초록 ▼

A supportive device for use as a wheelchair and a walker. A pair of handgrips are pivotally attached to a frame so as to have a rearwardly-facing position and a forwardly-facing position. A seat is pivotally attached to the frame so as to have a horizontal position and a vertical position. When usin

A supportive device for use as a wheelchair and a walker. A pair of handgrips are pivotally attached to a frame so as to have a rearwardly-facing position and a forwardly-facing position. A seat is pivotally attached to the frame so as to have a horizontal position and a vertical position. When using the supportive device as the wheelchair, a pair of front legs of the frame terminate in wheels, the seat is in the horizontal position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the rearwardly-facing position thereof. When the supportive device is used as the walker, the pair of front legs terminate in either wheels or caps, the seat is in the vertical position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the forwardly-facing position thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed and desired to be covered by Letters Patent is: 1. A supportive device for use as a wheelchair and a walker, comprising: a) a pair of handgrips; b) a seat; and c) a frame; wherein said frame includes a back portion; wherein said frame includes a pair of side portions; wherein said f

What is claimed and desired to be covered by Letters Patent is: 1. A supportive device for use as a wheelchair and a walker, comprising: a) a pair of handgrips; b) a seat; and c) a frame; wherein said frame includes a back portion; wherein said frame includes a pair of side portions; wherein said frame includes a seat portion; wherein said frame includes a pair of rear legs; wherein said frame includes a pair of front legs; wherein said pair of rear legs terminate in wheels; wherein said pair of front legs terminate in one of wheels and caps; wherein said pair of handgrips are pivotally attached to said pair of side portions of said frame, respectively, so as to have a rearwardly-facing position where said pair of handgrips face away from said pair of front legs of said frame and a forwardly-facing position where said pair of handgrips face towards said pair of front legs of said frame; wherein said seat is pivotally attached to said seat portion of said frame so as to have a horizontal position where said seat faces said seat portion of said frame and a vertical position where said seat faces said back portion of said frame; wherein when said pair of front legs of said frame terminate in said wheels, said seat is in said horizontal position thereof, and said pair of handgrips are in said rearwardly-facing position thereof so as to allow a person to sit on said seat and face away from said back portion of said frame and have another person stand behind the person, grip said pair of handgrips, and push said supportive device so as to allow said supportive device to be used as the wheelchair; wherein when said pair of front legs of said frame terminate in one of said wheels and said caps, said seat is in said vertical position thereof, and said pair of handgrips are in said forwardly-facing position thereof so as to allow a person to stand between said pair of side portions of said frame, face said back portion of said frame, grip said pair of handgrips, and push said supportive device so as to allow said supportive device to be used as the walker; wherein said pair of front legs of said frame have a first front leg; wherein said first front leg of said frame extends vertically upwardly; wherein said first front leg of said frame has a first end; wherein said first front leg of said frame has a second end; wherein said first end of said first front leg of said frame is located beneath said second end of said first front leg of said frame; wherein said pair of front legs of said frame have a second front leg; wherein said second front leg of said frame extends vertically upwardly; wherein said second front leg of said frame has a first end; wherein said second front leg of said frame has a second end; wherein said first end of said second front leg of said frame is located beneath said second end of said second front leg of said frame; wherein said pair of rear legs of said frame have a first rear leg; wherein said first rear leg of said frame extends upwardly; wherein said first rear leg of said frame has a first end; wherein said first rear leg of said frame has a second end; wherein said first end of said first rear leg of said frame is located beneath said second end of said first rear leg of said frame; wherein said pair of rear legs of said frame have a second rear leg; wherein said second rear leg of said frame extends upwardly; wherein said second rear leg of said frame has a first end; wherein said second rear leg of said frame has a second end; wherein said first end of said second rear leg of said frame is located beneath said second end of said second rear leg of said frame; wherein said pair of side portions of said frame have a first side portion; wherein said first side portion of said frame has a first arm rest; wherein said pair of side portions of said frame have a second side portion; wherein said second side portion of said frame has a second arm rest; wherein said first arm rest of said frame connects said second end of said first front leg of said frame to said second end of said first rear leg of said frame; wherein said first arm rest of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said first arm rest of said frame is connected to second end of said first front leg of said frame; wherein said first arm rest of said frame has a second end; wherein said second end of said first arm rest of said frame is spaced-apart from said second end of said first rear leg of said frame; wherein said second end of said first rear leg of said frame is connected to said first arm rest of said frame, at a location between said first end of said first arm rest of said frame and said second end of said first arm rest of said frame; wherein said second arm rest connects said second end of said second front leg of said frame to said second end of said second rear leg of said frame; wherein said second arm rest of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said second arm rest of said frame rest is connected to said second end of said second front leg of said frame; wherein said second arm rest of said frame has a second end; wherein said second end of said second arm rest of said frame is spaced-apart from said second end of said second rear leg of said frame; and wherein said second end of said first rear leg of said frame is connected to said second arm rest of said frame, at a location between said first end of said second arm rest of said frame and said second end of said second arm rest of said frame. 2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said seat portion of said frame has a first cross arm; wherein said seat portion of said frame has a second cross arm; wherein said first cross arm of said frame connects said first front leg of said frame to said first rear leg of said frame; wherein said first cross arm of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said first cross arm of said frame is connected to said first front leg of said frame, at a location between said first end of said first front leg of said frame and said second end of said first front leg of said frame; wherein said first cross arm of said frame has a second end; wherein said second end of said first cross arm of said frame is connected to said first rear leg of said frame, at a location between said first end of said first rear leg of said frame and said second end of said first rear leg of said frame; wherein said second cross arm of said frame connects said second front leg of said frame to said second rear leg of said frame; wherein said second cross arm of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said second cross arm of said frame is connected to said second front leg of said frame, at a location between said first end of said second front leg of said frame and said second end of said second front leg of said frame; wherein said second cross arm of said frame has a second end; and wherein said second end of said second cross arm of said frame is connected to said second rear leg of said frame, at a location between said first end of said second rear leg of said frame and said second end of said second rear leg of said frame. 3. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said first cross arm of said frame extends parallel to said first arm rest of said frame; and wherein said first cross arm of said frame extends parallel to said second arm rest of said frame. 4. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said back portion of said frame has a first back rest element; wherein said back portion of said frame has second back rest element; wherein said first back rest element of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said first back rest element of said frame is connected to said first rear leg of said frame, adjacent to said second end of said first cross arm of said frame; wherein said first back rest element of said frame extends vertically upward from said first rear leg of said frame; wherein said first back rest element of said frame has a second end; wherein said second end of said first back rest element of said frame is located above said first end of said first back rest element of said frame; wherein said second back rest element of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said second back rest element of said frame is connected to said second rear leg of said frame, adjacent to said second end of said second cross arm of said frame; wherein said second back rest element of said frame extends vertically upward from said second rear leg of said frame; wherein said second back rest element of said frame has a second end; and wherein said second end of said second back rest element of said frame is located above said first end of said second back rest element of said frame. 5. The device as defined in claim 4, wherein said seat portion of said frame has a first rear cross brace; wherein said first rear cross brace of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said first rear cross brace of said frame is connected to said first rear leg of said frame, adjacent to said second end of said first cross arm of said frame; wherein said first rear cross brace of said frame has a second end; and wherein said second end of said first rear cross brace of said frame is connected to said second rear leg of said frame. 6. The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said first rear cross brace of said frame, said first cross arm of said frame, and said second cross arm of said frame are coplanar. 7. The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said back portion of said frame has a second rear cross brace; wherein said second rear cross brace of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said second rear cross brace of said frame is connected to said second end of said first back rest element of said frame; wherein said second rear cross brace of said frame has a second end; and wherein said second end of said second rear cross brace of said frame is connected to said second end of said second back rest element of said frame. 8. The device as defined in claim 7, wherein said second rear cross brace of said frame is parallel to first rear cross brace of said frame. 9. The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said first side portion of said frame has a first top brace; wherein said second side portion of said frame has a second top brace; wherein said first top brace of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said first top brace of said frame is connected to said second end of said first back rest element of said frame; wherein said first top brace of said frame has a second end; wherein said second top brace of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said second top brace of said frame is connected to said second end of said second back rest element of said frame; and wherein said second top brace of said frame has a second end. 10. The device as defined in claim 9, wherein said first top brace of said frame extends parallel to said first arm rest of said frame; and wherein said second top brace of said frame extends parallel to said second arm rest of said frame. 11. The device as defined in claim 9, wherein said first side portion of said frame has a first support brace; wherein said second side portion of said frame has a second support brace; wherein said first support brace of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said first support brace of said frame is connected to said second end of said first top brace of said frame; wherein said first support brace of said frame has a second end; wherein said second end of said first support brace of said frame is connected to said first arm rest of said frame, at a location between said second end of said first rear leg of said frame and said first end of said first arm rest of said frame; wherein said first support brace of said frame extends vertically upward from said second end of said first support brace of said frame to said first end of said first support brace of said frame; wherein said second support brace of said frame has a first end; wherein said first end of said second support brace of said frame is connected to said second end of said second top brace of said frame; wherein said second support brace of said frame has a second end; wherein said second end of said second support brace of said frame is connected to said second arm rest of said frame, at a location between said second end of second rear leg of said frame and said first end of said second arm rest of said frame; and wherein said second support brace of said frame extends vertically upward from said second end of said second support brace of said frame to said first end of said second support brace of said frame. 12. The device as defined in claim 11, further comprising: a) a first arm rest cover; and b) a second arm rest cover; wherein said first arm rest cover is mounted on said first arm rest of said frame, between said second end of said first support brace of said frame and said first end of said first arm rest of said frame; and wherein said second arm rest cover is mounted on said second arm rest of said frame, between said second end of said second support brace of said frame and said first end of said second arm rest of said frame. 13. The device as defined in claim 11, further comprising: a) a first handgrip pivot mount; and b) a second handgrip pivot mount; wherein said first handgrip pivot mount is located on said first top brace element of said frame; and wherein said second handgrip pivot mount is located on said second top brace element of said frame. 14. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein said pair of handgrips have a first handgrip; wherein said first handgrip has a proximal end; wherein said proximal end of said first handgrip is pivotally mounted in said first handgrip pivot mount; wherein said first handgrip has a distal end; wherein said distal end of said first handgrip is spaced-apart from said proximal end of said first handgrip; and wherein said first handgrip is pivotally movable between said rearwardly-facing position thereof, having said first back rest element of said frame located between said distal end of said first handgrip and said proximal end of said first handgrip, and said forwardly-facing position, having said first support brace of said frame located between said distal end of said first handgrip and said proximal end of said first handgrip. 15. The device as defined in claim 14, wherein said pair of handgrips have a second handgrip; wherein said second handgrip has a proximal end; wherein said proximal end of said second handgrip is pivotally mounted in said second handgrip pivot mount; wherein said second handgrip has a distal end; wherein said distal end of said second handgrip is spaced-apart from said proximal end of said second handgrip; and wherein said second handgrip is pivotally movable between said rearwardly-facing position thereof, having said second back rest element of said frame located between said distal end of said second handgrip and said proximal end of said second handgrip, and said forwardly-facing position, having said second support brace of said frame located between said distal end of said second handgrip and said proximal end of said second handgrip. 16. The device as defined in claim 15, wherein a brake unit has a first brake handle; wherein said first brake handle of said brake unit is on said first handgrip; wherein said brake unit has a second brake handle; and wherein said second brake handle of said brake unit is on said second handgrip. 17. The device as defined in claim 16, wherein a first brake shoe is on said first set of rear wheels; and wherein a second brake shoe is on said second set of rear wheels. 18. The device as defined in claim 17, wherein a first connection mechanism operably connects said first brake handle of said brake unit to said first brake shoe; and wherein a second connection mechanism operably connects said second brake handle of said brake unit to said second brake shoe. 19. The device as defined in claim 18, wherein said first brake connection mechanism is one of cables and joints; and wherein said second brake mechanism is one of cables and joints. 20. The device as defined in claim 11, wherein said first rear cross brace of said frame, said first cross arm of said frame, and said second cross arm of said frame are located beneath said second end of said first support brace of said frame and said second end of said second support brace of said frame, at a distance sufficient to locate a center of gravity of said frame beneath said second end of said first support brace of said frame and said second end of said second support brace of said frame. 21. The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said seat is mounted on said first rear cross brace of said frame; wherein said seat is mounted on said first cross arm of said frame; and wherein said seat is mounted on said second cross arm of said frame. 22. The device as defined in claim 4, further comprising a back support; wherein said back support has a first end; wherein said first end of said back support is connected to said first back rest element of said frame, at a location adjacent to said first arm rest of said frame; wherein said back support has a second end; and wherein said second end of said back support is connected to said second back rest element of said frame, at a location adjacent to said second arm rest of said frame. 23. The device as defined in claim 22, further comprising a back support cushion; wherein said back support cushion has straps; wherein said straps of said back support cushion releasably engage said back support when said back support cushion is in place; and wherein said back support cushion is for assisting in maintaining proper posture. 24. The device as defined in claim 13, further comprising: a) a first tray mounting element; and b) a second tray mounting element; wherein said first tray mounting element is mounted on said first arm rest of said frame; and wherein said second tray mounting element is mounted on said second arm rest of said frame. 25. The device as defined in claim 24, further comprising a tray; wherein said tray is mounted on said first tray mounting element; wherein said tray is mounted on said second tray mounting element; and wherein said tray is for supporting objects for a person sitting in said device. 26. The device as defined in claim 13, further comprising a first sleeve; wherein said first sleeve is telescopingly connectable to said first front leg of said frame; wherein said first sleeve has a first end; wherein said first sleeve has a second end; wherein said first sleeve has a cover; and wherein said cover of said first sleeve is on said second end of said first sleeve. 27. The device as defined in claim 26, further comprising: a) a first lock; and b) a first button; wherein said first lock releasably connects said first sleeve to said first front leg of said frame; wherein said first lock has a plurality of holes; wherein said plurality of holes are in said first sleeve; wherein said plurality of holes are spaced-apart from each other, from adjacent to said first end of said first sleeve, toward said second end of said first sleeve; and wherein said button on said first front leg of said frame is received in one of said plurality of holes in said first sleeve when said first sleeve is connected to said first front leg of said frame. 28. The device as defined in claim 26, further comprising a second sleeve; wherein said second sleeve is telescopingly connectable to said second front leg of said frame; wherein said second sleeve has a first end; wherein said second sleeve has a second end; wherein said second sleeve has a cover; and wherein said cover of said second sleeve is on said second end of said second sleeve. 29. The device as defined in claim 28, further comprising: a) a second lock; and b) a button; wherein said second lock releasably connects said second sleeve to said second front leg of said frame; wherein said second lock has a plurality of holes; wherein said plurality of holes are in said second sleeve; wherein said plurality of holes are spaced-apart from each other, from adjacent to said first end of said second sleeve, toward said second end of said second sleeve; wherein said button is on said second front leg of said frame; and wherein said button is received in one of said plurality of holes in said second sleeve when said second sleeve is connected to said second front leg of said frame. 30. The device as defined in claim 28, wherein said wheels of said pair of front legs of said frame have a first wheel unit; wherein said wheels of said pair of front legs of said frame have a second wheel unit; wherein said first wheel unit is connected to said first sleeve; and wherein said second wheel unit is connected to said second sleeve. 31. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein a first set of rear wheels is mounted on said first end of said first rear leg of said frame; and wherein a second set of rear wheels is mounted on said first end of said second rear leg of said frame. 32. The device as defined in claim 13, further comprising a weight; wherein said weight controls a location of a center of gravity of said device and thus increases stability thereof. 33. The device as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a) a first foot rest; and b) a second foot rest; wherein said first foot rest is mounted on said frame; and wherein said second foot rest is mounted on said frame. 34. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said pair of rear legs of said frame have a lower cross brace; wherein said pair of rear legs of said frame have a foot pedal; wherein said foot pedal of said pair of rear legs of said frame is on said lower rear cross brace element of said pair of rear legs of said frame; and wherein said lower cross brace of said pair of rear legs of said frame and said foot pedal of said pair of rear legs of said frame provide control of said device for a person pushing said device.