Patent ID: 8408223

Claim:
A method of reducing introduction of contaminants into an indoor environment from users of canes, walkers, and crutches that use such devices indoors and outdoors for the purpose of providing stability in movement or standing, the method comprising: using the cane, walker, or crutch such that the distal end makes substantially planar contact with an outdoor ground surface that is exposed to contaminants; providing at least one removable sanitary cover having a base and at least one sidewall that forms an enclosure made from a non rigid material having an opening opposite of the base, wherein the enclosure is of a size and shape to accommodate a distal end of a leg extremity of a cane, walker, or crutch, and said enclosure further including a closure positioned substantially circumferentially about the enclosure at the at least one sidewall near the opening; said base further comprises an outer surface that has skid resistant properties; covering the distal end of the leg extremity of a cane, walker, or crutch with the sanitary cover such that the base covers the distal end of the leg extremity, which is inserted within the enclosure through its opening when a user brings the cane, walker, or crutch into an indoor environment having been outdoors or in a dirty environment and closing the closure about the distal end prior to entering an indoor location having an indoor ground surface; and using the walker, cane, or crutch such that the covered distal end makes substantially planar contact with the indoor ground surface.