Leg brace for stilts

Abstract

A plastic leg brace element for construction stilts is disclosed. The leg brace element comprises a plastic body. The plastic body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a stilt user's leg, and a passage spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an improved leg brace for a stilt, particularly stilts employed in the construction industry to facilitate overhead work, such as accessing and hanging suspended ceiling structures or overhead electrical or duct work.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, is an example of one type of stilt employed by the construction industry. It utilizes a single upright post extending above the shoe platform and having a calf brace near the upper end to provide stability to the user. The calf brace attaches to the side of the post and is solely dependent on the retention of the fasteners for safety.

The calf brace in this disclosure is constructed of metal and is expensive to produce. A calf brace that could be produced in one step would be less labor intensive and less expensive.

Also, metallic calf braces are subject to fatigue cracks over time, and are not easy to straighten if bent by accident or abuse. Constructing the braces out of a material that resists fatigue and damage would enhance their durability.

Also, the calf brace in both of these disclosures presents an inherent safety hazard during falls because of its metallic construction. A brace construction less likely to result in a cut during a fall would be very desirable.

Further, additional redundancy against failure of the stilt due to loss of the brace retaining bolts would be desirable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide an improved leg brace for a stilt that, in preferred embodiments, overcomes the above noted deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention is provided in the form of a non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt. The leg brace element comprises a plastic body. The plastic body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a stilt user's leg, and a passage spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt.

Prior art stilt leg braces were formed of metal from expensive extrusion and bending processes. They were subject to metal fatigue, stress cracking, and possible failure when in use. They were also lacking in comfort for the user, sharp edged and heavy, and presented an additional injury hazard for users during falls. The inventive stilt leg brace is cheaper to produce, more durable, more comfortable, and safer than metallic stilt leg braces according to the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a pair of calf braces constructed according to one embodiment of the invention from an upper perspective.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial illustration of one of calf braces shown in FIG. 1 from a lower perspective.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of a calf brace as shown in FIG. 1 from an additional perspective.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial illustration of a stilt fitted with a calf brace according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a non-metallic unitary leg brace element 2 for a stilt. The leg brace element comprises a plastic body. The plastic body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface 4 for supporting a stilt user's leg, and a passage 6 spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt.

A wide range of plastic material is suitable for construction of the brace element 2. For cost and speed of production, a thermoplastic would be preferred. For strength, a fiber reinforced thermoplastic would be preferred. For durability, an engineering thermoplastic would be preferred. Short glass fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a suitable material, for example. The brace element 2 is preferably produced by an injection molding process.

The generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface is positioned around a longitudinal axis 8. A longitudinal axis 10 of the passage is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 8.

The brace element can be described as comprising a first portion 12 and a second portion 14. The portion is a generally saddle-shaped structure having an inner surface which defines the generally cylindrical inside surface and an outer surface 16. The second portion protrudes from the outer surface of the first portion and is longitudinally elongated and defines the passage.

The second portion is positioned between first half of the outer surface of the first portion and a second half of the outer surface of the first portion. The outer surface of the first portion has an upper end and a lower end. The second portion preferably comprises an upper ear element 18 protruding from the upper end of the outer surface of the first portion, and a lower ear element 20 protruding from the lower end of the outer surface of the first portion. A tubular element 22 extends between the upper ear element and the lower ear element and defines a portion of the passage. Preferably, an upper end of the passage is closed by a portion 24 of the upper ear element.

The passage is preferably configured to closely accept the upper end of the stilt upright on which it will be positioned. A circular cross section is preferred for uprights constructed of round tubing.

The second portion preferably further defines at least one transverse borehole 26 in communication with the passage suitable for receiving a fastener to fasten the non-metallic unitary leg brace element to a stilt leg support received by the passage. Pins fitted with a retention device or bolts with nuts and a locking mechanism would be suitable. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper ear defines a first transverse borehole and the lower ear defines a second transverse borehole. Each of the boreholes is in communication with the passage and is suitable for receiving a fastener to fasten the non-metallic unitary leg brace element to a stilt leg support received by the passage.

Preferably, the first portion further defines outwardly protruding reinforcing bands extending circumferentially from the upper ear and the lower ear. In the illustrated embodiment, an upper band 28 is positioned adjacent to the upper end of the outer surface of the first portion and a lower band 30 is positioned adjacent to the lower end of the outer surface of the first portion. The first portion has a first lateral end 32 and a second lateral end 34 and further defines a first bridge structure 36 connecting the upper band to the lower band near the first lateral end and a second bridge structure 38 connecting the upper band to the lower band near the second lateral end. The tubular element is spaced apart from the outer surface of the first portion to define a passage 40. The brace element defines a location for receipt of a user safety strap 42 between the upper and lower reinforcing bands and extending between the tubular element and the first and second bridge structures and the outer surface of the first portion. A layer 44 of cushioning is further positioned on the generally cylindrical inside surface in the preferred embodiment. Foam fastened with adhesive is suitable.

FIG. 4 illustrates the invention as can be deployed on a stilt 46 of the general type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515. The stilt comprises a floor platform 48 and a shoe platform 50. A pair of substantially vertically mounted supports 52, 54 pivotally connect the floor platform and the shoe platform. The vertical supports are spring-biased so as to maintain the vertical supports and the platforms in a parallelogram configuration. A leg support 56 is mounted to one of the vertically mounted supports and extends upwardly above the shoe platform. The leg support has an upper end section 58. The upper end section of the leg support is retained in the passage of the unitary leg brace element 2 in superposition with respect to the shoe platform. A user safety strap can be received in the location defined for receipt of a user safety strap.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the invention is not to be construed as being so limited, except to the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.

Claims

1. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt, said leg brace element comprising

a plastic body defining a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a stilt user's leg, and

a passage spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt,

wherein

the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface is positioned around a longitudinal axis,

and the passage is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis,

wherein

the leg brace element comprises a first portion and a second portion,

the first portion being a generally saddle-shaped structure having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the generally cylindrical inside surface,

the second portion protruding from the outer surface of the first portion and being longitudinally elongated and defining the passage

wherein

the second portion is positioned between a first half of the outer surface of the first portion and a second half of the outer surface of the first portion

wherein

the outer surface of the first portion has an upper end and a lower end,

and the second portion comprises

an upper ear element protruding from the upper end of the outer surface of the first portion,

a lower ear element protruding from the lower end of the outer surface of the first portion, and

a tubular element extending between the upper ear element and the lower ear element and defining a portion of the passage.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 1 wherein

an upper end of the passage is closed by a portion of the upper ear element.

7. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 6 wherein the second portion further defines

at least one transverse borehole in communication with the passage suitable for receiving a fastener to fasten the non-metallic unitary leg brace element to a stilt leg support received by the passage.

8. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 7 wherein the upper ear defines a first transverse borehole and the lower ear defines a second transverse borehole, each borehole being in communication with the passage and suitable for receiving a pin to fasten the non-metallic unitary leg brace element to a stilt leg support received by the passage.

9. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 8 wherein the first portion further defines outwardly protruding reinforcing bands extending circumferentially from the upper ear and the lower ear.

10. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 9 wherein the first portion defines

an upper band is positioned adjacent to the upper end of the outer surface of the first portion, and

a lower band is positioned adjacent to the lower end of the outer surface of the first portion.

11. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 10 wherein the first portion has a first lateral end and a second lateral end and further defines a first bridge structure connecting the upper band to the lower band near the first lateral end and a second bridge structure connecting the upper band to the lower band near the second lateral end.

12. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 11 wherein

the tubular element is spaced apart from the outer surface of the first portion to define a location for receipt of a user safety strap between the tubular element and the outer surface of the first portion.

13. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 7 further comprising, in combination, a layer of cushioning positioned on the generally cylindrical inside surface.

14. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 7 further comprising, in combination,

a floor platform,

a shoe platform,

a pair of substantially vertically mounted supports pivotally connecting said floor platform and said shoe platform, said vertical supports spring-biased so as to maintain said vertical supports and said platforms in a parallelogram configuration, and

a leg support mounted to one of said vertically mounted supports and extending upwardly above said shoe platform, said leg support having an upper end section,

wherein the upper end section of said leg support is retained in the passage of the unitary leg brace element in superposition with respect to the shoe platform.

15. A non-metallic unitary leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 12 further comprising, in combination,

a floor platform,

a shoe platform,

a pair of substantially vertically mounted supports pivotally connecting said floor platform and said shoe platform, said vertical supports spring-biased so as to maintain said vertical supports and said platforms in a parallelogram configuration,

a leg support mounted to one of said vertically mounted supports and extending upwardly above said shoe platform, said leg support having an upper end section,

wherein the upper end section of said leg support is retained in the passage of the unitary leg brace element in superposition with respect to the shoe platform, and

a user safety strap received in the location defined for receipt of a user safety strap.