CN-115023208-B - Folding type walking-aid vehicle

Abstract

A rollator to assist movement is described. The rollator comprises an a-frame having two pairs of uprights, each pair of uprights being connected by at least one respective hinge to allow each pair of uprights to be folded or pivoted from front to back, and a seat arranged between the two pairs of uprights, the seat being foldable from side to side. For compact folding, the rollator comprises an X-shaped cross-link comprising four coupling members. A method of manufacturing a rollator is also disclosed. Four coupling members may extend from the respective upright to a central hub below the seat. When the rollator is folded up, the cross-links may fold or pivot in the front-to-back and side-to-side dimensions at the central converging portion.

Inventors

• Alan James Haworth
• JON GRAHAM SEDDON

Assignees

• 英诺维索有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20201218

Priority Date

20191219

Claims (19)

1. 1. A rollator, comprising: An A-frame having two pairs of uprights, each pair of uprights connected by at least one respective hinge to allow each pair of uprights to be folded or pivoted front-to-back, and A seat disposed between the two pairs of posts, the seat being foldable from side to side; wherein the rollator comprises an X-shaped cross-link comprising four coupling members extending from respective uprights to a central hub below the seat, wherein the cross-link folds or pivots in a front-to-rear and side-to-side dimension at the central hub, Wherein the frame includes a pair of side struts supporting the seat.
2. 2. Rollator according to claim 1, wherein the cross-link supports the seat.
3. 3. A rollator according to claim 1, wherein each pair of uprights comprises a front upright and a rear upright.
4. 4. Rollator according to claim 1, wherein the a-frame comprises four uprights.
5. 5. The rollator of claim 4, wherein the front pair of posts are straight and the rear pair of posts include angled sections.
6. 6. The rollator of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises one or more front braces.
7. 7. The rollator of claim 6, wherein the one or more front struts comprise two or more cross struts.
8. 8. The rollator of claim 7, wherein the cross brace comprises two cross braces.
9. 9. Rollator according to claim 8, wherein the two cross struts cross or intersect.
10. 10. A rollator according to claim 9 wherein the two cross braces cross or intersect at or near a midpoint of the two cross braces.
11. 11. A rollator according to claim 7, wherein the two or more cross braces fold or pivot relative to each other when the rollator is folded.
12. 12. The rollator of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises one or more side braces.
13. 13. The rollator of claim 12, wherein the one or more side braces extend between the respective front upright and the respective rear upright.
14. 14. Rollator according to claim 1, wherein the at least one respective hinge comprises a pair of hinges, wherein a hinge of the pair of hinges is arranged on each pair of uprights.
15. 15. A rollator according to claim 14, wherein each hinge of the pair of hinges operates to fold the rollator from front to back.
16. 16. A rollator according to claim 1, wherein folding is operated by an actuator comprising one or more releases which, when operated, remove or partially remove the coupling member from the central hub to allow folding.
17. 17. The rollator of claim 1, wherein the rollator frame further comprises one or more stops.
18. 18. A rollator according to claim 1, wherein the rollator comprises one or more wheels, handles or brakes.
19. 19. A method of manufacturing a rollator according to any one of claims 1-18, comprising: Constructing an A-frame comprising two pairs of uprights, each pair of uprights being connected by at least one respective hinge to allow each pair of uprights to be folded or pivoted front-to-back, and Disposing a seat between the two pairs of posts such that the seat is foldable side-to-side to thereby manufacture the rollator; Wherein the rollator comprises an X-shaped cross-link comprising four coupling members.

Description

Folding type walking-aid vehicle Technical Field The invention relates to a folding rollator. More particularly, the invention relates to a folding rollator that is folded in two dimensions. Background The aging process or damage may lead to reduced mobility. A variety of mobile assisted devices have been developed to maintain mobility and quality of life under these circumstances. The walker and the walking frame provide a support frame to assist in walking. Rollator adds wheels to the frame along with built-in seats. One such rollator is an X-fold rollator available from the Australian independent center of life (INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTRES Australia) (see https:// ilcaustralia. Org. Au/products/19549). The four-wheeled walker is folded in two directions. The "X" frame between the two uprights is folded in one direction and the uprights are folded in the other direction relative to the respective elongate struts, the elongate struts having wheels provided on either end. Chinese utility model No. 202822023 to Ningbo mecon instruments limited (NINGBO HOMY REHABILITATION EQUIPMENT CO LTD) discloses a four-wheeled rollator comprising an a-frame, a armrest tube assembly, a back tube assembly, and a seat cushion. The front and rear wheel assemblies have telescoping positioning loop bars with the front and rear wheels being removably secured to the loop bars connected to the frame assembly. The four wheels are detachable, so that the packaging space is saved, and the transportation and the storage are convenient. Wu Jiqun, chinese utility model No. 202961085U teaches an X-frame collapsible rollator having a pair of upper brackets, a pair of lower brackets, a support base, a folding mechanism, and a pair of locking mechanisms. The upper support is inserted into the inserting hole and pivoted with the support seat, the folding mechanism comprises a pair of supporting rods and a pair of pivoted seats, the pivoted seats and the upper support are coaxially pivoted on the inner side of the support seat, the middle parts of the two supporting rods are pivoted in a crossed manner, the upper ends of the two supporting rods are respectively and movably connected to the upper support, the lower ends of the two supporting rods are respectively pivoted on the pivoted seats, the locking mechanism comprises a first connecting rod, a sliding sleeve and a clamping sleeve, the sliding sleeve is sleeved on the upper support in a sliding manner, one end of the first connecting rod is pivoted on the supporting rods, the other end of the first connecting rod is pivoted on the sliding sleeve, and the clamping sleeve is sleeved on the upper support in a sliding manner and is connected with the sliding sleeve. Patent DE 4328875 to grid Lei Geer-Huo Lake (GREGOR HORACEK) describes a U-frame collapsible walking aid having front and rear struts arranged on both sides for receiving front and rear wheels. In each case, the front strut receives the sliding handle in its end region facing away from the associated front wheel and is pivotably connected to its associated rear strut, and at least one transverse support bar is arranged between the struts on different sides of the walking aid. The transverse support bar is designed as a folding mechanism in the form of a folding brace and/or a bow. US 4867438 to john and jetsi M pulluger (JESSIE M STECKERT) teaches a U-shaped main frame having wheels for rolling engagement with the ground and provided with an upper handle portion which is telescopically received on the main frame so as to be adjustable for the height of the individual. The second pivot frame is connected to the main frame and is arranged to cooperate with wheels of the main frame for ground support. Patent US 6688633 to further gladness life-limiting responsible company (MORE JOYFUL lift, LLC) describes a walker for use in transporting elderly and disabled persons, the walker comprising a U-shaped frame provided with handle bars, the U-shaped frame comprising a front frame section and a rear frame section, each frame section essentially comprising a pair of frame bars or frame tubes with transverse connections, the lower ends of which are designed for movement on the ground, and which frame sections are foldably connected about a transverse axis lying below the level of the handle bars. Since the transverse connections between the frame tubes of the frame sections are formed by connecting bars, which are also foldable in the transverse direction, the connecting bars are adapted to be folded in the plane of the respective frame sections or substantially folded therein. The aid is adapted to function as both a walking aid (rollator) and a passive wheelchair. Patent US 9849057, also to more fun life responsibility companies (MORE JOYFUL lift, LLC), teaches a rollator in which spaced apart front and rear legs are folded toward each other at hinges 114, 128, and in which spaced apart sides are folded inwardly at lateral hinges 118, 132 a