WO1989000039A1

WO1989000039A1 - Pair of crutches convertible to a walking stick

Info

Publication number: WO1989000039A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian James Coogan
Original assignee: Brian James Coogan
Priority date: 1987-07-06
Filing date: 1988-07-06
Publication date: 1989-01-12

Abstract

Mobility apparatus for people with disabilities, rehabilities or elderly persons includes a crutch element (10) usable as an elbow crutch when a picoting elbow portion (18) is in a first position. When the elbow portions (18, 118) of two crutch elements (10, 100) are swung to second positions, the two elements (10, 100) may be attached together to form a walking stick (34) in which crutch element handle portions (16, 116) together form a handle (36) for the walking stick (34).

Description

¹ PAIR OF CRUTCHES CONVERTIBLE TO A WALKING STICK

2

3 This invention is directed towards those active

4 disabled persons, persons rehabilitating from injury or

5 ilness, and elderly people who rely on a walking stick or

6 on two sticks and elbow crutches as essential aids for

7 personal mobility.

8 At certain times, inconspicuous sticks are favoured,

9 particularly when the user is either indoors or in another

10 confined space, such as in motor vehicles and aircraft.

11 At other times crutches are preferred as they enable

12 the user to enjoy relatively quick movement over longer

13 distances, and also provide additional comfort and support IA when negotiating steps without handrails, kerbs and uneven

15 terrain. However, when indoors crutches are often not

16 needed and, in fact, become quite cumbersome and untidy in

17 such confined areas.

18 Until now, the major problem regularly faced by a user

19 was the unavailability of the other appliance when an 0 immediate need arose. 1 In addressing this problem, the inventor - himself 2 paralysed in both legs since childhood - has succeeded in 3 incorporating both appliances in a single, compact unit. 4 As anticipated, the unique charac eristics of the 5 invention has meant enhanced freedom of movement at the whim 6 of the user - that is to say, transfer from the "stick" mode 7 to the "crutch" (or "recreational") mode can be effected 8 almost immediately. 9 As the inventor has readily confirmed, the increased 0 exercise which resulted from using the apparatus yielded a 1 corresponding increase in personal fitness and well-being. 2 Its recreational potential should not therefore be 3 underestimated. 4 Referring firstly to Fig. 1, there is shown a crutch 5 element 10 in the form of an elbow crutch. 6 Crutch element 10 has a leg portion 12, an arm portion 7 14, a handle portion 16, an elbow portion 18 and an elbow- 8 surrounding portion 20. Portions 12,14 and 16 are rigidly connected together, whilst elbow portion 18 is rotatable about point 22 so that it may lie adjacent arm portion 14, in a second position. The invention provides mobility apparatus for disabled or elderly persons, including a crutch element (10) having a portion (18) movable from a first position, in which the element (10) may be used as a crutch, and a second position, in which the element (10) may be attached to a second crutch element (100) to form a walking stick (34). An embodiment of the invention, which may be preferred, will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of one 'crutch' element; Figure 2 is a section along the lines 2 - 2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the 'walking stick' combination of two Figure 1 elements; Figure 4 is a section along the lines 4 - 4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is an illustration of the 'walking stick' combination used as a seat; Figure 6 is an illustration of the 'walking stick' combination used as a walking stick; and Figure 7 is an illustration of the 'crutch' element used as an elbow crutch. In the illustrated first position, a stop (not shown) is provided to impart ridigity to the arm portion/elbow portion combination when the element 10 is being used as an elbow crutch. A moulded foot 24 is located at the base of leg 12, and fastening means 26 in the form of a strap - preferably a moulded rubber strap - is located near the base of leg 12. Another fastening means 28 also in the form of a strap - again preferably a moulded rubber strap - is located on elbow support 20. Leg 12 is preferably formed from an aluminium extrusion, with the preferred cross-section shown in Fig. 2. Other suitable materials may of course be used, and it may be desirable to place on f lat face 30 means for inter engagement with the flat surface of a second crutch element for the purpose discussed hereinafter. On example of inter engagement means could be mating recesses and protrusions, such as shallow dished regions and low-relief protrusions . A suggested alternative material for leg 12 is a plastics material from which the entire element 10 could be made. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 16 is formed from a moulded closed cell foam, and the elbow portion 18 by structural foam with a metal core. Arm portion 14 is intended to be a powdercoated diecasting. Straps 26,28 could be replaced by other fastening or clamping means. Adhesive reflective tape 32 may be located on elbow portion 18 for safety. The element 10 of Fig. 1 may be used as an elbow crutch or as one of a pair of such crutches. Figure 3 shows a walking stick 34 formed from a combination of elements 10. For identification, the second element is designated 10. In at least all essential particulars, element 100 is identical to element 10. Flat faces 30,130 of legs 12,112 (Figure 4) abut. Elbow portions 18,118 are each folded into a second position adjacent arm portions 14,114. Fastening means 26, 126 are attached, as are fastening means 28,128 thereby clamping elements 10,100 together and forming a single handle 36 from handle portions 16, 116. In the combination 34 of Figure 3, the crutch elements 10,100 may be used as a walking stick in those confined areas referred to hereinbefore. Alternatively, the elements 10, 100 may be used as a seat. Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate, respectively, the walking stick, seat and crutch modes of this embodiment of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. Mobility apparatus for disabled or elderly persons, including a crutch element (10) having a portion (18) movable from a first position, in which the element (10) may be used as a crutch, and a second position, in which the element (10) may be attached to a second crutch element (100) to form a walking stick (34). 2. Mobility apparatus according to claim 1, wherein fastening means (26,28) are provided to co-operate with fastening means (126,128) on said second crutch element (100) to effect attachment therebetween. 3. Mobility apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein leg portions (12, 112) of the said crutch elements (10, 100) have faces (30,130) adapted to abut each other when said elements (10, 100) are attached together. 4. Mobility apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said movable portion (18) is a portion pivotally attached to a rigid portion (14) of said element (10) such that in said first position it exhibits rigidity in one angular direction for use of said element (10) as a crutch. 5. Mobility apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein one of said fastening means (26) is located near the base of said leg (12) and the other (28), when said portion (18) is in said second position, is located near the top of said leg. 6. Mobility apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said crutch element (10) has a handle portion (16) which, when said elements (10, 110) are attached, forms with handle portion 116 of crutch element 110, a handle (36) for said walking stick (34). 7. Mobility apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, when the cross-section of said leg (12) is substantially a circle, with one flat portion (30).