Walking Aid
A walking aid comprising a shaft and a handle that, as viewed in a position of use of the walking aid, is disposed at an upper end of the shaft, the handle extending transverse to the shaft. The handle is inclined upwardly at an angle to the axis of the shaft. The handle is curved inwardly out of a plane formed by the handle and the shaft and toward the body of a user of the walking aid. When configured for right hand use, the handle is twisted clockwise, and when configured for left hand use, the handle is twisted in a counterclockwise direction.
The present invention relates to a walking aid for people whose ability to move due to age or illness, for example after hip joint or knee joint surgery, is limited. Generally, for people handicapped in this manner also the forces that have to be expended for walking and supporting the body weight are adversely affected, for example due to weakening of the muscles. Therefore, the configuration of the walking aid is of particular significance to the extent that the forces that are to be transferred while walking are to be effective with a minimum of fatigue and as free from pain as possible, even over a longer period of time. With most walking aids, these demands are not fulfilled at all or only in an unsatisfactory manner. The known handle shapes correspond to the manufacturing possibilities, whereby the handle is generally oriented such that its longitudinal axis extends in a plane with the axis of the shaft.
Although the anatomy of the hand is approached with a curved configuration of the handle having an approximately S shape, an anatomical configuration of the individuality of the person is not satisfied. Although this type of handle configuration may be optimal for some people, this is not true for other people. The pressure exerted upon the musculature of the hand and arm is then not optimal, so that in particular the pressure exerted upon the wrist and base of the thumb can lead to pain and rapid fatigue.
This also applies to other known handle configurations (DE 690 097 51 T2), where the handle is inclined at an angle of at least 15° relative to the axis of the shaft, and is adapted to the anatomy of the hand.
For an anatomical handle configuration; an individual handle would have to be provided for each person that is impacted, which is, of course, not possible for cost reasons.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a walking aid that enables an optimum distribution of force between hand and handle without requiring an individual handle configuration for each user.
Proceeding from a walking aid that is comprised of a shaft and a handle disposed at the upper end of the shaft approximately transverse thereto, and that is inclined upwardly at an angle relative to the axis of the shaft, the stated object is realized pursuant to the invention in that the rear end of the handle is bent inwardly toward the body of the person carrying the walking aid out of the plane formed by the shaft and the handle, and in that the handle of the walking aid is twisted in a clockwise direction for the right hand, and the handle of the walking aid is twisted in a counterclockwise direction for the left hand.
The present invention intentionally deviates from anatomical handle configurations, and instead is directed to an ergonomic, biodynamic configuration of the handle, whereby the inventive features form the best possible shape of the support for the concave inner line of the hand, and the handle represents the optimum inner hand support and offers an excellent relief of the gripping tendon. The security of the user is increased, since the handle fulfills the desired individuality of the support function while at the same time providing relief (care) of the wrist, the ligaments and tendons of the lower arm. The inventive walking aid therefore represents a true aid, also eliminating insecurity while walking.
Pursuant to one embodiment of the invention, the radius of the inward curvature of the handle is between 300 and 320 mm, preferably 310 mm, which leads to a stress-free position of the base of the thumb.
Pursuant to a further embodiment of the invention, the twist extends over an angular range of the handle of about 35° to about 85°.
The angle between the axis of the shaft and the upwardly inclined handle is preferably between 100° and 120°, preferably 110°.
One exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
- a) side view,
- b) front view,
- c) rear view,
- d) bottom view, and
- e) top view;
As shown in particular in the bottom view 1d and the top view 1e, the handle 1 is curved slightly inwardly toward the free end, starting approximately at the shaft 2.
Pursuant to the invention, the handle 1 is furthermore twisted. With the embodiment for the right hand of a user illustrated in
The configuration of the twist of the illustrated embodiment is best shown in
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A walking aid, comprising:
- a shaft (2); and
- a handle (1) that, as viewed in a position of use of said walking aid, is disposed at an upper end of said shaft (2), wherein said handle (1) extends roughly transverse to said shaft (2), further wherein said handle is inclined upwardly at an angle (FIG. 1a) to an axis of said shaft (2), further wherein said handle (1) is curved inwardly (A, FIGS. 1b, 1e) out of a plane formed by said handle (1) and said shaft (2) and toward the body of a user of said walking aid, further wherein said handle (1), when configured for right hand use, is twisted in a clockwise direction (FIG. 3), and wherein said handle (1), when configured for left hand use, is twisted in a counterclockwise direction.
10. A walking aid according to claim 9, wherein a radius of curvature of said handle (1) is between 300 and 320 mm.
11. A walking aid according to claim 10, wherein the radius of curvature of said handle (1) is 310 mm.
12. A walking aid according to claim 10, wherein said handle (1) has an oval cross-section.
13. A walking aid according to claim 10, wherein said handle has a round cross-section.
14. A walking aid according to claim 10, wherein said handle has a quadratic cross-section with rounded-off corners.
15. A walking aid according to claim 10, wherein said handle has a triangular cross-section with rounded sides and corners.
16. A walking aid according to claim 9, wherein the twist of said handle (1) extends over an angular range of about 35° to about 85°.
17. A walking aid according to claim 9, wherein the angle between said axis of said shaft (2) and said upwardly inclined handle (1) is between 100° and 120°.
18. A walking aid according to claim 17, wherein the angle between said axis of said shaft (2) and said upwardly inclined handle (1) is 110°.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2011
Inventor: Karin Dahm (Bad Nenndorf)
Application Number: 12/747,125
International Classification: A45B 9/02 (20060101);