Abstract:
Sliders or end caps which are secured to the bottom ends of the legs of walkers assist an individual in using the walker on various surfaces, such as rugs, without the danger of the legs of the walker becoming snagged on the carpet and the walker becoming unstable. The sliders or end caps have a concave bottom portion which is designed to always present a “trailing edge” to the outer perimeter of the slider or end cap. This “trailing edge” will be present even as the concave bottom portion wears away from use. Thus, the “trailing edge” will prevent the slider and walker from becoming snagged by a carpet or other surface on which the walker is used.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/487,141, filed May 17, 2011, entitled WALKEROOS ARE COLORED NON POROUS SLIDERS THAT ATTACH TO REAR WALKER LEGS WITHOUT TOOLS REQUIRED, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to ambulatory devices for aiding and assisting an individual to walk. In particular, the present invention relates to glides or end caps that can be placed onto the lower ends of walkers or ambulatory devices so that an individual can safely use the walker on surfaces, such as rugs, without the danger of the legs of the walker being or getting caught by the rug or other surface and the walker becoming unstable. The individual using the walker would then be in danger of falling and being injured. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many different types of devices have been employed to assist individuals with walking. These individuals may encounter difficulty with walking because of injuries, surgeries, or weakness and instability as a result of advanced age or other causes. Many individuals who cannot walk by themselves do not want to use a wheel chair to get around, and prefer to walk with the assistance of a walker or similar device. These individuals may believe that once they use a wheel chair they may never be able to get up and walk again. Some individuals may only need to use a walker on a temporary basis while they recover from an injury or from surgery. 
         [0004]    Walkers are available in many different styles. Some walkers have no wheels on the lower ends of the legs of the walkers. Some walkers have a wheel on each of the lower ends of two of the four legs of the walkers. Some walkers have wheels on the ends of all four legs of the walkers. Many popular walkers have wheels on the lower ends of two of the four legs of the walker and a rubber plug or end cap on the lower ends of the remaining two legs. The individuals that use the walkers with two wheels usually place a tennis ball on the lower ends of the legs of the walker which do not have the wheels. The tennis balls enable the individuals to navigate the walkers over most surfaces, especially carpets and rugs, without the walker becoming entangled on the surface or stopping the forward progress of the walker abruptly. When the forward progress of a walker is abruptly stopped, the individual using the walker can fall and seriously injure themselves. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,283 discloses a walker which is suitable for use on level or not level surfaces. It is also suitable for assisting an individual in going up or coming down stairs. This is accomplished by the use of telescoping front legs which can be extended or retracted depending on the surface being traversed or stairs. Locking means are also provided to maintain the front legs in a position once they have been set. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,070 discloses a walker and upright assist device which employs a plural set of handles. The two sets of handles are spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance so as to provide a safe and stable device which enables an individual to rise from and/or lower themselves onto a chair or other seated position. A first set of handles are designed to be used while the individual is in a standing position. A second set of handles is placed at a preset distance from the first set of handles. The second set of handles is designed to be used by the individual when they are lowering themselves into a seated position or raising themselves from a seated position to a standing position. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,639 discloses a walker which can be shifted between a mobile mode and a stable mode. The walker includes four legs, each having a rubber tip or foot on the bottom end of the leg. These rubber feet enable an individual to stand in a position on a surface and use the walker to support themselves. Alternatively, the walker includes a wheel assembly on the lower portion of each of the four legs. Each of the wheel assemblies includes a mechanism which can raise the wheel away from the ground or lower the wheel into engagement with the ground. When the wheels are engaged with the ground the wheels also raise the rubber feet of each of the legs out of engagement with the ground. Thereby, an individual can easily roll the walker and navigate over various surfaces. The wheels can also be provided with an electrically actuated brake. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,981 discloses a walker which is substantially formed from a polymer. The sides of the walker are pivotally secured to the front member. Each side member includes a first handle positioned at a first level and a second handle positioned a second, lower level. The first handle assists the user in walking. The second handle assists the user in getting out of a seated position. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,285 discloses a walker having a metallic frame. The walker includes four legs. There are wheels on the two front legs of the walker and sliding members on the lower ends of the two rear legs. There are also two sets of handles on the walker. A first set of handles is lower than the second set of handles, and is used to assist the user in rising out of a seated position. The second set of handles is used to assist the user in walking. The sides of the walker are pivotally secured to a front member of the walker. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Sliders or end caps which are secured to the bottom ends of the legs of a walker assist an individual in using the walker on various surfaces, such as rugs, without the danger of the legs of the walker becoming snagged on the carpet and the walker becoming unstable. The sliders or end caps have a concave bottom portion which is designed to always present a “trailing edge” to the outer perimeter of the slider or end cap. This “trailing edge” will be present even as the concave bottom portion wears away from use. Thus, the “trailing edge” will prevent the slider and walker from becoming snagged by a carpet or other surface on which the walker is used. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an attachment for the legs of a walker which will prevent the legs from being caught on surfaces, such as rugs, which make the walker unstable. 
         [0012]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an attachment for the legs of a walker which will always present a “trailing edge” to the movement of the bottom of the legs of a walker. 
         [0013]    It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an attachment for the legs of a walker which are made from a solid piece of material and thus have no moving parts. 
         [0014]    It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide an attachment for the legs of a walker which is made from a non-porous material which will limit the spread of germs. 
         [0015]    It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide an attachment for the legs of a walker which can be secured to the legs without the use of tools. 
         [0016]    It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide an attachment for the legs of a walker which is made by injection molding. 
         [0017]    It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide an attachment for the legs of a walker which includes a deformable feature that helps secure the attachment to the legs of the walker. 
         [0018]    It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a device which can be secured to the bottom portions of the legs of metal chairs, 
         [0019]    It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a device which can be secured to the legs of furniture and be used to more easily move the furniture over various surfaces. 
         [0020]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a walker utilizing the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1-5 , which are now referenced, illustrate the present invention and the manner in which it is made. Ambulatory devices, such are walkers, usually comprise a three sided frame. The frame normally has a front member and two side members. The two side members are usually pivotally secured to the front member. This construction permits the walker to be folded into a generally flat position, for ease with transportation and storage. Many walkers have four legs which are utilized to support the walker on the ground and also provide stability for the individual using the walker. While some walkers have four legs with rigid ends, many walkers have two legs with wheels and two legs without wheels. The wheels assist the individual in moving the walker along the ground or other surface which is being traversed. The legs without the wheels provide stability for the individual using the walker. 
         [0028]    It is of paramount importance that the walker is able to easily move along the surface that is being traversed by an individual without getting hung-up or stuck. Should the walker become hung-up or stuck, there is an imminent danger that the individual using the walker will fall and injure themselves. It is also important that the walker will not damage the floor or other surface on which the walker is being used. For example, if a walker is used on a wood, a vinyl, or a wood laminate floor, the legs of the walker which do not have wheels can easily damage the surface of the floor if they do not readily glide across the floor or if the legs have a sharp object protruding from the bottom, like a screw or similar device. 
         [0029]    A conventional walker  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The walker  20  includes a front member  22  and two side members  24  and  26  secured to the front member  22 . The two front legs  28  and  30  of the walker have wheels  32  and  34  secured to the lower ends of the legs. The two rear legs  36  and  38  of the walker  20  have lower ends  40  and  42  secured to the lower ends of the legs. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the lower ends  40  and  42  are vertically adjustable with respect to the rear legs  36  and  38 . 
         [0030]    When an individual uses a walker similar to the one illustrated in  FIG. 5 , he or she holds onto the walker  20  utilizing the hand grips  44  and  46 . To walk with the walker  20 , the individual will raise the rear legs  36  and  38  and move the front legs  28  and  30  along the ground by utilizing the wheels  32  and  34 . The lower ends  40  and  42  of the rear legs are normally provided with rubber end caps, not shown, to protect the surface(s) on which the walker is used. These rubber end caps wear out over time and the bottom ends of the lower ends  40  and  42  of the rear legs come in contact with the surface(s) on which the walker  20  is used. These ends are not smooth and can scratch, mar, or damage the surfaces on which they are used. This is especially true when the individual using the walker places a large amount of his or her weight on the walker. This large amount of weight being placed on the walker is the result of the individual relying heavily on the walker for support while walking, or the result of the individual being overweight. 
         [0031]    In many instances, the individual using the walker will replace the worn out rubber end caps with tennis balls because used tennis balls are relatively inexpensive and they will not scratch, mar, or damage the surface(s) on which the walker is used. Also, tennis balls are relatively easy to use for end caps for walkers. An individual only has to slice open a portion of the tennis ball and place the tennis ball over the lower end of the leg of the walker. There are other replacements for the worn out rubber end caps. Some of these replacements are relatively expensive. Some of these replacements have fasteners at the lower ends which will scratch, mar, or damage a surface when the replacement wears out. 
         [0032]    The present invention is a slider or end cap  10  which is used to replace a worn out end cap on the legs of a walker. The slider or end cap  10  can also be used in place of the original end cap before it wears out. The slider or end cap is made from a non-porous, durable material, like plastic or a material with similar properties. The slider or end cap  10  includes a hollow tubular member  12  and a disk shaped element  14 . The hollow tubular member  12  has an inner diameter  16  ( FIG. 4 ) which is approximately the same as the outer diameter  48  of a lower end  42  of a leg  38  of a walker  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The inner diameter  16  can vary depending upon the requirements of its use. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow tubular member  12  is cylindrical and has a horizontal cross section  15  ( FIG. 2 ) which is circular. The hollow tubular member  10  can also be elliptical, square, rectangular, or polygonal in horizontal cross section. 
         [0033]    The vertical height  17  of the interior of the hollow tubular member  12  is sufficient to assure that the slider or end cap  10  will not come off of the lower end  42  of the leg  38  of the walker once it has been placed thereon. The hollow tubular member  12  also includes a securing member  50  positioned at a lower interior location ( FIG. 4 ). Preferably, the securing member  50  has the same shape as the horizontal cross section  15 . The securing member  50  has a diameter which is less than the outer diameter  48  of the lower end  40  and  42  of the legs  36  and  38  of the walker  20 . When the slider or end cap  10  is placed onto each of the lower ends  40  and  42  of legs  36  and  38  respectively of the walker  20 , each of the lower ends  40  and  42  crush the securing member, and thus assure that the slider or end cap is secured to the lower ends  40  and  42  of legs  36  and  38  respectively. The material from which the slider or end cap  10  is made is selected so that securing member  50  can be crushed when the slider or end cap  10  is placed onto the lower portion  40  and  42  of legs  36  and  38  of walker  20 . 
         [0034]    The slider or end cap  10  is secured to the lower portion  40  and  42  of legs  36  and  38  respectively without using any tools or fasteners. The slider or end cap  10  is made from a material which is both deformable and crushable. The slider or end cap  10  can deform to fit the lower portions  40  and  42  of legs  36  and  38  respectively, if required. Further, as stated herein above, the securing member  50  can be crushed or deformed to assure that the slider or end cap  10  will be tightly and securely held onto the lower portions  40  and  42  of legs  36  and  38  respectively. 
         [0035]    The disk shaped member  14  is a key feature of the present invention. Disk shaped member  14  includes a concave upper surface  60 ,  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a convex lower surface  62 ,  FIGS. 1 and 4 , and a rim  11 . The lower surface  62  has a substantially flat central portion  64 ,  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The central portion  64  initially slides or glides along a surface on which the walker is used. The central portion  64  also provides stability for the walker when it is not being moved. The shapes of the concave upper surface  60  and the convex lower surface  62  are complementary with respect to each other so that when the lower surface  62  wears out from being dragged, rubbed or slid along a surface, there will always be a rim to help move the slider or end cap  10  along the surface being traversed without getting caught up on the surface. The lower surface  62  also includes a section  66  which is defined as a “trailing edge”, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The trailing edge  66  extends around the perimeter of the lower surface  62 . This trailing edge  66  will gradually wear away as a result of the slider or end cap  10  being moved or dragged along a surface. However, because the trailing edge  66  always presents a surface or edge that will not get caught up on a surface of other object over which the walker is being moved, the forward motion of the walker will not be stopped. Thus, the individual using the walker will not stumble or fall as a result of the forward motion of the walker  20  being stopped. 
         [0036]    The present invention, slider or end cap  10 , can also be used with other objects to assist moving the object over various surfaces. The present invention, slider or end cap  10 , can be made adjustable and secured to the bottom ends or portions of metal chairs. For example, the metal chairs used in classrooms. This use helps to reduce the noise associated with the movement of metal chairs across certain floor surfaces. This can present an more aesthetically pleasing chair. The present invention can also be used as furniture movers. The slider or end cap  10  can be adjustable or be made in various different sizes so they can be placed on the bottom ends to the legs of furniture. This enables the furniture to be moved across certain surfaces with less effort on the part of the movers. It also enables the furniture to be moved across certain surfaces without damaging the surfaces. 
         [0037]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0038]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0039]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.