Spring-Loaded Walking Aid Tip for Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking aids like canes and crutches can be uncomfortable and painful for users with arthritic fingers, wrists, or hands, and/or forearm or shoulder pain due to the lack of effective shock absorption and frictional stability.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded tip attachment for walking aids, comprising a compression spring with a mount secured to the shaft and a shoe for spring-loaded contact with the ground, providing axial compression and radial deflection to absorb shock and enhance frictional interaction with the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional fixed tip is used on a walking aid, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it provides poor shock absorption and causes discomfort to users with arthritis or pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed rigid tip with a spring-loaded mechanism that allows dynamic movement. The compression spring enables the shoe to move vertically in response to ground irregularities and impact forces, providing shock absorption and adaptability to different surfaces while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a spring mechanism that changes the contact parameters between the walking aid and the ground. The spring allows the contact force and contact point to vary dynamically based on surface conditions, transforming the fixed parameter system into a variable parameter system that adapts to different operating conditions.
2Reliability
If a spring-loaded tip with radial deflection capability is implemented, then frictional stability and shock absorption are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tip assembly into distinct functional components: the mount, compression spring, and shoe. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall design and maintenance of the spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing the compression spring as a mediator between the walking aid shaft and the ground contact shoe. The spring acts as an intermediate element that absorbs and transmits forces, providing both shock absorption and frictional stability without requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spring-loaded tip attachment reduces user discomfort by absorbing impact forces and improving stability through enhanced frictional contact with the ground, providing increased comfort and support during use.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring having axially opposing proximal and distal ends
Implementation Method 2
absorbing impact forces
Implementation Method 3
enhanced frictional contact with the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A spring-loaded tip attachment for a walking aid features a compression spring having axially opposing proximal and distal ends, a mount connected to the proximal end of said compression spring and configured for attachment to a shaft of said walking aid at or proximate a bottom end thereof, and a shoe connected to the distal end of said compression spring for spring-loaded contact of said shoe with a ground or floor surface during use of said walking aid. A plurality of attachments are respectively configured with different spring rates intended for users within different body weight categories. Attachments with greater spring rates are given to users in higher-weight categories, and attachments with lesser spring rates are given to users in lower-weight categories.