Folding walker with removable back rest

[00002] This application relates generally to the field of walkers and, more particularly, to a detachable backrest for a walker having a seat.

[00003] Walkers are commonly used by the elderly, persons with infirmities, and patients recovering from injuries or surgery. A variety of styles of walkers are available. Some have wheels, while others simply have legs tipped with rubber or a similar skid-resistant material.

[00004] Persons who use walkers often have a desire to sit down at certain times when they are using their walker. For example, the person may become tired and need to rest, or the person may have taken the walker to view an event, such as a sporting event or a parade, and wishes to use the walker as a seat while viewing the event. In this regard, it is desirable for the walker to have a backrest, to make the use of the seat more comfortable.

[00005] The present invention provides a backrest for use when the seat of the walker is deployed. The backrest is particularly adapted to be detachable for easy stowing. In one embodiment, the backrest conveniently attaches to the walker by inserting ends of the backrest into a housing. The backrest is secured in place, in one embodiment, by a spring-biased peg. The backrest may be padded, so as to provide greater comfort.

[00012] In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. For example, those skilled in the art would understand that the present invention may be used in rollators, as well as walkers. In some instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

[00013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a folding walker in which the present invention has been incorporated. Walker 10 includes front frame 12 and rear frame 14. Front frame 12 includes front upright members 13. The length of front upright members 13 is telescopically adjustable, so as to accommodate users of varying height. In one embodiment, front cross braces 19 and 20 couple front upright members 13.

[00014] Rear frame 14 includes rear upright members 15. Rear cross brace 21 couples rear upright members 15. Grips 18 are affixed to upright members 13. A user holds grips 18 as he or she uses walker 10 to walk. In embodiments where walker 10 includes casters 16, brakes 25 are included in walker 10 and may be applied to slow down or stop at least one of casters 16 from rolling.

[00015] In an embodiment, the posterior end of the underside of seat 24 is pivotally coupled to front cross brace 20. The anterior end of the underside of seat 24 has two positions. In the first position, when seat 24 is down, the anterior end of the underside of seat 24 is detachably coupled to rear cross brace 21. In the second position, when seat 24 is pulled up and walker 10 is collapsed for storage, the anterior end of seat 24 is detached from rear cross brace 21. In one embodiment, the anterior end of seat 24 is coupled to rear cross brace 21 with two semi-ring clips (not shown).

[00016] In an embodiment, detachable backrest 30 is coupled with front frame 12 by inserting the ends of backrest 30 into housings 40, which are coupled to front frame 12. Detachable backrest 30 may include a single bar, or, in other embodiments, may comprise multiple transverse bars. In an embodiment, backrest 30 is made of a rigid material or materials. In other embodiments, backrest 30 may be made of a flexible material. Those skilled in the art will recognize that seat 24 may also be configured in a manner whereby the posterior end of seat 24, rather than the anterior end, is detachably couple to rear cross brace 21, and the anterior end of seat is pivotally couple to front cross brace 20. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that backrest member 30 may be coupled with rear frame 14.

[00017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a folding walker in the folded position. Side support assembly 26 includes side support members 27 and 28. Side support member 27 is pivotally coupled to front frame 12, and side support member 28 is pivotally coupled to rear frame 14. The ends of side support members 27 and 28, which are not coupled to either front frame 12 or rear frame 14, are coupled together. Pivot lever 29 is pivotally coupled with both side support assembly 26 and seat 24. When seat 24 is pulled upward and detached from rear cross brace 21, pivot lever 29 pulls side support members 27 and 28 upward, thus drawing front frame 12 and rear frame 14 together, thereby collapsing walker 10, so that it may be easily stowed. In the folded position, backrest 30 may be used as a handle for carrying walker 10 or backrest 30 may be detached, so that folded walker 10 has an even smaller girth, and is more easily stowed.

[00018] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of detachable backrest 30. Backrest 30 may be attached to front frame 12 by inserting attaching pegs 32 into peg housings 40. When attaching peg 32 is inserted into peg housing 40, knob 50 protrudes through lock pin hole 43 and into notch 34, and secures backrest 30 in place. A spring (not shown) in peg housing 40 is biased so as to keep an inner portion of knob 50 protruding into notch 34. Backrest 30 may be detached from walker 10 by pulling out knob 50, and removing attaching peg 32 from peg housing 40.

[00019] In an embodiment, padding sheath 31 covers a portion of backrest 30. Padding sheath 31 is soft, and makes backrest 30 more comfortable to the seated user. In an embodiment, padding sheath 31 may only cover a portion of backrest 30, but, in other embodiments, padding sheath 31 may cover all of backrest 30. Padding sheath 31 may include multiple independent pieces of padding material, or, it may include only one piece of padding material. In an embodiment, padding sheath 31 includes foam rubber as a padding material. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various materials, soft or firm, will be suitable for padding sheath 31, and the selection of the materials may depend on the particular characteristics or wishes of different users. As such, foam rubber is a representative padding material, and is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the subject matter described and claimed by the inventor.

[00020] Attaching pegs 32 are coupled to opposite ends of backrest 30. In an embodiment, backrest 30 is a hollow, cylindrical bar. Also, in such an embodiment, attaching pegs 32 are coupled to backrest 30 by inserting a portion of attaching pegs 32 into opposite hollow ends of backrest 30. The portions of attaching pegs 32 that are inserted into backrest 30 are secured to backrest 30 by rivets, in an embodiment. Attaching pegs 32 include notch 34, in an embodiment. When attaching peg 32 is inserted into peg housing 40, a portion of knob 50 protrudes through lock pin hole 43 into notch 34, thereby keeping backrest bar 30 in a secure position. In an embodiment, attaching pegs 32 includes tapered ends 38, which allows attaching pegs 32 to easily slide into peg housing 40. Attaching peg 32 may also include rim 36, which acts as a stopper, allowing only a specified length of attaching peg 32 to be inserted into receptacle 41, and lining up notch 34 with lock pin hole 43.

[00021] FIG. 4 is a detailed illustration of one embodiment of spring housing 42. In an embodiment, spring housing 42 is coupled to peg housing 40. Spring housing 42 contains a spring (not shown) that is used to bias knob 50 so as to pull knob 50 and lock pin 52 towards peg housing 40 when backrest 30 is attached for use. Lock pin 52 runs through spring housing 42, and, when backrest 30 is attached to front frame 12, forces lock pin head 54 (not shown) into notch 34, thereby holding backrest 30 in a secure position.

[00022] Spring housing 42 includes engaging members 48, which may engage with engaging members 56 of knob 50 when backrest 30 is attached to front frame 12. Only when engaging members 48 are engaged with engaging members 56, may lock pin 52 force lock pin head 54 through spring housing 42 and into notch 34 (not shown). FIG. 4 shows engaging members 56 disengaged from engaging members 48. In the disengaged position, lock pin head 54 does not substantially enter notch 34, and backrest 30 may be easily removed from peg housings 40.

[00023] FIG. 5 is a detailed illustration of one embodiment of peg housing 40 and knob 50. Each peg housing 40 includes receptacle 41. Backrest 30 is attached to front frame 12 by inserting attaching pegs 32 into receptacle 41 of peg housing 40.

[00024] In one embodiment, spring housing 42 is coupled to peg housing 40. In other embodiments, spring housing 42 is part of peg housing 40. Spring 44 is disposed inside spring housing 42. Spring 44 biases lock pin 52 and lock pin head 54 toward peg housing 40, so that, when backrest 30 is attached to front frame 12, lock pin head 54 protrudes into notch 34 of attaching peg 32, thus securing backrest 30 in the attached position.

[00025] Knob 50, in an embodiment, includes lock pin 52, lock pin head 54, and engaging members 56. In an embodiment, knob 50 is a quarter-turn-locking pin that has two positions. In the protruding position, lock pin head 54 protrudes into notch 34 of attaching peg 32, thereby securing backrest 30 in the attached position. In another embodiment, knob 50 does not include lock pin head 54, and lock pin 52 inserts protrudes into notch 34.

[00026] In the non-protruding position, engaging members 48 on spring housing 42 do not engage with engaging members 56 of knob 50. As such, the biasing in spring 44 is unable to pull lock pin head 54 into notch 34. As such, in the non-protruding position of lock pin head 54, backrest 30 is not secured. The non-protruding position of lock pin head 54 facilitates easy detachment of backrest 30, or easy insertion of backrest 30 into peg housing 40.

[00027] Those skilled in the art will recognize that other configurations may be used to secure attaching pegs 32 in receptacles 41, and also fall under the subject matter disclosed herein. Likewise, those skilled in the art will also recognize that various structural configurations may be used to prevent lock pin head 54 from entering notch 34 in the non-protruding position, and also fall within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.