Walker Glide Pad with Expandable Stem Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skid members or gliders attached to the bottom of mobility walker legs wear out due to frictional engagement with the ground, requiring frequent replacement, and have shortcomings in their method of attachment, which can lead to instability and dislodgment during use.
Innovation Solution
A glider attachment system for walker legs with a ground-engaging base and frustoconical main body that secures via a mechanism of stem portions and fasteners, allowing for stable engagement with the hollow leg, ensuring durability and ease of attachment and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If skid members are attached to the bottom of walker legs to enable sliding movement, then the walker can move more easily across the ground, but the skid members wear out due to frictional engagement requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system uses a dynamic fastening mechanism with expandable stems that can be inserted into and secured within the hollow walker leg. The stems expand outwardly upon fastening to create a secure friction fit, allowing the attachment to be firmly fixed during use yet easily removed when needed for replacement, thus extending service life while maintaining mobility functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment is divided into separable components including the base with stem portions, the frustoconical main body, and the fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows the skid member to be independently replaced without replacing the entire attachment system, reducing maintenance frequency and cost while preserving the mobility function.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing attachment methods are used for skid members, then the attachment can be installed on walker legs, but the attachment may become unstable or dislodge during use
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system employs a nested structure where the base with stem portions is inserted into the hollow walker leg, and the frustoconical main body is subsequently inserted over the stems. The stems expand outwardly to engage the inner surface of the hollow leg, creating a nested assembly that is securely fixed within the leg structure, preventing dislodgment while maintaining ease of installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The frustoconical main body with its tapered geometry provides a stable engagement surface that guides the attachment into proper alignment during installation. The conical shape distributes mechanical loads evenly across the contact surfaces, enhancing stability and preventing rotation or dislodgment during walker use, while still allowing straightforward insertion and removal.
3Reliability
If a secure fastening mechanism is implemented for the attachment, then the attachment stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a simple screw or threaded fastener that the user operates directly. The stems are configured to expand automatically when the fastener is tightened, creating the securing force without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms. This self-service approach achieves reliable stability while minimizing structural complexity and user burden.
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 glider attachment provides a stable and durable solution that reduces wear and tear, allowing for smooth sliding movement without frequent replacement, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the outer surface of the main body engages an inner surface of a stem so the outer surface of the stem engages the inner surface of the hollow lower portion of the leg
Implementation Method 2
a mechanism for drawing the main body in between the pair of stem portions to flex the stems outwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A glider for attachment to a hollow lower portion of a walker leg, comprising a ground engaging base; a first pair of stem portions extending from and attached to the base; a top portion comprising a frustoconical main body to engage the first pair of stems and having a shape so that an outer surface of the main body engages an inner surface of a stem; a second pair of stem portions extending from and attached to the top portion; and a mechanism for drawing the main body in between the pair of stem portions to flex the stems outwardly. Securing the glide comprises inserting the attachment and a fastener into the walker leg; the fastener extending through a base aperture into a top portion aperture and fastening the fastener to engage each stem portion causing the stems to extend outwardly and engage an inner surface of the hollow walker leg.