ROCKING CANES AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

A walking assistance apparatus and a walking assistance kit comprising a first walking assistance apparatus and a second walking assistance apparatus are disclosed. Each walking assistance apparatus comprises a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, a reversible handle portion extending from the first end, and a base extending from the second end. The shaft comprises a sidewall. The base comprises a first portion positioned proximal to the second end of the shaft, a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft, and a third portion positioned intermediate the first portion and the second portion. The base comprises an arc-shaped contacting surface extending at least along the third portion. The first portion of the base comprises an end portion that is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses and methods for assisting patients suffering from spine disorders, back disorders, and/or arthritis and, more particularly, relates to rocking canes and methods of using the same for assisting patients suffering from spine disorders, back disorders, and/or arthritis.

BACKGROUND

Patients with spine disorders, back disorders, and/or arthritis may experience pain during ambulation and/or standing. This pain may range from minimal to quite severe. In some instances, the pain may be so severe that the patients experience great difficulty ambulating and/or standing. One type of pain-causing disorder is spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the lumbar (back) or cervical (neck) spinal canal, which causes compression of a patient's nerve roots. It is estimated that 1,000,000 people are currently suffering from spinal stenosis in the United States. The condition is usually more prevalent in senior citizens as back disks usually compress as patients age. Spinal stenosis may, at times, render many patients immobile, or partially immobile, due to pains experienced when ambulating and/or standing. Patients with spinal stenosis may attempt to minimize ambulation and/or standing during daily life to alleviate pain.

Four treatments are recognized by the Mayo Clinic to treat spinal stenosis. These treatments are medication, therapy, steroid injections, and surgery. Medications, such as anti-depressants, anti-seizure drugs, and opioids, for example, may be prescribed. Therapy may be used to provide patients with exercises that may help build strength and endurance, maintain flexibility and stability of the spine, improve balance, and/or control pain. Steroid injections, such as injecting a corticosteroid into the area of the back surrounding the constriction of the disks, for example, may help reduce the inflammation and relieve some of the pressure created by the constriction. Repeated steroid injections, however, may weaken nearby bones and connective tissues and, therefore, only a few injections are usually administered to a patient each year. Surgery is the most drastic form of treatment of spinal stenosis and may be relied upon if the above-referenced more conservative treatments are not successful or helpful.

The present disclosure provides a different type of non-surgical treatment for those suffering from spinal stenosis, back pain, arthritis, and/or related disorders. The present disclosure also provides walking assistance apparatuses, kits, and methods for patients having difficulty ambulating and/or standing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Various non-limiting example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a walking assistance apparatus in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a second base attachment in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base of the walking assistance apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a side view of another base of the walking assistance apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a side view of another base of the walking assistance apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a side view of a handle portion of the walking assistance apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a side view of another handle portion that may be used with a walking assistance apparatus in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a side view of another handle portion that may be used with a walking assistance apparatus in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another walking assistance apparatus in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a length adjustment assembly on a walking assistance apparatus in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a walking assistance kit comprising a first walking assistance apparatus and a second walking assistance apparatus in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a patient using the walking assistance kit of FIG. 7 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate the progression of contact between portions of a base of a walking assistance apparatus and an ambulation surface in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate fastening systems for walking assistance kits in accordance with various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and method of use of walking assistance apparatuses and walking assistance kits. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated that the walking assistance apparatuses and walking assistance kits specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various non-limiting example embodiments of the present disclosure is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting example embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting example embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

In various embodiments, walking assistance apparatuses, walking assistance kits comprising a first walking assistance apparatus and a second walking-assistance apparatus, and methods of using walking assistance kits are provided by the present disclosure. Such apparatuses, kits, and methods are configured to assist patients suffering from back pain or spine or back disorders, such as spinal stenosis, for example, or arthritis during ambulation (walking) or standing. Although such apparatuses, kits, and methods are described to assist patients with back pain or spine or back disorders, they may also be used to assist patients suffering from any other type of disorder, injury, ambulation difficulty, and/or may even be used during physical or occupational therapy treatments, for example.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a walking assistance apparatus 10 is illustrated. The walking assistance apparatus may comprise a handle portion 12, a shaft 14, and a base 16. The shaft 14 may comprise a first end 18 and a second end 20. The handle portion 12 may be attached to, connected to, or formed with the first end 18 of the shaft 14, or may extend from the first end 18 of the shaft 14, while the base 16 may be attached to, connected to, or formed with the second end 20 of the shaft 14 or may extend from the second end 20 of the shaft 14.

In one embodiment, the shaft 14 may comprise a first sidewall 22, a second sidewall 24, a first surface 26, and a second surface 28. In various embodiments, the shaft 14 may comprise a rectangular or square cross-sectional profile such that the first sidewall 22 may oppose, or substantially oppose, the second sidewall 24, and such that the first surface 26 may oppose, or substantially oppose, the second surface 28. In various embodiments, the first surface 26 and the second surface 28 may each form a flat, or substantially flat, surface, for example. In other embodiments, the shaft may comprise other shapes and cross-sectional shapes as described in further detail below. In various embodiments, a shaft of a walking assistance apparatus may comprise a convex or concave portion (not illustrated) to better fit or adapt to certain users and/or for other various medical or physical reasons.

In various embodiments, a shaft of a walking assistance apparatus of the present disclosure may be tapered or may comprise a tapered portion. In one embodiment, the distance between the first sidewall 22 and the second sidewall 24 proximate to the first end 18 of the shaft may be greater than the distance between the first sidewall 22 and the second sidewall 24 proximate to the second end 20 of the shaft. In other embodiments, the distance between the first sidewall 22 and the second sidewall 24 proximate to the first end 18 of the shaft may be less than the distance between the first sidewall 22 and the second sidewall 24 proximate to the second end 20 of the shaft. In various embodiments, the first surface 26 and the second surface 28 may be tapered in a similar fashion. Such tapering may make the walking assistance apparatus lighter, easier to use, and/or provide improved mobility, for example.

In one embodiment, still referring to FIG. 1, apertures, slots, recesses, and/or grooves 30 (hereinafter “apertures 30”) may be defined or formed in the first surface 26 and/or the second surface 28. In other various embodiments, the apertures 30 may extend between the first surface 26 and the second surface 28 or from the first surface 26 to the second surface 28. The apertures 30 may be formed or defined in the first surface 26 and/or the second surface 28 in any suitable pattern. Aperture patterns may, in one embodiment, provide for reduced weight of the shaft 14 and reduced wind resistance to the first and/or second surfaces 26 and 28 of the shaft 14, for example. Apertures, slots, recesses, and/or grooves (not illustrated) may also be defined or formed in the first sidewall 22 and/or the second sidewall 24 similar to the apertures 30 described above. In one embodiment, intersections between the first and second surfaces 26 and 28 with the first and second sidewalls 22 and 24 may be rounded or may comprise arcuate portions, for example, to decrease wind resistance and weight.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1A, a second base 19 may be provided. The second base 19 may be attached to or may be formed with the base 16. In one embodiment, the second base 19 may be attached to the base 16 using elongate members 21, such as bolts or pins, for example. In such an embodiment, at least one of the base 16 and the second base 19 may have apertures (not illustrated) defined therein to receive the elongate members 21. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other suitable attachment devices may also be used to connect the base 16 to the second base 19. By providing the second base 19, the walking assistance apparatus 10 may provide better balance for a user. In various embodiments, more than one second base 19 may be provided.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, a shaft 14′ may comprise a circular cross-sectional profile or may at least comprise a cross-sectional profile comprising an arcuate portion. In other various embodiments, a shaft may comprise an ovate cross-sectional profile. Various shafts of the present disclosure may be rigid, solid, and/or hollow. The shaft 14′ may have a sidewall having a portion that may be aligned with or substantially aligned with an end portion of a first portion of the base 16. Similar to that described above, the shaft 14′ may be tapered toward a first end 18′ or toward a second end 20′. The shaft 14′ may optionally comprise apertures, slots, recesses, and/or grooves (not illustrated).

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, a shaft 14″, or any other shafts of the present disclosure, may comprise a length adjustment assembly 32. The length adjustment assembly 32 may comprise a first portion attached to or configured to be engaged with a first elongate portion 36 of the shaft 14″ and a second portion attached to or configured to be engaged with a second elongate portion 38 of the shaft 14″. In one embodiment, the length adjustment assembly 32 may comprise a biased detent mechanism 34 extending from the second elongate portion 38 of the shaft 14″ and configured to engage apertures 35 defined in the first elongate portion 36 of the shaft 14″. The biased detent mechanism 34 may be normally-biased away from the second elongate portion 38 of the shaft 14″, such that it may be engaged with the apertures 35 in the first elongate portion 36 of the shaft 14″. A second biased detent mechanism (not illustrated) may be positioned on the second elongate portion 38 of the shaft 14″ on a side of the shaft 14″ opposite to, or substantially opposite to, the biased detent mechanism 34. The second biased detent mechanism may function and be configured in a similar manner as that described above with respect to the biased detent mechanism 34. A user may push the biased detent mechanism 34 and the second biased detent mechanism inwardly toward the second elongate portion 38 of the shaft 14″ and move or slide the first elongate portion 36 of the shaft 14″ relative to the second elongate portion 38 of the shaft 14″ to adjust the overall length of the shaft 14″. Once the appropriate length of the shaft 14″ is achieved, the user may align the biased detent mechanism 34 and the second biased detent mechanism with the apertures 35 in the first elongate portion 36 of the shaft 14″ to reengage the first elongate portion 36 and the second elongate portion 38 of the shaft 14″. Other biased detent mechanisms known to those of skill in the art are within the scope of the present disclosure.

In other various embodiments, a bolt and a nut, such as a wing nut, for example, may be used to releasably maintain the first elongate portion 36 of the shaft 14″ engaged with the second elongate portion 38 of the shaft 14″. In such an embodiment, the bolt may extend through the apertures 35 in the first portion 36 of the shaft 14″ and apertures in the second portion 38 of the shaft 14″ and may receive the wing nut on a threaded portion thereof. The bolt and wing nut may be removed and repositioned relative to the first elongate portion 36 and the second elongate portion 38 by a user to adjust the overall length of the shaft 14″, similar to that provided on conventional crutches. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other suitable length adjustment assemblies and devices may be used with the apparatuses and kits of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2-3B, the base 16 may comprise a first 40 portion positioned proximate to the second end 20 of the shaft 14, a second portion 42 positioned distal from the second end 20 of the shaft 14, and a third portion 44 positioned intermediate the first portion 40 and the second portion 42. The base 16 may comprise an arc-shaped contacting surface 46 extending at least along the third portion 44 or may comprise a contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46 extending along at least the third portion 44. In other various embodiments, the arc-shaped contacting surface or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46 may extend along the first portion 40 and/or the second portion 42 in addition to the third portion 44. The first portion 40 of the base 16 may comprise an end portion 48. In one embodiment, the end portion 48 may be flat, or substantially flat, and may be aligned with, or substantially aligned with, the first sidewall 22 (see e.g., FIGS. 2-3B). In one embodiment, a surface of the end portion 48 may be laterally positioned in the same plane as the first sidewall 22. In other various embodiments, the surface of the end portion 48 may be laterally positioned within about 0.1 inches to about 1 inch, or about 0.1 inches to about 0.5 inches, from the plane of the first sidewall 22 in either direction (i.e., more proximal to the second end 42 or more distal from the second end 42). In still other various embodiments, the surface of the end portion 48 may be angularly offset from the plane of the first sidewall 22. In view of the fact that the surface of the end portion 48, in various methods of use, may be generally facing in the direction of ambulation or movement when the walking assistance apparatus 10 is in typical use, this feature may help prevent, or at least inhibit, users from contacting furniture, curbs, and/or other objects when ambulating with the walking assistance apparatus 10. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, a base 16′ may also comprise one or more apertures, grooves, recesses, and/or slots 17 positioned therein to reduce the wind resistance and/or the weight of the base 16′.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, the arc-shaped contacting surface 46 or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46 may comprise a resilient material 50 and/or an anti-skid material 52. The resilient material 50 and/or the anti-skid material 52 may be formed with the base 16 and/or may be attached to, adhered to, and/or otherwise engaged with the base 16. The resilient material 50 and the anti-skid material 52 may be a single component or separate components. The resilient material 50 may provide cushioning against a floor, the ground, and/or other ambulation surface. The anti-skid material 52 may increase the coefficient of friction between the arc-shaped contacting surface 46 or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46 and a floor, the ground, and/or other ambulation surface. In one embodiment, the anti-skid material 52 may comprise ridges 47 (FIG. 3B) that may be configured to increase the coefficient of friction between the arc-shaped contacting surface 46 or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46 and a slippery, snowy, and/or icy surface, for example. In one embodiment, the resilient material 50 and the anti-skid material 52 may be one component attached to or formed with the base 16. In other various embodiments, the resilient material 50 and the anti-skid material 52 may be attachments configured to be press-fit, snap-fit, or otherwise engaged with the base 16 over the arc-shaped contacting surface 46 or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46. In one embodiment, the attachments may form the arc-shaped contacting surface 46 or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46. In such an embodiment, the resilient material attachment may comprise anti-skid materials or the anti-skid material attachment may comprise resilient materials.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3A, the handle 12, the shaft 14, and/or the base 16 may comprise one or more illumination devices 54, such as a light source, for example. In various embodiments, the illumination device 54 may comprise a light emitting diode, for example, or other suitable light emitting source. In one embodiment, the illumination device 54 may be positioned on the end portion 48 of the base 16 and/or on the first sidewall 22 of the shaft 14 (FIG. 2). In other various embodiments, the illumination device 54 may be positioned on the second sidewall 24 (FIG. 3A). In various embodiments, more than one illumination device 54 may be provided on a walking assistance apparatus. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other illumination devices and other positioning of the illumination devices may be provided and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, a base 16″ may be wider than a handle portion 12″ and/or a shaft 14″. In various embodiments, the base 16 may comprise a first side 56 and a second side 58. The distance between the first side 56 and the second side 58 is X1. The distance between a first surface 26″ and a second surface 28″ is X2, wherein the distance X1 may be greater than the distance X2. In one embodiment, the distance X1 may be at least twice as great as the distance X2. Likewise, the base 16″ may be wider than the handle portion 12″. In one embodiment, an arc-shaped contacting surface or a contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion may not be as wide as the base, for example.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4A, the handle portion 12 may comprise an aperture 60 defined or formed therein. The aperture 60 may form a gripping portion 62 on the handle portion 12. The gripping portion 62 may comprise a resilient material 64 for cushioning a hand of a user when the user grips the gripping portion 62. In one embodiment, although not illustrated, the aperture 60 may be defined by a sidewall comprising finger receiving ridges configured to receive fingers of a user's hand. The handle portion 12 may be reversible or bi-directional in that a user may grip the handle portion 12 a first way (with a second portion of the base 16 facing opposite the direction of movement) when moving in a first direction and may grip the handle portion 12 a second way (with the second portion of the base 16 facing in the direction of movement) when moving in a second direction. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate other examples of handle portions 13 and 15, respectively, that may be used with a walking assistance apparatus. The handle portions 13 and 15 are also reversible or bi-directional similar to the handle portion 12 and may comprise similar resilient materials and/or gripping portions as described above with respect to handle portion 12.

In one embodiment, the various components of the walking assistance apparatuses described herein may be constructed of wood, plastic, metal, such as aluminum, for example, and/or other suitable material. In various embodiments, one of more of the various components may be constructed of light-weight, high strength materials, for example. The various components may be formed of the same material or from different materials. In one embodiment, certain components may be comprised of more than one material, such as a base having a resilient portion, for example. Those of skill in the art will recognize multiple suitable materials for construction of the walking assistance apparatuses of the present disclosure. As such, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular materials. In various embodiments, the components of the walking assistance apparatuses may be formed of a single piece or multiple pieces. For example, the base, the shaft, and the handle portion may be formed of one piece or the shaft may be attached to the base and the handle portion.

In one embodiment, a single walking assistance apparatus 10 may be used by a user during ambulation and/or standing. In other embodiments, however, a user may desire to use two walking assistance apparatuses during ambulation and/or standing. As such, a walking assistance kit is provided by the present disclosure. In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 7-8B, a walking assistance kit 100 may comprise a first walking assistance apparatus 110 and a second walking assistance apparatus 111. Each of the walking assistance apparatuses 110 and 111 may be similar to the walking assistance apparatus 10 described herein. As depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a user may grip a handle portion 112 of the first walking assistance apparatus 110 with a first hand and grip a handle portion 112′ of the second walking assistance apparatus 111 with a second hand during ambulation and/or standing. Those of skill in the art will understand that other suitable bi-directional or uni-directional handle portions may also be used with the walking assistance apparatuses of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10A, at least one of the walking assistance apparatuses 110 and 111 of the walking assistance kit 100 may comprise a fastener 170. In other various embodiments, a fastener 170 or a fastener receiving portion 172 may be positioned on the other of the walking assistance apparatuses 110 and 111. In one embodiment, the fastener 170 or the fastener receiving portion 172 may be positioned on a first surface 126 (or a second surface) of a shaft 114 of the walking assistance apparatus 110 and/or on a second surface 128′ (or a first surface) of a shaft 114′ of the walking assistance apparatus 111, such that the walking assistance apparatus 110 may be removably coupled to the walking assistance apparatus 111. In one embodiment, the fastener 170 may comprise a hook material 174 and the fastener receiving portion 172 may comprise a loop material 176. The hook material 174 is configured to be removably coupled to the loop material 176 such that the walking assistance apparatus 110 may be removably coupled to the walking assistance apparatus 111. In one embodiment, the fastener 170 and/or the fastener receiving portion 172 may be used during storage of the walking assistance kit 100, when the user is traveling up or down stairs, when using a hand rail, and/or at other suitable times, for example. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the fastener 170 and/or the fastener receiving portion 172 may also be located on other portions of the shafts 114 and 114′.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10B, a fastener 170′ of the walking assistance apparatus 110 may comprise a strap and an engagement member positioned at one end of the strap. The strap may be attached to the shaft 114 of the walking assistance apparatus 110. A fastener receiving portion 172′ may comprise an engagement member receiving portion on another end of the strap. In such an embodiment, the strap may be wrapped around the shaft 114′ of the walking assistance apparatus 111 and the engagement member may be releasably coupled to the engagement member receiving portion to removably couple the walking assistance apparatus 110 with the walking assistance apparatus 111. In other various embodiments, a fastener receiving portion may be positioned on the shaft 114′ of the walking assistance apparatus 111. Of course, the strap and strap receiving member may also be positioned on handle portions 112 and 112′ and the bases 116 and 116′ of the walking assistance apparatus 110 and the walking assistance apparatus 111 and function in a similar manner. In other various embodiments, the fastener 170 and/or the fastener receiving portion 172 may be positioned on a base 116 and/or a handle portion 112 of the walking assistance apparatus 110 and/or the base 116′ and/or a handle portion 112′ of the walking assistance apparatus 111. In still other embodiments, the walking assistance apparatus 110 may comprise interlocking features that enable it to be removably engaged with or removably coupled to the walking assistance apparatus 111. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other fasteners, devices, and/or methods may be used to removably couple a walking assistance apparatus to another walking assistance apparatus.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the walking assistance kit 100 is illustrated in use when a user 101 is ambulating over an ambulation surface 103 in the direction indicated generally by arrow 102. In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, the progression of how the arc-shaped contacting surface or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46 of the base 16 of the walking assistance apparatus 10 contacts the ambulation surface 103 is illustrated when the user walks in a direction generally indicated by arrow 104. The walking assistance apparatus 10 (only one is shown for clarity) may be moved by the user between a first position 80 (FIG. 9A), a second position 82 (FIG. 9B), and a third position 84 (FIG. 9C) during ambulation. In the first position 80, the first portion 40 of the base 16 may be in contact with the ambulation surface 103. Also in this first position 80, part of the third portion 44, or the entire third portion 44, may also be in contact with the ambulation surface 103 depending on the curvature of the arc-shaped contacting surface or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion 46 of the base 16. In the second position 82, the third portion 44 and possibly a part of the first portion 40 and a part of the second portion 42 may be in contact with the ambulation surface 103. Again here, whether the part of the first portion 40 and the part of the second portion 42 contact the ambulation surface 103 in the second position 82 may be dependent on the curvature of the bottom surface of the base 16. In the second position 82, the shaft 14 may be in a vertical position, or in a substantially vertical position. In the third position 84, the second portion 42 may contact the ambulation surface 103. A part of the third portion 44, or the entire third portion 44, may also contact the ambulation surface 103 when in the third position 84. In view of the foregoing, it is illustrated how the walking assistance apparatus 10 may be “rocked” as the user moves in the direction indicated generally by arrow 104. In one embodiment, the bases 16 may act like a human foot that contacts the ambulation surface 103 from “heel to toe.” When referring to contact between the various portions 40, 42, and 44 and the ambulation surface 103, it will be understood that the bottom-most surface of the various portions 40, 42, and 44 will make such contact.

In various embodiments, another progression of how the arc-shaped contacting surface or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion of the base of the walking assistance apparatus contacts an ambulation surface is provided. The walking assistance apparatus may be moved by the user between a first position, a second position, and a third position during ambulation. In such an embodiment, the base may contact the ambulation surface from “toe to heal.” In the first position, the second portion of the base may be in contact with the ambulation surface. Also in this first position, part of the third portion, or the entire third portion, may also be in contact with the ambulation surface depending on the curvature of the arc-shaped contacting surface or the contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion of the base. In the second position, the third portion and possibly a part of the first portion and a part of the second portion may be in contact with the ambulation surface. Again here, whether the part of the first portion and the part of the second portion contact the ambulation surface when in the second position may be dependent on the curvature of the bottom surface of the base. In the second position, the shaft may be in a vertical position, or in a substantially vertical position. In the third position, the first portion may contact the ambulation surface. A part of the third portion, or the entire third portion, may also contact the ambulation surface when in the third position. As a result, the walking assistance kits of the present disclosure may be used with the second portion of the base facing in the direction of movement or the second portion of the base facing away from the direction of movement.

In some instances, back pain may be caused by disks being compressed. Shifting of body weight may help reduce the compression of the disks and, thereby, reduce back pain associated with disk compression. As such, the present disclosure, in part, provides a method of use for a walking assistance kit, wherein a user may continuously, or at least mostly, decompress back disks by applying a downward pressure on a first walking assistance apparatus and/or a second walking assistance apparatus during ambulation and/or standing. Such downward pressure may relieve back pain by decompressing the user's disks and allowing the user to ambulate pain free or with reduced pain. To achieve suitable disk decompression, at least one of the walking assistance apparatuses may be in contact with the ground at all times. In one instance, the walking assistance kit may be used by people suffering from, back pain or disorders, spinal stenosis, and/or arthritis to help them get back into their daily activities and achieve a healthier life style through exercise. The walking assistance kit may also help a user maintain a good posture while walking (e.g., less bending of the back).

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of assisted ambulation using the walking assistance kit 100. In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the walking assistance kit 100 comprises the first walking assistance apparatus 110 and a second walking assistance apparatus 111, as described herein. The method may comprise the steps of gripping the reversible or bi-directional handle portions of the walking assistance apparatuses, placing the first and second walking assistance apparatuses in front of yourself in the desired direction of ambulation with the first portions of the bases in contact with an ambulation surface, and positioning the base of the first walking assistance apparatus further in front of yourself than the base of the second walking assistance apparatus or vice versa. In one embodiment, the first and second walking assistance apparatuses may be positioned in front of the user by about 5 to about 70 degrees, about 15 to about 60 degrees, about 20 to about 50 degrees, or about 25 to about 45 degrees, for example, with respect to a vertical axis of the user. The second portions of the bases may initially be up in the air (i.e., not in contact with the ambulation surface). The method may further comprise leaning in the desired direction of ambulation while applying a downward force to the reversible handle portion of the leading walking assistance apparatus and thereby the first portion of the base, taking a first step in the desired direction of ambulation thereby transferring contact with the ambulation surface from the first portion of the base to the second portion of the base of the first walking assistance apparatus, pushing off of the first walking assistance apparatus, and taking a second step, with your other foot, in the desired direction of ambulation thereby transferring contact with the ambulation surface from the first portion of the base to the second portion of the base of the second walking assistance apparatus. Additional steps may be taken in a similar manner.

In various embodiments, the method may further comprise maintaining the downward force on at least one of the reversible handle portions throughout ambulation and maintaining your elbows close to the sides of your torso. Such steps will allow for back disks to remain decompressed during standing and/or ambulation. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise removably attaching the first walking assistance apparatus with the second walking assistance apparatus when ambulation has ceased, when going up or down stairs, and/or when opening doors. The method further comprises positioning the end edges toward the direction of ambulation when going up stairs and positioning the end edges away from the direction of ambulation when going down stairs. During ambulation using the walking assistance kit, it may be best to walk at a normal pace without overstepping or overreaching with one of the walking assistance apparatuses. The normal pace may promote coordination, weight transfer (thereby promoting decompression of back disks), and posture. In one embodiment, a first walking assistance apparatus may be moved in unison, or substantially in unison, with a left leg of a user taking a step and a second walking assistance apparatus may be moved in unison, or substantially in unison, with a right leg of a user taking a step. It may also be helpful to keep your head up during ambulation with the walking assistance kit.

In one embodiment, a method of shifting a user's weight from a first walking assistance apparatus to a second walking assistance apparatus when using the walking assistance kit is provided. Each walking assistance apparatus may be designed or adjusted for a particular user's height such that a downward force applied by the user to the walking assistance apparatus may be maintained during standing and/or ambulation. In regard to the first walking assistance apparatus, the user's weight may be shifted from the first portion of the base, to the third portion of the base, to the second portion of the base and then the user may push off of the first walking assistance apparatus thereby transferring to user's weight to the second walking assistance apparatus. Then, in regard to the second walking assistance apparatus, the user's weight may be shifted from the first portion of the base, to the third portion of the base, to the second portion of the base and then the user may push off of the second walking assistance apparatus thereby transferring the user's weight back to the first walking assistance apparatus. Additional steps may be taken in a similar manner. As a result, the user's weight may continuously be shifted from one walking assistance apparatus to another, thereby maintaining the back disks in a decompressed state or in a substantially decompressed state.

In one embodiment, the walking assistance apparatuses of the present disclosure may comprise a locating assembly. Such a locating assembly may be similar to that available to locate keys. In one embodiment, a signal generator may send out a signal to a receiver on a walking assistance apparatus. The signal generator may have a button that, when depressed, causes the signal to be generated. Upon receipt of the signal, an audible sound or a visual display may be produced to allow the user to locate the walking assistance apparatuses.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present disclosure. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in the present disclosure conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in the present disclosure shall govern.

While particular non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those of skill in the art will recognize that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A walking assistance apparatus, comprising:

a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft comprises a sidewall;

a reversible handle portion extending from the first end; and

a base extending from the second end, wherein the base comprises: a first portion positioned proximal to the second end of the shaft; a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft in a direction of ambulation; and a third portion positioned intermediate the first portion and the second portion, wherein the base comprises an arc-shaped contacting surface extending along the third portion; the first portion of the base comprising an end portion, wherein the end portion is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft, and wherein the end portion is substantially flat and laterally positioned in a common plane as the sidewall of the shaft.

2. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a first side and a second side, wherein a distance between the first side and the second side is X1, wherein the shaft comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein a distance between the first surface and the second surface is X2, and wherein the distance X1 is greater than the distance X2.

3. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is one of formed with and attached to the second end of the shaft.

4. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reversible handle portion is one of formed with and attached to the first portion of the shaft.

5. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, comprising a second base one of attached to and formed with the first base to provide stability to the walking assistance apparatus.

6. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second base comprises a contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion.

7. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a substantially flat surface, and wherein apertures are defined in the substantially flat surface of the shaft to reduce the wind resistance and weight of the shaft.

8. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a substantially flat surface comprising a fastener, and wherein the fastener is configured to be engaged with one of another fastener and a fastener receiving portion on a substantially flat surface of a shaft of another walking assistance apparatus.

9. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, comprising a light source mounted thereon.

10. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion, and wherein a length adjustment assembly is engaged with the first elongate portion of the shaft and the second elongate portion of the shaft to adjust the overall length of the shaft.

11. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped contacting surface comprises one of a resilient material and an anti-skid material.

12. A walking assistance kit, comprising:

a first walking assistance apparatus comprising: a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft comprises a sidewall and a surface; a bi-directional handle portion extending from the first end; and a base extending from the second end, wherein the base comprises: a first portion positioned proximate to the second end of the shaft; and a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft in a direction of ambulation, wherein the base comprises a contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion; the first portion of the base comprising an end edge, wherein the end edge is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft; and

a second walking assistance apparatus, comprising: a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft comprises a sidewall and a surface; a bi-directional handle portion extending from the first end; and a base extending from the second end, wherein the base comprises: a first portion positioned proximate to the second end of the shaft; and a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft in the direction of ambulation, wherein the base comprises a contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion; the first portion of the base comprising an end edge, wherein the end edge is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft;

wherein the surface of the first walking assistance apparatus comprises a first fastener, wherein the surface of the second walking assistance apparatus comprises one of a second fastener and a fastener receiving portion such that the shaft of the first walking assistance apparatus is configured to be removably coupled to the shaft of the second walking assistance apparatus.

13-15. (canceled)

16. A method of assisted ambulation using a walking assistance kit comprising a first walking assistance apparatus and a second walking assistance apparatus, each of the walking assistance apparatuses comprising a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft comprises a sidewall, the walking assistance apparatuses each comprise a reversible handle portion extending from the first end, and a base extending from the second end, wherein the base comprises a first portion positioned proximal to the second end of the shaft and a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft in a direction of ambulation, wherein the base comprises an arcuate contacting surface, the first portion of the base comprising an end edge, wherein the end edge is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft, the method comprising:

gripping the reversible handle portions;

placing the first and second walking assistance apparatuses in front of yourself in the desired direction of ambulation with the first portions of the bases in contact with an ambulation surface;

positioning the base of the first walking assistance apparatus further in front of yourself than the base of the second walking assistance apparatus;

leaning in the desired direction of ambulation while applying a downward force to the reversible handle portion and thereby the first portion of the base of the first walking assistance apparatus;

taking a first step in the desired direction of ambulation thereby transferring contact with the ambulation surface from the first portion of the base to the second portion of the base of the first walking assistance apparatus;

leaning in the desired direction of ambulation while applying a downward force to the reversible handle portion and thereby the first portion of the base of the second walking assistance apparatus; and

taking a second step in the desired direction of ambulation thereby transferring contact with the ambulation surface from the first portion of the base to the second portion of the base of the second walking assistance apparatus.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising:

maintaining the downward force on at least one of the reversible handle portions throughout ambulation; and

shifting your body weight between the first walking assistance apparatus and the second walking assistance apparatus during ambulation.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising maintaining your elbows close to the sides of your torso during ambulation.

19. The method of claim 16, comprising removably attaching the first walking assistance apparatus with the second walking assistance apparatus when ambulation has ceased or when going up or down stairs.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising positioning the end edges toward the direction of ambulation when going up stairs and positioning the end edges away from the direction of ambulation when going down stairs.

21-23. (canceled)

24. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the shaft is perpendicular to the direction of ambulation.

25. The walking assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is positioned asymmetrically in the direction of ambulation relative to the second end of the shaft.