My wife recently became ill and needed a walker to help her walk. The devices here in Finland are pipe structures with four wheels, a seat for resting, and a basket for carrying things. One must grasp the handles and push the structure which rolls freely on the wheels. Each handle has a brake which works like a bicycle brake to stop the wheels when they are squeezed. But my wife had difficulty because the walker rolled away as she tried to stand and steady herself to use the gadget. Although there is a brake locking lever it seems to me that the device would work better if squeezing the handles released the brakes rather than setting them. That way the walker would remain steady as one stood to use it and then squeezing the handles would permit one to walk and roll the device. And a moment's unsteadiness could be countered by releasing the brake handles to provide a steady platform until personal stability returned. A permanent brake release lever would permit the device to be manipulated freely when it was unoccupied.
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I agree. In fact I agreed before I even read your suggestion, as I immediately thought the same thing. It seems so obvious, it's incredible that they weren't designed that way already.
I seem to remember the walkers of the 1970's didn't even have wheels, so they never had this problem. But they weren't as heavy because they didn't have a basket either.
Maybe the wheels are for the walker-users that are on roller skates. (humor).
Yes, I think your idea is fine--the only question I would have is if a person is suffering from grip-strength problems, would he/she be able to release the wheels adequately. Obviously a design issue.
i work in the heath care feild and they do have this braking system.. i fix all the time..