Walking aid

Claim 1

An improved wheelchair having a frame disposed on front and rear wheel assemblies, a pair of handles extending rearwardly from the frame, a seat, side panels and a back portion disposed on the frame to support a patient, and a first manually actuated rear wheel brake mechanism disposed on the frame in such a location that it is easily accessible to a patient sitting in the wheelchair; wherein, the improvement comprises the addition to the aforementioned structure of the following; a moveable mass disposed on, and extending across the width of the frame, and attached thereto intermediate the front and rear wheel assemblies, wherein, the weighted mass is disposed on the frame at a position forward and below, both the axle of the rear wheel assembly, and the normal center of gravity of said wheelchair, and is loosely supported on the frame in such a manner, that it does not inhibit the inherent flexibility of the wheelchair; a second brake member connected and pivotally disposed with respect to said weighted mass, and adapted to apply uniform braking forces across said rear wheel assembly; and a second brake member actuation mechanism operatively connected to both said weighted mass and said second brake member, and disposed on at least one of said rearwardly extending handles; wherein, said second brake member is secured to a U-shaped support bracket, which is pivotally disposed with respect to said weighted mass; and said second brake member further comprises an elongated brake element, which extends across the width of said frame, and beyond said rear wheel assembly.