GB2425253A

GB2425253A - Walking aid with curved foot

Info

Publication number: GB2425253A
Application number: GB0507958A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Diggins
Original assignee: Days Healthcare UK Ltd
Current assignee: Days Healthcare UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-20
Filing date: 2005-04-20
Publication date: 2006-10-25
Also published as: GB0507958D0

Abstract

The walking aid, such as a walking stick or a crutch, comprises an upright member 10 and a curved foot member 24, 28 for engagement with the ground. The upright member may be telescopic and the lower can be bifurcated so as to include a front leg 18 and a rear leg 20, which are connected to a foot 24. The foot member is elongate in the fore-aft direction 22 and comprises a support which includes a pair of mountings 26 shaped to receive the end parts of the legs. A pad 24a, made of rubber or rubber-like material and having anti-slip formations is fitted to the lower surface of the foot. The radius of curvature of the foot is at least the length of the upright and conveniently of a length equal to the height of the user's shoulder or slightly higher.

Description

I

Walking Aid This invention relates to a walking aid, for example in the form of a walking stick or a crutch.

Typical walking stick and crutch designs include an upright to the lower end of which is fitted a foot, for example of rubber or a rubber-like material.

In use the stick or crutch is only stable when vertical and when a downward load is applied thereto. If weight is applied to the stick or crutch by a user at a time when the upright is not vertical, or if a load is applied in a direction other than a downward direction, there is a risk that the foot may slip. Such slipping may result in the user stumbling or falling due to a loss of balance. This, in turn, may give rise to an injury. Obviously this is undesirable. As only downwardly directed loads can be safely borne, the user may need to lean in order to apply the load correctly, and this may result in a loss of balance.

Stick and crutch designs are known in which a tripod arrangement or other stabiliser is provided at the foot to improve the stability of the stick or crutch. With such arrangements, the stick or crutch cannot be moved smoothly from an angled configuration to a vertical configuration, and this can give rise to discomfort to the user. Further, they are only capable of safely bearing downwardly directed loads. Again, the user may have to lean to use a device of this type correctly, and such leaning may result in a loss of balance.

According to the invention there is provided a walking aid comprising an upright and a foot mounted upon the upright, the foot having a lower surface which is curved in the fore-all direction of the walking aid.

By providing such an arrangement, the walking aid can be moved smoothly from an angled position to a vertical position, and can be weight bearing throughout such movement.

The foot is preferably elongate. Again, this assists in allowing the walking aid to safely bear a load whilst in an angled position. The foot may comprise a support member to which a pad, for example of rubber or a rubber-like material, is fitted, the pad defining the lower surface.

The radius of curvature of the lower surface is preferably at least approximately the length of upright, and is conveniently such that the centre of curvature is at approximately the user's shoulder height or higher.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a walking aid in accordance with one aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the walking aid of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the walking aid; Figures 4 to 6 are top, side and front views, respectively, of part of the walking aid; Figure 7 is a perspective view, from beneath, of part of the walking aid; and Figures 8 and 9 are views of the walking aid in use.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a walking aid in the form of a walking stick comprising an upright 10, the upper end 12 of which is cranked, and a plastics material moulded handle 14 is fitted thereto. The upright 10 is of telescopic form, and so is of adjustable height. However, the invention is also applicable to fixed height, non-adjustable arrangements.

The lower end 16 of the upright 10 is bifurcated to as to include a front leg 18 and a rear leg 20 in the fore-aft direction 22 of the walking stick, in use.

Connected to the lower ends of the legs 18, 20 is a foot 24. The foot 24 comprises a support which includes a pair of mountings 26 shaped to receive the end parts of the legs 18, 20. A rubber or rubber-like material pad 24 is carried by the foot 24. The foot 24 is of curved form, including a curved lower surface 28 (defined by the lower face of the pad 24a) which, in use, engages the ground. It will be appreciated that, as well as being curved, the surface 28 is elongate in the fore-aft direction 22. As ifiustrated, the pad 24 is provided with anti-slip formations in the form of ribs and grooves.

The radius of curvature of the lower surface 28 is preferably fairly large and, in the illustrated arrangement the centre of curvature is denoted by reference numeral 32. It will be appreciated that this point is in the region of the users shoulder in use, but could be higher than this.

The pad 24 is of a compliant, rubber or rubber-like material and the support is of a rigid or semi-rigid material. In order to increase the stifihess of the support, a strengthening rib 30 is formed thereon.

In use, the user holds the walking aid and in the same manner as he would a conventional walking stick. Ifweight is applied to the walking aid before the upright thereof reaches a vertical orientation (see Figure 9), the load can still be safely borne by the walking aid by virtue of the shape of the foot 24. As a result, the user does not need to lean. The load can continue to be applied whilst the walking aid is moved to a vertical configuration (see Figure 8) and, indeed, can continue to be applied once the walking aid has been moved beyond this point. The design of the walking aid is such that angular movement thereof can occur smoothly between these various configurations.

Although described and illustrated in relation to a walking stick, the invention is also applicable to crutches and other forms of walking aid.

It will be appreciated that a range of other modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A walking aid comprising an upright and a foot mounted upon the upright, the foot having a lower surface which is curved in the fore-aft direction of the walking aid.

2. A walking aid according to Claim 1, wherein the foot is elongate in the fore-aft direction.

3. A walking aid according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the foot comprises a support to which a pad of rubber or rubber-like material is fitted, the lower surface of the foot being defined by the pad.

4. A walking aid according to Claim 3, wherein the pad is shaped to defme anti-slip formations.

5. A walking aid according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of curvature of the lower surface is approximately equal to or greater than the should height of the user.

6. A walking aid according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of curvature of the lower surface is approximately equal to or greater than the shoulder height of an average human adult.