Patent Application
20060118154
The present invention relates generally to aids for walking, and, more particularly, to crutches that convert into canes. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for converting crutches into canes.
Devices to assist in walking have been known in the prior art. Specifically, crutches and canes have been used to provide support for persons who are not capable of walking on their own or who need some assistance in getting from one location to another.
As is often the case, persons using such devices may chose to use one form, i.e., either a crutch or a cane, at first, and then transition to the other form. This requires that a person purchase and use two distinct devices. Combining a crutch and a cane into a single unit is advantageous as a person need only purchase only the single unit rather than multiple devices. Furthermore, a single unit containing a crutch and a cane is advantageous as a person will not have to transport two separate devices where he or she wants the option of having both the crutch and the cane available for use.
In the past, crutches that have converted into canes have typically employed the underarm support of the crutch as the grip of the cane upon conversion. Use of the underarm support of the crutch as the grip of the cane has disadvantages. The grip of a cane generally needs to be made from a durable material such that repeated and often strenuous use of the grip will not result in the grip becoming misformed or damaged. The underarm support, in contrast, is generally difficult to grip. The material that is used for the underarm support is meant to provide a comfortable means of supporting the user while using the crutch and it not intended for gripping. The underarm support may contain a lot of padding to make the support more comfortable. In fact, users quite often add padding to the underarm support in an effort to decrease the discomfort associated with using a crutch. This situation is even less desirable where the underarm support is used as the grip of the cane as the increased padding makes it difficult for a user to grasp and use the grip for any period of time. Thus, a crutch that has an underarm support that converts into the grip of a cane must either sacrifice comfort or gripability.
Crutches that have converted into canes have also had other problems. In the past, users of prior crutches that have converted into canes have had problems with alignment of the crutch. In other words, the crutch may not be aligned in a manner that is helpful to the user or that makes use of the crutch an unpleasant experience. Improper alignment of the parts of the crutch may cause users to feel unstable, and users may, out of a fear of falling, fail to use the crutch when needed.
Therefore, there is a need for a crutch that converts into a cane whereby the underarm support and the grip of the cane are separate parts, and, once converted, the underarm support of the crutch is not used for the grip of the cane. Additionally, there is a need for a crutch that converts into a cane in which all parts of the cane are in alignment when being used. The present invention is directed to providing a device to overcome the above disadvantages.
In one aspect of the present invention, an adjustable crutch that converts into a cane includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member. Each elongated member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions of the first and second elongated members are in parallel alignment and separated by a grip. The upper portions are connected to opposite ends of an arm support. The lower portions of the first and second elongated members have a converging pair of angular bends which bring the lower portions of the first and second elongated members into parallel alignment with an inner member. The inner member is connected to the lower portions of the first and second elongated members such that the lower portions of the first and second elongated,members are on opposing sides of the inner member. The adjustable crutch that converts into a cane also includes a removable cane member that has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes the grip. The grip has a first end and a second end. At least one of the first and second ends of the grip is removably attached to the upper portion of the first and second elongated members. The bottom portion of the removable cane member has at least one hole. The adjustable crutch that converts into a cane also has an adjustable foot member that is telescopically inserted into the inner member and the removable cane member. The foot member has at least one spring-loaded pin and detachably connects to the bottom portion of the cane member via at least one of the spring-loaded pins that is inserted into at least one of the holes in the bottom portion of the removable cane member.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for converting an adjustable crutch into a cane includes providing a crutch/cane assembly that has a first elongated member and a second elongated member. Each elongated member has an upper portion and a lower portion. An arm support connects to the upper portions of the first and second elongated members. An inner member connects to the lower portions of the first and second elongated members such that the lower portions of the first and second elongated members are on opposite sides of the inner member. The crutch/cane assembly includes a removable cane member which has a grip. The grip has a first end and a second end. At least one of the first and second ends of the grip is removably attached to the first and second elongated members. The removable cane member has at least one hole. The crutch/cane assembly also includes an adjustable foot member that has at least one spring-loaded pin. The adjustable foot member is telescopically inserted into the removable cane member and the inner member and connects to the removable cane member via at least one of the spring-loaded pins that is inserted into at least one of the holes in the removable cane member. The method further includes removing the foot member from the crutch/cane assembly by releasing at least one spring-loaded pin from at least one of the holes in the removable cane member. The method also includes removing the cane member from the crutch/cane assembly by disengaging the grip of the removable cane member from the first and second elongated members and telescopically inserting the foot member into the cane member and attaching the foot member therein by inserting at least one of the spring-loaded pins into at least one of the holes in the cane member.
In an alternative aspect of the present invention, a crutch that converts into a cane includes a crutch component that has a first elongated member and a second elongated member. Each elongated member has an upper portion and a lower portion. An arm support connects to the upper portions of the first and second elongated members. An inner member connects to the lower portions of the first and second elongated members such that the lower portions of the first and second elongated members are on opposing sides of the inner member. The crutch that converts into a cane further includes a removable cane component that has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has a grip. The grip has a first end and a second end. At least one of the first and second ends of the grip is removably attached to the upper portions of the first and second elongated members. The bottom portion of the removable cane component has at least one hole. Additionally, the crutch that converts into a cane includes a removable foot component that is capable of being telescopically inserted into the inner member and the cane component. The foot component has at least one spring-loaded pin and is detachably connected to the bottom portion of the cane component via at least one spring-loaded pin that is inserted into at least one hole in the bottom portion of the removable cane component.
In an alternative aspect of the present invention, an adjustable crutch that converts into a cane includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member. Each member has an upper portion and a lower portion. An arm support connects to the upper portions of the first and second elongated members such that the upper portions are on opposing sides of the arm support. An inner member connects to the lower portions of the first and second elongated members such that the lower portions are on opposing sides of the inner member. The adjustable crutch that converts into a cane also includes a removable cane member that has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has a grip. The grip has a first end and a second end. At least one of the first and second ends of the grip removably attaches to the first and second elongated members by a removable attaching means. The bottom portion of the cane member has at least one hole. The inner member and the bottom portion of the cane member are adapted for telescopically receiving a foot member. The foot member has a means for detachably connecting the foot member to the bottom portion of the cane member.
In an alternative aspect of the present invention, a method for converting the adjustable crutch described above into a cane includes removing the cane member by releasing the removable attaching means to remove the grip from the first and second elongated members. The method further includes removing the foot member from the inner member and the cane member by releasing the means for detachably connecting the foot member to the bottom portion of the cane member and telescopically inserting the foot member into the cane member.
In an alternative aspect of the present invention, a method for forming an adjustable crutch includes providing a first elongated member and a second elongated member. Each member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions of the first and second elongated members are connected to an arm support. The lower portions of the first and second elongated members are connected to an inner member such that the lower portions of the first and second elongated members are on opposing sides of the inner member. The method for forming an adjustable crutch includes providing a cane member that has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a grip that has a first end and a second end. The bottom portion has at least one hole. The method further includes removably attaching at least one of the first and second ends of the grip of the cane member to the upper portions of the first and second elongated members, telescopically inserting a foot member into the inner member and the bottom portion of the cane member, and detachably connecting the foot member to the cane member.
In an alternative aspect of the present invention, a crutch that converts into a cane includes a crutch component that has first and second elongated members. The crutch component includes an arm support connecting the first and second elongated members. The elongated members connects on opposing sides to an inner member. The inner member has at least one hole. The crutch that converts into a cane also includes a removable cane component that has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a grip that has a first end and a second end. At least one of the first and second ends removably attaches to the first and second elongated members by an attaching means. The bottom portion of the cane component has at least one hole. The crutch that converts into a cane further includes a removable foot component that is capable of being telescopically received by the inner member and the cane component.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. The detailed description and Figures will describe many of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention.
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present invention is directed to a crutch that can be converted into a cane for persons requiring assistance in walking. The crutch has portions which are removable therefrom and which are easily assembled into a cane by a user.
As shown in
The bottom portions of the first and second elongated members 12, 14 have a converging pair of angular bends which bring the first and second elongated members 12, 14 into a parallel relationship along opposite sides of an inner member 18. The bottom portions of the first and second elongated members 12, 14 may be secured to the inner member 18 by a bolt or rivet extending through the first and second elongated members 12, 14 and the inner member 18. Alternatively, the first and second elongated members 12, 12 and the inner member 18 may be welded together. The first and second elongated members 12, 14 and the inner member 18 may also be inserted into a collar that holds the first and second elongated members 12, 14 and the inner member 18 together. The collar may be made of plastic, metal or combinations thereof or any other suitable material. In addition to the securing means described herein, other suitable means of securing the first and second elongated member 12, 14 and the inner member 18 that are known in the art can be used in embodiments of the present invention.
The crutch/cane assembly 10 also includes a cane member 24 (also shown in
Alternatively, the grip 30 may be connected to the first and second elongated members 12, 14 via a spring-loaded device 32, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
The lower portion of the cane member 24 has holes or openings 25 that are formed therein. The holes 25 may be positioned such that they are diametrically-opposed on opposing sides of the cane member 24. There may be one, two or more sets of diametrically-opposed holes 25 that are periodically positioned in a longitudinal manner along the length of the cane member 24. In another embodiment, the holes 25 are alternating holes on opposing sides of the cane member 24 such that the holes 25 are not diametrically-opposed. The placement of the diametrically-opposed or alternating holes 25 may, for example, be ½ inch, 1 inch, or 2 inches apart, or any other appropriate length. The holes 25 are shaped and positioned to receive a spring-loaded pin 34 (
The cane member 24 and inner member 18 are capable of telescopically receiving a foot member 20. The foot member 20 may include at least one spring-loaded pin 34. The spring-loaded pin(s) may be located on opposites sides of the foot member 20, in either a diametrically-opposed or alternating position. The foot member 20 can be inserted into the inner member 18 and up into the cane member 24. The spring-loaded pins 34 of the foot member 20 can be inserted into at least one of the holes 25 of the cane member 24. Once inserted, the spring-loaded pins remain in place to keep the crutch/cane assembly 10 intact while in use. The spring-loaded pins 34 can be released by applying pressure to the pins until they are disengaged from the holes 25 in the cane member 24. The foot member 20 can then be moved up or down within the inner member 18 and the cane member 24 to re-insert the spring-loaded pins 34 in different holes 25 to adjust to the height of a crutch user. Once re-inserted, the spring-loaded pins 34 will remain in place until a user wishes to readjust the crutch/cane assembly 10 or to convert the crutch/cane assembly into a cane for use in cane mode. In alternative embodiments, the foot member 20 may be attached to the cane member 24 using a bolt 26 and wing nut 28 combination.
In some embodiments, the inner member 18 may also contain at least one hole 35 that is formed therein, as shown in
The first and second elongated members 12, 14, the inner member 18, the cane member 24, and the foot member 20 are preferably hollow metal tubes of any suitable diameter for providing both strength and lightness. The metal tubes may be made from aluminum, steel, titanium, combinations thereof or any other suitable material. The arm support 16 includes an arm support cover that is adjacent to and partially surrounds a plastic article for receiving the ends of the elongated members 12, 14. Alternatively, the article for receiving the ends of the elongated members 12, 14 may be metal and the ends of the elongated members 12, 14 can be welded to the article. The arm support cover may be made from petroleum-based rubber, foam rubber or any other suitable material. The arm support cover is designed to provide comfortable support to the user of the crutch. The arm support cover may also include padding to make the arm support 16 even more comfortable for a user.
The grip 30 may be an orthopedic grip designed to fit to the shape of a hand, or alternatively, a smooth cylindrical grip. The grip 30 may include an outer covering that is comprised of a textured rubber material that is stronger and more durable than the rubber of the arm support cover. Preferably, the grip is water resistant. The outer covering may surround a hollow cylinder for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt. The hollow cylinder may be comprised of plastic or any other type of suitable material for receiving a fastener. In one embodiment, the grip is fitted for the size of a user's hand and is smaller than the arm support. Thus, the present invention provides a user the full benefit of a cane with an easily gripable hand piece and a crutch with an arm support that is larger and more comfortable when placed under the arm. A wrist strap (not shown) may also be attached to the grip 30. The wrist strap may be made of any suitable material that allows a user to release the grip 30 of the cane in order to have a free hand but keeps the cane easily graspable when it is needed again.
The foot member 20 includes a base 22 on one end that engages with the walking surface. The base 22 of the foot member 20 may be a single or multi-pod foot.
Alternatively, the foot member 20 may include a ball-and-socket joint 44, as shown in
Turning to
After the cane has been assembled, the cane can be converted back into the crutch/cane assembly 10 for use in crutch mode. To convert the cane back into the crutch/cane assembly 10 while in cane mode, the cane can be disassembled by releasing the spring-loaded pins or other means of connecting the foot member 20 and the cane member 24 and removing the foot member 20 from within the cane member 24. Once the foot member 20 is removed from the cane member 24, the first and second ends of the grip of the cane member can be removably attached to the upper portions of the first and second elongated members. The first and second ends can be removably attached using the bolt 26 and wing nut 28 combination, the spring-loaded device 32, or any other device or means of attachment known in the art.
The foot member 20 can then be telescopically inserted into the inner member 18 and the bottom portion of the cane member 24. Once inserted, the foot member 18 can be detachably connected to the bottom portion of the cane member 24 by inserting at least one spring-loaded pin 34 into at least one of the holes 25 in the cane member 24. Additionally, if the inner member 18 contains holes 35, then the spring-loaded pin(s) 34 may be inserted into the hole(s) 25 of the cane member 24 and the holes 35 of the inner member 18. Alternatively, the foot member 20 may be detachably connected to the bottom portion of the cane member 24 or inner member 18 using any other device or means of connecting known in the art.
When the present invention is intact as the crutch/cane assembly 10 or converted into the cane 60, the components described above are in substantial alignment along the vertical axis, and no component is required to be at an angle with the vertical axis.
While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following embodiments.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/630,913, filed Nov. 24, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60630913 | Nov 2004 | US |
