Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Canes – sticks – crutches – and walking aids – Crutches
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-11-13
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Canes, sticks, crutches, and walking aids
Crutches
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314977
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to orthopedic crutches, and more particularly to a crutch having an adjustable height hand grip.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Orthopedic crutches are used to help stabilize a user. In general a crutch includes an arm support which is meant to fit at the under arm of a user and extends to terminal portion which rests against the floor. Usually the crutch includes a wishbone section which flares somewhere between a quarter and half way up the crutch height to provide a broader section, which accommodates a handgrip. A hand grip may be used to help bear the weight of the user, and may be mounted for example by a pin extending from one side vertical support to a second side vertical support. In the past, adjustability has been provided for crutches, by wing nuts, for example, which are unscrewed from the pin so that the pin may be readjusted into a different level of opening in the side vertical supports.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, an orthopedic crutch is provided which has a pair of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical, and preferably tubular vertical supports attached at a open upper end to an arm support, and converging together at a lower end for attachment to a single tubular leg and foot.
Each of the vertical supports has a plurality of spaced-apart pairs of apertures in the longitudinal inner surface; i.e. the apertures at least open toward each other and may extend all the way through the tubular vertical supports. A handgrip is provided which is easily adjustable and which self engages the next available hole in order to simplify adjustment of the crutch member.
In particular in accordance with the invention, an adjustable hand support is provided, which extends between the two vertical support members. This support preferably includes a handgrip which provides for cushioning of the users hand as well as a surface which is easily engaged. On either end, the support includes a circular or semi-circular collar, which at least partially surrounds the support member. More preferably, the collar totally surrounds the circular member in order to avoid bowing of the vertical supports.
Each side of the support member includes a slidable yoke member having a sleeve which surrounds the horizontal part of the support and which extends over the inner portion of the collar so as to augment the collar's contact with the inner longitudinal surface of the vertical support. The yoke includes an inner protrusion which activates a steel detent pin. The pin extends through a hole in the collar to engage a notch of the steel pin enclosed in the center of the support. The pin engages one of the holes on the vertical support and thereby lock the handgrip in a desired height position. The detent pin is spring loaded into an outward position so as to engage the hole. The detent can be withdrawn from the locked position by means of thumb prints on the collar which are pushed inward (i.e. toward the longitudinal axis of the crutch) in order to disengage the detent pin from the hole. Once the pin is disengaged from the aperture, the outer surface of the longitudinal member will keep the collar in a retracted position until the next available hole is hit. At this position, the collar snaps back into the outward position and the pin locks the handgrip into the desired hand position. In order to facilitate the cooperation between the collar and the yoke member, the collar includes a flattened guide way which is engaged by opposing legs of the yoke member to provide a track way for the retraction of the yoke member.
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Gilles Paul C.
Obitts Shane
Wysocki Kevin S.
Chin-Shue Alvin
Hudak & Shunk Co. L.P.A.
Invacare Corporation
Purol Sarah
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