EP3919037B1

EP3919037B1 - Crutches connected by magnetic means

Info

Publication number: EP3919037B1
Application number: EP20713061.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gregorio HERNANDEZ LÓPEZ
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Hernandez Lopez Gregorio; Sanchez Quintana Ana Isabel
Priority date: 2019-01-29
Filing date: 2020-01-29
Publication date: 2023-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-29
Also published as: EP3919037A1; ES1229391U; ES1229391Y; WO2020157358A1; ES2945883T3

Description

TECHNICAL OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention relates to a device designed for provisionally mating crutches such that they remain in stable equilibrium by themselves or can be supported against a wall, table, chair, or even be hung from any hook, frame or projection, with the important advantage that the user may free up one or both hands to perform any common operation and retrieve the two crutches, at the same time, as soon as needed, without the help of another person.

SECTOR OF THE ART TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The invention affects the Human Necessities Sector of the Personal or Domestic Articles chapter in the Personal Use Articles section, and also the Health, Life Savings and Amusement chapter in the Medical Sciences section according to the International Patent Classification (IPC). From the industrial point of view, it relates to the manufacture or fitting-out of orthopaedic accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known numerous background documents relating to this issue and formally registered as patents or utility models from which it is readily understood that the crutch, also known in some spheres as the English cane, is an indispensable orthopaedic accessory for certain situations in which those who are affected by certain accidents or incidents require one support or two complementary supports to walk.

By way of example, some documents are mentioned below which are closely related to the object of this invention:

DE20104363 U1	Flat magnet system, male-female system and system with Velcro^®. All located at the end of the grip.
DE3530387 A1	Flat magnet system in grip and Velcro^® in the forearm supports
DE2847732 A1	Magnet system at the end of the grip
EP0467854 A1	Mechanical attachment system in the grip and three-point support.
DE9104983 U	Velcro^® at the end of the grip.
FR2589694 A3	Flat magnets at the end of the grip
DE20116781 U	Velcro^® at the end of the grip
ES0205863 U	Differently sized hexagons acting as grip and one is inserted into the other
ES0205980 U	Mechanical system of a male-female system by means of grooving

The first, second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh inventions have in common the need to position the crutches facing one another by their handgrips.
The mentioned fifth invention describes a solution in which the crutches must also be facing one another and are fastened together by means of Velcro^®.
The mentioned eighth invention describes a solution in which the handgrips are male-female polygonal handgrips with immobilising magnets. A special shape of the elbow guards is also proposed so that once they are attached, they are stable in the inverted position.
The mentioned ninth invention applies a solution similar to the eighth invention but with male-female handgrips with grooving that are so precisely coupled together that it is very uncomfortable and slow to couple them.
While in most cases it is true that solutions using magnets are sought, what the present document describes, by using diametric instead of axial magnets, brings together a series of benefits and advantages that constitute an interesting novelty as they can be coupled together in a number of ways, taking up little space and being economically manufactured. That is, the inventor does not know of any other registered solution that brings together the advantageous features of the crutches described herein.
Document SE8301734A0 describes a coat of the type used in pairs as a walking aid by persons with injuries or weakness in the legs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated in the introduction, the object of the present invention consists of a device which provisionally solves the mating of crutches such that they remain in stable equilibrium by themselves, leaving them, very close to the user, supported against a wall, table, chair, the edge of the bed, on a stair or even hanging from any hook, frame or projection, with the important advantage that the user may free up one or both hands to perform any common operation and retrieve the two crutches at the same time, as soon as needed, without the help of other people. Even when not mated together, the crutches can be adhered to ferromagnetic metal elements such as cars, fences, railings and others.
Conventional crutches are independent, have an unstable equilibrium, and present the serious drawback of falling when they are supported against anything. Thus, in order to avoid causing noise or bothering those surrounding the user, he or she places them on the ground with the added problem that, in addition to being an obstacle to others, they are hard for the user to retrieve because he or she has problems bending down due to his or her injuries.
They are most often supported in a corner, taking advantage of the horseshoe shape of the forearm supports, but since there are two crutches, it is hard to find two corners close to one another.
As a result, the inventor proposes a device with several embodiments which allows a rapid mating of the crutches in various ways and always presenting a stable equilibrium whether they are in the normal position, the inverted position or hanging on any projection.
The solution herein described uses magnets with the particularity that they are not flat or axial but rather cylindrical-shaped diametric-type magnets, particularly having the freedom to move around inside the handgrips which form their natural containing element since they are hollow.
In alternative manufacturing methods, also diametric-type fixed magnets, or any other type of magnets, are placed in the forearm supports or cuffs, considerably reinforcing the attachment of the crutches, allowing them to be comfortably, securely and very reliably transported, and quite substantially improving their stability when supported against any type of surface.
With the device of the present invention, crutches can be mated:

With their handgrips facing one another (at their free ends).
With the base (free end) of one handgrip placed on the side surface of the other one.
With the handgrips attached in the parallel position (along their side surfaces). Normal position and inverted position.
With the handgrips and forearm supports or cuffs attached, the handgrips forming an acute angle.

The idea of the inventor is to provide a solution for:

conventional crutches already in shops, clinics and hospitals, public centres for the elderly, in the possession of individuals; and
crutches that are newly manufactured for the same uses.

In the first case, solutions for the adhesion or introduction of magnets in the grips and forearm supports or cuffs are adopted, and in the second case, the crutches are manufactured by means of special moulds and magnets particularly designed for achieving the maximum performance, which have a good outer appearance due to a better design and finish.
Schematic drawings and a detailed description of the embodiments of the invention are included in the following sections.
The advantages achieved with any of the proposed solutions are very important compared to the investment required. The most significant advantages are:

Crutches are prevented from falling;
Securely supporting the crutches anywhere is facilitated;
The user can free up one hand by attaching the two crutches without having to find a support location and without having to adopt postures that are not ergonomic;
No attention must be given to placing them in a certain way;
The crutches can be as close as possible to the person using them without having to request the help of a third party;
The two crutches can be integral with one another with a firm and secure attachment to enable moving them with just one hand; and
The crutches can be supported, without being mated, on ferromagnetic metal objects.

Additionally, the solution herein described allows, if one of the two crutches of a user (with mobility limitations) falls to the ground, said user is able retrieve it using the other crutch by the magnetic means integrated in both crutches (both the magnets of the grips and the magnets at the ends of the forearm supports or cuffs), avoiding having to bend down for it. This solution will also allow the user to retrieve metal objects that may have fallen, such as keys, by the magnetic means (both the magnets of the grips and the magnets at the ends of the forearm supports or cuffs) which either of the two crutches incorporates.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Eleven schematic figures are included to make it easier to understand the invention.

Figure 1
This figure depicts a pair of crutches attached in the facing position, the following elements being indicated:

1.-

Crutches

2.-

Grip

3.-

Forearm support or cuff

4.-

Leg section

5.-

Ferrule or tip
Figure 2
This figure depicts the detail of the attachment of two grips in the facing position by means of the solution conceived by the inventor. The following is marked:

6.-

Cavity

7.-

Cylindrical magnet

8.-

Cover
Figure 3
This figure schematically depicts the case of the crutches attached by the grips in the perpendicular position.
Figure 4
This figure depicts the detail of the attachment of two grips in the perpendicular position.
Figure 5
This figure schematically depicts the case of the crutches attached by the grips in the adjacent position.
Figure 6
This figure depicts a partial perspective view of the attachment of two grips in the adjacent position.
Figure 7
This figure depicts a section view of the detail of the attachment of two grips in the adjacent position.
Figure 8
This figure schematically depicts the case of the crutches attached by the grips and by the forearm supports.
Figure 9
This figure depicts a sectioned detail of the attachment by the grips of the preceding figure.
Figure 10
This figure depicts the complete detail of the attachment by the grips and by the forearm supports.
- 9.- Angle α
- 10.- Plane of junction
Figure 11
This figure schematically depicts the case of the crutches attached by the grips in the adjacent position and placed in an inverted stable position on the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Crutches that can be mated by magnetic means (Figures 1 to 11) consisting of conventional crutches which are complemented or manufactured with the incorporation of magnetic means to enable occasionally attaching them to one another, such that once they are attached by magnetic means, they remain in stable equilibrium by themselves or can be supported anywhere nearby with the important advantage that the user may free up one or both hands in order to perform any operation and retrieve the two crutches, at the same time, as soon as needed without the help of third parties.
A first embodiment preferred by the inventor mainly relates to newly manufactured crutches (1) with a special design exclusively affecting the handgrip (2) or along with the latter, the forearm cuff (3).
With regard to a the handgrip (2), it is designed such that in its front part, farthest away from the leg section (4), there is a cavity (6) intended for housing a cylindrical, diametric-type neodymium magnet (7) which, because of its size, can move around with complete freedom inside the cavity (6) which is closed by means of a cover (8).
This arrangement allows the mating of the two crutches (1) by simple approximation, which can be done according to the modalities designated as: facing, perpendicular and adjacent.
The modality of facing crutches (1) is schematically depicted in Figure 1, in which it can be observed that the handgrips (2) are aligned along their longitudinal axis as if one crutch (1) were the mirror image of the other one. Figure 2 depicts a section of the handgrips (2), in which it can be seen that the magnets (7) are very close to one another, by mutual attraction, with their axes oriented in the vertical direction due to their diametric-type magnetisation. Their freedom of movements inside the cavity (6) allows the magnets (7) to be oriented with the side surfaces of the cylinders very close to one another, resulting in the two crutches (1) being attached to each other, forming a single structure.
The modality of perpendicular crutches (1) is schematically depicted in Figure 3, in which it can be observed that the handgrips (2) are forming an angle equal or close to 90 degrees. Figure 4 depicts a section of the handgrips (2) in which it can be seen that the magnets (7) are also very close to one another with the axes of the cylinders and their generatrices oriented in parallel and horizontally.
The modality of adjacent crutches (1) is schematically depicted in Figure 5, in which it can be observed that the handgrips (2) are parallel to one another. Figures 6 and 7 show views of the handgrips (2) in their adjacent modality, in perspective and section views, where the position of the magnets (7), which are always diametric-type, with their axes and generatrices being horizontal, are observed.
Although these three modalities involve, as previously indicated, the formation of a single structure, a fourth, more complete modality with greater structural strength is contemplated in which not only the handgrips (2) but also the forearm cuffs (3) intervene.
This fourth modality is schematically depicted in Figure 8, the detail being shown in Figure 9, where the vertical position of the magnets (7) can be seen, the cavities (6) and the windows of the handgrips (2) that are closed with covers (8) also being seen.
As a complement to the two preceding figures, Figure 10 is included in which there can be observed the detail of the forearm supports (3), at the ends of which there have been incorporated respective magnets (11), which are what secure the upper attachment of the crutches (1).
Said Figure 10 also depicts the detail of the ends of the forearm cuffs (3), similar to truncated pyramids with a rectangular base, where a very special feature of the invention is indicated, defined by the angle α (9) of convergence, which is required for there to be perfect contact between the planes of junction (10) of the forearm cuffs (3) and the ends of the handgrips (2). The ends of the forearm cuffs (3) can be similar to truncated pyramids with a rectangular base or can have any other shape ensured to define the angle α (9) of convergence for there to be perfect contact between the planes of junction (10) of the forearm cuffs (3) and the ends of the handgrips (2). Said angle α (9) of convergence is defined by an inner face and an outer face of the end of the forearm cuff (3), and the plane of junction (10) is defined by the outer face of the ends of the forearm cuffs (3). These magnets (11) can be inserted in the ends themselves of the forearm cuffs (3) or can be externally fixed to the outer surface of the ends of the forearm cuffs (3).
To prevent the diametric magnets (7) housed in the handgrips (2) from generating noise when the crutches (1) are moved, both the cavities (6) and the inner part of the covers (8) are covered with a thin damping sheet, where it could also be chosen to cover only the mentioned diametric magnets (7) to achieve the same effect.
All the described modalities allow the attachment of both crutches (1) with the advantage of achieving very stable positions by combining the friction effect of the ferrules or tips (5) on the ground, with the support against walls, furniture, steps, railings, or anywhere else, and also hanging them from a hanger or projection of the type existing in homes. Added to that advantage is being able to get the two crutches (1), in a single act, without needing to bend down and without help from others, conferring upon the user a very notable increase in autonomy.
Figure 11 depicts another comfortable and stable position consisting of placing the crutches inverted on the ground once they are attached according to the modality of adjacent grips. The attached and inverted crutches can be placed on the ground or other support surface in any of the modalities described above, i.e., with the handgrips facing, adjacent or perpendicular to one another.
As indicated above, it is also possible to stably support the crutches (1), without being mated, against objects or surfaces having ferromagnetic properties, such as cars, public transport vehicles, fences, railings or the like. Said support would be done through the magnets (7) located in the handgrips (2) and/or the magnets (11) located in the forearm cuffs (3).
Finally, the inventor does not rule out a simple solution applicable to existing crutches, which consists of using flat magnets or magnet and ferromagnetic plate pairs, which are stuck in the handgrips (2) and in the forearm cuffs (3) by means of double-sided adhesive bands.
It is not considered necessary to extend the content of this description so that a person skilled in the art may comprehend the scope and the advantages derived from the invention, as well as to develop and implement the object thereof. However, it must be understood that the invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment thereof; it may therefore be susceptible to modifications without affecting or changing the basis of said invention in any way. That is, the terms in which this preferred description of the invention has been expressed must always be considered in a broad and non-limiting manner. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Crutches that can be mated by magnetic means, consisting of conventional crutches in which each crutch (1) incorporates magnetic means (7,11) configured for occasionally attaching the crutches to one another such that they remain in stable equilibrium by themselves and can be supported anywhere, wherein each crutch (1) comprises a handgrip (2) having a cavity (6) at its end farthest away from a leg section (4), where a cylindrical-shaped, diametric-type, preferably neodymium magnet (7) is housed inside the cavity (6) which is closed by means of a cover (8), wherein the crutches (1) are provided with other set of magnets formed by respective magnets (11) which are placed at respective ends of a forearm support (3) of the crutch (1) characterised in that the magnet (7) is able to move with complete freedom inside the cavity (6) and wherein the magnets (11) in the forearm support (3) are similar to truncated pyramids with a rectangular base, with the ends defining an angle α (9) of convergence, such that when the forearm supports (3) are perfectly coupled according to a plane of junction (10), the contact of the ends of the handgrips (2) also occurs.
The crutches that can be mated by magnetic means according to claim 1, characterised in that the cavity (6) and the cover (8) are internally covered with a damping sheet.
The crutches that can be mated by magnetic means according to claim 1, characterised in that the magnets (7) are covered with a damping sheet.
The crutches that can be mated by magnetic means according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the angle α (9) of convergence is defined by an inner face and an outer face of the end of the forearm support (3) and the plane of junction (10) is defined by the outer face of the ends of the forearm supports (3).
The crutches that can be mated by magnetic means according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the magnets (11) of the other set of magnets are diametric-type magnets.
The crutches that can be mated by magnetic means according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the magnets (11) are housed inside the ends of the forearm supports (3).