ES2632460B1 - Enhanced Folding Crutch - Google Patents

Abstract

Improved folding crutch (1) comprising: a telescopic rod (2); a handle piece (3) with a handle (31) that forms a right angle with the rod (2); a section (4) of forearm support with a clamping piece (41) that forms a right angle with the section (4) of support, where the handle piece (3) comprises a base (32) with a lower side ( 32i) coupled to an upper portion (2s) of the shank (2) and an upper side (32s) rotatably coupled to a lower portion (4i) of the forearm support section (4), so that the Crutch (1) has an unfolded position where the shank (2) and the forearm support section (4) are aligned, and a folded position where the shank (2) and the forearm support section (4) are parallel between yes already the handle (31).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Improved folding crutch OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains in general to the field of support elements for people with some type of hindrance in a lower limb.

The object of the present invention is a folding crutch that has improved characteristics in relation to similar crutches currently known.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present there is a large number of support elements of a cane or crutch type for people with some type of impairment in a lower limb. These support elements are generally formed by an elongated piece, or cane, which has a lower portion configured to rest on the floor and an upper portion configured so that the user rests on it. Normally, the end of the lower portion of the cane has a support piece on the ground, for example a rubber stopper or the like. The end of the upper portion of the shank usually includes a handle that protrudes essentially perpendicularly to allow the user to grab it and rest on it. The user thus unloads part of his weight on the arm resting on the handle, lightening the weight that rests on at least one of its lower extremities. The English cane is a particular type of support element that additionally comprises a section for the support of the forearm that protrudes from the upper end of the cane, and which has at its upper end a piece for the support of the forearm of generally circular open shape.

The support elements have the disadvantage that they occupy a large amount of space. Note that the use of these elements is often intermittent: they can be used for a short period of time because of an injury and then should be stored for months or years until a new injury requires its use. Also people who use one of these elements on a regular basis should save it on certain occasions. Therefore, it would be interesting to get them to somehow decrease the volume they occupy during the stages in which they are not being used.

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To solve this problem, there are currently various designs of folding support elements. The folding of the cane is usually done by means of a telescopic mechanism, which greatly shortens the larger dimension of the crutch. The arrangement of a joint between the rod and the forearm support section is also known, so that it can be folded over one another until they are parallel. Additionally, an articulation can also be arranged at the joint between the handle and the shaft to arrange the handle parallel to the shaft, as well as another joint at the joint between the forearm support piece and the end of the upper portion. As an example of this type of elements, mention can be made of document US 5771910, which describes a folding English cane which constitutes the prior art closest to the folding crutch of the present invention.

A drawback of the folding cane described in US 57719010 is related to the complexity of the mechanism. In fact, this prior art folding cane has three independent joints (folding of the handle, folding of the forearm support piece, folding the cane on the forearm support section) and a telescopic mechanism (retraction of the cane). Therefore, to perform the complete folding of this cane it is necessary to carry out at least four steps: first, to retract the telescopic rod mechanism; second, fold the rod over the support section of the forearm until both are parallel; third, fold the handle; and fourth, fold the forearm support piece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above problems thanks to a new improved folding crutch whose folding mechanism is much simpler than that described in US 57719010. Specifically, the folding mechanism has only two joints and a telescopic mechanism. In addition, the two joints are operated simultaneously, so that the number of steps required to fold this crutch is reduced to two: retract the rod; and fold the cane and the forearm support section until they are arranged in parallel. Therefore, an important advantage of the crutch of the present invention is that it has a simpler and faster folding mechanism. Another additional advantage is that its reduced weight and volume in the folded state.

In this document, the terms "superior", "inferior", "forward", "behind", "lateral", and others

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similar are interpreted, unless the context advises otherwise, taking into account the natural position of the crutch during use: vertical and perpendicular to the ground.

In this document, an "approximately right" angle refers to an angle close to a right angle but which may include small deviations in relation to an angle of exactly 90 °. For example, the right angle that forms the handle with the rod refers to a suitable angle to allow the user to rest with his hand on the handle in a comfortable way and avoiding slipping. Similarly, the right angle formed by the forearm support piece in relation to the forearm section refers to a suitable angle to hold the patient's forearm and prevent it from sliding laterally. Both admit a certain deviation from a right angle.

In this document, it is considered that the cane and the forearm support section are “essentially aligned” even when there is a small deviation between them. In fact, it is known in the art that the support section of the forearm may be tilted slightly backwards in relation to the direction of the shaft in order to allow a more ergonomic position of the user during the use of the crutch. This inclination can be between a few degrees up to about 20 °.

In this document, the term "rotating joint" refers to a joint that allows the rotation of one element relative to another within a plane. That is, it is an articulation with a single degree of freedom.

The present invention is directed to an improved folding crutch that essentially comprises the following elements: shank, handle piece and forearm support section. Next, each of these elements is described in greater detail.

a) Cane

It is a telescopic rod that has an extended position and a retracted position. For this, the cane will be formed by a plurality of telescopic sections capable of being introduced into each other. To adjust the total length of the shank, at least the lower section will comprise at least one outward spring-driven protuberance and the immediately following section will comprise a series of normally aligned holes

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equiespaciados. In this way, when the protuberance is introduced in one or the other hole, it will be possible to modify the distance of introduction of the lower section in the immediately following section, and therefore also the length of the rod.

b) Handle piece

The handle piece has a handle that forms approximately a right angle with the rod for the support of a user's hand. As mentioned, this angle admits a certain deviation in relation to a right angle as long as it provides firm support that prevents the hand from slipping. The handle piece is usually located adjacent to the upper end of the rod.

c) Forearm support section

The forearm support section has a clamping piece that forms approximately a right angle with the forearm support section to hold a user's forearm. It can be a normally circular forearm support piece with an open side to prevent the forearm from slipping laterally. When the crutch is in the deployed position, the forearm support section constitutes a kind of extension that is essentially aligned with the crutch shaft, although there may be an angle of up to 20 ° between them, as is known in the art. .

The elements described so far are known from various prior art documents. Specifically, US 5771910 describes the technical characteristics of the preamble of the main claim of the present invention.

However, the present invention differs from said document in that the handle piece comprises a base having a lower side and an upper side. The lower side is coupled by a first rotating joint to an upper end of the shaft, while the upper side is coupled by a second rotating joint to a lower end of the forearm support section. Thus, the crutch has an unfolded position where the shaft and the support section of the forearm are essentially aligned, with the shaft approximately perpendicular to the handle, and a folded position where the shaft and the support leg of the forearm are

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approximately parallel to each other and to the handle.

Therefore, with this configuration the base of the handle piece constitutes the key element to which the rod and the support section of the forearm are rotatably connected. Thus, once the telescopic rod mechanism is retracted, the user can complete the folding of the crutch with a single movement: starting from the deployed position of the crutch, holding the rod with one hand and holding the support section of forearm with the other hand, it is enough to cause a rotation of both in relation to the handle piece until the three elements are arranged in parallel (rod, handle, and forearm support section). It is a simpler and faster mechanism than those described in prior art documents in general, and that described in US 5771910 in particular.

In principle, the first and second joints can be configured in different ways provided that they respectively allow the shank and the forearm support section to rotate relative to the handle piece, so that they can alternate between the deployed position and the position folded For example, the first joint preferably comprises a rod located between two projections on the lower side of the base piece that crosses the shaft through two opposite holes located in the upper portion of said rod. In turn, the second joint preferably comprises a rod located between two projections on the upper side of the base piece that passes through the forearm support section through two opposite holes located in the lower portion of said forearm support section. . In this way, the rod and the forearm support section can rotate around the axes formed by the respective stems.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the crutch further comprises a locking mechanism for immobilizing the shaft and the support section of the forearm in the deployed position. This will prevent the cane or the support section from changing position unpredictably and undesirably during the use of the crutch, which would be very dangerous for the user. This locking mechanism can be configured in different ways, although preferably it comprises at least one pair of holes located respectively in a lateral position of the lower and upper sides of the base, and at least one pair of spring-driven protrusions located respectively in a position lateral of the upper portion of the shank and in a lateral position of the lower portion of the forearm support section. Thus, when the shaft and the lower end of the forearm support section are in the deployed position, the protuberances are aligned

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with the holes and they are introduced in them. The position of the shank and the lower end of the forearm support in relation to the handle piece is fixed and allows a safe use of the crutch. In order to move the crutch from the deployed position to the folded position, the user only has to press the protuberances through the holes, against the force of the spring, to push them back until they exit said holes and thus stop preventing rotation of the cane and the forearm support section.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the crutch further comprises an automatic folding mechanism. It is a mechanism that drives the cane and the forearm support section towards its folded position at all times. For example, the automatic folding mechanism may comprise at least a first torsion spring coupled between the base and the rod tending to move the rod to the folded position, and a second torsion spring coupled between the base and the support section forearm tending to pass the forearm support section to the folded position. Thus, when the locking mechanism described above is unlocked, the two torsion springs automatically cause rotation of the shank and the forearm support section relative to the handle piece, by passing the crutch to the folded position. In addition, in a folded position the rod and the forearm support section will be fixed thanks to the force of said torsion springs, which prevents them from being loose.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, in the deployed position the lower end of the forearm support section contacts the upper end of the shank. The contact between the ends of these two pieces that are essentially aligned allows the transmission of the longitudinal tensions in the crutch, thus improving its mechanical behavior.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the shaft and the support section of the forearm have an essentially oval or elliptical cross section. This allows the volume occupied by the crutch of the invention to be reduced further when it is in its folded position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figs. 1 and 2 shows an English cane according to the prior art respectively in its deployed position and its folded position.

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Fig. 3 shows an example of a crutch according to the present invention in an unfolded position.

Fig. 4 shows the example of a crutch according to the present invention in the folded position.

Fig. 5 shows the example of crutch according to the present invention in partially folded position.

Fig. 6 shows a detail of the handle piece of the example of crutch according to the present invention in the deployed position.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of the handle piece of the example of crutch according to the present invention in folded position.

Fig. 8 shows a detail of the lower portion of the forearm section of a crutch according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a detail of the spring driven protrusions arranged in the end portions of the shank and the forearm support section of a crutch according to the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows a detail of the upper portion of the forearm support section of the crutch example according to the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows a detail of the height adjustment zone of the cane.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figs. 3-5 show views of an English cane type crutch (1) according to the present invention. The crutch (1) consists essentially of three parts: rod (2), handle piece (3), and forearm support section (4).

The rod (2) is connected to a lower part of the handle piece (3) in a manner that will be described in detail later in this document. The rod (2) formed by four telescopic sections (21, 22, 23, 24) that can be extended or retracted according to a mechanical system generally known in the art. Specifically, each section

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(21, 22, 23, 24) of the rod (2) has at its upper end a protrusion propelled outwards by spring and at its lower end a hole, so that in extended position each protuberance of a section is introduced into the hole in the immediately upper section to block the extended position. As is also common in the art, one of the sections (22) has a plurality of holes aligned so that the corresponding protuberance of the immediately lower section (21) can be selectively introduced into the one that is most suitable according to the crutch height (1 ) that is needed (see Fig. 11).

In this specific example, the holes in the second section (22) of the shaft (2) are arranged at intervals of 2.5 cm, so that the distance between the ground and the handle (31) can vary between 70 cm ( for users of approximately 1.55 m) and 90 cm (for users of approximately 1.95 m). This rod (2) also has the peculiarity of having an oval or elliptical cross section. This has the advantage that the volume of the crutch (1) in the folded position decreases.

The forearm support section (4) is connected to an upper part of the handle part (3) in a manner that will be described later in this document. The section (4) of the forearm support generally adopts the shape of a bar or tube with an oval or elliptical section and has a forearm fastener part (41) that forms essentially a right angle with an area adjacent to its upper end. said bar or tube. The forearm support piece (41) can take a semi-cylinder shape or the like to surround the user's forearm and prevent it from sliding or slipping.

The handle part (3) is arranged between the upper portion (2s) of the shank (2) and the lower portion (4i) of the forearm support section (4). The handle part (3) is essentially formed by an essentially rectangular or square base (32) whose central area essentially emerges in a perpendicular handle (31). The handle (31) has an ergonomic shape designed for the user to support the hand with the maximum comfort possible. The base (32) provides support for the handle (31) and also serves to connect with the rod (2) and the support section (4) of the forearm. In this example, the base (32) has a small curvature or change of direction to make the forearm support section (4) form a small angle with the shaft (2), for example about 20 °, for the purpose to get user support as ergonomic as possible.

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The way in which the base (32) is connected to the shaft (2) and the forearm support section (4) is now described. The base (32) has a lower side (32i) of whose corners protrude downward, that is, essentially in the plane of the base itself (32) a pair of projections between which a rod (52) is located. This rod (52), in turn, laterally crosses the upper portion (2s) of the rod (2) through two holes made for this purpose (see Figs. 6-8). In this example, the rod (52) is fixed to the rod (2) so that it is integral with it. Thus, the rod (2) can be rotated around this rod (52) between an unfolded position, such as that shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, in which it essentially forms a right angle with the handle (31), and a folded position, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 7, in which it is essentially parallel to the handle (31). The connection between the forearm support section (4) and the base (32) is carried out by means of a rod (51) in a manner similar to that described for the connection between the base (32) and the shaft (2). The result is that both can rotate around their respective rods (52) to pass between the deployed position and the folded position.

In addition, the base (32) comprises a locking mechanism in the deployed position of the crutch (1) to prevent it from being folded undesirably during use by the user. This locking mechanism is formed by spring-driven protrusions (71, 72) arranged on the sides respectively of the upper portion (2s) of the shaft (2) and the lower portion (4i) of the support section (4) of the forearm, and corresponding holes (61, 62) located respectively on the sides of the lower side (32i) of the base (32) and the sides of the upper side (32s) of the base (32). Fig. 9 shows an example of configuration of the protuberances (71, 72) as pairs that protrude on both sides of the piece (2, 4) in question and are driven by an inner spring. The relative positions of the protuberances (71, 72) and the holes (61, 62) are designed so that, when the cane (2) and the forearm support section (4) pass to their folded position, one and the other remain aligned, so that the inner spring will propel the protuberances (71, 72) into the holes (61, 62). The rod (2) and the forearm support section (4) will thus be locked in the deployed position. To fold the crutch (1) of the invention, the user only has to press the protuberances (71, 72) and rotate the rod (2) and / or the forearm support section (4) towards the folded position.

The base (32) also includes an automatic folding mechanism that helps to fold the crutch (1) and prevents the rod (2) and the forearm support section (4) from being loose when they are not locked in the deployed position of the mode that has been described. This

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Automatic folding mechanism is implemented by two pairs of torsion springs (81, 82) each of which is arranged at the ends of the stems (51, 52). In this example, the springs (81, 82) are rigidly fixed to the stems (51, 52) in a conventional manner by introducing one end thereof into a hole made for this purpose at the ends of the stems (51, 52). The opposite end of the springs (81, 82) is fixed to the base (32) by its support on a base flange (32). These springs are pre-compressed, so that they exert at all times a torque on the shaft (2) and the forearm support section (4) that tends to rotate them towards their folded position. Therefore, when the user has pressed the protuberances (71, 72) to unlock the folded position of the crutch (1), the torque exerted by the springs (81, 82) causes the rod (2) and the section (4) Forearm support move to its folded position automatically.

Note that on the crutch (1) of Figs. 3-5 the base (32) is covered by a trim that conceals some of the elements of the folding mechanism, such as the ends of the stems (51, 52) and the springs (81, 82). In Figs. 7, that bezel has been removed to allow a complete view of all relevant elements.

Finally, the process of folding a crutch (1) as described in the previous lines is briefly described. If starting from an unfolded position in which the locking mechanism is activated, the user must first press the protuberances (71, 72) through the holes located on the sides of the base (32). Once the protuberances (71, 72) have descended sufficiently against the force of the internal spring, the shank (2) and the forearm support section (4) begin to rotate towards their folded position because of the torque exerted by the springs (81, 82). Therefore, the crutch (1) automatically reaches its folded position and remains there until the user pushes the rod (2) and the section (4) of the forearm support towards its deployed position again. At some point in this process, usually at the beginning or at the end, the user retracts the telescopic rod mechanism (2), thus reducing its length to approximately a quarter of the maximum length. It can be seen that in the folded position the volume occupied by the crutch (1) is minimal.

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. Improved folding crutch (1), comprising: - a telescopic rod (2) having an extended position and a retracted position; - a handle piece (3) having a handle (31) that forms approximately a right angle with the rod (2) for the support of a user's hand; - a section (4) of forearm support that has a clamping piece (41) that forms approximately a right angle with the section (4) of forearm support to hold a user's forearm; characterized by that The handle piece (3) comprises a base (32) having a lower side (32i) and an upper side (32s), where the lower side (32i) is coupled by a first rotating joint to an upper portion (2s) of the shank (2) and the upper side (32s) is coupled by a second swivel joint to a lower portion (4i) of the forearm support section (4), so that the crutch (1) has an unfolded position where the shank (2) and the support section (4) of the forearm are essentially aligned and where the shank (2) is approximately perpendicular to the handle (31), and a folded position where the rod (2) and the support section (4) of the forearm are approximately parallel to each other and to the handle (31). 2. Improved folding crutch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first swivel joint comprises a first rod (51) located between two projections of the lower side (32i) of the base piece (32) running through the shaft ( 2) through two opposite holes located in the upper portion (2s) of said rod (2), and where the second joint comprises a second rod (52) located between two projections of the upper side (32s) of the piece (32 ) of base that crosses the forearm support section (4) through two opposite holes located in the lower portion (4i) of said forearm support section (4). 3. Improved folding crutch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a locking mechanism to immobilize the shaft (2) and the forearm support section (4) in the deployed position. 4. Improved folding crutch (1) according to claim 3, wherein the mechanism of 12 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 Locking comprises at least one pair of holes (61, 62) located respectively in a lateral position of the lower (32i) and upper (32s) sides of the base (32), and at least one pair of protuberances (71, 72) spring-loaded respectively located in a lateral position of the upper portion (2s) of the shank (s) and in a lateral position of the lower portion (4i) of the forearm support section (4), so that when the shank (2) and the support section (4) of the forearm are in an unfolded position, the protuberances (7) are aligned with the holes (6) and are inserted therein. 5. Improved folding crutch (1) according to claim 4, further comprising an automatic folding mechanism. 6. Improved folding crutch (1) according to claim 5, wherein the automatic folding mechanism comprises at least a first torsion spring (81) coupled between the base (32) and the rod (2) tending to pass the rod (2) to the folded position and a second torsion spring (82) coupled between the base (32) and the forearm support section (4) tending to pass the forearm support section (4) to the position folded 7. Improved folding crutch (1) according to any of the claims anterior where, in the deployed position, the lower end of the forearm support section (4) contacts the upper end of the shank (2). 8. Improved folding crutch (1) according to any of the claims above, where the cane (2) and the forearm support section (4) have a section transverse essentially oval or elliptical.