FR3134967A1 - Kickstand support - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a crutch support (200) intended to be fixed to a crutch (10a) to keep it balanced in a substantially vertical position, said crutch comprising, a rod (11) and a handle (12) substantially perpendicular to the rod, said crutch support (200) being characterized in that it comprises: a branch (201), a fixing system (203) ensuring a complete connection between the crutch support and a lower end of the rod of the crutch, a pivot connection (202) between said fixing system (203) and said branch (201) to move said branch (201) from a folded position in which said branch (201) is along the rod (11 ) of the crutch to an unfolded position in which said branch (201) is substantially perpendicular to the rod (11) of the crutch to provide support on the ground. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Kickstand support Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a crutch or cane support. The invention is intended for application in the medical and paramedical field.

Patients who need crutches to move around know that in order to have their hands free, they must look for a corner of the wall, the back of a chair or a piece of furniture to balance their crutches. Crutches in balance fall to the ground regularly and in this case the user often has great difficulty picking them up.

The aim of the present invention is to propose a simple and effective solution for being able to temporarily let go of one's crutches and be able to recover them easily.

It is known to use a crutch support to keep a crutch in balance. Today's crutch supports come in several forms. They can take the form of a hook or clip attached to the wall, which has the obvious disadvantage of requiring specific installation in many places.

They can take the form of a system for fixing two crutches together, using bands or magnets, this increases the stability of the whole and reduces the risk of the crutches falling when they are resting against a vertical element such as a wall or a piece of furniture. However, the user does not always have such a vertical element to support his crutches when he needs to free his hands to carry out a task.

Prior art systems can also take the form of a tripod. According to a first example, the tripod can be integrated in a fixed manner (three-legged cane). Such a system is bulky, heavy and is not suitable for all types of floor surfaces. According to a second example, the tripod can be foldable. However, such a system remains heavy and relatively complex to achieve.

Existing crutch supports can be completely integrated into the crutch, which presents problems with the cost of the crutch, as the production of the latter is more complex and in smaller series. They can also be removable and adapted to different crutch models. In this case, adjusting the system on the stand is relatively complex for the user.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a removable crutch support, simple, light and easy to attach, to maintain one or two crutches in balance in a substantially vertical position.

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the present invention proposes a crutch support intended to be fixed to a crutch to keep it in balance in a substantially vertical position. The crutch comprises a rod and a handle substantially perpendicular to the rod. The crutch support notably comprises a branch, a fixing system and a pivot connection between the branch and the fixing system. The fixing system provides a complete connection between the crutch support and a lower end of the crutch rod. The pivot linkage is configured to transition the leg from a folded position, in which the leg is along the crutch post, to an unfolded position, in which the leg is substantially perpendicular to the crutch post to provide support on the ground.

By “maintaining balance in a substantially vertical position” is meant keeping the crutch upright, or keeping the lower end of the crutch rod resting on the ground without help from the user, or even maintaining the crutch in a position allowing the user to easily recover their crutch.

The crutch support increases the stability of a single crutch leaning against a wall or vertical surface. It also allows, in cooperation with a second crutch, to maintain balance in a substantially vertical position by placing, for example, the second crutch resting on the handle of the first so as to create a substantially triangular shape with the two crutches. In doing so, the present invention provides a simple and lightweight response to the problem of autonomy of crutch users having difficulty picking up a crutch from the ground. In addition, the crutch support of the present invention is removable and can be easily adapted to many types of crutch thanks to its fixing system.

In particular embodiments, the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations.

According to one embodiment, the branch has one or more protrusions adapted to cooperate with the lower end of the rod of a second crutch in order to move the branch from the unfolded position to the folded position or vice versa (from the folded position to the unfolded position). The protrusions can thus provide the user with support to move the branch of the crutch support into the unfolded position by pushing on the protrusions using the lower end of the rod of their other crutch. The growths can also provide the user with a grip to return the branch to the bent position using the lower end of the rod of their other crutch.

Thanks to these protrusions, the user can easily fold and unfold the branch of the crutch support without having to use their hands or feet, without having to bend over, and without having to let go of their crutches.

According to one embodiment, the pivot connection is a hinge comprising a chamber, a tab, secured to the branch, and an elastic part housed in the chamber. The elastic part cooperates with the tab so as to stably maintain the branch in the folded position and/or in the unfolded position.

According to one embodiment, the fixing system comprises a clamp. This allows the attachment system to adapt to different crutch rod diameters making this crutch support compatible with a wide variety of models of crutches, canes or other walking aids.

According to one embodiment, the branch has a foot adapted to be in contact with the ground when the crutch support is fixed to the crutch and the branch is in the unfolded position.

The foot ensures better stability of the crutches and crutch support assembly when the lower end of the rod is equipped with a non-slip pad and the fixing system must be fixed above the non-slip pad.

According to one embodiment, the branch comprises, in addition to the foot adapted to be in contact with the ground, an orifice adapted to accommodate the foot of a second crutch support fixed to a second crutch.

In a configuration having two crutches, each equipped with a crutch support, the two branches of the crutch supports can be unfolded and positioned so that the orifice of a first branch accommodates the foot of a second branch. This makes it possible to maintain balance in a substantially vertical position of the two crutches. The two crutches are thus ready to be grasped by the user directly by the handles when the latter resumes their movement.

According to one embodiment, the orifice has a non-circular shape.

In this way, when the foot of the branch of a second crutch support is housed in the orifice of the branch of a first crutch support, the branches of the two crutch supports form a predetermined angle because the non-shape circular of the orifice prevents a rotational movement of one crutch support relative to the other.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a first crutch support according to the preceding embodiment and a second crutch support according to one of the preceding embodiments, in which the orifice of the first crutch support and the foot of the second crutch support are arranged such that, when the foot of the second crutch support is housed in the orifice of the first crutch support, the branches of the crutch supports form an interior angle of between 75° and 105 °.

Such arrangements make it possible to optimize stability when maintaining balance in a substantially vertical position of the two crutches.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a crutch and a crutch support according to any of the preceding embodiments.

In particular embodiments, said assembly may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations.

According to one embodiment, the crutch support is fixed to the crutch so that the branch is oriented in the direction of the handle when the branch is in the unfolded position. Such arrangements make it possible to increase the stability of the assembly in the rest position, whether in a configuration with a single crutch resting against a vertical surface, or in a configuration with two crutches balanced against each other. .

According to one embodiment, the crutch support includes an offset to spread the branch of the crutch rod in a direction perpendicular to the crutch handle. The objective of the offset is to prevent the crutch support from obstructing the user's visibility of the lower end of the crutch rod. This visibility is advantageous for avoiding poor assessments of the surface on which the user is leaning when using his crutch, particularly when crossing steps.

According to one embodiment, the branch of the crutch support comprises one or more protrusions intended to cooperate with the lower end of the rod of a second crutch in order to move the branch from the unfolded position to the folded position. The protrusions are in a direction perpendicular to the handle of the crutch and in a direction directed towards the second crutch when a user uses the crutches. This provides additional ease for the user to fold and unfold the branch of the crutch support using its second crutch, the protrusions being advantageously positioned in a directly accessible manner.

Presentation of figures

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to Figures 1 to 7 which represent:

a schematic representation of a pair of crutches, one of which comprises a crutch support according to the invention, in a configuration for using the crutches,

a schematic representation of a pair of crutches, one of which comprises a crutch support according to the invention, in a configuration where the crutches are held against each other in balance autonomously in a substantially vertical position,

a schematic representation of a first example of making a branch,

a schematic representation of a second example of making a branch,

a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a fixing system,

a schematic representation of a pair of crutches each of which comprises a crutch support according to the invention, in a configuration where the crutches are maintained in balance autonomously in a vertical position,

a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a hinge playing the role of a pivot connection between the branch and the crutch support fixing system.

In these figures, identical references from one figure to another designate identical or similar elements. For reasons of clarity, the elements represented are not necessarily on the same scale, unless otherwise stated.

Detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention

There schematically represents a pair of crutches, one of which is equipped with a crutch support. The two crutches are shown in a crutch usage configuration. The user of the crutches is not shown in the figure for readability reasons.

Each crutch 10a and 10b comprises a rod 11 and a handle 12. The crutch support 200 comprises a branch 201, a fixing system 203 and a pivot connection 202. The crutch support is fixed to a lower end of the rod 11 of the crutch thanks to the fixing system 203.

Advantageously, and as illustrated on the , the fixing system 203 includes a clamp. This allows the fixing system to adapt to different diameters of crutch rod 11. The crutch support is then compatible with a wide variety of models of crutches, canes or other walking aids.

The branch 201 of the crutch support is shown in a folded position along the rod 11. It is in this position that the user moves using the crutches.

This folded position is obtained thanks to a pivot connection 202 articulating the branch 201 with the fixing system 203. The pivot connection 202 makes it possible to move the branch 201 from a folded position, in which the branch 201 is along the rod 11 of the crutch 10a, in an unfolded position, in which the branch 201 is substantially perpendicular to the rod of the crutch.

Thus, when the branch 201 of the crutch support is in the unfolded position, it provides support on the ground and makes it possible to increase the stability of the crutch when it is pressed against a vertical surface such as a wall for example. It is then possible to equip each of the two crutches with a crutch support to be able to easily leave them balanced against a wall.

According to another example, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, it is possible to equip only one of the two crutches with a crutch support. In this case, and as illustrated on the , when the branch 201 of the crutch support is in the unfolded position, it is possible to keep the two crutches in balance in a substantially vertical position. As illustrated on the , the crutch 10b which is not equipped with a crutch support can in fact come to bear on the crutch which is equipped with the crutch support 200, handle against handle, to create a substantially triangular shape with the two crutches. The two crutches then balance against each other without any external support other than that of the ground.

To obtain such a configuration where the two crutches are balanced against each other, it is advantageous for the crutch support to be fixed to the crutch such that the branch 201 is oriented in the direction of the handle 12 of the crutch when the branch is in the unfolded position.

One or more protrusions 205 may be present on the branch 201 of the crutch support. In the example considered and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the branch 201 includes two protrusions 205.

The protrusions 205 are adapted to cooperate with the lower end of the rod of the other crutch 10b in order to move the branch 201 from the unfolded position to the folded position. By this we mean, as illustrated in the , that the protrusions 205 are long enough to protrude substantially in relation to the rod 11 of the crutch on which the crutch support is fixed when the branch 201 is in the folded position. The protrusions 205 thus provide the user with support to move the branch 201 of the crutch support into the unfolded position by pushing on the protrusions 205 using the lower end of the rod of his other crutch 10b.

The user can also advantageously wedge the lower end of the rod of his other crutch 10b under one or between two protrusions 205 to pull the branch 201 of the crutch support towards the folded position. The protrusions 205 thus provide the user with a grip to return the branch 201 to the folded position using its other crutch 10b.

Thanks to these protrusions 205, the user can easily fold and unfold the branch of the crutch support without having to use their hands or feet, without having to bend over and without having to let go of their crutches.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the protrusions 205 are advantageously positioned in a direction perpendicular to the handle 12 of the crutch and in a direction directed towards the second crutch 10b when a user uses the crutches. The protrusions 205 are thus directly accessible with the lower end of the second support 10b.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the crutch support can include an offset 204 making it possible to shift the branch 201 laterally relative to the rod 11 of the crutch (that is to say in a direction perpendicular to to the handle 12 of the crutch). Such arrangements make it possible to prevent the crutch support from obstructing the user's visibility on the lower end of the crutch rod when the user uses the crutch to move. This makes it possible, for example, to avoid incorrect assessments of the surface on which the user is leaning when using his crutch, particularly when crossing steps.

Figures 1 and 2 represent a configuration for a right-handed user. The crutch support is thus fixed to the left crutch 10a so that the user uses his right crutch 10b, with which he is generally more skilled, to fold and unfold the branch 201 of the crutch support.

In a configuration for a left-handed user (not shown), the crutch support would be fixed to the right crutch, and the offset 204 and the protrusions 205 would be oriented in the opposite direction compared to the representation of Figures 1 and 2.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the branch 201 of the crutch support can include a foot 206 adapted to be in contact with the ground when the crutch support is fixed to the crutch and the branch 201 is in the unfolded position . The presence of a foot 206 on the crutch support is particularly advantageous when the lower end of the rod 11 is equipped with a non-slip pad 13 (as is the case in the example considered) and the system of fixing 203 must be fixed above the anti-slip pad. The foot 206 in this case makes it possible to increase the stability of the assembly formed by the crutch and its crutch support.

As illustrated on the , the branch 201 of a first crutch support can also include an orifice 207 adapted to accommodate the foot 206 of a second crutch support which would be fixed to a second crutch.

Maintaining balance in a substantially vertical position of the pair of crutches is achieved when the branches of the crutch supports fixed to each of the crutches are unfolded and the foot of the branch of one of the supports is housed in the orifice of the branch of the other support.

The two crutches are thus ready to be grasped by the user directly by the handles when the latter resumes their movement.

The foot 206 and the orifice 207 may have a substantially circular shape. However, the foot 206 and the orifice 207 can also take another shape allowing cooperation of one with the other.

In particular, it may be advantageous for the foot 206 and the orifice 207 to have a non-circular shape, for example a quasi-circular shape having at least one flat, an oval shape, a square, or other. In this way, when the foot 206 of the second crutch support is housed in the orifice 207 of the first crutch support, the two crutch supports form a predetermined angle. The non-circular shape of the orifice prevents one crutch support from rotating relative to the other.

When the foot 206 of the second crutch support is housed in the orifice 207 of the first crutch support, it is advantageous for the crutch supports to form an interior angle α substantially equal to 90°, or even an interior angle α of between 85° and 95°, or even an interior angle α of between 75° and 105°.

There represents a first embodiment of a branch 201 of a crutch support. In this first example, the branch 201 comprises two protrusions 205 separated by a distance advantageously allowing the rod 11 of a second crutch 10b to be placed between the two in order to be able to pull the branch 201 towards the folded position. The branch also comprises a foot 206, an orifice 207 of substantially square shape, a through orifice 212 for receiving an axis of rotation 208 ( ) and a tab 209.

In this first example, the branch 201 is adapted to integrate a crutch support attached to a crutch that the user will hold with their right hand.

There represents a second example of branch 201 of a crutch support. In this second example, the branch 201 comprises a foot 206 of substantially square shape. There represents the branch 201 of a crutch support intended to be fixed on a crutch that the user will hold with his left hand.

There represents an example of a fixing system 203, an offset 204 and part of a pivot connection 202 of a crutch support. In this example, the fixing system 203 consists of a clamp. This clamp can be tightened by one or more screws, by one or more nuts and bolts, by a rack, or by any other tightening mechanism. There also represents a through orifice 213 for receiving the axis of rotation 208 of the pivot connection.

There schematically represents a pair of crutches each equipped with a crutch support. The two crutches 10a and 10b are kept in balance in a substantially vertical position. The branches 201 of the two crutch supports are arranged such that they form an interior angle α substantially equal to 90°. The foot 206b of substantially square shape is housed in the orifice 207 of substantially square shape. In this exemplary embodiment, the support on the ground of the two crutch supports is ensured by the foot 206a of the branch also having the orifice 207. If the support on the ground of the two crutch supports is ensured by the foot of the branch also having the orifice (as represented by the ) then the foot providing support on the ground can have any shape.

In an exemplary embodiment (not shown), the support on the ground of the two crutch supports can be ensured by the foot of the branch without an orifice after passing through the orifice of the other branch.

There represents an example of a pivot connection with two stable positions, one forming an angle of 90° corresponding to the folded position of the branch 201 and one forming an angle of 180° corresponding to the unfolded position of the branch 201. In this example, the pivot connection 202 is a hinge. A branch 201 of a crutch support secured to a tab 209 cooperates with an elastic part 211 housed in a chamber 210. This chamber is secured to the fixing system 203 represented in Figures 1, 2 and 5.

In an exemplary embodiment, the chamber 210 can form the offset 204 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5.

In an exemplary embodiment shown on the , the elastic part 211 comprises a spring and a stud, the stud being fixed to the free end of the spring.

In an exemplary embodiment shown on the , the tab 209 has two surfaces serving as a possible support surface for the elastic part 211.

In the embodiment shown on the , the tab 209 is articulated around an axis of rotation 208 allowing the rotation of the tab 209.

There is made up of three parts.

Part a) represents a stable position in which the branch 201 forms an angle of 90° with the chamber 210. In this position, the branch 201 is in the folded position along the rod of the crutch. The elastic part 211 compresses a surface of the tab 209 so as to maintain the tab 209 in this position.

Part b) represents an unstable transitional position between the positions represented in part a) and part c). Part b) represents a position in which the tab 209 tilts around the axis of rotation 208 under the effect of the push or pull exerted by the user on the branch 201. The tab 209 compresses the elastic part 211 additionally compared to the stable positions shown in parts a) and c). The user encounters increasing resistance until a tipping point shown in this part b). Once this tipping point has been crossed, the tab 209 is pushed by the elastic part 211 towards a position represented in parts a) or c).

Part c) represents a stable position in which the branch 201 forms an angle of 180° with the chamber 210. In this position, the branch 201 is in the unfolded position substantially perpendicular to the rod of the crutch. The elastic part 211 compresses a flat surface of the tab 209 so as to maintain the tab 209 in this position.

In this way, the stability of the branch 201 in each of the two positions, folded and unfolded, is ensured. This allows greater ease of use, the positions of interest of the branch 201, folded and unfolded, being thus easily reached.

Claims (12)

Crutch support (200) intended to be fixed to a crutch (10a) to keep it balanced in a substantially vertical position, said crutch comprising a rod (11) and a handle (12) substantially perpendicular to the rod, said support crutch (200) being characterized in that it comprises:

• a branch (201),
• a fixing system (203) ensuring a complete connection between the crutch support and a lower end of the crutch rod,
• a pivot connection (202) between said fixing system (203) and said branch (201) to move said branch (201) from a folded position in which said branch (201) is along the rod (11) of the crutch in an unfolded position in which said branch (201) is substantially perpendicular to the rod (11) of the crutch to provide support on the ground.

Crutch support according to claim 1 in which said branch (201) has one or more protrusions (205) adapted to cooperate with the lower end of the rod of a second crutch in order to move said branch (201) from the position unfolded to the folded position or vice versa. Crutch support according to one of the preceding claims in which the pivot connection (202) is a hinge comprising a chamber (210), a tab (209) secured to said branch (201) and an elastic part (211) housed in said chamber (210), said elastic part (211) cooperating with said tab (209) so as to stably maintain said branch (201) in the folded position and/or in the unfolded position. Crutch support according to one of the preceding claims in which the fixing system (203) comprises a clamping collar. Crutch support according to one of the preceding claims in which said branch (201) has a foot (206) adapted to be in contact with the ground when the crutch support is fixed to the crutch and the branch (201) is in unfolded position. Crutch support according to one of the preceding claims in which said branch (201) comprises an orifice (207) intended to accommodate a foot (206) of a second crutch support fixed to a second crutch. Crutch support according to claim 6 wherein said orifice (207) has a non-circular shape. Assembly comprising a first crutch support (200a) according to claim 7 and a second crutch support (200b) according to claim 5, in which the orifice (207) of the first crutch support and the foot (206b) of the second support crutch are arranged in such a way that, when the foot (206b) of the second crutch support is housed in the orifice (207) of the first crutch support, the branches (201) of the crutch supports form an interior angle (α ) between 75° and 105°. Set comprising:

• a crutch,
• a crutch support according to one of claims 1 to 8.

Assembly according to claim 9 wherein the crutch support is fixed to the crutch so that said branch (201) is oriented in the direction of the handle (12) when said branch (201) is in the unfolded position. Assembly according to claim 10 in which the crutch support comprises an offset (204) to separate said branch (201) from the rod (11) of the crutch in a direction perpendicular to the handle (12) of the crutch. Assembly according to one of claims 10 to 11 in which said branch (201) of the crutch support has one or more protrusions (205) adapted to cooperate with the lower end of the rod of a second crutch (10b) in order to passing said branch (11) from the unfolded position to the folded position, said protrusions being in a direction perpendicular to the handle (12) of the crutch and in a direction directed towards the second crutch (10b) when a user uses the crutches.