Foldable durable product, such as a patient aid device or walker, and method of forming same
a durable product and patient technology, applied in the field of durable products, can solve the problems of labor-intensive steps to manufacture and assemble the foldable walker, and high manufacturing and assembly costs of the various components, and achieve the effects of improving the torsional strength of the resulting side frame assembly, low manufacturing and assembly costs, and convenient us
Inactive Publication Date: 2010-07-15
OBITTS SHANE +1
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- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
This approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs, eliminates seams for enhanced strength and durability, and simplifies assembly, while maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of the walker.
Problems solved by technology
Interconnection of the front cross brace member with the side frame assemblies, particularly in a foldable or selectively hinged arrangement, usually requires a large number of components.
There is also an attendant cost associated with the labor-intensive steps to manufacture and assemble the foldable walker.
As is evident in the prior art, the latching / locking mechanisms are formed from multiple components and thus are also expensive to manufacture and assemble the various components together.
Even with these various designs, a trade-off exists among strength, weight, and cost to manufacture and assemble.
Moreover, maintaining the features and benefits available in existing commercially available designs while trying to enhance the product design in one of the other areas is also a particular challenge.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0043]The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and are not intended to limit the invention. More particularly, FIG. 1 shows a walker W which includes a pair of side frames SF1 and SF2 interconnected by a front cross brace member or cross brace CB. The side frames are configured, as will be described below, to selectively pivot or rotate relative to the front cross brace to allow the walker to be collapsed or folded for storage or shipment. FIG. 1 illustrates the walker in the assembled, operative position where the side frames are disposed in generally parallel relation and extend generally perpendicularly from the front cross brace member. As will be appreciated, when folded or collapsed, the side frames are rotated inwardly, generally about a longitudinal axis of the front, first leg thereof, for positioning in planes generally parallel to that of the front cross brace member.'
[0044]With continued reference to FIG. 1, and additional reference to FIG. 2...
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A method of manufacturing a patient aid device, such as a walker (W), includes the steps of molding a polymer or plastic connector (60) over first and second metal structural members (22, CB) to maintain the structural members in a first geometrical relationship. After the plastic has cured, the method includes the step of rotating the first structural member or front leg (22) relative to the plastic connector (60) to form an integral hinge without any seam in the plastic. The resultant walker includes front legs (22) hinged via the connectors (60) at opposite ends of the front cross brace (CB). The front leg (22) and rear leg (24) of each side frame (SF1, SF2) of the walker are interconnected by a lower cross brace (40) that has plastic preferably molded about the entire periphery of each leg.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to a durable product, and more particularly to a foldable product, and finds particular application as a patient aid device such as a walker, and a method of forming same. The invention is particularly applicable to a composite assembly for construction and use with foldable products of this type.[0002]Walkers, in general are well known and are used to assist ambulation and provide additional stability for persons who are, for example, elderly, infirm, have a disability, or are in rehabilitation. Conventional walker designs have four legs in contact with the ground to provide stability, and yet are sufficiently light-weight for ease of use.[0003]Traditionally, these walkers have been fabricated from light-weight hollow or tubular material such as steel, aluminum, etc. It is common to fabricate each side frame so that the first and second legs and a handle portion are formed from a single, unitary bent tubular member, ...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): A61H3/00B23P11/00B29C45/14B29C65/64B29C65/70
CPCA61H3/00A61H2201/0161B29C45/14221Y10T29/49826B29C45/14754B29K2705/00B29L2031/753B29C45/14614
InventorOBITTS, SHANEREICHLIN, JAMES
OwnerOBITTS SHANE