Abstract: The water walker assistant is a rectangular shaped buoyant frame with handles for assisting physically challenged individuals walk or float in water. The frame is made of interconnected elongated buoyant members, such as PVC tubing, which are fitted with sections of buoyant foam. The interconnected members define front, rear and side sections of the frame, and the front section is optionally a removable crossbar. The user enters the device by either removing the crossbar or placing the device over his/her body. The water walker assistant features two handles with hand-grips, and cushioned side sections to support the user's forearms inside the device. Elongated members with foam fittings extend from the rear and front of the invention, adding stability to the device, while providing shock absorption in the event of contact with obstacles.

Abstract: A joint assembly (10) includes a metal housing which encloses a head end portion (24) of a movable stud member (22). A metal outer (30) bearing engages the head end portion (24) of the stud member (22). The outer bearing (30) has a cylindrical outer side surface (44) with a diameter which is larger than a diameter of a cylindrical inner side surface (42) of a chamber (18) in the housing (12). The outer bearing (30) is retained against movement relative to the housing (12) by an interference fit. During fabrication of the joint assembly (10), a spring (34) and inner bearing (32) are inserted into the housing (12). An interference fit is established between the outer bearing (30) and the housing (12) by sliding the cylindrical outer side surface (44) of the outer bearing along the cylindrical inner side surface (42) of the chamber (18) in the housing.