WO2015091132A1

WO2015091132A1 - A folding crutch

Info

Publication number: WO2015091132A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/077145
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alastair Moore
Original assignee: Alastair Moore
Priority date: 2013-12-17
Filing date: 2014-12-10
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Also published as: GB201322249D0; GB201611626D0; GB2536390B; GB2536390A

Abstract

A folding crutch, comprising an upper section, including a forearm supporting cuff, a lower section, and an intermediate section connecting said upper and lower sections together in a manner permitting said sections to be folded between an in use configuration, in which the upper and lower sections are generally aligned and a folded configuration, in which the upper and lower sections are adjacent one another and extend substantially perpendicular to the intermediate section.

Description

A Folding Crutch

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a folding crutch and in particular to a folding crutch of the forearm crutch or Loftstrand type.

Background to the Invention

Crutches are used to transfer part of a patient's body weight to their hands and arms while walking. One variation of traditional crutches is a forearm crutch or Loftstrand crutch, of the type comprising a telescoping tubular support pole, a cuff defining a forearm support at an upper end of the support pole and a handgrip extending substantially perpendicularly from the support pole at a location below the cuff. The patient can place the cuff around the forearm and grasp the handgrip. The cuff is adapted to embrace the forearm in order to gain stability.

The telescoping parts of the support pole are typically secured in selected positions by internally disposed spring biased pins received in pairs of holes opposingly defined in each of the telescoping parts and brought into registry with one another.

Long term use of these kind of crutches is typically required by individuals having leg injuries or amputation, osteoarthritis, rheumatic diseases or spine disorders. Such individuals require the assistance of the crutches while walking. However, the crutches must be carried by the disabled individual at all times, which can be inconvenient due to the dimensions of the crutches, in particular the length thereof. Traveling by public transport or car can be especially troublesome, as the crutches cannot be conveniently stowed away when not in use due to their length and shape. Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a folding crutch, comprising an upper section, including a forearm supporting cuff, a lower section, and an intermediate section connecting said upper and lower sections together in a manner permitting said sections to be folded between an in use configuration, in which the upper and lower sections are generally aligned and a folded configuration, in which the upper and lower sections are adjacent one another and extend substantially perpendicular to the intermediate section.

Preferably the upper and lower sections extend along respective axes forming an obtuse angle between each other when in their in use configuration.

Preferably the intermediate section includes a handgrip extending therefrom. Preferably the upper and lower parts extend substantially parallel to the handgrip when in their in use configuration.

Each of the upper and lower sections may be pivotally coupled to the intermediate section for pivotal movement between said in use configuration and said folded configuration. A respective socket may be provided at each end of the intermediate section for receiving an end of a respective one of the upper and lower sections, each socket including a seat within which the said end is engaged when the respective one of the upper and lower sections in its in use position. Preferably each of the upper and lower sections is axially displaceable with respect to the intermediate section when in its in use position to enable the end thereof to be moved into and out of engagement with the seat of the respective socket. The pivotal coupling between the upper and lower sections and the intermediate section may be respectively defined by a pivot pin received within an elongate slot, said slot being axially aligned with the intermediate section, at least when the crutch is in its in use configuration, such that the pivot pin may slide within the slot to enable the respective upper or lower section to be axially displaced with respect to the intermediate section to move the end thereof into and out of engagement with the cooperating seat of the respective socket. The pivot pin of the pivotal coupling of each of the upper and lower sections with the intermediate section may be provided on an end of the respective one of the upper and lower sections while the cooperating elongate slot may be formed in a side wall of a portion of the intermediate section defining the respective socket. Each pivotal coupling may comprise a pair of mutually aligned elongate slots provided in opposed lateral side walls of the intermediate section on either side of the respective socket.

Preferably locking means are provided for retaining the ends the upper and lower sections in engagement with the cooperating seats of the respective sockets of the intermediate section when the crutch is in its in use configuration. The locking means may comprise respective spring loaded locking pins provided on respective ends of the upper and lower sections receivable within cooperating receiving apertures within the side walls the intermediate section when the ends of the upper and lower sections are in engagement with the cooperating seats of the intermediate section.

A distal lower end of the lower section may be provided with a rubberized foot for grip.

The lower and/or upper sections of the crutch may be fixed in length or variable in length. For fixed length embodiments, the elongated member can be made of a single tubular part. In other embodiments, the upper and/or lower sections can be variable in length and may have a telescopic configuration with two or more concentric tubular parts which can allow the length of the respective section to be adjusted to suit user's of differing height and/or to enable the respective section to be retracted into a smaller length when the crutch is in its folded configuration. A locking mechanism can secure the concentric tubular parts of the respective section of the crutch in a predetermined position with respect to one another. This can be done with a pin and hole mechanism or any other suitable locking mechanisms. The upper and lower sections of the crutch may be made of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, fiberglass or carbon fiber and may be tubular in shape.

In one embodiment the intermediate section may comprise a cast or moulded component, formed from a suitable metal or plastics material. Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of a specific embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a folding crutch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in an in use or extended configuration;

Figure 2 is a side view of the crutch of Figure 1 in a folded configuration; and

Figures 3 to 5 are detailed views of an upper portion of the crutch of Figure 1 showing manipulation of the crutch between its extended and folded configurations.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to the drawings, in particular Figures 1 and 2, there is shown generally indicated as 2 a folding crutch embodying the invention capable of being manipulated between an in use or extended configuration, shown in Figure 1 , and a reduced size folded configuration, shown in Figure 2.

The crutch 2 is of the forearm crutch or Loftstrand type, the crutch 2 comprising an upper section 4 having a cuff 6 mounted on an upper end thereof, and a lower section 8, defined by a telescoping tubular support pole, the upper and lower sections 4,8 being linked together via an intermediate section 10, a handgrip 12 extending laterally from the intermediate section 10.

The lower section 8 of the crutch preferably comprises inner and outer telescoping parts 14,16, the inner part 16 being are secured in selected positions within the outer part 14 by internally disposed spring biased pins 18 received in pairs of holes 20 opposingly defined in each of the telescoping parts 16,18 and brought into registry with one another, as in known in the art, permitting adjustment of the length of the lower section 8 of the crutch to suit the height of the user and/or to fully retract the lower section when the crutch is in its folded configuration.

The upper section 4 may be similarly formed from inner and outer telescoping parts to permit adjustment of the length thereof, and thus adjustment of the distance between the cuff 6 and the handgrip 12. Alternatively, the upper section 4 may be of fixed length, preferably comprising a single piece tubular member to which the cuff is attached at an upper end thereof. It is also envisaged that the lower section 8 may be of fixed length.

A rubber foot 22 is provided on a distal end of the lower section 8 for grip. As shown in Figure 1 , when the crutch 2 is in its in use or extended configuration, the upper 4, intermediate 10 and lower 8 sections of the crutch are generally aligned with one another, with the upper and lower parts 4,8 extending along respective axes forming an obtuse angle between each other, with the handgrip 12 extending laterally from the intermediate section 10. In such configuration, a user may place the cuff 6 around their forearm while grasping the handgrip 12, such that at least part of the user's body weight can be placed onto the crutch 2 with the foot 22 at the distal end of the lower section 8 of the crutch engaging the ground.

When it is desired to stow the crutch when not in use, the crutch is adapted to be manipulated into a folded configuration, as shown in Figure 2, by virtue of the pivotal connection of the upper and lower sections 4,8 of the crutch to the intermediate section 10, whereby the upper and lower sections 4,8 can be pivoted with respect to the intermediate section 10 through approximately 90° between an in use position, shown in Figure 1 , wherein the upper, lower and intermediate sections 4,8,10 are generally aligned, and a folded position, as shown in Figure 2, wherein the upper and lower sections 4,8 are substantially parallel to one another and extend substantially perpendicular to the intermediate section 10, with the upper and lower sections 4,8 located adjacent to and on either side of the handgrip 12. The intermediate section 10 may comprise a moulded or cast component, preferably formed from a plastics material. The intermediate section 10 is preferably formed in two halves joined along a vertical plane of symmetry by means of suitable fasteners. The handgrip 12 may be integrally formed with the intermediate section 10 and may also be formed in two halves where the intermediate section 10 has a two part construction. A rubber sleeve may be provided on the handgrip 12 for enhanced grip and comfort.

Upper and lower sockets 24,26 are provided at respective ends of the intermediate section 10 for receiving the ends of the upper and lower sections 4,8. The upper socket 24 is adapted to receive an end of the upper section 4 of the crutch 2 while the lower socket 26 is adapted to receive an end of the lower section 8 of the crutch 2. Each of the upper and lower sockets 24,26 is respectively defined between a pair of spaced apart side opposed walls 28 of the intermediate section 10. An adjoining wall 30 extends between the side walls 28 of each of the upper and lower sockets 24,26 along a side of the intermediate section 10 opposite to the handgrip 12. An outermost portion of each adjoining wall acts as a stop 32 to delimit the pivotal movement of the respective end of the adjacent upper or lower section, particularly when said section is in its in use position (although the stop 32 may also be arranged to delimit travel of the respective section 4,8 towards its folded position).

Mutually aligned elongate guide slots 34 are provided in the opposed side walls 28 of each socket 24,26, said guide slots 34 extending along vertically aligned axes aligned with the longitudinal axis of the intermediate section 10. The aligned guide slots 34 of each socket 24,26 receive pivot pins 36 inserted through the adjacent end of the respective upper or lower section 24,26. Each of the upper and lower sections 4,8 may be axially displaceable with respect to the intermediate section 10 by sliding the respective pivot pins 36 along the cooperating guide slots 34 when the upper and lower sections 4,8 are in their in use positions.

A base of each socket 24,26 defines a narrowed seat 38 within which a respective end of the adjacent upper or lower section 4,8 can be received when the upper and lower sections are in their in use positions, as best shown in Figure 3. The sliding movement of the pivot pins 36 within their elongate slots 34 allows the end of the respective upper or lower section 4,8 to be displaced axially into and out of engagement with the seat 38 of the cooperating socket 24,26.

The ends of the upper or lower sections 4,8 can be withdrawn from their respective seats 38, to permit folding thereof, by axially displacing the upper and lower sections 4,8 away from the intermediate section 10, the respective pivot pins 36 sliding from an inner end to an outer end of the cooperating guide slots 34 within which the pivot pins 36 are received, as shown in Figure 4. Once the respective pivot pins 36 reach an outer end of the cooperating guide slots 34, the dimensions of the adjacent adjoining wall 30 of the respective socket (widening away from the seat 38) provides sufficient clearance for the end of the adjacent one of the upper and lower sections 4,8 to allow the respective section to be pivoted to its folded position, as shown in Figure 5.

In order to retain the upper and lower sections 4,8 in their in use positions with respect to the intermediate section 10 when the crutch 2 is in its in use or erected configuration, with the ends thereof received within the cooperating seats 38 of the respective sockets 24,26, locking means are provided.

In the embodiment shown, the locking means are in the form of spring loaded locking pins 40 receivable within receiving apertures 42 within the side walls 28 of the respective socket 24,26 when the end of the respective one of the upper and lower sections 4,8 are received within the seat 38 of the respective socket 24,26.

The locking pins 40 can be manually depressed by the user to push the pins 40 inwardly, out of engagement with the respective receiving aperture 42, when it is desired to manipulate the crutch to its folded configuration. The locking pins 40 are spring loaded to bias the pins into engagement with the respective receiving apertures 42, such that the locking pins snap 40 into locking engagement with the apertures 40 when the upper and lower sections 4,8 are brought into their in use positions and pushed into engagement with the cooperating seat 38 of the respective socket 24,26. As shown in Figure 5, recesses 44 may be provided in an outer edge of the side walls 28 of each socket 24,26 for receiving the locking pins 40 when the crutch is in its folded configuration, preventing unwanted pivotal movement of the upper and lower sections 4,8 with respect to the intermediate section 10. Similar recesses may be provided in the sides walls 28 in an appropriate position for temporarily retaining the upper and lower sections 4,8 in their in use position, before axially moving them into engagement with the respective seats 38 of the upper and lower sockets 24,26.

With reference to Figures 3 to 5, the manipulation of the crutch between its in use and folded configurations will now be described in more detail.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, when the crutch 2 is in its in use configuration the ends of the upper and lower sections 4,8 are received within the respective cooperating seats 38 of the upper and lower sockets 22,24, preventing pivotal movement of the upper and lower sections 4,8 with respect to the intermediate section 10. In such configuration, the locking pins 40 are in registry with and in engagement with the corresponding receiving apertures 42 in the side walls 28 of the intermediate section 10.

When it is desired to manipulate the crutch into its folded configuration, the user first depresses the locking pins 40 to retract the pins 40 from the receiving apertures 42 and then pulls the upper and lower sections 4,8 axially away from the intermediate section 10 to disengage the ends of the sections 4,8 from the seats 38 of the respective upper and lower sockets 24,26, as shown in Figure 4, the pivot pins 26 of each of the upper and lower sections sliding along the cooperating guide slots 34 to facilitate such motion. Once the ends of the upper and lower sections 4,8 have been fully disengaged from the cooperating seats 38 of the upper and lower sockets 24,26, the user can then fold the upper and lower sections 4,8 about the pivot pins 36 towards their folded positions, alongside the handgrip 12, as shown in Figure 5. Once in their folded positions, the locking pins 40 snap into engagement with the recesses 44 in the side walls 28 of the intermediate section to lightly retain the upper and lower sections 4,8 in their folded positions.

As shown in Figure 2, the cuff 6 fits over the handgrip 12 when the crutch is in its folded configuration, to provide a particularly compact arrangement.

When it is desired to return the crutch to its in use or extended configuration, the user simply pivots the upper and lower sections 4,8 about the pivot pins 36 through 90° to their in use positions with respect to the intermediate section until the upper and lower sections 4,8 engage the respective stops 32. The user can then axially push the upper and lower sections 4,8 towards the intermediate section to engage the ends of the upper and lower sections 4,8 into the cooperating seats 38 of the upper and lower sockets 24,26. Once the ends of the upper and lower sections are brought into engagement with the seats 38 of the respective upper and lower sockets 24,26, the locking pins 40 come into registry with the receiving apertures in the side walls 28 and snap into place to retain the upper and lower sections 4,8 in their in use positions.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1 . A folding crutch, comprising an upper section, including a forearm supporting cuff, a lower section, and an intermediate section connecting said upper and lower sections together in a manner permitting said sections to be folded between an in use configuration, in which the upper and lower sections are generally aligned and a folded configuration, in which the upper and lower sections are adjacent one another and extend substantially perpendicular to the intermediate section.

A folding crutch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower sections extend along respective axes forming an obtuse angle between each other when in their in use configuration.

A folding crutch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the intermediate section includes a handgrip extending therefrom.

A folding crutch as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper and lower parts extend substantially parallel to the handgrip when in their in use configuration.

A folding crutch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the upper and lower sections are pivotally coupled to the intermediate section for pivotal movement between said in use configuration and said folded configuration.

A folding crutch as claimed in claim 5, wherein a respective socket is provided at each end of the intermediate section for receiving an end of a respective one of the upper and lower sections, each socket including a seat within which the said end is engaged when the respective one of the upper and lower sections in its in use position.

7. A folding crutch as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the upper and lower sections is axially displaceable with respect to the intermediate section when in its in use position to enable the end thereof to be moved into and out of engagement with the seat of the respective socket.

8. A folding crutch as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pivotal coupling between the upper and lower sections and the intermediate section is respectively defined by a pivot pin received within an elongate slot, said slot being axially aligned with the intermediate section, at least when the crutch is in its in use configuration, such that the pivot pin may slide within the slot to enable the respective upper or lower section to be axially displaced with respect to the intermediate section to move the end thereof into and out of engagement with the cooperating seat of the respective socket.

9. A folding crutch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pivot pin of the pivotal coupling of each of the upper and lower sections with the intermediate section is provided on an end of the respective one of the upper and lower sections while the cooperating elongate slot is formed in a side wall of a portion of the intermediate section defining the respective socket.

10. A folding crutch as claimed in claim 9, wherein each pivotal coupling comprises a pair of mutually aligned elongate slots provided in opposed lateral side walls of the intermediate section on either side of the respective socket.

1 1 . A folding crutch as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10, wherein locking means are provided for retaining the ends the upper and lower sections in engagement with the cooperating seats of the respective sockets of the intermediate section when the crutch is in its in use configuration.

12. A folding crutch as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the locking means comprises respective spring loaded locking pins provided on respective ends of the upper and lower sections receivable within cooperating receiving apertures within the side walls the intermediate section when the ends of the upper and lower sections are in engagement with the cooperating seats of the intermediate section.

13. A folding crutch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a distal lower end of the lower section is provided with a rubberized foot for grip.

14. A folding crutch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower and/or upper sections of the crutch are variable in length.

15. A folding crutch as claimed in claim 14, wherein the or each variable length section comprises two or more concentric tubular parts telescopically slidable with respect to one another, whereby the length of the respective section can be adjusted to suit user's of differing height and/or to enable the respective section to be retracted into a smaller length when the crutch is in its folded configuration.

16. A folding crutch as claimed in claim 15, wherein a locking mechanism is provided to secure the concentric tubular parts of the or each variable length section of the crutch in a predetermined position with respect to one another.

17. A folding crutch as claimed in claim 16, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a pin and hole mechanism, whereby a pin may be inserted through aligned apertures in the concentric tubular parts of the respective section to lock said parts together.

18. A folding crutch substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.