WO2011061137A1

WO2011061137A1 - Forearm crutch having shock-absorbing means

Info

Publication number: WO2011061137A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/067446
Authority: WO
Inventors: François DENJEAN
Original assignee: Fdi France
Priority date: 2009-11-17
Filing date: 2010-11-15
Publication date: 2011-05-26
Also published as: FR2952527B1; FR2952527A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a forearm crutch comprising a crutch head (2) including an elongate carrier provided at the upper portion thereof with an ante-brachial bearing means (4) and, at the lower portion thereof, a handle (3) and a carrier tube (1) on which said crutch head (2) is mounted, characterized in that said crutch comprises shock-absorbing means (7) of the efforts applied by a user, arranged between the carrier tube (1) and the crutch head (2). The invention can be used a walking assistance device in particular for medical use.

Description

"English cane with damping means"

The present invention relates to an English cane with damping means.

The invention will find its application as a walking aid device, particularly for medical use. More particularly, the invention relates to the field of English canes which are understood here devices having an elongated tube portion whose distal end is in contact with the ground and the other end is secured to a head cane allowing the user to have support. The grip is performed at a handle and a support means is provided on the cane head to operate a support of the forearm having a lateral immobilization effect thereof.

Devices of this type described in particular in the document DE-U1-85 27 503 are known which have, at the level of the distal end of the tube in contact with the ground, an elastomer and / or plastic stopper and a spring in the stopper or in the tube to absorb shocks and efforts at each step of the patient.

However, these devices are not satisfactory because at the most sensitive points such as the joints of the wrists, elbows and shoulders, the reaction during the impact on the ground is still largely transmitted and felt by the user during the different phases of use of the device.

However, patients who require the use of cane English for long periods then have many inflammatory pain in the joint areas.

There is therefore the need to propose an English cane which limits the effect of the impact on the ground and the transmission of the efforts exerted by the user on the cane to better preserve the condition of the joints of the hands and arms.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to an English cane comprising damping means disposed between the elongated support tube and the cane head.

The patient's support on the cane head is damped at the cane head which provides flexibility in the use of the invention.

Preferably, the cane head and the support tube are slidably movable relative to each other.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is not however limiting.

It should first be recalled that the present invention relates to an English cane comprising a cane head comprising elongate support means provided in the upper part with an ante-brachial support means and in the lower part of a handle and a support tube on which is mounted the can head is characterized in that it comprises means for damping the forces exerted by the user disposed between the support tube and the cane head

According to preferred but nonlimiting variants, the invention is such that: the cane head and the support tube are movable in sliding relative to each other and comprise rotational mounting means mounted on the cane head and on a lower portion of the support tube; incl in relation to the flow direction,

the means of the connection comprise a biel rotatably mounted between the support tube and the cane head,

- The head of the body and you need to be able to m ubble and m ake e n s between each other,

the damping means are disposed at the upper end of the support tube,

the cane head comprises a housing intended to receive the upper end of the support tube,

the damping means are positioned in the housing of the cane head,

the cane head comprises a guide plug at the upper end of the support tube,

the damping means comprise a compressible element supported and interposed between a surface of the cane head and a surface of the support tube;

the damping means comprise a compressible element bearing and inserted between a surface of the cane head and the guide stopper,

the housing comprises an inner surface for guiding the damping means,

the guide shutter cap comprises a pin of perpendicular axis intended to cooperate with the inner surface for guiding the housing,

the damping means comprise at at least one of their ends a conical portion intended to cooperate with a portion of complementary shape at the level of the housing,

the support tube comprises a fixed support surface configured to cooperate with the cane head at the handle, a ring is mounted on the support tube on which the fixed support surface is formed,

a connecting rod is rotatably mounted between the support tube and the cane head,

the connecting rod comprises two flank pieces connected by a connecting portion having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube;

the connecting rod is intended to be in contact with the ring,

the connecting portion is configured to be in contact with the fixed support surface,

the support tube comprises a lower part extending from the end intended to bear on the ground to the lower end of the cane head and an upper part extending over at least a portion of the height of the cane head,

- The upper part is inclined relative to the lower part.

The accompanying drawings are given by way of example and are not limiting of the invention. They represent only one embodiment of the invention and will make it easy to understand.

Figure 1 is a side view of the English cane according to the invention in the upper position, that is to say that the user does not exert effort on the English cane.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view according to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the English cane according to the invention in the lower position, that is to say that the user exerts a force on the English cane.

FIG. 4 is a view in longitudinal section according to FIG.

Figures 5 and 6 are views in longitudinal section of the English cane.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the guide plug.

Conventionally, the English cane head 2 according to the invention comprises an ante-brachial support means 4 for receiving and stabilizing the forearm of the user, a handle 3 for the support of the hand of the user. The ante-brachial support means 4 and the handle 3 are attached to elongate support means 10 advantageously formed of a rod. The cane head 2 according to the invention is mounted on a support tube 1 for example consisting of a hollow cylindrical tube made of metallic material capable of constituting an elongated element joining the cane head 2 and the ground. The part in contact with the ground can be carried out routinely. For example, the support tube 1 is fitted by a lower diameter tube sliding to adjust the length of the English cane. The lower diameter tube is terminated by a tip of elastomeric material in contact with the ground.

The elongated support means 10 are configured to fit the support tube 1. Thus, the rear face of the elongated support means 10, intended to cooperate with the surface of the body, adopts a curvature equivalent to that of the support tube 1 so as to form a portion of the lateral guiding groove of the latter. this.

Advantageously, the cane head 2 comprises a housing 14 formed in the upper part of the elongate support means 10. This housing 14 is designed to receive the end of the support tube 1. Advantageously, the upper end of the support tube 1 receives a guide plug 21 provided with a pin 22 of perpendicular axis and a conical upper depression 23. The lug 22 is intended to cooperate with a guide rail formed on the inner surface for guiding the housing 14. Thus, the support tube 1 is held in the axis of the elongated support means 10 by the housing 14. The movements rotation of the cane head 2 and the support tube 1 relative to each other are prescribed.

The present invention comprises damping means 7 arranged between the cane head 2 and the support tube 1. The damping means 7 are arranged so as to allow movement of the cane head 2 relative to the support tube 1. Advantageously, the cane head 2 is movable by sliding along the support tube 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, the damping means 7 are placed in the housing 14. The damping means 7 are interposed between the upper end of the support tube 1 and the housing 14, as shown in FIGS. 4.

The damping means 7 are intended to damp the forces exerted by the user. When the user does not apply any effort on the English cane, more particularly at the level of the cane head 2 via the handle 3 and the ante-brachial support 4, then the damping means 7 are not solicited; they are in the rest position, called the high position (see Figures 1 and 2).

When the user applies a force, especially when walking, he presses the handle 3 by applying at least all or part of its weight. At this moment, the damping means 7 are biased and deform elastically. This deformation of the damping means 7 causes a movement of the cane head 2 relative to the support tube 1 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The forces exerted by the user are damped by the damping means 7 thus providing flexibility to the English cane according to the invention improving the comfort of the user. Indeed, the ground reaction forces are resumed through the damping means 7 and no longer directly by all of its upper joint elements.

When the user releases the forces applied, the damping means 7 release, advantageously progressively, the accumulated energy and resume their rest position (see Figures 1 and 2).

The housing 14 receiving the upper end of the support tube 1, equipped with its guide plug, and the damping means 7 also has a guiding role. Indeed, the housing 14 orients the deformation of the damping means 7 and the sliding of the rod head 2 on the support tube 1, preferably by means of its guide plug closure comprising a conical depression. In particular, the housing 14 comprises an inner guiding surface. This surface is configured to be in contact with the damping means 7 and / or the support tube 1. However, the inner guiding surface is also intended to limit friction and wear points.

In the illustrated configuration, the damping means 7 are formed by an elastically deformable element in compression.

According to one embodiment, the damping means 7 comprise at least at one end a conical portion 15. This conical portion 15 is configured to cooperate with a shape complementary to the 14. Advantageously, the two ends of the damping means 7 comprise a conical portion 15. Thus, the second end of the conical portion 15 is configured to cooperate with the upper end of the support tube 1. The conical portion (s) contributes to orienting the deformation of the damping means in a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support tube 1.

The damping means 7 are formed by any type of material having elastic deformation properties, for example elastomers or polyurethane, in the form of a spring. In the example shown, it is a block, in particular of elastomer or natural rubber, having two compressible zones to contact their series of peripheral rings, the two zones being formed around a zone central cylindrical, compressible or not. The shape of the latter allows cylinder guide su r cyl indre in the housing. A further guiding surface, in particular bearing portions on the wall of the housing is within the scope of the invention.

According to one possibility, the rod head 2 is fixed on the support tube 1 by a locking means limiting its extension stroke on the support tube 1. These locking means are arranged at the lower end of the housing 14 and facing the support tube 1.

According to another advantageous possibility, the English cane according to the invention comprises a ring 5 mounted on the support tube 1. Advantageously, the ring 5 is associated with the cane head 2, preferably at a connecting rod 6 described below, before the assembly of the cane head 2 on the support tube 1. Preferably, the ring 5 and the connecting rod 6 are configured to cooperate, for example, by means of protrusions, ribs or shoulders. Thus, the ring 5 may comprise at least one groove intended to receive at least one protrusion formed on the connecting rod 6, more particularly at a connecting portion 19. The connecting rod 6 and the ring 5 are therefore integral with each other. one to the other while allowing a mobility of the connecting rod 6 relative to the ring 5. The ring 5 associated with the rest of the cane head 2, is inserted on the support tube 1 by sliding. A pin is then placed at the first axis of rotation 12. The pin then fixes the ring 5 to the support tube 1 and thus the entire cane head 2. This arrangement is very advantageous because it avoids any fastening means screw, nail and the assembly of the English cane is facilitated.

Advantageously, the ring 5 comprises a fixed support surface 17 intended to be in contact with the cane head 2.

Preferably, the cane head 2 is held fixed on the support tube 1, preferably at the level of the ring 5, by connecting means. Preferably, the connecting means are rotatable between the support tube 1 and the cane head 2. For example, the connecting means comprise a connecting rod 6 fixed on the one hand to the can head 2, more precisely at the level of the handle 3, and secondly on the ring 5 and thus on the support tube 1. These two attachment points constitute a first axis of rotation 12 and a second axis of rotation 13. The connecting rod 6 makes it possible both to maintain the cane head 2 fixed on the support tube 1 and at the same time allows a mobility of the cane head 2 relative to the support tube 1.

By way of preference, the connecting rod 6 is in the form of a stirrup. It comprises two flanks 18 whose longitudinal planes are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support tube 1. The two sides 18 are connected by a connecting portion 19 of longitudinal plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support tube 1.

Advantageously, it is the connecting rod 6, more particularly the connecting portion 19 which is intended to be in contact with the fixed bearing surface 17 of the ring 5.

When the cane head 2 slides along the support tube 1, the rod 6 is rotatable. The connecting portion 19 then slides along the support tube 1 and in particular the fixed support surface 17.

The cooperation between the ring 5, more precisely the fixed support surface 17 and the connecting rod 6, more precisely the connecting portion 19, makes it possible to maintain the orientation of the cane head 2 relative to the support tube 1. Indeed, as shown in all the figures, the support tube 1 advantageously comprises two parts of different direction with an angle between the upper part where is located the cane head 2 and the lower part to the ground. This inclination of the cane head 2 relative to the part The lower support tube 1 is particularly appreciated for patients for reasons of comfort. This inclination makes it possible to follow the natural orientation of the patient's forearms when walking with English canes. When the cane head 2 slides along the support tube 1, it is necessary for it to continue to rest on the support tube 1 in particular via the ring 5 and more precisely the surface of the support tube 1. fixed support 17 and connecting rod 6.

The English cane according to the invention preferably comprises a support tube 1 advantageously comprising two parts: a lower part extending from the ground to the height of the lower end of the cane head 2 and an upper part advantageously extending over at least a part of the height of the cane head 2.

The angle formed between these two parts is preferably between 5 ° and 25 °.

When the user bears on the cane head 2 at the handle 3, the force is substantially inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the lower part of the support tube 1. The direction of sliding of the cane head 2 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper part of the support tube 1. This direction is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the portion of the body. The positioning of the damping means 7 at the end of the support tube 1, advantageously at the upper end of the upper portion of the support tube 1, serves to damp the forces exerted on the support tube 1.

In addition, the connecting rod 6 allows a guide of the displacement of the cane head 2 relative to the support tube 1.

Advantageously, the ring 5 is disposed on the support tube 1 substantially at the level of the junction between the upper part and the lower part of the support tube 1.

The ring 5 is preferably configured to guide the movement of the cane head 2 relative to the support tube 1. In addition or alternatively, the ring 5 constitutes a complementary support of the cane head 1 when the latter is in the low position, that is to say that the damping means 7 are at least partially solicited. To increase the comfort of the user, it can be expected that the handle 3 comprises a flexible lining 8 in the upper part to also dampen shocks. The ante-brachial support means 4 is configured to obtain an anti-slip effect when the device is supported on a surface such as a table. In particular, the stall 20 allows this result.

According to one embodiment, the invention comprises fastening lugs referenced 9 in the figures which constitute means for attaching an English cane to the other. These attachment means can maintain a pair of rods and therefore to transport and store them more easily. These attachment means are advantageously located at the housing 14 of the cane head 2 and comprise at least two longitudinal tabs 9 forming a groove between them. The longitudinal tabs 9 are positioned side by side longitudinally offset. Thus, the attachment means of an English cane are complementary to the attachment means of the second English cane. The longitudinal legs 9 of an English cane fit into the groove of the second English cane and vice versa.

REFERENCES

1. Support tube

2. Cane head

3. Handle

4. Ante-brachial support

5. Ring

6. Connecting rod

7. Depreciation methods

8. Soft trim

9. Longitudinal tabs

10. Elongated support means

1 1. Upper end of the tube

12. First axis of rotation

13. Second axis of rotation

14. Housing

15. Conical portion

16. Complementary form

17. Fixed support surface

18. Flanks

19. Liaison portion

20. Off the hook

21. Shutter guide cap

22. Ergot

23. Depression

Claims

1. English cane comprising a cane head (2) comprising elongated support means (10) provided in the upper part with ante-brachial support means (4) and in the lower part of a handle (3) and a tube support (1) on which is mounted the cane head (2)

characterized in that it comprises damping means (7) of the forces exerted by the user disposed between the support tube (1) and the cane head (2) and configured so that the cane head (2) ) and the support tube (1) are slidably movable relative to one another and comprise rotatably mounted connecting means on the cane head and a lower portion of the support tube (1). inclined relative to the direction of sliding.

2. English rod according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means comprise a connecting rod (6) rotatably mounted between the support tube (1) and the rod head (2).

3. English rod according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the damping means (7) are arranged at the upper end (1 1) of the support tube (1).

4. English rod according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rod head (2) comprises a housing (14) for receiving the upper end (1 1) of the support tube (1).

5. English cane according to the preceding claim wherein the damping means (7) are positioned in the housing (14) of the cane head (2).

6. English cane according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the housing (14) comprises an inner surface for guiding the damping means (7).

7. English rod according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a guide plug (21) at the upper end of the support tube (1).

8. English cane according to claim 7 in combination with claim 6 wherein the damping means (7) comprise a compressible element supported and interposed between a surface of the cane head (2) and the guide plug (21).

9. English rod according to one of claims 4 to 6 in combination with one of claims 7 or 8 wherein the guide stopper plug (21) comprises a pin of perpendicular axis intended to cooperate with the inner guide surface housing (14).

10. English rod according to any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein the damping means (7) comprise at least one of their ends a conical portion (15) for cooperating with a complementary shaped portion (16). at the housing level (14).

1 1. English rod according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support tube (1) comprises a fixed bearing surface (17) configured to cooperate with the cane head (2) at the handle (3).

12. English rod according to the preceding claim comprising a ring (5) mounted on the support tube (1) on which is formed the fixed bearing surface (17).

13. English rod according to claim 1 1 or 12 wherein the rod (6) comprises two flank pieces (18) connected by a connecting portion (19) of axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube (1), the connecting portion (19) is configured to contact the fixed support surface (17).