Four-Wheel Steering Knee Walker for Enhanced Accessibility and Task Efficiency

Publication ID: 24-11857485_0002_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Four-Wheel Steering Knee Walker for Enhanced Accessibility and Task Efficiency,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857485_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857485_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,485.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept expands the core technology of the knee walker with four-wheel steering to address unmet needs in various industries, such as search and rescue, agriculture, disaster response, and environmental monitoring, by adapting the knee walker for traversing rough terrain, navigating challenging environments, and performing task-specific functions.

Background and Problem Solved

The original knee walker with four-wheel steering, while providing improved maneuverability and stability, is primarily designed for assisting individuals with mobility impairments. However, its core technology can be leveraged to address a broader range of challenges in various industries. The present inventive concept solves the problem of limited accessibility and task efficiency in these industries by adapting the knee walker for enhanced performance and functionality.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a four-wheel steering knee walker adapted for traversing rough terrain, with interchangeable tool attachments, environmental sensors, communication modules, and task-specific components. The knee walker's four-wheel steering mechanism enables enhanced maneuverability and stability, while the attachments and sensors allow it to perform various tasks, such as search and rescue operations, agricultural tasks, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. The communication modules facilitate real-time data transmission and coordination between operators.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel combination of the four-wheel steering knee walker with task-specific components and sensors, which provides an inventive step beyond the original patent. The adaptation of the knee walker for traversing rough terrain and performing task-specific functions in various industries is a non-obvious extension of the original technology.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include modifying the knee walker's frame to accommodate different types of terrain or environments, integrating additional sensors or tools, or developing specialized software for data analysis and visualization. Variations could also include adapting the knee walker for use in other industries, such as construction, mining, or healthcare.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including search and rescue, agriculture, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. The target market includes government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations operating in these industries. The adapted knee walker can provide a competitive advantage by enhancing accessibility, task efficiency, and data collection capabilities, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and cost savings.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61H3/04
B B62 B62K5/003
B B62 B62K25/02
A A61 A61H2003/005
A A61 A61H2003/046
B B62 B62K2025/025

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,485
TitleKnee walker with four-wheel steering
Assignee(s)ROVER MOBILITY, LLC