FR3155132A1 - MOBILE PLATFORM WALKER - Google Patents

Abstract

Title: WALKER WITH MOBILE PLATFORM This walker comprises a U-shaped lower base (3), a U-shaped upper base (2) fixed to the lower base (3), an intermediate structure which allows the upper base (2) to be held to the lower base (3) and which is formed of substantially parallel uprights (5, 113), including front uprights (13) and rear uprights (5), said upper and lower bases (2, 3) forming a set of two parallel U-shaped structures within which a user (P) can pass without encountering any obstacle belonging to said walker (1), said walker (1) further comprising a mobile platform (6, 7) mounted movable in translation between said uprights (5, 13) and between said lower (3) and upper (2) bases, said walker (1) also comprising means for folding a retractable tray (6) of said mobile platform (6,7) along the front uprights (13). Figure for the abstract: [Fig.1]

Description

MOBILE PLATFORM WALKER

The present invention relates to walkers allowing the user to have support at arm height for walking.

The present invention aims to constitute a walking frame which also makes it possible to provide a mobile platform, i.e. one which is adjustable in height, and which can in particular serve as a footrest to facilitate keeping the user's foot raised when putting on a shoe.

Previous techniques

We know of walkers that can assist a user in walking.

The walker of the invention has the additional feature of providing an elevating platform designed to assist the user in keeping his foot raised for support when putting on socks or shoes.

The invention aims to help people with mobility problems who have difficulty walking and reaching their feet, and in particular bending down to tie or take off their shoes and/or socks, or even tie their shoelaces.

With a folding platform that lifts within the limits of the frame on which the user leans, the invention thus helps to start and finish walking sessions, whereas known walkers only serve to assist the walking session itself.

The invention aims to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a walking frame capable of combining the advantages of speed, simplicity and reliability for its implementation, and this in complete safety over a wide range of user morphologies.

In view of the above, the subject of the invention is a walker comprising a U-shaped lower base, a U-shaped upper base fixed to the lower base, an intermediate structure which makes it possible to hold the upper base to the lower base and which is formed of substantially parallel uprights, including front uprights and rear uprights, said upper and lower bases forming a set of two parallel U-shaped structures within which a user can pass without encountering an obstacle belonging to said walker, said walker further comprising a mobile platform mounted movable in translation between said uprights and between said lower and upper bases, said walker also comprising means for folding a retractable tray of said mobile platform along the front uprights.

Preferably, the walker comprises ground connection elements and the upper base forms for a user of said walker gripping means located between seventy centimeters and one meter ten from the ground when said walker is placed on the ground on its ground connection elements, said gripping means comprising two opposite handles arranged on either side of the U shape of the upper base.

For example, ground connection elements have two or four wheels linked to the front and/or rear uprights and/or the lower base.

Advantageously, the mobile platform comprises an elongated support fixed substantially perpendicularly relative to the uprights and which is positioned substantially horizontally when said walker is placed on the ground on its ground connection elements, the mobile platform further comprising at least one hinge between the retractable tray and the support of said mobile platform, the retractable tray being pivotally mounted relative to said support between a deployed position in which it is aligned with the support and a retracted position in which it is retracted along the front uprights.

According to one embodiment, the walker comprises means for translating the mobile platform, arranged between the upper base and the lower base and passing through the support, so that said support can be driven and guided in translation vertically by said translation means.

In one embodiment, the translation means further comprise at least one drive screw, a mechanism for actuating said drive screw in rotation along its axis, a mobile bearing fixed to the mobile platform and capable of transforming the rotation of the drive screw into translation of said mobile platform along said axis of said drive screw, a fixed bearing fixed to the lower base and capable of maintaining said drive screw relative to said lower base.

Advantageously, removable holding elements of the retractable tray in the retracted position, said holding elements comprising a first holding element which is an element of the retractable tray and a second holding element which is a complementary element to said first element and which is positioned on the mobile bearing.

The walker may further provide that the removable holding elements of the retractable tray in its retracted position are such that the first holding element of the retractable tray is the material of said retractable tray which is a metallic material, and the second holding element is a magnet positioned on the mobile bearing and capable of holding said retractable tray in its retracted position by magnetization.

Preferably, the walker comprises motorized means for activating the rotational actuation mechanism along its axis of said translational drive screw, and further comprising an electronic control box located on the upper plate which comprises an electronic card and a power supply and which is capable of controlling said motorized means for activating the rotational actuation mechanism.

The invention also relates to a walker in which there is at least one braking system which comprises a lever coupled by a Bowden cable to a bit coupled directly or indirectly to one of the wheels.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood from a detailed study of an embodiment taken as a non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a walking frame according to the invention, in perspective view.

FIG. 2 represents the walker with the platform deployed, in perspective view.

FIG. 3 represents the walker with the mobile platform retracted, in perspective view.

FIG. 4 represents a zoom on the deployed mobile platform.

FIG. 5 represents a zoom on the system for maintaining the mobile platform in the retracted position.

FIG. 6 represents the control system.

FIG. 7 represents an exploded view of the control system of the FIG. 6 .

Detailed description of the figures

There FIG. 1 illustrates the walker of the invention, which comprises a U-shaped lower base 3 and a U-shaped upper base 2 fixed to the lower base 3.

The walker 1 also includes an intermediate structure which allows the upper base 2 to be held to the lower base 3.

The intermediate structure is formed of substantially parallel uprights 5, 13, including front uprights 13 and rear uprights 5.

Of course, it is possible that some 5.13 amounts are common in their design, in particular if they include, as illustrated, common bent tubes.

These tubes are, for example, made of standard aluminum used in medical frame structures.

The upper and lower bases 2, 3 form a set of two parallel U-shaped structures through which a user P can pass without encountering any obstacle belonging to said walker 1, as illustrated by the FIG. 2 .

The lower base 3 may comprise two lateral uprights joined by a lower crosspiece 14 placed so as not to hinder the user P of the walker 1.

The front and rear uprights 5, 13 may include extension means 20, such as a telescopic structure coupled with holes in which a retractable lug is inserted, so as to be able to extend the length of these uprights, and therefore the height of the walker 1, in particular to adapt to the morphology of the user P.

The walker 1 further comprises a mobile platform 6,7 mounted to move in translation between said uprights 5,13 and between the lower 3 and upper 2 bases.

In addition, the walker 1 comprises means for folding a retractable tray 6 of said mobile platform 6, 7 along the front uprights 13.

This results in a walker suitable for and intended to help people with mobility or central stability problems, with a compact and practical solution, whose platform is stored in such a way as to be aligned with the frame of the walker 1.

The mobile platform 6.7 which can be folded is what allows to form a footrest for the user to put his shoe or sock on his foot, do or undo his laces, before or after using the same walker 1, without having to move further to ensure his balance when starting a walking session.

It opens manually to the deployed position and also folds manually to its retracted position, i.e. without electrical assistance.

These position changes can be made while the platform is in the raised position, to avoid the user having to bend over, which is made possible by the particularly practical long screw design.

In the FIG. 2 , the mobile platform 6.7 is halfway up the front uprights 13, and the retractable platform 6 is deployed.

The walker 1 comprises ground connection elements 4, which comprise for example two or four wheels 4 linked to the front and/or rear uprights 5, 13 and/or to the lower base 3.

The ground connection elements 4 may be simple feet, for example provided with non-slip elements, or a combination of feet and wheels, each of which may also be provided to be height-adjustable.

Preferably, the upper base 2 forms for a user P of said walker 1 gripping means 12, 15 located between seventy centimeters and one meter ten from the ground when said walker 1 is placed on the ground on its ground connection elements 4.

This makes it easier for the user to maintain a standing position with their back straight.

The upper base 2 may be formed at least partially from one or more bent tubes, which may be shared with the lower base 3.

The gripping means 12, 15 may comprise two opposite handles 15 arranged on either side of the U-shape of the upper base 2, which allows balanced gripping by the user P on either side of the walker 1.

The handles 15 are for example made of rubber or leather, in a material intended to increase the ability to be gripped, to increase comfort in use.

Advantageously, the mobile platform 6,7 comprises an elongated support 7 fixed substantially perpendicularly relative to the uprights 5,13 and which is positioned substantially horizontally when said walker 1 is placed on the ground on its ground connection elements 4, the mobile platform 6,7 further comprising at least one hinge 8 between the retractable tray 6 and the support 7 of said mobile platform 6,7, the retractable tray 6 being pivotally mounted relative to said support 7 between a deployed position in which it is aligned with the support 7 and a retracted position in which it is retracted along the front uprights 13.

There FIG. 3 illustrates this deployed configuration of the retractable tray in relation to the support.

According to one embodiment, the walker 1 comprises translation means 9, 10 of the mobile platform 6, 7, arranged between the upper base 2 and the lower base 3 and passing through the support 7, so that said support 7 can be driven and guided in translation vertically by said translation means 9, 10.

The invention also relates to a walker 1 comprising at least one braking means 16 comprising a lever coupled by a Bowden cable 17 to a jaw coupled directly or indirectly to one of the wheels 4.

The Bowden cable is a cable in a sheath which allows remote activation of braking by friction or a clamping caused by a lever allowing the pulling of said cable 17.

For example, a bit can be provided which grips or rubs the wheel to brake it, or grips or rubs a brake disc or any other element linked to the wheel to brake and/or block it.

This braking means 16 can of course be replicated on as many wheels 4 as the walker has.

In one embodiment illustrated in particular by the FIG. 4 , the translation means 9, 10 further comprise at least one drive screw 9, a rotation actuating mechanism 10 along its axis of said drive screw 9, a mobile bearing 10 fixed to the mobile platform 6, 7 and capable of transforming the rotation of the drive screw 9 into translation of said mobile platform 6, 7 along said axis of said drive screw 9, a fixed bearing 18 fixed to the lower base 3 and capable of maintaining said drive screw 9 relative to said lower base 3.

The fixed bearing 18 makes it possible to hold one end of the drive screw 9 and to guide it in rotation, but is not driven by it.

The footrest can thus be adjusted to the desired height thanks to the screw mechanism, from a very high position to be able to deploy or retract the retractable tray by hand, or in a low position to serve as a footrest.

It goes without saying that the platform can be used for purposes other than those mentioned in this patent application.

As illustrated by Figures 1 to 3, one or more drive screws 9 may be provided, or a drive screw and a guide screw, in particular one on the left and one on the right of the walker 1, only one then having a rotating drive motor.

The mobile bearing 10 is crossed by the drive screw 9 and cooperates with it via a helical pitch, so that the drive screw 9 can drive the translation of said mobile bearing 10 in one direction or the other, thus causing the simultaneous movement of the entire mobile platform 6,7 linked to said mobile bearing 10.

Advantageously, the walker 1 comprises removable elements for holding the retractable tray 6 in the retracted position.

These removable holding elements make it possible to maintain the retractable tray 6 in the retracted position illustrated by the FIG. 5 .

The removable holding elements comprise a first holding element which is an element of the retractable tray 6 and a second holding element which is a complementary element to said first element and which is positioned on the mobile bearing 10.

The removable holding elements of the retractable tray 6 in its retracted position may be such that the first holding element of the retractable tray 6 is the material of said retractable tray 6, which is a metallic material, and the second holding element is a magnet 19 positioned on the mobile bearing 10 and capable of holding said retractable tray 6 in its retracted position by magnetization, according to the operation seen in FIG. 5 .

The magnetization allows for secure retention in the retracted position while allowing easy deployment.

Magnet 19 may take the form of several magnets, as illustrated, and comprise neodymium material.

Motorized means for activating the rotational actuation mechanism 10 are illustrated by the FIG. 6 .

Indeed, the walker 1 may comprise motorized means for activating the rotation actuation mechanism 10 along its axis of said drive screw 9 in translation, and further comprises an electronic control box 11 which is capable of controlling said motorized means for activating the rotation actuation mechanism 10.

These means for activating the rotational actuation mechanism 10 make it possible to rotate the drive screw(s) 9 along its axis, which raises the mobile platform 6, 7 in one direction of rotation of the drive screw 9, and lowers the mobile platform 6, 7 along the drive screw 9 in an opposite direction of rotation of the drive screw 9.

The electronic control box 11 is illustrated in exploded view by the FIG. 7 .

It is located on the upper plate 2 and includes in particular an electronic card and a power supply which allow the activation of the activation means described above.

It may comprise, for example, two height control buttons 21 provided for raising and lowering the mobile platform 6, 7, as well as an ignition button 22, removable electrical power supply means 27 such as a battery or interchangeable and/or rechargeable batteries, the assembly being arranged in an injected plastic housing having a top 23 and a bottom 24, as well as a removable cover 26 for removing the removable power supply.

Claims (10)

Walker (1) comprising a U-shaped lower base (3), a U-shaped upper base (2) fixed to the lower base (3), an intermediate structure which makes it possible to hold the upper base (2) to the lower base (3) and which is formed of substantially parallel uprights (5, 13), including front uprights (13) and rear uprights (5), said upper and lower bases (2, 3) forming a set of two parallel U-shaped structures within which a user (P) can pass without encountering an obstacle belonging to said walker (1), said walker (1) being characterized in that it further comprises a mobile platform (6, 7) mounted movable in translation between said uprights (5, 13) and between said lower (3) and upper (2) bases, said walker (1) comprising means for folding a retractable tray (6) of said mobile platform (6, 7) along the front uprights (13). Walker (1) according to claim 1, comprising ground connection elements (4) and the upper base (2) forms for a user (P) of said walker (1) gripping means (12, 15) located between seventy centimeters and one meter ten from the ground when said walker (1) is placed on the ground on its ground connection elements (4), said gripping means (12, 15) comprising two opposite handles (15) arranged on either side of the U shape of the upper base (2). Walker (1) according to claim 2, in which the ground connection elements (4) comprise two or four wheels (4) connected to the front and/or rear uprights (5, 13) and/or to the lower base (3). Walker (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the mobile platform (6, 7) comprises an elongated support (7) fixed substantially perpendicularly relative to the uprights (5, 13) and which is positioned substantially horizontally when said walker (1) is placed on the ground on its ground connection elements (4), the mobile platform (6, 7) further comprising at least one hinge (8) between the retractable tray (6) and the support (7) of said mobile platform (6, 7), the retractable tray (6) being pivotally mounted relative to said support (7) between a deployed position in which it is aligned with the support (7) and a retracted position in which it is retracted along the front uprights (13). Walker (1) according to claim 4, further comprising translation means (9,10) of the mobile platform (6,7), arranged between the upper base (2) and the lower base (3) and passing through the support (7), so that said support (7) can be driven and guided in translation vertically by said translation means (9,10). Walker (1) according to claim 5, wherein the translation means (9, 10) further comprise at least one drive screw (9), a rotation actuating mechanism (10) along its axis of said drive screw (9), a mobile bearing (10) fixed to the mobile platform (6, 7) and capable of transforming the rotation of the drive screw (9) into translation of said mobile platform (6, 7) along said axis of said drive screw (9), a fixed bearing (18) fixed to the lower base (3) and capable of holding said drive screw (9) relative to said lower base (3). Walker (1) according to claim 6, further comprising removable holding elements for the retractable tray (6) in the retracted position, said holding elements comprising a first holding element which is an element of the retractable tray (6) and a second holding element which is a complementary element to said first element and which is positioned on the mobile bearing (10). Walker (1) according to claim 7, wherein the removable holding elements of the retractable tray (6) in its retracted position are such that the first holding element of the retractable tray (6) is the material of said retractable tray (6) which is a metallic material, and the second holding element is a magnet (19) positioned on the mobile bearing (10) and capable of holding said retractable tray (6) in its retracted position by magnetization. Walker (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising motorized means for activating the rotational actuation mechanism (10) along its axis of said drive screw (9) in translation, and further comprising an electronic control box (11) located on the upper plate (2) which comprises an electronic card and an electrical power supply and which is capable of controlling said motorized means for activating the rotational actuation mechanism (10). Walker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and according to claim 3, further comprising at least one braking means (16) comprising a lever coupled by a Bowden cable (17) coupled to a jaw coupled directly or indirectly to one of the wheels (4).