Self-Standing Rollator With Rear Floor Support for Sit-to-Stand Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rollators lack stability when used to assist users in transitioning from a seated to a standing position, often tipping or moving horizontally, necessitating additional assistance and limiting user independence.
Innovation Solution
A self-standing rollator with a frame supported by rollers, a support brace contacting the user's leg, and floor support members extending beneath the user to stabilize the frame during this transition, along with expandable and collapsible frames for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional rollator is used to assist a user in standing from a seated position, then the user can attempt to pull themselves up using the handles, but the rollator moves horizontally and/or tips, resulting in diminished support and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rearwardly extending floor support member that contacts the floor behind the user's heels, adding a new dimensional element to the support system. This rearward contact point creates a triangular support base with the front wheels and user, preventing the rollator from tipping forward during the standing motion. The floor support member extends backward from the frame at an angle, providing stability in the horizontal dimension that was previously lacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor support member is designed to be deployable and collapsible, transitioning between an extended stable configuration during use and a collapsed compact configuration for storage. This dynamic feature allows the rollator to adapt its structure based on operational needs, providing stability when required and compactness when not in use. The support member can be manually deployed or automatically extended when needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional support features are added to prevent tipping, then stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floor support member is integrated with the existing rollator frame structure, sharing common mounting points and structural elements. The support member connects to the frame at strategic locations, utilizing the frame's existing strength and geometry. This merging approach allows the stability feature to be added without requiring a completely separate support system, thereby reducing overall complexity compared to independent support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor support member is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently deployed and collapsed. This segmentation allows the stability feature to be activated only when needed, rather than requiring a permanently complex structure. The modular design enables easy deployment mechanisms and simplifies the overall system architecture by separating the stability function from the basic rollator structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rollator is designed to be compact for storage, then transportability improves, but the support features cannot be effectively deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The floor support member incorporates a deployable mechanism that allows it to transition between a collapsed state for compact storage and an extended state for stable support. During transport or storage, the support member remains collapsed along with the foldable frame, maintaining compact dimensions. When deployed for use, the support member extends rearwardly to provide the necessary stability, effectively resolving the conflict between compactness and functionality.
4Ease of operation
If conventional rollator handles are positioned for standing users, then walking support is effective, but seated users cannot effectively use them for standing assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The rollator is designed with dual functionality to serve both standing and seated users effectively. The floor support member specifically addresses the needs of seated users by providing rearward stability during the standing motion, while the overall rollator structure with its handles and frame continues to provide walking support for standing users. This universal design allows the same device to adapt to different user positions and needs without requiring separate equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-standing rollator is provided for assisting a user in walking and in moving from a seated position to a standing position. A frame is carried by a plurality of rollers. A support brace is positioned along the frame to contact a leg portion of the user to brace the frame against movement in relation to the user. At least one handle positioned along the frame to allow a user to grasp the handle when the support brace is contacting the leg portion of the user. At least one floor support member extends from a lower portion of the frame beneath the user when the support brace is contacting the leg portion of the user. Thus, when the support brace is contacting the leg portion of the user, the floor support member braces the frame against rotation as the user moves from a seated position to a standing position.