Patent US4251105A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4251105A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mobility aid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-07-03
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Granted: 1981-02-17
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Expires: 1999-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A mobility aid comprises a four-legged walking frame characterized by the front legs of the frame having ground-engaging wheels with axes movable in unison in the direction of the lengths of the legs, by one-way wheel-driving means responsive to upwards movement of said wheel axes to cause forward rotational motion of the wheels, and by resilient means acting to urge said wheel axes downwardly of the front legs. In the freestanding condition of the frame, the resilient means lift the front of the frame so that when the frame is pressed down by the user bearing down on the frame, the wheels are caused to rotate in the sense to cause forward movement of the aid, the rear legs dragging as a result. A repeated bearing down action, easily accomplished even by the severely handicapped, thus results in easily controllable forward motion of the aid.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred W. Barker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H3/00; A61H3/04; A61H2003/002; A61H2003/046; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/16; A61H2201/1602; A61H2201/1614; A61H2201/1628; A61H2201/1633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A mobility aid comprising: (a) a frame having two front legs and two rear legs; (b) a ground-engaging wheel on each front leg, the axes of the wheels being movable in unison in the direction of the lengths of said front legs; (c) one-way wheel-driving means responsive to upwards movement of said wheel axes to cause forward rotational motion of the wheels; and (d) resilient means acting to urge said wheel axes downwardly of the front legs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A mobility aid comprising: (a) a frame having two front legs and two rear legs; (b) a ground-engaging wheel on each front leg, the axes of the wheels being movable in unison in the direction of the lengths of said front legs; (c) one-way wheel-driving means responsive to upwards movement of said wheel axes to cause forward rotational motion of the wheels; and (d) resilient means acting to urge said wheel axes downwardly of the front legs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The aid of claim 1 in which said one-way wheel-driving means permit independent forward rotation of the wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The aid of claim 1 including a common axle extending through longitudinal slots in each of said front legs, said axle carrying said wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The aid of claim 3 including a bearing sleeve slidably housed within each front leg and supporting said common axle, said resilient means being housed within each leg above the bearing sleeve and urging the latter downwardly of the leg.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The aid of claim 3 or 4 further comprising toothed racks fitted to the front legs and engaged by pinions on the common axle so that the latter is both held in a constant attitude while moving up and down relatively to the front legs, and caused to rotate while so moving.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The aid of claim 3, 4 or 5 in which the one-way wheel-driving means comprise a ball ratchet freewheel mechanism incorporated in the hub of each wheel and arranged to transmit forward rotation of the axle to the wheels, the wheels being otherwise freely rotatable on the axle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The aid of claim 1 including stabilizer struts projecting forwardly and downwardly from the front legs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The aid of claim 7 in which the lower ends of the front legs, or of said stabilizer struts, and the wheels are so related in position and in regard to the permitted upwards movement of the wheels that the extremities of the front legs and/or of said struts engage the ground when the wheels are in their highest position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The aid of claim 7 in which the stabilizer struts are of adjustable length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The aid of claim 1 in which the one-way wheel-driving means comprise a ball ratchet freewheel mechanism incorporated in the hub of each wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The aid of claim 1 including means for adjusting the download applied to the wheels by said resilient means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The aid of claim 1 in which the frame includes lateral supports positioned for engagement by the forearms of a user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The aid of claim 1 in which the frame is fitted with arm crutches, arm support grips, hand grips or the like for appropriate engagement by the user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The aid of claim 1 in which the frame is fitted with a hinged seat member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The aid of claim 1 further comprising a basket or other container removably fitted to the frame.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-17 | 1984-08-18 | 1985-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-17 | 1988-08-18 | 1989-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-17 | 1992-08-18 | 1993-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |