Abstract:
An improved crutch assembly and walking aid is provided. The crutch assembly can be retrofitted to an existing walking aid and provides spring assisted motion. The assembly includes a ball-in-socket joint and a spring operably connecting the joint to a walking aid shaft.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application hereby claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/947,582, titled “Crutch Assembly”, filed on Jul. 2, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to mobility and walking aids. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention relate to accessories for mobility and walking aids. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Reduced or inhibited mobility presents a significant problem for many people. Whether it is an injury to the leg, hip, or the result of increased age, mechanical devices are often used for assisting the user to enhance their mobility. Canes, crutches, walking sticks and various other devices have been in use for a considerable time. However, the functional design of these devices has remained substantially the same. Unfortunately for the user, these devices are often cumbersome, uncomfortable, and difficult to use in slippery surface situations. 
     It would be advantageous for a crutch, or similarly constructed walking aid, to provide greater comfort for the user. It would be further advantageous for the walking aid to utilize the user&#39;s energy in mechanically assisting the user while walking. Furthermore, it would be advantageous for a walking aid to provide enhanced grip on slippery and/or uneven surfaces. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1   a - c  provide a perspective view of the crutch assembly during three separate positions of a walking sequence in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the socket housing and grip of the crutch assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an assembly sequence view of the crutch assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view of the crutch assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, an assembly comprising ball and socket joint having a substantially spherical ball section and a socket section is provided. The ball section is operably connected to a coiled spring and the socket section is integrally formed with a mount. A gripping sole is integrally formed with the mount opposite the ball section and the gripping sole has a gripping surface. The spring housing is operably connected to the coiled spring opposite the ball section, the spring housing having an attachment means for releasable attachment to a walking aid shaft, and the ball and socket joint moves freely with respect to the coiled spring. 
     In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a method for assembling a walking aid having a spring mechanism is provided. The method includes sliding an assembly gauge over a walking aid shaft, pushing a connecting pin device inside the shaft, guiding a connecting pin device with an assembly gauge, sliding a spring housing up the shaft distal to a surface end, sliding a spring on the shaft and away from the surface end, connecting a head mechanism with the shaft proximal to the surface end, and pushing a head into a housing recess. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a walking aid is provided with a shaft releasably connected to a ball and socket joint having a ball section and socket section. The ball section is operably connected to a coiled spring. The walking aid includes a gripping sole integrally formed with the joint, wherein the ball and socket joint moves freely with respect to the coiled spring. 
     In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention a spring assisted walking aid is provided with a shaft operably connected to a ball and socket joint in part through a compressible spring attached directly to a ball section of the joint. The ball section moves freely with respect to a socket section. The walking aid includes a releasably attached gripping sole. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , a walking aid assembly  10  is provided in three positions ( FIGS. 1   a - c ). The assembly  10  is attached to a walking aid shaft  12 . The assembly  10  includes a ball-in-socket head  14 , a spring housing  16 , a socket housing  18 , a spring  20 , compression pins  22 , grip  24 , and assembly gauge  26  (See  FIG. 3 ). The head  14  is positioned within the housing  18 , such that the interior surface  28  (See  FIG. 4 ) of the housing  18  is substantially the same shape as the head  14 , thereby forming a ball-in-socket joint  29 . The interior surface  28  is slightly larger than the head  14  to allow for rotational movement of the head  14  with respect to the housing  18 . 
     The spring housing  16  is attached to the shaft  12  by pins  22 . The quick release buttons  22  extend outward from the shaft  12 , and penetrate through the shaft apertures  30  and gauge apertures  32 . The spring housing  16  and assembly gauge  26  are slidably engaged with the shaft  12 . The assembly  10  is easily attached to and removed from the shaft  12  of a crutch (not shown), or alternative walking aid, by depressing the pins  22  on at least one side of the housing  18  and then sliding the housing  16  on or off the shaft  12 . 
     The spring  20  is fixedly attached to the spring housing  16  on a first end  31  and the head  14  on a second end  33 . The compression coiled spring  20  can alternatively be a helical spring. The spring  20  can alternatively be loosely fitted between the housing  16  and head  14  or fixedly attached to either end separately. The spring  20  configuration is designed to avoid contact with the housing  18 , thereby allowing free range of motion for the joint  29 . By limiting contact with the spring to the ball section at end  33 , the gripping section  34  more easily and effectively comes in contact with a surface  36  while the assembly  10  is in use. By attaching the spring to the head  14  rather than the housing  18 , the user has greater range of motion for movement and mobility over more uneven surfaces  36  and terrain. Placement of the spring  20  avoids inhibiting the rotational movement of the joint  29 . In the present embodiment, placement of the spring can restrict excess rotation of the joint (See  1   a  and  1   c ). In an alternative embodiment, the spring is attached to the ball section  14  such that the spring  20  never comes in contact with the housing  18 . In alternative embodiment, various spring-like mechanisms can be used, by example, high density compression foam or gas operated shock absorbing device. In yet another alternative embodiment, a conical compression spring (not shown) can be used, which is preferred when the cross sectional area of the head  14  is either larger or smaller than that of the housing  16 . 
     The grip  24  is attached to the socket housing  18 . Although it is contemplated that various shapes can be formed by the grip  24 , the present embodiment has a substantially circular and flattened disc-shape and has a diameter of approximately 2 inches. Alternatively, the diameter of the grip  24  can range from about 0.5 inches to about 5.0 inches. In an alternative embodiment, the diameter of the grip  24  is either less than about 0.5 inches or greater than about 5.0 inches. The grip  24  has a thickness in a range of about 0.2 inches to about 0.8 inches. In an alternative embodiment the grip  24  has a thickness either less than about 0.2 inches or greater than about 0.8 inches. At a point where the housing  18  and grip  24  are joined, the housing  18  forms a substantially circular shape. In an alternative embodiment, the grip  24  is releasably engaged with the mount  18 . The releasable engagement (not shown) can be a frictional snap-fit, threaded screw arrangement or a twist and snap locking mechanism, or an alternative engagement means readily available to one skilled in the art. The user can replace the grip after it has worn out, or the user can replace the grip  24  based upon the desired use and surface conditions. Walking over icy, snowy or generally slippery conditions are best suited for the cleated grip  24  embodiment (See  FIG. 2 ), which is also preferred for uneven and loose surfaces. 
     Grip surface  34  has a gripping tread  35 , which includes a plurality of channels  37  similar to that of motor vehicle tire treads. The present embodiment includes a plurality of channels  37  radiating outward from the center of the circle formed by the surface  34 , as well as a plurality of channels  37  forming concentric circles of varying diameter. The surface area of the surface  34  is increased by the formation of tread  35 , and furthermore acts to reduce slippage and hydroplaning effects between the assembly  10  and the surface  36 . 
     The mount  18 , housing  16  and joint  14  are made of a hard impact resistant material, such as delryn and/or ABS plastic or other suitable material. The grip  24  is made of a slip-resistance material, such as high coefficient of friction or low durometer urethane, or various synthetics, plastics, or other suitable slip-resistant material known by one skilled in the art. 
     As the user reaches forward with the crutch assembly  10  the grip surface  34  engages the walking surface  36  (See  FIG. 1   a ). The spring  20  compresses as a user begins forward motion, which is generally indicated by the direction of  FIG. 1   a  to  FIG. 1   c . The compressed spring stores energy created by the user during a walking sequence. At the same time the ball  14  and socket  18  assembly provides a guide for the desired direction of travel. The spring  20  is compressed to approximately ¾ the uncompressed length when the user is about halfway through the walking sequence (See  FIG. 1   b ). Spring  20  compression provides a vibrational dampening effect such that the user is subjected to a lower level of vibrations and perturbations transferred from the surface  34  through the shaft  12 . As forward motion continues the compressed spring decompresses and propels the user forward (See  FIG. 1   c ), thereby utilizing otherwise lost energy from the walking sequence. Alternatively, the spring  20  can be compressed in a range of about 20% to about 90% of its greatest length. The tension of the spring  20  can be altered based upon the primary use and weight of the user. In an alternative embodiment, the spring  20  is a combination of two or more separate springs. Alternatively, the user can reverse the walking sequence in order to move backwards with respect to the direction they are facing. Furthermore, the user can move from side-to-side, or in combination with, a reverse or forward movement. 
     Cleats  38  are attached to the grip  24  for increased traction on rough walking surfaces. The cleats  38  are adhered to the bottom surface  34  through a variety of attachment means, which includes adhesives, threaded screw attachment, integrally molded, and other means known to one skilled in the art. Alternatively, the cleats  38  can be a variety of shapes and sizes, including pyramidal-shaped, conical cleats and those similar to golf shoe cleats. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide reduced vibrational impact to the user as the crutch  10  contacts the surface during the user&#39;s walking sequence. Due to the placement of the spring  20  with respect to the crutch shaft  12  joint  29 , the assembly  10  provides a dampening effect regardless of the surface angle. Furthermore, the spring  20  compresses after contacting the surface. When the user moves forward the spring  20  releases, thereby adding energy to the forward walking sequence to assist the user&#39;s forward motion. By reducing the dampening effect and utilizing the stored spring energy for forward motion, there is a significant reduction in fatigue to the user. Necessarily the user is able to traverse greater distances and use the device for greater periods of time before fatigue inhibits the user. 
       FIG. 3  is an assembly sequence “S” of the crutch assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Now referring to  FIG. 3 , existing walking aids, such as crutches, walking sticks, and the like can be retro-fitted with little difficulty. The relatively simple, yet elegant design of the device  10  provides great ease for combining it with an existing walking aid. After removing the original walking aid tip (not shown), the user slides the gauge over the shaft  12  and uses the apertures  32  as a guide to drill a hole through the device shaft  12  proximal to the walking surface  36  end. Alternatively, the walking aid can be provided with a pre-existing aperture  30 . Depending upon the device dimensions and preferred use, the aperture  30  can be in a range from about 1 inch to about 6 inches from the surface end  40 . Compression pins  22  are pushed inside the shaft from the bottom of the hollow shaft  12  and protrude from the holes  30  drilled (or prefabricated) in the shaft  12 . The spring housing  16  is slid up the shaft and away from the surface end  40 . When the housing  16  comes in contact with the pins  22  it locks with the compression pins  22  and the holes  30 . The spring  20  is slid up the shaft  12 , away from the surface end  40 . A bead of adhesive is applied to the area where the housing  16  and spring  20  meet. Thereafter, the head  14  is snapped into place on the shaft  12  proximal to the surface end  40  and an adhesive is applied to the head  14  and coil  22  at the point where they meet. The head  14  is pushed into the housing  18  recess and is snap-fit into the housing recess having a surface  28 . The grip  24  is then attached to the housing  18 . Alternatively, the grip  24  is integrally formed with the housing  18 . The user can choose a variety of grip  24  types, depending upon the surface  36  conditions, and can opt for a cleated grip  24  (See  FIG. 2 ). 
     Embodiments of the present invention can be used in conjunction with a variety of walking aids (not shown). Representative walking aids can be selected from the group comprising a crutch, a cane, a walking stick, and a walking frame. The crutch can be selected from the group comprising a forearm crutch, a knee crutch, an underarm crutch, and a platform crutch. It is further contemplated that alternative forms of walking aids presently know can be fitted with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.