US3165314A - Invalid walker and ambulatory aid - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 12, 1965 J. P. CLEARMAN ETAL 3,165,314

INVALID WALKER AND AMBULATORY AID 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1962 INVENTOR. JERQME. P CLEARMAN, &

Erzuc: C.\NEBSTE.R

Jan. 12, 1965 J. P. CLEARMAN ETAL 3,165,314

INVALID WALKER AND AMBULATORY AID Filed July 9, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV NTOR. J'ERQME P CLEAZMAN,

Blzucs C.YWEE $TEIZ B flung A ATTORNEY Jan. 12, 1965 .1. P. CLEARMAN ETAL 3,165,314

INVALID WALKER AND AMBULATORY AID 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 9, 1962 INVENTORS JERQME CLEA2MAN BRUCE C'- WEE $TER BY M J-Zg ATTORNEY United States Patent 'Ofilice assists i atented Jan. 12, 1955 3,165,314 INVALID WALKER AND AMEULATGL'QY All? Jerome I. learrnan, 33 E. Lake Road, Honeoye, N312,

and Bruce (I. Webster, 2-69 Miilard Ave, North Tari ytown, NJY.

Fiied duty 9, 1962, No. 2 398383 2 Claims. (Qt. 272--7u.3)

This invention relates to an invalid walker, and more particularly to a device for permitting an individual who is incapable of supporting his or her own weight to raise himself or herself to a standing position and the present invention is adapted to be used for aiding such person in learning to walk.

The primary object of this invention it to provide an invalid walker for use by people who have diseases or conditions which cause disability such as disorders of the nervous system, disorders of the muscle, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, congenital anomalies, where by with the present invention invalids will be able to move fromplace to place as desired or required and wherein the present invention will be especially useful in helping such persons to walk or learn to walk.

A further object is to provide such an invalid walker and ambulatory aid which permits an individual incapable of lifting and/or supporting his or her own weight to raise himself or herself to a standing position and thus learn to walk, and wherein the present invention is constructed so that it will give the afiiicted operator maximum body support through a fitted chest piece which supports him or her in the chest and shoulder areas, so that the operator will be offered maximum support over extended periods of time while using the walker with a minimum of body fatigue, and wherein while the operators body is supported by the chest piece, his or her hands are free to operate the controls or to perform household or job tasks or duties, and wherein the present invention has its own self-contained power source, and wherein minimum effort on the part of the operator is required for raising, lowering or propelling himself.

Still another object is to provide such an invalid walker that is economical to manufacture and efficient in operation and which is rugged in structure and foolproof in use.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims, together with the accompanying drawing, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference characters and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the invalid Walker and ambulatory aid of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on theline 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on theline 55 of FIG. 1. I

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on theline 66 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring diagram and hydraulic mechanism.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1%) indicates the invalid walker and ambulatory aid of the present invention which is shown to comprise a horizontally disposedbase 11 which includes amain body portion 12 that has integral angularly arrangedside portions 13,

and the rear sections or ends of theside portions 13 are bifurcated as at 14, FIG. 3.

Side wheels 15 are journaled in the bifurcatedportions 14 as at 16.

As shown in the drawings there is provided a rear caster assembly which is indicated generally by the numeral "17, and therear caster assembly 17 includes a fitting orsupport member 18 which is connected to themain body portion 12 at the rear thereof by means of a pin or securingelement 19, FIG. 2. Thenumeral 21 indicates a rear wheel which is connected to themember 18 by means of an axle or pin 2%, and the wheel '21 is adapted to have arubber tire 22 thereon, FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 2 for example, there is also provided a-front caster assembly which is indicated generally by thenumeral 23, and thefront caster assembly 23 innumeral 26 indicates a wheel which is journaled in theplate 24 as at 27, and the wheel 26 is adapted to have arubber tire 28 thereon. FIG. 1 shows the relative position of the Wheels including the front wheel 26.

There is further provided a hollow housing which is indicated generally by the numeral 2%, and thehousing 29 provides or defines a cowling for a purpose to be later described. Thenumerals 3d and 31 indicate rear and front hydraulic lifts, and as shown in the drawings thelift 3% includes a lowerstationary cylinder 32, a vertically disposedpiston 33 which is telescopically or adjustably mounted in thecylinder 32, and there is provided anextension 34 which is adjustably or telescopically connected to thepiston 33. The upper end of theextension 34 is hinge'dly connected as at 35 to achest piece 36, FIG. 2, and thechest piece 36 has ayieldable pad 37 thereon which is adapted to be covered with asuitable covering 33. Thechest piece 36 includes amain portion 3% as well as an upstanding flange orside portions 46, FIG. 1, and portions of theflanges 46 may be recessed or cut away as at 41. In FIG. 2 in broken lines thenumeral 42 indicates an invalid or person using the walker of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, aguide pin 43 extends through the upper portion of thecylinder 32 and engages anelongated groove 44 in thepiston 33, and there is also provided aguidepin 45 which extends through the upper end of thepiston 33 and thepin 45 is adapted to engage anelongated groove 46 in theextension 34, and these interengaging pins and grooves provide a means for maintaining the parts in their proper aligned postion as'the lift is actuated.

Thefront lift 31 includes alower cylinder 47 which is hingedly or pivotally connected to the base 11- as at 48, and there is further provided anadjustable piston 49 Which is adapted to telescope in thecylinder 47, and an extension 5% is adjustably or telescopicallyconnected to thepiston 49. Thenumeral 51 indicates a pivotal connection between the upper end of theextension 59 and thechest piece 36. As shown in FIG. 2, aguide pin 52 extends throughthe upper end of thecylinder 47 for engaging anelongated groove 53 in thepiston 49, and there is also provided aguide pin 54 which extends into the upper end of thepiston 49 for engaging anelongated groove 55 in theextension 50, and these inter-engaging grooves and guide pins serve the same purpose as the previously described grooves and guide pins for thelift 36 that is they serve to maintain the parts in their proper aligned position as they are adjusted up or down.

The numeral 5% designates handle bars which haveportions 57 pivotally connected to thehousing 29, and thenumeral 58 indicates a cross piece which is suitably affixed to thehandle bars 55. Manuallyoperable brake locks 59 are operatively connected to the ends of the cross piece 5%, and there is further provided manually operable brake handles d which are connected to thecross piece 53. Right and left selector switches 61 are justable, and theconnector unit 62 is shown to comprise abar 63 which has its upper end hingedly connected to thechest piece 36 as at 64. Thenumeral 65 indicates a ,fltting which is suitably aflixed to thecross piece 58, and

arod 66 is affixed to thefitting 65, therod 66 being adjustably connected to thebar 63. Thenumeral 67 indicates a lower tapered threaded portion on thebar 63, and portions of the lower end of thebar 63 may be split or slotted as at 68, and thenumeral 69 indicates a manually operable roughened or knurled locking coupling or sleeve which is adapted to be threaded on the threadedportion 67 of thebar 63.

The numeral 70'indicates a suitable battery which is adapted to be arranged within thehousing 29 above thebase 11, and a rechargingunit 71 of conventional coni struction is adapted to be used for selectively recharging f time, and the rewindingunit 73 n1ay be suitably supported by brackets orbraces 75.

Also arranged within thehollow housing 29 is an electric motor'76 which is adapted to be electrically connected to thebattery 70, and themotor 76 serves to operate or drive apump 77, and thepump 77 is adapted to be used for pumping hydraulic fluid to or from the lifts and to and from ahydraulic reservoir tank 73, and thereservoir 78 is adapted to hold a suitable quantity of hydraulic fluid therein, as for example as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 7, a suitable on and off and reversing switch 79 is adapted to be electrically connected in the circuit, and the numeral 80 indicates a relief valve which is adapted to be used as a safety valve for use in the event the hydraulic pressure becomes excessive. Thenumerals 81 indicate solenoids in the electrical circuit, and thesolenoids 81 serve to selectively actuatevalves 82 which control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the lifts.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided an invalid walker or ambulatory aid, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, an invalid such as the invalid indicated in' broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 by-thenumeral 42 is adapted to be arranged so that thechest piece 36 supports or engages the chest of the invalid 42, and the hands of the invalid are adapted to grip or engage the ends of the member orcross piece 58. Thus, this arrangement serves to insure that the major portion of the invalids weight will be supported by the chest piece so that the legs of the invalid can be moved in the usual manner inorder to move the device along from place to place as desired or required.

Thechest piece 36 includes theside flanges 40 which helps insure that the invalid will not inadvertently or accidentally slip off of the chest piece, and thepadding 37 which is adapted to be made of a suitable materal such as foam rubber or the like so as to insure that the invalid can be comfortably and safely and efiiciently supported. Thepadding 37 is adapted to be covered over with a suitable cover member such as thecover member 38 which can be made of a suitable fabric or the like.

There is also provided a means for adjusting thechest piece 36, and the means for adjusting thechest piece 36 consists of the front andrear lifts 31 and 30 which are adapted to be hydraulically actuated as previously described. Thus, a pair of switches 61 are adapted to be suitably mounted on thecross piece 58, and these switches 61 are electrically connected to thesolenoids 81, and the pair ofsolenoids 81 are provided for selectively moving or actuating thevalves 82 which serve to control the flow of hydraulic fluid through conduits such as, the conduits orlines 83. Thus, with the main on and off switch 79 in on position, themotor 76 will be energized or actuated and themotor 76 is adapted to receivepower from thebattery 76, and with themotor 76 actuated, the pump '77 will be actuated so as to pump hydraulic fluid from thereservoir 78 through aconduit such as theconduit 84, and by actuating both switches 61, bothsolenoids 81 will be actuated to thereby open bothvalves 82 so as to permit hydraulic fluid to flow through the lines or conduits 83 in order to actuate bothlifts 30 and'31. Thus, if desired both lifts 3t) and 31 can besimultaneously actuated in order to raise or adjust, thechest piece 36 to the desired location or. position. Or, if desired, only one of thelifts 36 or 31 can be actuated at a particular time and this is accomplished by manually actuating only one of the switches 61to thereby maintain one of thevalves 82 open and one closed and this will permit hydraulic fluid to thereby be supplied to either of thelifts 313 or 31 as desired or required. This arrangement permits the chest piece 36'to be adjusted or moved to a plurality of different positions.

The lifts such as the lift 30' includes. the stationarylower cylinder 32 as well as thehollow piston 33 and theextension 34. Thus, by supplying hydraulic. fluid to thecylinder 32, thepiston 33 will be caused to move upwardly, and as additional hydraulic fluid is supplied to thelift 30, theextension 34 will be raised. Thepin 45 engages thegroove 46 toinsure that theextension 34 will be maintained'in its proper aligned position as it moves up or down, and similarly thecoacting pin 43andgroove 44 serve to insure that thepiston 33 andcylinder 32 will remain in their proper aligned position. v

Similarly thelift 31 includes thelower cylinder 47 which has thehollow piston 49 adjustably connected thereto so that as hydraulic fluid is supplied to thecylinder 47, thepiston 49 will be raised, and as additional hydraulic fluid is supplied to thecylinder 47, this hydraulic fluid will be able to flow through thehollow piston 49 and then raise or lift theextension 50.. The upper end of theextension 56 is pivotally connected as at 51 to thechest piece 36, and thelower end of thecylinder 47 is pivotally connected as at 48 to the basell.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

' As shown in FIG. 1, thebase 11 includes themain body portion 12 as well as theside portions 13, and this construction together with the construction'of the other parts including thehousing 29 serves toinsure that the invalids legs or feet can be comfortably and properly positioned in'order to engage the ground or floor so that the device of the presentinvention can be properly used.

Therear caster 17 is arranged and constructed so that it Wlll coact with the other wheels such as theside wheels 15, and thefront caster assembly 23 whereby the device can be readily moved from place to place as desired, and this construction serves to insure that the devicewill be properly stabilized during use thereof. Also, the construction and provision of the front and rear. caster as- 1 sembly serves to insure that the device can be easily turned or guided since these casters permit or facilitate turning movement thereof.

The brake handles 60are adapted to be manually ac- .tuated in order to actuate suitable brakes which are electric outlet or the like whereby thebattery 70 may be Z3 recharged for subsequent use in energizing or driving the motor '76 which operates thepump 77. After the battery '70 has been recharged by means of the recharging unit 7 1.

which is of conventional construction, tension on the line or cord 72 can be released whereby therewindunit 73 will serve to rewind or retract the cord 72 to a position such as that shown in FIG. 2.

Thebars 56 have theirportions 57 pivotally connected to thehousing 29, and with theconnector unit 62 connected as at 64 to thechest piece 36 and also connected as at as to thecross piece 58, it will be seen that thecross piece 58 will move or be adjusted to its proper positionas thechest piece 36 is adjusted or regulated.

As shown in FIG. 5, theconnector unit 62 is adjustable, and this is accomplished by loosening thesleeve 69 whereby the relative position between themembers 66 and 63 can be changed and then thesleeve 69 can be tightened in order to maintain these parts stationary or immobile in their adjusted position.

Themotor 76 may be of the reversible type so that by properly positioning or actuating the switch 7? themotor 76 can be used to drive thepump 77 in a forward or reverse direction in order to control the fiow of fluid from thereservoir 78 to either or both of the lifts an and 31, or else this arrangement can be used for returning or pumping the hydraulic fluid back from the lifts to the reservoir ortank 78.

With further reference to thefront caster 23, it will be seen that theplate 24 which has the wheel 26 journaled therein, is rotatably supported by theball bearings 25, and this construction permits theplate 24 to swivel so that turning or guiding movement of the walker of the present invention can be readily accomplished or brought about.

The flanges 4d are adapted to be recessed or cut away as at 41 so as to provide suficient clearance for the shoulders or arms of the invalid in order to insure that the device can be conveniently and properly used.

As shown in FIG. 2 the parts can be arranged in different positions, and for example the parts such as the chest piece can be arranged in the solid line position of FIG. 2 or else such parts can be arranged in the broken line position of FIG. 2. Thus, by initially arranging the parts in a position such as that shown in broken lines in FIG. 2,

the invalid can readily move or be moved so that the invalids chest engages thepiece 36 when thepiece 36 1S 7 in the lower position, and then switches such as the switches 61 can be manually actuated in order to actuate thelifts 3d and 31 whereby the chest piece as can be moved to a raised position as, for example, to a position such as that shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 whereby the legs and feet of the invalid can conveniently be used for propelling the device from place to place as desired, and when the device is being used, the chest piece as serves to support the major portion of the invalid so that walking can be accomplished with maximum ease or facility.

It will therefore be seen that according to the present invention there has been provided a new ambulatory aid to be used by invalids or disabled persons who may have had various types of diseases or disorders such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, disorders of the muscles such as myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, infectious diseases such as polio, metabolic disorders such as rickets or osteoporofis, or congenital anomalies such as spinabifida. The ambulatory aid of the present invention is a device which permits an individual incapable of supporting his or her own weight to raise himself or herself to a standing position and learn to walk.

In use, the parts may be initially arranged in the position such as that shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, and with the invalid or patient sitting in a chair, the patient can lean forward until his chest engages thepiece 36, and then with the hands in position on the ends of the cross piece orbar 58, either or both of the switches 61 can be actuated by the fingers and this will cause either or both of the lifts 6 3t and 31 to be actuated so as to raise thechest piece 36 to the desired height so that the invalid willbe automatically raised to a standing. position whereby such persons can learn to walk with the present invention.

The chest support or chest piece as is padded as at 37, and thesupport 36 is adapted to be formed or shaped as shown in the drawings so that the patients body will be properly supported. The switches such as the switches 61 may be of a suitable construction and may be three-way switches. Thenumerals 60 and 59 indicate manual controls for the brakes for thewheels 15. The plug '74 is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy so that therecharging unit 71 can be used to recharge the battery 7t). The aluminum cowl 2 9 is adapted to enclose or cover various parts of the hydraulic and electrical mechanisms or units, and thebase 11 is adapted to be made of aluminum. Theoutside wheels 15 have suitable brakes associated therewith, and in FIG. 2 the numeral'Zd indicates a pivot disk caster plate which forms part of thecaster assembly 23.

Primarily the walker of the present invention permits an afflicted individual who is incapable of supporting his own weight to raise himself to a standing position and walk. An important feature or aspect of the present invention, insofar as its difference between existing ambulatory aids, is its ability to permit the aiilicted user to get into the device, raise himself and walk entirely without the assistance of a physical therapist or other person, and the walker of the present invention is constructed to aid individuals disabled by any of the Various diseases or disorders of the nervous system, muscles, or infectious dis eases, metabolic disorders or congenital anomalies.

The walker includes the cast aluminum base or frame which has thealuminum Wheels 15 connected thereto, and such wheels are adapted to be provided with rubber tires, and these outside wheels can be braked by the use of hand controls as which are located in a convenient position. The front and rear wheels are casters which permit the affiicted individual to turn the walker in any direction. Arranged above thebase 11 are hydraulic and electrical components which actuate the hydraulic lifts, and this complete mechanism is covered with thealuminum cowling 29. The lifts are fastened to both thechest attachment plate 36 and thebase 11. By adjusting theunit 67;, the handle member or cross piece 5? can be ad justed to fit individual requirements. By regulating the two hydraulic lifts either simultaneously or individually, the afflicted individual can raise himself from a sitting to a standing position, lower himself, or he can raise himself so that he assumes any desired position in between. Because of the construction of the walker, it can be easily manipulated over door sills, carpets and the like, and it also can be moved partially under beds, chairs, toilets and the like to facilitate mounting the walker. Its width ermits the user to navigate through narrow doorways. The present invention will be especially valuable in the medical field since it provides not only a training device for patients who would otherwise be confined to a bed or wheel chair, but it also can be used in the home or on the job to extend the abilities of the handicapped.

As shown in FIG. 4, the point at which thewheel 21 contacts the floor is not directly under the axis of rotation of the caster in order for the rear caster to track properly. Thus, the axle 2d of thewheel 21 isarranged oif center with respect to thepin 19 that is located in theframe portion 12 of the walker and thewheel 21 can rotate about an axis extending throughthepin 19.

Thefront lift 31 is arranged so that it is free to swing forward and backward on itspivot pin 48 as the angle of thechest piece 36 changes. Thevalves 32 are adapted to be placed down in the base of the walker, one on either side of the point where the front lift is connected to the base.

Since the front lift must raise to a greater height than the rear, the lowest stage of the front lift must be longer than that of the rear lift, and as shown in the drawings lift can move in an are forward and backward as the chest piece changes its'angle relative to the horizontal.

The walker of the present invention is thus a new ambulatory aid or device which enables an individual in- I capable of lifting and/or supporting his own weight to raise himself to a standing position and learn to walk, and the present invention is designed to give the afiiicted operator maximum body support through a fitted chest piece which supports him in the chest and shoulder areas, and this method thus offers the operator maximum support over extended periods of time while he is using the walker with a minimum amount of body fatigue. In addition while the operators body is supported by the chest piece, his hands are free to operate the controls or to perform household or job tasks. Some of the unique features of the present invention are that it has its own selfcontained power source,;and that it requires minimum effort on the part of the operator to raise, lower or propel himself.

The coveringBS maybe of a suitable material such as suede or the like. Themember 36 is adapted to be suitably recessed or slotted so as to provide clearance for the patients arms, and thepiece 36 is also suitably curved or formed so that it will have the proper contour for the vice will enable the operator to keep the walker in a stationary position while he mounts the ambulatory device, and to stop the walker in a fixed position during any stage of operation. With further reference to the brake mechanism, when the operator pulls either one of the brake handles 66, a suitable cable is pulled and plate members which are contiguous to the wheels will be actuated by movement of the cable so that such plate members will move into contacting engagement withthewheels 15 to slow the rotary motion of theoutside wheels 15,.and when the brake handles 68 are released, suitable spring members are adapted to release the brakes so as to permit thewheels 15 to turn. The locking members 59' can .be used as an emergency brake lock so as to hold the;wheels 15 in a fixed position and keep the walker in a stationary position, and either one or both brake handles can lock the brakes.

On the handle grips ormembers 58 are located two three-Way switches 61 which control the raising and lowering of the chest piece that supports the operator. The motor '76 which drives the pump '77 is reversible. One of these switches can be used to operate themotor 76 if desired, and determines whether the motor is to be off, pumping fluid into the lifts or drawing fluid out of the lifts and returning it to the reservoir, and this switch can also be used to open the solenoid valves which hold the hydraulic system in equilibrium and permit the fluid to flow Whenever the motor is activated, and the other switch can be used to determine whether the front, rear or both lifts are to receive or be emptied of fluid. Thus, it will be seen that if desired, through the simultaneous operation of theswitches, the operator can raise both lifts together, lower both lifts together, raise the front lift,

lower the front lift, raise the rear lift alone, lower the rear lift alone or lock the entire system in equilibrium. The switch '79 may be a dualcircuit three-way switch, and the switch 61 may be a three-way normal on switch.

' Pins such as the pins and 43 function as stop pins to limit movement of the extensible parts of'the lift, and

similarly thepins 52 and 54 function as stop pins. As

shown in the drawings. the walker of the present invention includes front and rear three-stage lifts.

The present invention permits an individual to raise himself to astanding position and learn to walk. The handle bars can. pivot at the point Where they'are joined to the cowling so as to permit them to swing in an arc upward and downward as the front'of the chest piece is raised or lowered, and this keeps the hand grips andcontrols at a constant distance from the shoulder of the operator at all times.

Suitable rubber hand grips are adapted to be arranged on the ends of themembers 58, and such rubber hand grips are indicated by thenumerals 36 in FIG. '1. Thebrake lock 59 may be pressfitted into theends of thehandle bar 58, and thenumerals 66 indicate manually operable brake levers.

Theunit 62 isadjustable so that the distance from'the chest piece to the handle bars can be regulated by loosening the lockingcollar 69 and then adjusting the parts to the desiredposition and then tightening the collar Theslits 68 permit compression to take place so that 'with the lockingcollar 69 provided with the threaded tapered interior, by properlyrotating'the collar 69, the

locking action can be readily accomplished.

Thefront caster 23 includes a wheel such as a 6-inch diameter wheel 26 that. is mounted off center perpendicular to an 8-inch diameter disk orplate 24, and the wheel 26 is adapted to rotate freely in thedisk 24. The 24 is suspended in the base or frame of the walker on a race ofball bearings 25 and also rotates freely within the frame.

As the axle of the wheel 26 is mountedbehind the center point of thedisk 24, a slight force in any direction other than that in which the wheel is rolling will cause the disk to rotate and piace the wheel in a direction coincidental to that of the force.

Therear caster 17 is of the cre'epertype, and the axle of this wheel is mounted at about 45 to'the horizontal so as to permit the use of a larger diameter Wheel than would normally be possible with limited vertical height necessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of deh tails coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired What is claimed is: V 1. In an invalid walker, a base includinga main body portion and angularly arranged side portions, said side portions having rcarwardly exposed bifurcated sections,

' side wheels journaled in said bifurcated sections, a rear caster including a fitting having a pin connected to said main body portion at the rear end thereof, an axle connected to said fitting, a rear wheel connected to said axle;

a front caster assembly comprising a horizontally disposed plate mounted in the front of said main body portion, bearing members contiguous to said plate, a front wheel journalcd in' said plate, a hollow housing on said 1 base providing a cowling; front and rear hydraulic lifts including cylinders having pistons adjustably connected thereto, extensions telescopically connected to said pistom, the lower end of said front lift being hingedly connected to said base, a chest support piece hingedly con- .nected to the upper ends of said extensions, and said chest piece having a covered yieldable pad thereon, handle bars pivotally connected to said housing,- a cross piece affixed to said handle bars, an adjustable connector unit including an upper bar hingedly connected to said chest piece, a fitting on said cross piece intermediate the ends thereof,v a rod having its lowerend affixed to said last -namedfitting and its upper end adjustably connected to journaled in the side portions of said base, a rear caster assembly connected to said main body portion at the rear end thereof, a front caster assembly in the front of the main body portion, a hollow housing on said base providing a cowling, front and rear lifts mounted above said base and having an adjustable chest support piece connected to the upper portions thereof, handle bars pivotally connected to said housing, a cross piece afiixed to said handle bars, an adjustable connector unit connecting said chest piece to said cross piece, and power means in said housing for selectively actuating said lifts.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner. RICHARD c. PlNKHAM, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 2. IN AN INVALID WALKER, A BASE INCLUDING A MAIN BODY PORTION AND ANGULARLY ARRANGED SIDE PORTIONS, SIDE WHEELS JOURNALED IN THE SIDE PORTIONS OF SAID BASE, A REAR CASTER ASSEMBLY CONNECTED TO SAID MAIN BODY PORTION AT THE REAR END THEREOF, A FRONT CASTER ASSEMBLY IN THE FRONT OF THE MAIN BODY PORTION, A HOLLOW HOUSING ON SAID BASE PROVIDING A COWLING, FRONT AND REAR LIFTS MOUNTED ABOVE SAID BASE AND HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE CHEST SUPPORT PIECE CONNECTED TO THE UPPER PORTIONS THEREOF, HANDLE BARS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING, A CROSS PIECE AFFIXED TO SAID HANDLE BARS, AN ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR UNIT CONNECTING

Images