Abstract: A cane device (10) that provides a remote object gripping mechanism (14), a shoe horn (16), and a rod (18) providing a righting means for the device, is described. The remote object gripping mechanism is comprised of a trigger (36), a gripping claw (38) and a connecting linkage of a cable (40). The trigger is mounted on the cane (12) adjacent the handle (22) and is actuated to move in turn the cable, which is mounted inside the cane, to in turn move the claw towards a support foot (24) for gripping and manipulating remote objects without the user needing to stoop. The righting means extends from the shaft (20 ) adjacent the support foot. When the cane is dropped on the floor (71), the user is able to step on the righting means to cause the cane handle to swing upwardly so that the user can reach the handle without having to bend over. The shoe horn is an elongated member that enables the user to put on a shoe without having to stoop.

Abstract: A self righting walking cane device which comprises a lightweight hand grip handle, a lightweight shaft device and a bottom weighted base device to facilitate the righting action of the cane device. The base device includes a plurality of frame devices and faceted shell sections which are attached about the bottom portion of the shaft device. The frame devices or shell have a unique configuration which together with the weight device positioned about the bottom portion of shaft device which together with unique shaft configuration provide a unique self righting walking cane. This combination of elements produces a cane whose center of gravity is below the center of rotation of the righting surface causing the cane to remain vertically stable and if disturbed from its vertical position to return to it. The construction of the cane device also allows it to stand by itself without the need of support.

Abstract: A crutch tip assembly (12) comprises a crutch tip base (14) with a laterally protruding lip (28) adjacent a base bottom surface (26) and a resilient boot (16) having the shape of a rocker. The boot defines a mounting cavity (36) for snugly receiving the base bottom surface and the lip for holding the boot on the base. The boot has a sole with a bottom surface (39) for contacting the ground and a top surface (46) in the cavity directed towards the base bottom surface. Protruding portions are positioned between the base bottom surface and the sole top surface for providing resilient cushioning between the sole top surface and the base bottom surface. Sidewall cavities (84) are located around the perimeter of the boot allowing for lateral compression and reexpansion.

Abstract: A non-slip support shoe for attachment to the end of any crutch or other walking aid comprises an attachment cylinder for attaching the shoe to the bottom of the crutch or walking aid; a pair of strip leaf springs, at least one of which is connected to the attachment cylinder; and a rubber sole provided on the bottom surface of a lower one of the strip leaf springs. In operation, when the maximum weight of a body is exerted on the crutch or walking aid, the strip leaf springs change configuration (i.e., flatten) so that the entire sole located on the lower strip leaf spring contacts the ground, thereby preventing slippage during use of the crutch or walking aid. Once the maximum weight of the body is removed, the strip leaf springs return to their original configuration so as not to interfere with the angled forward and backward positions of the crutch during use.

Abstract: A walking aid which has an elongated shaft which is curved along its longitudinal axis in the plane of forward direction and a handgrip disposed along its longitudinal axis in a rearward direction and contoured to support the hand with separated thumb-engaging and fingers-engaging portions and a heel-engaging portion. Another embodiment may have an elongated cuff disposed at the rearward end of the handgrip. This cuff has a lower forearm support portion and an upper forearm engaging portion which provides alignment to the forearm and wrist of the user and an opening for rearward removal of the forearm. A foot member having a bottom portion of resilient material for frictionally engaging a surface during use is disposed at the lower end of the shaft.

Abstract: A support foot assembly (10) for use with a elongated load bearing device such as a cane (16) or crutch. The support foot assembly includes a mounting structure (12) having a generally planar bottom surface (12.1) and an upper surface (12.2) which, in the preferred form of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, is provided with a large, deep generally cylindrical cavity (12.3). Securing means (14) are provided to secure the elongated load bearing device to the mounting structure, and to this end a rubber-like crutch or cane tip (18) is mounted within the cavity (12.3), the tip (18) being retained within the cavity by a rubber-like cord (22) which passes through a small aperture (12.5) below the cavity (12.3), the cord having an enlarged portion (22.1) which engages the bottom surface (12.1) of the mounting structure.

Abstract: A cane has a tip at its bottom end, which tip is in the shape of a hemispherical shell. The cane is for the use of a visually handicapped person. When slid along the ground as the person walks, it provides auditory and kinesthetic clues about the environment and any impediments in the path of the user, yet cannot get caught, stuck or hung up on any obstacles.

Abstract: A walking cane has an enlarged foot piece, formed with a convex arcuate lower surface, that functions as a small rocker. One, or two, rows of spikes extend downwardly from the arcuate surface, for penetration and gripping of icy surfaces. An elastomeric, resilient pad may be attached to the arcuate lower surface of the foot piece, to adapt the cane for use on normal walking surfaces, such as carpets, hard floors, and outdoor sidewalks. The pad has a series of sockets that fit onto the spikes for retention of the pad on the foot piece. The arcuate surface contour on the foot piece is advantageous in that it enables the spikes or resilient pad to maintain a non-slip, rocking engagement with the walking surface during the entire walking stride, i.e., while the person is using the cane to partially support his or her own weight during forward motion of the person's body.

Abstract: A mobility assisting device which includes a vertical support structure and a substantially planar base structure mounted to the vertical support structure so as to be articulatable relative thereto. Thus, the base remains parallel to the ground as the user rests upon the device and moves relative to the ground. Such a structure maximizes the stability of the device and minimizes the likelihood of slippage due to uneven, moist, icy or otherwise torturous terrain. The patient supporting structure is mounted to the vertical support structure so as to be pivotal relative thereto so as to avoid the translation of pressure points under the patient's arms and rubbing between the upper end of the crutch and the underarm. Further, the vertical support structure and the base structure are preferably spring mounted to one another so as to be urged into perpendicular relation.

Abstract: A crutch tip assembly (12) comprises a solid base (14) having substantially vertical side surfaces (18, 20, 54, 56) and outwardly, downwardly tapered front and rear surfaces (22, 24, 51a, 51b) with convex bottom surface (26, 52) forming an approximate arc elongated in a direction approximately parallel to the side surfaces. A laterally outwardly protruding lip (28, 50) is positioned adjacent the bottom surface near bottom edges of the side, front and rear surfaces on which a resilient boot (16, 70) having the shape of a rocker is mounted. The resilient boot defines a mounting cavity (36, 72) for snugly receiving the solid-base bottom surface and the lip for holding the boot on the solid base. An elongated, centered, arch-shaped groove (38, 74) extends along a bottom surface of the boot. The solid base is attached to a single support 33 at a lower end of a crutch frame 34 by means of a tongue (30, 68) and groove (32) joint and alternately an adhesive or other affixing means.

Abstract: A support leg for a canelike walking aid includes an adapter part to which a support tube of the walking aid may be fitted, a sole body which can bear on the ground, and a joint device connecting the adapter part and the sole body for permitting elastic swivelling in a direction of support between the adapter part and the sole body. The joint device is formed of a composite body including an elastic body within which are embedded stiffener components respectively connected to the adapter part and the sole body.

Abstract: A stick in accordance with the invention essentially comprises a riser (3), a foot (1) defining a supporting polygon, a ball-and-socket joint connecting the riser (3) to the foot (1), and resilient means (12) for keeping the riser in a determined position relative to the foot, such that when the foot stands on substantially horizontal ground and when the resilient means are in the holding position, the riser remains in a substantially vertical position, with the supporting polygon being defined by five end fittings (2) positioned substantially at the vertices of a pentagon.

Abstract: A walker is disclosed to provide support for a person who would otherwise have great difficulty in moving around in a hospital or home setting. The walker includes a frame having pivotable wheels to enable movement of the frame. Support structure is suspended from the frame for holding the person. The support structure includes a seat on which the person can sit and a torso device for supporting the upper torso of the person.

Abstract: A walker includes a frame which has pair of spaced apart upright members. A cross piece extends between the upright members adjacent the lower end thereof. A handle portion is attached to the upright members at the upper end thereof. The handle portion includes a pair of opposed, vertically disposed segments which are receivable on the upright members. A grip pair is located on top of each vertically disposed segment and includes two grips, located one above the other, which are in vertical alignment with each other. A transverse element extends between the grip pairs. A foot is located on the lower end of each upright member and is perpendicular thereto. Each foot includes a pad which is fixed to the upright member and a wheel which is pivotably hinged to the pad and is flexibly biased to extend linearly from and end of the pad.

Abstract: An improved tripod includes a spike and pad structure for supporting the tripod on the ground. The spike is fixed to the bottom portion of the leg and at an angle with respect thereto and is threaded to receive a spherical ball. Gripping the ball is a pad element, the ball including a groove and the pad including a nubbin received in the groove. Thus, the pad is free to tilt arcuately with respect to the spike and when rotated, the pad also rotates the ball thus allowing the pad to extend beyond the spike or to position the spike within the pad.

Abstract: A walking aid is disclosed herein for use in combination with a cane, crutches or the like having a foot member provided with a centrally located base formed with a central socket for insertably receiving the tip end of the cane or crutch. The foot member is provided with several raised reinforcement ribs on its top surface that radiate outwardly between the socket and the base. The foot member is substantially rectangular in plan view having rounded corners and a plurality of ridges carried in fixed parallel spaced-apart relationship on the underside of the foot member. The opposite ends of the base curve upwardly to permit limited rolling of the foot member when used with a cane or crutch during a walking procedure.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a crutch tip including an integrally fabricated tubular receiver for a crutch shaft and having on its lower end an enlarged depending skirt. Firmly secured conformably within the skirt are a rigid plate immediately beneath the receiver, an absorption or damping pad immediately beneath the plate, and a ground engageable tread piece immediately beneath the absorption pad, which tread piece includes depending projections for receiving and flexing about small articles on the ground while maintaining traction with the ground.

Abstract: The present invention entails a cane having a finger assembly in the lower portion thereof and extendable from the cane for gripping objects. In particular, the finger assembly is biased toward an extended position. A locking mechanism enables the finger assembly to be locked in an infinite number of positions between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position such that objects of various sizes can be retrieved and held.

Abstract: A device, used in pairs, to provide upper body exercise to walkers, joggers and runners. A device which provides a total body exercise concept for said users. A device which emulates cross-country skiing during said use. A device which has a frame with a handgrip and foot thereon. The handgrip height can be adjusted as required. Weights can be added to the frame for a more balanced exercise routine of upward and downward force. The changeable foot is designed for ground and other supporting surface contact and provide for the rocking motion of the frame and to maintain good ground coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A nonslip foot assembly for the lower end of a crutch, cane, walker or other walking aid. An expansible sleeve is anchored in the end of the crutch by rotating a threaded bolt in order to squeeze the sleeve between a pair of nuts. The end of the bolt projects out of the crutch and is pivotally pinned to a nonslip foot formed by a rigid disk bonded to a resilient pad having a plurality of projecting fingers. The fingers flex when applied to a hard surface and their resiliency applies a firm gripping force even if the surface is slippery. The fingers are able to dig into carpets and other soft surfaces to provide a firm grip without damaging the surface.

Abstract: An improved crutch tip construction. The crutch tip is formed of a resilient material and has an upper tubular stem portion formed with an axial recess and a lower enlarged head. A concave metallic socket with a reversed upper lip portion is disposed at the bottom of the recess and the lower end of the crutch bow is engaged with the socket. The lower surface of the head of the tip is generally convex and is formed with a plurality of concentric grooves. The combination of the metal socket with the convex lower surface of the head provides a greater surface area of contact between the tip and the supporting surface during use, thereby achieving greater safety for use of the crutch.

Abstract: What is described is a holding fixture for an exchangeable sole piece in walking aids, for example crutches or the like, having a support pod and a bottom mounting rim to which a sole piece is releasably attached. The sole piece (4) is affixed secure against being pulled off by means of a push-on sleeve (12) that can be slid fittingly over the mounting rim (8) and the push-on sleeve is attached to the support pod (3) and secured against being pulled off by a snap lock mechanism (14). The fixture has the special advantage that the exchange of the sole piece can be carried out extremely quickly and comfortably and that a maximum of operational reliability of the holding fixture is guaranteed.

Abstract: A support foot for walking aids, in particular crutches is presented, comprising a sole body which is fixed to a support plate anchored in articulated fashion to the support shaft. The support plate comprises a bordering skirt embodied as a universal plug socket to receive a standardized guide section of different sole bodies which are secured releasably in the bordering skirt by locking pins penetrating the same. The design of the support foot is such that it gives the handicapped a degree of safety unattained before and, furthermore, permits a conventional walking aid to be modified at very little expenditure for the handicapped so that it will be adapted in optimum manner to the respective surroundings.

Abstract: A walking aid which includes a shaft formed of nested telescoping sections which can be readily secured and locked in the adjusted position and which has connected to one end thereof a foot pad having an arcuate sole portion simulating an anatomical foot and a handle portion connected to the other end whereby the handle is constructed so that when grasped the bearing weight of the user is on the hypothermar eminence of the hand which is the anatomically weight bearing surface of the hand. The aid may be provided with one of several distinct handle arrangements which may function as a hand guard, provide illumination and/or arrange to be disposed relative to the foot pad to define and arc of a circle. The foot pad and connected shaft and handle are balanced so that the aid is naturally maintained in an upright position.

Abstract: A mobility aid for use in conjunction with crutches or like, by a legless person or a person afflicted with paraplegia for step-like ambulation, the aid having a foot with a convex lower surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nonskid assembly comprising a tread carrier secured to a basic body which is connected to the lower end of the stick of a walking aid. A ball joint has a hollow ball cup situated in the axial central opening of a ring and is composed of supplementary sectional ball cup profiles at one end of the central opening and a plug is inserted at the front surface in the other end of the central opening and fixed in it. The ball has a shaft projecting out of the curved end of the central opening of the ring. The shaft is secured in a bore of a connecting piece.

Abstract: An upright is provided including upper and lower ends and the lower end of the upright includes a foot for frictionally gripping an upwardly facing support surface. The upper end of the upright defines a pair of horizontally spaced apart opposite side portions between which a horizontal upwardly opening cradle is supported for angular adjustment about an axis extending transversely of the cradle and between the opposite side portions. One of the opposite side portions includes a cane handle supported therefrom for angular displacement about its longitudinal axis and projecting above the cradle and one end of the cradle includes an outwardly convex end wall while the other end of the cradle is open and includes an endwise outwardly projecting support arm from whose outer end a second upwardly opening cradle is supported.

Abstract: A resilient tip member, preferably molded as a unit from rubber, having a gripper pad, a crutch holder and an interposed sleeve portion. A pivot pin preferably has a disc-like upper portion disposed within the crutch holder, and a depending pin portion extending through the sleeve portion and into the gripper pad. An instep plate is disposed within the gripper pad and has an upwardly concave portion of generally complementary configuration with respect to the lower end of the depending pin portion with the two being in contact.Means for introducing lubricant into the contacting portions of the pivot pin and instep plate may be provided. Traction means may be removably or permanently secured to the ground engaging portion of the resilient tip member.