US3625237A - Arm support for invalid walkers - Google Patents

Arm support for invalid walkers Download PDF

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Publication number
US3625237A
US3625237A US27716A US3625237DA US3625237A US 3625237 A US3625237 A US 3625237A US 27716 A US27716 A US 27716A US 3625237D A US3625237D A US 3625237DA US 3625237 A US3625237 A US 3625237A
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walker
rail
arm
clamp
trough
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US27716A
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Mabel L Wertz
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
    • A61H3/04—Wheeled walking aids for disabled persons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
    • A61H2003/006—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about with forearm rests, i.e. for non-used arms

Definitions

  • Caun Attorney-Rummler & Snow ABSTRACT An arm support for invalids using walkers which is adjustable in all directions, either longitudinally, diagonally or vertically, and is capable of being placed on either the righthand side of the upper tubular rails of the walker, or the lefthand side, and, if desired, could be placed on the front upper member ofthc walker.
  • An invalid walker having a vertically adjustable assist forming an arm support, whicharm support is capable of adjustment laterally on a diagonal plane in both directions from point of attachment to the upper rail of the walker and being capable of being shiftable longitudinally along the upper rail of the walker.
  • the arm support is a curved or arcuate shape whereby to support the arm and/or the arm and hand of an invalid whereby the walker may be propelled using only one arm.
  • FIG. I is a perspective view showing the device of the present invention anchored to the left upper rail of the walker;
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the walker taken from the left of FIG. 1 with the upper tubular rail broken away to show the entire structure of the present invention secured to the right upper rail of the walker;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the device of the present invention with the upper rail of the walker broken away;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
  • the invalid walker generally indicated by the numeral is old in the art and comprises a pair of front vertical tubular support members 12-14 held in spaced relationship by the horizontal tubular braces 16-18.
  • Each of the side frames is of one-piece construction forming the upper rails 20-22 and the rear diagonal members 24-26.
  • the members 24-26 are held in spaced relation to the members 12-14 respectively by horizontal tubular braces 28-30 respectively.
  • Each of the members 12, I4, 24, 26 is provided with casters 32 on its distal end for ready mobility ofthe invalid walker.
  • a person having difficulty walking because of disability to one or both of the lower limbs usually grasps the upper horizontal tubular rails 20-22 with their hands to support themselves so they may walk comfortably and relieve full weight on lower limbs.
  • the device of the present invention as illustrated in the drawings consists of a split U-clamp 34 arranged to fit over tubular rail 22.
  • the lower free ends of the U-clamp are provided with downwardly extending lips 36 and each is provided with opposed apertures to receive the nut-and-bolt combination 38, to secure the clamp to the rail.
  • a vertically extending tube 40 such as illustrated in FIG. 3 is integrally formed on the upper end of the clamp 34.
  • a slightly larger tube 42 is telescopically arranged on the tube 40 and the tube 42 contains a series of vertically spaced openings 44 into which the springloaded detent 46 is capable of seating for lengthening or shortening the two tubes.
  • the upper distal end of the tube 42 contains an integrally formed semicylindrical-shaped armrest 48.
  • the telescoping members may be raised or lowered by depressing the detent 46 so as to free the member 42.
  • the clamp 3 may be moved longitudinally and/or diagonally on either side of the rail 22 whereby the positioning is accomplished best suited for the person using the same, and then clamped to the rail.
  • clamp 34 and its appendages could be placed on the rail 20 if the right arm is to be supported, or on the brace tube 18 if the arm to be supported must be positioned in the front of a person.
  • the invention also contemplates that the interior of the semicircular arm plate 48 may be padded without departing from the spirit ofthis invention.
  • a walker for use by invalids said walker comprising a framework including side and front rails positioned at the top of the framework and an armrest adjustably clamped to a rail, said armrest comprising a pair of telescoping elongated members arranged for vertical adjustment one to the other, a clamp integrally connected to the lower end of one of said members, said clamp tightly embracing said rail and being positionable at various locations longitudinally of the rail and capable of adjustment with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail by loosening the clamp and then tightening it to tightly embrace the rail at its new position, and a generally horizontally extending trough positioned at the top of the other telescoping member, said trough being free of obstructions at either end or intermediate its length whereby a user of the walker may place an incapacitated arm in the trough for support and guide the walker with his other arm.

Abstract

An arm support for invalids using walkers which is adjustable in all directions, either longitudinally, diagonally or vertically, and is capable of being placed on either the right-hand side of the upper tubular rails of the walker, or the left-hand side, and, if desired, could be placed on the front upper member of the walker.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Mabel L. Wei-t2- 1301 N. Astor St., Chicago, 111. 60610 [211 App]. No. 27,716 [22] Filed Apr. 13, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [54] ARM SUPPORT FOR INVALID WALKERS 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.
[52] US. Cl 135/45 A [51] lnt.C1 A6lh 3/00 [50] Field of Search 135/45, 45 A, 47, 47.5, 51, 52; 297/5, 6, 115, 41 1-422 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 542,390 7/1895 Linn 297/411 X 2,362,466 11/1944 Carter 135/45 A X 3,206,249 9/1965 297/115 X FOREIGN PATENTS 858,163 1/1961 Great Britain 135/45 A Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun Attorney-Rummler & Snow ABSTRACT: An arm support for invalids using walkers which is adjustable in all directions, either longitudinally, diagonally or vertically, and is capable of being placed on either the righthand side of the upper tubular rails of the walker, or the lefthand side, and, if desired, could be placed on the front upper member ofthc walker.
PATENTEDDEB 7197: 1625237,
lNVE/VTOR MABEL L. WERTZ B zjmwww ARM SUPPORT FOR INVALID WALKERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION People who require the use of invalid walkers very often have arm trouble. Either one of the arms is too weak or broken, or the person has been stricken with a stroke leaving one arm paralyzed or useless. There are many reasons why people can use only one arm in using a walker due to some malfunction of the lower limbs. The only invalid walkers known provided with an assist extending upwardly from the upper portion of the walker are crutches. Crutches are useless to invalids not having normal function of both arms and hands. It was to overcome these problems that the present invention was conceived.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An invalid walker having a vertically adjustable assist forming an arm support, whicharm support is capable of adjustment laterally on a diagonal plane in both directions from point of attachment to the upper rail of the walker and being capable of being shiftable longitudinally along the upper rail of the walker. The arm support is a curved or arcuate shape whereby to support the arm and/or the arm and hand of an invalid whereby the walker may be propelled using only one arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view showing the device of the present invention anchored to the left upper rail of the walker;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the walker taken from the left of FIG. 1 with the upper tubular rail broken away to show the entire structure of the present invention secured to the right upper rail of the walker;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the device of the present invention with the upper rail of the walker broken away; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invalid walker generally indicated by the numeral is old in the art and comprises a pair of front vertical tubular support members 12-14 held in spaced relationship by the horizontal tubular braces 16-18. Each of the side frames is of one-piece construction forming the upper rails 20-22 and the rear diagonal members 24-26. The members 24-26 are held in spaced relation to the members 12-14 respectively by horizontal tubular braces 28-30 respectively. Each of the members 12, I4, 24, 26 is provided with casters 32 on its distal end for ready mobility ofthe invalid walker.
As is customary, a person having difficulty walking because of disability to one or both of the lower limbs usually grasps the upper horizontal tubular rails 20-22 with their hands to support themselves so they may walk comfortably and relieve full weight on lower limbs.
The device of the present invention as illustrated in the drawings consists of a split U-clamp 34 arranged to fit over tubular rail 22. The lower free ends of the U-clamp are provided with downwardly extending lips 36 and each is provided with opposed apertures to receive the nut-and-bolt combination 38, to secure the clamp to the rail. A vertically extending tube 40 such as illustrated in FIG. 3 is integrally formed on the upper end of the clamp 34. A slightly larger tube 42 is telescopically arranged on the tube 40 and the tube 42 contains a series of vertically spaced openings 44 into which the springloaded detent 46 is capable of seating for lengthening or shortening the two tubes. The upper distal end of the tube 42 contains an integrally formed semicylindrical-shaped armrest 48.
Depending upon the size of the person using the walker, the telescoping members may be raised or lowered by depressing the detent 46 so as to free the member 42.
Since people run the gamut in height, it is, of course, necessary to adjust the armrest 48, as should be obvious. I? merely loosening the bolt-nut combination 38, the clamp 3 may be moved longitudinally and/or diagonally on either side of the rail 22 whereby the positioning is accomplished best suited for the person using the same, and then clamped to the rail.
It is also encompassed by this invention that the clamp 34 and its appendages could be placed on the rail 20 if the right arm is to be supported, or on the brace tube 18 if the arm to be supported must be positioned in the front of a person. The invention also contemplates that the interior of the semicircular arm plate 48 may be padded without departing from the spirit ofthis invention.
Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention.
What is claimed is:
l. A walker for use by invalids, said walker comprising a framework including side and front rails positioned at the top of the framework and an armrest adjustably clamped to a rail, said armrest comprising a pair of telescoping elongated members arranged for vertical adjustment one to the other, a clamp integrally connected to the lower end of one of said members, said clamp tightly embracing said rail and being positionable at various locations longitudinally of the rail and capable of adjustment with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail by loosening the clamp and then tightening it to tightly embrace the rail at its new position, and a generally horizontally extending trough positioned at the top of the other telescoping member, said trough being free of obstructions at either end or intermediate its length whereby a user of the walker may place an incapacitated arm in the trough for support and guide the walker with his other arm.

Claims (1)

1. A walker for use by invalids, said walker comprising a framework including side and front rails positioned at the top of the framework and an armrest adjustably clamped to a rail, said armrest comprising a pair of telescoping elongated members arranged for vertical adjustment one to the other, a clamp integrally connected to the lower end of one of said members, said clamp tightly embracing said rail and being positionable at various locations longitudinally of the rail and capable of adjustment with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail by loosening the clamp and then tightening it to tightly embrace the rail at its new position, and a generally horizontally extending trough positioned at the top of the other telescoping member, said trough being free of obstructions at either end or intermediate its length whereby a user of the walker may place an incapacitated arm in the trough for support and guide the walker with his other arm.
US27716A 1970-04-13 1970-04-13 Arm support for invalid walkers Expired - Lifetime US3625237A (en)

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Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3957071A (en) * 1975-09-10 1976-05-18 Kenner M Beatrice Carrier attachment for invalid walkers
US4248256A (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-02-03 Temco Products, Inc. Platform crutch attachment for an invalid walker
EP0229445A2 (en) * 1986-01-17 1987-07-22 Guardian Products Incorporated Reversible walker devices
US5499955A (en) * 1993-01-21 1996-03-19 Smith & Nephew Rolyan, Inc. Patient support for use with parallel bars
US5579793A (en) * 1995-11-15 1996-12-03 Rubbermaid Health Care Products, Inc. Foldable walker
USD420945S (en) * 1998-11-03 2000-02-22 Rubbermaid Commercial Products Llc Walker wheel
US20040020525A1 (en) * 2002-08-02 2004-02-05 Harry Lev Combination crutch-walker
US20050156395A1 (en) * 2004-01-20 2005-07-21 Bohn David L. Rolling walker with arm rest platforms
US20080185797A1 (en) * 2007-02-02 2008-08-07 David Bohn Armrest rolling walker with removable utility tray
US7422025B1 (en) 2005-07-25 2008-09-09 Barbara Waldstreicher Walker device with arm and hand support
US7677259B1 (en) 2008-05-16 2010-03-16 Arbuckle Jetta E Crutch walker and associated use therefor
US20110146736A1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2011-06-23 Pfafflin Ellen S Walker
FR2973686A1 (en) * 2011-04-08 2012-10-12 Pierre Sarraillet Rehabilitation or walking assistance equipment e.g. walker, for supporting elderly people in old age home, has vertical upright parts for assembling U-shaped base and tube in pyramidal shape, where width of base is broader than that of tube
US9022397B1 (en) 2013-10-09 2015-05-05 Raymon Earl Prettyman Adapter system for walker
US10583065B1 (en) 2019-01-16 2020-03-10 Melanie Mejia Posture-correcting walker
USD883861S1 (en) 2019-01-16 2020-05-12 Melanie Mejia Walker
US10828226B2 (en) 2015-05-16 2020-11-10 Protostar, Inc., a Delaware Corporation Collapsible upright wheeled walker apparatus
USD902791S1 (en) 2019-09-03 2020-11-24 Protostar, Inc., a Delaware Corporation Wheeled walker
US10973730B2 (en) 2017-10-06 2021-04-13 Protostar, Inc., a Delaware Corporation Wheeled walker
US11071676B2 (en) 2019-04-05 2021-07-27 Protostar, Inc. Collapsible wheeled walker with stability enhancing bracket apparatus and method
US11510842B2 (en) 2019-07-17 2022-11-29 Delphine HC Innovations, LLC Ergonomic ambulation assist device

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US542390A (en) * 1895-07-09 Surgeon s operating apparatus
US2362466A (en) * 1941-09-08 1944-11-14 Frank E Carter Walker and rejuvenator for physically disabled persons
US2667913A (en) * 1951-10-13 1954-02-02 Ernest G Dustin Body support and weight distributor
GB858163A (en) * 1959-04-03 1961-01-11 William Joseph Ramsey Walking aid
US3195550A (en) * 1962-09-06 1965-07-20 John G Ingalls Walking devices
US3206249A (en) * 1963-02-27 1965-09-14 Frank R Gateley Set of arm accessories for chairs

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US542390A (en) * 1895-07-09 Surgeon s operating apparatus
US2362466A (en) * 1941-09-08 1944-11-14 Frank E Carter Walker and rejuvenator for physically disabled persons
US2667913A (en) * 1951-10-13 1954-02-02 Ernest G Dustin Body support and weight distributor
GB858163A (en) * 1959-04-03 1961-01-11 William Joseph Ramsey Walking aid
US3195550A (en) * 1962-09-06 1965-07-20 John G Ingalls Walking devices
US3206249A (en) * 1963-02-27 1965-09-14 Frank R Gateley Set of arm accessories for chairs

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3957071A (en) * 1975-09-10 1976-05-18 Kenner M Beatrice Carrier attachment for invalid walkers
US4248256A (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-02-03 Temco Products, Inc. Platform crutch attachment for an invalid walker
EP0229445A2 (en) * 1986-01-17 1987-07-22 Guardian Products Incorporated Reversible walker devices
EP0229445A3 (en) * 1986-01-17 1989-03-01 Guardian Products Incorporated Reversible walker devices
US5499955A (en) * 1993-01-21 1996-03-19 Smith & Nephew Rolyan, Inc. Patient support for use with parallel bars
US5579793A (en) * 1995-11-15 1996-12-03 Rubbermaid Health Care Products, Inc. Foldable walker
USD420945S (en) * 1998-11-03 2000-02-22 Rubbermaid Commercial Products Llc Walker wheel
US20040020525A1 (en) * 2002-08-02 2004-02-05 Harry Lev Combination crutch-walker
US20050156395A1 (en) * 2004-01-20 2005-07-21 Bohn David L. Rolling walker with arm rest platforms
US7422025B1 (en) 2005-07-25 2008-09-09 Barbara Waldstreicher Walker device with arm and hand support
US7547027B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2009-06-16 David Bohn Armrest rolling walker with removable utility tray
US20080185797A1 (en) * 2007-02-02 2008-08-07 David Bohn Armrest rolling walker with removable utility tray
US7677259B1 (en) 2008-05-16 2010-03-16 Arbuckle Jetta E Crutch walker and associated use therefor
US20110146736A1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2011-06-23 Pfafflin Ellen S Walker
FR2973686A1 (en) * 2011-04-08 2012-10-12 Pierre Sarraillet Rehabilitation or walking assistance equipment e.g. walker, for supporting elderly people in old age home, has vertical upright parts for assembling U-shaped base and tube in pyramidal shape, where width of base is broader than that of tube
US9022397B1 (en) 2013-10-09 2015-05-05 Raymon Earl Prettyman Adapter system for walker
US10828226B2 (en) 2015-05-16 2020-11-10 Protostar, Inc., a Delaware Corporation Collapsible upright wheeled walker apparatus
US10973730B2 (en) 2017-10-06 2021-04-13 Protostar, Inc., a Delaware Corporation Wheeled walker
US10583065B1 (en) 2019-01-16 2020-03-10 Melanie Mejia Posture-correcting walker
USD883861S1 (en) 2019-01-16 2020-05-12 Melanie Mejia Walker
US11071676B2 (en) 2019-04-05 2021-07-27 Protostar, Inc. Collapsible wheeled walker with stability enhancing bracket apparatus and method
US11510842B2 (en) 2019-07-17 2022-11-29 Delphine HC Innovations, LLC Ergonomic ambulation assist device
USD902791S1 (en) 2019-09-03 2020-11-24 Protostar, Inc., a Delaware Corporation Wheeled walker

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