US1548889A

US1548889A - Shock absorber for crutches

Info

Publication number: US1548889A
Application number: US623919A
Authority: US
Inventors: King Howard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1923-03-09
Filing date: 1923-03-09
Publication date: 1925-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 1942-08-11

Description

Aug. 11, 1925.

' H. KING SHOCK. ABSORBER FOR CRUTCHES Filed March 9, 1923 Juuu x for,

Patented Aug. 11, 1925.

UNITE STTES HOWARD KING, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR CRUTCHES.

Application filed March 9, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD KING, 2. citizen of the United States, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock Absorb-- ers for Crutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in crutches and more particularly to a cushioning means for the crutch in order to avoid the transmission of shocks to the user.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a crutch in which a cushioning spring is interposed in the staff in such a manner as to receive and absorb shocks due to the setting of the lower end of the crutch on the surface being traveled.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a crutch having a spring cushioning element positioned in the lower end of same and means for adjusting the tension of the spring element.

And a still further object of my invention is to provide a crutch of the above indicated character, with means for supporting a sliding foot or lower end of the crutch within a metal sleeve or housing to allow same a sliding movement therein which would be absolutely noiseless in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring shock absorbing crutch of the above indicated character, which is simple in construction, durable, eflicient for the purpose intended, and one that can be manufactured and placed on sale at a relatively low cost.

Referring to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the lower end of a crutch showing same equipped with a shock absorber constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4i of Figure 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in detail, like characters will be used to designate like parts in the difierent views.

In the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the lower end of a crutch staff, the lower end Serial No. 623,919.

of which is received in a tubular housing or collar 2. Slidably mounted in the lower end of the socket 2 is a plug 3, the lower end of which is preferably provided. with a suitable foot 4: of rubber or a similar material.

A plate 5 is attached to the extreme end of the staff 1, the plate 5 being reduced in thickness for one-half of its portion as at 6, the purpose of which will be better understood as the description follows. Formed integral with the plate 5 on its underside is a hollow tubular member 7 which is provided with anenlarged head 8. The hollow tubular member 7 has its sides recessed to provide openings 9, which are arcuate in shape, as is clearly shown in Figure 1.

A ring plate 10 is positioned within the socket or housing 2 and around the tubular member 7, which is also clearly shown in Figure 1. A coil spring 11 is positioned in the socket 2 between the ring plate 10 and an enlarged head 12 formed on the upper end of the plug 3.

The spring 11 normally forces the plug 4 outwardly until the enlarged head 12 engages a shoulder formed on the interior walls of the socket. Thus it can be readily seen that the spring absorbs the entire shocks received on the cushioned foot 4.

A key 13 which is provided with threads as at 1 1 extends through the walls of the socket and also through the tubular member 7. A blade 15 is formed integral with the key 13, which extends beyond the side walls of the tubular member 7 and engages the ring plate 6. When the key and plate are in the position indicated in Figure 1, the coil spring 11 is held at its extreme tension. When it is desired to relieve the tension of the spring 11, the key 13 and blade 15 are rotated to the right or left, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, which allows the spring pin to have various adjustments.

In order to provide a noiseless movement of the plug 3, same is provided with grooves 16 that align with grooves formed in the walls of the socket 2, so that ball bearings 17 may be placed in recesses formed by said grooves for providing noiseless movement of the plug.

In view of the foregoing description of my invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thought that any further explanation as to the construction, operation, and objects of same is unnecessary.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, I realize that various minor changes may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, and therefore, I do not wish to limit myself t the exact details of construction shown, nor to the combination and arrangement of parts.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device of the character described, comprising a staff, a socket secured to the lower end thereof, a plug slidable in said socket, a plate carried by the lower end of said staff, a spring interposed in said socket between said plate and said plug for providing a cushioning element, and means for adjusting the position of said plate with relation to said stafi? for varying the tension of said spring,

2. A device of the character described comprising a staff, a tubular collar secured on the lower end thereof, a plug including a cushioned foot slidable within said collar, a coil spring interposed in the collar between the staff and plug for providing a cushioning element, a plate secured to the extreme end of the stall, a tubular member formed integrally therewith and provided with an enlarged head, a threaded key extending through the walls of the tubular member, a ring plate positioned within a socket and around the tubular member, a blade "formed integral with the key and extending beyond the side walls of the tubular member and engaging the ring plate, and means for providing a noiseless movement of the plug.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HOWARD KING.

I/Vitnesses MARGARET KING, PATRICK KING.