Patent Application
20230320922
The present invention relates generally to mobility assistance devices, and more particularly, to an ergonomic crutch with underarm shock absorber support.
Crutches are known in the art and are an effective means for supporting a user while walking. Traditional crutch designs incorporate similar structural configurations including a frame, an underarm support member and a hand grip member.
Various problems exist with the use of traditional crutches such as discomfort, fatigue and strain on other areas of a user's body. These problems may prevent the user from using a crutch for prolonged periods of time and may cause issues such as inconvenience and risk of injury. Traditional crutch designs can cause pain and discomfort due to lack of proper support and configuration appropriate for a user's particular height or weight. Some crutch users attempt to remedy these problems by creating makeshift modifications to a crutch which can further exacerbate the problems and cause other safety concerns.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an ergonomic crutch with underarm shock absorber support that can provide increased safety, security, support and comfort to the crutch user.
The disclosure of the present application comprises an ergonomic crutch with underarm shock absorber support having a hollow body, a lower support member, and upper support member and in internal shock absorber. The crutch further includes an underarm support member and an underarm support core. The lower support member and upper support member may be adjusted to increase or decrease the length of the crutch and the underarm support core exchanged for cores of various sizes and durometers to accommodate the height and weight of different users.
It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity.
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. There are also representative examples of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numeral refers to the same elements in all figures.
The present invention provides an ergonomic crutch with underarm shock absorber support that aids a user while walking. Referring to
A hand grip support 20 is affixed to a section of the hollow body 10 and a hand grip 22 is disposed on the hand grip support 20 providing stability and control to the crutch user while walking. There is a shock absorber 30 disposed inside a portion of the hollow body 10 configured to absorb a user's weight.
An upper support member 40 is housed inside the upper end 18 and configured to extend and retract adjusting the length of the crutch. The upper support member 40 extends away from the hollow body 10 at about a 45° angle and locks in position via an upper locking mechanism 34. An underarm support member 42 is connected to the upper support member 40 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the hollow body 10. An underarm cushion 44 is disposed on the underarm support member 42 to provide additional comfort and support to the user. The underarm support member 42 includes a first pivot point 46 and a second pivot point 48 forming an aperture 52 between the upper support member 40 and the underarm support member 42. A removeable underarm support core 50 is housed inside the aperture 52.
The underarm support core 50 may be substantially circular shape. The underarm support core 50 may be replaced by other cores of varying sizes and durometers to accommodate users of different size and weight. The underarm support core 50 also helps keep the underarm support member 42 substantially perpendicular to the hollow body 10 and substantially parallel to a walking surface.
The underarm cushion 44 may be elevated and suspended above the underarm support member 42 and made of a foam with flexible urethane core, or the like, for increased comfort. The underarm support member 42 may include attached ends of a rigid urethane support with some spring to flex and allow more movement that adapts to the user.
It should be appreciated that a unique feature of the present disclosure is that shock absorber 30 is housed in a portion of hollow body 10 and is elevated from the walking surface. This helps keep the shock mechanism out of snow, puddles, dirt and the like to maximize its functionality and increase its longevity. Another feature considered unique to the present disclosure is the ability to remove the lower support member 12 and upper support member 42 and replace with other members of various functions and features for additional customization of the crutch.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
