Walking support

Abstract

Walking aid (100) for a patient, comprising: a handle (102) for gripping by a hand of the patient, a body (104) on which the handle (102) is arranged; and a foot (106) which is coupled to the body (104) by a joint connection (108), wherein the foot (106) is x-shaped.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority over German patent application DE 10 2024 129 040.4, filed on October 8, 2024. The entire disclosure of German patent application DE 10 2024 129 040.4 is hereby incorporated into this application by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to an improved walking aid for patients who are dependent on external support due to mobility limitations. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Walking aids are among the most frequently used assistive devices to support the mobility of people with limited walking ability, whether due to injuries, surgery, or age-related impairments. A well-known problem with conventional walking aids is their limited stability, especially on uneven or slippery surfaces such as cobblestones, grass, or smooth floors. This instability can easily lead to a loss of balance, significantly increasing the risk of falls and related injuries for the patient. Elderly or frail patients are particularly at risk.

[0004] One objective of the invention is to provide an improved walking aid. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The problem is solved by a walking aid according to the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to one aspect, a walking aid for a patient is proposed. The walking aid has a handle for the patient to grip, a body to which the handle is attached, and a foot that is connected to the body by a joint. The foot is X-shaped in this case.

[0007] The provided walking aid improves stability on various surfaces and reduces the risk of falls. Its design allows the patient to move safely and comfortably without the risk of tipping or slipping. Overall, this increases the patient's safety and confidence. It also boosts self-esteem and self-belief when walking with this aid. Thanks to the integration of special stabilization mechanisms, this walking aid also provides enhanced safety on challenging surfaces.

[0008] The term "body" preferably refers to an elongated part of the walking aid, through which the handle is spaced from the foot, preferably at an adjustable height. In normal use, the foot of the walking aid is in contact with the ground. The handle can be at least partially grasped or gripped by the patient's hand, allowing the patient to support themselves. The handle may have multiple grip sections, which may also be spaced apart vertically along the walking aid. This allows the patient to grip one of the sections depending on the situation or their comfort preference. Preferably, the grip sections project from or are angled away from the walking aid or body and / or handle section in the vertical direction. Preferably, the grip sections project at right angles to this vertical direction.The handle is preferably shaped in such a way that the supporting force applied by the patient to the walking aid is transferred through or via the body to the foot. This stabilizes the walking aid and compensates for any potential falling force. In some positions of the walking aid, the supporting force can preferably be transferred to the foot perpendicular to the ground.

[0009] Another aspect is suggested: due to the x-shaped design of the foot and the joint connection, any supporting force that can be applied to the walking aid always acts within a support surface formed by the x-shaped foot.

[0010] The foot of the walking aid thus remains preferably stable on the ground throughout the entire weight-bearing phase. The walking aid makes movement in the direction of travel smooth and steady.

[0011] In a further aspect, it is proposed that the walking aid also has a shock absorber device, wherein the shock absorber device is arranged, in particular at the ends, on the handle, or, in particular at the ends, on a free end of the body, wherein the shock absorber device preferably has a disc spring or a coil spring.

[0012] The shock-absorbing device preferably reduces the harshness of the support force transmission between the handle and the foot (and via the foot to the ground). This can protect the patient's wrist and / or arm joints and / or shoulder joint.

[0013] In another aspect, it is proposed that the body has several segments that are adjustable relative to each other, and that the body further has a locking device for locking the several segments, so that height adjustment of the walking aid is possible.

[0014] The locking device can be designed, for example, by having several openings spaced apart along a vertical direction of the walking aid in one of the multiple segments, and by providing a ball-bearing mechanism with a spring-loaded ball in another of the multiple segments, such that the ball can engage in at least one of the openings to lock one of the multiple segments relative to another. However, other locking devices are also conceivable, for example, by means of a split or a screw connection, so that the present example is in no way to be understood as limiting. In general, any locking device that allows multiple segments to be locked relative to each other can be used. The multiple segments are preferably tubular in shape. The multiple segments are preferably telescopically adjustable relative to each other.This allows the overall length to be adjusted. The multiple segments preferably form the body of the walking aid.

[0015] In another aspect, it is proposed that the joint connection has an axle hub which is formed, in particular at the end, on the body, wherein the joint connection has a joint connection with an axle opening which is formed on the foot and which corresponds to the axle hub, so that the foot can be articulated to the body by means of an axle.

[0016] The axle hub, preferably located at the lower end of the body, provides stability and, in particular, secures the connection between the foot and the body. The axle hub also preferably defines a pivot axis for the joint. Furthermore, the axle hub prevents the walking aid from buckling sideways (when viewed in the direction of walking). This is because the body can only be tilted around the pivot axis via the joint, but cannot tip along it.

[0017] The joint connection is preferably located in the posterior third of an upwardly convex side of the foot. The joint connection is preferably convexly oval in shape. This ensures that the center of gravity of movement during forward movement of the patient is preferably always within the support area defined by the shape of the foot. This eliminates the need to compensate for falling forces, which in conventional walking aids arise because the center of gravity of movement lies outside the support area.

[0018] In another aspect, it is proposed that the joint connection has a curved surface, with the body having a plastic insert in the area of ​​the axle hub that has a curved surface corresponding to the surface of the joint connection.

[0019] The plastic insert preferably has a convex or (from the patient's perspective looking down) concave shape. The plastic insert is preferably precisely fitted to, or corresponding with, the convex surface of the joint connection. The joint connection may have an oval shape, particularly when viewed in cross-section. Together, the joint connection and the plastic insert ensure a low-friction rolling motion, preferably in a forward walking direction.

[0020] Another aspect is proposed that the foot has several supporting arms that extend in an x-shape from a center of the foot and are arched or angled towards the ground.

[0021] From the patient's perspective, the foot is preferably concave in shape, pointing towards the floor. The support arms are therefore preferably angled towards the floor. The support arms preferably form a support surface. The distinctive feature of the foot shape in this case is that the foot is enlarged ventrally, dorsally, and laterally. The foot has a four-rayed shape.

[0022] In another aspect, it is proposed that the first two (ventral) of the several support arms, which extend in one direction of movement of the patient, are longer than the second two (dorsal) of the several support arms, which extend against the direction of movement of the patient, wherein preferably the first two support arms correspond to approximately 3 / 5 of a length of the foot along the direction of movement and the second two support arms to approximately 2 / 5 of the total length.

[0023] Starting from the center of the foot, the two ventral support arms preferably extend to approximately 3 / 5 of the total foot length. Furthermore, these two support arms are preferably spread further apart than the dorsal support arms. This increases the lateral support surface. Thus, the support surface is slightly larger ventrally, or in the direction of movement, than dorsally. The two dorsal support arms preferably extend to approximately 2 / 5 of the total foot length. Furthermore, these two dorsal support arms are preferably less spread apart, or positioned closer together. This ensures that the center of gravity, or a point of support, of the walking aid always lies within the enlarged, X-shaped support surface, resulting in high stability and allowing the walking aid to stand freely when at rest. This was not possible with conventional walking aids.

[0024] In another aspect, it is proposed that the foot has several caps, which are preferably each attachable to the end of the x-shaped foot.

[0025] The caps are preferably replaceable. Generally, the caps can have rubber caps to provide an anti-slip effect, thus enhancing safety. For winter conditions, caps with spikes are also a viable option to ensure anti-slip performance even on icy surfaces. The caps can also be specially designed for wet surfaces.

[0026] In another aspect, it is proposed that the foot has a first magnet in the area of ​​the joint connection and that the body has a second magnet in the area of ​​the joint connection, wherein the first and the second magnets are aligned in such a way that a magnetic attraction force can be generated.

[0027] In the part of the joint located at the foot, and also in the corresponding part of the joint located in the body, particularly directly above the plastic insole, at least one magnet can be arranged. The magnets are preferably designed such that, in a resting position of the walking aid, especially when no supporting force is applied to the walking aid, the body is held in a vertical position relative to the foot. Furthermore, the magnets are preferably designed to allow smooth and fluid movement of the body around its axis of rotation, or forward (ventrally) and backward (dorsally). This improves the patient's walking comfort.

[0028] The described configurations and training programs can be combined in any way desired.

[0029] Further possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain the principles and concepts of the invention.

[0031] Other embodiments and many of the aforementioned advantages become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements depicted in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Fig. 1 shows a walking aid according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a handle of a walking aid according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a body of a walking aid according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 shows part of the body of a walking aid according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a side view of the foot of a walking aid according to one embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a foot of a walking aid in a top view according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In the figures of the drawings, identical reference symbols denote identical or functionally equivalent elements, parts or components, unless otherwise stated.

[0033] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a walking aid 100 for a patient. The walking aid 100 has a handle 102 for gripping by the patient's hand. The walking aid 100 also has a body 104 on which the handle 102 is arranged. The walking aid 100 further has a foot 106, which is coupled to the body 104 by a joint 108. The foot 106 is in an X-shape (see Figure 1). Fig. 6 ).

[0034] The foot 106 has several caps 110, each of which is attached to the end of the X-shaped foot 106. The caps 110 are reversibly detachable. In this case, the foot 106 has four caps 110. Due to the X-shaped design of the foot 106 and the joint connection 108, a supporting force K that can be applied to the walking aid 100 always acts within a support surface 109 formed by the X-shaped foot (see Fig. 6 ).

[0035] The handle 102 has a grip section 112 that projects from a grip body 116 perpendicular to a vertical direction 114 of the walking aid 100. The handle 102 can also have several grip sections 112, which may preferably be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction 114 (see Fig. 2 The handles 112 can also have different lengths (see Fig. 2 ).

[0036] The walking aid 100 also has a shock absorber 118. In this case, the shock absorber 118 is arranged at the end of the handle 102. Alternatively, the shock absorber 118, particularly at a free end, can be arranged on the body 104 (not shown). In this case, the shock absorber 118 has a coil spring.

[0037] The body 104 has two segments 120, 122 which are adjustable relative to each other. The body 104 also has a locking device 124 for locking the two segments 120, 122, so that height adjustment of the walking aid 100 along the vertical direction 114 is possible.

[0038] The locking device 124 is designed such that several openings 126 are arranged at intervals from one another in one of the two segments 120 along the vertical direction 114. In the other of the two segments 122, a ball pressure mechanism 128 with a spring-loaded ball 130 is provided, such that the ball 130 can be engaged in at least one of the openings 126 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 ), to lock the two segments 120, 122 relative to each other. The segments 120, 122 are tubular and interlock telescopically.

[0039] The joint connection 108 has an axle hub 132, which is formed at the end of the body 104 or on the segment 122 (see Fig. 4 The joint connection 108 further comprises a joint connection 134 with an axle opening 136, which is formed on the foot 106 (see Fig. 5 The joint connection 134 is designed to correspond with the axle hub 132, so that the foot 106 can be articulated to the body 104 or the segment 122 by means of an axle 138. The axle 138 defines a rotation axis 140.

[0040] The joint connection 134 shows, as can be seen from Fig. 1 and 5 The body 104 or segment 122 has a curved surface 142. In the area of ​​the axle hub 132 or above the axle hub 132 (viewed in the vertical direction 114), the body 104 or segment 122 has a plastic insert 144. The plastic insert 144 has a curved surface 146 corresponding to the surface 142 of the joint connection 134.

[0041] As from Fig. 5 und 6 As can be seen, the foot 106 has several supporting arms 148 which extend in an x-shape from a center 150 of the foot 106 and are arched or angled towards a base 152.

[0042] The first two of the several support arms 148, which extend in a direction of movement B of the patient, are longer than the second two of the several support arms 148, which extend in the opposite direction of movement B of the patient, as can be seen from Fig. 6 The first two support arms 148 are approximately 3 / 5 of the length L of the foot 106 along the direction of movement B, and the second two support arms 148 correspond to approximately 2 / 5 of the length L.

[0043] The foot 106 has a first magnet 154 in the area of ​​the joint 108. The body 104 has a second magnet 156 in the area of ​​the joint 108, wherein the first and the second magnets 154, 156 are aligned such that a magnetic attraction force can be generated.

Claims

1. Walking aid (100) for a patient, comprising: a handle (102) for grasping by a hand of the patient; a body (104) on which the handle (102) is arranged; and a foot (106) which is coupled to the body (104) by a joint connection (108), wherein the foot (106) is x-shaped.

2. Walking aid according to claim 1, wherein, due to the x-shaped design of the foot (106) and the joint connection (108), a supporting force (K) that can be applied to the walking aid (100) always acts within a support surface (109) formed by the x-shaped foot (106).

3. Walking aid according to claim 1 or 2, which further comprises a shock absorber device (118), wherein the shock absorber device (118) is arranged, in particular at the end, on the handle (102), or, in particular at the end, on a free end, on the body (104), wherein the shock absorber device (118) preferably comprises a disc spring or a coil spring.

4. Walking aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (104) has several segments (120, 122) which are adjustable relative to each other, wherein the body (104) further comprises a locking device (124) for locking the several segments (120, 122) so that height adjustment of the walking aid (100) is possible.

5. Walking aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint connection (108) has an axle hub (132) which is formed, in particular at the end, on the body (104), wherein the joint connection (108) has a joint connection (134) with an axle opening (136) which is formed on the foot (106) and which corresponds to the axle hub (132), so that the foot (106) can be articulated to the body (104) by means of an axle (138).

6. Walking aid according to claim 5, wherein the joint connection (134) has a curved surface (142), wherein the body (104) has a plastic insert (144) in the area of ​​the axle hub (132) which has a curved surface (146) corresponding to the surface (142) of the joint connection (134).

7. Walking aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foot (106) has several support arms (148) which extend in an x-shape from a center (150) of the foot (106) and are curved or angled towards a floor (152).

8. Walking aid according to claim 7, wherein the first two of the multiple support arms (148) extending in a direction of movement (B) of the patient are longer than the second two of the multiple support arms (148) extending opposite the direction of movement (B) of the patient, wherein preferably the first two support arms (148) correspond to approximately 3 / 5 of a length (L) of the foot (106) along the direction of movement (B) and the second two support arms (148) correspond to approximately 2 / 5 of the length (L).

9. Walking aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foot (106) has several caps (110) which are preferably each attachable at the end of the x-shaped foot (106).

10. Walking aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foot (106) has a first magnet (154) in the area of ​​the joint connection (108), and wherein the body (104) has a second magnet (156) in the area of ​​the joint connection (108), wherein the first and the second magnet (154, 156) are aligned such that a magnetic attraction force can be generated.

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