Walker Floor Protector + Slider? Beyond Tennis Balls

[Tom Blevins]

I have to use a walker to get around. The original plastic ends didn't last very long. I am sliding the ends along the ground which, because I am active means sidewalks, parking lots, and streets. These are like really rough grit sand paper. I have tried tennis balls but they don't last very long. Tennis balls slide nicely but on concrete they sand off fairly quickly. Another issue with tennis balls is they tend to grab hair and dust. The ends can get quite gross. Do any of you wonderfully smart people have an idea for alternative end covers that might prove more rugged and hygienic?

-Tom Blevins

[Kamikaze Joe]

I don't see any reason you couldn't 3D print new plastic ends. Make the bottoms
a bit thicker so they last longer. Should be pretty easy to CAD.

I'll help if you want.

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[Robert Kleeschulte]

Not sure what would be the best in terms of material because you are still going to be sliding over something abrasive. What about trying one of the 4 wheeled walkers with the handbrakes?

On Sat, Jan 13, 2018 at 3:53 PM, Tom Blevins <topazc...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have to use a walker to get around. The original plastic ends didn't last very long. I am sliding the ends along the ground which, because I am active means sidewalks, parking lots, and streets. These are like really rough grit sand paper. I have tried tennis balls but they don't last very long. Tennis balls slide nicely but on concrete they sand off fairly quickly. Another issue with tennis balls is they tend to grab hair and dust. The ends can get quite gross. Do any of you wonderfully smart people have an idea for alternative end covers that might prove more rugged and hygienic?

-Tom Blevins

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[Brad Tissi]

Since a caster is way too unstable, why not a spring return ball bearing?
It could roll when the walker isn't being pushed down if there's a strong enough spring, and be pushed up into housing when weight is added.

[Brad Tissi]

These are both different approaches.

Mini-skis
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001VE9XCK

Rolling ball housing
https://justwalkers.com/court-side-walker-glides.html

[Chris Weiss]

I've seen hard plastic "skis", made of PTFE most likely.  they still wear but are pretty durable.

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[William Andersen]

Another thought, similar to the 4-wheeled walkers with brakes, could be to attach miniature tires to the feet?

[Myles Farrell]

My one thought against printing feet would be the hard plastic getting sand and grit embedded in it while using the walker out side and then having it grind and scratch floors inside. The material that comes on them to begin with is more like rubber less likely to get stuff imbedded.

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