Rocking canes and methods of use

Abstract

A walking assistance apparatus and a walking assistance kit comprising a first walking assistance apparatus and a second walking assistance apparatus are disclosed. Each walking assistance apparatus comprises a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, a reversible handle portion extending from the first end, and a base extending from the second end. The shaft comprises a sidewall. The base comprises a first portion positioned proximal to the second end of the shaft, a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft, and a third portion positioned intermediate the first portion and the second portion. The base comprises an arc-shaped contacting surface extending at least along the third portion. The first portion of the base comprises an end portion that is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft.

1 . A walking assistance apparatus, comprising:
 a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft comprises a sidewall;   a reversible handle portion extending from the first end; and   a base extending from the second end, wherein the base comprises:
 a first portion positioned proximal to the second end of the shaft; 
 a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft in a direction of ambulation; and 
 a third portion positioned intermediate the first portion and the second portion, wherein the base comprises an arc-shaped contacting surface extending along the third portion; 
 the first portion of the base comprising an end portion, wherein the end portion is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft, and wherein the end portion is substantially flat and laterally positioned in a common plane as the sidewall of the shaft. 
   
     
     
         2 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a first side and a second side, wherein a distance between the first side and the second side is X 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein a distance between the first surface and the second surface is X 2 , and wherein the distance X 1  is greater than the distance X 2 . 
     
     
         3 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base is one of formed with and attached to the second end of the shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the reversible handle portion is one of formed with and attached to the first portion of the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a second base one of attached to and formed with the first base to provide stability to the walking assistance apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second base comprises a contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion. 
     
     
         7 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a substantially flat surface, and wherein apertures are defined in the substantially flat surface of the shaft to reduce the wind resistance and weight of the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a substantially flat surface comprising a fastener, and wherein the fastener is configured to be engaged with one of another fastener and a fastener receiving portion on a substantially flat surface of a shaft of another walking assistance apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a light source mounted thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion, and wherein a length adjustment assembly is engaged with the first elongate portion of the shaft and the second elongate portion of the shaft to adjust the overall length of the shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arc-shaped contacting surface comprises one of a resilient material and an anti-skid material. 
     
     
         12 . A walking assistance kit, comprising:
 a first walking assistance apparatus comprising:
 a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft comprises a sidewall and a surface; 
 a bi-directional handle portion extending from the first end; and 
 a base extending from the second end, wherein the base comprises:
 a first portion positioned proximate to the second end of the shaft; and 
 a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft in a direction of ambulation, wherein the base comprises a contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion; 
 the first portion of the base comprising an end edge, wherein the end edge is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft; and 
 
   a second walking assistance apparatus, comprising:
 a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft comprises a sidewall and a surface; 
 a bi-directional handle portion extending from the first end; and 
 a base extending from the second end, wherein the base comprises:
 a first portion positioned proximate to the second end of the shaft; and 
 a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft in the direction of ambulation, wherein the base comprises a contacting surface comprising an arcuate portion; 
 the first portion of the base comprising an end edge, wherein the end edge is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft; 
 
   wherein the surface of the first walking assistance apparatus comprises a first fastener, wherein the surface of the second walking assistance apparatus comprises one of a second fastener and a fastener receiving portion such that the shaft of the first walking assistance apparatus is configured to be removably coupled to the shaft of the second walking assistance apparatus.   
     
     
         13 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of assisted ambulation using a walking assistance kit comprising a first walking assistance apparatus and a second walking assistance apparatus, each of the walking assistance apparatuses comprising a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft comprises a sidewall, the walking assistance apparatuses each comprise a reversible handle portion extending from the first end, and a base extending from the second end, wherein the base comprises a first portion positioned proximal to the second end of the shaft and a second portion positioned distal from the second end of the shaft in a direction of ambulation, wherein the base comprises an arcuate contacting surface, the first portion of the base comprising an end edge, wherein the end edge is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the shaft, the method comprising:
 gripping the reversible handle portions;   placing the first and second walking assistance apparatuses in front of yourself in the desired direction of ambulation with the first portions of the bases in contact with an ambulation surface;   positioning the base of the first walking assistance apparatus further in front of yourself than the base of the second walking assistance apparatus;   leaning in the desired direction of ambulation while applying a downward force to the reversible handle portion and thereby the first portion of the base of the first walking assistance apparatus;   taking a first step in the desired direction of ambulation thereby transferring contact with the ambulation surface from the first portion of the base to the second portion of the base of the first walking assistance apparatus;   leaning in the desired direction of ambulation while applying a downward force to the reversible handle portion and thereby the first portion of the base of the second walking assistance apparatus; and   taking a second step in the desired direction of ambulation thereby transferring contact with the ambulation surface from the first portion of the base to the second portion of the base of the second walking assistance apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 maintaining the downward force on at least one of the reversible handle portions throughout ambulation; and   shifting your body weight between the first walking assistance apparatus and the second walking assistance apparatus during ambulation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising maintaining your elbows close to the sides of your torso during ambulation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising removably attaching the first walking assistance apparatus with the second walking assistance apparatus when ambulation has ceased or when going up or down stairs. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising positioning the end edges toward the direction of ambulation when going up stairs and positioning the end edges away from the direction of ambulation when going down stairs. 
     
     
         21 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall of the shaft is perpendicular to the direction of ambulation. 
     
     
         25 . The walking assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base is positioned asymmetrically in the direction of ambulation relative to the second end of the shaft.