Abstract: Walking assistance devices and systems for rehabilitation system for reducing the knee adduction moment in a user, reducing stress on the knee, and potentially slowing deterioration of the knee associated with osteoarthritis of the knee and delaying the need for knee replacement surgery. In one embodiment the walking assistance device includes a handle or grip portion, a shaft portion, and a base portion having a rocker bottom which reduces the knee adduction moment on the stance leg of a user.

Abstract: A universal chair leveler provides chair leveling for outdoor concert, event or other use. The universal chair leveler comprises a body having an angled bottom and a support for receive a chair leg at its top. A support may have one or more distinct cavities to receive various types of chair legs. A telescopic support provides height adjustment to permit use on a variety of sloped or other non-uniform surfaces.

Abstract: A bottle support shoe receives a closed end of a medicine bottle to stabilize and inhibit slippage of a medicine bottle, and to hold the bottle upright. The shoe comprises a plate having a superior face defined by a convex shape that creates suction, and a mount face defined by a concave shape that creates suction. An interior sidewall extends from the plate at an angle between 44 degrees to 110 degrees, such that engaging the superior face with the closed end of bottle creates air space between the interior sidewall and the superior face. Engaging the mount face with a ground surface decreases and maintains air space between the interior sidewall and the mount face. An exterior sidewall circumambulates the interior sidewall. A bridge extends from interior sidewall to exterior sidewall. A grip panel overlays the mount face to further prevent slippage of the shoe.

Abstract: A walking aid with irritant dispenser includes a shaft having upper and lower ends and defining a hollow chamber configured to contain an irritant. A compressed air cartridge is positioned in the shaft in fluid communication with the chamber. A trigger is operatively coupled to the air cartridge and configured to cause air to be released from the cartridge into the chamber when actuated. A piston situated in the chamber is movable between an upward configuration when the trigger is not actuated and a downward configuration when the trigger is actuated. The lower end of the shaft defines an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber through which the irritant is released when the piston is at the downward configuration. The chamber includes a predetermined amount of fluid pressure such that infusion of air from the compressed air cartridge increases the pressure and urges the piston toward the downward configuration.

Abstract: One possible embodiment could be a self-defense walking stick and a process of operating same, the stick comprising of a shaft having two ends, a first end and a second end; a grip having a body with a top end and a bottom end, the top end having a top aperture connected to a top open-ended channel, the bottom end having a bottom aperture connected to a bottom open-ended channel that receives the first end of the shaft; an aerosol irritant dispensing canister comprising of a pressurized cylinder of irritant connected to activating and dispensing mechanisms, wherein a portion of the canister is retained within the top open-ended channel to expose the activating and dispensing mechanisms above the top end; and a tip connecting to the second end to interact with a surface of a ground being traversed by the operator using the stick.

Abstract: An assistive cane and a tip assembly therefore are provided. The assistive walking cane includes a handle used to hold the walking aid, a shaft connected to the handle that transmits a load from the handle, and a ferrule connected to the shaft that receives the load from the shaft. The ferrule includes an inner core, an outer support, and a lower base. The inner core is contained within a space defined by the outer support and the lower base. The outer support includes a plurality of downwardly extending sidewalls to define the inner core receiving space. The inner core is made of a relatively softer material than the outer support and the lower base, the lower base made of a relatively softer material than the outer support. Thus, when a load is applied to the assistive cane the inner core provides for a gradual resistance to the user applying the load, thus cushioning the impact, and the sidewalls deflect or bend outwardly, thus increasing the surface area of the lower base.

Abstract: A stick that is excellent in shock absorption and is also excellent in stability is provided. A stick body is provided with a telescopic extension pipe formed by fitting an outer tube and an inner tube together in a nesting manner. Inside the extension pipe, a velocity-dependent damper that damps the relative sliding movement between the outer tube and the inner tube, and a compression coil spring that concentrically fits onto the damper and urges the extension pipe so as to be extended are connected in parallel. According to such a stick, the shock transmitted to the hand can be mitigated as the compression coil spring contracts upon landing. Also, since the damper suppresses unwanted vibration of the extension pipe, the length of the stick quickly becomes stable after landing, allowing the user to keep stable balance with the stick.

Abstract: A damping device, which is provided between a handle and pole tube of a sport pole such as a ski pole, combines the action of a helical compression spring (17) with that of a gas compression spring, whereby a rod-shaped body (5) can be displaced inside a tube (3). An elastic insert (13), which is subjected to the action of the helical compression spring (17), is provided at the end of the rod-shaped body (5). The rod-shaped body (5) is pressed into the tube (3), e.g. when the pole is placed against the ground, and the insert (13) deforms and tightly abuts against the tube (3) from the inside whereby forming a gas compression spring. The damping action is progressively increased inside the tube (3) by the friction of the deformable insert (13).

Abstract: A collapsible snowboard pole is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a snowboard pole can be provided with a manually expandable and compressible shaft, a basket at the tip, and a handle at the top. The basket can slide between a lower tip-ward (distal) position for storage and an upper top-ward (proximal) position for use. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the pole can be expanded to full length and disengaged from a docking mechanism located at the back of a snowboard with one hand, while a user is in motion on the snowboard. Once disengaged, the user can easily deploy the basket to its full upward extension for use. Additionally, a user can dock a collapsed pole and secure it in a docking mechanism, or can insert the pole tip in a docking mechanism, then collapse the pole and then secure it in the docking mechanism, all with one hand while in motion on the snowboard.

Abstract: An improved cane to assist walking, comprising a shaft, a base and an articulated connection allowing the base to pivot relative to the shaft, depending upon the slope of the surface below the base, the connection characterized in that articulation capability decreases as downward loading on the shaft is increased, and articulation capability increases as downward loading on the shaft is decreased. Articulation capacity may have a path of resistance that guides the user into selected patterns of therapeutic motion.

Abstract: A cane with a pepper spray dispenser. The cane comprises a horizontal handle and a vertical member. The vertical member is preferably permanently attached to the handle near a first end thereof. A substantially cylindrical cap covers the bottom portion of the vertical member and provides firm traction. A container of pressurized pepper spray extends vertically from the handle to the vertical member. A button is in fluid communication with the container and is located along the upper surface thereof. In its closed position, a cover shields the button from the external environment and prevents it from being accidentally activated. The user can slide the cover into an open position along a pair of tracks in the handle, aim the nozzle near the eyes of the criminal and depress the button. The released pepper spray incapacitates the attacker for a significant period of time and allows the user to escape.

Abstract: A shock absorbing fixture for attachment to a device for aiding a user in walking such as a crutch. The fixture comprises a frame with a spring disposed within the frame that compresses under the weight of the user. The fixture is attached to the lower end of the device. The fixture reduces the shock on the user during use of the device. The device also has the capacity to be operated so that the crutch performs as a rigid crutch.

Abstract: Pepper spray canister is mounted in the tubular bore of a cane or walker leg or handle, and is actuable by a trigger mounted adjacent, or in, the handle after release of a safety interlock. Several embodiments are shown, both with the canister in the handle or remote therefrom, and wherein the spray can exit the base (tip) of the cane leg or adjacent the handle. One embodiment comprises a trigger interlock button sleeve mountable at the top of the leg with the canister, actuable by a rod passing down the leg, located adjacent the lower end of the leg. Other embodiments include a straight, T-shaped or L-shaped handle which houses the canister. Several trigger mechanisms are shown: first at the rear juncture of the handle and leg; at the forward juncture thereof; or on the forward top surface of the handle.

Abstract: An adjustable crutch (10) includes upper and lower assemblies (12, 14) which are slidably interconnected with one another is constructed of hollow aluminum pipes, or tubing, (16, 18, 42, 44) interconnected by glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members (20, 22, 54). Walls of the hollow aluminum tubing extend into annular cavities (26) formed in the glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members, with molded-in bosses, or plugs, (28) of glass or fiber-reinforced nylon material extending into bores of the aluminum tubing. A hand grip support (54) has shear pins (64) for selectively engaging holes (66) in upper shafts (16, 18). A hand grip (68) on the hand grip support is laterally offset and the upper shafts are separated by at least 5 inches. The hand grip defines a holding notch (78) for interconnecting two crutches so that they can be easily held by one hand while only one of the crutches is used. A foam arm cushion (32) has a convex top edge (34) and concave side surfaces (36a, 36b ).