Abstract: The specification discloses a sports pole including at least two flexible rods, the first of which is held in compression and the second of which is held in tension by the spatial arrangement of the two rods relative to one another and relative to the handle. The tension rod is slidably connected to the handle at one end and fixedly connected to the compression rod at the other end. When the user plants the pole, the movement of the tension rod within the handle allows the compression rod to deflect further, thereby acting as an energy absorbing member. As the user advances through the pole stroke, the energy stored in the pole during planting and pushing is released as the compression rod returns to its original position. This yields a forward force applied to assist the user in forward motion.

Abstract: The walker of the invention comprises a chassis including a bottom plate. A sole is engaged or engageable with the underside in use of the bottom plate and a liner is placed within the chassis. The movement characteristics of the walker being determined by the shape or configuration of the sole, or both the shape and configuration.

Abstract: A cane tip having a body incorporating a resilient, shock-absorbing member which has radial projections extending to the surface of the cane tip.

Abstract: A medical walker foot includes a shell having a base portion for engaging a floor or the ground when weight is applied to the walker and a sleeve portion for receiving the lower end of the medical walker leg. A biasing member is disposed within the shell for biasing a tip member into an extended position, disengaging the base portion from the ground, and allowing the tip member to glide along the ground when weight is removed from the walker. The biasing member provides a substantially uniform pressure throughout its full stroke and may comprise a cup-like urethane cushion or a coil spring. The base portion of the shell includes a wiper seal which extends radially into the opening in the base portion to form a watertight seal with the stem of the tip member.

Abstract: A patient support device, particularly a cane, includes a fifth leg that extends outwardly from a central portion of a base assembly at a region intermediate the first, second, third, and fourth legs. The fifth leg provides increased balance and stability for the user. Moreover, the base assembly includes a one-piece member constructed from a molded plastic composite material to reduce manufacturing costs. Additionally, the fifth leg is slightly recessed relative to the remaining four legs so that the patient's weight is evenly distributed to the perimeter of the support area defined by the base member.

Abstract: A glide cap for a walker of the type has four legs that extend into contact with the ground and support an upper handgrip portion. The glide cap encompasses at least a portion of the bottom of an elastomeric tip placed on the end of at least one of the legs of the walker. The glide cap has a hardness greater than the hardness of the elastomeric tip such that any vibration or noise caused by skidding the glide cap across a surface is dampened.

Abstract: A crutch is disclosed for providing assistance to individuals who have been injured or are physically challenged. The crutch includes two members capable of telescoping adjustment to accommodate the height of a user. A special shoulder support is used to provide comfortable support to the underarm of the user. The crutch also includes a rectangular foot, which is used to provide a more secure contact with the ground. The foot is specially designed so that is may flex in a manner similar to that of a human foot. The crutch is also capable of supporting multiple accessory items such as a beverage container and a briefcase.

Abstract: A cane having a handle and a shaft with a tip section has an elastomeric attachment plug with a bore therethrough, with the tip section of the pole captured by the bore. A bottom face of the attachment plug has a cavity so that when the plug is pushed on the ground it tends to form a partial vacuum. The top face supports a disk-like basket connected to the shaft.

Abstract: An improved walking aid tip that is easy to use and provides for better support on smooth or slippery surfaces. The tip combines the features of an enlarged base for better stability on sand and gravel, a combination of convex and flat base to provide support for the user when the walking aid is positioned at a wide variety of angles with the ground surface, where the user is walking or standing still, a base made of a non-flexible rubber material so that the cane does not wobble and become unstable when in use and so that the base does not crack easily and have to be replaced frequently, an enlarged rigid support member that entirely covers and supports the rubber base so that the cane is less apt to wobble and so that the base is less likely to crack and have to be replaced prematurely, and a socket, a threaded screw, and a threaded screw hole to allow for easy installation of the tip. The enlarged base also allows people who would normally have to use a more cumbersome quad cane (e.g.

Abstract: A medical walker foot includes a shell having a base portion for engaging a floor or the ground when weight is applied to the walker and a sleeve portion for receiving the lower end of the medical walker leg. A cup-like urethane cushion is disposed within the shell for biasing a tip member into an extended position, disengaging the base portion from the ground, and allowing the tip member to glide along the ground when weight is removed from the walker. The base portion of the shell includes a wiper seal which extends radially into the opening in the base portion to form a watertight seal with the stem of the tip member.

Abstract: A self-retaining glide for the lower end of each leg of a walker. Preferably installed onto each rear leg of the walker, the device decreases forward drag while substantially increasing resistance to sideways or lateral movement by providing a plurality of downwardly facing or extending parallel ground, floor and carpet engaging fins. These fins are a molded part of an elongated main member which also includes one and preferably two spaced apart tubular supports for retaining the device in proper position on the leg lower end. In the preferred embodiment, the combination of snugly fitting tubular supports on the leg and resilient flexing of a semi-rigid central portion of the main member from a flat to a U-shape securely maintains the fins in a fore/aft orientation with respect to the walker after proper installation.

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 plurality of spaced mounting blocks pivotally support an arcuate shield therebetween projecting above the mounting blocks defining a concave surface in confronting relationship relative to a support web directed between the boxes. A first of said mounting box is arranged to include a radio, with a second arranged to provide for a timer mechanism to permit timing of a sun bathing event, with the shield affording protection of a facial surface of an individual relative to sun rays. A modification of the invention includes a spray medium directed onto an individual's face to enhance cooling during a sun bathing event.

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 skate pole device can be used alone or in pairs by a roller skater in order to advance or retard movement along a skate surface. The skate pole has an elongated shaft with a handle portion on one end and a foot portion on the other end. First and second pads are mounted in the foot portion. The first pad is constructed of a type adapted to frictionally grip the skate surface so that the skater may exert a thrusting motion with the skate pole, and this material may be a stiff, yet resilient, rubber-like substance such as a soft thermoplastic. The second pad is constructed of a different type of material, such as a hard thermoplastic, that is adapted to act as a brake pad against the skate surface so that the skater may apply a drag force. A pair of such skate poles may be used and, if desired, interconnecting elements are provided to releasably secure two such skate poles alongside one another.

Abstract: A crutch tip for installation on the lower end of a crutch shaft for engagement with an underlying supportig surface. The crutch tip includes a first material having a first coefficient of friction with respect to the supporting surface and a second material having a second coefficient of friction with respect to the supporting surface. The crutch tip generally includes a radial outer skirt, a ring portion radially inwardly of the skirt, and a center portion. The ring portion may be formed from the first material and the outer skirt may be formed from the second material.

Abstract: A boot for a peg leg comprises a circular sole of non-skid elastic material, connected by a watertight seam, to a tubular upper. The upper, which is also made of an elastomeric material, is shaped to receive the shaft of a peg leg, such that the boot is held in place by friction.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for preventing the slippage of a cane-like handle is provided, the apparatus including an interior portion and an exterior portion. The interior portion is formed of an anti-skid material for gripping the cane-like handle. The exterior portion is also formed of the anti-skid material, the interior and the exterior portions being cup-shaped, with an open end and a spherically-shaped closed end. A plurality of protuberances are formed on the exterior portion of the apparatus to deter slipping of the cane-like handle.

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 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: A cane supporting apparatus is made from a light weight piece of material which has an upright contact surface having a width which is several times the diameter of the cane. Generally perpendicular to the upright contact surface is a generally horizontal contact surface, and both of these surfaces are made to have a high coefficient of friction. In the horizontal contact surface, the apparatus is provided with a through-hole which is dimensioned to receive the cane with a slight amount of resistance. The apparatus may therefore be slipped over the cane with the horizontal contact surface generally perpendicular to the length of the cane. The cane may then be supported against a wall or similar surface by means of the upright contact surface of the apparatus or with respect to a table surface by means of the contact surface of the apparatus.

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: 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.