Crutch

Abstract

A cuff portion for a forearm crutch, and a forearm crutch incorporating such a cuff portion are described. The forearm crutch consists of a lower elongate and generally straight part, an upper elongate generally straight part connected to and in particular angled relative to the lower elongate part, a handle part for gripping by a patient for example at or about the said angle, and a cuff portion connected to the end of the upper straight part. The cuff portion is modified by provision of a stabilising arm (4, 5) connected to the cuff (2) and outwardly extendable relative to the cuff so as to be moveable between a retracted position close to the side of the cuff and an extended position outwardly from the side of the cuff so as to define in combination with the cuff a base on which the crutch can be stood in an upright position.

Description

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view from above of the upper straight section of an elbow crutch according to the present invention with both stabilising arms in the extended position;

FIG. 2 is a view of the upper straight section of the elbow crutch shown in FIG. 1 turned upside down to illustrate how the extended stabilising arms could support a crutch in an upright position on the floor;

FIG. 3 is the same view as shown in FIG. 1 with the stabilising arms retracted; and

FIG. 4 is the same view as shown in FIG. 2 with the stabilising arms retracted.

Referring to the drawings there is shown the upper straight section of an elbow crutch. The lower straight section of the crutch which contacts the ground and which includes a hand grip has been omitted for ease of illustration, but is in all respects conventional in design. The upper straight section as shown comprising a length of aluminium tubing 1 and a plastic cuff 2. One end of the aluminium tubing 1 is received in a socket 3 in the, base of the cuff. The mounting between the socket 3 and the base of the cuff 2 allows the cuff 2 to pivot in a vertical plane to accommodate different users of the crutch, as is low with conventional crutches.

A stabilising ann 4, 5, each comprising an integral self closing plastic hinge mechanism 6, is connected to the base of the cuff 2, one on each side of the socket 3. Each stabilising arm 4, 5 is pivotable about the hinge mechanism 6 between stable open, that is to say extended as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are closed, that is to say retracted as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, positions. In the closed position the arm 4, 5 lies closely against the outside surface of the side of the cuff 2 and to this end it profiled to match the side of the cuff. In this position it barely projects from the cuff and does not impede or prevent normal use of the crutch. In the open position the arms 4, 5 extend outwardly from the base of the cuff. Together the arms 4, 5 and the cuff 2 form a base on which the whole crutch can stand in an inverted upright position.

The connection between each stabilising arm 4, 5 and cuff 2 is form by a projection 6 of T-shaped section which is slidably received in a slot, also of T-shaped section, formed by an additional moulding 7 on the base of the cuff This sliding connection allows the stabilising aim 4, 5 to be easily detached from the cuff 2 if it is not required or if it should become necessary to replace it. The self-closing plastic binge mechanism 6 is formed by a pair of hinge straps 8 and 9 which are flexible or elastic over their length and a cam surface 10 formed by the moulding 7. The innermost of the two hinge straps 8 and 9 engages with the cam surface 10 to effect a toggle action at a point along its length. With a stabilising ann in the extended position the innermost of the two straps is resiliently biased outwardly, relative to the outermost strap, and braced against the cam surface 10 to retain the hinge in a stable open state. When the stabilising arm is retracted the innermost of the two straps is biased against the cam surface which causes the strap to invert. This in turn shortens the effective length of the strap and imparts a snap action to the hinge causing the arm to be closed.

It will be understood that a patient using a crutch in accordance with the present invention can place the clutch in the ground in the inverted upstanding position with the stabilising arms extended without fear of it falling over. This makes everyday use of the crutch easier and more convenient.

Existing crutches may readily be modified to incorporate the benefits of the present invention by replacing the existing cuff with a cuff featuring stabilising arms as described hereinbefore.

Conveniently, the crutch may be manufactured from a polymer mixed with iridescent or fluorescent material or it may be coated with such a material so that the crutch can be seen in the dark.

Claims

1. A cuff portion for a forearm crutch comprising a cuff having a stabilising arm connected to the cuff and outwardly extendible relative to the cuff between a retracted position in which it lies close to the side of the cuff and an extended position in which it extends outwardly from the side of the cuff so as to define in combination with the cuff a base on which the crutch can be stood.

2. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 1 wherein the inner side of the stabilising arm is profiled to match the outside of the portion of the cuff against which it seats so that it forms a close fit therewith in the retractable position.

3. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cuff comprises a pair of cuff arms, and wherein a stabilising arm is provided connected to each cuff arm and outwardly extendible relative thereto.

4. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 3 wherein the cuff comprises a pair of generally arcuate arm portions extending outwardly from a mid-point, each provided with a stabilising arm having a corresponding arcuate form so as to form a close fit therewith in the retracted position.

5. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 1 wherein the stabilising arm is connected to the side of the cuff by a hinge which permits it to be pivoted between the retracted and extended positions.

6. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 5 wherein the hinge is self closing to the retracted position whereat the stabilising arm is held close to the side of the cuff.

7. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 5 wherein the hinge comprises a pair of hinge straps which are flexible or elastic or their length and a can member which is rigidly fixed and engagable with one of the two hinge straps at a point along its length.

8. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 1 provided separately from and adapted for connection to an upper elongate part of a forearm crutch.

9. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 8 wherein the cuff portion is further provided with an elongate extending portion so disposed in use as to serve as an uppermost component of a multicomponent upper elongate part of a forearm crutch.

10. A cuff portion in accordance with claim 9 wherein the cuff and elongate extending portion are connected via an articulating joint.

11. A forearm crutch comprising a longer elongate part, an upper elongate part, a handle part for gripping by a patient, and a cuff portion in accordance with claim 1 located towards the end of the upper elongate part.

12. A forearm crutch in accordance with claim 11 wherein each elongate part is of adjustable length via telescoping action.

13. A forearm crutch in accordance with claim 12 wherein each elongate part comprises a plurality of nested tubular members, the uppermost (in use) tubular member of the upper elongate part being integrally formed with and as a downward elongate extension of the cuff portion.

14. A forearm crutch in accordance with claim 11 wherein the cuff is connected to the upper elongate part via an articulating joint about which the cuff can pivot relative to the upper elongate part.