Force absorbing device

摘要

A force absorbing device is provided for use with a walking aid having proximal and distal tubes arranged in a telescoping configuration for relative movement therebetween along a longitudinal axis. A proximal end member is affixed within a hollow bore of the proximal tube with no relative movement between the proximal tube and the proximal end member. A distal end member is longitudinally spaced from the proximal end member and affixed to a proximal end of the distal tube with no relative movement between the distal tube and the distal end member. A resilient damper is located longitudinally between, and affixed to both of, the proximal and distal end members. The resilient damper compresses under a compressive force to absorb at least a portion of the compressive force while permitting relative longitudinal movement between the proximal and distal tubes.

主权项

1. A force absorbing device for use with a walking aid having proximal and distal tubes arranged in a telescoping configuration for relative movement therebetween along a longitudinal axis, the device comprising:
a proximal end member for affixation within a hollow bore of the proximal tube with no relative movement between the proximal tube and the proximal end member; a distal end member, longitudinally spaced from the proximal end member, for affixation to a proximal end of the distal tube with no relative movement between the distal tube and the distal end member; and a resilient damper, located longitudinally between, and affixed to both of, the proximal and distal end members, the resilient damper being at least partially located within the hollow bore of the proximal tube, and the resilient damper compressing under a longitudinally oriented compressive force to absorb at least a portion of the longitudinally oriented compressive force while permitting relative longitudinal movement between the proximal and distal tubes; wherein the resilient damper and both of the proximal and distal end members are integrally formed into a unitary whole through use of an overmolding process.