Patent Application
20130291913
The present invention relates to a support for a walking aid such as a crutch, a walker or a cane. The support is configured for providing enhanced balance on adverse terrain that may contain obstacles and/or have slippery spots.
A number of prior art references describe crutch tips and related walking aids. U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,029 discloses a crutch tip assembly having a crutch tip base with a laterally protruding lip adjacent a base bottom surface and a resilient boot having the shape of a rocker. The boot defines a mounting cavity for snugly receiving the base bottom surface and the lip for holding the boot on the base.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,003,533 and 5,713,382 teach an improved walking aid tip that is easy to use and provides for better support on smooth or slippery surfaces. The tip combines the features of an enlarged base for better stability on sand and gravel, a combination of convex and flat base to provide support for the user when the walking aid is positioned at a wide variety of angles with the ground surface, an enlarged rigid support member that entirely covers and supports the rubber base so that the cane is less apt to wobble, a socket, a threaded screw and a threaded screw hole to allow for easy installation of the tip.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,703 relates to a cane that has a tip at its bottom end in the shape of a hemispherical shell. The cane is for the use of a visually handicapped person.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,850 is for a crutch tip assembly comprising a solid base having substantially vertical side surfaces and outwardly, downwardly tapered front and rear surfaces with convex bottom surface forming an approximate arc elongated in a direction approximately parallel to the side surfaces.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,745, an adjustable crutch includes upper and lower assemblies which are slidably interconnected with one another and constructed of hollow aluminum pipes; or tubing, interconnected by glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,547 is for a walking assist device includes an elongate shaft having an adjustable length, a handle detachably connected to a proximal end of the elongate shaft, and a curved elongate base that matingly engages a distal end of the elongate shaft.
A deficiency of the embodiments in these prior art references is their lack of ability to balance mobility, walking steadiness and prevent tripping.
Typical walkers, canes and crutches for handicapped persons contain a handle, a rod and a tip placed on the bottom of the rod. The handicapped persons who use these canes, walkers or crutches for walking are concerned with three hazards or situations that may cause the persons to fall and injure themselves: 1) losing balance on a slippery surface caused by the tip sliding out from underneath the person, 2) hitting an object or an obstacle on the ground with the walker causing the person to continue in motion through inertia, while the walker is stopped by the obstacle and 3) being restricted by the walker as the person moves forward or slips backward as he/she grabs onto the walker for support, but the walker is insufficiently flexible to move with the person.
The present invention provides for a walker base that addresses all three issues. A first embodiment of the present invention is configured for persons with a relatively severe handicap and limited moving dexterity generally unable to walk without a walking aid. This embodiment is configured for providing stability in bumpy or slippery walking terrains under a number of adverse situations that may occur.
A second embodiment of the present invention is configured for use by persons who are not severely handicapped and use a walking aid, possibly for optional support if, for example, one leg is sore or injured. Such a person would desire flexibility and only minimum movement restriction from the use of the walking aid.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, descriptions and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention is described in
The bottom of the support block has threads 14 that extend longitudinally across the length of rectangular flat bottom 11 and threads 14 that extend across the width of the bottom 11. The length of the block 10 ranging from about 4.5 inches to about 5.0 inches and the width ranging from about 2.5 inches to about 3 inches provide a generally wide base for stability and balance.
The preferred material of construction is rubber; however other materials including but not limited to wood and metal also fall within the scope of the present invention. A tip 17 affixed to the top 12 of the support block 10 serves as an attaching medium for a properly shaped rod 19 that contains a handle 32 for gripping by the walking person.
In the course of walking, a handicapped person may bend forward and tilt the rod 19 forward while the support block 10 is disposed on the walking terrain 31 as shown in
1. The threads on the bottom of the support block open and expand providing enhanced surface friction.
2. The upper section 41 of the support block is forced downward onto the lower section 42 and forward in the direction of walking. The forces exerted on the support block by the person leaning on it at an angle cause the upper portion of the support block to slide forward along the slit forming a lip 16 that extends beyond the lower portion of the support block 10 as shown in
The support block 10 may further comprise apertures 18 that permeate the support block 10 from the top 12 to the bottom 11 as shown in
The support block 10 may also contain a rear side slit 13 that mirrors the front side slit 15. The rear side slit 13 provides enhanced friction and thus enhanced stability in a situation where, for example, the handicapped person slips forward and instinctively tilts the walking aid rod rearward in an attempt to regain balance and support. The enhanced stability mechanism in this scenario occurs much in the same manner as with the mechanism for enhanced frontal stability.
The second embodiment of the present invention is designed for producing less friction and is therefore less restricting compared to the first embodiment. This embodiment is therefore generally appropriate for persons with mild or no handicap but who occasionally prefer to have some support handy while walking. In general, the second embodiment uses the support block of the first embodiment flipped upside down.
The support block 20 of this embodiment has a substantially oval or semi-elliptical shaped bottom 21 and substantially flat top 22. A first slit 25 is positioned at the front side of the support block 20. The slit is angled downward at an angle α ranging from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees and preferably from 15 degrees to about 20 degrees as shown in
The bottom of the support block 20 may contain threads 24. A tip 27 is affixed to the top 22 of the support block 20 for attaching a rod 29 having a handle. As with the first embodiment, the support block 20 may comprise apertures 28 permeating from top 22 to the bottom 21.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
