FR3080276A1 - SET OF BEACLES WITH SOLIDARIZATION MEANS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates mainly to a set of crutches (10) comprising: - a first crutch (11.1) having a first handle (12.1) and a first forearm support (13.1), - a second crutches (11.2) comprising a second handle (12.2) and a second forearm support (13.2), characterized in that the first stand (11.1) and the second stand (11.2) comprise removable securing means (15) able to join together the first stand (11.1) and the second stand (11.2) when they are not used to form a one-piece assembly easier to stabilize than the first stand (11.1) and the second stand (11.2) taken independently.

Description

SET OF STANDS WITH SOLIDARIZATION MEANS

The present invention relates to a set of crutches provided with securing means.

In a manner known per se, medical crutches allow people who have suffered a trauma of the lower limb or suffering from various problems of paralysis or balance to move.

Users of crutches have difficulty placing their crutches after moving, as the crutches are unbalanced and tend to fall, or slip, or become tangled when trying to put them on a support , in particular a vertical support.

In addition, users of crutches may also suffer from hand pain due to the stiffness of the handles of the crutches. This situation therefore generates permanent stress and tension.

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks at least in part by proposing a set of crutches comprising:

- a first stand comprising a first handle and a first forearm support,

- A second stand comprising a second handle and a second forearm support, characterized in that the first stand and the second stand have removable securing means capable of securing together the first stand and the second stand when they are not used in such a way as to form a monobloc assembly which is easier to stabilize than the first stand and the second stand taken independently.

According to one embodiment, the securing means are disposed respectively on a free end of the first handle and a free end of the second handle.

According to one embodiment, the securing means consist of a first magnet associated with the first handle and a second magnet associated with the second handle.

According to one embodiment, the first magnet and the second magnet have opposite polarities, so that when the free ends of the first handle and of the second handle are placed opposite one another, a magnetic force generated by the faces of the first magnet and the second magnet facing each other allows the two crutches to be joined together to form the one-piece assembly.

According to an embodiment:

- the first magnet is integrated into the first handle, and

- the second magnet is integrated into the second handle.

According to an embodiment:

the first magnet is fixed to a first attached sleeve made of an elastic material intended to be placed around the first handle, and

- The second magnet is fixed to a second attached sleeve made of an elastic material intended to be placed around the second handle.

According to one embodiment, the first sleeve and the second sleeve extend over at least 50%, preferably over all, of the length of the handle. This improves the comfort of the crutches by reducing the rigidity of the handles.

According to one embodiment, the first sleeve and the second sleeve are each extended respectively by a retaining tab intended to be arranged around an elongated tube of the corresponding stand.

According to an embodiment:

the first stand comprises a first unfoldable stabilization system and the second stand comprises a second unfoldable stabilization system,

- the first stabilization system and the second stabilization system each being movable between a folded position in which the stabilization system is pressed against an elongated tube of the corresponding stand and a deployed position in which the stabilization system is moved away from to the elongated tube of the corresponding stand so that it can rest on the ground.

According to one embodiment, the first stabilization system and the second stabilization system are each articulated relative to the tube of the corresponding stand according to their upper end.

According to one embodiment, the first stabilization system and the second stabilization system are each articulated with respect to the tube of the corresponding stand according to their lower end.

According to one embodiment, the first stabilization system and the second stabilization system are each integrated on an adjustment pad corresponding to a height of the crutches. This adjustment pad is used to adjust the height of the crutches.

According to one embodiment, the first stabilization system and the second stabilization system extend, in the deployed position, in a plane substantially perpendicular to that in which the handles and forearm supports extend when the crutches form the monobloc assembly.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These figures are given only by way of illustration but in no way limit the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 are views of a set of crutches according to the invention respectively in a disengaged state and in a secured state using the securing means according to the invention;

Figures 3a to 5b are side views of different types of sleeves according to the invention can be arranged around the handles of the crutches;

FIGS. 6 to 8b are views illustrating a first embodiment of a system for stabilizing the set of crutches according to the invention;

Figures 9 and 10 are views illustrating a second embodiment of a system for stabilizing the set of crutches according to the invention;

Figures 11a and 11b are views illustrating the maintenance of the set of crutches according to the invention respectively against a wall or against a table;

Figure 12 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the means for securing the set of crutches according to the present invention.

Identical, similar, or analogous items retain the same reference from one figure to another.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a set of crutches 10 respectively in a disengaged state and in a secured state using removable securing means 15.

A first stand 11.1 has a first handle 12.1 and a first forearm support 13.1. The first forearm support 13.1 comes from the handle 12.1 and ends with a fork-shaped end intended to extend on either side of a user's forearm.

The first handle 12.1 and the first forearm support 13.1 can form an assembly obtained in particular by molding which can be fixed to one end of an elongated tube 14 of the stand 11.1.

Similarly, a second stand 11.2 has a second handle 12.2 and a second forearm support 13.2.

The first crutch 11.1 and the second crutch 11.2 include removable securing means 15 capable of securing together the first crutch 11.1 and the second crutch 11.2 when they are not used so as to form a monobloc assembly easier to stabilize than the first stand 11.1 and the second stand 11.2 taken independently, as shown in Figure 2.

Advantageously, the securing means 15 are disposed respectively on a free end 17.1 of the first handle 12.1 and a free end 17.2 of the second handle 12.2. These securing means 15 consist for example of a first magnet 19.1 associated with the first handle 12.1 and a second magnet 19.2 associated with the second handle 12.2.

The first magnet 19.1 and the second magnet 19.2 have opposite polarities, so that when the free ends 17.1, 17.2 of the first handle 12.1 and of the second handle 12.2 are placed opposite one another, a magnetic force generated by the faces of the first magnet 19.1 and the second magnet 19.2 facing each other makes it possible to secure the two crutches 11.1, 11.2 together to form the monobloc assembly.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first magnet 19.1 could be integrated into the first handle 12.1, and the second magnet 19.2 could be integrated into the second handle 12.2. The magnets 19.1 and 19.2 may for example be integrated into the handles 12.1, 12.2 during the molding operation of the handles for example or be glued to the handles 12.1,

12.2 or be fixed to the handles 12.1, 12.2 by any means suitable for the application.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, and 5b the first magnet 19.1 can be fixed on a first added sleeve 21.1 made of an elastic material intended to be placed around the first handle 12.1. The elastic material may for example be composed of neoprene or any other damping fabric capable of relieving the hands of the user.

Similarly, the second magnet 19.2 can be fixed on a second attached sleeve 21.2 made of an elastic material intended to be placed around the second handle 12.2.

For this purpose, the internal diameter of the sleeves 21.1, 21.2 in the unstressed state, that is to say when they are not arranged around their corresponding handle 12.1, 12.2, is slightly less than the external diameter of the handles 12.1, 12.2, so that the sleeves 21.1, 21.2 are effectively held by elastic deformation on the handles 12.1, 12.2 when they are arranged around the handles 12.1, 12.2. In the embodiment of Figures 3a and 3b, the sleeves 21,1, 21.2 are short and extend over less than 50% of the length of the corresponding handle 12.1, 12.2.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the first sleeve 21.1 and the second sleeve 21.2 each extend over at least 50%, preferably over all, of the length of the corresponding handle 12.1, 12.2. This improves the comfort of the crutches

11.1, 11.2 by reducing the rigidity of the handles 12.1, 12.2 due to the production of the sleeves 21.1,21.2 in an elastic material.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the first sleeve 21.1 and the second sleeve 21.2 are each extended respectively by a retaining tab 24 intended to be arranged around the elongated tube 14 of the corresponding stand 11.1, 11.2. The retaining tab 24 may be closed on itself or open and provided with a fastening system 25 on the side of its free end. In the case where the tongue 24 is closed on itself, it will be necessary to pass the tube 14 of the stand 11.1, 11.2 inside the space delimited by the tongue 24 before installing the sleeves 21.1, 21.2 around handles

12.1, 12.2.

It should be noted that a wedge or a face of a magnet 19.1, 19.2 may have an inclined shape to compensate for the bevel angle A of the free ends 17.1, 17.2 of the handles 12.1, 12.2 relative to the vertical, as shown in Figure 3c. Indeed, such an angle A can be observed on most of the crutches in circulation.

Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the first stand 11.1 comprises a first unfoldable stabilization system 27.1 and the second stand 11.2 comprises a second unfoldable stabilization system 27.2.

The first stabilization system 27.1 and the second stabilization system 27.2 are each movable between a folded position in which the stabilization system 27.1,27.2 is pressed against the elongated tube 14 of the corresponding stand 11.1, 11.2 and a deployed position in which the stabilization system 27.1, 27.2 is separated from the elongated tube 14 of the corresponding stand 11.1, 11.2 so as to be able to bear on the ground.

The first stabilization system 27.1 and the second stabilization system 27.2 extend, in the deployed position, in a plane P1 substantially perpendicular to that in which the handles extend

12.1, 12.2 and the forearm supports 13.1, 13.2 when the crutches 11.1,

11.2 form the one-piece assembly. By substantially perpendicular is meant an angle of 90 degrees plus or minus 20 degrees.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6, 7, 8a, and 8b, the first stabilization system 27.1 and the second stabilization system

27.2 are each articulated with respect to the tube 14 of the corresponding stand 11.1, 11.2 along their upper end 29. The movement of the stand 11.1, 11.2 to pass from a folded position to a deployed position is referenced M1 in the figures.

To this end, the first stabilization system 27.1 and the second stabilization system 27.2 are each integrated on an adjustment pad 33 of a height of the crutches 11.1, 11.2. The adjustment pad 33 is a piece that can be snapped onto an external portion of the tube 14. In addition, the adjustment pad 33 is provided with a pin 34 intended to be inserted inside an adjustment hole 35 of the external portion 14.1 of the tube 14 and a coincident hole made in an internal portion 14.2 of the tube 14 movable in translation relative to the external portion 14.1 before immobilization by the adjustment pad 33 to the length desired by the user.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first stabilization system 27.1 and the second stabilization system 27.2 are each articulated relative to the tube 14 of the corresponding stand

11.1, 11.2 along their lower end 30. The movement of the stand

11.1, 11.2 to move from a folded position to a deployed position is referenced M2 in the figures. The fixing system could be similar to that of FIGS. 8a and 8b.

A button for actuating the stabilization systems 27.1, 27.2 may be provided in the upper part of the crutches 11.1, 11.2.

The operation of the crutches 11.1 and 11.2 according to the invention is described below. After moving, when the user wishes to place his crutches 11.1, 11.2 against a support, the user approaches the free ends 17.1, 17.2 of the handles 12.1, 12.2 to each other, so that the magnets 19.1 and 19.2 of opposite polarities generate a magnetic force enabling the two crutches 11.1, 11.2 to be joined together to form the monobloc assembly. The user can then place all of the crutches secured to the support, in particular a vertical support, for example a wall 37 as illustrated in FIG. 11a or a piece of furniture, for example a table 38 as shown in Figure 11b. The one-piece assembly thus formed by the crutches 11.1, 11.2 will be easy to stabilize without the risk of the crutches 11.1, 11.2 sliding independently of one another.

If no support is available, the user can deploy the stabilization systems 27.1,27.2.

In order to dissociate the crutches 11.1, 11.2 between them, the user need only slightly turn the handles 12.1, 12.2 relative to the plane P2 (corresponding to the plane of the sheet in FIG. 2) in which said handles 12.1, 12.2 and the forearm supports 13.1, 13.2 extend in the joined state to overcome the holding force of the magnets 19.1, 19.2 and thus separate the crutches 11.1, 11.2 from each other.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the removable securing means 15 capable of securing together the first stand 11.1 and the second stand 11.2 take the form of plates 36.1, 36.2 of Velcro type (registered trademark) fixed respectively on the free end 17.1,

17.2 handles 12.1, 12.2. One of the plates 36.1, 36.2 comprises a plurality of shape of hooks intended to cooperate with a plurality of shape of loops formed in the other plate 36.1,36.2.

As a variant, the removable securing means 15 comprise a snap-on assembly provided for example with a deformable tongue associated with one of the two crutches 11.1, 11.2 able to cooperate with a housing provided in the other crutch 11.1, 11.2. Any other equivalent snap-on device is possible.

Of course, the foregoing description has been given by way of example 5 only and does not limit the field of the invention from which one would not depart by replacing the various elements with any other equivalent.

In addition, the different features, variants, and / or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with one another in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

Claims (13)

1. Set of crutches (10) comprising: - a first stand (11.1) comprising a first handle (12.1) and a first forearm support (13.1), - a second stand (11.2) comprising a second handle (12.2) and a second forearm support (13.2), characterized in that the first stand (11.1) and the second stand (11.2) have removable securing means (15) capable of joining together the first stand (11.1) and the second stand (11.2) when they are not used so as to form a monobloc assembly which is easier to stabilize than the first stand (11.1) and the second stand (11.2) taken independently. 2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing means (15) are disposed respectively on a free end (17.1) of the first handle (12.1) and a free end (17.2) of the second handle (12.2) . 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the securing means (15) consist of a first magnet (19.1) associated with the first handle (12.1) and a second magnet (19.2) associated with the second handle ( 12.2). 4. An assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the first magnet (19.1) and the second magnet (19.2) have opposite polarities, so that when the free ends (17.1, 17.2) of the first handle (12.1) and of the second handle (12.2) are placed opposite one another, a magnetic force generated by the faces of the first magnet (19.1) and the second magnet (19.2) facing one of the 'other allows the two crutches (11.1, 11.2) to be joined together to form the one-piece assembly. 5. An assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: - the first magnet (19.1) is integrated into the first handle (12.1), and - the second magnet (19.2) is integrated into the second handle (12.2). 6. Assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: the first magnet (19.1) is fixed to a first added sleeve (21.1) made of an elastic material intended to be placed around the first handle (12.1), and - The second magnet (19.2) is fixed on a second sleeve (21.2) attached made of an elastic material intended to be arranged around the second handle (12.2). 7. An assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the first sleeve (21.1) and the second sleeve (21.2) extend over at least 50%, preferably over all, of the length of the handle (12.1, 12.2 ). 8. An assembly according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the first sleeve (21.1) and the second sleeve (21.2) are each extended respectively by a retaining tab (24) intended to be arranged around an elongated tube ( 14) of the corresponding stand (11.1, 11.2). 9. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: the first stand (11.1) has a first unfoldable stabilization system (27.1) and the second stand (11.2) has a second unfoldable stabilization system (27.2), - the first stabilization system (27.1) and the second stabilization system (27.2) each being movable between a folded position in which the stabilization system (27.1, 27.2) is pressed against an elongated tube (14) of the corresponding stand ( 11.1, 11.2) and a deployed position in which the stabilization system (27.1,27.2) is moved away from the elongated tube (14) of the corresponding stand (11.1, 11.2) so as to be able to rest on the ground. 10. The assembly of claim 9, characterized in that the first stabilization system (27.1) and the second stabilization system (27.2) are each articulated relative to the tube (14) of the corresponding stand (11.1, 11.2) according to their upper end (29). 11. Assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the first stabilization system (27.1) and the second stabilization system (27.2) are each articulated relative to the tube (14) of the corresponding stand (11.1, 11.2) according to their lower end (30). 5 12. Assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the first stabilization system (27.1) and the second stabilization system (27.2) are each integrated on an adjustment pad (33) corresponding to a height of the stands (11.1, 11.2). 13. An assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 12, ίο characterized in that the first stabilization system (27.1) and the second stabilization system (27.2) extend, in the deployed position, in a plane (P1) substantially perpendicular to that in which the handles (12.1, 12.2) and the forearm supports (13.1, 13.2) extend when the crutches (11.1, 11.2) form the one-piece assembly.