Rollator Forearm Gutter Support for Upright Posture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assistive mobility devices, such as wheeled walkers and rollators, often require significant hand and arm strength for operation, leading to unhealthy postures and increased risk of tipping, and lack a stable seat for resting, which can strain users and limit their mobility and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible rollator with a frame supported by wheel assemblies, adjustable upper body supports, forearm gutters for forearm engagement, and a slidable seat, along with an X-folder mechanism for side-to-side collapsing and a wheel direction lock system for enhanced stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user grasps the handles to support body weight, then the device provides mobility support, but significant hand and arm strength is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an upper body support mechanism with forearm gutters that acts as an intermediary between the user's body weight and the walker frame. This mediator transfers weight-bearing function from the hands to the upper body, eliminating the need for significant hand and arm strength while maintaining mobility support reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to grasp handles downward to support weight, the patent inverts the support mechanism by providing upward support through the upper body support and forearm gutters. This inversion shifts the force direction from downward grasping to upward support, reducing the strength requirement while maintaining reliability
2Ease of operation
If the user adopts a stooping posture to avoid hobbled gait, then the gait is improved, but the user's back and arms are stressed and internal organs are compressed
Solution Approach 1:
The upper body support and forearm gutters serve as a mediator that allows the user to maintain an upright posture while walking. This intermediary provides the necessary support to prevent hobbled gait without requiring the user to adopt a harmful stooping posture, thereby eliminating back and arm stress while maintaining gait smoothness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of needing support into a benefit by designing the upper body support to enable upright posture. Instead of the support mechanism encouraging stooping, it is designed to promote and maintain upright positioning, transforming what could be a harmful adaptation into a health-preserving solution
3Adaptability or versatility
If a seat is constructed between the side frames, then the user can sit down for resting, but the space available inside the walker footprint is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seat from the main walker footprint by positioning it on the rear ends of the side frames rather than between them. This segmentation allows the seat to be integrated into the walker structure while maintaining clear space within the walker footprint, providing resting capability without blocking the operational area
Solution Approach 2:
The seat is positioned in the rear dimension of the walker rather than occupying the central horizontal space. This dimensional repositioning allows the seat to be added without reducing the walker footprint area, maintaining both resting capability and unobstructed space for user movement
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the user steps behind the walker footprint to avoid kicking into the seat, then kicking is prevented, but the user is forced into a stooping posture
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the seat placement to the rear ends of side frames, the patent creates spatial separation between the seat and the walker footprint. This segmentation prevents the user from kicking into the seat while walking through the footprint, eliminating the need to step behind or stoop, thereby preventing kicking while maintaining upright posture
Solution Approach 2:
The seat is repositioned to the rear dimension of the walker structure, creating a spatial arrangement where the user's walking path through the footprint does not intersect with the seat. This dimensional repositioning simultaneously prevents kicking and maintains proper walking posture without requiring the user to step behind or bend forward
Data Source
AI summary
A rollator including a frame having first and second side frames extending along respective ones of a pair of planes. First and second upper body supports are coupled to and disposable at an adjustable height above the frame. A pair of forearm gutters are coupled to respective ones of the first and second upper body supports for engaging and supporting a respective forearm of the user during use. Each forearm gutter includes a peripheral edge, a forward midpoint on the peripheral edge, and a rearward midpoint on the peripheral edge. Each forearm gutter defines a longitudinal axis bisecting the respective forearm gutter and passing through the forward midpoint and the rearward midpoint. The forward midpoint and the rearward midpoint on each forearm gutter fall between the pair of planes.