Asymmetrical walker glides with improved stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional walker glides hinder movement and stability, particularly on carpeting, rugs, and uneven surfaces, leading to frequent accidents and injuries, especially among elderly users.
Innovation Solution
Asymmetrically designed walker glides with a sleeve and seat that provide increased ground contact and stability, featuring a wider lateral side and narrower medial side, mounted on the rear legs of a walker using a screw, washer, and nut fastening mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubber tips are used on walker legs, then the walker can grip surfaces, but it hinders movement on carpeting and uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The glide incorporates a raised tip specifically at the front portion to penetrate carpet fibers and navigate uneven surfaces, while the main body provides a smooth gliding surface. This local differentiation allows the same component to handle both gripping and smooth movement functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The glide is designed with an asymmetric shape where the width varies along its length, with the raised tip being narrower and the rear portion being wider. This asymmetric geometry optimizes penetration capability at the front while providing stability at the rear, resolving the contradiction between movement ease and grip stability.
2Device complexity
If conventional symmetrical glides are used, then the design is simple, but the walker stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The glide features an asymmetric width profile where the lateral side is wider than the medial side. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the distribution of contact pressure and improves walker stability by creating a more favorable center of pressure distribution during walking, while maintaining relative design simplicity.
3Reliability
If rubber tips are used, then traction is provided, but accidents still occur due to inadequate stability
Solution Approach 1:
The raised tip provides localized penetration and traction capability at the front of the glide, while the wider rear portion provides enhanced stability and support. This local quality differentiation ensures both traction and stability are optimized, reducing accident risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The glide is made from a composite material that combines the smooth, gliding properties of polymers with the durability and friction characteristics needed for traction. This composite construction allows the single component to provide both traction and stability functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a device related to walker glides. The pair of walker glides has an asymmetric design for improving the stability of a walker. The glide may comprise a seat configured for gliding on various surfaces, and a sleeve positioned on top of the seat for slidably mounting the glide on a rear walker leg. In the medial-to-lateral direction, the sleeve, which is the area of support for each rear walker leg, is positioned closer to the medial side of the seat than the lateral side of the seat, which results in an asymmetric configuration for the pair of walker glides.