US-12616628-B2 - Walker

Abstract

A walker includes first and second side frames configured to collapse laterally toward one another from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration. The walker includes a seat extending between and supported by the first and second side frames, and a folding mechanism positioned underneath the seat and acting independently of the seat.

Inventors

• MAX JEFFERIES YOUNGER

Assignees

• MEDICAL DEPOT, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240530

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A walker for aiding mobility of a user, comprising: a first side frame including: a front leg supporting a wheel; a rear leg supporting a foot; a first handle bar interconnecting the front and rear legs; and a first seat bar extending between and fixed to the front and rear legs; a second side frame spaced laterally from the first side frame and including: a front leg supporting a wheel; a rear leg supporting a foot; a second handle bar interconnecting the front and rear legs of the second side frame; and a second seat bar extending between and fixed to the front and rear legs of the second side frame; a seat supported between the first and second seat bars, the seat being configured to collapse when the first and second side frames transition from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration; and a first folding mechanism positioned underneath the seat and including: a first locking bar having a first end portion rotationally coupled to the first seat bar, and a second end portion; and a second locking bar having a first end portion rotationally coupled to the second seat bar, and a second end portion extending alongside and rotationally coupled to the second end portion of the first locking bar.
2. 2 . The walker according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second locking bars are spaced below and extend in parallel relation with the seat when the first and second side frames are in the unfolded configuration.
3. 3 . The walker according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second locking bars extend parallel with one another and in a horizontal orientation when the first and second side frames are in the unfolded configuration, and the first and second locking bars extend parallel with one another and in a vertical orientation when the first and second side frames are in the folded configuration.
4. 4 . The walker according to claim 3 , wherein the first and second locking bars are positioned underneath the seat in each of the unfolded and folded configurations of the first and second side frames.
5. 5 . The walker according to claim 1 , wherein the first end portion of each of the first and second locking bars curves upwardly.
6. 6 . The walker according to claim 5 , wherein the second end portion of each of the first and second locking bars is linear.
7. 7 . The walker according to claim 1 , wherein the first folding mechanism further includes: a first pair of arms non-rotationally coupled to the first seat bar, the first end portion of the first locking bar being rotationally supported by the first pair of arms; and a second pair of arms non-rotationally coupled to the second seat bar, the first end portion of the second locking bar being rotationally supported by the second pair of arms.
8. 8 . The walker according to claim 7 , wherein the first pair of arms extend below and inwardly of the first seat bar, and the second pair of arms extend below and inwardly of the second seat bar such that the first end portions of the first and second locking bars are positioned underneath the seat and laterally inward of the respective first and second side frames.
9. 9 . The walker according to claim 1 , wherein the first locking bar is longer than the second locking bar.
10. 10 . The walker according to claim 9 , wherein the first folding mechanism includes a plate fixed to the second end portion of the first locking bar and configured to releasably, lockingly engage the second end portion of the second locking bar when the first and second side frames are in the unfolded configuration.
11. 11 . The walker according to claim 10 , further comprising a strap having a first end portion extending upwardly through the seat and accessible by a user, and a second end portion connected to the plate such that a tensile force applied to the strap releases the locking engagement between the plate and the second locking bar.
12. 12 . The walker according to claim 1 , further comprising a second folding mechanism connected to the front legs of the first and second side frames.
13. 13 . The walker according to claim 12 , wherein the second folding mechanism includes: a first arcuate shaft rotationally coupled at its opposing first and second ends to the front legs of the first and second side frames; and a second arcuate shaft rotationally coupled to the first arcuate shaft at a central portion thereof, the second arcuate shaft being rotationally coupled at its opposing first and second ends to the front legs of the first and second side frames.
14. 14 . The walker according to claim 1 , further comprising a first handle assembly including: a base supported on the first handle bar; a cushion positioned in overlapping alignment with the base; and a gas-filled bladder sandwiched between the base and the cushion.
15. 15 . A walker for aiding in mobility of a user, comprising: a first side frame including: a front leg; and a rear leg; a second side frame spaced laterally from the first side frame and including: a front leg; and a rear leg; a seat supported between the first and second side frames; and a first folding mechanism positioned underneath the seat and configured to laterally collapse the first and second side frames between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration, the first folding mechanism including: a first locking bar having a first end portion rotationally coupled to the first side frame, and a second end portion; and a second locking bar having a first end portion rotationally coupled to the second side frame, and a second end portion rotationally coupled to the second end portion of the first locking bar, wherein the first and second locking bars extend parallel with one another and in a horizontal orientation when the first and second side frames are in the unfolded configuration, and the first and second locking bars extend parallel with one another and in a vertical orientation when the first and second side frames are in the folded configuration.
16. 16 . The walker according to claim 15 , wherein the seat has a first side fixed to the first side frame, and a second side fixed to the second side frame.
17. 17 . The walker according to claim 15 , wherein the first locking bar is longer than the second locking bar.
18. 18 . The walker according to claim 17 , wherein the first end portion of each of the first and second locking bars curves upwardly.
19. 19 . The walker according to claim 18 , wherein the second end portion of each of the first and second locking bars is linear.
20. 20 . The walker according to claim 15 , further comprising a second folding mechanism connected to the front legs of the first and second side frames.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/506,363, filed on Jun. 5, 2023, the entire contents of which being incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates to mobility aids, and more particularly, to walkers. Walkers facilitate an individual's ability to walk and be independently mobile by providing stabilization, support, and/or reducing the burden on the individual's lower body. A typical walker includes a pair of left and right side frames supported at a front end thereof by two wheels and supported at a rear end thereof by two, non-rolling feet. Walkers, in contrast with rollators, typically do not have a seat and have no more than two wheels, and in some aspects, no wheels. There is a continuing need for improving the usability, foldability, transportability, and/or convenience of use of walkers. SUMMARY In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a walker for aiding mobility of a user is provided and includes a first side frame, a second side frame spaced laterally from the first side frame, a seat, and a first folding mechanism positioned underneath the seat. Each of the first and second side frames includes a front leg supporting a wheel, a rear leg supporting a foot, a handle bar interconnecting the front and rear legs, and a seat bar extending between and fixed to the front and rear legs. The seat is supported between the first and second seat bars and is configured to collapse when the first and second side frames transition from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration. The first folding mechanism includes a first locking bar and a second locking bar. The first locking bar has a first end portion rotationally coupled to the first seat bar, and a second end portion. The second locking bar has a first end portion rotationally coupled to the second seat bar, and a second end portion extending alongside and rotationally coupled to the second end portion of the first locking bar. In aspects, the first and second locking bars may be spaced below and extend in parallel relation with the seat when the first and second side frames are in the unfolded configuration. In aspects, the first and second locking bars may extend parallel with one another and in a horizontal orientation when the first and second side frames are in the unfolded configuration. The first and second locking bars may extend parallel with one another and in a vertical orientation when the first and second side frames are in the folded configuration. In aspects, the first and second locking bars may be positioned underneath the seat in each of the unfolded and folded configurations of the first and second side frames. In aspects, the first end portion of each of the first and second locking bars may curve upwardly. In aspects, the second end portion of each of the first and second locking bars may be linear. In aspects, the first folding mechanism may further include a first pair of arms non-rotationally coupled to the first seat bar and a second pair of arms non-rotationally coupled to the second seat bar. The first end portion of the first locking bar may be rotationally supported by the first pair of arms, and the first end portion of the second locking bar may be rotationally supported by the second pair of arms. In aspects, the first pair of arms may extend below and inwardly of the first seat bar, and the second pair of arms may extend below and inwardly of the second seat bar such that the first end portions of the first and second locking bars are positioned underneath the seat and laterally inward of the respective first and second side frames. In aspects, the first locking bar may be longer than the second locking bar. In aspects, the first folding mechanism may include a plate fixed to the second end portion of the first locking bar and configured to releasably, lockingly engage the second end portion of the second locking bar when the first and second side frames are in the unfolded configuration. In aspects, the walker may further include a strap having a first end portion extending upwardly through the seat and accessible by a user, and a second end portion connected to the plate such that a tensile force applied to the strap releases the locking engagement between the plate and the second locking bar. In aspects, the walker may further include a second folding mechanism connected to the front legs of the first and second side frames. In aspects, the second folding mechanism may include a first arcuate shaft rotationally coupled at its opposing first and second ends to the front legs of the first and second side frames, and a second arcuate shaft rotationally coupled to the first arcuate shaft at a central portion thereof. The second arcuate shaft may be rotationally coupled at its opposing first and second ends to the front legs of the first and second side frames. In as