Roller Patents (Class 135/85)
  • Patent number: 6342032
    Abstract: A wheel-mounted exercise device, has a brake cooperating with the wheel at one end of a tube, and a hand grip at the other of the tube, adapted to provide a hand position for proper exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Timothy B. Affield
  • Patent number: 6338355
    Abstract: A safety brake type rollator which is normally in detained state, but it starts to advance when releasing grips installed on both handle bars are gripped, is disclosed. The elaborate utilization of lever principle associated with power transmission between two ratchet wheels realizes innovative effect of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Merits Health Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Larry M. Cheng
  • Patent number: 6318392
    Abstract: A supportive walker includes a front frame, a rear frame with a connection bar connected thereto and a pair of retaining frames connected to the front frame so that the connection bar extends through the two passages of the two retaining frames. A safety device has an engaging portion and an urging device which is biased between the retaining frame and the engaging portion. The engaging portion is releasably engaged with the connection bar by operating the urging device. Therefore, the front frame and the rear frame are expanded or folded securely when the urging device is released. The connection bar of the rear frame is movable in the passages of the retaining frames when the urging device is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Scott Chen
  • Patent number: 6217056
    Abstract: The walking aid includes a stick body inclined in the forward-and-backward direction so that the lower end thereof is positioned forward, a support rod installed behind the stick body and inclined so that lower end thereof is positioned backward, and wheels provided on both sides of the lower end of the stick body and on both sides of the lower end of the support rod, steering being carried out by turning the stick body, wherein a rocking mechanism is provided at the wheel installation portion of the stick body to support an axle rotatably with respect to its axis in the forward-and-backward direction. With this kind of structure, even when the stick body is tilted or steered, the axle rocks automatically so that the wheels on both sides remain contact with the ground at all times, whereby it is possible to obtain a stable, easy-to-use walking aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Kimihiro Tsuchie
  • Patent number: 6158453
    Abstract: A wheel mounted cane secured to extend laterally from a four-wheeled carriage for use in supporting and balancing a user while walking and including an adjustable braking means for the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Mike Nasco
  • Patent number: 6142526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a speed control pole to be used by a skater. The speed control pole has an elongated shaft with an upper end and a lower end, a roller/wheel mounted to the lower end of the shaft, a braking mechanism for contacting the roller, and a hand grip system for actuating the braking mechanism. The braking mechanism includes a brake pad which is caused to be moved inwardly against the roller and downwardly into contact with a skating surface when actuated. The brake pad includes an arcuately shaped surface for contacting the roller and a lower surface formed by two angled substantially planar surfaces. During a braking mode of operation, the arcuately shaped surface is brought into contact with the roller. During a pushing off mode of operation, the arcuately shaped surface remains in contact with the roller and the substantially planar surfaces are sequentially brought into contact with the skating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: David L. Katz
  • Patent number: 6003532
    Abstract: A wheeled triple-leg walker includes an upright tube, two F-shaped armrest frames respectively turned about the upright tube, a stretcher bar having a first end pivoted to one armrest frame and a second end adjustably connected to the other armrest frame to maintain the contained angle defined between the armrest frames, three wheel assemblies respectively mounted on the armrest frames and the upright tube at a bottom side for supporting and moving the wheeled triple-leg walker on the ground, and two armrest pads respectively mounted on the armrest frames at a top side for supporting the user's forearms when the user moves the wheeled triple-leg walker and walks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Ching-Tien Pi
  • Patent number: 5938240
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device used by a skater for controlling speed and maintaining balance on wheeled skates. The device includes a molded elongate body with a fork for receiving a wheel at one end and a hand grip at the other end. The body includes a brake assembly for applying a braking force to the wheel or to the ground. The invention also relates to a brake pad and a wheel having corresponding tongues and grooves for frictional contact. The invention also relates to a method for learning to skate using the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: James R. Gairdner
  • Patent number: 5911235
    Abstract: A glide, preferably self retaining, for the lower end of each rear leg of a walker. The device substantially reduces forward drag or resistance to walker sliding movement over a support substrate such as carpet, hard floors, concrete, ground and like, while simultaneously increasing resistance to side ways or lateral slippage. The device includes a stationary or fixed member which engages with and receives support from each walker leg lower end and includes a support shaft orientated at an acute angle of preferably about fifteen degrees (15.degree.) to the central axis of the leg. A ground engaging member is held on the support shaft for rotation only and has a lower exterior contoured ground engaging surface which, in combination with the acute angle, makes contact with the support substrate laterally from the central axis of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventors: Richard E. Henderson, Kathleen O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5785070
    Abstract: A dual handled walking-assist and uprisal-assist device is disclosed having the handles spaced at a predetermined distance to provide a stable structure for rising from and lowering to a seated position, in addition to serving as a walking aid. The walking- and uprisal-assist device has a structure having a first handle or first pair of handles which are useful whenever a user is in a standing position. A second handle or second pair of handles are spaced a preselected distance from the first handle or handles and at a preselected distance from the bottom of the device. An infirmed user can use the second handle or handles as a grip to push against when the user is rising from a chair. The second handle or handles are connected to one or more load-bearing shafts and the geometrical centers of the handles are positioned relative to the load-bearing shafts to provide a stable structure when used for uprisal and walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Momentum Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Randall D. Block, Darla R. Gill
  • Patent number: 5692533
    Abstract: A walking cane includes function enhancing elements, the cane including a sing of a substantially vertical elongated support member having an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis. A handle is complementally positioned about the support member's upper end for selectable radial rotation relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. Forward and rear and downwardly integrally dependent legs rigidly extend from the support member's lower end, the legs each having a body portion and foot portions. The wheels are rotatably secured to each of the foot portions of the forward legs of a base, and friction-enhancing tips are integrally associated with each of the foot portions of the rearward legs of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Cane Enable, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryant K. Meltzer
  • Patent number: 5687991
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for braking a person wearing wheeled skates such as in-line skates, in which an elongated shaft has an arm clamp attached at its upper end to grip the user's arm, and a wheel rotatably connected to its lower end. A hand grip and braking handle near the upper end of the shaft can be grasped by the user's hand to activate a wheel braking mechanism. In use the shaft is attached to the user's arm and extends forwardly and downwardly from the arm, so that when braking is to occur, the user triangulates forwardly onto the shaft which supports the user's weight against falling and provides braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: James R. Gairdner
  • Patent number: 5653468
    Abstract: A stabilizer beam for a roller blade skater. The beam has a first end which supports a brake pad for stopping the skater. A second end detachably retains an insert for supporting an implement useful for stabilizing the roller blade skater on the roller blades. The implement may be one of another brake pad, a free turning wheel and a hockey stick blade. The invention therefore provides a simple, reliable beam which assists roller blade skaters in stopping reliably in minimum space and provides a beam which promotes stability on roller blades by permitting the user to adapt the beam to his skill and/or activity. A brake pad on each end of the beam is preferred for beginner skaters, a wheel on one end of the pad is preferred for experienced skaters wishing to travel at high speed, while a hockey stick blade is preferred for skaters of any skill level wishing to manipulate a ball or a puck while skating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Jason Ostapyk
  • Patent number: 5636651
    Abstract: A controller for wheeled vehicles includes a mechanism which selectively shifts the vehicle between a mobile and a stable state. The vehicle may be a walker for easing an operator's efforts in walking and includes a selectively actuable stabilizer which fixes the position of the walker or releases it for rolling motion, thus providing a stable state or a mobile state, respectively. An actuator such as a button, pressure sensor, or lever, electrically and/or mechanically actuates a stabilizer brake mechanism to engage or release the brake and thereby allow the walker's mobility to be controlled when the actuator operates the brake to stabilize or to slow the motion of the walker. Preferably, lift applied to the vehicle itself releases the brake and allows mobility. The actuator may control an electrically actuated braking mechanism, in response to a sensor such as a strain gauge that may be adjusted to the needs of the patient; alternatively, lifters may be provided to act in response to the lifting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Eli Einbinder
  • Patent number: 5588457
    Abstract: A useful cane assembly for the handicapped for walking and maneuvering with ease, having the person's weight on the cane assembly being continuously supported. Cane 1, is supported by base 4, which is on wheels 5 and 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: John A. Tartaglia
  • Patent number: 5312135
    Abstract: A braking and stabilizing system for use by a roller blade skater comprises an elongated shaft adapted to be manually held by the skater and having a roller on at least one end thereof adapted to be biased against a skating surface and a brake mechanism controllable by the skater for braking rotation of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: James P. Karabees
  • Patent number: 5188138
    Abstract: This invention is easily assembled walking stick which disposes wheels at the lower end, and it enables user to walk forward in stable state without danger.This walking stick helps aged persons and sick persons and physically handicapped persons to walk.And it comprises the main walking stick with a wheel which has the hollow support bar disposed the forward wheel rotatably at the lower end and the assistant walking stick with a wheel which has the hollow assistant bar disposed the back wheel rotatably at the lower endThe main walking stick with a wheel and the assistant walking stick with a wheel are tied with the fastening bar member and the hook.The forward wheel is adjusted by the brake structure.The hollow support bar can be folded or contracted and expanded.And it helps user to walk in stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Japan Health, Kabushiki Kaisha Fuji Iryoki
    Inventors: Yoshikiyo Yamasaki, Shinichiro Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 5156176
    Abstract: A device for supporting an unstable ambulatory patient while walking. The device is similar to a customary walker except that the user is additionally supported by a harness attaching the user to the walker by a readily releasable latch or snap device, and the legs of the walker are springable to provide both for a broader base of the walker to inhibit tipping and to reduce the jolt to the patient should the patient fall. The walker is designed for independent use by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Daryl E. Doorenbos
  • Patent number: 5112044
    Abstract: A prosthetic-type device which that restores independent ambulatory ability to individuals who have experienced diminished mobility includes a "U"-shaped member that supports a flexible harness, similar to that employed by mountain climbers. This harness encloses the waist, with additional support for the occupant provided by a crotch strap, and maintains body position of the occupant at an appropriate height, adjustable via a button-operated pin locking system incorporated into a rear vertical support member, allowing the occupant's legs to reach the floor. The U-shaped support member is curved, and attaches to a height adjustment housing via the pin locking system, and subsequently into a base, on which are fixed a plurality of swivel mounted casters, each with a weight-activated braking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Barbara A. Dubats
  • Patent number: 5056545
    Abstract: An apparatus setting forth a walking cane provided with requisite safety features defined by an elongate cane shaft formed with a lowermost friction tip at its lower terminal end and a handle at its upper terminal end, with safety wheels mounted adjacent a lower terminal end, with lower surfaces of the safety wheels aligned with the lower tip. A light reflector is provided on the shaft and positioned medially between the spaced wheels and oriented forwardly thereof, and further including a water supply reservoir removably mounted relative to the shaft, a mirror, and a horn member, as well as an audible play-back device to alert others as to the positioning of the shaft in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Phillip A. Spaeth
  • Patent number: 4962781
    Abstract: A collapsible rolling cane adapted to assist an elderly or handicapped person in walking. The cane includes a front leg having a handle attached to its upper end at a height convenient to the user, a single front wheel being mounted on the lower end. A shorter tubular rear leg is pivotally connected at its upper end to the leaf of a first hinge joined to the front leg at a position below the upper end thereof. The lower end of the rear leg is joined to the midpoint of a transverse axle on either end of which a rear wheel is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Inventor: Maurice S. Kanbar
  • Patent number: 4958651
    Abstract: A device for a mobility cane which assists in the cushioning of impact and the avoidance of obstacles. The impact cushioning component can be adapted at either end of the cane or built into any portion along the length of the cane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Emile G. Najm
  • Patent number: 4559962
    Abstract: An auxiliary mobility guide adapted to be mounted on the tip end of a cane for a sightloss person is disclosed. The mobility guide includes a frame with at least one C bracket, each C bracket having two horizontal legs connected by a vertical leg. An arm projects upwardly from the top of the vertical leg, thereby forming an inclined plane approximately equal to that plane at which sightloss users place a guide cane with respect to the ground. A bracket mounted on the arm's upper side is adapted to adjustably overfit the tip end of a cane. One freely swiveling and rollable wheel assembly is adapted to be received and retained by each C bracket. The assembly's wheel fits freely below the frame's lower horizontal leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Inventor: John Marchiano
  • Patent number: 3996950
    Abstract: A rollable device, designed to be pushed by a blind person, has a plurality of sensors so spaced and so located upon a wheeled mount as to detect the presence of an object, step, or depression in the path of the user, and in so doing actuate electrical means designed to instantaneously inform the user of the presence of the potentially dangerous condition.The electrically actuated means includes vibratory devices in the handle of the device, so located as to acquaint a blind person with the locaton and nature of the dangerous condition in his or her path. Means is also incorporated in the device, in the form of a buzzer or other electrically actuated audible device, signifying the presence of objects such as automobile bumpers which are elevated above the ground surface and would therefore otherwise go undetected.Incorporated in the device, also, is a means actuable by the user for sounding a horn or the like for the purpose of seeking help or for warning others of his approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Randall Mier