Walker with a foldable foot rest or collapsible step
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard walkers often fail to provide adequate elevation for individuals with physical disabilities to reach high areas such as beds, chairs, or cars, increasing the risk of falls and musculoskeletal discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A walker with a foldable foot rest mechanism, comprising a first and second frame, horizontal support bars, and pivotally connected vertical support bars, allowing the foot rest to be raised or lowered via a handle, providing adjustable elevation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a standard walker is used, then the structure remains simple and stable, but the elevation is insufficient for individuals with physical disabilities to reach high areas
Solution Approach 1:
The foot rest is designed to be dynamically adjustable in elevation through a folding mechanism. The vertical support bars can be pivoted to raise or lower the foot rest to different heights, allowing users to reach various elevations. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by providing variable elevation without requiring multiple fixed-height structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The walker is divided into separate functional components: a stable base frame and an adjustable foot rest assembly. The foot rest assembly includes vertical support bars that can be independently pivoted, allowing the elevation adjustment function to be separated from the main walker structure. This segmentation enables elevation adjustment without compromising the stability of the overall walker.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed elevation walker is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different user needs and surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The foot rest incorporates a folding mechanism with pivot joints that enable dynamic adjustment of elevation. Users can pivot the vertical support bars to raise or lower the foot rest according to different needs, such as reaching beds, chairs, or cars. This dynamic design provides adaptability without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevation parameter of the foot rest can be changed by pivoting the vertical support bars to different angles. This parameter adjustment allows the same structure to adapt to various heights and surfaces, providing versatility without adding significant complexity to the overall device.
3Volume of moving object
If the foot rest is made collapsible, then storage space is reduced, but the stability during use may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The foot rest features a collapsible design where the vertical support bars can be pivoted to a compact position for storage. When not in use, the foot rest can be folded against the walker frame, minimizing the volume it occupies. During use, the same pivot joints allow the foot rest to be extended to provide stable support, thus resolving the contradiction between compact storage and operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible foot rest is segmented into movable vertical support bars that can be independently pivoted. This segmentation allows the foot rest to transition between extended (stable) and collapsed (compact) states while maintaining structural integrity in both configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The foldable foot rest reduces the risk of falls by enabling easier access to high areas, while the adjustable design enhances user comfort and reduces musculoskeletal strain.
Implementation Method 1
the bottom end of each vertical support bar is pivotally connected, via one or more pivot joints, to a foldable foot rest
Data Source
AI summary
A walker that includes a handle, first frame having first and second legs, a second frame having first and second legs, one or more support bars, and a foldable or stowable foot rest, in which the folding action of the foot rest is actuated via the handle.