Walking aid assembly with moveable poles The present invention relates to a walking aid assembly for stimulation of a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user. The walking aid assembly comprising a frame member having a left side portion and a right side portion spaced from the left side portion, a left pole and a right pole, each one of the left pole and the right pole having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises a handle for gripping the pole by the user, and a left back wheel and a left front wheel connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and a right back wheel and a right front wheel connected to the right side portion of the frame member. The left pole and the right pole are coupled to each other such that a movement of one of the left pole and the right pole results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole and the right pole.

DE 102007015106 A1 discloses a walking aid assembly comprising a substantially horizontal frame member, arranged near a top side of the walking aid assembly. A left back wheel and a left front wheel are connected with a respective bar to a left side of the frame member; a right back wheel and a right front wheel are connected with a respective bar to a right side of the frame member. The walking aid assembly further comprises a left pole and a right pole, moveably connected to the frame member with two rotating joints. Near the top of the poles, a handgrip is provided to allow the poles to be gripped by a user; near the bottom of the poles, a leg bumper is provided. On top of the frame member, the poles are connected with a horizontally arranged rod, and a further connection is provided that couples the left pole to the left back wheel and the right pole to the right back wheel. Moving the poles backward and forward allegedly drives the back wheels, via this coupling between the poles and the back wheels. The rotating joints connecting the poles to the frame member are arranged near hip- height, normally at a height of approximately 85 cm. The movement of the poles is oppositely coupled: a forward movement of, for example, the handgrip of the left pole causes a backward movement of the handgrip of the right pole. This opposite coupling results from the rod that connects the left and the right pole on top of the frame member. As the rotating joints of the poles are arranged relatively high on the walking aid assembly, a forward movement of the handgrip of a pole, causes a backward movement of the leg bumper of the same pole.

One of the problems in relation to the walking aid assembly of DE 102007015106 A1 are the provided leg bumpers. Since the rotational joint of the poles is arranged near the top side of the walking aid assembly, at approximately hip height, the forward movement of a handgrip of a pole results in a backward movement of the leg bumper of that pole. The leg bumpers thus move in the opposite direction of the handles of the poles, i.e. the leg bumpers move forward respectively backward when a user moves the handles of the poles backward respectively forward. In theory, this movement of the leg bumpers is not obstructing for a user, as, for example, when stepping forward with the right leg, one usually moves the left arm forward. This forward motion of the left arm coincides with the forward motion of the handle of the pole when using the device of DE 102007015106 A1. Thus, when stepping forward with the right leg, the left leg bumper moves backward, not obstructing the forward movement of the right leg. However, these walking aid assemblies are typically used by users having lowered walking abilities. Therefore, these swinging leg bumpers near shin-height can be experienced as obstructing by users, especially by users that have a lowered stability and/or a lowered confidence in their walking abilities. The leg bumpers may for example be experienced as obstructing the freedom of movement of a user. The presence of the leg bumpers for example requires a user to step substantially forward; stepping aside is not possible as this will cause the leg of the forward-stepping foot to bump into a backward swinging leg bumper, causing instability and, when this happens more often, pain.

A further problem in relation to the walking aid assembly of DE 102007015106 A1 is that the allowed deflection between the most forward and the most backward position of the handles of the poles is limited to approximately 30 cm. During the natural walking motion of a human person, as one leg is moved forward, for example the right leg, the opposite arm is also moved forward, in this example the left arm. However, the upper body / torso / dorsal body portion also rotates in a natural walking motion, a step with a right leg corresponding to a clockwise rotation of the upper body, i.e. the left shoulder is moved in front of the right shoulder. The assembly of DE 102007015106 A1 , with an allowed deflection of

approximately 30 cm between the forward and backward position of the handles of the poles, allows the forward and backward movement of the arms of the user, but this 30 cm deflection, in general, is not sufficient to also allow the rotation of dorsal body portion of a user. Although the walking aid assembly of DE 102007015106 A1 thus makes some progress in supporting the natural walking motion by stimulating the forward and backward movement of arms of the user as the user walks, the walking aid assembly of DE

102007015106 A1 does not stimulate a natural rotation of the dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user.

Another problem in relation to the walking aid assembly of DE 102007015106 A1 is the active coupling between the driving of the back wheels and the forward and backward movement of the poles. This active dependency couples the range of the arm motion to the speed of the walking aid assembly, and thus to the required step size and/or to the step interval. As some people have relatively short or long legs, and/or relatively short or long arms, this limits the usability of the walking aid assembly for persons with non-standard body measurements. A user with relatively short legs may for example experience problems to keep up with the speed of the walking aid assembly, being forced to walk faster than his/her natural walking speed. Vice versa, a user with relatively long legs, will be held back by the speed of the walking aid assembly, being forced to walk slower than his/her walking speed. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved walking aid assembly, thereby solving at least one of the above identified problems.

This object is achieved by providing a walking aid assembly for stimulation of a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user, the walking aid assembly comprising a frame member, a left pole and a right pole and four wheels. The frame member has a left side portion and a right side portion spaced from the left side portion. Each one of the left pole and the right pole, which are upright or upstanding, has a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises a handle for gripping the pole by the user. The wheels comprise a left back wheel and a left front wheel connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and a right back wheel and a right front wheel connected to the right side portion of the frame member. The left pole and the right pole are coupled to each other such that a movement of one of the left pole and the right pole results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole and the right pole. The bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member. A gear mechanism couples the left pole and the right pole to each other. An internal gear is arranged at the bottom end of each pole. Said internal gears each interlock with a gear wheel. These gear wheels are each connected to a rotatable gear axis. The gear axes are coupled to rotate in opposite directions, thereby coupling the movement of the left pole and the right pole to each other, such that a movement of one of the left pole and the right pole results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole and the right pole. By connecting the poles with their bottom end to the frame member, the entire pole moves in the same direction with respect to the frame member: either forward or backward, leaving the area underneath the frame member unobstructed. In use, a walking user is surrounded by the frame member, bars that connect the back wheels to the left and right side portions of the frame member, and the back wheels itself. There are no parts that move in a lateral or longitudinal direction with respect to the frame member and that are arranged below the frame member. Thus, a substantially U-shaped area results, delimited by the frame member, the back wheels and the bars connecting between the back wheels and the frame member, which area provides a great amount of freedom to the user of the walking aid assembly to place his/her feet, without giving the user the feeling that his/her movements are restricted.

A benefit of moveably connecting the poles with their bottom ends to the frame member, is that a relatively large maximum deflection of the poles is allowed between their most forward position (also referred to herein as end forward position), and their most backward position (also referred to herein as end backward position). This stimulates not only the natural swinging movement of the arms when walking, but also stimulates the user to walk with a straight back, i.e. to stretch the dorsal body portion, and further stimulates the natural rotation of the upper body/dorsal body portion when walking, while the walking aid assembly still provides additional stability to the user. It is learnt by the inventor that walking with a stretched back and a rotational movement of the upper body/dorsal body portion plays an important role in providing general stability to a user of the walking aid assembly, but also supports the natural walking movement. By allowing a relatively large deflection of the poles, a user is stimulated to perform this rotational movement of the upper body while using the walking aid assembly. This not only allows the walking abilities of a user to be improved, but will also improve the self-supporting capabilities of the user, as the user becomes more stable in general as a result of the exercised upper body/dorsal body portion. This stimulation of walking with a straight back and the natural rotation of the upper body and dorsal body portion is for example beneficial for users with symptoms relating to their lower back, for users with a lowered standing or walking stability, for users of a rollator that want to improve their natural movement behaviour, and for other users that want to improve their walking movement, for example due to injuries or traumas relating to their legs or backs. A benefit of coupling the movement of the poles to each other, is that energy created by moving one pole is used to move the other pole. For the walking aid assembly according to the invention, the speed of the walking aid assembly is independent from the movement of the poles, the wheels of the walking aid assembly being idler wheels, following the user at his/her natural walking speed. This makes the walking aid assembly suitable for all users, of different fitness stages, with different natural walking speeds, and of different height, independent of the length of their arm, the length of their legs, their step size, or other bodily parameters. By oppositely coupling the movement of the poles with respect to each other, the user is stimulated to use the poles. The movement of one pole influences the movement of the other pole, making the poles move away from their central position. This stimulates the continuous forward and backward movement of the poles by the user as the user walks, improving the natural walking motion.

The forward movement of one pole initiates a backward movement of the other pole. A preferred mechanical solution to achieve this effect is to provide a gear mechanism. Other solutions are however also known in the art to oppositely couple the movement of the poles, such as the use of joints.

According to the invention, an internal gear is arranged at the bottom end of each pole, said internal gears each interlocking with a gear wheel, which gear wheels are each connected to a respective rotatable gear axis, wherein the gear axes are coupled to rotate in opposite directions, thereby coupling the movement of the left pole and the right pole to each other, such that a movement of one of the left pole and the right pole results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole and the right pole. A left internal gear is for example arranged at the bottom end of the left pole, which left internal gear interlocks with a gear wheel connected to a first gear axis, and a right internal gear is for example arranged at the bottom end of the right pole, which right internal gear interlocks with a gear wheel connected to a second gear axis. The first gear axis and the second gear axis are then coupled in such a way that they rotate in opposite directions. This can for example be achieved by interengaging gear wheels that reverse the rotational direction of one of the first gear axis and the second gear axis with respect to the other one of the first gear axis and the second gear axis. This opposite rotation can also be achieved by an electric motor that relates the movement of one of the first gear axis and the second gear axis to the other one of the first gear axis and the second gear axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the walking aid assembly comprises a bias mechanism, the bias mechanism biasing the poles. This embodiment may, or may not include a gear mechanism that couples the left pole and the right pole to each other, and may be defined as separate entity as a walking aid assembly for stimulation of a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user, wherein the walking aid assembly comprises:

- a frame member having a left side portion and a right side portion spaced from the left side portion;

- a left pole and a right pole, each one of the left pole and the right pole having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises a handle for gripping the pole by the user; - a left back wheel and a left front wheel connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and a right back wheel and a right front wheel connected to the right side portion of the frame member;

wherein the left pole and the right pole are coupled to each other such that a movement of one of the left pole and the right pole results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole and the right pole,

wherein the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move with respect to the frame member between a forward position and a backward position, and

wherein the walking aid assembly comprises a bias mechanism biasing the poles.

The bias mechanism can for example be connected to the poles, directly influencing or biasing the poles. The bias mechanism can also be connected to the gear mechanism, indirectly influencing or biasing the poles. It is conceivable that the poles are always biased, but it is also conceivable that the poles are only biased in a certain range of motion, or even only in a certain position. The bias mechanism provides a biasing force on the poles, and can for example provide some friction or resistance when the poles are moved. The bias mechanism can also ensure that certain positions or movement ranges are unstable. Herein, an unstable position or movement range is defined as a position or movement range in which the bias mechanism gives the poles a natural tendency to move away from these positions or movement ranges. According to an embodiment of the invention, the bias mechanism comprises at least one spring coupled to a pole, the spring biasing the poles. When a spring is coupled to a pole, either directly to the pole or indirectly to the pole via the gear mechanism or via another mechanism, a spring force is provided that either makes the movement of the pole easier (in one direction, either the forward movement or the backward movement), or harder (in one direction, either the forward movement or the backward movement). One spring may be coupled to one pole, and/or a spring may be coupled to both poles, and/or several springs may be coupled to one or both poles. The springs may be tension springs or compression springs. Several specific embodiments of a bias mechanism comprising at least one spring coupled to a pole are disclosed below with reference to drawings.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bias mechanism comprises at least one electric motor coupled to a pole, the electric motor biasing the poles. When an electric motor is coupled to a pole, either directly to the pole or indirectly to the pole via the gear mechanism or via another mechanism, the electric motor can apply a force on the pole, on the gear mechanism, or on another mechanism that biases the poles. Some specific embodiments of a bias mechanism comprising an electric motor coupled to a pole are disclosed below with reference to drawings.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the bias mechanism biases a central position of the poles, such that this central position is unstable. The poles of the walking aid assembly are provided with the object to stimulate users to actively move their arms, to stretch their back, and to rotate their upper body/dorsal body portion when they walk. As such, in its primarily intended first use mode, the poles should not be used as a stability support on which the user can lean and which the user can grip, but the poles should continuously be moved by the user between their forward and backward positions. A central position can be defined for each pole, typically arranged halfway the most forward position and the most backward position, where it is conceivable that in the central position the left and the right pole are arranged substantially parallel. In the primarily intended first use mode of the walking aid assembly, it is beneficial when this central position is unstable, i.e. when a disturbance of the pole in or around the central position in the forward direction causes the pole to move towards the most forward position, and when a disturbance of the pole in or around the central position in the backward direction causes the pole to move towards the most backward position. This unstable central position can for example be achieved by providing a bias mechanism in combination with the walking aid assembly. This will optimally stimulate users to use the poles for their intended purpose. Although the feature that the bias mechanism biases a central position of the poles, such that this central position is unstable is described in the context of a walking aid assembly wherein the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a backward position with respect to the frame member, it is conceivable that this feature can also be used to improve a walking aid assembly lacking the feature that the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a backward position with respect to the frame member. According to an embodiment of the invention, the bias mechanism biases an end forward position and/or an end backward position of the poles, such that said end forward position and/or said end backward position are unstable. As previously described, in its primarily intended first use mode, the assembly is intended to stimulate a user to move his/her arms backward and forward as the user walks, the assembly is intended to force a user to walk with a straight back, and the assembly is further intended to stimulate a user to rotate his/her dorsal body portion as the user walks. One option to stimulate this continuous backward and forward movement of the poles is to make the end backward position and/or the end forward position unstable with a bias mechanism, such that, when a pole then is moved towards one of these positions, the bias mechanism exerts a counteracting force on the pole so that the pole has a tendency to move away from that position, stimulating the continuous movement of the pole, as is its primarily intended first use mode.

Although the feature that the bias mechanism biases an end forward position and/or an end back position of the poles, such that said end forward position and/or said end back position are unstable, is described in the context of a walking aid assembly wherein the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member, it is conceivable that this feature can also be used to improve a walking aid assembly lacking the feature that the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member.

Accordingly, a walking aid assembly for stimulation of a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user may be provided, the walking aid assembly comprising: a frame member having a left side portion and a right side portion spaced from the left side portion;

a left pole and a right pole, each one of the left pole and the right pole having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises a handle for gripping the pole by the user;

a left back wheel and a left front wheel connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and a right back wheel and a right front wheel connected to the right side portion of the frame member; wherein the left pole and the right pole are coupled to each other such that a movement of one of the left pole and the right pole results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole and the right pole, and

wherein the walking aid assembly comprises a bias mechanism biasing the poles. The bias mechanism may bias a central position of the poles, such that this central position is unstable and/or the bias mechanism may bias an end forward position and/or an end back position of the poles, such that said end forward position and/or said end back position are unstable. This embodiment may, or may not include a gear mechanism that couples the left pole and the right pole to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the frame member comprises a housing, and at least a part of the gear mechanism is contained in the housing. This protects the gear mechanism from environmental factors, in particular from rain.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the left pole and the right pole each comprise a fixing mechanism for fixing the left and right pole in the central position thereof, the left pole and the right pole each being unable to move away from this position in their fixed state. The walking aid assembly is primarily aimed towards two target user groups. A first target user group comprises people that were previously able to walk but experience difficulties to walk without aids. A typical example of this first target user group comprises elderly persons that have a decreasing walking ability due to age, but another example of a person in this first target user group is someone with a lowered walking ability due to an illness or disease related to his/her legs and/or dorsal body portion and/or feet and/or hips, etcetera. A second target user group comprises people that need to (re-)learn a natural walking movement, for example people that previously were perfectly able to walk, experienced an accident, a disease, or another trauma, and who are no longer able to walk, but who are improving their walking abilities towards full or partial recovery of their walking capabilities. For both user groups, two extreme ends of their ability to walk can be defined: being bed-bound or wheelchair-bound as a negative extreme end, and being able to walk without any aids as a positive extreme end. There are different stages in between these extreme ends, such as being able to walk with a conventional rollator, being able to walk with a stick, and being able to walk with the walking aid assembly of the invention in its primarily intended first use mode. The first target user group, the people that experience difficulties with walking, e.g. due to age, will typically have lowered walking capabilities over time, going from the positive extreme end towards the negative extreme end. The second target user group will experience an opposite cycle, having increased walking capabilities over time.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the walking aid assembly can be altered to adapt it to the specific needs of a user during several of the stages that can be defined in between the two extreme ends previously sketched. One of these stages is a stage where walking upright, i.e. with a substantially straight back, or walking with an assembly comprising rolling wheels, is challenging for a user. For users in this stage of their treatment, it is preferred that the assembly has a second use mode, different from the first, primarily intended, use mode in which second use mode the poles can be fixed in their central position with a fixing mechanism, such that users have additional support from the poles and can practise with walking upright and/or walking with a rolling assembly, without having to move their arms. In this fixed position, the poles of the assembly are stable and non-moveable towards a front or back position. The fixing mechanism may for example be a pin that prevents the movement of the poles, such as a pin that fixes the position of the internal gear arranged at the bottom end of the poles with respect to the gear wheels that interlock therewith.

In the second use mode, the assembly can for example be used by a rehabilitating patient of the second target user group with a trauma or an injury to his/her leg, legs, feet, foot, hip, or back, which patient must be re-learned how to walk, in a stage where it is re-learnt how to walk with a straight upper body/dorsal body portion.

Also, when patients of the first target user group experience difficulties with walking and when they can no longer use the assembly in its primarily intended first use mode, it is possible to fix the poles of the assembly in their central position with a fixing mechanism. In this fixed position, the poles of the assembly are stable and non-moveable towards a front or back position. This still supports users to walk with a straight dorsal body portion/upper body, which is physically better than walking with a conventional rollator, where users often fully rest on the handles of the rollator and have a severely stooped back.

Although the feature that the left and right pole each comprise a fixing mechanism for fixing the left and right pole in their central position, the left and right pole each being unable to move away from this position in their fixed state is described in the context of a walking aid assembly, and wherein the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member, it is conceivable that this feature can also be used to improve a walking aid assembly lacking the feature that the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the left pole and the right pole are arranged substantially parallel in their central position, wherein the left pole and the right pole each comprise an altering mechanism for altering the shape of the poles when they are in said fixed state, the handle of the poles being arranged in a substantially horizontal position in one altered shape of the poles. This particular feature of the invention describes a third use mode of the invention, wherein the walking aid assembly can be converted to a conventional rollator. In this third use mode, with the handles of the poles arranged substantially horizontally, the poles are stable and non-moveable towards a forward or back position. For the first target user group of the invention, this can be seen a step towards the negative extreme of their walking ability compared to the second use mode of the assembly, where it is no longer possible to walk with a straight back. For the second target user group of the invention, this conversion can be seen as a first step towards recovery, walking by oneself with the support of the walking aid assembly. In this third use mode, patients of the second target user group can become familiar with the walking aid assembly and they can practice their walking abilities, with the goal to continue towards using the assembly in its second use mode, and eventually first use mode.

According to the above, a walking aid assembly for stimulation of a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user may be provided, the walking aid assembly comprising:

a frame member having a left side portion and a right side portion spaced from the left side portion;

a left pole and a right pole, each one of the left pole and the right pole having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises a handle for gripping the pole by the user;

a left back wheel and a left front wheel connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and a right back wheel and a right front wheel connected to the right side portion of the frame member, wherein the left pole and the right pole are coupled to each other such that a movement of one of the left pole and the right pole results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole and the right pole, wherein the left and right pole each comprise a fixing mechanism for fixing the left and right pole in their central position, the left and right pole each being unable to move away from this position in their fixed state and/or the left and right pole are arranged substantially parallel in their central position.

This embodiment may, or may not include a gear mechanism that couples the left pole and the right pole to each other.

Although the feature that the left and right pole are arranged substantially parallel in their central position, wherein the left and the right pole each comprise an altering mechanism for altering the shape of the poles when they are in said fixed state, the handle of the poles being arranged in a substantially horizontal position in one altered shape of the poles, is described in the context of a walking aid assembly wherein the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member, it is conceivable that this feature can also be used to improve a walking aid assembly lacking the feature that the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member.

Accordingly, a walking aid assembly for stimulation of a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user may be provided, the walking aid assembly comprising: a frame member having a left side portion and a right side portion spaced from the left side portion;

- a left pole and a right pole, each one of the left pole and the right pole having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises a handle for gripping the pole by the user;

a left back wheel and a left front wheel connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and a right back wheel and a right front wheel connected to the right side portion of the frame member;

wherein the left pole and the right pole are coupled to each other such that a movement of one of the left pole and the right pole results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole and the right pole, wherein the left and the right pole each comprise an altering mechanism for altering the shape of the poles when they are in said fixed state, the handle of the poles being arranged in a substantially horizontal position in one altered shape of the poles.

This embodiment may, or may not include a gear mechanism that couples the left pole and the right pole to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the left back wheel and the right back wheel are rotatable with respect to a left back wheel axle and a right back wheel axle, respectively, the left back wheel axle being rigidly connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and the right back wheel axle being rigidly connected to the right side portion of the frame member. The left and right back wheel axles are for example each connected to the frame member with a bar, whereby the frame member, the bars and the wheels form an area with a geometry of fixed dimensions, in which area a user is freely able to move. For example, a substantially U-shaped area can result, which area provides a great amount of freedom to the user of the walking aid assembly to place his/her feet. The left and right back wheels are not driven and follow the movement of the assembly. Preferably, the walking aid assembly is of such a construction, that the user walks

substantially in between the left and right back wheels of the assembly. Therefore, the lateral distance between the back wheels should be large enough to accommodate a user to freely walk between the back wheels, while this lateral distance between the back wheels should not be too large, to still allow a user to navigate through relatively small paths, such as an aisle of a grocery store, a door of a building, a hallway with obstructing objects, etcetera. The distance between the left back wheel and right back wheel may for example be between 60 and 100 cm, such as 75 cm.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the left front wheel and the right front wheel are rotatable with respect to a left front wheel axle and a right front wheel axle, respectively, wherein each front wheel is further able to swivel, the left front wheel axle being swivelably connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and the right front wheel axle being swivelably connected to the right side portion of the frame member. By arranging the front wheels such that they can swivel, steering of the walking aid assembly is made easier, making it possible to perform relatively tight turns with the assembly. This enhances the usability of the walking aid assembly. According to an embodiment of the invention, the left front wheel and the right front wheel are swivelable over at least 360°. As such, the front wheels are able to freely rotate around a swivel axis. This can for example be accomplished by connecting the front wheel to a ball and socket hinge, but other connections are also conceivable. The possibility to swivel over at least 360° ensures that the front wheels are never blocked, making it possible to always manoeuvre the walking aid assembly towards a desired direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the left front wheel and the right front wheel are swivelable with respect to a swivel axis, said swivel axis being inclined with respect to an imaginary vertical axis. It is important for the walking aid assembly of the invention to find a balance between manoeuvrability and the ability to move in a straight line. In use, the predominant walking direction is forward, in a substantially straight path. It is undesirable that a slight, perhaps unintentional, unbalance of the user or an imperfection in the ground surface, for example a bump in the road, a dent in the road, a loose stone in the pavement, etcetera, causes the walking aid assembly to move substantially away from this intended straight path. However, the walking aid assembly should also be able to make tight turns. For example, when a user walks in a narrow hallway of a building, and when that hallway makes a sharp turn, the assembly should be able to make a tight turn. To accommodate both requirements, and to improve in particular the straight-line performance of the assembly, it is beneficial to incline the swivel axis with respect to an imaginary vertical axis. The front wheels are preferably inclined to a backward direction, the front wheels being displaced in a direction towards the back wheels.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the left pole and the right pole each are adjustable in height. By making the poles height-adjustable, the assembly can be optimally adapted to the bodily measures of a user.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the left back wheel and the right back wheel of the walking aid assembly comprises a braking device for braking the associated wheel, wherein a braking operator is connected to at least one of the handles, and wherein said braking operator is operable to activate said braking device. This allows the user to quickly and safely brake and ultimately stop the walking aid assembly. The brake operator is preferably connected to the handle of the pole in such a way that the brake operator is easily accessible for a user.

To efficiently stop the walking aid assembly when a user uses the brake operator, it is preferred that both the left back wheel and the right back wheel comprise a braking device. If only one of these wheel would comprise a braking device, the assembly will also stop, but it might lead to a side-slipping motion of the walking aid assembly, which is less preferable.

It was previously described that the axles of the back wheels are rigidly connected to the frame member, while the axles of the front wheels are swivelably connected to the frame member. In this case, it is preferred that the back wheels are braked, as they are normally always in line with the path of the assembly. When the front wheels are swivelably connected to the frame member, the front wheels may be angled with respect to the path of the assembly. When the front wheels are angled at a large angle with respect to the forward orientation of the walking aid assembly, for example at an angle larger than 25 degrees, and when the front wheels are braked, this may lead to dangerous situations where the front wheels are blocked, as seen in the forward orientation direction of the walking aid assembly, as they are braked, which is undesired. Vice versa and for similar reasons, if the back wheels are swivelably connected to the frame member and if the front wheels are rigidly connected to the frame member, it is preferred that the front wheels are braked.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the handle is slidable in a longitudinal direction of the pole, and the braking operator is operable by sliding the handle downwards. As previously described, the walking aid assembly aims to actively stimulate the natural walking movement of a user, stimulating the backward and forward movement of the arms, stimulating to walk upright, and stimulating the rotation of the torso / dorsal body portion. The poles are intended to be moved backward and forward between their end backward position and their end forward position. The poles are not intended to be leaned on, at least not in the first use mode of the assembly. To prevent a user from leaning on the poles, and to stimulate the natural walking movement of a user, at least one of the handles of the poles may be adapted to contain a braking mechanism, which braking mechanism is triggered when the pole is slid downwards, i.e. when the user leans on the pole, thereby activating the braking devices on the wheels of the walking aid assembly. In this way, the user is forced to actively use the poles for their intended use, while at the same time braking is performed quite easy.

Although the feature that the handle is slidable in a longitudinal direction of the pole, wherein the braking device on at least one of the wheels is activated when the handle is slid downwards, is described in the context of a walking aid assembly wherein the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member, it is conceivable that this feature can also be used to improve a walking aid assembly lacking the feature that the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member.

Accordingly, a walking aid assembly for stimulation of a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user may be provided, the walking aid assembly comprising: a frame member having a left side portion and a right side portion spaced from the left side portion;

a left pole and a right pole, each one of the left pole and the right pole having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises a handle for gripping the pole by the user;

a left back wheel and a left front wheel connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and a right back wheel and a right front wheel connected to the right side portion of the frame member,

wherein at least one of the left back wheel and the right back wheel of the walking aid assembly comprises a braking device for braking the associated wheel, wherein a braking operator is connected to at least one of the handles, and wherein said braking operator is operable to activate said braking device, and wherein the handle is slidable in a longitudinal direction of the pole, and wherein the braking operator is operable by sliding the handle downwards.

This embodiment may, or may not include a gear mechanism that couples the left pole and the right pole to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the handles of the left and right pole comprise a finger pad, each finger pad being connected to a handle, the finger pad extending from said handle in a forward direction. Preferably, the finger pad is adapted to be engaged by one or more fingers of a user, allowing the user to apply a sideward force on the poles. This sideward force allows the user to better steer the walking aid assembly, and to keep the walking aid assembly moving in a substantially straight line by applying small correction forces on the finger pads if the walking aid assembly tends to deviate from an intended straight path. Although the feature that the handles of the left and right pole comprise a finger pad, is described in the context of a walking aid assembly wherein the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member, it is conceivable that this feature can also be used to improve a walking aid assembly lacking the feature that the bottom end of the left pole is moveably connected to the left side portion of the frame member and the bottom end of the right pole is moveably connected to the right side portion of the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move between a forward position and a back position with respect to the frame member.

Accordingly, a walking aid assembly for stimulation of a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user may be provided, the walking aid assembly comprising: - a frame member having a left side portion and a right side portion spaced from the left side portion;

a left pole and a right pole, each one of the left pole and the right pole having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises a handle for gripping the pole by the user;

- a left back wheel and a left front wheel connected to the left side portion of the frame member, and a right back wheel and a right front wheel connected to the right side portion of the frame member,

wherein the handles of the left and right pole comprise a finger pad. This embodiment may, or may not include a gear mechanism that couples the left pole and the right pole to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the ground and a lower side of the frame member, when the wheels of the walking aid assembly contact the ground, is equal to or lower than 60 cm. In general, when the position of the frame member is closer to the ground, the deflection between the most forward and the most backward position of the poles is larger. The frame member should however not be too close to the ground; it is undesired that the frame member collides with a projection from a ground floor. Preferably, the frame member is arranged in a plane above the front wheels.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the frame member is arranged in between an imaginary vertical plane through the wheel axles of the front wheel and an imaginary vertical plane through the wheel axles of the back wheels. This results in a relatively simple construction of the walking aid assembly, while arranging the front wheels in front of the frame member also ensures an intuitive steering of the assembly. However, it is also conceivable that the frame member is arranged in front of or above the wheel axles of the front wheels.

According to an embodiment of the invention, members connecting the front wheels to the frame member have a shorter length than members connecting the back wheels to the frame member. It is preferred that the user of the assembly walks substantially in between the back wheels of the assembly. Thus, when the frame member of the assembly is arranged closer to the front wheels than to the back wheels, this has a positive effect on the available walking space.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

Figure 1 schematically shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a walking aid assembly according to the invention.

Figure 2A schematically shows a detailed isometric view of poles of an embodiment of the walking aid assembly and their mechanical coupling comprising a gear mechanism, in a first position of the poles.

Figure 2B schematically shows a detailed isometric view of the poles, in a second position of the poles.

Figure 2C schematically shows a detailed isometric view of the poles, in a third position of the poles.

Figure 3A schematically shows a detailed view of an embodiment of a gear mechanism coupling the poles, comprising an electric motor.

Figure 3B schematically shows a detailed view of another embodiment of a gear mechanism coupling the poles, comprising an electric motor. Figure 3C schematically shows a detailed view of an embodiment of a gear mechanism coupling the poles, comprising two springs.

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C schematically illustrate an extension scheme of a spring, in a side view of one of the poles.

Figure 5A schematically shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a walking aid assembly according to the invention, wherein different positions of the poles have been indicated, the poles of the walking aid assembly being arranged in a first state.

Figure 5B schematically shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a walking aid assembly according to the invention, wherein the poles are arranged in a second state.

Figure 5C schematically shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a walking aid assembly according to the invention, wherein the poles are arranged in a third state.

Figure 6 schematically shows a partial side view of an embodiment of a walking aid assembly according to the invention. Figure 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D schematically show a partial side view of an embodiment of a walking aid assembly according to the invention, illustrating various ways of folding the walking aid assembly.

Figure 8 schematically shows a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a walking aid assembly according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a walking aid assembly 1 according to the invention. The walking aid assembly 1 comprises a frame member 2, a left pole 3A, a right pole 3B, a left back wheel 6A, a right back wheel 6B, a left front wheel 5A, and a right front wheel 5B. Each of the wheels 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B is connected to an associated wheel axle 8A, 8B, 7A and 7B, respectively, in a manner not shown in further detail, e.g. by spokes. The frame member 2 has a left side portion 2A and a right side portion 2B, the left side portion 2A and the right side portion 2B being spaced from each other in a lateral direction. Each of the poles 3A, 3B has a top end and a bottom end, wherein each top end comprises a handle 4A, 4B, respectively. This handle 4A, 4B, in use, is adapted to be gripped by a user of the walking aid assembly.

In the embodiment of the walking aid assembly shown on Figure 1 , the left back wheel 6A, the left front wheel 5A and the bottom end of the left pole 3A are connected to the left side portion 2A of the frame member 2. The right back wheel 6B, the right front wheel 5B and the bottom end of the right pole 3B are connected to the right side portion 2B of the frame member 2. As they are shown in Figure 1 , the poles 3A, 3B are in a central position thereof, with the poles 3A, 3B being arranged substantially parallel. The poles 3A, 3B are moveably connected to the frame member 2, allowing the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B to be moved away from this central position, both in the forward direction as well as in the backward direction with respect to the frame member 2.

Different positions of the poles 3A, 3B are indicated in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, including an end forward position FB of the right pole 3B, an end forward position FA of the left pole 3A, a central position EB of the right pole 3B, a central position EA of the left pole 3A, an end backward position AB of the right pole 3B, and an end backward position AA of the left pole 3A. By gripping at least one of the handles 4A, 4B, and exerting a substantially forward or backward force on it, the user is able to move the poles 3A, 3B. Depending on the applied force, the movement direction is also forward or backward. As the poles 3A, 3B are connected to the frame member 2 with their bottom end portions, the entire pole 3A, 3B moves in one direction when the handle 4A, 4B is pushed or pulled by the user. For example, when a user moves a handle 4A, 4B, such as the left handle 4A, forward from the central position EA or from an end backward position AA, or from any other position not being an end forward position FA of the pole 3A, the entire pole 3A will move forward with respect to the frame member 2. The movement of the poles 3A, 3B is oppositely coupled. As such, when the left pole 3A is moved forward, the right pole 3B is moved backward. Vice versa, when the left pole 3A is moved backward, the right pole 3B is moved forward. The coupling between the movement of the left pole 3A and the right 3B pole is however not limited to the movement of the left pole 3A. Also when the right pole 3B is moved away from the central position EB, or from any other position, this is coupled to an opposite movement of the left pole 3A. So, when the right pole 3B is moved backward, the left pole 3A is moved forward. Vice versa, when the right pole 3B is moved forward, the left pole 3A is moved backward. Because of this opposite coupling between the movement of the left 3A and the right 3B pole, it is thus not possible to simultaneously move both poles 3A, 3B in one direction, i.e. it is not possible to move both poles forward 3A, 3B or backward at the same time. Figures 2A, 2B and 2C and Figure 5A show some different positions of the poles 3A and 3B, wherein Figures 2A, 2B and 2C only show a part of the walking aid assembly, and wherein Figure 5A shows an entire walking aid assembly. Figure 2A shows a first position of the poles 3A, 3B, wherein the right pole 3B is in an end forward position FB of the right pole 3B, and wherein the left pole 3A is in an end backward position AA of the left pole 3A. Figure 2B shows a second position of the poles 3A, 3B, wherein the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B are in a central position EA, EB, respectively. This central position EA, EB is in between the end forward position FA, FB and the end backward position AA, AB, for example halfway between these positions. In the central positions EA, EB of Figure 2B, the poles 3A, 3B are arranged substantially parallel, facing somewhat towards the back side of the walking aid assembly 1 with respect to the frame member 2 (the frame member 2 being indicated with dashed lines in Figure 2B). In the particular configuration of the walking aid assembly 1 of Figure 1 , this is an ergonomic position for the user. In the particular configuration of the walking aid assembly 1 of Figure 1 , the user can easily grip the handles 4A, 4B with his/her hands, while walking with the feet/ hips arranged approximately in between an imaginary vertical plane through the back wheels 6A, 6B. This allows the user a great freedom of movement for both the arms and the legs. In Figure 2C, a third position of the poles 3A, 3B is shown, wherein the left pole 3A is in an end forward position FA of the left pole 3A, and wherein the right pole 3B is in an end backward position AB of the right pole 3B.

Figure 5A shows the different indicated positions FA, FB, EA, EB, AA, AB of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C schematically in a single figure. This graphically indicates the approximate deflection range that is obtainable by moving the handles 4A, 4B of the walking aid assembly 1 forward and backward. This particular state of the walking aid assembly, wherein the poles 3A, 3B can be moved forward and backward, will be referred to as the first use mode S1 of the walking aid assembly. The first use mode S1 is the primarily intended use mode. The walking aid assembly 1 of Figure 1 is provided with poles 3A, 3B that can be moved forward and backward by the user. The object of this movement is to stimulate the user to walk upright and to rotate his/her dorsal body portion during a walking movement. By connecting the bottom end of the poles 3A, 3B to the frame member 2, a relatively large deflection range between the end forward position FA, FB and the end backward position AA, AB of the poles 3A, 3B is achievable. The relatively large deflection range, in the first use mode S1 of the walking aid assembly, cannot be reached by the user when this user only moves his/her arms. The user is thus stimulated to walk with a straight back and to rotate the dorsal body portion during a walking movement. This rotation of the dorsal body portion of a user is found to be important in simulating and stimulating the natural walking motion of users. In the embodiment of the walking aid assembly 1 of Figure 1 , the left back wheel 6A and the right back wheel 6B each comprise a back wheel axle 7A, 7B. When a user is walking with the walking aid assembly, the back wheels 6A, 6B rotate around these wheel axles 7A, 7B. The left back wheel axle 7A is connected to the left side portion 2A of the frame member 2 with a left bar 16A. This connection is rigid: the position of the left back wheel 6A with respect to the frame member 2 is fixed and the left back wheel 6A cannot move in lateral or longitudinal direction with respect to the frame member 2, except for the previously mentioned rotational movement. Similarly, the right back wheel axle 7B is connected to the right side portion 2B of the frame member 2 with a right bar 16B. This connection is rigid: the position of the right back wheel 6B with respect to the frame member 2 is fixed and the right back wheel 6B cannot move with respect to the frame member 2, except for the previously mentioned rotational movement.

These left and right bars 16A, 16B may be hollow, but can also be solid bars. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , cables 18A, 18B, such as Bowden cables connect braking operators 17A, 17B on the handles 4A, 4B, respectively, to a braking device 90A, 90B on the back wheels 6A, 6B, respectively, allowing a user to brake/stop the movement of the walking aid assembly 1 by operating the braking operators 17A, 17B to cant them. The braking operators 17A, 17B may be operated by gripping with one or more fingers of the left and right hands of the user, while the thumb of the respective hand grips the associated handle 4A, 4B.

It is conceivable that the bars 16A, 16B are hollow, and the cables 18A, 18B are

accommodated in the respective bars 16A, 16B. It is also conceivable that the bars 16A, 16B are solid and that the cables 18A, 18B are arranged on an outside of these bars 16A, 16B, or that the back wheels 6A, 6B do not comprise braking devices 90A, 90B.

The braking device 90A, 90B that is arranged on at least one of the back wheels 6A, 6B can be any readily available braking device. As the speed of the walking aid assembly 1 is typically relatively low, i.e. for example below 7 km/h, these braking devices 90A, 90B do not need to be especially designed for the walking aid assembly 1 .

Although the maximum speed of the walking aid assembly is typically relatively low, it is advised to provide braking devices on the walking aid assembly 1. This provides more control over the walking aid assembly 1 to the user, allowing the user to stop almost instantly by operating the braking operators 17A, 17B. Braking of the walking aid assembly 1 can also act as a safety precaution: allowing the walking aid assembly 1 to be braked/stopped when the user is in unbalance. That being said, a version of the walking aid assembly that does not comprise brakes is conceivable.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the back wheels 6A, 6B are braked with a braking device 90A, 90B. In alternative embodiments, it is however also possible that the front wheels 5A, 5B are braked with a braking device. In yet another alternative embodiment, both the front wheels 5A, 5B and the back wheels 6A, 6B may be braked.

The braking operators 17A, 17B that are arranged near the handles 4A, 4B at the top end of the poles 3A, 3B are preferably easily accessible by a user of the walking aid assembly 1 . Two possible, alternative, operational modes are here described. In one operational mode, the user has to grip his/her fingers around the braking operator 17A, 17B and pull the braking operator 17A, 17B towards the handle 4A, 4B to activate the brakes of the walking aid assembly 1. In another operational mode, the user should push the braking operators 17A, 17B away from the handles 4A, 4B in order to activate the brakes of the walking aid assembly.

Besides using the braking operators 17A, 17B, a second braking mechanism is arranged in the walking aid assembly 1 , which may also be the only braking mechanism on the walking aid assembly, and which may also be arranged on walking aid assemblies that do not have moveable poles 3A, 3B.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the handles 4A, 4B of the walking aid assembly are able to slide down in a longitudinal direction of the pole 3A, 3B when a user exerts a pushing force on them. This downward sliding of the handles 4A, 4B then activates a braking mechanism, braking the walking aid assembly.

This second braking mechanism, where the downward sliding of the handles 4A, 4B results in the activation of a braking mechanism, has two objects. A first object of this braking mechanism is related to the safe operation of the walking aid assembly 1. If a user of the walking aid assembly stumbles or trips, he or she will typically try to stabilize himself/herself by gripping the handles 4A, 4B. This typically results in the application of a downwards force on the handles 4A, 4B. As the walking aid assembly does not offer much stability when the wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B are able to rotate around their wheel axles 8A, 8B, 7A, 7B, in this case it is beneficial to lock the wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B in a braked position when a downward force is applied on the handles 4A, 4B. Preferably, all wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B are locked when the user trips or stumbles. Thus, all wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B of the walking aid assembly 1 are preferably braked when the handles 4A, 4B are slid downward.

One can imagine that, in the intended operational mode, the first use mode, of the walking aid assembly, when the poles 3A, 3B are moved between their forward and backward position, also a (small) downwards force is exerted on the handles. Therefore, this braking or locking of the wheels preferably only happens when a downward force of some magnitude is applied on the handles 4A, 4B, for example a downward force of larger than 100N. This minimizes the risk of accidentally applying the brakes while a user is walking; the latter situation potentially may lead to dangerous situations.

It is also conceivable to have a braking scheduling wherein the braking force is related to the downwards force on the handles 4A, 4B. It is further conceivable that this relation between braking force on the wheels and downwards force on the handles 4A, 4B is settable for each unique user, since significant weight fluctuations may be present between users of the walking aid assembly. When a user is relatively heavy, for example heavier than 100 kg, the brakes may be set to be activated at a larger downwards force applied to the handles 4A, 4B compared to a user of the walking aid assembly that is relatively light, for example lighter than 60 kg.

A second object of the second braking mechanism is related to the primarily intended operational mode, the first use mode S1 , and the stimulation thereof. It is again repeated that the poles 3A, 3B should actively be used, and are not intended as supporting means, on which the user can lean or rest. To stimulate this primarily intended first use mode S1 of the walking aid assembly, and to prevent users to lean on the poles 3A, 3B, the second braking mechanism may be comprised in the walking aid assembly. When this second braking mechanism is comprised in the walking aid assembly, leaning on the poles 3A, 3B results in the downwards movement of the handles 4A, 4B, sliding the handles 4A, 4B downwards in the longitudinal direction of the pole 3A, 3B, which in turn results in the application of a (light) braking force. As such, a user that is leaning too much on the poles 3A, 3B will notice that it is more difficult to walk with the walking aid assembly, the application of a braking force leading to an increased resistance on one or more of the wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B of the walking aid assembly. Thus, the user will be triggered to improve his or her position, walking more upright, leaning less on the poles 3A, 3B, not applying the brakes, and walking more easily. Further visible in the embodiment of the walking aid assembly 1 of Figure 1 , the left forward wheel 5A and the right forward wheel 5B each comprise a forward wheel axle 8A, 8B. When a user is walking with the walking aid assembly 1 , the forward wheels 5A, 5B rotate around these wheel axles 8A, 8B. The left forward wheel axle 8A is connected to the left side portion 2A of the frame member 2 with a connection comprising first connecting member 15A connected to second connecting member 25A. The left forward wheel 5A is able to swivel with respect to the frame member 2. Similarly, the right forward wheel axle 8B is connected to the right side portion 2B of the frame member 2 with a connection comprising first connecting member 15B connected to second connecting member 25B. The right forward wheel 5B is able to swivel with respect to the frame member 2.

Figure 6 shows two possible ways in which the front wheels 5A, 5B can be arranged with respect to the frame member 2. Indicated in Figure 6 are a pivot point P on a pivot axis, defining the point P around which the second connecting member 25A, 25B pivots with respect to the first connecting member 15A, 15B. This pivot axis substantially coincides with an imaginary horizontal line. Further indicated are the front wheels 5A, 5B in a first wheel position W1 and a second wheel position W2. For both wheel positions W1 , W2, a swivel axis SW1 , SW2 is indicated, wherein the front wheels 5A, 5B are swivelable with respect to this swivel axis SW1 , SW2. The swivel axes SW1 , SW2 are inclined with respect to an imaginary vertical axis V over an angle a1 , a2, respectively, in the embodiment of Figure 6. This inclination of the swivel axis SW1 , SW2 with respect to the imaginary vertical axis V is beneficial, as this inclination improves the ability of the walking aid assembly to move in a straight line.

In some embodiments, a switch can be made from the first wheel position W1 to the second wheel position W2, or vice versa. Further below, different use modes S1 , S2, S3 of the walking aid assembly 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C. It is conceivable that the front wheels 5A, 5B are inclined over a relatively large angle a2 with respect to the vertical axis V in one of these use modes S1 , S2, S3, while the front wheels 5A, 5B are inclined over a relatively smaller angle a1 in another one of these use modes S1 , S2, S3. Preferably, an active switch is present, for example the switch 29A, 29B connected to the pivot point P of the front wheels 5A, 5B with cables 19A, 19B.

The application of swivelable wheels, in this case the front wheels 5A, 5B that are swivelable, makes the steering of the walking aid assembly easy and intuitive.

Alternative to Figure 1 , in embodiments that are not depicted, all wheel axles 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B may have a fixed position relative to the frame member 2. This embodiment may be beneficial for a walking aid assembly that is mainly used to walk relatively long distances, and will make relatively few corners, especially relatively few tight corners.

Each front wheel 5A, 5B is connected to the frame member 2 with two connecting members 15A, 25A, and 15B, 25B, respectively. A first of these connecting members 15A, 15B is rigidly connected to the frame member 2 with one end thereof, the position of the first connecting member 15A, 15B being fixed with respect to the frame member 2. A second connecting member 25A, 25B is connected to the wheel axle 8A, 8B of the front wheels 5A, 5B with one end thereof, and is rotatably connected to the first connecting member 15A, 15B with the other end thereof.

This rotatable connection between the first connecting member 15A, 15B and the second connecting member 25A, 25B is for example a pivot joint by which the second connecting member 25A, 25B pivots with respect to the first connecting member 15A, 15B, or any other joint that allows the second connecting member 25A, 25B, connected to the forward wheel axles 8A, 8B, to rotate around a pivot axis with respect to the first connecting member 15A, 15B connected to the frame member 2. This rotatable connection between the first and the second connecting members 15A, 15B, 25A, 25B results in front wheels 5A, 5B that may be both pivotably connected to the frame member 2 and swivelably connected to the frame member 2.

Alternatively, in an embodiment the back wheels 6A, 6B may be swivelable with respect to the frame member 2 while the front wheels 5A, 5B are fixed with respect to the frame member 2.

Further alternatively, all four wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B may be swivelable with respect to the frame member 2, resulting in a walking aid assembly that is very easy to steer, but which is relatively easy deviated from a straight path. Depending on the situation, this may or this may not be desired.

The front wheels 5A, 5B, in the embodiment of Figure 1 , are able to swivel over at least 360 degrees with respect to the frame member 2. The front wheels 5A, 5B can thus always be directed in any desired direction. As is indicated in Figure 5B, an imaginary box can be drawn by defining vertical planes A, F through the wheel axles 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B of the front wheels 5A, 5B and the back wheels 6A, 6B, and connecting these vertical planes. The frame member 2, in the shown embodiments, is arranged inside this box, in between the vertical planes A, F through the wheel axles 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B of the front wheels 5A, 5B and the back wheels 6A, 6B.

In alternative embodiments, the frame member 2 may however be (partially) outside this imaginary box, for example when the swivel axes SW1 , SW2 are inclined with respect to an imaginary vertical axis V at a large angle a1 , a2. It is also conceivable that the frame member 2 is in front of the front wheels 5A, 5B. In such an embodiment, the first connecting member 15A, 15B thus not points forward with respect to a walking direction of a user, but points backward with respect to the walking direction.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 , frame member 2, the left bar 16A, and the right bar 16B form a substantially U-shaped area. It is intended that the user walks in this U-shaped area, with the hips of the user approximately arranged in an imaginary vertical plane through the wheel axles 7A, 7B of the back wheels 6A, 6B. The walking aid assembly should thus be of such a proportion that the user can walk in this substantially U-shaped area, without being obstructed by the walking aid assembly. As such, it is preferred that the frame member 2 is placed close to the front wheels 5A, 5B, the first connecting members 15A, 15B that connect the front wheels 5A, 5B to the frame member 2 being shorter than the bars 16A, 16B that connect the back wheels 6A, 6B to the frame member 2. When a user walks in between the back wheels 6A, 6B, such an arrangement of the frame member 2 increases the area in which the user can walk. Preferably, the bars 16A, 16B are longer than one meter, allowing a large forward step of a user, if desired.

To further accommodate easy use of the walking aid assembly by a user, the lateral distance between the back wheels 6A, 6B can be between 60 and 100 cm, for example 75 cm. This allows a person to easily stand in between the back wheels 6A, 6B and use the walking aid assembly, while the walking aid assembly can still be used in relatively small paths or hallways. Visible in the embodiment of the walking aid assembly of Figure 1 , is that the frame member 2 is relatively close to the ground. This allows a relatively large deflection between the end forward positions FA, FB and the end backward positions AA, AB of the poles 3A, 3B. More specifically, with the wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B of the walking aid assembly contacting the ground, the distance between the ground and a lower side of the frame member 2 is for example equal to or lower than 60 cm. Also visible in the embodiment of the walking aid assembly of Figure 1 is that the frame member 2 is arranged above the wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, i.e. that the vertical distance between the ground floor surface and the frame member 2 is larger than the outer diameter of the front wheels 5A, 5B and larger than the outer diameter of the back wheels 6A, 6B. This minimizes the risk that the frame member 2 bumps into an obstacle. A gear mechanism that oppositely couples the movement of the poles 3A, 3B to each other may be contained inside a housing of the frame member 2 in the embodiment of the walking aid assembly of Figures 2A - 2C. In some embodiments, this gear mechanism comprises a bias mechanism to bias the movement of the poles 3A, 3B. Three different embodiments of such a gear mechanism are depicted: a gear mechanism 10, 1 1 , 12A, 12B biased by springs 14A, 14B is shown in Figure 3C, a gear mechanism 10, 1 1 , 12A, 12B biased by an electric motor 13 is shown in Figure 3B, and another gear mechanism 10, 1 1 , 12A, 12B biased by an electric motor 13 is shown in Figure 3A. The advantage of containing this gear mechanism inside the frame member 2 is that it is in an enclosed environment, shielded from weather and other adverse conditions.

Figure 3A shows a gear mechanism to oppositely couple the movement of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B. At the lower end of the right pole 3B, an internal gear 12B is arranged. A movement of the right pole 3B by the handle 4B (not shown in this Figure) results in a rotating movement of the internal gear 12B. The internal gear 12B interlocks with a gear wheel 10B, connected to a first gear axis 10 at an end thereof. The gear axis 10 is rotatably mounted on the frame member 2 in a manner not shown. The movement of the internal gear 12B, via the movement of the right pole 3B and handle 4B, results in a rotation of the gear axis 10 via gear wheel 10B. Also connected to the first gear axis 10, on an opposite end thereof, is a gear wheel 10A, which is synchronously rotatable with gear wheel 10B. Gear wheel 10A drives gear wheels 1 1 B and 13A, gear wheel 1 1 B being connected to a second gear axis 1 1 , and gear wheel 13A being coupled with electric motor 13. The gear wheel 1 1 B connected to the second gear axis 1 1 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of gear wheel 10A connected to the first gear axis 10, the gear axes 10, 1 1 thus being coupled to rotate in opposite directions. Similar to first gear axis 10 being connected to gear wheel 10B, second gear axis 1 1 is connected to a gear wheel 1 1A interlocking with an internal gear 12A arranged at the lower end of left pole 3A. The opposite rotating movement of the first 10 and second 1 1 gear axis when at least one of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B is operated between an end backward position AA, AB and an end forward position FA, FB, reverses the movement direction of the left pole 3A with respect to the right pole 3B. Alternatively, Figure 3B shows another gear mechanism 10, 1 1 , 12A, 12B that couples the movement of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B to each other, such that a movement of one of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B. The gear mechanism of Figure 3B comprises an internal gear 12B, arranged at the lower end of the right pole 3B, and an internal gear 12A arranged at the lower end of the left pole 3A. A movement of the right pole 3B by the handle 4B (not shown in this Figure) results in a rotation of the internal gear 12B. The internal gear 12B interlocks with a gear wheel 10B, connected to a first gear axis 10 at an end thereof. The gear axis 10 is rotatably mounted on the frame member 2 in a manner not shown. The movement of the internal gear 12B, via the movement of the right pole 3B and the handle 4B, results in the rotation of the gear axis 10 via gear wheel 10B. Also connected to the first gear axis 10, at an opposite end thereof, is electric motor 13. The electric motor 13 is also coupled to a second gear axis 1 1 , wherein the second gear axis 1 1 is mounted on the frame member 2 in a manner not shown. The electric motor 13 is adapted to rotate the two gear axes 10, 1 1 in opposite directions. A gear wheel 1 1A is connected to the second gear axis 1 1 , rotating in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of gear wheel 10B connected to the first gear axis 10. These opposite rotating movements of the first gear axis 10 and the second gear axis 1 1 reverses the movement direction of the left pole 3A with respect to the movement direction of the right pole 3B.

Thus, shown in Figures 3A and 3B is an embodiment where an internal gear 12A, 12B is arranged at the bottom end of each pole 3A, 3B, said internal gears 12A, 12B each interlocking with a gear wheel 1 1 A, 10B, respectively, which gear wheels 1 1 A, 10B are connected to rotatable gear axes 10, 1 1 , and wherein the gear axes 10, 1 1 are coupled to rotate in opposite directions, thereby coupling the movement of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B to each other, such that a movement of one of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B. In the embodiment of Figures 3A and 3B, the electric motor 13 is arranged in the system with the object to bias the movement of the system. The electric motor 13 can for example be adapted to provide a certain amount of friction in the movement of the poles 3A, 3B. The movement of the poles 3A, 3B can however also be smooth, i.e. without resistance or friction.

In one embodiment, the electric motor 13 is controlled to generate a bias force on the gear axes 10, 1 1 , and thereby on the poles 3A, 3B. As such, the walking aid assembly may also be used as an exercising machine. As such, the assembly may be used as an exercising machine when a user walks, but also when a user is standing still, i.e. when a user is not walking but is moving his/her arms. The biasing force generated by the motor 13 can be variable in some embodiments of the invention and can depend on the walking speed of the user, or the biasing force may be different when a user is walking compared to when a user is using the assembly while standing still. It is noted that the electric motor 13, in the embodiment of Figure 3B, may comprise a first motor section connected to gear axis 10 and a second motor section connected to gear axis 1 1. The first motor section may be one of a rotatably mounted stator and a rotatably mounted rotor of the electric motor 13, and the second motor section may be the other one of the rotatably mounted stator and rotatably mounted rotor of the electric motor 13. Instead of one electric motor 13, alternatively two electric motors can be applied, one of the two electric motors being connected to gear axis 10, and the other one of the two electric motors being connected to gear axis 1 1 , to apply bias forces on the gear axes 10, 1 1.

As stated before, the poles 3A, 3B have a central position EA, EB in between their end forward position FA, FB and end backward position AA, AB. In an embodiment, the electric motor 13 is controlled to make the central position EA, EB of the poles 3A, 3B unstable, i.e. which gives the poles 3A, 3B a tendency to move away from this central position EA, EB. In the primarily intended first use mode S1 of the walking aid assembly, the user is stimulated to move the poles 3A, 3B backward and forward between their end forward FA, FB and end backward AA, AB positions. By making the central position EA, EB unstable, this movement is stimulated, as only a light force will initiate the desired movement, thereby stimulating the user to continue this backward and forward movement of the poles 3A, 3B. This can for example be achieved by adapting the control of the electric motor 13 such that the magnitude of the bias force is dependent on a measured angular position of the poles 3A, 3B.

Another stimulus to stimulate the continuous movement of the poles 3A, 3B between their end forward FA, FB and end backward AA, AB position, is to make the end position EA, EB and the forward position FA, FB unstable, i.e. to ensure that the poles have a tendency to move away from said end backward position EA, EB and said end forward position FA, FB towards the central position EA, EB thereof. This can for example be achieved, in the embodiment of Figure 3A, by controlling the electric motor 13 to generate a bias force on its gear wheel 13A depending on the position of the poles 3A, 3B. For example, when the right pole 3B is nearing its end backward position AB, and the left pole 3A is thus nearing its end forward position FA, the electric motor 13 can apply a force on its gear wheel 13A to initiate a movement of the poles 3A, 3B in the opposite direction. Figure 3C shows an alternative solution to oppositely couple the motion of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B, where there are also an internal gears 12A, 12B arranged at the bottom end of each pole 3A, 3B, said internal gears 12A, 12B interlocking with a gear wheel 1 1A, 10B, respectively, which gear wheels 1 1A, 10B are connected to respective rotatable gear axes 10, 1 1 , and wherein the gear axes 10, 1 1 are coupled to rotate in opposite directions, thereby coupling the movement of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B to each other, such that a movement of one of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B results in an opposite movement of the other one of the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B. The solution of Figure 3C however does not use an electric motor as a mechanism for generating a bias force, but uses springs 14A, 14B to bias the movement of the poles.

Similar to the systems shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the system of Figure 3C ensures that, for example, a movement of the pole 3B and handle 4B (not shown in this Figure) results in a movement of the internal gear 12B. The internal gear 12B interlocks with a gear wheel 10B, connected to a first gear axis 10. The movement of the internal gear 12B, via the movement of the handle 4B, results in a rotation of the gear axis 10 via gear wheel 10B. Also connected to the first gear axis 10, on an opposite side of the gear wheel 10B, is gear wheel 10A, which rotates synchronously with gear wheel 10B. Gear wheel 10A drives gear wheel 1 1 B, connected to a second gear axis 1 1 . The gear wheel 1 1 B is connected to the second gear axis 1 1 and moves in a direction opposite of gear wheel 10A connected to the first gear axis 10, the gear axes 10, 1 1 thus being coupled to rotate in opposite directions. This opposite rotating movement of the first 10 and second 1 1 gear axis reverses the movement direction of the left pole 3A with respect to the right pole 3B.

This opposite coupling of the movement direction functions when the left pole 3A is moved, but also works when the right pole 3B is moved. This opposite coupling works when a pole 3A, 3B is moved forward, but also works when a pole 3A, 3B is moved backward.

Many different spring arrangements can be implemented in the walking aid assembly, some of which are described below based on Figures 4A to 4C. The springs 14A, 14B can be compression springs or extension springs. It is also possible that one spring 14A, 14B is a compression spring, while the other is an extension spring.

Each spring 14A, 14B has a mounting portion 51 and a mounting portion 52 each provided with connections means for hingably connecting the mounting portion 51 , 52 to a part of the walking aid assembly. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3C, the mounting portion 51 is provided with a hole whereby the mounting portion 51 , through a bolt or pin or the like can be hingably connected to the respective associated gear wheel 12A, 12B at an eccentric position thereof. The mounting portion 52 is also provided with a hole whereby the mounting portion 52, through a bolt or pin or the like can be hingably connected to a part of the walking aid assembly fixedly connected to the frame member 2, such as the left or right bar 16A, 16B.

It is possible to mount the springs 14A, 14B backward relative to the frame member 2, as is shown in Figure 3C where the right pole 3B is in a forward position FB and the left pole 3A is in an backward position AA. It is also possible to mount the springs 14A, 14B in front of the frame member 2. It is also possible that one spring 14A, 14B is mounted in front of the frame member 2, and that the other spring 14A, 14B is mounted at the backside of the frame member 2.

The compression/extension of the spring 14A, 14B is related to of the position of the poles 3A, 3B. There are several different relations conceivable, which different relations between the position of the poles 3A, 3B and the extension/compression of the spring 14A, 14B will be called extension schemes.

One possible extension scheme is the scheme that is depicted in Figures 4A to 4C, where the spring 14A, 14B is a compression spring, being compressed in the central position EA, EB of the poles 3A, 3B, and where the spring 14A, 14B is extended (relaxed to some extent) in the end forward position FA, FB and end backward position AA, AB of the poles 3A, 3B, and in between the central position EA, EB and either one of the end forward position FA, FB and end backward position AA, AB. The position of the spring 14A, 14B is coupled to the position of the poles 3A, 3B of the walking aid assembly, with the springs 14A, 14B being compressed in a central position EA, EB of the poles 3A, 3B, and with the springs 14A, 14B extended in the forward position FA, FB of the poles 3A, 3B and with the springs 14A, 14B extended in the backward position AA, AB of the poles 3A, 3B.

In this extension scheme, the mounting portion 51 of the spring 14A, 14B and the gear wheel 10B, 1 1 A interlocking the internal gear 12A, 12B arranged at the bottom end of pole 3A, 3B is moving in a clockwise direction, when the pole 3A, 3B is moved from the forward FA, FB to the backward AA, AB position, as indicated by an arrow C in Figure 4A.

In an alternative extension scheme, the spring 14A, 14B may have its mounting portion 51 hingably connected to an eccentric position as indicated at 53 in Figures 4A to 4C. The spring 14A, 14B then is extended in the central position EA, EB of the poles 3A, 3B, and the spring 14A, 14B is compressed in the forward FA, FB and backward AA, AB positions of the poles 3A, 3B. In this extension scheme, the mounting portion 51 of the spring 14A, 14B and the gear wheel 10B, 1 1A interlocking the internal gear 12A, 12B arranged at the bottom end of the pole 3A, 3B is moving in a counter-clockwise direction as the pole 3A, 3B is moved from the forward FA, FB to the backward AA, AB position, as indicated by the arrow CC in Figure 4A.

With reference to Figure 3C and 4A to 4C, the bias mechanism biases the central position EA, EB of the poles 3A, 3B such that this central position EA, EB is unstable. Starting from the central position EA, EB, the right pole 3B will have a tendency to move towards its forward position FB from its central position EB when a forward force is applied on it or when a backward force is applied on the left pole 3A, and the left pole 3A has the tendency to move towards its backward position AA from its central position EA when a backward force is applied on it or when a forward force is applied on the right pole 3B, making the central position of the poles 3A, 3B unstable.

With the gear train mechanism biased by springs 14A, 14B, it is also possible that the bias mechanism biases the end forward FA, FB position and/or the end backward position AA, AB of the poles 3A, 3B, such that the end forward position FA, FB and/or the end backward position AA, AB are unstable.

For example, when both springs 14A, 14B as depicted in Figures 4A to 4C are extension springs, the forward moving pole (either the left pole 3A or the right pole 3B) will be pulled away from the forward position FA, FB by the spring 14A, 14B, making the end forward position FA, FB of the poles 3A, 3B unstable. At the same time, the backward moving pole (either the left pole 3A or the right pole 3B) will be pulled away from the backward position AA, AB by the spring 14A, 14B, making the end backward position FA, FB of the poles 3A, 3B unstable. So, when a user has moved the poles 3A, 3B from their central position EA, EB to an end position AA, AB, FA, FB, the force of the spring 14A, 14B will give the poles 3A, 3B a tendency to move away from this end position AA, AB, FA, FB.

In yet another embodiment related to Figures 4A to 4C, one of the two springs 14A, 14B is a compression spring, and the other one of the two springs 14A, 14B is an extension spring.

It is noted that, when the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B are coupled to one another by a gear mechanism, just one spring 14A or 14B would suffice to provide a bias mechanism, i.e. to provide the poles 3A, 3B with a biasing force to give them a tendency to move away from their central position EA, EB, or to provide the poles 3A, 3B with a biasing force to give them a tendency to move away from their end position AA, AB, FA, FB. With two springs 14A, 14B acting in combination, the same effects can be obtained. However, with two springs 14A, 14B the poles 3A, 3B can, at the same time, be provided with a biasing force to give them a tendency to move away from their central position EA, EB, as well as with a biasing force to give them a tendency to move away from their end position AA, AB, FA, FB.

According to yet other embodiments of the walking aid assembly comprising a bias mechanism, the bias mechanism may comprise a combination of one or more springs and an electric motor.

Referring to Figure 1 , the walking aid assembly can comprise an altering mechanism 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D. This altering mechanism 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D can have multiple functions. One possible function of the altering mechanism 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D is to ensure that the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B are each adjustable in height, i.e. the poles 3A, 3B can be elongated and/or shortened in their longitudinal direction. This ensures that the walking aid assembly can be optimally adapted to the bodily measures of users. Another function of the altering mechanism 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D is described with reference to Figures 5A, 5C. Figure 5A shows a walking aid assembly in its primarily intended, first, use mode S1 , wherein the poles 3A, 3B can be moved between their end forward FA, FB and their end backward AA, AB positions. This first use mode S1 has been described in some detail above.

In a second intended use mode S2, shown in Figures 1 and 5B, a fixing mechanism 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D allows to fix the left pole 3A and right pole 3B substantially parallel in their central position EA, EB, by switching switch 29A, 29B, the left pole 3A and right pole 3B each being stable and unable to move away from this position EA, EB in their fixed state S2. In the second intended use mode S2, the walking aid assembly can be converted to adapt to the needs of users that have difficulties to use the walking aid assembly in its primarily intended use mode S1. In the second use mode S2, users are still stimulated to walk with a substantially straight dorsal body portion, but the rotation of this dorsal body portion is not stimulated. The switch 29A, 29B can for example mechanically fix the internal gears 12A, 12B, to disable the poles 3A, 3B to be moved towards their front or back position. The switch 29A, 29B can alternatively for example control the motor 13 to disable a movement of the poles 3A, 3B towards their front and back position. In the second intended use mode S2, the second braking mechanism, where a braking device on at least one of the wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B is activated when a handle 4A, 4B is slid down in the longitudinal direction of the pole 3A, 3B, is still active. It is however also possible that this second braking mechanism is deactivated, or that this braking mechanism is only activated when a relatively large downwards force is applied on the handles 4A, 4B.

In a third intended use mode S3, the left pole 3A and the right pole 3B are arranged substantially parallel in their central position EA, EB. The altering mechanism 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D is adapted to alter the shape of the poles 3A, 3B when they are in their fixed state, whereby the handle 4A, 4B of the poles 3A, 3B is arranged in a substantially horizontal position in one altered shape of the poles. This latter shape, where the poles 3A, 3B are fixed in their central position EA, EB and stable in this central position EA, EB, and the handles 4A, 4B are arranged in a substantially horizontal position is visible in Figure 5C and defines the third intended use mode S3. By manipulating the switch 29A, 29B of the altering mechanism 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, it is ensured that the poles are fixed in their central position 3A, 3B, while the handles 4A, 4B can be rotated to be arranged substantially horizontal and with the braking members 17A, 17B arranged below the handles 4A, 4B by manipulating altering mechanism 9B, 9D. In the third intended use mode S3, the walking aid assembly is altered to the shape of a conventional rollator, allowing users that are not able to walk with a substantially straight dorsal body portion to still make use their walking aid assembly. When comparing Figure 5B to Figure 5C, it is visible that the handles 4A, 4B of the walking aid assembly are altered from a substantially vertical orientation to a substantially horizontal orientation in the third intended use mode S3. Also, the brake operators 17A, 17B are arranged below the handles 4A, 4B, and the brake operators 17A, 17B are still connected to braking devices on the wheels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B of the walking aid assembly. In the third intended use mode S3, it is preferred when the front wheels 5A, 5B are in a relatively vertical position W1 , as indicated in Figure 6. Therefore, in some embodiments switches 29A, 29B not only fix the poles 3A, 3B in a central position, but also manipulate the orientation of the front wheels 5A, 5B via cables 19A, 19B. Although three intended use modes are described above, it is readily conceivable to a person skilled in the art that more than three intended use modes may be defined.

It further noted that it is not necessary for a walking aid assembly according to the invention to be usable according to all three use modes described above. In some embodiments, the assembly cannot be used in the second S2 or third S3 use mode as described above. As visible in Figure 7A, the walking aid assembly can comprise a hinge 20 that allows the assembly to be folded. In the folded state shown in dashed lines in Figure 7, the walking aid assembly will typically not be used to assist a user with his/her walking movement. It is conceived that the assembly will usually be brought to its folded state to make transportation of the assembly easier, for example to place the assembly in a trunk of a car. Shown in Figure 7A is a lockable and unlockable hinge member 20 arranged in the bars 16A, 16B, somewhere rearward of the frame member 2 and somewhere in front of the back wheels 6A, 6B. The hinge member 20 can be brought upwards, whereby the bars 16A, 16B rotate around a further hinge member 20A associated with the frame member 2, allowing the folding of the walking aid assembly, whereby the back wheels 6A, 6B are positioned behind the front wheels 5A, 5B. In the position of the bars 16A, 16B shown in solid lines in Figure 7A, the hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be locked to retain their angular position. Also in the upward position of the hinge member 20, the hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be locked to retain their angular position. The hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be unlocked to be movable between the two angular positions. In the upward position of the hinge member 20, the left and right poles 3A, 3B may be locked in their central position EA, EB to obtain a rigid and relatively compactly folded walking aid assembly for easy handling. The folding method shown in Figure 7A is conceived as beneficial, as the front wheels 5A, 5B and the back wheels 6A, 6B contact the ground with the folding method as shown in Figure 7A. This allows easy handling of the assembly, for example when it is brought from a house to a car, or vice versa. The assembly can advantageously be rolled to the car when it is folded as illustrated in Figure 7A. Other ways of folding can be conceived, as illustrated in Figures 7B, 7C and 7D.

Referring to Figure 7B, the walking aid assembly is constructed and arranged similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 7A, again comprising a lockable and unlockable hinge member 20 arranged in the bars 16A, 16B rearward of the frame member 2 and in front of the back wheels 6A, 6B. According to Figure 7B, the hinge member 20 can be brought upwards, whereby the bars 16A, 16B rotate around a further hinge member 20A associated with the frame member 2, allowing the folding of the walking aid assembly, whereby the back wheels 6A, 6B are positioned next to the front wheels 5A, 5B. In the folded state of the walking aid assembly of Figure 7B, parts of the bars 16A, 16B located on either side of the hinge member 20 are in oriented in line with each other, and may be oriented in line with the left and right poles 3A, 3B. In the position of the bars 16A, 16B shown in solid lines in Figure 7B, the hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be locked to retain their angular position. Also in the upward position of the hinge member 20, the hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be locked to retain their angular position. The hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be unlocked to be movable between the two angular positions. In the upward position of the hinge member 20, the left and right poles 3A, 3B may be locked in their central position EA, EB to obtain a rigid and compactly folded walking aid assembly for easy handling.

Referring to Figure 7C, the walking aid assembly is constructed and arranged similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 7A, 7B, again comprising a lockable and unlockable hinge member 20 arranged in the bars 16A, 16B rearward of the frame member 2 and in front of the back wheels 6A, 6B. According to Figure 7C, the hinge member 20 is arranged more rearward in the bars 16A, 16B than in the embodiments shown in Figures 7A, 7B. According to Figure 7C the hinge member 20 can be brought upwards, whereby the bars 16A, 16B rotate around a further hinge member 20A associated with the frame member 2, allowing the folding of the walking aid assembly, whereby the back wheels 6A, 6B are positioned above the front wheels 5A, 5B. In the folded state of the walking aid assembly of Figure 7C, parts of the bars 16A, 16B located on either side of the hinge member 20 are in oriented in line with each other, and may be oriented in line with the left and right poles 3A, 3B. In the position of the bars 16A, 16B shown in solid lines in Figure 10, the hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be locked to retain their angular position. Also in the upward position of the hinge member 20, the hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be locked to retain their angular position. The hinge member 20 and further hinge member 20A may be unlocked to be movable between the two angular positions. In the upward position of the hinge member 20, the left and right poles 3A, 3B may be locked in their central position EA, EB to obtain a rigid and compactly folded walking aid assembly for easy handling.

Referring to Figure 7D, the walking aid assembly does not comprise a lockable and unlockable hinge member 20, by contrast to Figures 7A, 7B and 10. According to Figure 7D, the bars 16A, 16B can be brought upwards in their entirety, whereby the bars 16A, 16B rotate around a further hinge member 20A associated with the frame member 2, allowing the folding of the walking aid assembly, whereby the back wheels 6A, 6B are positioned above the front wheels 5A, 5B, and near or at or above or below the handles 4A, 4B. In the folded state of the walking aid assembly of Figure 7D, the bars 16A, 16B may be oriented in line with the left and right poles 3A, 3B. In the position of the bars 16A, 16B shown in solid lines in Figure 7D, the further hinge member 20A may be locked to retain its angular position. Also in the upward position of the bars 16A, 16B, the further hinge member 20A may be locked to retain its angular position. The further hinge member 20A may be unlocked to be movable between the two angular positions. In the folded state of the walking aid assembly, the left and right poles 3A, 3B may be locked in their central position EA, EB to obtain a rigid and compactly folded walking aid assembly for easy handling. Referring to Figures 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D, it is noted that the bars 16A, 16B may be constructed and arranged to allow their displacement, including the back wheels 6A, 6B, with respect to the frame member 2 and the left and right poles 3A, 3B. In particular, the bars 16A, 16B may be bent or curved to allow the back wheels 6A, 6B to be arranged next to the front wheels 5A, 5B and/or the left and right poles 3A, 3B, more in particular, outwards with respect to the front wheels 5A, 5B and the left and right poles 3A, 3B.

As visible in Figure 8, the handles 4A, 4B of the left 3A and right 3B poles can comprise a finger pad 24A, 24B, each finger pad 24A, 24B being connected to a handle 4A, 4B, the finger pad 4A, 4B extending away from said handle 4A, 4B in a forward direction. The finger pad 24A, 24B may extend along the full length of the handle 4A, 4B, but in other

embodiments, the finger pad 24A, 24B is shorter than the handle 4A, 4B. The finger pads 24A, 24B are arranged to allow users to use one or more fingers to more easily apply a sideward force on the handle 4A, 4B of the walking aid assembly. Such a sideward force on the handles 4A, 4B of the walking aid assembly is needed to initiate a turn of the walking aid assembly.

As explained above, a walking aid assembly stimulating a rotation of a dorsal body portion during a walking movement of a user comprises a frame member; a left pole and a right pole comprising a handle for gripping the pole by the user; left back and front wheels connected to a left side portion of the frame member, and right back and front wheels connected to a right side portion of the frame member. The left pole and the right pole are coupled to each other such that a movements of the left pole and the right pole are opposite. Bottom ends of the left pole and the right pole are moveably connected to the frame member, allowing the left pole and the right pole each, in its entirety, to move with respect to the frame member between a forward position and a backward position.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms "a'V'an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.