US1709501A

US1709501A - Crutch

Info

Publication number: US1709501A
Application number: US187841A
Authority: US
Inventors: William M Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1927-04-30
Filing date: 1927-04-30
Publication date: 1929-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1946-04-16

Description

April 16, 1929. w. M. TAYLOR cnurcn Filed April 30, 1927 Patented Apr. 16, W29.

UNITED-i-STATES PATENT or I 1,70a5e1 Pics."-

WILLIAM M. TAYLOR, 0E FAIRHAVEN, OHIO.

CRUTCH.

Application filed April 30, 1927. Serial No. 187,841. i

The invention provides a support embodying a staff and cross piece adapted to engage under the arm pit of a weak or disabled person, to give assistance when. moving about.

The invention relates to an article of the nature aforesaid which is adjustable and adapted for use by an individual who wishes to have both hands free, or by one who has lost the hand which otherwise would grip the staff and hold the crutch in operative position. I

WVhile the drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, itis to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the design may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention nated in both views of the drawing by like reference characters.

The staff of the crutch is designated by the numeral 1 and is provided at its upper end with a fork, to which is adjustably connected an arm rest 2 which is concave or hollowed out at its top side to conform to the under side of the arm adjacent the shoulder. The fork is adapted to be adjustably connected to the upper end of. the staff 1 and comprises similar side pieces 3 which come together at their lower ends to snug- 1y receive the staff 1 which is clampedtherebetween by means of bolts 4, or other suitable fastening means.

The upper portions of the fork members are formed with longitudinal slots 5 to receive the bolts 6 whereby the arm rest 2 is adjusta'bly secured to the forks. Lugs 7 are disposed along the sides of the slots 5 and are spaced apart to receive plates 8 through which the bolts 6 pass, the arrangement being such as to prevent any possible displacement of the arm rest even though the bolts 6 should become loose.

Shoulder straps 9 are connected to the upper portion of the crutch and provide means for positively connecting the crutch to the person. The ends of the arm rest 2 are recessed to receive the lower ends of the shoulder straps 9 and the latter are formed with openings vto receive-the screws or fastenings '6. The straps 9 are adapted to be buckled over the shoulder in a manner to retain the crutch in position when the person desires to have free use of both hands or is without use of the hand which under ordinary conditions. would be utilized to grip the crutch. The arrangement is such that the shoulder straps 9 may be dispensed with when not required for use.

Gripping means are provided and, as shown consist of an arm 10 having a clamp ll at one end to receive the staff 1, and having its outer end bent upwardly and forked, as indicated at 12't0 receive the handle 13. In the preferable construction the parts 10,

.11 and 12 consist of wire twisted together and having end portions flattened and V shaped to provide the clamp 11. A spring band 14 is bolted or otherwise secured to the arm 10 and provides means for engaging the the forearm of the user when the hand has been amputated. If the user is in full possession of the hand necessary to hold the crutch and manipulate the same the spring band 14 may be dispensed with. V

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

' 1. In combination with a crutch, an arm projecting laterallytherefrom, and a spring band fitted to said arm, and adapted to engage the stump of the human arm.

2. A crutch including a staif,a fork comprising similar members having their lower ends brought together at opposite sides of the staff and having their upper portions parallel, longitudinally slotted and provided with outwardly disposed spaced lugs, means adjustably connecting the fork members to the upper end of the staff, an arm rest between the fork members and intermediate means adjustably connecting the upper ends the ends thereof, shoulder straps extending of the shoulder straps, and plates mounted along the inner sides of the fork members upon the outer ends of the bolts and re- 10 and beyond the upper ends thereof, bolts ceived between adjaeent'lugs to positively 5 passing through slots inthe fork members, hold the parts in adjusted position.

the lower ends of the shoulder straps and In testimony whereof I affix my signature. threaded into the ends of the arm rest, WILLIAM M. TAYLOR. [n s]