Stationary Walker Track Assembly for Continuous Safe Walking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile walkers pose safety risks, such as increased injury from falling down stairs, difficulty in walking due to cumbersome designs, and short product life, which discourages parents from using them.
Innovation Solution
A stationary walker assembly with a non-movable base, connected tracks forming a circular path, and a lightweight yoke assembly that supports the user, reducing the burden on the user and eliminating the need to move unnecessary weight, thus enhancing safety and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile walker is used to allow a child to move around, then the child can walk with support, but the child may fall down stairs causing injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional mobile walker design by making the base stationary instead of mobile. The walker frame is fixed to the floor, eliminating the risk of the walker moving to dangerous locations while still providing walking support through the circular track and yoke assembly mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If the yoke assembly is made rotatable relative to the tray, then the child can turn, but the peripheral edge has high slide resistance increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tray component entirely, eliminating the need for complex friction-reduction devices on the yoke assembly perimeter. Rotation is achieved through the circular track geometry rather than through a tray interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tray-yoke rotation interface with a track-guided yoke movement system. The circular track provides the rotational path without requiring low-friction mechanical interfaces between the yoke and a tray surface
3Ease of operation
If wheels are mounted to the bottom of columns, then the walker can move, but the product life is reduced due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the mobility approach by making the base stationary and the yoke assembly movable along a fixed circular track. This eliminates wheel wear while maintaining the ability for the child to move around the circular path
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the yoke assembly moves along the stationary circular track. This provides the necessary motion for walking practice without the wear and reliability issues associated with mobile wheels on the base structure
4Device complexity
If a linear track is used, then the walker has a simple path, but the child must turn around at the end which is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linear track with a circular track configuration. This curved path allows continuous movement without dead ends, enabling the child to walk around the circle and naturally transition directions without the difficulty of turning around at the end of a linear path
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a stationary walker assembly configured for use by a person. The stationary walker assembly includes a stationary base assembly. A first track is configured to be connectable to the stationary base assembly. A second track is configured to be connected to the stationary base assembly. The first track and the second track are spaced apart from each other once the first track and the second track are connected to the stationary base assembly. A yoke assembly is configured to be coupled to the first track and the second track. The yoke assembly is also configured to receive and support the person. This is done in such a way that the yoke assembly, in use, facilitates support of the person relative to the stationary base assembly.