Rollator with swivel casters

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present application relates to a chassis for support by a walking or standing person, a so-called rollator, or for pushing by a walking or standing person, for example a wheelchair, with a frame having two handles in the intended position of the chassis viewed in the straight-ahead direction, on the left and right of the frame, and with at least three wheels, each of which is attached to the frame in such a way that, in the intended orientation of the chassis, they all roll on a level floor, and of which at least one is designed as a swivel wheel and at least one wheel, if not swivel-able, defines the straight-ahead direction of the chassis. background

[0002] Rollators, or walkers, designed to support a walking or standing person, have proven their worth in widespread use. A person requiring assistance can lean on a frame with two handgrips, positioned on the left and right sides when viewed from the front. At least three wheels, attached to the frame so that they all roll on level ground when the rollator is in its intended orientation, guide the person's walking direction. To allow for turning, at least one of the three wheels is a swivel caster, and at least one fixed wheel defines the rollator's straight-ahead direction.To ensure stability when the user is stationary, rollators typically have a braking mechanism with a brake lever, similar to a bicycle brake, located near the handle and easily accessible to the user's hand. The same applies to chassis designed for pushing by a walking or standing person, such as wheelchairs.

[0003] However, for some road situations, conventional chassis or rollators have proven to be unsatisfactorily maneuverable.

[0004] Document WO2006118756 A2 discloses a walking aid for users with postural deficits and / or insufficient leg strength to stand or walk independently. This device includes rear casters attached to each of the rear legs, which can be locked in a forward and backward non-steerable position by a pivoting locking element that engages in a slot in the extended mounting shaft of the caster. A release lever and a connecting cable facilitate locking and unlocking the casters. Subject matter of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to create a rollator of simple construction with improved maneuverability.

[0006] This problem is solved by a rollator according to claim 1.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] A rollator according to the invention serves to support (and / or to be pushed by) a walking or standing person. It has a frame with two handgrips, located on the left and right sides of the frame when the chassis is in its intended position in the direction of straight-ahead travel. These handgrips are preferably substantially horizontal and project rearward in the opposite direction of straight-ahead travel. The chassis has four wheels.

[0009] According to the invention, all casters are designed as swivel casters (or can be designed as such: i.e., "designed as swivel casters" in the sense of being capable of being swivel casters), and at least two of the casters can be locked by means of a releasable locking mechanism in an angular position that defines the straight-ahead direction of travel of the chassis. Alternatively, or possibly according to the invention, all non-swivel casters are provided with a locking mechanism by means of which they can be adjusted between swiveling and non-swiveling positions.

[0010] By designing all casters as swivel casters (or allowing them to be designed as such – i.e., pivotable about an axis perpendicular in the intended position, particularly by more than 360°), this rollator according to the invention is particularly maneuverable. It can not only be steered around curves by means of the swivel casters that are usually only at the front in the direction of travel, but can also be moved laterally in any desired direction, even parallel to each other.

[0011] As already indicated, it is particularly preferred that at least two of the wheels can be locked in an angular position by means of a releasable locking mechanism, which defines the straight-ahead direction of travel of the chassis. Since several wheels can be locked (the two rear ones), they all have parallel axes in the locked position. This makes it possible, for example, to transform the particularly maneuverable, but not quite as directionally stable for fast straight-ahead travel, rollator according to the invention into a conventional configuration with the rear wheels pointing straight ahead by locking them. Preferably, the locking mechanism then automatically locks each of the lockable wheels by means of a pre-tensioning device as soon as the wheel has been pivoted into the angular position.This allows the swivel caster to automatically return to its rigid direction (especially in the straight-ahead direction of the rollator) as soon as the user no longer holds a locking device of the locking mechanism.

[0012] All the chassis casters can also be swivel casters, pivotable and lockable in their swivel position. Another possible embodiment of the invention is that all casters are pivotable and can be locked (by actuating a locking mechanism) in the angular position in which the chassis is currently being pushed (i.e., only coincidentally in the straight-ahead direction of travel of the chassis). In this case, the locking mechanism for the swivel movement is preferably not positive-locking, but rather friction-locking.

[0013] Preferably, each of the lockable casters is locked by means of a pull bar that can be released by means of a Bowden cable. Particularly preferred is the simultaneous release of all lockable casters by means of a lever. The invention provides that the handles of the rollator also form the lever for this: in the intended position of the chassis, which is essentially horizontal and projecting backwards against the direction of straight-ahead travel (in particular horizontally), they are pivotable upwards to unlock the swivel caster (so that it "transforms" from its locked, rigid position into a swivel caster) (and downwards again to re-lock the swivel caster).

[0014] Preferably, an additional handle extends transversely to the straight-ahead direction on the frame or chassis according to the preamble of the main claim. This allows for a second grip position for the user's hands, particularly at right angles to the first on the handles – namely, a familiar one: similar to the handle of a shopping cart. Thus, much like a racing cyclist varying their grip positions on the handlebars, this is, according to the invention, an ergonomically more versatile way of supporting oneself on the rollator, and includes an orientation familiar to everyone.

[0015] Preferably, the handlebar also serves as the pivot axis for the handgrips, particularly when these are designed as operating levers for actuating a locking mechanism (especially for swivel casters that can be locked from a rigid straight-ahead position). In this case, the handlebar itself can also be rotated about its longitudinal axis for actuation, thus acting as an actuator itself.

[0016] Preferably, the Bowden cable of a Bowden cable-operated device (of the chassis or a chassis according to the preamble of the main claim – namely, in particular, a brake, locking mechanism, or de-locking device) can be actuated by means of an actuating lever which, in the manner of a rocker arm, has a lever arm on both sides of a lever bearing. The actuating lever actuates the Bowden cable (by pulling the inner cable of the Bowden cable) by pivoting (or rotating) each of the two lever arms against the direction of pull of the Bowden cable and in opposite (towards each other) directions of rotation. For this purpose, the lever has a lever bearing on both sides of the Bowden cable attachment point on the lever, and when the lever is not actuated, both lever bearings rest against a first bearing surface held on the frame in the direction of pull of the Bowden cable (and thus against the pivoting direction).Furthermore, the lever bearings are preferably mounted transversely to the direction of pull of the Bowden cable and away from the point where the Bowden cable housing is attached to the frame, in a form-fitting manner. This arrangement according to the invention, unlike conventional Bowden cable actuation levers (for example, for bicycle brakes), makes it possible to actuate one and the same Bowden cable from more than one handle using a lever, even if the handles are located on different sides of the Bowden cable housing attachment. This is particularly advantageous if the rollator has an additional handlebar transverse to the direction of travel. In this case, one lever arm can extend along the handlebar and another lever arm can extend along one of the handles.

[0017] Preferably, second bearing surfaces are arranged between the first bearing surfaces, closer to the attachment of the Bowden cable housing than the first bearing surfaces, on both sides of the Bowden cable housing attachment, and in the direction of pull of the Bowden cable relative to the first bearing surfaces. A sliding track is provided between them, on which, when one of the lever arms is actuated, the load-bearing lever bearing opposite the respective lever can slide from the first to the second bearing surface.

[0018] Preferably, third bearing surfaces are arranged outside the first bearing surfaces, further away from the Bowden cable attachment than the first bearing surfaces, on both sides of the Bowden cable attachment, and opposite to the Bowden cable's direction of pull relative to the first bearing surfaces. On the third bearing surfaces, the other lever bearing is lifted from its first bearing surface by actuation (and by one lever bearing sliding from the first to the second bearing surface), thus locking the actuation in place.

[0019] Preferably, the bearing surfaces are shaped to be complementary to the respective adjacent lever bearing.

[0020] Preferably, a tray on rails can be mounted horizontally on the frame or chassis according to the preamble of the main claim in the intended orientation of the chassis – in other words, such that the tray surface is horizontally oriented for placing objects on it. This allows the rollator to also be used as a transport, serving, or tea trolley. Particularly preferably, the tray on the rails can be moved to different positions on the rollator or positioned in different positions on the rollator. This allows the tray to be positioned close to the person and, depending on its height, serve as a table, standing table, or work surface.Particularly preferred is the arrangement of the rails such that the tray can be inserted between the handles and / or at the height of the handles, and particularly preferably at at least two heights, firstly at approximately the height of a kitchen worktop and secondly at approximately the height of a dining table, and again particularly preferably in a forward and a rear position in the direction of travel against a stop (and preferably steplessly in between).

[0021] In particular, there are two rails that are arranged parallel to each other on the rollator, one on the left and one on the right in the direction of travel, and / or the tray has contours that are form-fitting and complementary to the rails, especially on its underside.

[0022] Preferably, the frame or chassis according to the preamble of the main claim is pivotable about at least one pivot axis device, which is upright (in particular vertical) in the intended orientation of the chassis, between a driving and a storage position. This allows folding, compared to conventional folding geometries of rollators, even when the handles remain under load from above.

[0023] Preferably, the frame has a (particularly essentially flat or slightly curved) transverse frame that, in the intended orientation of the chassis, extends across its width between upright (particularly vertical) pivot axes on the left and right, around which a left and a right (particularly flat) roller assembly (each with two rollers at its lower ends) can pivot between a driving position (particularly oriented in the direction of travel) and a storage position (perpendicular to this, folded onto the transverse frame). This advantageously results in a frame that, in its intended orientation, is U-shaped from the top, opening backwards against the direction of travel, so that the person standing inside is surrounded by the frame and, in particular, by the four rollers of the rollator, as if standing in a Roman chariot.

[0024] Preferably, the frame or chassis according to the preamble of the main claim has two substantially horizontal handles arranged parallel to each other in the direction of travel and at the height of a chair armrest, in the intended orientation of the chassis, namely to the left and right of a person area which is surrounded by the frame only at the front and sides in the direction of travel, but is itself left open. The person can lean on this, in particular to get up, for example from a chair, and is thereby safely supported by the rollator according to the invention, which can be rolled on its wheels in such a way that the frame surrounds, for example, the chair in the person area.

[0025] The top of the handles can be designed as a rail to allow for the insertion of a tray. Short description of the characters

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a spatial view of a chassis according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a partially cutaway side view of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 unactuated, Fig. 3 shows a partially cutaway side view of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 with brake lever rocker actuated on one side, Fig. 4 shows a partially cutaway side view of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 with brake lever rocker actuated on the other side, Fig. 5 shows a partially cutaway side view of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 with actuated handle for locking the rear swivel casters, Fig. 6 shows a partially cutaway spatial view of a lockable swivel caster of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 Fig. 7 shows a partially cutaway front view of a lockable swivel caster of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1Fig. 8 shows a spatial view of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 with a tray horizontally mounted on rails on the rollator in a first position, Fig. 9 shows a spatial view of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 with a tray horizontally mounted on rails on the rollator in a second position, Fig. 10 shows a spatial view of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 with a tray horizontally mounted on rails on the rollator in a third position and Fig. 11 shows a spatial view of the chassis according to the invention. Fig. 1 partially folded. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0028] The figures show a chassis 2 for support for a walking or standing person (not shown). It is a so-called rollator 2. It has a frame 4 with two handles 6, specifically, in the illustrated intended position of the chassis 2 (with its four wheels 8, 9 on a level surface 10), viewed in the straight-ahead direction, on the left and right of the frame 4, which are horizontal and project backwards in the opposite direction of travel. As mentioned, the rollator 2 has four wheels 8, 9 on the frame 4. Two wheels 8 are permanently designed as swivel wheels, and two wheels 9, locked in a non-swivel position, define the straight-ahead direction of travel for the chassis 2. The two wheels 9, when locked so that they cannot swivel, have parallel axes 12.

[0029] However, all rollers, including the swivel-locked rollers 9, are designed as swivel rollers, and the swivel-locked rollers can be locked and secured by means of a releasable locking mechanism, in exactly one angular position (the one shown) which defines the straight-ahead direction of travel of the chassis 2.

[0030] Because all wheels 8 and 9 are designed as swivel wheels (i.e., they can swivel 360° or more around an axis 14 that is vertical in the intended position shown), this rollator 2 is particularly maneuverable. It can be steered around curves not only by the swivel wheels 8 at the front, as is usual in the direction of travel, but also – with the rear wheels 9 locked in their swiveling position – laterally in any desired direction. Parallel to the plane of the ground 10, this allows any movement and rotation of the rollator 2.

[0031] The two lockable wheels 9 can be locked in a specific angular position, defining the straight-ahead direction of the chassis 2, by means of a releasable locking mechanism 16. Since two of the wheels 9, the rear ones, are lockable, they all have parallel axes 12 in the locked position shown. This makes it possible to transform the rollator, which is particularly maneuverable but not quite as directionally stable for fast straight-ahead travel with the rear wheels 9 unlocked, into a conventional configuration with the rear wheels 9 pointing straight ahead by locking them in place.

[0032] The locking mechanism 16 automatically locks each of the lockable rollers 9 by means of a pre-tensioning device, a spring (not shown - above the latch 18), as soon as the roller 9 has pivoted into the angular position shown. This allows the swiveling roller 9 to automatically return to its fixed position (in the straight-ahead direction of the rollator 2) as soon as a locking device 18 of the locking mechanism 16 is no longer held in place by the user.

[0033] Each of the lockable wheels 9 is locked by means of a pull bar 18, which can be released by means of a Bowden cable 16. Both lockable wheels 9 can be unlocked simultaneously by means of a lever 20 - with the handles 6 of the rollator forming the lever 20 ( Fig. 5): in the intended position of the chassis 2, horizontal and projecting horizontally backwards against the direction of straight-ahead travel, they can be actuated upwards to unlock the swivel casters 9 (so that they "transform" from their locked rigid direction into a swivel caster) and pivot downwards again under spring preload and gravity to re-lock the swivel casters 9 as soon as the rear casters 9 assume the (illustrated) angular position of straight-ahead travel.

[0034] In Fig. 1 , 0 and 11A clearly visible additional handlebar 22 extends straight and perpendicular to the direction of travel. This allows for a second grip position for the user's hands (not shown), in particular at right angles to the first on the handles 6 – namely a familiar one: similar to the handlebar of a shopping cart. Thus, much like a racing cyclist varying their grip positions on their handlebars, this is an ergonomically more versatile way of supporting oneself on the rollator 2 according to the invention, and includes an orientation familiar to everyone – in particular, the crossbar also allows for one-handed use.

[0035] At the same time, the handle 22 also serves as the pivot axis for the hand grips 6, since these, as described, are designed as actuating levers for operating the de-retaining mechanism 16. Thus, the handle 22 itself can also be rotated about its longitudinal axis (not shown) for actuation and is therefore itself designed as an actuator.

[0036] Furthermore, the two Bowden cables 24 of a Bowden cable-operated brake 26 of the rollator can be operated by means of an actuating lever 26, which, in the manner of a rocker, has a lever arm 28, 30 on both sides of a lever bearing. The actuating lever 26 actuates the Bowden cable 24 by pivoting 32 each of the two lever arms 28, 30 (against the direction of pull of the Bowden cable 24 and in opposite (and arc-shaped towards each other) directions of rotation 32) (by pulling the inner cable of the Bowden cable 24). For this purpose, the lever 26 has a lever bearing 34 on each side of the attachment of the Bowden cable 24 to the lever 26, and when the lever 26 is not actuated, both lever bearings 34 rest against a first bearing surface 36 held on the frame 4 in the direction of pull of the Bowden cable 24 (downwards in the figures and thus against the pivoting direction 32).Furthermore, the lever bearings 34 are positively locked in place transversely to the direction of pull of the Bowden cable and away from the attachment 38 of the Bowden cable housing on the frame 4. Unlike conventional Bowden cable actuation levers (for example, for bicycle brakes), this arrangement allows the same Bowden cable to be actuated from more than one handle 6 using a lever, even if the handles 6, 22 are located on different sides of the attachment 38 of the Bowden cable housing. This is particularly advantageous because the rollator 2 has an additional handlebar 22 transverse to the direction of travel. Thus, a lever arm 30 can extend along the handlebar 22, and a lever arm 28 can extend along each of the handles 6.

[0037] Second bearing surfaces 40 are arranged between the first bearing surfaces 36, closer to the attachment 38 of the Bowden cable housing than the first bearing surfaces 36, and on both sides of the attachment 38 of the Bowden cable housing, and relative to the first bearing surfaces 36 in the direction of pull of the Bowden cable (downwards in the figures). Between them is a sliding contour 42, on which, when one of the lever arms 28, 30 is actuated, the lever bearing 34 opposite the respective lever arm 28, 30, and thus loaded, can slide from the first bearing surface 36 into the second bearing surface 40.

[0038] Third bearing surfaces 44 are arranged outside of the first bearing surfaces 36, further away from the Bowden cable attachment 38 than the first bearing surfaces 36, and on both sides of the Bowden cable attachment 38, and opposite to the Bowden cable's direction of pull relative to the first bearing surfaces 36. The other of the lever bearings 34 can be placed on the third bearing surfaces 44 in a form-fitting manner, lifting it from its first bearing surface 36 by actuation (and by the opposing lever bearing 34 sliding from its first bearing surface 36 into its second bearing surface 40), thus locking the actuation 26, particularly when the Bowden cable is pulled.

[0039] The bearing surfaces 36, 40, 44 are shaped complementarily to the respective adjacent lever bearing 34.

[0040] Pulling the actuating lever 26 has the following effect in this case, with regard to Fig. 6Pulling on a lever arm 27 of a brake rocker arm causes the end 25 opposite the lever arm 27 to tilt onto the (running surface of the) roller 9, thus causing it to brake. The inner cable of the Bowden cable 24 runs precisely through the (tubular) pivot axis of this (locked by the latch 18) swivel roller 9, so that its pivoting motion of 360° and more is not blocked or hindered.

[0041] As in Figures 8 to 10As can be seen, a tray 46 can be placed horizontally on rails 48 on the frame 4 in the intended orientation of the chassis 2. This allows the rollator 2 to also be used as a transport, serving, or tea trolley. The tray 46 can be moved and positioned in various positions on the rollator 2 along the rails 48. Thus, the tray 46 can be positioned close to the person (not shown) and, depending on its height, serve as a table, standing table, or work surface.A particularly advantageous feature is the arrangement of the rails 48 such that the tray 46 can be inserted between the handles 6 at the height of the handles 6, and at two heights: firstly, at approximately the height (about 80 to 100 cm) of a kitchen worktop, and secondly, at approximately dining table height (about 60 to 80 cm – 67 cm is selected). This is achieved in each of two positions, one forward and one rearward in the direction of travel, against a stop (not shown), and steplessly in between (only at the lower height). For this purpose, the rail 48 for the upper height of the tray is pivotable about a horizontal axis between the front and rear positions. Fig. 8 and 9 )

[0042] More precisely, at both heights there are two rails 48 which are arranged parallel to each other on the rollator 2 to the left and right in the direction of travel, and the tray has contours on its underside (not shown) that are form-fitting and complementary to the rails.

[0043] The frame 4 is also pivotable about at least one pivot axis device 50 perpendicular in the intended orientation of the chassis between a driving position 52 and a storage position 54 ( Fig. 11 This allows the rollator to be folded even when the handles are still under pressure from above, compared to conventional folding geometries.

[0044] In particular, the frame 4 has a (slightly curved, when viewed from above) transverse frame 56 which, in the intended orientation of the chassis 2, extends across its width between the vertical pivot axis devices 50 on the left and right, around which a left and a right flat roller frame 58 (each with two rollers (8 and 9) at its lower ends) can pivot between a driving position 52 (oriented in the direction of travel) and a storage position 54 (transverse to this, folded onto the transverse frame 56, with the frame members lying in the curves of the transverse frame 56). Thus, in the driving position 52, the frame advantageously has a U-shape that, in its intended orientation, is open to the rear in the direction of travel, so that the person (not shown) is surrounded by the frame 4 and, in particular, by the four rollers of the rollator, as if standing in a Roman chariot.

[0045] Finally, the frame 4 has two essentially horizontal handles 60 arranged parallel to each other in the direction of travel, at the height of a chair armrest (approximately 60 to 80 cm – 67 cm is selected), to the left and right of a passenger area 62. This passenger area is surrounded by the frame 4 only at the front and sides in the direction of travel and is itself left open. The person (not shown) can lean on this area, particularly to get up, for example from a chair (not shown), and is securely supported by the rollator 2, which can be rolled on its wheels so that the frame 4 surrounds, for example, the chair in the passenger area – and the person, supported by the rollator 2, can stand up. At the rear end, both horizontal handles extend into an end handle 61 that curves downwards back towards the frame 4. List of reference symbols

[0046] Chassis, Rollator 2 Frame 4 Handles 6 Wheels 8 Swivel-locked wheels 9 Base 10 Axles 12 Swivel axle 14 Locking mechanism 16 Locking device, pull bar 18 Lever 20 Handlebar 22 Bowden cable 24 Brake 25 Operating lever 26 Brake rocker arm 27 Lever arm 28, 30 Swivel direction 32 Lever bearing 34 First bearing surface 36 Attachment 38 of the Bowden cable housing Second bearing surface 40 Sliding contour 42 Third bearing surface 44 Tray 46 Rail 48 Vertical swivel axle device 50 Driving position 52 Storage position 54 Cross frame 56 Roller frame 58 Handlebar grips 60 End grip 61 User area 62

Claims

1. A walker (2) - for supporting a walking or standing person by two handles (6), - comprising a frame (4) with an unlocking mechanism (18) and a locking mechanism (16), - wherein the two handles (6) are attached at the frame on the lefthand and righthand sides thereof as viewed in a straight-ahead direction of travel in a proper position of the walker (2), - comprising four wheels (8, 9), respectively attached to the frame in such a way that they all roll on a flat floor (10) in a proper orientation of the walker (2), and two of which are designed as pivoting wheels, and two wheels (9), namely the two rear wheels, which are not pivotable, define the straight-ahead direction of travel of the walker (2), wherein all the wheels (8, 9) are designed as pivotable wheels by enabling the two non-pivotable wheels to become pivotable by executing the unlocking mechanism, namely by being lockable by means of the detachable locking mechanism, which is in the angular position that defines a particular straight-ahead direction of travel of the walker (2), wherein both lockable wheels (9) are detachable together by using a lever (20), and said handles (6) form said lever (20), and are essentially horizontal in the proper position of the walker (2), and project backwards against the straight-ahead direction of travel, and can be pivoted upwards for detaching.

2. The walker (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking mechanism (16) locks each of the lockable wheels (8) automatically by means of a preload device, as soon as the wheel has pivoted into the angular position.

3. The walker (2) according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said locking mechanism (16) locks each of the lockable wheels (8) by means of a drawbar (18), which can be detached by means of a Bowden cable (24).