Abstract: The present invention relates to shock absorber insert for retro fitment into the body of an existing walking aid, such as a crutch, to dampen the impact force between the walking aid and a ground surface. Known shock absorbing walking aids can be relatively expensive to manufacture, heavy to use and do not provide for adjustment of the shock absorber. The shock absorber insert (1) of the present invention comprises a piston cylinder (11) with an end wall (11A); a piston (5) which moves axially within the piston cylinder (11) and a damper (10) located on a piston rod (9) and abut the end wall (11A) to reduce the speed of movement of the piston rod (9) within the piston cylinder (11). The shock absorber insert is either mid mounted between an upper (2) and lower (3) shaft or bottom mounted into a lower end of the lower (3) shaft.

Abstract: A force absorbing device is provided for use with a walking aid having proximal and distal tubes arranged in a telescoping configuration for relative movement therebetween along a longitudinal axis. A proximal end member is affixed within a hollow bore of the proximal tube with no relative movement between the proximal tube and the proximal end member. A distal end member is longitudinally spaced from the proximal end member and affixed to a proximal end of the distal tube with no relative movement between the distal tube and the distal end member. A resilient damper is located longitudinally between, and affixed to both of, the proximal and distal end members. The resilient damper compresses under a compressive force to absorb at least a portion of the compressive force while permitting relative longitudinal movement between the proximal and distal tubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shock absorber insert for retro fitment into the body of an existing walking aid, such as a crutch, to dampen the impact force between the walking aid and a ground surface. Known shock absorbing walking aids can be relatively expensive to manufacture, heavy to use, and do not provide for adjustment of the shock absorber. The shock absorber insert (1) of the present invention includes a piston cylinder (11) with an end wall (11A); a piston (5) which moves axially within the piston cylinder (11) and a damper (10) located on a piston rod (9) and abutting the end wall (11A) to reduce the speed of movement of the piston rod (9) within the piston cylinder (11). The shock absorber insert is either mid mounted between an upper (2) and lower (3) shaft or bottom mounted into a lower end of the lower (3) shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a moulded crutch tip in addition to a method of manufacturing such a crutch tip. This method preferably uses a mould which defines a single continuous volume which in turn defines an upper region, and a lower region. A crutch tip is formed by closing off the upper or the lower region of the volume with at least one blank structure, and then introducing a first mouldable material into the remaining open region of the mould. This blank structure is then removed from the previously closed volume and then a second mouldable material is introduced into the mould. In some embodiments this manufacturing method may be fully automated.

Abstract: A force absorbing device is provided for use with a walking aid having proximal and distal tubes arranged in a telescoping configuration for relative movement therebetween along a longitudinal axis. A proximal end member is affixed within a hollow bore of the proximal tube with no relative movement between the proximal tube and the proximal end member. A distal end member is longitudinally spaced from the proximal end member and affixed to a proximal end of the distal tube with no relative movement between the distal tube and the distal end member. A resilient damper is located longitudinally between, and affixed to both of, the proximal and distal end members. The resilient damper compresses under a compressive force to absorb at least a portion of the compressive force while permitting relative longitudinal movement between the proximal and distal tubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shock absorber insert for retro fitment into the body of an existing walking aid, such as a crutch, to dampen the impact force between the walking aid and a ground surface. Known shock absorbing walking aids can be relatively expensive to manufacture, heavy to use and do not provide for adjustment of the shock absorber. The shock absorber insert (1) of the present invention comprises a piston cylinder (11) with an end wall (11A); a piston (5) which moves axially within the piston cylinder (11) and a damper (10) located on a piston rod (9) and abut the end wall (11A) to reduce the speed of movement of the piston rod (9) within the piston cylinder (11). The shock absorber insert is either mid mounted between an upper (2) and lower (3) shaft or bottom mounted into a lower end of the lower (3) shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shock absorber insert for retro fitment into the body of an existing walking aid, such as a crutch, to dampen the impact force between the walking aid and a ground surface. Known shock absorbing walking aids can be relatively expensive to manufacture, heavy to use and do not provide for adjustment of the shock absorber. The shock absorber insert (1) of the present invention comprises a piston cylinder (11) with an end wall (11A); a piston (5) which moves axially within the piston cylinder (11) and a damper (10) located on a piston rod (9) and abut the end wall (11A) to reduce the speed of movement of the piston rod (9) within the piston cylinder (11). The shock absorber insert is either mid mounted between an upper (2) and lower (3) shaft or bottom mounted into a lower end of the lower (3) shaft.