GB2131683A

GB2131683A - Walking aid foot device

Info

Publication number: GB2131683A
Application number: GB08308048A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alma Ruby Skelcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-12-11
Filing date: 1983-03-24
Publication date: 1984-06-27
Also published as: GB8308048D0; DE3375877D1; EP0112141A2; GB2131683B; EP0112141A3; EP0112141B1

Abstract

A foot device for a walking aid such as a walking stick (3) or crutch leg consists of a foot member (1) having an anti-slip underface 10 and having a universal pivotal connection (12, 20) with a mounting member. The mounting member may be a ferrule which has a push fit on the stick (3) and is provided with a ball shaped projection (20) engaging a socket (12) in the foot (1). In a development the ferrule (2) is provided with a yieldable depending skirt (21) which abuts the foot (1) to maintain it in alignment with the ferrule yet readily permit their relative inclination. The skirt is shown integral with aferrule of rubber or other resilient material. The anti-slip underface (10) of tread or pattern form may be provided by a removable piece such as a cap, for replacement purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

1

SPECIFICATION Walking aid foot device

This invention has reference to walking aids such as walking sticks, crutches or the like and has for its object to provide an improved foot device therefor whereby greatly increased resistance to slipping is obtained even when a stick, crutch or other walking aid fitted with the device is at a considerable angle to the ground or floor and even where the latter is quite smooth.

According to this invention a foot device for a walking aid such as a walking stick or crutch comprises a foot member having an anti-slip face at its underside for contact with the floor, ground or similar surface, and having a universal pivotal connection with a mounting member fitted or adapted to be fitted or otherwise attached to or forming part of the lower end of the walking aid such that the underside of the foot member remains flatly in contact with the floor, ground or the like despite some relative inclination of the walking aid.

Practical examples of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of one form of the device shown fitted to a walking stick, FIGURE 2 is a detail view of the foot device showing a modification, FIGURE 3 is a detail view of a foot device suitable for use with a crutch or similar walking aid, FIGURE 4 is a detail view of a developed form of the foot device, FIGURE 5 is an enlarged scale axial plane section of the device shown in FIGURE 4, and FIGURE 6 is a similar axial plane section showing a modification.

Referring to FIGURE 1 the foot member of the device is in the nature of a disc having an anti-slip face 10 at its underside and formed or provided with a socket 12 at its upperside for retentively receiving a ball shaped lower extremity or projection 20 of a mounting member or ferrule 2 which has a tight push fit on the lower end of a walking stick 3.

The ball and socket connection 20, 12 provides a considerable extent of universal pivotal movement of the ferrule 2, and hence angular movement of the stick 3, relative to the foot 1 in any direction.

The facing of the underside of the foot 1 may consist of a pad 11 of rubber or other suitable material having preferably a tread formation or pattern on its underface at 10 for anti-slip contact with the floor, ground or with similar surfaces such 120 as on stairways.

The action of the device is such that despite considerable inclination of the stick 3 relative to the floor F the underside 10 of the foot 1 i.e. of the pad 11 remains flatly in full face contact with the 125 floor F for maximum resistance to slipping e.g.

under the weight of a person adopting a leaning attitude on the stick.

Practical tests have established that an GB 2 131 683 A 1 effective anti-slip action is obtained even on smooth surfaces such as tiled or similar floors and represents a notable improvement over the usual form of rubber cap or foot piece often fitted on the lower end of a walking stick and where effective floor or ground contact is somewhat reduced as soon as a few degrees of inclination of the stick takes place from the vertical.

The full contact obtained and maintained by means of the device according to this invention is provided in a self accommodating manner by the universal pivotal action of the ball and socket connection 20, 12. Furthermore the stick 3 is able to turn or swivel about its axis relative to the foot 1 so that freedom of movement is afforded i.e.

when a person using the fitted stick 3 changes direction in which he or she is facing.

In the development shown in FIGURE 2 the foot 1 receives - a cap 111 of rubber or the like with a retentive engagement or snap fit to provide an anti-slip underface 10 in a similar manner to the pad 11, which cap 111 can be readily removed or peeled off when worn for replacement by a new cap or an alternative form of cap. Thus a cap having a spiked underside may be provided for use as necessary on very slippery surfaces such as on ice covered surfaces.

In the examples shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 the diameter of the foot 1 may be of the order of one inch (25 mm) whilst in FIGURE 3 a larger size of foot and corresponding cap e.g. two inches (50 mm) in diameter is shown for use on a crutch or similar walking aid to provide a greater underface area at 10 for floor or ground contact. However these dimensions are given by way of practical example only and may be varied according to requirements. The action and practical advantages of the device shown in FIGURE 3 is the same as that already described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.

As shown in the drawings the ball 20 may be integral with the ferrule 2 or it may be attached as a separate member. Thus it may be provided with a threaded shank which is screwed into the lower end of the ferrule.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 5 a developed form of the device is shown in which the ferrule 2 is moulded or otherwise produced in rubber, plastic or other suitable resilient material so as to have a gripping push fit on the lower end of a walking stick 3 or leg of a crutch. The interior of the ferrule 2 is also shown provided with raised formation at 23 for gripping engagement about the stick 3 or leg.

Located in an annular groove 22 at the base of the interior of the ferrule 2 or moulded therein is a head or disc 220 from which the ball shaped projection 20 depends. The arrangement is preferably such that the lower end of the stick 3 or leg directly contacts the disc 220 so that the weight of a person on the stick or crutch is directly transmitted to the ball 20.

The foot 1 is also moulded or otherwise produced in rubber or the like and is formed with an anti-slip face 10 at its underside. The foot 1 2 GB 2 131 683 A 2 contains an insert 120 of harder wear resistant material e.g. nylon providing the socket 12 which receives the ball 20 with a retentive snap fit.

The tread projections 100 of the anti-slip underface 10 are shown of taper form to facilitate moulding and also for ease of cleaning.

In this arrangement of the device the lower end of the ferrule 2 is shown provided with a yieldable depending member or skirt 21 which abuts the upper inclined face of the foot 1. In addition to imparting a neat appearance to the device and protectively enclosing the ball and socket engagement 20, 12 from dirt, the skirt 21 tends to maintain the foot 1 aligned with the ferrule 2 and stick 3 yet readily permits relative inclination as required under conditions of use. In particular the skirt 21 prevents or minimises undue pivotal movement of the foot 1 when it is raised from the ground during walking and ensures that the foot 1 is in a suitable attitude for further anti-sHp contact with the ground.

The skirt 21 may be of rubber or like resilient material and is shown formed integrally with the moulded ferrule 2.

In FIGURE 6 the skirt 21 is shown inwardly directed or curved where it abuts the upperside of 90 the foot 1 in order to prevent or minimise gapping of the skirt 21 from the foot 1 on their relative inclination.

In FIGURES 5 and 6 the foot 1 is shown of a relative diameter suitable for use on a crutch but 95 may be of smaller diameter for walking stick use as indicated by the dotted lines S.

Whereas a force fit of the ferrule 2 on the lower end of a walking stick 3 or crutch should be sufficient, other or additional means of attachment 100 may be employed such as one or more transverse screws passing through the wall of the ferrule 2 into the stick 3.

Any suitable mounting member may be employed fitted or adapted to be fitted or forming part of the stick or other walking aid. Thus the mounting member may be in the form of a plug inserted in a tubular stick or leg of a crutch or other walking aid.

Any suitable universal pivotal connection may be employed and in an alternative arrangement of the device the foot 1 may be provided with a ball shaped projection engaging a socket in the lower end of the ferrule 2.

The effective anti-slip action obtained ensures more positive and safer support of a person using a stick or sticks or crutches fitted with the device especially in the case of a crippled or disabled person and gives the latter a much greater degree of confidence. The device can be inexpensively produced and can also be of compact, unobtrusive form of adequate strength and durability to withstand hard usage.

Claims

1. A foot device for a walking aid such as a walking stick or crutch comprising a foot member having an anti-slip face at its underside for contact with the floor, ground or similar surface, and having a universal pivotal connection with a mounting member fitted or adapted to be fitted or otherwise attached to or forming part of the lower end of the walking aid such that the underside of the foot member remains flatly in contact with the floor, ground or the like despite some relative inclination of the walking aid.

2. A foot device for a walking aid according to claim 1 wherein the universal pivotal connection between the foot and mounting members consists of a ball and socket connection.

3. A foot device for a walking aid according to claim 2 wherein a ball shaped extremity or projection extending from the mounting member retentively engages a socket in the foot member.

4. A foot device for a walking aid according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mounting member consists of ferrule which in use is a retentive push fit and/or is otherwise secured on the lower end of a walking stick or on the lower end of the leg of a crutch or other walking aid.

5. A foot device for a walking aid according to any of the preceding claims wherein the anti-slip face at the underside of the foot member such as of a pad thereat is of tread formation or pattern and/or is spiked.

6. A foot device of the kind referred to for a walking aid when substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 or FIGURE 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1984. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

6. A foot device for a walking aid according to any of the preceding claims wherein the anti-slip face at the underside of the foot member is provided by a removable member for replacement purposes.

7. A foot device for a walking aid according to claim 6 wherein the removable member providing the anti-slip face consists of a cap having a retentive engagement or snap fit about the underside of the foot member.

8. A foot device for a walking aid according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mounting member is provided with a yieldable depending member or skirt which abuts the upper side of the foot member for maintaining the latter aligned with the mounting member yet readily permits their relative inclination.

9. A foot device for a walking aid according to claim 8 wherein the depending member or skirt is of rubber or like resilient material.

10. A foot device for a walking aid according to claim 9, wherein the depending member or skirt is integral with the mounting member or ferrule.

11. A foot device for a walking aid according to any of claims 8, 9 and 10 wherein the skirt is inwardly directed or curved where it abuts the upperside of the foot member to prevent or minimise gapping therefrom on their relative inclination.

12. A foot device for a walking aid according to any of claims 3 to 11 wherein the foot member is of rubber or like resilient material containing an insert of harder wear resistant material such as nylon, which insert is provided with a socket which retentively receives the ball shaped extremity or projection of the mounting member.

13. A foot device for a walking aid such as a walking stick or crutch substantially as herein described with reference to any of the i 3 GB 2 131 683 A 3 embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 19.12.83 Superseded claims 1 to 13 New or amended claims:- 1. A foot device of the kind referred to for a walking aid such as a walking stick, crutch or the like comprising a mounting member of rubber or similar resilient material providing a socket for receiving the lower end of a walking stick or crutch or like leg inserted therein with a gripping fit and a ball shaped member extending by a shank from a disc-like head located or moulded in the mounting member at the inner end of the shank therein for direct contact with the head by the 45 lower end of a walking stick or crutch or like leg inserted in the socket, the ball shaped member being retentively received by a co-operating socket of an anti-slip foot member to provide a ball and socket connection for their relative universal angular movement, the arrangement being such that weight on the walking stick, crutch or like leg is transmitted directly by the disc-like head and shank to the ball and socket connection.

2. A foot device for a walking aid according to claim 1 wherein resiliently yieldable means acts between the mounting member or head therein and the upper part of the foot member in order to urge the latter to the axially aligned position relative to the mounting member.

3. A foot device for a walking aid according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the lower end of the mounting member is provided with a depending yieldable skirt of rubber or similar resilient material which at least protectively encloses the ball and socket connection.

4. A foot device for a walking aid according to claims 2 and 3 wherein the resiliently yieldable skirt abuts the upper part of the foot member and its resilience is such that it urges the foot member to the axially aligned position relative to the mounting member.

5. A foot device for a walking aid according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the depending resiliently yieldable skirt is inwardly directed or curved where it abuts the upper part of the foot member to prevent or minimise gapping therefrom on relative inclination of the mounting member from the foot member.