FR3073735A1 - PAIR OF ENGLISH CANNES - Google Patents

Abstract

Pair of English canes intended to take a substantially vertical position when they are not used by the user, an English cane (1) comprises a rod (2) of longitudinal axis (X, X ') equipped at its distal end with a support pad (3) and at its proximal end a handle (4), characterized in that each of the English canes (1) comprises a connection means (5) complementary to each other and a support element (6) whose distal end is intended to rest on the ground when the stands are in a substantially vertical position.

Description

PAIR OF ENGLISH CANES

The present invention relates to a pair of English rods, more specifically means allowing their connection and their maintenance in a substantially vertical position, when they are not used for the movement of the user.

Moving with English Carmelites is essential when you have been the victim of a trauma or an intervention prohibiting the loading on one of the lower limbs.

However, anyone who uses a pair of English canes regularly or occasionally, faces a difficulty when they want to sit down or simply store the canes on a support to have their hands free.

Placing a pair of rods on the ground is particularly cumbersome and poses a risk of falling for other people around, without counting on the additional difficulties of picking them up.

Storing a pair of crutches against a wall or a piece of furniture is not easier, due to their characteristic instabilities, which will necessarily fall at one time or another, and necessarily far from its user, who will have even more hard to get them back.

The primary purpose of orthopedic crutches is to provide autonomy to its user. A pair of English rods therefore needs to be close at hand in order to be easily grasped.

Many devices have been developed in order to keep a pair of unused English rods in a vertical or substantially vertical position, such as tripod systems (FR 2 758 979, FR 2 859 269) or additional crutches (DE 202 03 732, US 3,606,898). However, these solutions are not entirely satisfactory, in particular because they are either too complicated to implement, or too cumbersome once in a substantially vertical position, or their mechanism can be engaged during operation.

The present invention provides an assembly of a pair of English Carmelites in a substantially vertical position when the user does not use them, making it possible to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Thus, a pair of English rods according to the invention is intended to take a substantially vertical position when they are not used by the user, an English carmelike comprises a rod with a longitudinal axis equipped at its distal end with a shoe d support and at its proximal end with a handle, while each of the English Carmelites comprises a means of complementary connection with each other and a support element whose distal end is intended to rest on the ground when the crutches are in a substantially vertical position.

According to one characteristic, the connection means is located at the junction of the rod and the handle.

According to one embodiment, the connection means is a magnetic system.

According to an additional characteristic, the connection means comprises a means for blocking the rotation of the English rods, while the blocking means is advantageously of the tenon-mortise type.

Note that the support element of each of the crutches is preferably pivotally mounted on the corresponding rod to take two positions, namely, a deployed support position and a folded position of non-use, corresponding to the position of use orthopedic crutches.

It should also be noted that each support element is connected to the rod which carries it by means of rotation.

According to one embodiment, the connection of the support element to the rod is located at the distal end of the rod, downstream of the support shoe.

According to another characteristic, a support element comprises a removable connection means to the rod which carries it, while the removable connection means advantageously consists of an open bracket comprising two flexible branches.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings which are given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figures 1 to 3 are views of a pair of English rods, according to one embodiment.

Figure 1 is a perspective view, the English rods being assembled in a substantially vertical position of non-use.

Figure 2 is a magnified perspective view of the junction zones of the rod and the handle.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the distal ends of the rods in two different orientations.

Thus, an English Carmelite (1) commonly called an orthopedic crutch, is commonly presented by a rod (2) of longitudinal axis (X, X ') carrying at one of its ends a support pad (3) intended to come into contact with the ground when walking, and at its other end a handle (4) on which the user rests.

It will be interchangeably used in the description, the terms English cane, cane, orthopedic crutch and crutch to designate the same entity.

A handle (4) of a crutch, of transverse axis (Y, Y ') arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X, X'), is generally ergonomic, intended to support the palm of the hand.

The rod (2) also extends in common, distally with respect to the handle (4) by an antebrachial support (11). This antebrachial support (11) consists of an extension of the palm support handle (4), and forms an angle with the rod (2) so that its distal end can rest on the medial part of the front arm, namely under the user's elbow, by an appropriate cradle.

Note that the structure of an English rod (1) is generally adapted to be ambidextrous.

The transverse axis (Y, Y ') of the handle (4) and the longitudinal axis (X, X') of the rod (2) define a median plane (P) of symmetry of the English rod (1). This median plane (P) defines an inner side of an outer side of the rod relative to the user, it is understood that the change of crutch from one hand to the other, changes the perception of an inner side or on the outside.

The junction of the rod (2), the handle (4) and the extension (12) carrying the antebrachial support (11), forms a support assembly which is generally molded in a single piece of synthetic material , in which is embedded the rod (2), but it could be otherwise, the extension (12) carrying the support of the forearm consists of two adjustable parts.

In general, so that the English rod (1) can adapt to the morphology of the user, in order to obtain an optimal distribution of its weight, the rod (2) is also adjustable in length, by means known such as the assembly of two rod parts (2a, 2b), namely a lower rod (2b) slidably mounted in an upper rod (2a) telescopically, to be locked in the chosen position, by means locking, such as for example, that the upper rod part (2a) comprises a series of locking orifices aligned along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (X, X ') of the rod (2), while the lower rod part (2b) comprises for example a pin provided with a spring.

Let us add that the invention relates to a pair of English rods (1) and means allowing their maintenance in a substantially vertical position, in a position of non-use.

Note that a pair of English rods (1) according to the invention is intended to adapt two positions, namely a non-use position in which the crutches are held in a substantially vertical position, and a position of use.

Note that each of the rods of a pair comprises an upper connection means (5), complementary with each other and a support element (6).

By complementary connection means (5) will be meant the fact that each of the crutches comprises connection means, intended to cooperate with complementary connection means of the other crutch.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the connection means (5) of each of the crutches, are located at the junction of the rod (2), the handle (4) and the extension (12) carrying the antebrachial support (11).

According to the previous embodiment, each of the connection means (5) is located on the same side with respect to the median plane (P), so that when the English Carmelites (1) are assembled one to the other, their respective handles (4) are directed in opposite directions, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In other words, in the position of use of the English rods, the handles (4) being directed in the same direction, the connection means (5) are located on the same side.

In the non-use position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the English Carmelites (1) cross at their respective handles (4).

More precisely, in the non-use position, the English rods (1) are convergent and their rods (2) form an angle (A) of between 0 ° and 90 °, preferably between 5 ° and 75 °, more preferably between 30 ° and 60 °.

This arrangement of crutches in a substantially vertical position of non-use, allows a limited footprint, limiting the discomfort caused by the space occupied by the rods (1) when they are not used.

According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in Figure 2, the connection means (5) are a magnetic system (8).

It is understood that a permanent magnet has two magnetic poles, namely a north pole and a south pole. The opposite poles of two magnets attract each other, while the poles of the same polarity repel each other.

According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in Figure 2, each of the English rods (1) of a pair comprises a magnet, while the respective poles of each of the magnets are oriented in the same direction relative to the median plane (P) .

Of course, the magnetic system (8) could be produced by a metal part and a magnet, instead of two magnets.

According to one embodiment, the magnetic system (8) is formed on each of the rods with a magnet and a metal part, the respective poles of each of the magnets are oriented in the same direction, while a rod comprises for example a magnet in the high position and a metal part in the low position, while the other rod comprises a magnet in the low position and a metal part in the high position, so that a magnet can be connected to a part metal located on the opposite rod.

According to an additional characteristic, the connection means (5) each comprise a blocking means (7) in rotation of the English rods (1), which are complementary to each other, such as a male blocking means and female, for example a tenon-mortise joint. This arrangement keeps the two crutches in an upward converging position to form the angle (A).

According to the preceding characteristic, as illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the blocking means (7) comprises a male blocking means and a female blocking means arranged in opposition, more precisely arranged at the periphery of a circular magnet. , diametrically opposite.

Thus, the magnetic system (8) not only facilitates the positioning of the English Carmelites (1) in a locked manner relative to each other, but also allows their fixing relative to one another, while that the locking means (7) in rotation allow the maintenance of one carme with respect to the other in a substantially vertical position of the assembly thus formed.

Let us add that each of the stems (2) of a pair of English Carmelites (1) includes a support element (6), such as a link.

Note that there is provided, on each of the crutches a support element (6) intended to take two positions, namely, a deployed support position and a folded position of non-use corresponding to the position of use of the crutches orthopedic.

The support element (6) disposed on each of the crutches, is for example a longitudinal profile (6a) such as a link, pivotally mounted on the rod (2) by a means of rotation, such as a hinge.

Note that according to the illustrated embodiment, in the deployed position, the support element (6) is oriented perpendicular to the median plane (P).

According to the illustrated embodiment, the support element (6) consists of a longitudinal profile (6a) whose distal end has a bent portion (6b) in the extension of the longitudinal profile (6a), while the 'proximal end of the longitudinal section (6a) is secured to the rod (2) by a rotation means (9).

Note also that the support element (6) comprises a removable connection means (10) to the rod (2) at its distal end, preferably at the distal end of the longitudinal section (6a), upstream of the bent part (6b). This removable connection means allows the support element to be locked in its folded position when not in use.

According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in Figure 3, a support element (6) is connected to the distal end of the rod (2) above the support pad (3), while in position not using the crutches, the support element (6) forms an obtuse angle (B) with the longitudinal axis (X, X ') of the rod (2), as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Note that the removable connection means (10) is located opposite the rod (2), namely positioned on the upper part of the support element (6).

According to one characteristic, the removable connection means (10) to the rod (2) consists of an open bracket comprising two flexible branches. The inside diameter of the stirrup being less than or equal to the outside diameter of the rod (2).

Note that the rotation means (9) comprises a stop limiting its travel and ensuring the maintenance of the support element (6) relative to the rod (2).

According to the illustrated embodiment, the support element (6) is a one-piece element, advantageously made of a synthetic material.

According to an embodiment, not shown, a removable connection means (10) is actuated by a release means in the deployed position of the support element (6). The triggering of a means for releasing the support element (6), separates the removable connection means (10) from the rod (2), while the return to the position of use of the crutches is carried out manually from so as to reconnect the support element (6) to the rod (2) which carries it.

According to another embodiment, not shown, a support element (6) is motorized, its deployment, as well as its repositioning in a manner connected to the rod (2), are produced by a motorized trigger system.

According to the previous embodiment, a stand therefore comprises a battery, a trigger system and a motorized system for deployment and return to the position of use of the support element (6).

According to an additional characteristic, the distal end of the support element (6), which is intended to rest on the ground in the locked position, comprises at least one catching projection, for example three anti-catching projections -slides, as illustrated in Figure 3, to provide stability to the support element (6).

Note that as part of a rod (2) adjustable by the sliding of two rod parts (2a, 2b), the support element (6) is secured to the distal end of the lower rod part ( 2b).

It will also be noted that the support element (6) is locked in its unfolded position, for example by an elastic clipping system.

Add that the length (L) and the opening angle (B) of each support element is determined so that the plane defined by the ends (60) of the support elements and the end of the shoe support (3) of each of the crutches is in the plane (S) of the ground, when the crutches are in the substantially vertical position.

Claims (10)

1. Pair of English rods intended to assume a substantially vertical position when they are not used by the user, each of the English rods (1) comprising a rod (2) with a longitudinal axis (X, X ') fitted to its distal end of a support pad (3) and at its proximal end of a handle (4) ', characterized in that each of the English rods (1) comprises a connection means (5), complementary to one with the other, and a support element (6) j whose distal end is intended to rest on the ground when the rods are in a substantially vertical position. 2. Pair of English rods according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means (5) is located at the junction of the rod (2) and the handle (4). 3. Pair of English rods according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection means (5) is a magnetic system (8). 4. Pair of English rods according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection means (5) comprises a locking means (7) in rotation. 5. Pair of rods according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking means (7) is of the tenon-mortise type. 6. Pair of English rods according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (6) of each of the English rods is pivotally mounted on the corresponding rod to take two positions, namely, a position deployed support and a folded position of non-use. 7. Pair of English canes according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each support element (6) is connected to the rod (2) by a rotation means (9). 8. Pair of English rods according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connection of the support element (6) to the rod (2) is located at the distal end of the rod (2 ), downstream of the support shoe (3) J 9. Pair of English rods according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (6) comprises means 5 removable connection (10) to the rod (2) which carries it. ! 10. Pair of English rods according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the removable connection means (10) consists of an open bracket comprising two flexible branches.