Reverse-Braked Walker

 

 

This project was to help a young woman regain walking skills after many years in a wheelchair. Several wheeled walking aids had been tried and it was established that the walker needed to be parked with brakes on, to enable the user to rise from the sitting wheelchair position. The user also felt more confident if the brakes were normally on and were released by her during walking. Walkers which are otherwise suitable, all had conventional braking i.e. the user applies the brakes to stop . To resolve this, Remap were asked to “reverse” the braking of the preferred walker.

The existing brake was removed and replaced with a purpose made part, engaging with the other side of the wheel. This enabled the existing cable and spring mechanism to be retained with the function reversed. Brakes normally ON-Raise levers brakes OFF-Lower levers Brakes locked OFF.

Adjustments and maintenance are as the original walker except the access to the cable clamp which is now through the hole in the brake.

A warning label was attached to warn about the reverse braking of the walker.