Flexible foot apparatuses and methods using the same

Abstract

Flexible foot apparatuses and methods of using the same are disclosed. In one aspect a flexible foot apparatus is disclosed which can attach to and/or frictionally engage a standard crutch tip. The apparatus can include upper, lower, and intermediate body portions. The intermediate body portion can pivot during crutch assisted walking and can have a diameter smaller than diameters of the upper and lower body portions. The pivoting motion of crutch assisted walking can increase the amount of surface area available to engage a floor by pressing a bottom surface of the apparatus against the floor. Thus, stability at the crutch to floor interface can be improved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible foot apparatus for engaging with a crutch tip, the apparatus comprising:
 an upper body portion comprising a first diameter and a bored center;   a lower body portion having a second diameter; and   an intermediate body portion disposed between the upper and lower body portions, and the intermediate body portion having a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than both the first and the second diameters.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower body portion further comprises a bottom surface configured to move between a first position where it is substantially concave and a second position where it is substantially flat with respect to a walking surface. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible foot comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower body portion further comprises a curved outer wall. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the outer wall curves inwardly. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower body portion further comprises one or more openings extending there through connecting a top surface of the lower body portion to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible foot of  claim 1 , wherein the bored center of the upper body portion comprises a bottom floor which extends into the intermediate body portion. 
     
     
         8 . A flexible foot apparatus comprising:
 an upper body portion comprising a bored center configured for engaging with a crutch tip;   a lower body portion having a second diameter and a lip portion disposed about a concave bottom surface; and   an intermediate body portion disposed between the upper and lower body portions, and the intermediate body portion having a third diameter less than the second diameter.   
     
     
         9 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the upper body comprises a first diameter that is greater than the third diameter. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the intermediate body is flexible and pivots during crutch assisted walking. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bored center of the upper body portion comprises a bottom floor which extends into the intermediate body portion. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible foot comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom surface is configured to move between a first position where it is substantially concave and a second position where it is substantially flat with respect to a walking surface. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom surface is biased in a concave orientation. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the lower body portion further comprises one or more openings extending there through connecting a top surface of the lower body portion to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the lip portion comprises a lower surface configured to remain in contact with a floor during crutch assisted walking. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible foot apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the lip portion comprises a larger diameter than an upper surface of the lower body portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a flexible foot apparatus, comprising:
 providing a flexible foot apparatus comprising:
 an upper body portion having a first diameter and a bored center; 
 a lower body portion having a second diameter and a bottom surface; and 
 an intermediate body portion disposed between the upper and lower body portions, and the intermediate body portion having a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than both the first and the second diameters; 
   installing the flexible foot apparatus to a crutch tip; and   pivoting the crutch tip with flexible foot apparatus thereon along a floor, wherein the bottom surface is configured to move between a first position where it is substantially concave and a second position where it is substantially flat with respect to a walking surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein installing the flexible foot apparatus over the crutch tip comprises moving the crutch tip into the bored center of the upper body portion, wherein the crutch tip engages with an inner wall of the bored center. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein moving the crutch tip with flexible foot apparatus comprises pressing the bottom surface with a lip against the floor.