STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly, it relates to an ergonomic walking stick having an ergonomically angled handle for use as an ergonomically adapted walking stick that allows for a more natural wrist break when being used by a user.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the exercise arts, it is known that walking provides numerous benefits including muscle tone, endurance, and posture. Additionally, as a cardio, aerobic exercise, walking provides benefits in the areas of heart health, cholesterol management, blood pressure management, stress relief, management of depression and/or anxiety related symptoms, and contributes to an overall sense of well-being. And, it is also known, especially in the areas of walking generally, Nordic walking, hiking, and trekking, that the use of walking sticks enhances the benefits of the workout by involving the muscles in the shoulders, arms, and back, particularly the lower back. Various known patents disclose various forms of walking sticks. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,435, issued to Wilkinson on Aug. 22, 1995, discloses an exercise device in the form of a walking stick having a weight attached to the shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,825, issued to Wilkinson on Feb. 13, 1996, discloses an exercise device in the form of a walking stick having an offset either at the top or the bottom. U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,957, issued to Wilkinson on Dec. 24, 1996, also discloses an exercise device in the form of a walking stick which can have a weight attached to the staff. U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,713, issued to Wilkinson on May 13, 1997, also discloses an exercise device in the form of a walking stick. Each of the Wilkinson exercise devices are adjustable in length. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,914, issued to Trani on Jul. 14, 1998, discloses a portable, telescopic, weighted walking pole. U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,700, issued to Brown on Oct. 22, 1996, discloses a walking stick for aiding support of an individual in which the device includes a stanchion assembly having a handgrip assembly secured to an upper end and a stanchion assembly at the lower end for rollingly engaging a ground surface during walking. U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,633, issued to Werner, III on May 29, 2006; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,775, issued to Werner, III on Nov. 18, 2008, each disclose ergonomic support staff apparatuses having a handle member that protrudes laterally outward from the support member to define an angled grip portion. And, finally, U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,609, issued to Williams on Aug. 6, 2013, discloses an attachable weight for a walking pole.
Additionally, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,567, issued on Mar. 16, 1993, Razny discloses a mobility enhancing crutch bent so as to form a forearm and hand support assembly. Razny teaches that with his device, the weight of the user is applied directly down onto the vertical shaft of the Razny device. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,867, issued on Mar. 5, 1996, to Block, Block discloses a dual handled cane, having upper and lower handles, in which both handles are geometrically centered over the load-bearing shaft of the cane. As a result of the fact that the load bearing handles are positioned directly over the shaft of these devices, the devices are limited in their range of safe planting angles during the gait cycle due to this design.
What is missing from the art is an ergonomic walking stick having an ergonomically angled handle that is both inclined with respect to the walking stick and is canted toward the user so as to provide a more natural break of the wrist throughout the full motion of the walking stride. Also missing from the art is such an ergonomic walking stick having a bi-directional curvature that allows the handle to be positioned off the center line of the elongated shaft so as to have a greater base of stability. Further, also missing from the art is an ergonomically angled handle that is adapted to be retrofitted to state of the art walking poles.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention is particularly useful during exercise involving walking, and is especially useful for walking, as a therapeutic exercise, to assist with alleviating chronic lower back pain. The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention has an ergonomically angled handle that allows for a more comfortable, and more natural, wrist angle through the entire walking stride. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle of the ergonomic walking stick is both inclined with respect to the vertical axis of the walking stick and is canted towards the user thereby allowing a more natural wrist break throughout the full range of motion. This canted handle results in left and right walking sticks that can be utilized singly, or in matched pairs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view diagram of the sagittal plane of a user walking, in mid-stance during the walking cycle, with a prior art walking stick;
FIG. 2 is a front view diagram of the frontal plane of a user walking, in the mid-stance during the walking cycle, with a prior art walking stick;
FIG. 3 is a side view diagram of the sagittal plane of a user walking, in mid-stance during the walking cycle, with the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view diagram of the frontal plane of a user walking, in the mid-stance during the walking cycle, with the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention showing an exemplary angle of inclination from horizontal of the ergonomically angled handle section;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the ergonomic walking stick illustrated in FIG. 5 showing the cant of the handle section from the plane defined by the vertical axis of the ergonomic walking stick and the horizontal handle support section;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the walking stick of the left-handed ergonomic walking stick of the present invention in which a right-handed ergonomic walking stick would be a mirror image thereof;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a further embodiment of the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention in which the handle member is removable; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the removable handle member of the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention is particularly useful during exercise involving walking, especially walking as a therapeutic exercise to assist in alleviating chronic lower back pain. The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention has an ergonomically angled handle that allows for a more comfortable wrist angle through the entire walking stride. Further, the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention has a bi-directional curved configuration that results in the handle being positioned off the center line of the elongated shaft. In this regard, the ergonomically angled handle is angled with respect to the horizontal axis of the handle support section; and, the ergonomically angled handle is further canted towards the user such that it is angled with respect to the plane defined by the vertical axis of the walking stick and the horizontal axis of the handle support section.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the ergonomic walking stick having an ergonomically angled and canted handle of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in an exemplary embodiment, the ergonomic walking stick 10 comprises an elongated shaft 15 having an upper end 20, a lower end 25, and a longitudinal axis 35. Lower end 25, in an exemplary embodiment, is adapted for engaging a walking surface. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that lower end 25 could be equipped with a single rubber tip or could be provided with a tripod or quad tip (not illustrated). In an exemplary embodiment, ergonomic walking stick 10 includes a handle support section 50 which is connected to the upper end 20 of shaft 15 at a selected angle. Handle support section 50 has, in an exemplary embodiment, a longitudinal axis 55. In an exemplary embodiment, longitudinal axis 55 of handle support section 50 is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 35 of shaft 15. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the angle between the handle support section 50 and the elongated shaft 15 could range from approximately 5° to approximately 175°.
Connected to the handle support section 50 is ergonomic handle section 60. In an exemplary embodiment, ergonomic walking stick 10 includes a proximal bi-directional curvature of the handle section 60 of the ergonomic walking stick 10 with respect to the elongated shaft 15. Ergonomic handle section 60 is, in an exemplary embodiment, an elongated body having a longitudinal axis 65. The longitudinal axis 65 of ergonomic handle section 60 lies in a different plane than the plane defined between the longitudinal axis 55 of handle support section 50 and longitudinal axis 35 of elongated shaft 15, which is represented by surface 80 in FIG. 6. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 forms an acute angle with a level supporting surface, referenced by broken line 75 in FIG. 5. In this regard, as seen in FIG. 5, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 defines an angle 90 with the longitudinal axis 55 of said handle support section 50 which, in one exemplary embodiment, is in a range of between approximately 20° to approximately 70°. Further, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 is tilted, or canted, in an exemplary embodiment, towards the user, such that the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 defines an angle 100 with the longitudinal axis 35 of shaft 15 which, in an exemplary embodiment, is in a range of approximately 15° to approximately 75°. Thus, it will be recognized that, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 is offset from the plane defined by the longitudinal axis 55 of the handle support section 50 and the longitudinal axis 35 of elongated shaft 15. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 and the longitudinal axis 55 of handle support section 50 define a plane that intersects with the plane defined between the longitudinal axis 55 of handle support section 50 and longitudinal axis 35 of elongated shaft 15. It will be recognized that by canting handle section 60 towards the user as described herein, that this canted handle section 60 results in right and left handed walking sticks 10. These walking sticks can be offered commercially as single units for use by a right or left handed user, or can be sold in pairs. Further, as described in greater detail herein below, the proximal bi-directional curvature of the handle section 60 of the ergonomic walking stick 10 with respect to the elongated shaft results in the load bearing handle section 60 being offset and not positioned directly over the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 15.
As stated above, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, during use, as the person plants the ergonomic walking stick 10, strides past, and pushes against the ergonomic walking stick 10, then swings the ergonomic walking stick forward towards the next forward impact point, the action of walking past the ergonomic walking stick 10 and swinging the ergonomic walking stick 10 forward, stretches and energizes certain of the muscles in the back, especially the lower back, abdomen, chest, arms, and hips. The angled and canted relationship of longitudinal axis 65 of the ergonomic handle 60 allows the user to gauge the pressure he or she may feel comfortable with in his or her lower back as their recovery progresses. As the angle of the ergonomic walking stick 10 relative to the ground during walking decreases, pressure in the lower back resulting from the push-off increases and allows the user to gauge how much pressure the user desires. The user can thus adjust this pressure by increasing or decreasing the angle of attack and the force of the push-off. The angled and canted relationship of longitudinal axis 65 of the ergonomic handle section 60 allows for a greater degree of extension during the stride and push-off than can be attained with a state-of-the-art vertical handle walking stick. This allows for greater energization of the lower back muscles. Further, to avoid overuse and potential injury to the lower back, exercise sessions should typically be limited to 10-20 minute sessions.
The differences between the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention and state of the art walking sticks, canes, or crutches in which the handles are geometrically centered over the load-bearing shaft of the cane are best illustrated in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating the prior art, and FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating the walking stick 10 of the present invention. In this regard, the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention can be planted on the ground during the stance phase of walking in a position, which increases the anterior (FIG. 3) and lateral distances (FIG. 4) from the supporting foot to the planting position of the cane compared to those of a state-of-the-art cane, respectively (FIGS. 1 and 2). Referring to FIGS. 3 and 1, the α and a′ are the length of the BOS in the sagittal plane for the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention and a state-of-the-art cane, respectively. The ds and d′s are the moment arms for the vertical reaction forces of Fz and F′z for the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention and a state-of-the-art cane, respectively. The Ts and T′s are the stabilization moments for the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention and a state-of-the-art cane, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 2, the b and b′ are the length of the BOS in the frontal plane for the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention and a state-of-the-art cane, respectively. The df and d′f are the moment arms for the vertical reaction forces of Fz and F′z for the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention and a state-of-the-art cane, respectively. The Tf and T′f are the stabilization moments for the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention and a state-of-the-art cane, respectively, in the frontal plane.
Thus, comparing FIG. 3 and FIG. 1, the anterior-posterior length, a, of the base of support, (“BOS”), for the ergonomic walking stick 10, is greater than the length, a′, of the BOS for the state-of-the-art cane as it needs to be held in an anterior-posterior position closer than that of ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention and would, therefore, create even smaller anterior-posterior length of the BOS compared to that of ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention. The ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention offers increased stability due to the increased stabilizing moment resulting from the increased moment arms. The unique bi-directional curvature at the handle level of walking stick 10 creates a greater anterior-posterior moment arm, ds, for the vertical reaction force, Fz, in the sagittal plane when it is planted on the ground (FIG. 3), compared with the moment arm, d′s, for the vertical reaction force, F′z, of a state-of-the-art cane (FIG. 1). Assuming the vertical cane reaction forces for the ergonomic walking stick 10 and a state-of-the-art cane are equal, Fz=F′z, the sagittal plane stabilization moment Ts, for the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention, is greater than that of a state-of-the-art cane, T′s, as ds>d′s, (See e.g. FIGS. 3 and 1). This can be also easily applied to Razny's mobility enhancing crutch, Block's dual-handled cane, (or a state-of-the-art cane) as its moment arm in the sagittal plane would create a smaller sagittal plane stabilization moment compared to that of ergonomic walking stick 10.
In a similar fashion in the frontal plane, the unique bi-directional curvature at the handle level of ergonomic walking stick 10 also creates a greater medial-lateral moment arm, df for the vertical reaction force, Fz, in the frontal plane when it is planted on the ground, (FIG. 4), compared with the moment arm, d′f, for the vertical reaction force, F′z, of state-of-the-art cane (FIG. 2). Assuming the vertical cane reaction forces for the ergonomic walking stick 10 and the state-of-the-art cane are equal, Fz=F′z, the frontal plane stabilization moment for the ergonomic walking stick 10, Tf, is greater than that of the state-of-the-art cane, T′f, as df>d′f (comparing FIGS. 4 and 2). Again, this can also be easily applied to Razny's mobility enhancing crutch, Block's dual-handled cane, (or a state-of-the-art cane), as it is planted in a position closer the body and the moment arm in the sagittal plane would be even smaller than that of the walking stick and would, therefore, create a smaller frontal plane stabilization moment compared to that created by ergonomic walking stick 10.
In a similar fashion, for the frontal plane, the medial-lateral length, b, of the BOS for the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention is greater than the medial-lateral length b′ than that for a state-of-the-art cane or crutch as it needs to be held in a medial-lateral position closer than that of the ergonomic walking stick 10 and would create a smaller medial-lateral length of the BOS when compared to that of the ergonomic walking stick 10.
The unique design of ergonomic walking stick 10 offers greater flexibility in its handle positions in forward, lateral, or a combination of forward and lateral positions and therefore greater flexibility in maintaining the user's stability. The unique design of ergonomic walking stick 10, with the above described bi-directional curvature, provides a greater size and more stable inverted BOS at the handle level. The inverted and increased handle-level BOS increases the stable range of motion, (hereinafter “ROM”), at the handle level, compared to prior art crutches and canes. The greater proximal, i.e. handle level, stability is also attributed to the unique bi-directional moment arms created by the curved proximal part and the ergonomic handle section 60 of ergonomic walking stick 10, compared to the more traditional straight design of prior art crutches and canes.
The proximal bi-directional curvature of the handle section 60 of the ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention allows the handle section 60 to be positioned off the center line axis of the elongated shaft 15, which is another unique feature of ergonomic walking stick 10. This unique feature allows ergonomic walking stick 10 to be planted further away from the body, such that the handle section 60 has a sharper planting angle, with the supporting surface, at initial contact, β in FIG. 3, compared to planting angle of the elongated shaft 15, β′ in FIG. 3, and even more so compared to the planting angle of the state-of-the-art cane, β″ in FIG. 1. If the walking stick was planted at a similar angle as β, it would not create a stable contact due to slippage between its tip and the ground. Although ergonomic walking stick 10 can be planted at a sharper angle of attack safely without a slippage as its elongated shaft 15 is actually planted at a greater angle (β′, FIG. 3). The advantage is not only present in the anterior-posterior direction in the sagittal plane, it is also present in the medial-lateral direction in the frontal plane as the ergonomic walking stick 10 planting angle of attack, θ, FIG. 4, is also sharper than that of the state-of-the-art cane, θ″, FIG. 2. Again, the sharper frontal plane planting angle of attack of ergonomic walking stick 10 does not cause a slippage due to its sharper contact angle of attack, θ in FIG. 4.
Because of the mechanism discussed above, traditional crutches and canes are limited in their range of safe planting angles during the gait cycle due to their straight design as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ergonomic walking stick 10 of the present invention offers a greater range of safe planting angle and therefore a greater range of support during the gait cycle in the anterior direction, because it can be held and planted further away from the body without slippage. When held in the anterior-posterior (forward) direction, it can reach farther and create greater safe planting (contact) angle range compared to prior art crutches and canes without slippage. Therefore, ergonomic walking stick 10 offers greater range of safe support during the walking cycle. For a similar reason, when held in the lateral (side) position of the body in the lateral direction, ergonomic walking stick 10 can be planted further away from the body and the same improved benefit is observed compared to prior art crutches and canes as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 2.
In an exemplary embodiment, ergonomic walking stick 10 further includes padding 120 at the lower end 25 of shaft 15, padding 130 which covers the upper end 20 and handle support section 50, and gripping padding 140 on handle section 60. Padding 120, padding 130, and gripping padding 140 could be closed or open cell foam material. Further, while the ergonomic walking stick 10 illustrated herein has been, in an exemplary embodiment, constructed of tube stock that has been bent on a tube bending machine, such that the elongated shaft section 15, the handle support section 50, and ergonomically angled handle 60 are integral, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the individual sections described herein could be cut from separate pieces of stock and welded together at sharp angles or with filleted curves of any selected radius; and it will be further recognized that the various components, such as, particularly, the handle support member and the angled handle member could be injection molded. It will also be appreciated that the individual sections described herein could be connected to one another by any means known or later to be developed.
For example, in a further exemplary embodiment, the various sections could be modular. In this regard, referring to FIG. 7, the ergonomic walking stick 210 comprises an elongated shaft 215 having an upper end 220 and a lower end 225. In this exemplary embodiment, ergonomic walking stick 210 includes an ergonomically angled handle 260 that is offset from the plane defined by handle support member 255 and elongated shaft 215, so as to provide for a more natural cant to the wrist during the full range of motion. Further, in this exemplary embodiment, a stanchion 275 can be disposed between handle support member 275 and ergonomically angled handle 260. Stanchion 275 can be rotated, with respect to its junction with handle support member 255, towards the user to increase the offset of ergonomically angled handle 260. In this exemplary embodiment, upper end 220 provides an additional place to grip the ergonomic walking stick 210 thereby providing a user the opportunity to use two hands, for instance, for assistance in rising from a sitting position to a standing position. Each of these components, in this exemplary embodiment are modular and are secured to one another by welding, by use of an adhesive, or other means readily known to those skilled in the art.
In an additional exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9, the ergonomically angled handle member 460 is adapted to be retrofitted to an existing exercise stick, walking stick, or walking cane. In this regard, a clamping member 410 is adapted to clamp onto the handle support member 455 and onto an existing walking stick's vertical shaft 405. Clamping member 410 includes hinge member 415. Further, clamping member 410 has vertical clamping portion 420 that engage vertical shaft 405. Handle clamping portion 430 is in a substantially orthogonal relationship with vertical clamping portion 420. A threaded bolt 440 and a cooperating nut, such as wing nut 445 are utilized to secure the clamping member 410 to the handle 455 and the vertical shaft 405. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanisms could be used to retrofit handle 455 to an existing walking stick. For instance, a strap and ratchet mechanism 475, as is common with hose clamps, could be utilized as illustrated in FIG. 9.
It has been found that use of the ergonomic walking stick 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention, has particular benefits for certain people who suffer from certain types of chronic back pain. In this regard, in use, as the person plants the ergonomic walking stick, strides past, and pushes against the ergonomic walking stick, (during which motion the ergonomically shaped handle section allows for an decreased angle of attack of the wrist, and therefore greater comfort during use), then swings the ergonomic walking stick forward towards the next forward impact point, the action of walking past the ergonomic walking stick and swinging the ergonomic walking stick forward, stretches and energizes certain of the muscles in the back, especially the lower back, abdomen, chest, arms, and hips. In this regard, bilateral use of ergonomic walking sticks 10, i.e. use of a pair of ergonomic walking sticks 10, of the present invention requires increased requirement of upper extremity and low back strength, especially when the ergonomic walking sticks 10 are held in a farther out position. Because of the increased moment arms, ds and df, in both sagittal and frontal planes, see FIGS. 3 and 4, there are increased mechanical demands placed on the upper extremity and trunk, especially the shoulder and trunk extensors. The greater stabilization moments, Ts and Tf, would require the greater efforts from the shoulder and elbow extensors and trunk extensors to maintain stability of the system. They also require the flexors of these joints to contract more to stabilize these joints. Therefore, as an added benefit, using the ergonomic walking sticks 10 of the present invention would strengthen these muscles. Due to increased muscular demands at the upper extremity, the posterior and anterior trunk muscles would also need to work harder to keep the core (trunk) stable. Additionally, the ergonomic walking sticks 10 of the present invention places the wrist joint in a more neutral position compared with using a state-of-the-art cane or walking stick. The more neutral wrist position helps to release pressure placed on the wrist and reduces the risk of injuries to the wrist and carpal tunnel structures from dorsiflexion. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, ideally, two ergonomic walking sticks, both a left-handed walking stick and a right-handed walking stick, are used and are planted and swung, either together or in alternating fashion. Use of the ergonomic walking sticks of the present invention in this manner has, anecdotally, been found by the inventor to provide temporary relief for certain types of chronic back pain, as well as frozen shoulder issues. It is believed that this action, that stretches and energizes the musculature of the back, abdomen, shoulders, hips, chest, and arms, increases the blood flow to the musculature of the back. This increased blood flow is believed to play a significant role in the relief of chronic pain described herein. Further, use of the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention provides a more gentle workout, decreasing the risk of an over exertion injury, than state of the art exercise methods.
It will be appreciated that in each of the embodiments illustrated and described herein, the handle sections could be manufactured of any of a select group of rigid materials commonly used in this art. Further, the handle sections could be smooth, textured for grip and/or tactile response, or could be covered in a closed-cell foam material. While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
Patent Application
20160316869
