GB140171A - Improvements in and relating to crutches - Google Patents

Abstract

140,171. Dunne, M. C., and Gillies, A. Feb. 12, 1919. Crutches.-The user of a crutch with telescopic limbs, by manipulating a saddle or seat, is enabled to shorten the crutch to clear the ground when it is being moved forward to a new position after a step has been taken. The crutch comprises a pair of telescopic arms for supporting both armpits. A swinging seat 5 is pivoted in the centre of cross-bars 19, which are in turn trunnioned at 20 in the crutch members. Links 18, pivoted at 17 to the upper members of the telescoping system, are pivoted also at their lower ends to the centres of other links 6, which in turn are pivoted at 12 to the lower telescopic members. The pivots 12 can slide in the slots 13 to permit of the telescopic action. The seat is connected by springs 15 to the links 6 as shown, or to the links 18. The user, when in the upright position with his weight resting on the crutch, swings the seat forward to take a step, thus tensioning the springs. He then transfers his weight to the advanced leg or legs resting on the ground. As soon as the crutch is relieved of the weight, the springs pull the links forward, with the result that the pivots 12 rise and telescope the crutch members. The shortened crutch is then swung forward until it passes the seat, and thus again tends to tension the springs. The springs then pull the links backward into a position just behind the vertical, where the abut against stops 11, and re-extend the, crutch parts in so doing. The user then transfers his weight to the extended crutch prior to taking another step.