Helix cane stopper

Abstract

A cane tip is provided for use with a cane or other walking assistive device. The cane tip includes a core for receiving a portion of the walking device. A plurality of helix shaped ribs extend from the core and form a pentagonal shaped perimeter. A softer material may be bonded to the ribs to provide a tread for gripping surfaces of the cane tip. The upper and lower members include a generally inner concave portion that is above the tread or bottom of the ribs. The concave portion and ribs provide cushioning while a user provides a down force to the cane tip during a standard use thereof. The cane tip also provides for self-supporting of the cane tip on generally level surfaces, as well as maintaining continual contact with the surface of the ground throughout the user's gait, unlike existing cane tips.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cane tip, comprising:
 a hollow core having an open end and a closed lower end and configured to receive a portion of a cane; and   a plurality of helically disposed ribs extending generally downwardly and at least partially surrounding the core and ending at a lower perimeter connecting the ribs;   wherein the closed end of the core is positioned above the perimeter.   
     
     
         2 . The cane tip of  claim 1  further comprising a bottom portion comprising a concave portion positioned at least partially within the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The cane tip of  claim 2  wherein the bottom portion further comprises a tread at the periphery of the concave portion and positioned adjacent the bottom perimeter of the ribs and extending around the perimeter of the ribs. 
     
     
         4 . The cane tip of  claim 3  wherein the tread comprises one or more grooves configured to assist the cane tip with gripping diverse surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The cane tip of  claim 2  wherein the bottom portion comprises a different material than the hollow core and plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         6 . The cane tip of  claim 2  wherein the concave portion of the bottom portion is positioned above the lower perimeter of the ribs. 
     
     
         7 . The cane tip of  claim 1  further comprising a rigid member positioned at the closed lower end of the core. 
     
     
         8 . The cane tip of  claim 7  wherein the rigid member comprises a metallic ring. 
     
     
         9 . The cane tip of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of helical disposed ribs and lower perimeter form a generally pentagonal shape. 
     
     
         10 . A cane tip, comprising:
 a first member comprising a hollow core for receiving a portion of a cane, the core extending from an upper portion of the member to above a bottom perimeter, and a plurality of helically disposed ribs extending from the core to the bottom perimeter; and   a second member comprising a concave portion positioned at least partially within the plurality of ribs and a tread at the periphery of the concave portion and positioned adjacent the bottom perimeter of the first member.   
     
     
         11 . The cane tip of  claim 10  further comprising a rigid member operatively attached to the core of the first member to provide support thereto. 
     
     
         12 . The cane tip of  claim 11  wherein the rigid member comprises a metallic ring. 
     
     
         13 . The cane tip of  claim 10  wherein the first member and the second member comprise different materials. 
     
     
         14 . The cane tip of  claim 10  wherein the tread comprises one or more grooves for providing better gripping to diverse surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The cane tip of  claim 10  wherein the hollow core comprises an upper open end and a closed lower end. 
     
     
         16 . The cane tip of  claim 15  wherein the closed lower end of the hollow core is positioned at least partially above the concave portion of the second member. 
     
     
         17 . The cane tip of  claim 10  wherein the bottom perimeter of the first member and the tread of the second member form a generally pentagonal shape. 
     
     
         18 . A removable and replaceable tip for use with a cane or other walking device for providing better support and stability, comprising:
 a hollow core having an open upper end and a closed lower end;   a plurality of helically disposed ribs operatively attached to the hollow core and extending generally from the upper end of the core to a bottom perimeter that is attached to the ends of the plurality of ribs; and   a bottom member operatively attached to the core and plurality of ribs and comprising a concave portion extending at least partially within the ribs and a tread extending about the periphery of the concave portion and adjacent the bottom perimeter of the ribs;   wherein the bottom portion of the core is positioned adjacent an upper portion of the concave portion of the bottom member.   
     
     
         19 . The tip of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of ribs and the bottom member comprise different materials. 
     
     
         20 . The tip of  claim 18  further comprising a rigid member positioned at least partially within the core for providing support for the cane or other walking device relative to the hollow core.