Walking Aid Wheel Assembly with Torque-Arrest Stop
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking aids, such as sticks, frames, and crutches, are cumbersome, unstable, and require users to lift them with each step, leading to fatigue and difficulty in navigating confined spaces, especially for elderly or post-surgical individuals.
Innovation Solution
A walking aid with a support leg and a wheel assembly that includes a chassis with at least one wheel and a stop, allowing the user to push the aid forward without lifting it, providing stability and converting into a conventional stick when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a walking stick or cane is used, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but the user must lift it with each step causing fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual lifting mechanical action with a wheel-based rolling mechanism. The wheel assembly at the bottom of the support leg allows the cane to roll along the ground instead of being lifted with each step, eliminating the fatigue-causing lifting action while maintaining the simple cane structure.
2Reliability
If a walking frame is used, then support is provided, but the device is bulky and difficult to manoeuvre in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the walking aid into a single support leg with a wheel assembly, separating the support function from the mobility function. This segmented design allows the cane to be compact and maneuverable in confined spaces while still providing stable support through the wheel's rolling contact with the ground.
3Reliability
If a crutch is used, then support is provided, but the device is difficult to use and maintain balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the crutch's arm-based support mechanism with a single support leg and wheel assembly. The wheel provides stable rolling contact with the ground, making it easier to maintain balance compared to the narrow base of a crutch, while still providing adequate support for the user.
4Ease of operation
If a rolling cane is used, then the cane does not need to be lifted, but the hinged connection causes instability and swaying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hinged connection between front and rear legs from the rolling cane design. By extracting this unstable hinged mechanism, the invention eliminates the side-to-side swaying problem while maintaining the benefit of no lifting required, using a single support leg with wheel assembly instead.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect there is disclosed a walking aid (10). The walking aid (10) comprises a support leg (12) having an operative upper end (16) and an operative lower end (18). The walking aid (10) further comprises a wheel assembly (14) for operative attachment to the lower end (18) of the support leg (12). The wheel assembly (1.4) is adapted to be pushed in a forward direction by a user resting on the support leg (12). The wheel assembly (14) comprises a chassis (26) supporting (i) at least one wheel (28) and (ii) a stop (30). The stop (30) is operatively adapted to co-operate with the at least one wheel (30) such that a torque applied to the support leg (12) by the user will arrest movement of the wheel assembly (14) in the forward direction.