GB2270627A

GB2270627A - Walking aid

Info

Publication number: GB2270627A
Application number: GB9219702A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Cunnick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-09-17
Filing date: 1992-09-17
Publication date: 1994-03-23
Also published as: GB9219702D0

Abstract

A walking aid for a disabled person consists of an elongated support arrangement having a ground engaging footrest extending transversely therefrom, the footrest being arranged to support the foot of a user. In one embodiment the support arrangement consists of a pole or rod provided with an underarm crutch support and/or handle. In another embodiment adapted to encourage the disabled person to use a damaged limb, the support arrangement further includes an actuation member 17 pivotally connected to the remainder of the support arrangement. Pivotal movement of the actuation member relative to the remainder of the support arrangement causes the footrest 14 (and hence the user's foot) to be carried over the ground surface. <IMAGE>

Description

DISABILITY AID This invention relates to a disability aid and in particular to an aid suitable for use by people with a disabled leg.

Many people having suffered disablement due to multiple sclerosis, spinal disorders, bunion operations, nervous disorders, strokes, gout, broken legs or the like experience difficulty in lifting, aligning, and levelling the foot in a forward direction or plane. Disabled people often have difficulty in raising their legs to walk, climb steps etc, and in exercising. In some cases the leg may be permanently disabled or require prolonged physiotherapy in order to become usable again.

I have now devised an aid to utilisation of a disabled leg.

According to the invention, there is provided a disability aid comprising elongate support means having proximate a first longitudinal end thereof a ground-engaging footrest extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of said support means.

Advantageously, the ground engaging surface of the footrest is substantially planar.

It is preferred that the disability aid is provided with handle means, advantageously proximate the second longitudinal end of the support means. Advantageously the handle means extends transversely from the support means, preferably in an opposed direction to the footrest. It is preferred that the orientation of the handle means relative to the support means is selectively adjustable angularly around the longitudinal axis of the support means.

In use, lifting the handle means causes the footrest to rise correspondingly, in so doing raising the user's foot (and leg). Typically the elongate support means is substantially rigid, and therefore the users foot (supported on the footrest) may be orientated and aligned as required by rotation of the disability aid about the longitudinal axis of the support means.

In one embodiment the support means may be a single elongate pole, rod or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the support means is adjustable in length, for example comprising a first pole or rod telescopically received in a second substantially hollow pole or rod. It is preferred that the separation distance between the handle means and the footrest is therefore selectively adjustable.

Typically, the footrest comprises a web portion extending transversely away from the support means to an upwardly extending lip defining the transverse extent of the footrest. Advantageously, the footrest is provided with a ridge running from the support member to the outer edge of the footplate, the ridge being arranged in use to abut the heel of the user's shoe, or fit in a recess provided in an artificial limb, plaster cast or the like.

In a first embodiment, it is preferred that the footrest is selectively detachable from the support means. In an alternative embodiment the footrest is pivotally connected to the support means, being pivotal between an "in use" position extending transversely to the support means and a stowed position in which it lies contiguous with or adjacent to the longitudinal support means.

Typically, the disability aid is provided with securing means such as straps which may be secured to the support means and arranged to be tightened around portions of the users body, such as for example the waist, torso, or disabled leg.

In some embodiments, the support means may be further provided with an underarm crutch support pad.

In a greatly preferred embodiment of the invention which is adapted to encourage the disabled person to use the damaged part of their anatomy, an elongate actuation member is preferably pivotally connected to the elongate support means such that the actuation member and support means may pivot relative to one another in respective substantially parallel planes. The actuation member preferably includes a ground-engaging portion which is displaceable relative to the remainder of the actuation member, such that the longitudinal extent of the actuation member may alter.

When the ground-engaging portion is in a first position, the longitudinal extent of the actuation member from the pivotal connection to the most distal part of the groundengaging portion is typically greater than the longitudinal extent of the support means from the pivotal connection to the ground-engaging footrest. When the ground-engaging portion is in a second position, the converse is true.

Typically, the ground-engaging portion of the actuation member is pivotally movable relative to the remainder of the actuation member between the first and second positions. Advantageously, the ground-engaging portion is provided with resilient biasing means (such as a spring or the like) arranged to normally bias the ground-engaging portion to the first position. It is preferred that in the first position, the ground-engaging portion lies substantially along the longitudinal axis of the elongate actuation member. Advantageously detent means is provided on the actuation member arranged to substantially inhibit pivotal movement of the ground-engaging portion from the first position in a direction away from the second position.

In this embodiment it is preferred that the end of the actuation member longitudinally opposed to the ground-engaging portion is provided with handle means arranged to be gripped by the user.

It is preferred that one or both of the support means and actuation member are provided in interengageable sections such that the configuration of the walking aid may be altered. For example, such a construction enables the length of the support means or actuation member to be altered.

In one embodiment, the actuation member is provided with an upper handle portion which extends away from the remainder of the actuation member in the pivot plane thereof. In this embodiment, the disability aid is actuated by the users hand on the same side of the body as the disabled leg. In an alternative embodiment, the upper handle portion is arranged to extend transversely to the remainder of the actuation member across the users body. In this embodiment, the disability aid is actuated by the users hand on the opposite side of the body to the disabled leg.

The invention will now be further described in specific embodiments, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a disability aid according to the invention in a fully extended state; Figure 2 is a side view of the disability aid of Figure 1 in its fully retracted state; Figure 3 is a view of a part of an alternative embodiment of a disability aid according to the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a preferred alternative embodiment of disability aid according to the invention; Figures 5 and 6 are close up views of a part of the disability aid shown in Figure 4; Figures 7 to 10 are schematic sequential views of the disability aid of Figure S in use; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of a further alternative disability aid according to the invention.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, the disability aid, generally designated 1, comprises an upper tubular support member 2 telescopically received in a lower tubular support member 3 such that the overall length of the disability aid may be varied between the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2. Tubular support member 2 is provided with a series of holes 4 along its length and support member 3 is provided with a sprung locking bolt 5 which is normally biased such that the bolt 5 engages a respective hole 4 securing the disability aid at a desired length.

A footplate 6 is pivotally secured (at pivot 7) to the bottom end of support member 3 and in the "in use" position shown in Figures 1 and 2 extends transversely from support 3, terminating in an upturned outermost lip 8. The footplate 6 may be pivoted in the direction of arrow A to lie contiguous with support member 3 when it is desired to use the disability aid as a conventional walking stick or crutch. The uppermost portion of support member 2 is provided with a handle 9 extending transversely thereto. The handle is typically angularly adjustable (preferably in a 360" arc) around the longitudinal axis of support member 2 such that it may be fixed at any angular orientation desired by the user.

In use, the disability aid is set up as shown in Figures 1 or 2 (depending on the comfort of the user). The foot of the user's disabled leg is then placed on the footplate 6, and by lifting the handle 9, the whole disability aid is caused to lift, and as a result lifts the disabled leg and foot. In some instances, it may be desirable to provide the upper portion of support 2 with a crutch pad 10 (see Figure 3) to provide the user with increased support.

As is apparent, the disability aid according to the invention provides the user with an effective means of manoeuvring a disabled leg, thereby increasing the users mobility.

Referring to Figure 5 in particular, there is shown a walking aid generally designated 1 suitable for use by a person having a relative disability in one leg (in this case the right) rendering the leg unusable (or only partially usable), or any anatomical problem rendering walking difficult.

The disability aid 11 comprises a support crutch 12 having at an upper end thereof a crutch pad 13 arranged to locate in the underarm of the user, and at its lower end, a ground-engaging footplate 14 adapted to receive the foot of the user. Straps 15 and 16 are provided on the support crutch 12 arranged to be tightened around the waist and leg of the user respectively such that the crutch is thereby secured relative to the user.

An actuation pole 17 is freely pivotally connected to the crutch support 12 at a pivot connection joint 18. The upper end of actuation pole 17 is provided with a handle grip 19 arranged to be gripped by the hand of the user (in this case the right hand) with the lower end of the pole being provided with a ground-engaging foot pad 20.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the foot pad 20 comprises a rubber stud 21 having extending therefrom a metal spigot 22, the spigot being pivotally connected by means of pivot member 23 to the hollow shaped lower end of actuation pole 17. A compression spring (not shown) is provided in the hollow lower end of the actuation pole 17 arranged to pivotally bias the foot bad 20 to its normal position as shown in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 6, the foot pad 20 under the influence of an applied force in the direction of arrow A (in practice the frictional force as the pad moves relative to the ground), is, assuming the biasing force of the spring is overcome, free to pivot in the manner shown. However, the shape of the lower end of the actuation pole 17 is such that pivoting of the foot from the normal position in the opposite direction to arrow A is not permitted.

It is important to note that with the foot pad 20 biased to the normal position shown in Figure 5, the distance from the bottom of the rubber stud 21 to the pivot connection 18 is at least slightly greater than the distance between the base of the footplate 14 and the pivot connection 18. The greater the difference in these distances, the greater will be the stride length permitted by the walking aid.

Referring to Figures 7 to 10 which show the sequence of operations of the walking aid. In the situation shown in Figure 7, the disabled leg 24 of the user is located such that the users foot 25 rests on the transversely extending footplate 14. The foot pad 20 is biased to its normal position and since the distance d is greater than the distance h in the diagram (as explained above) in the position shown, the foot pad 20 rests on the ground and the footplate 14 is engaged with the ground.

The handle grip 19 of the actuation pole 17 is then moved forward (i.e. in the direction of arrow B in the diagram). In so doing, the bottom end of the support pole attempts to pivot (as far as possible) about pivot connection 18, until the foot pad 20 is firmly engaged with the ground. This is the situation shown in Figure 8. Referring to that figure, further forward urging of the handle grip 19 causes the foot pad (which cannot pivot about the pivot member 23 in the direction corresponding to arrow B in the diagram) to become the fulcrum about which actuation pole 17 and pivot connection joint 18 pivot. In so doing pivot connection joint 18 moves in an arc about the ground engaging foot pad 20 causing the crutch 12 and footplate 14 to correspondingly lift and follow and arcing path 26.

Eventually, as the path 26 followed by the footplate 14 arcs, the footplate comes to rest once again on the ground surface.

As shown in Figure 9, the users disabled leg 24 has now moved forward a set distance from its original position (shown in ghost detail). Finally, the handle grip 19 is moved in the direction of arrow D causing the foot pad 20 at the opposed end of actuation pole 17 to move in the opposite direction. Since the distance from pivotal connection joint 18 to the base of the foot pad 20 is greater than the distance from the connection joint 18 to the base of the footplate 14, the friction of the ground on the foot pad 20 (as the pad 20 is dragged over the ground surface) overcomes the spring biasing force acting on the pivotal connection of the foot pad 20 to the lower end of actuation pole 17, and the foot pad 20 pivots relative to the lower end of actuation pole 17 as described above.Finally, the actuation pole reaches the position shown in Figure 10, and the foot pad 20 "snaps back" to its normal position under the action of the biasing spring and the sequence of movement repeats the stages shown in Figures 7 to 10.

As described, the user is therefore able to move his damaged leg in small strides of predetermined length, the stride length being determined by the separation distance of the base of the foot pad 20 from the pivotal connection joint 18. This separation distance is therefore preferably adjustable typically by means of mounting the stud 17 on a screw threaded lug such that rotation of the stud 17 about the lug causes its position along the length thereof to alter.

Typically, the walking aid will be provided in adjustable sections arranged to co-operate with and be fastened to one another by means of suitable fastening means such as threaded wing nuts, jubilee clips or the like. Typically, the sections will be adjustable so as to adjust the height of, for example, the crutch pad 13 and the handle grip 19. In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the handle grip portion shown in previous drawings has been replaced with an alternative crossbar 30. The crossbar 30 is arranged to extend across and in front of the torso of the user and be operated by means of the users other hand (in this instance the left hand). This is particularly useful where, for example, the user is paralysed entirely down one side of his body.

Claims

Claims:

1. A disability aid comprising elongate support means having proximate a first longitudinal end thereof a ground-engaging footrest extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of said support means.

2. A disability aid according to claim 1, wherein the ground engaging surface of the footrest is substantially planar.

3. A disability aid according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the footrest comprises a web portion extending transversely away from the support means to an upwardly extending lip defining the transverse extent of the footrest.

4. A disability aid according to any preceding claim wherein the support means is adjustable in length.

5. A disability aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the footrest is pivotally connected to the support means, being pivotal between an "in use" position and a stowed position.

6. A disability aid according to any preceding claim further provided with handle means and/or an underarm crutch support.

7. A disability aid according to any preceding claim wherein the support means comprises an elongate pole, rod or the like.

8. A disability aid according to any preceding claim, which further comprises an elongate actuation member pivotally connected to the elongate support means such that the actuation member and support means may pivot relative to one another in respective substantially parallel planes.

9. A disability aid according to claim 8, wherein the actuation member comprises a ground-engaging portion which is displaceable relative to the remainder of the actuation member, such that the longitudinal extent of the actuation member may alter.

10. A disability aid according to claim 9, wherein the ground engaging portion is displaceable between a first position and a second position, whereby in the first position the longitudinal extent of the actuation member from the pivotal connection to the most distal part of the ground-engaging portion is greater that the longitudinal extent of the support means from the pivotal connection to the ground-engaging footrest, whereas in the second position the longitudinal extent of the actuation member from the pivotal connection to the most distal part of the ground- engaging portion is less than the longitudinal extent of the support means from the pivotal connection to the ground-engaging footrest.

11. A disability aid according to claim 10, wherein the ground-engaging portion of the actuation member is pivotally movable relative to the remainder of the actuation member between the first and second position.

12. A disability aid according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the ground-engaging portion is provided with resilient biasing means arranged to normally bias the ground engaging portion to the first position.

13. A disability aid according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein detent means is provided arranged to substantially inhibit displacement of the ground-engaging portion of the actuation member from the first position in a direction away from the second position.

14. A disability aid according to any of claim 8 to 13, wherein the actuation member is provided with a handle portion which extends away from the remainder of the actuation member.

15. A disability aid substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.