantially in a forward direction thereby producing a pivot of the frame and of the platform about the front wheel and a rotation of the front wheel which results in a forward displacement of the mobility device and of the user. A stabilizer terminated by a swivel caster is provided in front of the front wheels for limiting the forward pivot of the mobility device. A retractable seat also transforms the mobility aid into a wheelchair. The platform is then converted into a footrest. A second pair of grips is provided to be used by the attendant for pushing the user. The stabilizer can be retracted to allow the attendant to push the wheelchair on horizontal surfaces or along inclined surfaces, such as stairs or escalators. The mobility device is constructed of a number of connected members designed to fold for providing low profile mobility device for stowage and transportation purposes.

A mobility device for physically disabled people, comprising a body means including a support means located at a lower end thereof and adapted to receive a user, said body means including a substantially upwardly extending frame means and further including front, middle and rear wheel means, said middle wheel means supporting said body means on a support surface onto which said mobility device is intended to be displaced, said middle wheel means being located proximate said frame means and in front of a center of gravity of said mobility device and of the user carried thereby with the user being positioned on said support means and facing towards said frame means, said front and rear wheel means being located respectively in front of and behind said middle wheel means;

wherein, in an at rest position with the user being positioned on said support means, said middle and rear wheel means contact the support surface with said front wheel means being spaced above the support surface, whereby, to operate said mobility device, a sufficient force is exerted by the user on said frame means substantially in a forward direction thereby producing a pivot of said body means substantially about said middle wheel means and a rotation of said middle wheel means thus resulting in a forward displacement of said mobility device and of the user carried thereby, said pivot of said body means being forwardly limited by said front wheel means engaging the support surface whereat said mobility device and the user carried thereby can displace on said front and middle wheel means with said rear wheel means being slightly spaced above the ground surface, wherein after a certain forward displacement said body means returns to a position where said body means is supported by said middle and rear wheel means, whereby the user can displace in translation by way of a substantially rocking reciprocating motion of said mobility device resulting from forces being periodically applied by the user on said frame means.

Abstract

Claims16