Rolling walker (rollator)
The increasing number of elderly and handicapped who require assistance in walking has created new demands in the field of walkers. A wheeled walker, also called a rollator is in effect a walker with wheels. It combines a walking frame, the handles of which are usually adjustable in height, and is fitted with tire wheels so that rather than lifting the walker to move, the user just pushes it. Rollators aid individuals who have function in their lower limbs, but lack the muscular control, strength or balance to enable them to walk unassisted. It is advantageous for such supports to include two pairs of wheels in order to avoid the need to lift the device, and to facilitate its use as an ambulatory aid. Further, these devices may include a seat so that a user may use the device to sit and rest. A wheeled walker typically has a frame mounted on four wheels and a pair of rearwardly extending handlebars, which the user can grip for support while walking. The user positions himself between the handlebars behind the walker, and pushes the walker forward. The wheels permit the user to roll the walker smoothly over the ground, thereby avoiding the laborious action of picking up and moving a non-wheeled walker in step-by-step fashion. The handle bars can be fitted with brake levers that when squeezed by the user, actuate some form of wheel braking mechanism. Wheeled walkers are routinely equipped with a seating surface that permits the user to rest in the sitting position. The seating surface is usually positioned transversely between the handlebars within the wheelbase of the walker to offer a stable platform for sitting. A controller grip of braking is generally provided at a handle of a handy care rollator for elders or those who have walking problems to help them control the movement of the rollator, and on considering that the user might also have problems with the movement of his/her hands. The brake is designed so that it is linked to a braking device either by pushing or pulling the braking grip to ensure safe and convenient use of a rollator. Rollators are usually provided with collapsing means for folding up the rollator, for instance into the trunk of an automobile. When such a rollator is not in use it can also be placed in collapsed state at a location in a home where it occupies as little space as possible. The known rollator usually has the drawback that collapsing thereof is awkward, for instance because the rollator falls over during folding, whereby the user can also lose his balance and be injured if he falls.
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