Single-point supportive monocoque ambulation aid

Abstract

Example ambulation aid apparatus and associated methods of manufacture are disclosed and described herein. An example single-point supportive ambulation aid is formed as an integral part. The integral part of the example ambulation aid is formed to integrate: a body portion formed to support a user; a graspable area integrated with the body portion and providing an area to be gripped by a user; and a foot portion integrated with the body portion and providing a single point of contact with a walking surface to facilitate user movement and support in conjunction with the body portion and graspable area through the integral part.

1 . A single-point supportive ambulation aid apparatus comprising:
 one or more covers attachable to a frame to form a body-on-frame ambulation aid supporting, through a single point of contact, weight and mobility of a user, the body-on-frame ambulation aid including:   a graspable area to facilitate control of the body-on-frame ambulation aid; and   a foot to provide the single point of contact with a walking surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of covers attachable to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more covers is attachable by snapping to the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more covers is attachable by at least one of stretching over the frame or slipping over the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more covers includes structural elements to strengthen the at least one of the one or more covers. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the structural elements include ribbing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more covers is formed from a polymer-based material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed of foam. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more covers or the foam is formed of a combination of polypropylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more covers is removably attachable to the frame. 
     
     
         11 . An ambulation aid apparatus comprising:
 a cover means attachable to a frame to form a body-on-frame ambulation aid supporting, through a single point of contact, weight and mobility of a user, the body-on-frame ambulation aid including:   graspable means to facilitate control of the body-on-frame ambulation aid; and   foot means to provide the single point of contact with a walking surface.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cover means includes a plurality of covers attachable to the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cover means is attachable by snapping to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cover means is attachable by at least one of stretching over the frame or slipping over the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cover means includes structural elements to strengthen the cover means. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the structural elements include ribbing. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cover means is formed from a polymer-based material. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the frame is formed of foam. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the cover means or the foam is formed of a combination of polypropylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cover means is removably attachable to the frame.