U.S. patent application number 10/004436 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for adjustable crutch.
Invention is credited to Schultz, Jimmie Reuben.
Application Number | 20030079767 10/004436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21710794 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030079767 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schultz, Jimmie Reuben |
May 1, 2003 |
ADJUSTABLE CRUTCH
Abstract
A crutch constructed of two adjacently located, elongated,
parallel upper and lower bows which can be moved in relationship to
each other to form a vertical support of readily varied length.
These bows have the same design and are therefore interchangeable,
significantly reducing inventory requirements. Each bow has a
series of parallel horizontal notches with the bows positioned so
that the notches on each bow are on contacting surfaces. A pin
inserted into parallel, adjacent notches on the two bows in
cooperation with two or more collars or caps on the ends of one end
of each bow fixes the relationship between the shafts which, in
turn, defines the length of the vertical support. A similar concept
can be used to lock a moveable centrally located lower bow between
two parallel outer upper bows. This assemble provides a strong,
adjustable length crutch for any height patient using only two
different pairs of bow lengths.
Inventors: |
Schultz, Jimmie Reuben;
(Thousand Oaks, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOPPEL & JACOBS
SUITE 107
555 ST. CHARLES DRIVE
THOUSAND OAKS
CA
91360
US
|
Family ID: |
21710794 |
Appl. No.: |
10/004436 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/69 ; 135/68;
135/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 19/02 20130101;
A61H 3/02 20130101; F16B 7/105 20130101; F16B 7/0406 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/69 ; 135/68;
135/75 |
International
Class: |
A61H 003/02; A45B
009/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A crutch adjustable in length comprising a first elongated
straight rod constituting an upper bow and a second elongated
straight rod constituting a lower bow, the upper bow having an
underarm support attached to the top thereof, a hand grip attached
to the upper and lower bow and extending there from at a point
spaced from the underarm support, wherein: the upper bow has a
series of parallel notches formed in at least one side thereof, the
notches spaced longitudinally along the length thereof and
perpendicular to a central axis of the upper bow the lower bow has
a series of parallel notches formed in at least one side thereof,
the notches spaced longitudinally along the length thereof and
perpendicular to a central axis of the lower bow the upper bow and
lower bow being positioned with each of their central axis
parallel, with the side of the upper bow containing notches and the
side of the lower bow containing notches facing each other and
being in contact, the lower bow extending beyond the lower end of
the upper bow and the upper bow extending above the upper end of
the lower bow, the upper bow and the lower bow being held in
contact by collars attached to the lower end of the upper bow and
the upper end of the lower bow, each collar enclosing the upper and
lower bow with the bow not attached free to slide longitudinally
through an opening in said collar, and at least one notch on the
upper bow and one notch on the lower bow being adjacent with a
first pin positioned in said adjacent notches, said first pin
holding the upper and lower bow in a fixed but adjustable
longitudinal relationship.
2. The crutch of claim 1 wherein the hand grip is moveable
longitudinally along the length of the crutch, the longitudinal
position of the hand grip being fixed by a second pin inserted
there through and, the second pin resting only in at least one of
the notches in the upper bow or lower bow.
3. The crutch of claim 2 wherein, after attachment of the hand
grip, the lower bow is moveable longitudinally in relationship with
the upper bow to adjust the length of the crutch by removing the
first pin, said adjusted length being fixed by the insertion of the
first pin into a different set of adjacent notches on the upper and
lower bows.
4. The crutch of claim 1 wherein the upper bow and lower bow have a
square or rectangular cross section.
5. The crutch of claim 4 wherein at least the upper bow has a
series of parallel notches on each of the four sides of the
bow.
6. The crutch of claim 1 wherein the upper bow and the lower bow
are of the same cross sectional shape and length and notch
location.
7. A crutch adjustable in length comprising two elongated straight
rods constituting upper bows and a third elongated straight rod
constituting a lower bow, the upper bows having an underarm support
attached to the top thereof, a hand grip attached to the upper and
lower bows and extending there from at a point spaced from the
underarm support, wherein: at least one of the upper bows has a
series of parallel notches formed in at least one side thereof, the
notches spaced longitudinally along the length thereof and
perpendicular to a central axis of said upper bow, the lower bow
has a series of parallel notches formed in at least one side
thereof, the notches spaced longitudinally along the length thereof
and perpendicular to a central axis of the lower bow, the upper
bows and lower bow being positioned with each of their central axis
parallel, with the side of the at least on upper bow containing
notches and the side of the lower bow containing notches facing
each other, the lower bow extending beyond the lower end of the
upper bows and the upper bows extending above the upper end of the
lower bow, the upper bow and the lower bow being held in
orientation to each other by a collar attached to the lower ends of
the upper bow, and a second collar enclosing the upper and lower
bows with the lower bow free to slide longitudinally through a
central opening in said collar, and at least one notch one of the
upper bows and one notch on the lower bow being adjacent with a
first pin positioned in said adjacent notches, said first pin
holding the upper and lower bow in a fixed but adjustable
longitudinal relationship.
8. The crutch of claim 7 wherein the hand grip is moveable
longitudinally along the length of the crutch, the longitudinal
position of the hand grip being fixed by a second pin inserted
there through and, the second pin resting only in at least one of
the notches in the upper bow or lower bow.
9. The crutch of claim 8 wherein, after attachment of the hand
grip, the lower bow is moveable longitudinally in relationship with
the upper bow to adjust the length of the crutch by removing the
first pin, said adjusted length being fixed by the insertion of the
first pin into a different set of adjacent notches on the upper and
lower bows.
10. The crutch of claim 7 wherein the first pin has at least two
tines spaced for insertion in two parallel, vertically spaced sets
of notches in the upper and lower bow.
11. The crutch of claim 7 wherein at least one of the upper bows
and the lower bow are of the same cross sectional shape and length
and notch location.
12. An extendable support adjustable in length comprising a at
least an elongated, straight, first shaft and an elongated,
straight second shaft, each shaft having two ends and at least one
flat surface extending between the two ends along the length
thereof, wherein: the flat surface on the first shaft has a series
of parallel notches formed therein, the notches spaced
longitudinally along the length thereof and perpendicular to a
central axis of said first shaft, the flat surface on the second
shaft has a series of parallel notches formed therein, the notches
spaced longitudinally along the length thereof and perpendicular to
a central axis of said second shaft the first shaft and the second
shaft being positioned with each of their central axis parallel,
with the flat surface of the first shaft containing notches and the
flat surface of the second shaft containing notches facing each
other and being in contact, the first shaft extending beyond the
lower end of the second shaft and the second shaft extending above
the upper end of the first shaft, the first shaft and the second
shaft being held in contact by collars attached to the lower end of
the second shaft and the upper end of the first shaft, each collar
enclosing the first and second shaft with the shaft not attached
being free to slide longitudinally through an opening in said
collar, and at least one notch on the first shaft and one notch on
the second shaft being adjacent with at least one removeable pin
positioned in said adjacent notches, said pin holding the first and
second shaft in a fixed but adjustable longitudinal relationship.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a new structure for
assembling a crutch having a easily adjusted length and grip
height.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Crutches, fabricated from wood or metal (usually aluminum)
tubes, have been used as an aid to assist injured or disabled
individuals in standing or walking. While there are numerous design
variations, a typical crutch has a "Y" frame design with two upper
members or bows which converge at a lower end where a central leg
is formed or attached. The upper ends of the upper members extend
vertically upward from the point of convergence and parallel to
each other but spaced apart. An underarm support brace is attached
across the upper ends of the bows. A horizontal hand grip is
mounted between the upper members or bows at an arms length or
slightly less than an arms length from the under arm brace.
[0003] In order to adjust the length of the wooden crutch to
various height individuals the two bows of the crutch usually have
one or two holes there through below where the upper members
converge. This hole or holes receives a bolt which also passes
through one of several horizontal holes along the length of the
central leg or foot piece. Once a hole in the leg is selected to
provide a crutch of the proper length the bolt is secured by
applying a nut to the bolt. In a like manner, the hand grip is
attached between the upper members at a proper height by placing a
bolt or pin through the hand grip and one of several pairs of
horizontal holes in the upper members.
[0004] When the crutch is constructed from metal tubes the central
leg is usually telescoped within an upwardly extending tube with
the adjustment accomplished by use of an internal spring biasing a
pin through aligned holes in both the lower central tube and the
upwardly extending tube.
[0005] A further alternative approach has the hand grip extending
at a 90 degree angle from an upper bow.
[0006] With the crutches presently available, assembly of the
crutch with proper dimensions, namely the length from lower tip to
under arm support and hand grip location, for each different
individual is difficult. Further, use of a screw driver and wrench
or pliers is required to assemble, disassemble and reassemble the
crutch. This procedure is time consuming and typically requires
several attempts until the crutch is properly sized for the comfort
and safety of each particular user. Also, because of limited length
adjustability four or five different length crutch assemblies must
be inventoried.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,126 to Ellmore shows a crutch comprising
adjacent tubes secured together in a parallel manner using an upper
and lower clamp. An upper tube is telescopically mounted in a first
central tube with an underarm support attached to the top end. A
lower tube telescopically mounted in a second central tube has a
tip on its lower end. A handgrip is clamped to a central tube. The
length (height) of the crutch is adjusted by extending the upper
and lower tubes. The position of these tubes in the outer tubes is
fixed by using a series of holes in the outer tube and a spring
loaded plunger located within the inner tube. U.S. Pat. No.
4,846,203 to Tappel shows a similar construction with the exception
that the centrally located outer tube is a single tube with two
parallel holes.
[0008] U.S. patent 869,128 to Autenreith shows a crutch comprised
of two parallel adjacently located tubes with a coupling attached
to the lower end of the upper tube so as to receive the lower tube
in a sliding manner. Extending from the bottom of the upper tube is
a shaft which is captured in a sleeve mounted to the lower tube.
The position of the shaft in relation to the upper and lower tubes
is fixed using set screws.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,977 to Wood shows a crutch or walker
with two parallel tubes with one tube having a roughened surface.
The position of the two tubes in relationship to each other is
fixed through the use of a pivoting piece.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 1,254,771 to Brown shows a portable bath house
with adjustable length uprights comprising two parallel pieces. The
lower piece has two collars through which the upper piece slides.
Attached to the lower piece is a spring mounted bolt which slides
in a hole in the first piece and sets in one of a series of holes
on the second piece.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 1,888,972 to Chittim also shows two piece
adjustable tent poles. The lower piece has an attached collar
through which the second piece attaches. Also attached to the top
of the first piece is a pivoting link The link includes a traverse
pin which sets in a notch on the upper bar. This arrangement
prevents the pole from shortening but does not prevent lengthening,
thus making it an arrangement unsuitable for a crutch. U.S. patent
208,158 to Cushing and U.S. patent 35,963 to Warner and Palmer show
other extendable tent poles.
[0012] There are numerous other patents, of which U.S. Pat. No.
5,139,040 and U.S. Pat No. 5,752,535 are examples, that show
crutches constructed of telescoping tubes with a series of holes
and spring mounted pins for adjustment. In addition, there are
numerous patents that use bolts and other more permanent assembly
means.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,701, U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,811, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,445,175 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,583 are representative of
adjustable designs with two upper shafts and one lower shaft. These
designs all appear to have the same type of fixturing for adjusting
the extension of the lower leg, namely screws, bolts or spring
pins
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention is directed to a crutch comprising two
adjacently located, elongated, parallel shafts which can be moved
in relationship to each other to form a vertical support of readily
varied length. Each shaft has a series of parallel horizontal
notches with the notches on each shaft positioned on contacting
surfaces of the shafts. A pin inserted into parallel, adjacent
notches on the two shafts in cooperation with two or more collars
or caps fixes the relationship between the shafts which, in turn,
defines the length of the vertical support. A similar concept can
be used to lock a moveable centrally located shaft between two
parallel outer shafts. These shafts are all held in their adjacent
orientation by caps mounted on one end of each shaft with the
second shaft slideable there through. This assemble provides a
strong, adjustable length crutch from only two different pairs of
bow lengths. Further, the upper and lower bow have the same design
and are therefore interchangeable, significantly reducing inventory
requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of an
adjustable crutch incorporating features of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows the upper and lower bows of the crutch of FIG.
1 with round pin openings.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top view of one version of a pin used to hold
the upper and lower bows in fixed relationship.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of a version of a pin used to secure
the handle to the crutch.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an end view of the pin of FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a top view of a cap which is mounted to the top
end of the lower bow of the crutch for slideably retaining the
upper bow.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cutaway side view of the cap having the same
construction as shown in FIG. 6 for attachment to the lower end of
the upper bow for slideably retaining the lower bow.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view of a second
embodiment of showing the lower portion of a crutch incorporating
features of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side view of a fork shaped pin used to fix the
adjustable lower bow to one of the upper bows of the crutch.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a top view of a collar used to hold the assembly
of FIG. 8 together in a sliding arrangement.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective side view of a central portion of a
further version of the bow of an extendable device incorporating
features of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a side view of a further version of a pin used to
assemble the bows of the device.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a cross section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
1 showing a pin in a pair of notches.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 1 showing the pin of FIG. 4 inserted in the hand grip.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a top view of an alternative collar or bracket
for use in the embodiment of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The crutch 10 uses a new method of construction and
assembly. Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the crutch 10
comprises two straight bows (a lower bow 12 and an upper bow 14,
which are positioned in parallel relationship next to each other
with a portion of each extending beyond the end of the other bow.
While designated as lower bow 12 and upper bow 14, it should be
recognized that the lower and upper bows 12, 14 can be of exactly
the same construction as they are interchangeable in the described
design. An underarm support 16 is attached to the top of the upper
bow 14. A tip 18 is attached to the bottom of the lower bow 12. A
collar 20, shown in FIG. 6, is secured to the top end of the lower
bow 12. The collar 20 has an opening 22 therein to receive the
upper bow 14, the upper bow 14 being free to slide up and down in
the opening 22 unless secured as discussed below. In a like manner,
a similar lower collar 24, shown in FIG. 7 receives the lower end
of the upper bow 14 in a closed bottom portion 37 where it is
secured by a screw, pin or barb 35 so that the upper bow 24 is
fixed but the lower bow 12 is free to slide up and down. The upper
collar 20 also has an area for receiving a bracket 28 with pin 30,
described below, which secures the crutch 10 at its desired length.
A hand grip 40 is mounted approximately midway along the length of
the crutch 10. The shape of the underarm support 16 and the hand
grip 40 shown in the drawing are merely for illustrative purposes.
Any suitable shaped support 16 or grip 40 known to those skilled in
the art may be attached to the crutch 10.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, and the enlarged view in FIG. 2, both
the upper bow 14 and the lower bow 12 have a series of notches 26
along the length of a portion thereof. FIG. 2 shows the notches 26
to be semicircular; FIG. 1 shows them to be rectangular. Any of a
variety of shapes can be used. FIG. 3 shows a bracket or clip 28
with a centrally located pin 30 of a shape and size to
simultaneously fill adjacent notches on both bows 12,14. For
example, if the notch 26 is a semicircle on each bow 12, 14, the
pin 30 is a circular shaft of about the same radius. If the notches
26 are rectangles then the pin 30 is a shaft with a cross section
approximately the size of paired notches on the upper and lower
bows. The clip 28 also has wings 32 sized to fit across the width
of the collar 20, with inwardly facing barbs 33 latching on the
rear side thereof so as to be held in position once the pin is
inserted through the collar and into the notches 26. FIG. 13 is a
cross sectional view showing a clip 28 inserted into adjacent
parallel notches 26. FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a
half pin 42 inserted into the handle 40 filling the notch on only
the upper bow 14.
[0032] To assemble the crutch the lower and upper bows 12, 14 are
inserted into the collars 20, 24 and the handle 40, the underarm
support 16 is attached to the upper bow 14 and the length is
adjusted so that a notch 26 on each bow 12, 14 is adjacent by
sliding the bows parallel to each other to a length appropriate for
the user's height. The clip is then placed over, and snapped on to,
the upper collar 20 with the pin 30 through the matching notches 26
now aligned with the hole 34 in the collar 30. This procedure locks
the assembly in its desired length. Alternatively, the clip 28
could be inserted in to any pair of notches or more than one clip
could be used.
[0033] The handle 40 is secured at the desired height by using a
pin 42 of a cross section matching a notch, but not the two
parallel notches. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and inserted in FIGS.
2 and 14, the pin 42 has a cross section to match a notch 26 as
shown in FIG. 2. This allows the length of the crutch to be
adjusted independent of the handle 40 without disconnecting the
handle.
[0034] Crutches are composed of several components assembled into a
structure sized for the intended user. In order to provide a crutch
of prior dimensions, formed from wood or aluminum, four or five
different length assemblies are generally required to provide a
selection of crutches to meet the need of various height
individuals. For example, four different size adjustable crutches
are usually necessary to provide crutches for a typical child and
adult population, requiring the stocking of a considerable
inventory of crutches to meet patient needs. These sizes are
typically a crutch adjustable from a) 29 inches to 38 inches
(29"-38") for a child 3 foot, 9 inches to 4 foot, 7 inches
(3'9"-4'7"), b) 37"-45" for a youth 4'6"-5'2", c) 44'-52" for an
adult 5'1"-5'9", and d) 52"-60" for a tall adult 5'10"-6'6". A
typical prior art wooden crutch requires five different size
crutches to cover the same range of patients. As is apparent, since
prior crutches have different shaped upper and lower bows, not only
must many sizes be inventoried, different top and bottom components
must also be stored.
[0035] Crutches incorporating features of the invention, because of
their ease of assembly, can provide a broader size range with only
two size combinations of upper bow 14 and lower bow 12. Further,
because of the design of the product, the upper and lower bow can
be of exactly the same length, appearance and construction. While
the length of the standard components may be varied, in a preferred
embodiment a crutch for an adult 5'5" to 7'4" may be assembled from
two bows 12,14, which are of the same length, and are
interchangeable, about 42".+-.2" long, to which a standard underarm
support 16, tip 18 and hand grip 40 is attached. In the same
manner, a crutch for shorter individuals (3'9"-5'8") would be
constructed from lower and upper bows 12, 14 about 30" long. This
provides a single crutch, with 42" bows which is adjustable for use
by 50 to 70% of the using public.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the crutch 100 having
two upper bows 114, 115 and one centrally located lower bow 112.
Notches 126 function in the same manner to receive a full width
clip 128, shown in FIG. 9 to secure the centrally located lower bow
or foot piece 112 to a notched upper bow 114. In this embodiment,
the clip 128 has two barbed pins 130 which are placed in two sets
of vertically spaced but adjacent notches 126. In the same manner
as described above, a half width barbed clip 128 can be used to
secure a handle. Collar 124, partially cut away in FIG. 8 shows the
lower end of upper bow 115 retained by barbed extensions 136 on the
inner surfaces of the collar 124. A similar structure also retains
the lower end of the other upper bow 114 in the collar 124. FIG. 10
is a top view of a band 140 sized to receive the three bows midway
along their length, the band having two inwardly extending half
pins 142 which rest only in the notch 126 of the notched upper bow
114. An under arm support and a hand grip (not shown) can be added
in the same manner as shown for the first embodiment. This
embodiment utilizing two upper bows provides for conversion of
current production of three member crutch construction to use of
the adjacent horizontal notch adjustment. FIG. 15 is a top view
showing an alternative construction of a band 240 which has 3 bow
receiving areas 242, 244, 246 to receive the three bows 112, 114,
115 and maintain them spaced apart for easier adjustment, the
receiving areas 242, 244, 246 being separated by webs 248. The
collar 124 would have a similar spacing and web construction.
[0037] While the above description is primarily directed to the
construction of a crutch, it should be recognized by one skilled in
the art that the concept has much broader application. It can be
used to form a broad variety of support structures which are
desirably adjustable in length. Examples are canes, tent poles,
book case shelf supports, light poles, etc. For such applications
and to provide more length adjustment options FIG. 11 shows a shaft
200 with a square cross section and notches 226 on all four sides
in a stepped spiral pattern. This provides, when matched with a
second notched, square cross section rod (not shown), an upright
support infinitely adjustable in length. The second notched rod may
be the same as in FIG. 11 or may have a series of notches on only
one side as shown in FIG. 1 or 2. Only a short notched section is
shown. However, it is contemplated that this structure be
continuously repeated along the length of the bow 200. FIG. 12
shows an example of a split pin 228 for use in locking the shaft
200 to a second shaft. One or more collars such as shown in FIG. 10
are utilized to hold the shaft 200 to the second notched shaft.
This bow construction provides greater length adjustment accuracy
in a crutch, and because the notches are on all four sides,
provides for a wide variety of hand grip attachment techniques with
pins both parallel and perpendicular to the handle axis.
[0038] While the crutch design shown and described is intended for
the assembly of wooden crutches, any stiff, structural material can
be used for the bows including metal shafts, tubes and rods as well
as composite materials. Also, while rectangular and square cross
sections are shown, one skilled in the art will recognize that any
cross section may be used for the bows as long as the notch with
locking pin arrangement is utilized. It is also contemplated that
features in one embodiment may be incorporated in the other
embodiments.
[0039] It is evident from the foregoing that there are many
additional embodiments of the present invention that, while not
expressly described herein, are within the scope of this invention
and may suggest themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art. It
is therefore intended that the invention be limited solely by the
appended claims.
* * * * *