Foldable platform

Abstract

A device for supporting a user on a surface includes, at least in operation, at least one front leg, right and left rear legs, a right arm engaged with the left rear leg, thereby forming a first arm-leg assembly, and a left arm engaged with the right rear leg, thereby forming a second arm-leg assembly. Also included is a hub to which the first and second arm-leg assemblies are pivotably connected to enable the front and rear legs with respective arms to pivot between a distal position and a proximal position, an expanded state in which the device is in the distal position from the arms and the rear legs, and a collapsed state in which the arms and the rear legs are in the proximal position. The arm-leg assemblies form an X-shaped structure when the device is in the unfolded state and extend parallel to each other at least along a majority of the length when the device is in the folded state. The arm has a curved shape that is the same as the curved shape of the leg at least along a majority of the length of the arm so as to allow the arm to be slidably aligned with or received in the rear leg at least along a majority of the length of the arm at least when the device is in the folded state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed in the present invention is in the field of mobile platforms, in particular mobile platforms for or consisting of walkers, tricycles, baby carriages, high chairs and the like. Background Art

[0002] To assist people with physical limitations, there are many styles of mobility chairs and wheelchairs, including those that can be converted into mobility aids (walkers).

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 10,085,909 discloses a foldable upright wheeled walker with adjustable armrests that supports sufficient upper body weight of a user to promote a natural upright gait. The walker can be easily and quickly folded (and unfolded) and can include a bilateral stabilizing wheel suspension to facilitate walking on uneven terrain. The walker includes a frame reinforcement folder assembly and may also include a mechanical brake, an adjustable upper armrest assembly with a removable padded forearm support and two pairs of handles, at least one pair of which is positioned forward enough to place the user within a polygonal footprint defined by the front and rear wheels to provide support without leaning, stooping, or risking a fall.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 8,708,363 discloses a folding walker comprising a first frame of two parallel main supports separated by a horizontal crossbar. A second frame of inverted U-shape has a leg pivotally secured to each main support of the first frame and pivots between an extended operable position and a folded storage position. At least one bracket extends from a middle portion of the legs of the second frame and is pivotally secured thereto, and an upper end of the bracket is slidably connected to an upper portion of one of the main supports of the first frame. At least one tension bracket extends between a lower portion of one of the main supports of the first frame and a leg of the inverted U-shaped second frame. The tension bracket is centrally hinged, wherein a first section of the tension bracket pivots relative to a second section of the tension bracket. Summary of the invention

[0005] The subject matter of the present invention relates to a platform for a device or apparatus, such as a walker, tricycle, stroller or the like.

[0006] In some examples, the subject matter of the present invention is directed to a walker or a mobility aid (mobility aid) that is configured to be folded and unfolded and is particularly compact, convenient, and fast when in the folded state.

[0007] According to one aspect of the subject matter of the present invention, there may be provided a platform apparatus for supporting a user on a surface, the apparatus comprising at least in operation:

[0008] at least one front leg, a right hind leg and a left hind leg, each leg having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of each leg can directly contact the surface;

[0009] a right arm having a distal end and a proximal end, the right arm being coupled to the left rear leg to form a first arm-leg assembly;

[0010] a left arm having a distal end and a proximal end, said left arm being coupled to said right rear leg to form a second arm-leg assembly; and

[0011] a hub to which the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are pivotally connected so that the front legs and the rear legs and the corresponding arms can pivot between their distal and proximal positions, the distal ends of the legs being closer to each other at the proximal position of the legs than at the distal position, and the proximal position of the legs being achieved by moving the right arm and the left arm from an arm-distal position in which the arms are deployed to an arm-proximal position in which the distal ends of the arms are closer to each other at the proximal position of the arms than at the distal position of the arms, thereby allowing the device to move from an deployed state in which the arms and the rear legs are in their distal positions to a folded state in which the arms and the rear legs are in their proximal positions.

[0012] Thus, the platform may have a scissor-like arm and leg structure, thereby allowing the platform to be easily unfolded and folded, in particular folded to a particularly compact size, without compromising the stability of the platform.

[0013] According to another aspect of the subject matter of the present invention, there may be provided an actuation transmission mechanism for use with an extendable arm-leg assembly of the type included in the above-described platform, the assembly may include an arm having an actuation element at a proximal portion of the arm, and a leg having an actuatable element at a distal portion of the leg, configured to perform an actuation movement when caused at least indirectly by a corresponding actuation movement of the actuation element. In this case, the arm and the leg may be configured to interact in a telescopic manner along the longitudinal axis of the assembly between a retracted state of the arm-leg assembly and an extended state of the arm-leg assembly, the distance between the actuation element and the actuatable element being a first length in the retracted state and a second length in the extended state, the second length being greater than the first length, the actuation transmission mechanism may include at least in operation of the assembly:

[0014] At least one interconnect structure comprising:

[0015] an arm-associated portion fixedly connected to the actuating element so as to be movable therewith during the actuating movement and the telescopic movement, and a leg-associated portion fixedly connected to the actuatable element so as to be movable therewith during both the actuating movement and the telescopic movement, the two portions overlapping at an overlapping region, the overlapping region having a length along the axis, the length varying corresponding to a variation in the distance, and

[0016] An interconnecting element interacts with both the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion at the overlap region to cause an actuation movement of the actuatable element upon an actuation movement of the actuation element.

[0017] According to another alternative aspect of the subject matter of the present invention, the actuation transmission mechanism may be in the form of a brake mechanism for an extendable arm-leg assembly, wherein the arm and the leg are operably and movably engaged with each other in a telescopic motion at least along an overlapping region of the arm-leg assembly, at least one of the arm and the leg having a hollow portion associated with the overlapping region. In this case, the mechanism may include:

[0018] an actuating element consisting of a brake actuating rod connected to the arm;

[0019] an actuatable element, said actuatable element being comprised of a brake pad assembly connected to said leg; and

[0020] An interconnection structure, the interconnection structure is composed of a brake cable unit, the brake cable unit includes an outer flexible sleeve and an inner flexible brake cable, the inner flexible brake cable passes through the sleeve and has an arm-associated portion and a leg-associated portion, the arm-associated portion includes a cable end attached to the brake actuating rod, the leg-associated portion includes a second cable end attached to the brake pad assembly, the outer sleeve has an inner cable, the inner cable is connected to the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion to form an interconnection element to form a ring-shaped member with a size that can be received in the hollow portion, wherein the length of the interconnection element is approximately equal to at least the length of the overlapping area, and the length of the interconnection element is variable according to the length of the overlapping area.

[0021] According to yet another aspect of the subject matter of the present invention, a front leg deployment and folding mechanism may be provided, which may be used with a platform of any of the above aspects, provided that it includes at least in use a hub, at least one front leg and a pair of rear legs, the front legs and rear legs each having a proximal end associated with the hub and a distal end spaced from the hub toward the surface when the device is positioned thereon, the rear legs being movable between a rear leg distal position and a rear leg proximal position. In this case, the mechanism may be configured to be at least partially mounted within the hub so as to operably interconnect the proximal end of the at least one front leg and the proximal end of the rear legs and when the rear legs are in their proximal position, move toward the proximal position of the front legs.

[0022] According to yet another aspect of the subject matter of the present invention, there may be provided a deployable suspended seat assembly which may be used with a platform of any of the above aspects, the seat assembly may include:

[0023] The seat has a front seat edge and a rear seat edge, attachable to the apparatus, pivotable about a seat pivot axis between a seat deployed, raised position and a seat stowed, lowered position, wherein in the seat stowed, lowered position, the front seat edge is closer to the right rear leg and the left rear leg than in the raised position and is lower than the rear seat edge in a front view; and

[0024] A seat lowering and raising mechanism comprises a foldable support element having an upper portion at least indirectly hingedly connected to the seat about an upper pivot axis near the edge of the front seat, and a lower portion hingedly joined to the upper portion about a folding hinge axis and at least indirectly hingedly connected to the right leg and the left leg at a position below the upper pivot axis in a front view of the assembly, the foldable support element being operable between a supporting state and a foldable state, in which the upper portion and the lower portion are prevented from hinged relative to each other, are aligned along a single plane, and are oriented to support the seat in a deployed, raised orientation, and in which the upper portion and the lower portion are permitted to hinge relative to each other and the seat is permitted to pivot to its stored, lowered orientation. The seat assembly may further include a locking device, which is operable between a locked state and a released state, in which the upper and lower parts are prevented from being hinged relative to each other, and in which the upper and lower parts are allowed to be hinged relative to each other and the seat is allowed to pivot to its storage, lowered position.

[0025] According to yet another aspect of the subject matter of the present invention, there may be provided a walkable platform, provided that it comprises a hub, having a reference plane perpendicular to the surface, two first legs and at least one second leg located on different sides of the reference plane, the first and second legs each having a respective proximal end disposed within the hub, and the distal end having a hub operatively connected to the proximal end and spaced from the hub toward the surface when the device is positioned thereon, at least one of the plurality of first legs being movable between a retracted position, in which the first leg is spaced a first distance from the reference plane, and a deployed position, in which the second leg is spaced a second distance from the reference plane, the second distance being greater than the first distance. In this case, each of the plurality of first legs may be provided with an orientation maintaining structure, the orientation maintaining structure comprising an extended wheel connector, the extended wheel connector being configured to remain parallel to the reference plane in both a distal position and a proximal position of the corresponding first leg.

[0026] The above and other aspects of the subject matter of the present invention can be realized in the following embodiments:

[0027] 1. A device for supporting a user on a surface, the device comprising at least in operation:

[0028] at least one front leg, a right hind leg and a left hind leg, each leg having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of each leg can directly contact the surface;

[0029] a right arm having a distal end and a proximal end, the right arm being coupled to the left rear leg to form a first arm-leg assembly;

[0030] a left arm having a distal end and a proximal end, said left arm being coupled to said right rear leg to form a second arm-leg assembly; and

[0031] a hub to which the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are pivotally connected so that the front legs and the rear legs and the corresponding arms can pivot between their distal and proximal positions, the distal ends of the legs being closer to each other at the proximal position of the legs than at the distal position, and the proximal position of the legs being achieved by moving the right arm and the left arm from an arm-distal position in which the arms are deployed to an arm-proximal position in which the distal ends of the arms are closer to each other at the proximal position of the arms than at the distal position of the arms, thereby allowing the device to move from an deployed state in which the arms and the rear legs are in their distal positions to a folded state in which the arms and the rear legs are in their proximal positions.

[0032] 2. The right arm is slidably movable relative to the left rear leg, and the left arm is slidably movable relative to the right leg, each arm being slidable between an extended state in the deployed state of the device and a retracted state in the folded state of the device, wherein the distal ends of the arms are spaced from the hub in the extended state; and the distal ends of the arms are disposed adjacent to the hub in the retracted state. The right arm is slidably movable relative to the left rear leg, and the left arm is slidably movable relative to the right leg, each arm being slidable between an extended state in the deployed state of the device, wherein the distal ends of the arms are deployed from the hub; and a retracted state in which the arms are in the folded state of the device and the distal ends of the arms are disposed adjacent to the hub.

[0033] 3. In the device as described in Example 2, in the retracted state of the arm, the proximal end of the arm is arranged to be farther away from the hub than the distal end of the arm, and closer to the distal end of the hind leg than the hub.

[0034] 4. A device as described in Examples 1, 2 or 3, wherein the hub has a front hub portion and a rear hub portion and accommodates the proximal ends of at least two hind legs therein, wherein the two hind legs are connected to the hub so as to be able to pivot around corresponding longitudinal pivot axes, and the corresponding longitudinal pivot axes pass through the front hub portion and the rear hub portion of the hub at two horizontally spaced positions.

[0035] 5. The device of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, further comprising a front leg deployment and folding mechanism, the front leg deployment and folding mechanism being housed within the hub and operable to move at least one of the front legs between a front leg distal position and a front leg proximal position, in which the distal end of the front leg is disposed at a maximum distance from the distal end of the hind leg when the hind leg is in its distal position, and wherein the distal end of the at least one front leg is disposed proximal to the distal end of the hind leg when the hind leg is in its proximal position. The front leg deployment mechanism may further comprise a front leg deployment delay mechanism, the front leg deployment delay mechanism being configured to delay movement of the front leg to provide initial deployment of the hind leg, whereby the front leg has room to move between the hind legs.

[0036] The front leg deployment delay member can be disposed in the hub and operably attached to the front leg gear such that rotation of the front leg gear causes the delay member to rotate in the same direction as the front leg gear.

[0037] 6. The device of Example 5, wherein in a proximal position of the front legs and the rear legs, the at least one front leg is at least partially located between the plurality of rear legs.

[0038] 7. In the device as described in Example 5 or 6, when the plurality of rear legs are brought between their corresponding distal positions and proximal positions, the front leg unfolding and folding mechanism is operable to move at least one front leg between the front leg distal position and the front leg proximal position.

[0039] 8. A device as described in Example 7, wherein the front leg deployment mechanism includes at least one rear leg transmission gear fixed to the proximal portion of at least one of the plurality of rear legs; and at least one front leg transmission gear operably fixed to the proximal portion of the at least one front leg, the at least one front leg transmission gear being configured to engage with the at least one rear leg transmission gear, so that movement of the hind leg toward its proximal position rotates the at least one rear leg transmission gear, thereby causing the at least one front leg transmission gear to rotate the at least one front leg backward.

[0040] 9. As described in any one of claims 5 to 8, whether in the folded state or the unfolded state, the front leg unfolding mechanism includes a center-through spring configured to fix at least one front leg in an appropriate position.

[0041] 10. An apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each of the two arm-leg assemblies has a centerline longitudinal axis, wherein the arm-leg assemblies are pivotable so as to form an X-shaped structure when the apparatus is in the expanded state, and extend parallel to each other along at least most of its length when the apparatus is in the folded state.

[0042] 11. The device of embodiment 10, wherein when the device is in its expanded state, the center of the X-shaped structure formed is above the pivot point of each of the plurality of components in a side view.

[0043] 12. In the device as described in Example 10 or 11, each centerline longitudinal axis of the arm-leg assembly has a curved shape, and the curved shape is the same at least along the proximal portion of the rear leg including its proximal end and the distal portion of the arm including its distal end, so as to allow at least the distal portion of the bent arm to be slidably aligned with or received therein with at least the proximal portion of the rear leg.

[0044] 13. The device of Example 2, or any one of Examples 3 to 12 when Example 2 is directly or indirectly referenced, wherein the right arm and the left arm are coaxially slidable within their respective left and right hind legs.

[0045] 14. The device of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the front legs and the rear legs are oriented parallel to each other when in their proximal positions.

[0046] 15. The device as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an arm height fixing mechanism, wherein the arm height fixing mechanism is operable to reversibly lock the multiple arms at at least two different heights when the multiple arms are in an extended state.

[0047] 16. In the device as described in Example 15, the arm height fixing mechanism includes a plurality of pin receiving holes formed in at least one of the plurality of arms, and at least one height locking pin protrudes from the hub toward the corresponding arm and is configured to be received in any one of the plurality of pin receiving holes.

[0048] 17. In the device as described in any one of Examples 1 to 16, the hub includes at least one arm fixing element, having an open state and a closed state, in which the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are allowed to pivot between their distal position and proximal position, and in the closed state, the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are prevented from pivoting between their distal position and proximal position.

[0049] 18. The device of embodiment 17, wherein in the closed state, the at least one arm securing element applies pressure on the plurality of arms to prevent the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly from pivoting.

[0050] 19. When directly or indirectly referring to Example 4, the device described in Example 17 or 18, the upper ends of the front hub portion and the rear hub portion are spaced apart from each other and form a top opening of the hub, wherein when the at least one arm fixing element is in its closed state, the front hub portion and the rear hub portion are connected at the top opening through the at least one arm fixing element.

[0051] 20. In the device as described in any one of Examples 17 to 19, the hub further comprises a plurality of arm deployment limiting surfaces, wherein the at least one arm fixing element is configured to fix the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly when the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are in their arm-distal positions, and to press the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly against the plurality of deployment limiting surfaces when in their closed state.

[0052] 21. A device as described in any one of Examples 1 to 20, further comprising a motion transmission mechanism associated with at least one of the plurality of arms.

[0053] 22. When directly or indirectly referring to Example 2, in the device as described in Example 21, at least a portion of the motion transmission mechanism can move together with the corresponding arm relative to the corresponding hind leg between an extended state and a retracted state of the motion transmission mechanism, and the extended state and the retracted state correspond to the extended state and the retracted state of the multiple arms.

[0054] 23. The device of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, further comprising a seat attached to the hub and the plurality of rear legs.

[0055] 24. In the device as described in Example 23, the seat is pivotally connected to the hub to allow the seat to pivot upward and downward, whereby the seat can be positioned in an operational raised position and a non-operational downward position, in which the operational raised position a user can sit on the seat while facing in a rearward direction.

[0056] 25. When directly or indirectly referring to Example 4, in an apparatus as described in Example 23 or 24, the seat has a proximal connection area, at which the seat is pivotally connected to the rear central portion and connected to the plurality of rear legs between the proximal and distal ends of the rear central portion by a seat lowering and raising mechanism, and the seat lowering and raising mechanism is operable to pivot the seat between the operative raised position and the non-operative downward position in which the seat is in a non-operative position.

[0057] 26. An apparatus as described in Example 25, wherein the seat includes a central seat portion, a right-side foldable seat wing and a left-side foldable seat wing, which are pivotally connected to the central seat portion along a wing pivot axis extending between a proximal edge and a distal edge of the seat; and the seat lowering and raising mechanism is operable to move the seat wing from an unfolded seat state to a folded seat state, in which the seat wing is aligned with the central seat portion in an operating orientation of the seat, and in which the seat wing pivots relative to the central seat portion and forms an angle with the central seat portion when the seat is in a non-operating position.

[0058] 27. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 23 to 26, wherein the seat lowering and raising mechanism is operable to move the seat from the unfolded state to the folded state when the apparatus is moved from its unfolded state to its folded state.

[0059] 28. In the device of any one of Examples 1 to 27, the at least one front leg is composed of two front legs, and the distal ends of the two front legs are spaced apart from each other in the deployed state of the device.

[0060] 29. In the device as described in Example 28, the two front legs include a proximal mechanism of the two front legs, and the proximal mechanism is configured to make the distal ends of the two front legs enter adjacent parallel positions.

[0061] 30. In the device of any one of Examples 1 to 29, a plurality of the legs have a corresponding plurality of wheels at their distal ends.

[0062] 31. An actuation transmission mechanism for an extendable arm-leg assembly, comprising: an arm having an actuation element at a proximal portion of the arm, and a leg having an actuatable element at a distal end of the leg, configured to perform an actuation movement when at least indirectly caused by a corresponding actuation movement of the actuation element, the arm and the leg being configured to interact with each other in a telescopic movement along a longitudinal axis of the assembly between a retracted state and an extended state of the arm-leg assembly, in the retracted state of the arm-leg assembly, the distance between the actuation element and the actuatable element having a first length, and in the extended state of the arm-leg assembly, the distance having a second length, the second length being greater than the first length, the actuation transmission mechanism comprising at least in operation of the assembly:

[0063] At least one interconnect structure comprising:

[0064] an arm-associated portion fixedly connected to the actuating element so as to be movable therewith during the actuating movement and the telescopic movement, and a leg-associated portion fixedly connected to the actuatable element so as to be movable therewith during both the actuating movement and the telescopic movement, the two portions overlapping at an overlapping region, the overlapping region having a length along the axis, the length varying corresponding to a variation in the distance, and

[0065] An interconnecting element interacts with both the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion at the overlap region to cause an actuation movement of the actuatable element upon an actuation movement of the actuation element.

[0066] 32. The mechanism of embodiment 31, wherein the interconnection structure selectively connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion at the overlapping portion when the actuation element is actuated;

[0067] 33. The mechanism of embodiment 31, wherein the interconnecting element connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion only when the actuating element is actuated;

[0068] 34. The mechanism of embodiment 31, wherein the interconnecting element always connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion.

[0069] 35. A mechanism as described in Example 31, wherein the leg-associated portion is formed by a brake movement strip, and the brake movement strip includes a series of multiple recesses along at least a portion of its length.

[0070] 36. A mechanism as described in Example 31, wherein the actuatable element is composed of a brake pad assembly.

[0071] 37. The mechanism of embodiment 36, wherein the brake pad assembly is attached to a lower end of the brake movement bar and includes a brake pad configured to brakeably and reversibly engage a wheel.

[0072] 38. A mechanism as described in Example 31, wherein the interconnecting element is composed of an intermediate brake element, which can be actuated by a brake actuating rod and is attached at the upper end of the intermediate brake element to the arm-associated part composed of a brake cable, and at the lower end of the intermediate brake element is attached to the leg-associated part composed of a brake movement strip, and includes an opening in the interconnecting element and a mushroom-shaped member, the mushroom-shaped member includes a top and a handle, the mushroom-shaped member is configured so that its top can be reversibly received in the multiple recesses of the brake movement strip, the handle is configured to be received in the opening and reversibly fixed in the opening, thereby fixing the top in one of the multiple recesses and allowing the top to slide out of the multiple recesses when the arm and the leg are extended and retracted relative to each other.

[0073] 39. The mechanism of embodiment 38, wherein operating the brake actuating rod moves the opening so that the mushroom-shaped member is fixed in the opening, and also moves the brake moving bar, thereby actuating the actuatable element.

[0074] 40. The mechanism of Example 38, wherein the brake movement bar is configured to move longitudinally relative to at least one of the arm and the leg.

[0075] 41. In the mechanism of Example 38, the top of the mushroom-shaped member and the plurality of recesses are shaped accordingly.

[0076] 42. In the mechanism as described in Example 38, the mushroom-shaped member is biased toward the brake movement strip by one or more springs, whereby when the top of the mushroom-shaped member is located at a position opposite to the multiple recesses, the top of the mushroom-shaped member enters one of the multiple recesses of the brake movement strip.

[0077] 43. In the mechanism of Example 38, the opening is in the shape of a cam.

[0078] 44. The mechanism of Example 31, wherein the interconnecting structure permanently connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion and is configured to change its length relative to a change in the distance between the actuating element and the actuatable element.

[0079] 45. The mechanism of Example 31, wherein the interconnection structure is comprised of a single cable interconnecting the actuating element and the actuatable element.

[0080] 46. ​​A mechanism as described in any one of Examples 31 to 45, wherein the mechanism is integrated into the arm-leg assembly.

[0081] 47. The mechanism as described in Example 46 constitutes a part of a device for supporting a user on a surface, and the device at least in operation includes: two arm-leg assemblies, each arm-leg assembly includes the mechanism and at least one front leg, the at least one front leg having a proximal end; and a distal end, and optionally, the device is a device as described in any one of Examples 1 to 30.

[0082] 48. A brake mechanism for an extendable arm-leg assembly, comprising: an arm and a leg operably and movably engaged with one another in a telescopic motion at least along an overlap region of said arm-leg assembly, at least one of said arm and said leg having a hollow portion associated with said overlap region;

[0083] The institutions include:

[0084] an actuating element consisting of a brake actuating rod connected to the arm;

[0085] an actuatable element, said actuatable element being comprised of a brake pad assembly connected to said leg; and

[0086] An interconnection structure, the interconnection structure is composed of a brake cable unit, the brake cable unit includes an outer flexible sleeve and an inner flexible brake cable, the inner flexible brake cable passes through the sleeve and has an arm-associated portion and a leg-associated portion, the arm-associated portion includes a cable end attached to the brake actuating rod, the leg-associated portion includes a second cable end attached to the brake pad assembly, the outer sleeve has an inner cable, the inner cable is connected to the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion to form an interconnection element to form a ring-shaped member with a size that can be received in the hollow portion, wherein the length of the interconnection element is approximately equal to at least the length of the overlapping area, and the length of the interconnection element is variable according to the length of the overlapping area.

[0087] 49. The mechanism of Example 48, wherein the mechanism is incorporated into the arm-leg assembly.

[0088] 50. The mechanism as described in Example 49 constitutes part of a device for supporting a user on a surface, and the device at least in operation includes: each of the two arm-leg assemblies includes the mechanism and at least one front leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and the device is optionally as any one of Examples 1 to 30.

[0089] 51. A front leg unfolding and folding mechanism in a device for supporting a user on a surface, the device comprising at least during use: a hub, at least one front leg and a pair of hind legs, the front legs and hind legs respectively having a proximal end associated with the hub, and when the device is positioned on the hub, the distal end is spaced apart from the hub toward the surface, and the hind legs can move between a hind leg distal position and a hind leg proximal position; wherein the mechanism is configured to be at least partially mounted within the hub so as to operably interconnect the proximal ends of the at least one front leg and the proximal ends of the hind legs to selectively cause movement of the at least one front leg in response to movement of the hind legs, so as to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg distal position when the multiple hind legs move toward their distal positions and to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg proximal position when the multiple hind legs move toward their proximal positions.

[0090] 52. The mechanism of embodiment 51, wherein in a proximal position of the front legs and the rear legs, the at least one front leg is at least partially located between the plurality of rear legs.

[0091] 53. A mechanism as described in Example 52, wherein in a proximal position of the front legs and the rear legs, the distal end of at least one of the front legs is located behind the plurality of the rear legs.

[0092] 54. A mechanism as described in any one of Examples 51 to 53, comprising at least one hind leg transmission gear fixed to the proximal portion of at least one of the plurality of hind legs; and at least one front leg transmission gear, the proximal end of the at least one front leg being operably connected to the at least one front leg transmission gear, the at least one front leg transmission gear being configured to engage with the at least one hind leg transmission gear so that movement of the hind leg toward its proximal or distal position causes the at least one hind leg transmission gear to rotate, thereby causing the at least two front leg transmission gears to rotate the at least one front leg.

[0093] 55. A mechanism as described in any one of Examples 51 to 54, wherein the device further includes at least one front leg transmission element, and the proximal end of the at least one front leg is connected to the at least one front leg transmission element, so that the movement of the hind leg toward its proximal or distal position causes the at least one hind leg transmission gear to rotate, thereby causing the at least one front leg transmission gear to rotate at least one front leg transmission element backward or forward, respectively, thereby rotating at least one forearm to which it is connected.

[0094] 56. A mechanism as described in any one of Examples 51 to 55, wherein the mechanism is configured to push and fix the front legs in place regardless of whether they are in a folded state or an unfolded state.

[0095] 57. A mechanism as described in any one of Examples 51 to 56, wherein the mechanism is integrated into the device, and optionally, the device is any one of Examples 1 to 30.

[0096] 58. The mechanism of embodiment 57, wherein each leg of the pair of rear legs forms part of an arm-leg assembly having a corresponding arm, thereby forming a pair of arm-leg assemblies;

[0097] 59. In the mechanism as described in Example 58, the pair of arm-leg assemblies are pivotally connected to the hub so that the front legs and the rear legs and their corresponding arms can pivot between their distal position and proximal position, and the proximal position of the legs is achieved by moving the right arm and the left arm from an arm-distal position with the arms extended to an arm-proximal position, wherein the distal end of each arm is closer to each other at the proximal position of the arm than the other distal ends at the distal position of the arm.

[0098] 60. A deployable suspension chair assembly, a device for supporting a user on a surface, said device comprising at least one front leg, a right rear leg and a left rear leg, each leg having a proximal end and a distal end; and the distal end of each leg can directly contact said surface, and a hub to which said front leg and left and right rear legs are pivotally connected so as to enable the front leg and rear leg to pivot between their distal and proximal positions, said chair assembly comprising:

[0099] The seat has a front seat edge and a rear seat edge, attachable to the apparatus, pivotable about a seat pivot axis between a seat deployed, raised position and a seat stowed, lowered position, wherein in the seat stowed, lowered position, the front seat edge is closer to the right rear leg and the left rear leg than in the raised position and is lower than the rear seat edge in a front view; and

[0100] a seat lowering and raising mechanism comprising a foldable support element having an upper portion at least indirectly hingedly connected to the seat about an upper pivot axis near the front seat edge, and a lower portion hingedly joined to the upper portion about a folding hinge axis and at least indirectly hingedly connected to the right leg and the left leg at a position below the upper pivot axis in a front view of the assembly, the foldable support element being operable between a supported state in which the upper and lower portions are prevented from articulating relative to each other, are aligned along a single plane, and are oriented to support the seat in a deployed, raised orientation, and a foldable state in which the upper and lower portions are permitted to articulate relative to each other and the seat is permitted to pivot to its stored, lowered orientation; and

[0101] A locking device operable between a locked state in which the upper and lower portions are prevented from articulating relative to each other and a released state in which the upper and lower portions are permitted to articulate relative to each other and the seat is permitted to pivot to its stored, lowered orientation.

[0102] 61. A seat assembly as described in Example 60, wherein the seat includes a right foldable wing and a left foldable wing, which are pivotally connected thereto by at least one pivot axis, and the at least one pivot axis extends along a side wing pivot axis perpendicular to the seat pivot axis and extends from the front seat edge to the rear seat edge.

[0103] 62. A seat assembly as described in Example 61, wherein the seat includes a central seat portion, the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing are pivotally connected to the central seat portion by a left pivot axis and a right pivot axis extending along corresponding side wing pivot axes, the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing are pivotable between a wing-extended position and a wing-folded position, in which the left foldable wing and the right foldable wing are in the same plane as the central seat portion, and in the wing-folded position, the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing are angled relative to the central seat portion to reduce the profile of the seat.

[0104] 63. In the seat assembly as described in Example 61 or Example 62, the upper portion of the foldable support element is hingedly connected to the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing, so that when the foldable support element is folded, the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing will fold inward toward it.

[0105] 64. The seat assembly of any one of embodiments 61 to 63, wherein the seat lowering and raising mechanism is configured to be disposed between the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing when the seat is folded.

[0106] 65. The seat assembly of any one of embodiments 60 to 64, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are hingedly connected on a side of the foldable support element facing away from the hub.

[0107] 66. In the seat assembly as described in any one of Examples 60 to 65, each of the right leg and the left leg also includes a ball joint connection, and the lower portion is articulatedly connected to the left leg and the right leg through a right adjustment member and a left adjustment member, respectively, and the right adjustment member and the left adjustment member are articulatedly connected to the ball joint connection of the right leg and the ball joint connection of the left leg, respectively.

[0108] 67. A seat assembly as described in any one of Examples 60 to 66, wherein the assembly is connected to the device so as to form an integral part thereof at least when the device is in use, and optionally, the device is as described in any one of Examples 1 to 30.

[0109] 68. The seat assembly of embodiment 67, wherein each of the right leg and the left leg constitutes a portion of an arm-leg assembly having a corresponding right arm and left arm, thereby forming a pair of right arm-leg assembly and left arm-leg assembly.

[0110] 69. In the seat assembly as described in Example 68, the pair of arm-leg assemblies are pivotally connected to the hub so that the front legs and rear legs and their corresponding arms can pivot between their distal position and proximal position, and the proximal position of the legs is achieved by moving the right arm and the left arm from an arm-distal position with the arms extended to an arm-proximal position, wherein the distal end of each arm is closer to each other at the proximal position of the arm than the other distal ends at the distal position of the arm.

[0111] 70. In the seat assembly as described in Example 67, the device also includes a front leg unfolding and folding mechanism, which is disposed in the hub and is configured to be operably interconnected with the proximal end of the at least one front leg and the proximal ends of the right rear leg and the left rear leg to selectively cause movement of the at least one front leg in response to movement of the right rear leg and the left rear leg to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg distal position when the multiple rear legs move toward their distal positions and to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg proximal position when the multiple rear legs move toward their proximal positions.

[0112] 71. The chair assembly of embodiment 67, wherein the apparatus further comprises a brake mechanism incorporated into at least one of the plurality of arm-leg assemblies, wherein the arm and the leg are operably and movably engaged with each other in a telescopic manner at least along an overlap region of the arm-leg assemblies, at least one of the arm and the leg having a hollow portion associated with the overlap region;

[0113] The institutions include:

[0114] an actuating element consisting of a brake actuating rod connected to the arm;

[0115] an actuatable element, said actuatable element being comprised of a brake pad assembly connected to said leg; and

[0116] An interconnection structure, the interconnection structure is composed of a brake cable unit, the brake cable unit includes an outer flexible sleeve and an inner flexible brake cable, the inner flexible brake cable passes through the sleeve and has an arm-associated portion and a leg-associated portion, the arm-associated portion includes a cable end attached to the brake actuating rod, the leg-associated portion includes a second cable end attached to the brake pad assembly, the outer sleeve has an inner cable, the inner cable is connected to the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion to form an interconnection element to form a ring-shaped member with a size that can be received in the hollow portion, wherein the length of the interconnection element is approximately equal to at least the length of the overlapping area, and the length of the interconnection element is variable according to the length of the overlapping area.

[0117] 72. In the seat assembly as described in Example 71, the mechanism also includes a seat status indication element, which can operably connect the brake pad assembly to the seat lowering and raising mechanism, and the seat status indication element is configured to actuate the brake pad assembly when the seat is in its support state.

[0118] 73. A walking aid device for supporting a user on a surface, the device comprising, at least in use, a hub, two first legs and at least one second leg, the hub having a reference plane perpendicular to the surface, the two first legs and at least one second leg being located on different sides of the reference plane, the first and second legs each having a respective proximal end disposed within the hub, and the distal end having a hub operably connected to the proximal end and spaced from the hub toward the surface when the device is positioned thereon, at least one of the plurality of first legs being movable between a retracted position in which the first leg is spaced a first distance from the reference plane and a deployed position in which the second leg is spaced a second distance from the reference plane, the second distance being greater than the first distance. Each of the plurality of first legs is provided with an orientation maintaining structure, the orientation maintaining structure comprising an extended wheel connector, the extended wheel connector being configured to remain parallel to the reference plane in both a distal position and a proximal position of the corresponding first leg.

[0119] 74. In the device as described in Example 73, the directional maintaining structure also includes a balance pole, which extends parallel to the corresponding first leg and has a proximal rod end and a distal rod end, and the proximal rod end is at least indirectly pivotally connected to the hub, and the extended wheel connector, the extended wheel connector includes a first connector end and a second connector end, the first connector end is pivotally connected to the distal end of the corresponding first leg, and the second connector end is pivotally connected to the distal end of the balance pole.

[0120] 75. In the device as described in Example 74, the directional maintaining structure also includes a parallelogram forming link, the parallelogram forming link having a first part and a second part, the corresponding first leg is pivotally connected to the first part near the proximal end of the leg, the balance pole is pivotally connected to the second part near the proximal end of the balance pole, and the distance between the first part and the second part is approximately the same as the distance between the first connector end and the second connector end of the extended wheel connector, thereby forming a parallelogram structure.

[0121] 76. In the device as described in Example 75, each of the plurality of first legs has a directional maintaining structure, the directional maintaining structure has a first wheel link and a balance bar, the plurality of first legs constitute the front legs of the device, the reference plane is a vertical symmetry plane passing through the plurality of front legs, and optionally, the device is as any one of Examples 1 to 30.

[0122] 77. In the apparatus of embodiment 75 or 76, when the apparatus is positioned on the surface, the distance between the end of the first wheel link where the wheel is connected to the corresponding first leg and the surface is greater than the distance between the end of the first wheel where the wheel is connected to its balance bar and the surface.

[0123] 78. A device as described in any one of Examples 73 to 77, further comprising a front leg unfolding and folding mechanism as described in any one of Examples 51 to 59.

[0124] 79. The device as described in Example 78, when directly or indirectly referring to Example 75, the parallelogram forms a connecting rod to constitute the front leg transmission element described in Example 55.

[0125] It is worth noting that the terms "front" and "rear" are relative terms with respect to the position of a user who, in normal use of the device, is positioned rearwards and facing the hub. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0126] The subject matter of the present invention may be more clearly understood by reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0127] Figures 1A to 1C are respectively a perspective view, a front view and a side view of a platform exemplified by a walker as one example of the subject matter of the invention, in an unfolded / expanded state.

[0128] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C yes Figures 1A to 1C A perspective view, a front view and a side view of the walker shown in a folded state.

[0129] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C yes Figures 1A to 1C Perspective, front and side views of a walker in a partially folded state.

[0130] Figure 4 is a side view of an arm-leg assembly that may be used in a platform according to the subject matter of the present invention.

[0131] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5I are various views of a hub according to the subject matter of the invention, which hub may form part of a platform.

[0132] Figure 5J to Figure 5N are various views of another hub according to the subject matter of the invention, which hub may form part of the platform.

[0133] Figure 6 is an interior perspective view of an exemplary height limiting mechanism in accordance with the present subject matter.

[0134] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7Bis a perspective view of an exemplary front leg deployment and folding mechanism in accordance with the present subject matter.

[0135] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D are various views showing a first exemplary motion transmission mechanism according to the subject matter of the present invention, which has Figure 4 A platform of an arm-leg assembly of the type shown may have the first exemplary movement transfer mechanism.

[0136] 9A to 9E are various views of seat deployment mechanisms with which a platform in accordance with the inventive subject matter may be provided.

[0137] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a chair having multiple wings that a platform according to the inventive subject matter may have.

[0138] Fig. 10C is a perspective view showing an example of a motion transmission mechanism of a platform with a seat state indicating element according to the subject matter of the invention. Fig. 10D When the seat is folded Fig. 10C A magnified view of area BB, Fig.10E When the seat is in the unfolded position Fig. 10C Enlarged view of area BB.

[0139] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C are perspective, side and rear views, respectively, of a platform exemplified by a walker in an unfolded / expanded state according to another example of the inventive subject matter.

[0140] FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C yes Figures 11A to 11C Perspective, side and rear views of a walker in a folded state.

[0141] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C yes FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C Perspective, side, and rear views of a walker in a partially folded state.

[0142] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14D is a side view of a second exemplary brake mechanism according to the subject matter of the present invention, as shown Figure 4 An arm-leg assembly of the type shown may have a braking mechanism as described, wherein Fig.14A It is the edge view;

[0143] Fig. 14B The expanded / unfolded state is shown; Fig. 14C A partially expanded state is shown; Fig.14D The folded / collapsed state is shown.

[0144] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15E are various views of a platform, taking a tricycle as an example, according to an example of the subject matter of the present invention, wherein Figures 15A to 15CThey are perspective, side and top views in the unfolded / expanded state; Figures 15D to 15E They are perspective and top views in the folded / folded state respectively.

[0145] FIG. 16A to FIG. 16E are various views of a platform, for example a baby carriage, according to an example of the subject matter of the invention, wherein Figures 16A to 16C perspective, side and top views in the unfolded / expanded state respectively; and Figures 16D to 16E Perspective and side views in folded / folded state respectively.

[0146] Fig.17 is an exploded perspective view of a hubless wheel that may be used in a platform according to the subject matter of the present invention.

[0147] 18A to 18D is a perspective view showing an example of a front leg separation mechanism that can be used with a platform according to the subject matter of the present invention, Fig.18B yes Fig.18A Magnified view of the AA area in the middle.

[0148] FIG. 19A to FIG. 19B is a front view showing another example of a front leg separation mechanism that can be used with a platform according to the subject matter of the present invention, Fig.19B yes Fig.19A Magnified view of middle area 19B.

[0149] Fig. 20A is a perspective view of yet another example of a front leg decoupling mechanism that may be used with a platform in accordance with the present subject matter.

[0150] Fig. 20B yes Fig. 20A An enlarged perspective view of area 20B is shown with the hub removed for ease of illustration.

[0151] Fig. 20C and Fig.20D is a side view of the front leg separation mechanism in the deployed and retracted positions.

[0152] The following detailed description of embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter refers to the above-mentioned drawings. The dimensions of the elements and features shown in the figures are selected for convenience or clarity of display and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0153] Illustrative examples of mobile platforms / devices for supporting a person on a surface, such as walkers, tricycles, and strollers, according to the subject matter of the present invention are described below. For the sake of simplicity, not all features / components of an actual implementation must be described.

[0154] In all examples, the mobile platform of the subject matter of the present invention is considered to have a reference plane, which is perpendicular to the surface to be used by the platform in use, vertically passes through the platform, thereby dividing it into a right half and a left half. Therefore, the mobile platform includes at least one front leg, a right rear leg and a left rear leg and a right arm and a left arm, wherein each arm forms an assembly with the relative legs. The arm-leg assembly is pivotally connected to the platform so as to pivot between a proximal position and a distal position, in which the arms and legs of the arm-leg assembly are at a first distance from each other, and in the distal position, the arms and legs of the arm-leg assembly are at a second distance from each other, and the second distance is greater than the first distance. Therefore, when the arm-leg assembly is in its proximal position, the platform can be configured to have a relatively narrow cross-section, and when in its distal position, the platform can be configured to have a relatively wide cross-section and therefore have a stable base. The cross-section of the platform at the distal position of its arm-leg assembly can be wide enough to accommodate the user of the platform standing between the distal ends of the legs of the arm-leg assembly. The arm-leg assembly may be shaped so that in its distal position the distal ends of the legs will be rearward of the proximal ends of the arms when viewed from a side view of the platform. The combination of a relatively wide base and the distal ends of the legs being rearward of the proximal ends of the arms when viewed from a side view of the platform may provide a structure suitable for stably supporting, with weight applied to the proximal ends of the arms.

[0155] In the proximal position of the arm-leg assembly, each of the right hind leg and the left hind leg can be located on one side of the reference plane with at least a majority thereof. In addition, in the distal position of the arm-leg assembly, each of the right arm and the left arm can be positioned on the opposite side of the reference plane with at least a majority thereof. In some cases, when the arm-leg assembly is in the distal position of the arm-leg assembly, the arm-leg assembly is crossed so that each arm can be used to manipulate its corresponding leg to its distal position when moving toward its proximal position. Movement of the leg from its proximal position to its distal position can occur only laterally (i.e., along an axis perpendicular to the reference plane), or can occur toward the rear of the mobile platform along an axis that is angled with the reference plane.

[0156] Typically, the platform / device can be positioned between an extended state, in which the arm-leg assembly is in its distal position, and a folded state, in which the arm-leg assembly is in its proximal position and the length of the arm-leg assembly is shortened relative to the extended state. The latter result can be achieved by a telescopic structure of the assembly or by the ability to move the arm along the leg, or vice versa.

[0157] More specifically, the arm-leg assemblies may be pivotable so as to form an X-shaped configuration when the device is in the deployed state and extend parallel to each other along at least a majority of their length when the device is in the folded state, and may have a curved shape so that the curvature of the arms is the same as the curvature of the legs, at least along a majority of the length of each arm, including a distal portion containing its distal end, facilitating sliding alignment of the arms with the rear legs, or sliding receipt of one of them within the other, at least along a majority of the length of the arms when the device is brought into the folded state. This may allow each arm-leg assembly to be shortened, optionally by a single motion, to a point where the length of the assembly only slightly exceeds the length of only one of the legs or arms.

[0158] Typically, each of the two arm-leg assemblies may be continuously convexly curved and oriented so that the forward-most region of each of them is disposed at the distal portion of the respective arm. Each arm may have a handle extending rearwardly from the proximal end of the arm, and each curved arm-leg assembly may be oriented so that in a side view of the device, the distal end of the leg is located behind the handle.

[0159] Figures 1A to 1C An example of such a platform is shown, which is implemented as a walker 300 in an unfolded state. The walker 300 includes three legs, which are front and rear legs 20, namely a right rear leg 20a, a left rear leg 20b and a single front leg 20c, having wheels 22 at their distal (free) ends 24; and also includes a plurality of arms 26, namely a left arm 26a and a right arm 26b, having handles 28 at their proximal (free) arm portions 30. FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C As shown, the walker 301 also has a left arm 26a, a right arm 26b and a plurality of legs 20, wherein the plurality of legs 20 include two front legs 20c, 20d. Where the following description refers only to the walker 300, it should be considered to also apply to the walker 301 unless otherwise specified. Figures 12A to 12C As shown, the walker 302 also has a left arm 26a, a right arm 26b, and legs 20, which include a single front leg 20c with two wheels 22 attached thereto to improve stability.

[0160] The left arm 26a of the walker 300, 301 is operably coupled to the right rear leg 20a, and the right arm 26b of the walker is operably coupled to the left rear leg 20b, thereby forming two arm-leg assemblies 226, a first (or left) arm assembly 226a and a second (or right) arm assembly 226b ( Figure 4 ). Each arm-leg assembly 226 has a centerline longitudinal axis 36.

[0161] like Figure 1C and Fig. 11BAs shown, the handle 28 extends rearwardly from the proximal end of the corresponding arm, and each arm-leg assembly is oriented so that in a side view of the device, the distal end of the leg is located behind the handle. In other words, assuming that the wheels 22 define the location of the surface on which the walker 300 will be used, the protrusion on such surface of the handle will be located between the wheels of the rear and front legs.

[0162] Typically, each arm-leg assembly may include an arm height changing mechanism so that the overall height of the arm-leg assembly in the deployed state may be gradually extended or reduced to accommodate taller or shorter users of the platform. In some cases, each arm may be folded by having its proximal portion received within its distal portion. In other cases, the proximal portion of the arm may be slidably connected to the distal portion of the arm in a telescopic manner so as to extend from approximately fully inserted therein to almost fully pulled therefrom. Alternatively, or in addition, the arm height changing mechanism may be constructed of the above-described structure, allowing the arm-leg assembly to be shortened by slidingly aligning the arm with the rear legs, or at least slidingly receiving one of them within the other along most of the length of the arm.

[0163] In the example shown, the arms 26 of both walkers 300 and 301 are curved. As shown, the upper proximal arm portion 30 of the arm 26 extends rearwardly relative to the proximal ends 34 (respectively proximal ends 34a and 34b) of the proximal portions 35 of the respective rear legs 20a and 20b (the front leg 20c also has a proximal portion). The rear legs 20a, 20b are correspondingly curved so that the respective curved arms 26 are slidably aligned with or received therein. The front legs 20c, 20d are also curved so as to allow them to be aligned with the curved rear legs 20 when all legs are in their proximal positions (e.g., FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C and FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C A fully collapsed (folded) position is shown; and FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C and FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C , showing the partially folded position).

[0164] Alternatively, the shape of the arm 26 and the hind legs 20a, 20b can be straight, and the arm can slide relative to or within the hind legs. In another alternative, the hind legs 20a, 20b and the arm 26 each have straight portions that are angled toward each other so that the lower straight portion of the arm can be aligned with the upper straight portion of the hind leg, whereby the arm will be partially folded into the leg.

[0165] Thus, each arm-leg assembly 226 can be connected to the hub 32 so that its centerline longitudinal axis 36 ( Figure 4 ) passes through the respective proximal ends of the respective hind legs and through the hub 32. In this example, the centerline longitudinal axis 36 is bent into the curvature of the arm and leg assembly 226, respectively.

[0166] Typically, the hub may have a configuration that allows the arm and leg assemblies to pivot between their crossed and parallel states, respectively, such as Figure 1B , Figure 3B and FIG. 5A to FIG. 5G shown and will be further elaborated below.

[0167] The hub may also be configured with fastening means for securing the legs in either of their positions to provide stability in the open distal position and to prevent the legs from spontaneously opening in the closed proximal position.

[0168] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C A walker 300 is shown, FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C The walker 301 is shown in a fully folded state / position. The walker 300, 301 may also have multiple partially folded states and an unfolded cross state. One of the multiple partially folded states may be FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C and FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C As shown, in this embodiment, these two states constitute transition states between the unfolded state and the fully folded (collapsed) state of the hub.

[0169] In the hub 32 of this example, the proximal ends 34 (34a and 34b) of the rear legs 20a and 20b are rotatably connected to the hub 32. Also in the hub 32, the lower, distal portions 38 (38a and 38b) of the respective arms 26a, 26b engage the upper, proximal ends of their respective rear legs to extend upward therefrom and cross over the proximal ends of the rear legs when the arm-leg assembly 226 is in its deployed state. The upper, proximal ends 34c of the front legs 20c, 20d are also disposed in the hub 32.

[0170] The hub may be the key to many mechanisms, some of which are optional, for achieving the functionality of the walker. Such mechanisms may involve features including arm extension limitations; arm height fixation; reducing or eliminating arm shake and fixing the arms in one or two of their positions, automatic extension and automatic retraction / folding of the front legs.

[0171] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5G Various detailed views of a first example of a hub 32 of a walker 300, 301 are shown, the hub 32 comprising a front hub portion 39 and a rear hub portion 41 connected to each other and formed to include a top opening 42 (which may be formed by a single opening or slot) and a bottom opening 44 (which may also be formed by a single opening / slot) formed between the front hub portion 39 and the rear hub portion 41. The top opening 42 is sized to allow the arms 26 to move toward and away from each other; and the bottom opening 44 is sized to allow the rear legs 20a, 20b to move toward and away from each other.

[0172] In this example, the hub 32 also includes an arm-leg assembly fastener pivot latch 46 ( Figure 5A), which defines a central longitudinal pivot axis 46a extending through its length. The rear leg proximal ends 34a and 34b are pivotally attached to the hub by fastener pivot pins 46, whereby the arm-leg assembly 226 can pivot (scissor-like) between a proximal closed position and a distal open / deployed position. Thus, when the arm handles 28 are deployed and facing toward each other, the arm-leg assembly 226 can pivot about the central longitudinal pivot axis 46a in a scissor-like manner. When in the deployed state (distal position, Figures 1A to 1C ), the components 226, particularly the arms 26, intersect with each other at the component intersection area 40 of the hub 32 located between the front hub portion 39 and the rear hub portion 41 to form an X shape.

[0173] Typically, the hub may include an anti-deployment device for preventing the arm-leg assembly from deploying too much, and in other cases, for securing the arm to the hub in its open distal position. In some cases, the anti-deployment device may be adjusted to vary the maximum deployment of the arm-leg assembly for the comfort of the user. In other cases, the anti-deployment device may be fixedly integrated with the hub in a manner that provides maximum stability to the mobile platform when in its open distal position. The features may allow the user to conveniently fully deploy the arm to a predetermined angle, an angle at which the user is typically and comfortably deployed.

[0174] In this example, the hub 32 includes two arm deployment limiting surfaces 48 ( Figure 5B ). The arm deployment limiting surfaces 48 are angled for abutting the arms in the distal position of the arm-leg assembly, thereby controlling the extent to which they can be deployed. In this example, the arm deployment limiting surfaces 48 are configured to abut the arms when in the distal position of the arms. Thus, when the user deploys the arms 26 to their full extent, the respective distal end portion 38 of each arm 26 is configured to contact the arm deployment limiting surface 48 of its respective hub 32, thereby setting the arm deployment in the distal position.

[0175] Each arm-leg assembly may further include an arm height fixing mechanism operable to reversibly limit the extent to which each arm may extend from its corresponding leg. The arm height fixing mechanism may limit each arm to a plurality of heights, thereby forming a plurality of extended states. In particular, the arm height fixing mechanism may be located near or at the proximal end of the leg.

[0176] Figure 4 An exemplary arm height fixing mechanism 51 is shown, including a plurality of arm limiting, latch receiving holes 50 formed in each arm 26 and spaced apart along the length of the arm; each latch receiving hole 50 is configured to receive a height fixing pin 52 therein, the height fixing pin projecting laterally outwardly from the arm extension limiting surface 48 of the hub 32 (e.g., Figure 5AAlternatively, each arm may have an array of a plurality of height setting arm latches and the hub 32 may have one or more height setting recesses for receiving at least one of said latches.

[0177] The hub may also include an arm securing mechanism configured to secure the arm to the hub in its distal and / or proximal position, thereby preventing the arm from erroneously changing its position. In some cases, the arm securing mechanism may also be configured to reduce or eliminate any possible shaking and / or rattling of the arm when it is in either position. The arm securing mechanism may include a single element for both arm-leg assemblies or one element for each arm-leg assembly.

[0178] FIG. 5C to FIG. 5I An exemplary arm securing mechanism is shown including two arm securing elements 54 , one for each arm leg assembly, pivotally connected to the hub 32 and having an arm interface surface 56 configured to press against a corresponding arm 26 to force it against a corresponding arm deployment limiting surface 48 .

[0179] Specifically, the hub 32 is configured so that the front hub portion 39 and the rear portion 41 have forearm and rear arm fixing elements 54 that can be opened outward ( Fig. 5F ), for example by corresponding pivot members 62, and by these pivot members closing inwardly ( Figure 5G ) and is reversibly retained in the closed position by a corresponding snap-fit ​​member 64.

[0180] Figure 5J to Figure 5N Another exemplary arm securing mechanism is shown including a single arm securing element 54' pivotally connected to the hub 32 and having two opposing arm interface surfaces 57a and 57b along its length, one in front of the other, configured to press against two corresponding arms 26, one in front of the other, to secure them in either of their positions by abutting each arm against its corresponding arm deployment limiting surface 48.

[0181] Specifically, the arm securing element 54' is pivotally connected at its first end to the hub 32 at its front hub 39 via a corresponding pivot member 62', and the rear hub 41 has a recess 53 configured to receive therein a locking protrusion 55 of the arm securing element 54', which protrudes from the other end of the arm securing element.

[0182] In some cases, the arm can be limited to extend only to a portion of its maximum height to accommodate multiple users of different heights. To this end, the movable platform can be configured with a height limiting mechanism that can be variably operated to limit the height to which the arm can extend from the leg.

[0183] Figure 6 Also refer to Figure 4 , shows an exemplary height limiting mechanism, including a height limiting pin 66 and a height limiting pin retainer 68 associated with each rear leg 20a, 20b. The height limiting pin 66 can be attached to the retainer 68, which is sized to be received in any one of a plurality of height limiting holes 70 disposed on the inner surface of the rear legs 20a, 20b and is retained by a height limiting stop 72 (e.g., at the distal end portion 38a, 38b of the arm). Figure 6 The arm 26 is shown in a U-shape in the figure to prevent the upward extension of the arm 26. Therefore, in order to set the degree to which the arm 26 can be withdrawn, the user can insert the height limit pin 66 of the retainer 68 into one of the plurality of corresponding height limit holes 70. As a result, from then on, the arm 26 will stop at the desired height without any further manual height setting. As shown in the figure, since the height limit stopper 72 is open (unblocked) on its upper side, the arm 26 can be lowered for insertion / folding.

[0184] In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the mobile platform may include a front leg deployment and folding mechanism. Such a mechanism may be housed within the hub and operable to move the front legs between a front leg distal position and a front leg proximal position, wherein the distal ends of the front legs are disposed proximal to the distal ends of the rear legs when the rear legs are in their proximal position.

[0185] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B as well as Figure 5D and Figure 5E An exemplary front leg deployment and folding mechanism 74 of the walker 300 is shown, which is configured to pivotally move the front leg 20c between a distal, forward position and a proximal, rearward position of the front leg 20c, which position is associated with the deployed state of the walker ( Figures 1A to 1C ), wherein the front legs are located near the hind legs, optionally between the hind legs, or vice versa.

[0186] The front leg deploy and fold mechanism 74 includes a pair of proximal rear leg gears 76, each of which is fixedly and operably connected at a respective proximal end 34a, 34b of each rear leg 20a, 20b and, in some cases, about a fastener pivot latch 46.

[0187] The front leg unfolding and folding mechanism 74 further includes a front leg transmission element 280 having a pair of front leg gears 78 at its proximal end and connected to the front legs at its distal end. The front leg gears 78 are arranged perpendicular to and mesh with the proximal rear leg gears 76, so that when the rear leg gears 76 rotate during the folding process of the walker, the front leg gears 78 rotate respectively to move the front leg 20c between its distal position and its proximal position close to or between the rear legs 20a, 20b.

[0188] In the present example, the rear legs 20a, 20b are configured to be deployed to form an angle of about 60 degrees therebetween, wherein each rear leg gear 76 rotates about 30 degrees or one-twelfth of a turn when the handle 28 is moved from its fully deployed position to its adjacent position, and vice versa. During deployment, the rear leg gears 76 rotate so that they mesh with the gear teeth, which move, thereby causing the corresponding teeth of the gear 78 to move, respectively, thereby moving the front leg 20c forward and away from the rear legs 20a, 20b. Closing the handles 28 toward each other produces the opposite gear movement. Thus, the deployment handle 28 automatically deploys the front legs 20c ( Figures 1A to 1C ); and moving the handles toward each other automatically folds the front legs ( FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C ). The gears may be sized differently to produce openings of different angles. For example, in this example, the gears 76 and 78 are sized to have a diameter ratio of approximately 3:1, so that the front leg 20c will open more than the rear legs 20a, 20b.

[0189] refer to Figure 5D and Figure 5E The front leg unfolding and folding mechanism 74 may include a biasing assembly 80 to fix the front leg 20c in a proper position, whether in the folded state or the unfolded state, and / or to apply an urging force to any of its positions when the front leg moves to prevent the position of the front leg from changing unexpectedly. In this example, the biasing assembly 80 is formed by a spring, the center of which passes through the pivot path of the leg transmission element 280 and the front leg 20c, respectively.

[0190] The walker according to the presently disclosed subject matter may include a motion transmission mechanism configured to transmit an actuation performed about the arms to an actuation force performed in the legs when the arms and legs are configured to change their positions relative to each other, for example in a telescopic manner. For example, the motion transmission mechanism may transmit an actuation performed by a user on a brake actuation lever associated with at least one of the arms, or in particular a brake actuation lever associated with a handle of the arm, to an actuation of a brake associated with at least one of the legs. Thus, a wheel brake mechanism may be formed using the motion transmission mechanism.

[0191] At least a portion of the motion transmission mechanism is movable with the respective arm relative to the respective rear leg between extended and retracted states of the mechanism corresponding to the respective extended and retracted states of the arm to allow braking at any arm height / extension. At least a majority of the motion transmission mechanism is disposed internally to the arm-leg assembly, thereby avoiding the typical loose external brake cables of known walkers and helping to provide a compact folded position of the walker.

[0192] The motion transfer mechanism may include an arm associated portion, a leg associated portion, and an interconnecting portion interconnecting the arm and leg portions upon actuation of the arm portion so as to operate on the leg associated portion to affect transfer of actuation therethrough.

[0193] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D One example of a motion transfer mechanism 90 for a walker 300, and in particular the arm-leg assembly 22 thereof, is shown.

[0194] The motion transmission mechanism 90 includes a brake cable 92, which is attached at one end to a brake actuation element 94 consisting of a brake actuation rod 94 and at the other end to an interconnection structure, such as a T-shaped intermediate brake element 97 attached to the distal portions 38a, 38b and having a teardrop or cam-shaped opening 98 therein. A mushroom-shaped member 100 of the intermediate brake element 97 is received within the cam-shaped opening 98, particularly within the stem 102 of the mushroom-shaped member. The motion transmission mechanism 90 also includes an extended flat brake motion strip 104 that is bent to correspond to the rear legs 20a, 20b and is received therein. The strip 104 includes a plurality of conical recesses 106 for receiving corresponding conical tops 108 of the mushroom-shaped member 100, which are reversibly urged into the recesses by springs 110, which may be housed in (or attached to) a mushroom-shaped member housing 112 of the T-shaped intermediate brake element 97. The recesses 106 are spaced correspondingly to the spacing of the height limiting holes 70 in the rear legs 20a, 20b. The corresponding conical shapes of the tops 108 of the mushroom-shaped member 100 and the conical recesses 106 allow the conical tops 108 to easily slide into and out of the recesses as the arm 26 is raised and lowered with the aid of one or more appropriately configured springs 110. The lower end of the brake movement strip 104 is connected to a brake pad assembly 116, which includes a brake pad 118 configured to interface with a wheel drum 120 of the wheel 22. The brake pad assembly 116 may include a biasing element 122 to urge the brake pad 118 away from the wheel drum 120 to prevent undesirable rubbing / braking.

[0195] Note that the cam opening 98 advantageously allows the mushroom-shaped member 100 to be easily assembled (inserted) into its larger opening portion, and that the narrower portion of the cam opening is smaller than the tapered top 108, thereby forcing the top to enter the recess 106 near the brake movement strip 104 (not allowing the mushroom-shaped member 100 to slide along the strip 104) during braking.

[0196] With this design, when the brake actuating lever 94 is squeezed by the user, the brake cable 92 is raised (e.g., 10 mm), thereby raising the T-shaped intermediate brake element 97 so that the cam-shaped opening 98 captures the stem 102 of the mushroom-shaped member 100 therein. The captured stem 102 forces the conical top 108 of the mushroom-shaped member 100 into the adjacent recess 106 (a distance less than 10 mm, e.g., 6 mm) during its initial upward movement. The remaining upward movement of the mushroom-shaped member 100 causes the strip 104 to be pulled upward (e.g., the remaining 4 mm), thereby forcing the brake pad 118 to press against the drum 120 of the wheel 22 to prevent rolling. Thus, the motion transmission mechanism 90 can provide braking at any arm height without any external cables.

[0197] The motion transmission mechanism may alternatively be arranged in a continuous manner so as to interconnect the actuatable elements associated with the arms to the actuating elements associated with the legs. In this case, the motion transmission mechanism may include an arm-associated portion, a leg-associated portion, and an interconnecting portion that interconnects the arm and leg portions when the arm portion is actuated so as to operate on the leg-associated portion, thereby affecting the transmission of actuation therethrough.

[0198] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14D An alternative example of a motion transfer mechanism 90 that may be used with a platform (particularly the arm-leg assembly 226), such as in a walker 300, 301, is shown including a brake cable 92 connected at one end to a brake actuating rod 94 and at the other end to a brake pad assembly 116.

[0199] In this example, the brake cable 92 includes an inner brake cable 292 and an outer flexible brake cable sleeve 294, which are configured to form a ring member 296, which defines an overlap area 96a that is located within the hollow portion of the rear legs 20a, 20b and presses upward against the inner wall of the hollow portion of the rear legs.

[0200] like FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B As shown, when the arm 26 is raised, the ring 296 is relatively small; when the arm is lowered ( Fig. 14C and Fig.14D ), the annular member becomes larger, taking up the "slack" in the brake cable 92 and its sleeve 294. Fig. 14C Also shown is a loop 296 formed where the arm 26 and leg 20 overlap when the arm is not fully extended.

[0201] Thus, as previously described, when the brake actuating lever 94 is squeezed, the brake cable 92 is raised, thereby forcing the brake pads 118 to press against the drums 120 of the wheels 22 to prevent rolling. Thus, this example of the motion transfer mechanism 90 can also provide braking at any arm height without any external cables.

[0202] The walker according to the subject matter of the invention may also be provided with a seat detachably attached or permanently fixed thereto. In both cases, the seat may be pivoted upwards and downwards by a seat lift mechanism. For example, the seat may be connected to the hub and the rear legs of the walker at at least three corresponding seat connection areas.

[0203] In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the walker may include a seat and a seat lowering and raising mechanism operable to pivot the seat between an operable raised orientation for sitting thereon and a non-operable downward orientation. The seat may be directly or operably pivotally connected to the hub and may be directly or indirectly hingedly connected to the rear legs. It is emphasized that the seat may be hinged to the rear legs in a manner that enables them to be separated while still providing sufficient support for the seat to enable a user to sit thereon.

[0204] In particular, the seat may be directly pivotally connected to the hub via a pivot and may be connected to the rear legs via a joint located on a rear surface thereof such that the seat can be connected to the rear legs while the rear legs travel laterally away from each other and rearwardly to the hub.

[0205] 9A to 9E An exemplary seat assembly 128 is shown including a seat 130 that may be fixedly or removably connected to a walker 300, 301 at a proximal connection region 34 thereof via a pivotable proximal connector 132 that is connected to the hub 32 at a rear hub portion 41 and to rear legs 20a, 20b at two distal ball joint connection points 134 that are connected to the rear legs 20a, 20b, respectively.

[0206] The seat 130 has a proximal (rear) seat edge 136 and a distal (front) seat edge 138 adjacent the hub 32 when the seat is pivoted upward and downward.

[0207] The seat lowering and raising mechanism 140 includes a seat adjustment actuator 142, an actuator wire 144, a pair of upper seat adjustment members 146, whose upper ends 148 are operably attached to the bottom of the seat 130, and a pair of lower seat adjustment members 150, whose lower ends 151 are operably attached to the rear legs 20a, 20b. When the seat 130 is deployed, the upper seat adjustment members 146 and the lower seat adjustment members 150 can bend in a convex direction to provide improved stability and / or other reasons that may become apparent.

[0208] The seat lowering and raising mechanism 140 also includes a foldable support element 162, which in this example is composed of a central folding plate consisting of an upper plate portion 164 and a lower plate portion 166, which is hinged at a hinge 168 on the side facing away from the hub 32 when the seat 130 is unfolded and toward the hub when the seat is lowered. The lower end 170 of the upper seat adjustment member 146 and the upper end 172 of the lower seat adjustment member 150 are operably attached to the central folding plate 162.

[0209] The central folding disk 162 may include a center through spring 174 attached at one end to the upper disk portion 164 and at its other end to the lower disk portion 166. The center through spring 174 is configured to bias the folding disk 162 in a flat (non-folded) position (e.g., Fig. 9A ), wherein the seat 130 is deployed once the folding tray has passed a specific partially open position; and when the folding tray passes a specific closed (folded) position, the folding tray is biased closed, in which position the seat is folded down ( Fig.9E ).

[0210] To provide increased stability to the central folding tray 162 and prevent it from accidentally folding, such as by a user kicking the tray into a folded position with the heel while sitting, the central folding tray may include a locking device 175 including a tray locking lever 176 spanning between the upper tray portion 164 and the lower tray portion 166. The tray locking lever 176 may be pivotally hinged at a pivot point 178 of the upper tray portion 164 and have a hook 180 that may be received in a recess 182 of the lower tray portion 166.

[0211] The tray lock lever 176 may have a lever spring 184 that is biased to push the hook 180 into the recess 182. Additionally or alternatively, the hook 180 may be angled (hook-shaped) to provide a snap fit when in the recess 182, thereby requiring a threshold force to pivot the tray lock lever 176 about the pivot point 178. To release the tray lock lever 176, thereby allowing the folding tray to fold about the hinge 168, the actuator wire 144 is attached to the wire connection point 186 of the tray lock lever.

[0212] To deploy the seat 130 to a position supporting an occupant, the proximal seat edge 136 of the seat can be simply pulled upward until the seat is level and the seat drop raise mechanism 140 will automatically place the tray locking lever 176 in its locked position ( 9A to 9D ).

[0213] To fold the (lower) seat 130, the user can pull the seat adjustment actuator 142 outward, thereby pulling the actuator wire 144, which has one end connected to the seat adjustment actuator and the other end connected to the wire connection point 186. This pulls the wire connection point 186 of the disk locking lever 176 toward the central folding disk 162 (particularly the upper disk portion 164), thereby causing the disk locking lever to pivot. The pivoting of the disk locking lever 176 removes the hook 180 from the recess 182. This pivoting also causes the upper portion 187 of the disk locking lever 176 to push the upper disk portion 164, causing the central folding disk 162 to fold about the hinge 168 to the folded position, as shown. Fig.9E shown.

[0214] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B An additional exemplary seat folding feature that a seat 130 of a walker according to the disclosed subject matter may have is shown.

[0215] The features relate to the structure of the seat 130 having a central seat portion 189 and a pair of left and right foldable wings 188 that can be folded inwardly (via hinges) along respective wing pivot axes 190 extending from the seat proximal edge 136 to the seat distal edge 138. An upper seat adjustment member 146 can be connected to the bottom of each wing 188, whereby when the seat 130 is folded downwardly, as described above, the wings fold inwardly, thereby reducing the profile of the folded walker for storage. When the seat folding plate 162 is being folded and the seat 130 is being moved downwardly, two wing pins (not visible) at the respective upper seat adjustment member 146 enter the respective lower seat folding arm holes (not visible), causing the seat wings 188 to fold about their wing pivot axes 190.

[0216] Conversely, when the seat 130 is raised, the upper seat adjustment member 146 presses upward on the wings 188 to place the seat in a generally flat configuration suitable for sitting on. Alternatively, the wings 188 can constitute the entire seat 130, whereby the seat will be V-shaped along a single axis extending along the middle of the seat from the proximal edge 136 of the seat to the distal edge 138 of the seat.

[0217] It should be emphasized that the term "front leg" may in some cases include two or more front legs that are operably connected directly to each other, either through a hub or through additional components. In other cases, the movable platform may include multiple front legs, each of which may be considered a single leg and associated with its own front leg deployment and folding mechanism.

[0218] When the front legs are two or more front legs, the two or more front legs can be connected to each other at their proximal ends so that only a single proximal end can be connected to the hub (e.g., leg transmission element 280). In some cases, the cross-section of the distal portion of the front legs can be wider than the gap between the hind legs in their proximal position, where the front legs are positioned rearward so that the hind legs need to be separated from each other so that the two front legs can move toward their distal position. In other cases, when the two front legs are in their proximal position, they can be configured to have a narrow cross-section, for example, by being adjacent to each other or keeping their wheels in a vertical posture so that they can move simultaneously with the rear wheels. The two front legs can be configured to spread out from each other as they move toward the distal position, perhaps only after passing the hind legs.

[0219] In some cases, the motion transmission mechanism also includes a seat state indicating element, which operably connects the brake pad assembly to the seat lowering and raising mechanism, and provides an indication or causes actuation according to the state of the seat. Specifically, the seat state indicating element can be configured to actuate the brake pad assembly when the seat is in its supporting state. The actuation of the brake pad assembly can occur directly via the leg associated part or via an element parallel to the leg associated part, and the leg associated part is also connected to the brake pad.

[0220] In this example, if FIG. 10C to FIG. 10E As shown, the distal ball joint connection point 134 also includes a seat state indicating element 137. The seat state indicating element 137 operably connects the brake pad assembly 116 to the seat lowering and raising mechanism 140. Specifically, the seat state indicating element 137 is connected at one end thereof to the lower end 151 of the corresponding lower seat adjustment member 150, and at a second end thereof to a leg associated portion (e.g., the strip 104) of the motion transmitting mechanism 90.

[0221] In the operation of this example, when the seat is raised, the second end of the state indicating element 137 pivots upward, thereby raising the leg associated portion, thereby actuating the brake pedal. However, in other examples, the state indicating element 137 can be operated differently to actuate the brake in response to the seat being raised toward its deployed state, and release the brake in response to the seat being lowered toward its folded / retracted state.

[0222] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C , FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C and FIG. 13A to FIG. 13CA walker 301 is shown with two front legs 20c, 20d. The walker 301 includes a front leg deployment and folding mechanism that is generally similar to the front leg deployment and folding mechanism of the walker 300. However, because the two front legs 20c, 20d (and / or their two corresponding front wheels) take up more space relative to only one front leg (with its one wheel), in this example, the two front legs 20c, 20d and / or their wheels are too large to pass between the rear legs 20a, 20b when initially transitioning between the folded and deployed positions. For this reason, the walker 301 includes a front leg deployment delay mechanism to delay the forward movement (deployment) of the two front legs until the rear legs 20a, 20b are sufficiently opened (i.e., their distal ends are opened) to enable the front legs and / or their wheels to pass.

[0223] return Figure 5D and Figure 5E The walker 300, 301 includes a front leg deployment delay mechanism 192, which includes a front leg deployment delay member 194, which is disposed in the hub 32 and operably connected to the front leg gear 78, so that rotation of the front leg gear causes the delay member to rotate in the same direction. The delay member 194 includes an arcuate delay slot 196 configured to receive a delay pin 198 connected to the proximal end 34c of the front leg 20c, 20d.

[0224] The delay mechanism 192 is configured so that the deployment of the rear legs 20a, 20b for deployment causes the rear leg gear 76 to rotate, thereby rotating the front leg gear 78. The delay member 194 is similarly rotated, whereby the arcuate delay slot 196 moves in an arcuate manner corresponding to its curvature. The delay mechanism 192 is configured so that the delay slot end 200 of the delay slot 196 will strike the delay pin 198 to initiate forward movement of the front legs 20c, 20d only after the rear legs 20a, 20b have been fully opened to allow the wheels 22c, 22d to pass between the rear legs.

[0225] return Fig.8D , which shows an exemplary design of a wheel 22 that can be used in a hub according to the subject matter of the present invention. Each wheel 22 has an annular configuration and includes an outer annular wheel member 202 that interfaces with the tire; an inner annular wheel member 204 that is configured to fit within the outer annular wheel member; and a plurality of cylindrical rotor bearings 206 disposed between the two annular wheel members 202 and 204. This design allows the wheel 22 to be hubless ( Fig.17 ), and is therefore very suitable for the above-mentioned internal motion transmission mechanism 90.

[0226] In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the mobile platform can be used as a base for many applications and uses in addition to a walker for the elderly or disabled, such as a personal transportation vehicle, a stroller, etc.

[0227] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15E Another platform is shown, using a tricycle 302 as an example. The tricycle 302 has wheels 22; a seat 111; and a handle 28, as well as a bar 230 and rear legs 20a and 20b connected to a hub 32, to which the rear legs are connected at their proximal ends 34a, 34b. The rear legs 20a and 20b can be folded manually or by folding the handle 28, usually folded downward at a pivot point 232 connected to the top 234 of the bar 230 ( Fig.15D ).

[0228] In some cases, folding of the handles (not shown) activates folding of the rear legs via a deployment mechanism in the hub, which may function analogously in the manner described above.

[0229] FIG. 16A to FIG. 16E Another platform is shown, using a stroller 303 as an example. The stroller 303 includes legs 20, typically four; arms 26 with handles 28; and a seat 130 with a seat 131 and a backrest 133. The arms 26 and legs 20 (in this case, the legs face forward when deployed) interact with the hub 32 in an x-shaped pattern as described above (see, for example, FIG. Figure 1A and FIG. 5A to FIG. 5I ), also as described above. Thus, raising the arm 26 and separating the handles allows the legs 20 (which are rearward when unfolded) to be unfolded again, similar to the above description. The seat 130, and in particular the seat 131 thereof, can be arranged in a manner similar to that of reference Fig. 9A To Figure 9F and FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B The backrest 133 can also be folded about the seat pivot 135, for example manually.

[0230] Fig.17 An exemplary design of wheels 22 that can be used in a platform according to the presently disclosed subject matter is shown. Each of the wheels 22 has an annular configuration and includes an outer annular wheel member 152 that interfaces with the ground; an inner annular wheel member 157 that is configured to fit within the outer annular wheel member; a plurality of cylindrical rotor bearings 154 that are configured to be received in corresponding bearing housings 156 between the two annular wheel members 157 and 152; and a closing plate 158. Such a design allows the wheel 22 to be hubless and therefore well suited for the wheel brake pad assembly 116.

[0231] When at least one front leg is formed of two front legs, a leg deployment mechanism may be introduced to help separate the legs from each other to form a stable structure. In this case, the front legs are movable between a retracted position, in which the front legs are spaced a first distance from the reference plane, and a deployed position, in which the front legs are spaced a second distance from the reference plane, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

[0232] In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the bottom opening of the hub can be configured with side surfaces that respectively restrict and allow movement of the legs relative to a reference plane. The side surface can have a first portion at a first distance from the reference plane so as to abut at least a portion of the proximal end of the corresponding leg, thereby preventing the corresponding front leg from moving away from the reference plane. The side surface can also have a second portion thereof at a second distance from the reference plane that is greater than the first distance, thereby allowing the corresponding front leg to move away from the reference plane. Between the first portion and the second portion, the opening can be configured to have a gradient in distance from the reference plane, which gradient can be stepped or continuous.

[0233] 18A to 18D Shows that FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C An example of a leg deployment mechanism 250 for use with a platform / walker 301 is shown, wherein the front hub 39 includes a funnel-shaped opening 400, such as Figure 5B As shown, the proximal ends 34 of the front legs 20c, 20d are received in the hub 32 through the opening. The funnel-shaped opening 400 gradually slopes away from the hub 32 and includes a proximal narrow portion (D) and a distal wide portion (E).

[0234] In some cases, the leg deployment mechanism may be disposed within the hub and may be configured to constantly exert a pushing force on the proximal ends of the front legs in a direction away from the reference plane. Thus, when the front legs are in their proximal position, they abut the lower narrow portion (D) of the funnel-shaped opening and are therefore prevented from being pushed laterally away from the reference plane. As the front legs 20c, 20d move from their proximal position toward their distal position, they no longer face the narrow portion (D) and are able to move farther and farther until they face the upper wide portion (E), where they are farthest from the reference plane.

[0235] The leg deployment mechanism 250 is configured to bring the distal ends 24 of the front legs 20c and 20d from adjacent parallel positions to the deployed open position, and vice versa, while optionally changing the direction of the wheels relative to the ground. The leg deployment mechanism 250 of this example includes a bridge member 252 disposed between the front legs 20c, 20d. The bridge member 252 includes two bridge bars 254, whose proximal ends are connected by a bridge bar pivot 256, and whose other ends are respectively connected (e.g., riveted) to a pair of actuating rods 258 ( Fig. 18C ). The bridge strap pivot 256 includes a force member (e.g., a torsion spring) configured to apply a constant force to the two bridge strips 254 to cause them to spread apart from each other. The actuator rod 258 is actuable at its free end by a corresponding actuation button 262. The actuator rod 258 can be disposed inside the legs 20c, 20d, such as Fig. 11C As shown, and connected to the distal end of the bridging bar 254.

[0236] In operation, as the front legs move toward their distal open position, the proximal portions of the front legs 20c and 20d move relative to the hub from a proximal narrow portion (D) toward a distal wider portion (E), wherein the force of the force-applying member translates to the proximal portion of the leg pressed against the hub, wherein the widening of the funnel enables the legs to separate from each other until the bridge 252 is fully opened.

[0237] To fold the legs, pressing the leg abutment mechanism actuation button 262 rotates the non-free end of the rod 258, thereby rotating the bridge bar 254 downward, moving its proximal end downward, and moving the front legs 20c, 20d toward each other ( Fig.18D ), overcoming the force exerted thereon by the force applying member. The bridge bar 254 can be received in the recess 264 to allow for a more complete abutment of the legs 20c, 20d.

[0238] In accordance with the presently discussed subject matter, the platform may also include an orientation maintaining structure configured to maintain at least one wheel of at least one front leg parallel to a reference plane in its distal and proximal positions. In the case where there are two front legs movable between their retracted and deployed positions, each front leg may be provided with a structure for maintaining the wheels of the front leg perpendicular to the surface on which the platform is to be used in all positions of the front legs. In some embodiments of the presently discussed subject matter, the wheels of the front legs may be differently oriented relative to the surface in their proximal and deployed positions.

[0239] In some examples, the orientation maintaining structure may include a wheel articulated link that is hinged at its first and second portions to the first and second portions of the corresponding front legs, thereby forming a parallelogram structure. Such a structure enables the link, and thereby the wheel, to maintain its orientation relative to the surface on which the platform is located when the at least one front leg is pivoted from its proximal position to its distal position. The first and second portions of the link may be spaced apart from each other, wherein the first portion may be spaced apart from the wheel by a greater distance than the second portion. Such an orientation maintaining structure is particularly beneficial in an embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention in which there are two front legs, as it enables the front legs to be deployed at a greater distance than the front legs. Figures 13A to 13C The front legs shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are able to move between narrower gaps, thereby eliminating the need for a delay mechanism.

[0240] FIG. 19A to FIG. 19B An example of an orientation maintaining structure 600 that may be used with a platform / walker according to the disclosed subject matter is shown, e.g. FIG. 11A to FIG. 13C The platform shown. Each of the first legs of the movable platform is provided with an orientation maintaining structure 600, which includes an extended wheel connector 610 so that the wheels connected thereto are also configured to constantly remain parallel to the reference plane (R). The wheels can be directly or indirectly connected to the orientation maintaining structure.

[0241] The orientation maintaining structure also includes balance poles 621b, 621d extending parallel to their corresponding front legs 621a, 621c. Each balance pole 621b, 621d has a proximal pole end 622 and a distal pole end 623 pivotally connected to the hub 32 via a connection 660. The extended wheel connector 610 includes a first connector end 611 pivotally connected to the distal end of the corresponding first leg and a second connector end 612 pivotally connected to the distal pole end 623. The first connector end 611 is located above the second connector end 612.

[0242] The proximal ends of the front legs and the corresponding balance poles are operably connected in a pivotal manner by a parallelogram forming portion (not shown). The parallelogram forming portion includes a first end and a second end, the proximal end of the corresponding first leg is pivotally connected to the first end, and the proximal rod end is pivotally connected to the second end. The ratio and distance between the first end and the second end of the parallelogram forming portion are the same as the ratio and spacing of the first connector end 611 and the second connector end 612, thereby forming a parallelogram structure.

[0243] In some cases, the balance pole can be positioned at least partially within the housing of the front legs when the front legs are in their proximal position, and in other cases, at least partially within the front legs themselves.

[0244] In this example, each of the front legs 21a, 21c includes a recess 650 in its proximal end, the recess being configured for at least partially receiving therein a proximal rod end 622, which in this case is comprised of a box that fits within the recess when the front legs are moved to the proximal position. A push element (not shown) is positioned between each front leg and its corresponding balance pole, or between the balance pole and the hub to push the front legs and / or balance pole away from the reference plane R. The parallelogram structure maintains the wheels 22 in a direction parallel to the reference plane R as the legs move between the proximal and distal positions.

[0245] In some cases, the parallelogram-forming portions of both front legs are formed by a common single parallelogram-forming link associated with the front leg deployment mechanism, such as by being at least indirectly connected to the front leg transmission element.

[0246] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D The above arrangement is shown in which a parallelogram-shaped link 700 is connected to the leg transmission element 280 and has a top 710 pivotally connected to the leg transmission element 280 together with the proximal end portion of the front leg 21a, 21c, and a bottom 720 to which the proximal rod end 622 is pivotally connected. The distance between the top 710 and the bottom 720 is approximately the same as the distance between the first connector end 611 and the second connector end 612 of the extended wheel connector 610.

[0247] In some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, the mobile platform may include an alternative leg deployment mechanism that may include an upper portion pivotally associated with the hub and a lower portion associated with the proximal end of the front leg, optionally via a connecting rod. The leg deployment mechanism may optionally be directly associated with the front leg deployment mechanism to provide further support to the front leg. The alternative leg deployment mechanism may be associated with Fig.19A and Fig.19B In other cases (not shown), the optional leg deployment mechanism can be used with the front legs disclosed in FIG. 11A to FIG. 12B Used together with the front legs disclosed in the figure.

[0248] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D Also shown is an alternative leg deployment mechanism 800. The alternative leg deployment mechanism 800 may be associated with the front leg transmission element 280 of the front leg deployment mechanism, which may be combined with the front leg deployment mechanism disclosed above.

[0249] In this example, the alternative leg deployment mechanism 800 includes a main rod 801 and two front leg connecting rods 803. The main rod 801 has an upper end 801a and a lower end 801b, and the main rod 801 is at least indirectly pivotally connected to the hub at the upper end 801a. Each of the two front leg connecting rods 803 has a proximal end 803a and a distal end 803b, and the front leg connecting rod 803 is hingedly connected to the lower end 801b of the main rod 801 at the proximal end, and each front leg connecting rod 803 is hingedly connected to the proximal end of the front legs 20c, 20d at the distal end 803b.

[0250] In this example, the upper end 801a of the main rod 801 is configured to be received in the slot 281 in the leg transmission element 280, thereby limiting the extent to which the leg transmission element 280 can pivot toward the open, deployed position of the front legs 21a, 21c. In addition, by configuring the upper end 801a of the main rod 801 to be inserted into the slot, the distance between the lower end 801b and the leg transmission element 280 is changed. When the front legs are in the closed proximal position, as shown in FIG. Fig.20D As shown, the distance D2 between the lower end 801b and the leg transmission element 280 is shorter than the distance D1 between the lower end 801b and the leg transmission element 280 when the front legs are in their distal deployed position. When the distance between the lower end 801b and the leg transmission element 280 increases from D1, the main rod 801 pushes the proximal end 803a of the connecting rod 803 in the direction of increasing distance. Because the distal end 803b of the connecting rod 803 is at least indirectly pivotally connected to the proximal ends of the legs, the rigid body motion of the connecting rod 803 forces the front legs to move away from each other.

[0251] In operation, when the front leg moves toward its distal position via the leg transmission element 280, the upper end 801a of the main rod 801 moves relative to the slot 281 in the leg transmission element 280. The lower end 801b moves farther away from the leg transmission element 280, and the resulting rigid body movement of the front leg connecting rod 803 causes the front legs 20c, 20d to separate relative to each other.

[0252] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary, and various embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention can be designed after necessary modifications, and the features described in the above embodiments and the features not described herein can be used alone or in any suitable combination; and the subject matter of the present invention can be designed based on the embodiments that do not necessarily need to be described above.

Claims

1. A device for supporting a user on a surface, characterized in that The device comprises at least in operation: at least one front leg, a right hind leg and a left hind leg, each leg having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of each leg can directly contact the surface; a right arm having a distal end and a proximal end, the right arm being coupled to the left rear leg to form a first arm-leg assembly; a left arm having a distal end and a proximal end, said left arm being coupled to said right rear leg to form a second arm-leg assembly; and a hub to which the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are pivotally connected so that the front legs and the rear legs and the corresponding arms can pivot between their distal and proximal positions, the distal ends of the legs being closer to each other at the proximal position of the legs than at the distal position of the legs, and the proximal position of the legs being achieved by moving the right arm and the left arm from an arm-distal position in which the arms are deployed to an arm-proximal position in which the distal ends of the arms are closer to each other at the arm-proximal position than at the arm-distal position, so that the device can move from a deployed state in which the plurality of arms and the plurality of rear legs are in their distal positions to a folded state in which the plurality of arms and the plurality of rear legs are in their proximal positions, wherein the plurality of arm-leg assemblies are pivotable so as to form an X-shaped structure when the device is in the deployed state and extend parallel to each other along at least a majority of its length when the device is in the folded state, and In each of the two arm-leg assemblies, the multiple legs have a curved shape at least along a proximal portion including their proximal ends, and at least along most of the length of the arm, the multiple arms have a curved shape that is the same as the curved shape of the multiple legs, so as to allow the multiple arms to be slidably aligned or received within the multiple rear legs, at least along most of the length of the arm, at least when the device is in the folded state.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The right arm is slidably movable relative to the left rear leg, and the left arm is slidably movable relative to the right leg, each arm being slidable between an extended state in the deployed state of the device and a retracted state of the plurality of arms in the folded state of the device, wherein in the extended state, distal ends of the plurality of arms are spaced apart from the hub; And in the retracted state, the distal end of the arm is disposed adjacent to the hub.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that In the retracted state of the arm, the proximal end of the arm is disposed farther from the hub than the distal end of the arm and closer to the distal end of the hind leg than the hub.

4. The device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that The hub has a front hub portion and a rear hub portion and accommodates the proximal ends of at least two hind legs therein, the two hind legs being connected to the hub so as to be pivotable about respective longitudinal pivot axes passing through the front hub portion and the rear hub portion of the hub at two horizontally spaced apart locations.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The device also includes a front leg unfolding and folding mechanism, which is housed in the hub and is operable to move at least one of the front legs between a front leg distal position and a front leg proximal position, in which the distal end of the front leg is set to be a maximum distance away from the distal end of the hind leg when the hind leg is in its distal position, and the distal end of at least one of the front legs is set to be close to the distal end of the hind leg when the hind leg is in its proximal position.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that In a proximal position of the front legs and the rear legs, the at least one front leg is at least partially located between the plurality of rear legs.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that When the plurality of rear legs are brought between their respective distal and proximal positions, the front leg deployment and folding mechanism is operable to move the at least one front leg between the front leg distal position and the front leg proximal position.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The front leg deployment mechanism includes at least one rear leg transmission gear fixed to the proximal portion of at least one of the plurality of rear legs; and at least one front leg transmission gear operably fixed to the proximal portion of the at least one front leg, the at least one front leg transmission gear being configured to engage with the at least one rear leg transmission gear so that movement of the rear leg toward its proximal position rotates the at least one rear leg transmission gear, thereby causing the at least one front leg transmission gear to rotate the at least one front leg backward.

9. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that The front leg deployment mechanism includes a center through spring configured to secure the at least one front leg in a proper position, whether in the folded state or the deployed state.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that Each of the two arm-leg assemblies has a centerline longitudinal axis that is continuously convexly curved and oriented such that a forward-most region thereof is disposed at a distal end portion of the arm.

11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that When the device is in its deployed state, the X-shaped structure is formed with its center over the pivot point of each of the plurality of components in a side elevation view.

12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that Each arm has a handle extending rearwardly from a proximal end of the arm, and in each of a plurality of said arm-leg assemblies, said centerline longitudinal axis is oriented such that in a side view of said device, a distal end of said leg is located behind a projection of said handle on said surface.

13. The device according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 12 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, characterized in that The right arm and the left arm are coaxially slidable within their respective left and right rear legs.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The front legs and the rear legs are oriented parallel to each other in their proximal position.

15. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The device also includes an arm height fixing mechanism operable to reversibly lock the plurality of arms at at least two different heights in an extended state of the plurality of arms.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The arm height fixing mechanism includes a plurality of latch receiving holes formed in at least one of the plurality of arms, and at least one height locking pin protruding from the hub toward the corresponding arm and configured to be received in any one of the plurality of latch receiving holes.

17. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that The hub includes at least one arm fixing element having an open state and a closed state, in which the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are allowed to pivot between their distal position and proximal position, and in which the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are prevented from pivoting between their distal position and proximal position.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that In the closed state, the at least one arm securing element applies pressure on the plurality of arms to prevent the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly from pivoting.

19. The device according to claim 17 or 18 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 4, characterized in that The upper ends of the front hub portion and the rear hub portion are spaced apart from each other and form a top opening of the hub, wherein when the at least one arm fixing element is in its closed state, the front hub portion and the rear hub portion are connected at the top opening by the at least one arm fixing element.

20. The device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that The hub also includes a plurality of arm deployment limiting surfaces, wherein at least one arm securing element is configured to secure the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly when the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly are in their arm-distal positions, and to press the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly against the plurality of deployment limiting surfaces when in their closed state.

21. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that The device also includes a motion transfer mechanism associated with at least one of the plurality of arms.

22. The device according to claim 21 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, characterized in that At least a portion of the motion transfer mechanism may be movable together with the corresponding arm relative to the corresponding hind leg between an extended state and a retracted state of the motion transfer mechanism, the extended state and the retracted state corresponding to the extended state and the retracted state of the plurality of arms.

23. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that The device also includes a seat attached to the hub and the plurality of rear legs.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The seat is pivotally connected to the hub, thereby allowing the seat to pivot upward and downward, whereby the seat can be positioned in an operational raised orientation in which a user can sit on the seat while facing in a rearward direction, and a non-operational downward orientation.

25. The device according to claim 23 or 24 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 4, characterized in that The seat has a proximal connection area where the seat is pivotally connected to the rear central portion and connected to a plurality of rear legs between the proximal and distal ends of the rear central portion by a seat lowering and raising mechanism operable to pivot the seat between the operative raised position and the non-operative downward position in which the seat is in a non-operative orientation.

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that The seat includes a central seat portion, a right foldable seat wing and a left foldable seat wing pivotably connected to the central seat portion along a wing pivot axis extending between a proximal edge and a distal edge of the seat; and The seat lowering and raising mechanism is operable to move the seat wings from a seat unfolded state, in which the seat wings are aligned with the central seat portion in an operational orientation of the seat, to a seat folded state, in which the seat wings are pivoted relative to the central seat portion and form an angle with the central seat portion when the seat is in a non-operating orientation.

27. The device according to any one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that The seat lowering and raising mechanism is operable to move the seat from the unfolded state to the folded state when the arrangement is moved from its unfolded state to its folded state.

28. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that The at least one front leg is composed of two front legs, the distal ends of which are spaced apart from each other in the deployed state of the device.

29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that The two front legs include proximal mechanisms of the two front legs, and the proximal mechanisms are configured to enable the distal ends of the two front legs to enter adjacent parallel positions.

30. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that A plurality of the legs have a corresponding plurality of wheels at distal ends thereof.

31. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that The device also includes an actuation transmission mechanism; wherein each arm of the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly includes an actuation element at a proximal portion of an arm, and each leg of the first arm-leg assembly and the second arm-leg assembly includes an actuation element at a distal end of a leg, and is configured to perform an actuation movement when at least indirectly caused by a corresponding actuation movement of the actuation element, and the arm and the leg are configured to interact with each other in a telescopic movement along a longitudinal axis of the assembly between a retracted state and an extended state of the arm-leg assembly, in which the distance between the actuation element and the actuation element has a first length, and in the extended state of the arm-leg assembly, the distance has a second length, which is greater than the first length; wherein the actuation transmission mechanism comprises at least one interconnection structure during at least the operation of the assembly, the interconnection structure comprising: an arm-associated portion fixedly connected to the actuating element so as to be movable therewith during the actuating movement and the telescopic movement, and a leg-associated portion fixedly connected to the actuatable element so as to be movable therewith during both the actuating movement and the telescopic movement, the two portions overlapping at an overlapping region, the overlapping region having a length along the axis, the length varying corresponding to a variation in the distance, and An interconnecting element interacts with both the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion at the overlap region to cause an actuation movement of the actuatable element upon an actuation movement of the actuation element.

32. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that One of the following applies to at least one of the interconnect structures: the interconnect structure selectively connecting the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion at the overlapping portion upon actuation of the actuation element; an interconnecting element connecting the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion only when the actuating element is actuated; The interconnecting element always connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion.

33. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that The leg associated portion is formed by a brake motion strip including a series of multiple recesses along at least a portion of its length.

34. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that The actuatable element is constituted by a brake pad assembly; wherein optionally, the brake pad assembly is attached to a lower end of the brake motion bar, and A brake pad is included and is configured to brakeably and reversibly engage a wheel.

35. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that The interconnecting element is composed of an intermediate brake element, which can be actuated by a brake actuating rod and is attached at the upper end of the intermediate brake element to the arm-associated part composed of a brake cable, and at the lower end of the intermediate brake element is attached to the leg-associated part composed of a brake movement strip, wherein the interconnecting element optionally includes an opening in the interconnecting element and a mushroom-shaped member, the mushroom-shaped member includes a top and a handle, the mushroom-shaped member is configured so that its top is reversibly receivable in multiple recesses of the brake movement strip, the handle is configured to be received in the opening and reversibly fixed in the opening, thereby fixing the top in one of the multiple recesses and allowing the top to slide out of the multiple recesses when the arm and the leg are extended and retracted relative to each other.

36. The device according to claim 35, characterized in that At least one of the following applies to the actuation transmission mechanism: operating the brake actuating lever to move the opening so that the mushroom-shaped member is fixed in the opening and also to move the brake moving bar, thereby actuating the actuatable element; the brake movement bar being configured to move longitudinally relative to at least one of the arm and the leg; The top portion and the plurality of recesses of the mushroom-shaped member are shaped accordingly; the mushroom-shaped member is biased toward the brake movement strip by one or more springs, whereby the top of the mushroom-shaped member enters one of the plurality of recesses of the brake movement strip when the top of the mushroom-shaped member is located opposite the plurality of recesses; The opening is in the shape of a cam.

37. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that The interconnection structure permanently connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion and is configured to change its length relative to a change in the distance between the actuating element and the actuatable element.

38. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that The interconnection structure consists of a single cable interconnecting the actuating element and the actuatable element.

39. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that The arm and leg of each arm-leg assembly are operably and movably engaged with each other in a telescopic motion at least along an overlapping region of the arm-leg assembly, at least one of the arm and the leg having a hollow portion associated with the overlapping region; The device also includes a braking mechanism, which includes: an actuating element consisting of a brake actuating rod connected to the arm; an actuatable element, said actuatable element being comprised of a brake pad assembly connected to said leg; and An interconnection structure, the interconnection structure is composed of a brake cable unit, the brake cable unit includes an outer flexible sleeve and an inner flexible brake cable, the inner flexible brake cable passes through the sleeve and has an arm-associated portion and a leg-associated portion, the arm-associated portion includes a cable end attached to the brake actuating rod, the leg-associated portion includes a second cable end attached to the brake pad assembly, the outer sleeve has an inner cable, the inner cable is connected to the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion to form an interconnection element to form a ring-shaped member with a size that can be received in the hollow portion, wherein the length of the interconnection element is approximately equal to at least the length of the overlapping area, and the length of the interconnection element is variable according to the length of the overlapping area.

40. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 39, characterized in that The device includes a front leg deployment and folding mechanism; wherein the mechanism is configured to be at least partially mounted within the hub so as to operably interconnect the at least one front leg and the proximal ends of the plurality of rear legs so as to selectively cause movement of the at least one front leg in response to movement of the plurality of rear legs so as to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg distal position when the plurality of rear legs move toward their distal positions, and to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg proximal position when the plurality of rear legs move toward their proximal positions.

41. The device according to claim 40, characterized in that In the front leg proximal position and the rear leg proximal position, the at least one front leg is at least partially located between the plurality of rear legs; and Optionally, in the front leg proximal position and the rear leg proximal position, the distal end of the at least one front leg is located behind the plurality of rear legs.

42. The device according to claim 40 or 41 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 8, characterized in that The device further includes at least one front leg transmission element, to which the proximal end of the at least one front leg is connected, so that movement of the multiple hind legs toward their proximal position or distal position causes the at least one front leg transmission element and the at least one front leg connected thereby to rotate backward or forward, respectively, through the rotation of the at least one hind leg transmission gear and the subsequent rotation of the at least one front leg transmission gear.

43. The device according to any one of claims 40 to 42, characterized in that The front leg deployment and folding mechanism is configured to push and secure the front legs in place whether in a folded state or an deployed state.

44. The device of claim 23 or any one of claims 24 to 43 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 23, characterized in that The seat includes a front seat edge and a rear seat edge, which can be pivoted about a seat pivot axis between a seat deployment, raised position and a seat storage, lowered position, wherein in the seat storage, lowered position, the front seat edge is closer to the right rear leg and the left rear leg than in the raised position and is lower than the rear seat edge in a front view; and a seat lowering and raising mechanism comprising a foldable support element having an upper portion at least indirectly hingedly connected to the seat about an upper pivot axis proximate the front seat edge, and a lower portion hingedly joined to the upper portion about a folding hinge axis and at least indirectly hingedly connected to the right leg and the left leg at a position below the upper pivot axis in a front view of the assembly, the foldable support element being operable between a supported state in which the upper and lower portions are prevented from articulating relative to each other, are aligned along a single plane, and are oriented to support the seat in a deployed, raised orientation, and a foldable state in which the upper and lower portions are permitted to articulate relative to each other and the seat is permitted to pivot to its stored, lowered orientation; and a locking device operable between a locked state in which the upper and lower portions are prevented from articulating relative to each other and a released state in which the upper and lower portions are permitted to articulate relative to each other and the seat is permitted to pivot to its stored, lowered orientation.

45. The device according to claim 44, characterized in that The seat includes right and left foldable wings pivotally connected thereto by at least one pivot axis extending along a side wing pivot axis perpendicular to the seat pivot axis and extending from the front seat edge to the rear seat edge; where optionally The seat includes a central seat portion, the right and left foldable wings being pivotally connected to the central seat portion by left and right pivot axes extending along respective side wing pivot axes, the right and left foldable wings being pivotable between a wing deployed position in which the left and right foldable wings are in the same plane as the central seat portion and a wing folded position in which the right and left foldable wings are angled relative to the central seat portion to reduce the profile of the seat; Optionally, at least one of the following is applied to the device: an upper portion of the foldable support element being hingedly connected to the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing such that upon folding the foldable support element, the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing will fold inwardly toward it; The seat lowering and raising mechanism is configured to be disposed between the right foldable wing and the left foldable wing when the seat is folded; The upper portion and the lower portion are hingedly connected on a side of the foldable support element away from the hub; each of the right leg and the left leg also includes a ball joint connection, and the lower portion is articulatedly connected to the left leg and the right leg respectively through a right adjustment member and a left adjustment member, and the right adjustment member and the left adjustment member are articulatedly connected to the ball joint connection of the right leg and the ball joint connection of the left leg respectively.

46. ​​The device according to claim 44, characterized in that The device also includes a front leg unfolding and folding mechanism, which is disposed within the hub and is configured to be operably interconnected with the proximal end of the at least one front leg and the proximal ends of the right hind leg and the left hind leg to selectively cause movement of the at least one front leg in response to movement of the right hind leg and the left hind leg to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg distal position when the multiple hind legs move toward their distal positions and to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg proximal position when the multiple hind legs move toward their proximal positions.

47. The device according to claim 44, characterized in that The apparatus further includes a brake mechanism incorporated into at least one of the plurality of arm-leg assemblies, wherein the arm and the leg are operably and movably engaged with one another in a telescopic manner at least along an overlap region of the arm-leg assemblies, at least one of the arm and the leg having a hollow portion associated with the overlap region; The institutions include: an actuating element consisting of a brake actuating rod connected to the arm; an actuatable element, said actuatable element being comprised of a brake pad assembly connected to said leg; and An interconnection structure, the interconnection structure is composed of a brake cable unit, the brake cable unit includes an outer flexible sleeve and an inner flexible brake cable, the inner flexible brake cable passes through the sleeve and has an arm-associated portion and a leg-associated portion, the arm-associated portion includes a cable end attached to the brake actuating rod, the leg-associated portion includes a second cable end attached to the brake pad assembly, the outer sleeve has an inner cable, the inner cable is connected to the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion to form an interconnection element to form a ring-shaped member having a size that can be received in the hollow portion, wherein the length of the interconnection element is approximately equal to at least the length of the overlap area, and the length of the interconnection element is variable according to the length of the overlap area, wherein optionally The brake mechanism also includes a seat state indicating element operably connecting the brake pad assembly to the seat lowering and raising mechanism, the seat state indicating element being configured to actuate the brake pad assembly when the seat is in its support state.

48. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 47, characterized in that The device is a walking aid for supporting a user on a surface; and the or each front leg has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being disposed within the hub, the front leg and the rear leg having a plurality of wheels operably connected to the front leg and the rear leg and spaced apart from the hub toward the surface when the device is positioned thereon, and optionally, wherein the at least one front leg is comprised of two front legs, the two front legs being located on different sides of a reference plane defined by the hub and perpendicular to the surface, each front leg being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, in which the front leg is spaced apart from the reference plane by a first distance, and in which the front leg is spaced apart from the reference plane by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance, and each of the plurality of front legs being provided with an orientation retaining structure, the orientation retaining structure comprising an extended wheel connector, the extended wheel connector being configured to remain parallel to the reference plane at both a distal position and a proximal position of the corresponding front leg.

49. The device according to claim 47, characterized in that The directional holding structure also includes a balance pole extending parallel to the corresponding front leg and having a proximal rod end and a distal rod end, the proximal rod end being at least indirectly pivotally connected to the hub, and the extended wheel connector including a first connector end pivotally connected to the distal end of the corresponding front leg, and a second connector end pivotally connected to the distal end of the balance pole; wherein optionally, the directional holding structure also includes a parallelogram forming link, the parallelogram forming link having a first portion and a second portion, the corresponding front leg being pivotally connected to the first portion near the proximal end of the leg, the balance pole being pivotally connected to the second portion near the proximal end of the balance pole, the distance between the first portion and the second portion being approximately the same as the distance between the first connector end and the second connector end of the extended wheel connector, thereby forming a parallelogram structure.

50. The device according to claim 49, characterized in that One or more of the following applies to the device: When the device is positioned on the surface, the parallelogram-forming links are spaced a greater distance from the surface at the ends of the wheels connected to the respective front legs than at the ends of the first wheels connected to their balance poles; or The device further comprises a front leg unfolding and folding mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9; or A front leg transmission element consisting of a parallelogram-forming connecting rod as described in claim 42.

51. An actuating transmission mechanism for an extendable arm-leg assembly, characterized in that: The actuation transmission mechanism comprises: an arm having an actuation element at a proximal portion of the arm, and a leg having an actuatable element at a distal end of the leg, configured to perform an actuation movement when at least indirectly caused by a corresponding actuation movement of the actuation element, the arm and the leg being configured to interact with each other in a telescopic movement along a longitudinal axis of the assembly between a retracted state and an extended state of the arm-leg assembly, in the retracted state of the arm-leg assembly the distance between the actuation element and the actuatable element having a first length, and in the extended state of the arm-leg assembly the distance having a second length, the second length being greater than the first length, the actuation transmission mechanism comprising at least in operation of the assembly: At least one interconnect structure comprising: an arm-associated portion fixedly connected to the actuating element so as to be movable therewith during the actuating movement and the telescopic movement, and a leg-associated portion fixedly connected to the actuatable element so as to be movable therewith during both the actuating movement and the telescopic movement, the two portions overlapping at an overlapping region, the overlapping region having a length along the axis, the length varying corresponding to a variation in the distance, and An interconnecting element interacts with both the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion at the overlap region to cause an actuation movement of the actuatable element upon an actuation movement of the actuation element.

52. The mechanism of claim 51, wherein: The interconnection structure selectively connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion at the overlapping portion upon actuation of the actuation element.

53. The mechanism of claim 51, wherein: The interconnecting element connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion only when the actuating element is actuated.

54. The mechanism of claim 51, wherein: The interconnecting element always connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion.

55. The mechanism of claim 51, wherein: The leg associated portion is formed by a brake motion strip including a series of multiple recesses along at least a portion of its length.

56. The mechanism of claim 51, wherein: The actuatable element is constituted by a brake pad assembly.

57. The mechanism of claim 56, wherein: The brake pad assembly is attached to a lower end of the brake motion bar and includes a brake pad configured to brakingly and reversibly engage a wheel.

58. The mechanism of claim 51, wherein: The interconnecting element is composed of an intermediate brake element, which can be actuated by a brake actuating rod and is attached at the upper end of the intermediate brake element to the arm-associated part composed of a brake cable, and at the lower end of the intermediate brake element is attached to the leg-associated part composed of a brake movement strip, and an opening and a mushroom-shaped member included in the interconnecting element, the mushroom-shaped member including a top and a handle, the mushroom-shaped member is configured so that its top can be reversibly received in multiple recesses of the brake movement strip, the handle is configured to be received in the opening and reversibly fixed in the opening, thereby fixing the top in one of the multiple recesses and allowing the top to slide out of the multiple recesses when the arm and the leg are extended and retracted relative to each other.

59. The mechanism of claim 58, wherein: Operating the brake actuating lever moves the opening so that the mushroom-shaped member is fixed in the opening, and also moves the brake moving bar, thereby actuating the actuatable element.

60. The mechanism of claim 58, wherein: The brake movement bar is configured to move longitudinally relative to at least one of the arm and the leg.

61. The mechanism of claim 58, wherein: The top portion of the mushroom-shaped member and the plurality of recesses are shaped accordingly.

62. The mechanism of claim 58, wherein: The mushroom-shaped member is biased toward the brake movement bar by one or more springs, whereby the top of the mushroom-shaped member enters one of the plurality of recesses of the brake movement bar when the top of the mushroom-shaped member is located opposite the plurality of recesses.

63. The mechanism of claim 58, wherein: The opening is in the shape of a cam.

64. The mechanism of claim 51, wherein: The interconnection structure permanently connects the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion and is configured to change its length relative to a change in the distance between the actuating element and the actuatable element.

65. The mechanism of claim 51, wherein: The interconnection structure consists of a single cable interconnecting the actuating element and the actuatable element.

66. The mechanism according to any one of claims 51 to 65, characterized in that The mechanism is incorporated into the arm-leg assembly.

67. The mechanism of claim 66, wherein: The mechanism forms part of a device for supporting a user on a surface, the device comprising, at least in operation, two arm-leg assemblies, each arm-leg assembly comprising the mechanism and at least one front leg, the at least one front leg having a proximal end; and a distal end, and optionally, the device is a device as described in any one of claims 1 to 30.

68. A brake mechanism for an extendable arm-leg assembly, characterized in that: The brake mechanism includes: an arm and a leg operably and movably engaged with each other in a telescopic motion at least along an overlapping region of the arm-leg assembly, at least one of the arm and the leg having a hollow portion associated with the overlapping region; The institutions include: an actuating element consisting of a brake actuating rod connected to the arm; an actuatable element, said actuatable element being comprised of a brake pad assembly connected to said leg; and An interconnection structure, the interconnection structure is composed of a brake cable unit, the brake cable unit includes an outer flexible sleeve and an inner flexible brake cable, the inner flexible brake cable passes through the sleeve and has an arm-associated portion and a leg-associated portion, the arm-associated portion includes a cable end attached to the brake actuating rod, the leg-associated portion includes a second cable end attached to the brake pad assembly, the outer sleeve has an inner cable, the inner cable is connected to the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion to form an interconnection element to form a ring-shaped member with a size that can be received in the hollow portion, wherein the length of the interconnection element is approximately equal to at least the length of the overlapping area, and the length of the interconnection element is variable according to the length of the overlapping area.

69. The mechanism of claim 68, wherein: The mechanism is incorporated into the arm-leg assembly.

70. The mechanism of claim 69, wherein: The mechanism forms part of a device for supporting a user on a surface, the device comprising, at least in operation, two arm-leg assemblies, each of which comprises the mechanism and at least one front leg having a proximal end and a distal end, the device optionally being as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 50.

71. A front leg deployment and folding mechanism for use in a device for supporting a user on a surface, characterized in that: The device comprises, at least in use, a hub, at least one front leg and a pair of hind legs, the front legs and hind legs respectively having proximal ends associated with the hub and with distal ends spaced apart from the hub toward the surface when the device is positioned on the hub, the hind legs being movable between a hind-leg distal position and a hind-leg proximal position; wherein the mechanism is configured to be at least partially mounted within the hub so as to operably interconnect the proximal ends of the at least one front leg and the hind legs so as to selectively cause movement of the at least one front leg in response to movement of the hind legs, so as to move the at least one front leg toward a front-leg distal position when the plurality of hind legs move toward their distal positions and to move the at least one front leg toward a front-leg proximal position when the plurality of hind legs move toward their proximal positions.

72. The mechanism of claim 71, wherein: In a proximal position of the front legs and the rear legs, the at least one front leg is at least partially located between the plurality of rear legs.

73. The mechanism of claim 72, wherein: In the proximal position of the front legs and the rear legs, the distal end of the at least one front leg is located behind the plurality of rear legs.

74. The mechanism according to any one of claims 71 to 73, characterized in that The mechanism includes at least one hind leg transmission gear fixed to the proximal portion of at least one of the plurality of hind legs; and at least one front leg transmission gear, the proximal end of the at least one front leg being operably connected to the at least one front leg transmission gear, the at least one front leg transmission gear being configured to mesh with the at least one hind leg transmission gear so that movement of the hind leg toward its proximal or distal position causes the at least one hind leg transmission gear to rotate, thereby causing the at least two front leg transmission gears to rotate the at least one front leg.

75. The mechanism of claim 74, wherein: The device further includes at least one front leg transmission element, and the proximal end of the at least one front leg is connected to the at least one front leg transmission element, so that movement of the multiple hind legs toward their proximal or distal positions causes the at least one hind leg transmission gear to rotate, thereby causing the at least one front leg transmission gear to rotate at least one front leg transmission element backward or forward, respectively, thereby rotating at least one forearm to which it is connected.

76. A mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 71 to 75, characterized in that The mechanism is configured to push and secure the front legs in place whether in a folded or unfolded state.

77. A mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 71 to 76, characterized in that The mechanism is incorporated into the device and, optionally, the device is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 50.

78. The mechanism of claim 77, wherein: Each leg of the pair of rear legs forms part of an arm-leg assembly having a corresponding arm, thereby forming a pair of arm-leg assemblies.

79. The mechanism of claim 78, wherein: The pair of arm-leg assemblies are pivotally connected to the hub so that the front and rear legs and their corresponding arms can pivot between their distal and proximal positions, and the proximal position of the legs is achieved by moving the right arm and the left arm from an arm-distal position with the arms extended to an arm-proximal position, wherein the distal ends of each arm are closer to each other at the proximal position of the arm than the other distal ends at the distal position of the arm.

80. A deployable suspension seat assembly for supporting a user on a surface, characterized in that: The device includes at least one front leg, a right rear leg and a left rear leg, each leg having a proximal end and a distal end; and the distal end of each leg can directly contact the surface, and a hub, the front leg and the left and right rear legs are pivotally connected to the hub so that the front leg and the rear leg can pivot between their distal position and proximal position, and the seat assembly includes: The seat has a front seat edge and a rear seat edge, attachable to the apparatus, pivotable about a seat pivot axis between a seat deployed, raised position and a seat stowed, lowered position, wherein in the seat stowed, lowered position, the front seat edge is closer to the right rear leg and the left rear leg than in the raised position and is lower than the rear seat edge in a front view; and a seat lowering and raising mechanism comprising a foldable support element having an upper portion at least indirectly hingedly connected to the seat about an upper pivot axis near the front seat edge, and a lower portion hingedly joined to the upper portion about a folding hinge axis and at least indirectly hingedly connected to the right leg and the left leg at a position below the upper pivot axis in a front view of the assembly, the foldable support element being operable between a supported state in which the upper and lower portions are prevented from articulating relative to each other, are aligned along a single plane, and are oriented to support the seat in a deployed, raised orientation, and a foldable state in which the upper and lower portions are permitted to articulate relative to each other and the seat is permitted to pivot to its stored, lowered orientation; and A locking device operable between a locked state in which the upper and lower portions are prevented from articulating relative to each other and a released state in which the upper and lower portions are permitted to articulate relative to each other and the seat is permitted to pivot to its stored, lowered orientation.

81. The seat assembly of claim 80, wherein: The seat includes right and left foldable wings pivotably connected thereto by at least one pivot axis extending along a wing pivot axis perpendicular to the seat pivot axis and extending from the front seat edge to the rear seat edge.

82. The seat assembly of claim 81, wherein: The seat includes a central seat portion, the right and left foldable wings being pivotally connected to the central seat portion by left and right pivot axes extending along respective side wing pivot axes, the right and left foldable wings being pivotable between a wing deployed position and a wing folded position, wherein the left and right foldable wings are in the same plane as the central seat portion, and wherein the right and left foldable wings are angled relative to the central seat portion to reduce the profile of the seat.

83. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 81 or 82, characterized in that An upper portion of the foldable support element is hingedly connected to the right and left foldable wings such that when the foldable support element is folded, the right and left foldable wings will fold inwardly toward it.

84. A seat assembly as claimed in any one of claims 81 to 83, characterized in that The seat lowering and raising mechanism is configured to be disposed between the right and left foldable wings when the seat is folded.

85. A seat assembly as claimed in any one of claims 80 to 84, characterized in that The upper portion and the lower portion are hingedly connected at a side of the foldable supporting element facing away from the hub.

86. A seat assembly as claimed in any one of claims 80 to 85, characterized in that Each of the right leg and the left leg also includes a ball joint connection, and the lower portion is articulatedly connected to the left leg and the right leg respectively through a right adjustment member and a left adjustment member, and the right adjustment member and the left adjustment member are articulatedly connected to the ball joint connection of the right leg and the ball joint connection of the left leg respectively.

87. A seat assembly as claimed in any one of claims 80 to 86, characterized in that The component is connected to the device so as to form an integral part thereof at least when the device is in use, and optionally the device is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 50.

88. The seat assembly of claim 87, wherein: Each of the right leg and the left leg constitutes a part of an arm-leg assembly having a corresponding right arm and left arm, thereby forming a pair of right arm-leg assembly and left arm-leg assembly.

89. The seat assembly of claim 88, wherein: The pair of arm-leg assemblies are pivotally connected to the hub so that the front and rear legs and their corresponding arms can pivot between their distal and proximal positions, and the proximal position of the legs is achieved by moving the right arm and the left arm from an arm-distal position with the arms extended to an arm-proximal position, wherein the distal ends of each arm are closer to each other at the proximal position of the arm than the other distal ends at the distal position of the arm.

90. The seat assembly of claim 87, wherein: The device also includes a front leg unfolding and folding mechanism, which is disposed within the hub and is configured to be operably interconnected with the proximal end of the at least one front leg and the proximal ends of the right hind leg and the left hind leg to selectively cause movement of the at least one front leg in response to movement of the right hind leg and the left hind leg to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg distal position when the multiple hind legs move toward their distal positions and to move the at least one front leg toward a front leg proximal position when the multiple hind legs move toward their proximal positions.

91. The seat assembly of claim 87, wherein: The apparatus further includes a brake mechanism incorporated into at least one of the plurality of arm-leg assemblies, wherein the arm and the leg are operably and movably engaged with one another in a telescopic manner at least along an overlap region of the arm-leg assemblies, at least one of the arm and the leg having a hollow portion associated with the overlap region; The institutions include: an actuating element consisting of a brake actuating rod connected to the arm; an actuatable element, said actuatable element being comprised of a brake pad assembly connected to said leg; and An interconnection structure, the interconnection structure is composed of a brake cable unit, the brake cable unit includes an outer flexible sleeve and an inner flexible brake cable, the inner flexible brake cable passes through the sleeve and has an arm-associated portion and a leg-associated portion, the arm-associated portion includes a cable end attached to the brake actuating rod, the leg-associated portion includes a second cable end attached to the brake pad assembly, the outer sleeve has an inner cable, the inner cable is connected to the arm-associated portion and the leg-associated portion to form an interconnection element to form a ring-shaped member with a size that can be received in the hollow portion, wherein the length of the interconnection element is approximately equal to at least the length of the overlapping area, and the length of the interconnection element is variable according to the length of the overlapping area.

92. The seat assembly of claim 91, wherein: The mechanism also includes a seat state indicating element operably connecting the brake pad assembly to the seat lowering and raising mechanism, the seat state indicating element being configured to actuate the brake pad assembly when the seat is in its support state.

93. A walking aid for supporting a user on a surface, characterized in that: The device comprises, at least in use, a hub, two first legs and at least one second leg, the hub having a reference plane perpendicular to the surface, the two first legs and at least one second leg being located on different sides of the reference plane, the first and second legs each having a corresponding proximal end disposed within the hub, and a distal end having a hub operably connected to the proximal end and spaced from the hub toward the surface when the device is positioned thereon, at least one of the plurality of first legs being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, in the retracted position the first leg being spaced a first distance from the reference plane, in the extended position the second leg being spaced a second distance from the reference plane, the second distance being greater than the first distance, each of the plurality of first legs being provided with an orientation retaining structure comprising an extended wheel connector, the extended wheel connector being configured to remain parallel to the reference plane at both a distal position and a proximal position of the corresponding first leg.

94. The device of claim 93, wherein: The orientation maintaining structure also includes a balance pole extending parallel to the corresponding first leg and having a proximal rod end and a distal rod end, wherein the proximal rod end is at least indirectly pivotally connected to the hub, and the extended wheel connector, wherein the extended wheel connector includes a first connector end and a second connector end, wherein the first connector end is pivotally connected to the distal end of the corresponding first leg and the second connector end is pivotally connected to the distal end of the balance pole.

95. The device of claim 94, wherein: The orientation maintaining structure also includes a parallelogram forming link having a first portion and a second portion, the corresponding first leg being pivotally connected to the first portion near the proximal end of the leg, the balance pole being pivotally connected to the second portion near the proximal end of the balance pole, and the distance between the first portion and the second portion being approximately the same as the distance between the first connector end and the second connector end of the extended wheel connector, thereby forming a parallelogram structure.

96. The device of claim 95, wherein: Each of the plurality of first legs has a directional maintaining structure, the directional maintaining structure having the parallelogram-forming connecting rod and the balance rod, and optionally, the plurality of first legs constitute a plurality of front legs of the device, the reference plane is a vertical symmetry plane passing through the plurality of front legs, and optionally, the device is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 30.

97. The device according to claim 95 or 96, characterized in that When the device is positioned on the surface, the parallelogram-forming links are spaced a distance from the surface at the ends of the wheels connected to the corresponding first legs that is greater than the distance from the surface at the ends of the first wheels connected to their balance poles.

98. The device according to any one of claims 93 to 97, characterized in that The device also includes a front leg deployment and folding mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 71 to 79.

99. The device of claim 98 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 95, characterized in that The parallelogram-forming connecting rod constitutes the front leg transmission element described in claim 75.

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