Crutches Patents (Class 135/68)
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Patent number: 5829463Abstract: An improved tip for a crutch or cane includes a heel portion extending rearwardly from the tip at an upward angle such that the bottom surface of the heel portion frictionally engages the floor when the cane is tilted rearwardly from a vertical. The heel is made of rubber or other high friction material and is provided with treads on its bottom surface to enhance frictional engagement of the floor.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Inventor: Juan Caro Galan
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Patent number: 5803327Abstract: A cup holder or container holder attached to a crutch. A mounting assembly to mount the holder to the crutch has a threaded bolt with an end wing nut wherein the bolt extends outwardly from a conventional crutch handle or an adaptor with the bolt thereon. In either event, the holder receives the bolt's threaded end and a hand operated wing nut on the end permits the holder's attachment or removal from the exposed bolt. A gimbal pivotal joint may be attached to the holder to receive the bolt to allow the holder to pivot relative to the supporting crutch surface. The adaptor is a three sided bracket with an opened side used to receive the supporting surface. It also has two wing nuts with clamping bolts extending through one of its other bracket sides and a bolt for the holder's wing nut extending from another bracket side.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1997Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Inventors: Dale L. Nipper, Beverly J. Nipper
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Patent number: 5791360Abstract: A stable tubular crutch having a continuous one piece body, with an adjustable hand grip and riveted underarm support. The crutch is made of a tubular member, bent to form an elongated, flattened, fully enclosed, ovate structure with parallel spaced apart sections, within which the adjustable hand grip is positioned. An end of the tubular member longitudinally extends from the ovate structure in line with the major axis thereof and an independently adjustable straight tubular leg is interfitted with the extending end by an adjustable connection. A tubular underarm support, is fitted within a contoured section of the tubular member and is riveted thereto for a fixed connection. The adjustable hand grip is a short tube with a closed end supporting an extending hook. The base of a Y-shaped plastic member, with integrated metal rod (extending out of the fork of the Y) is slidingly retained, with a spring loading, in the open end of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Tubular Fabricators Industry, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Battiston, David Battiston
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Patent number: 5771910Abstract: A compactly collapsible, sectional Lofstrand-type crutch. The crutch features four sectional components: a stud section, a lower tubular member, and an upper tubular member, each telescopingly attached to one another along a longitudinal axis, and a tubular support member removably seated on the upper tubular member. The tubular support member features a support handle, which pivots upwardly into a recess defined within the tubular support member, thereby allowing the support handle to be subsumed into the recess and streamlining the folded assembly for storage. The tubular support member has a forearm sleeve for encircling the forearm of the user when the crutch is in use; when in a storage position, the forearm sleeve is pivotable to become aligned parallel and lateral to the tubular support member. The nested arrangement of the telescoping components shorten the overall length of the crutch to a convenient storage size.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Inventor: Sherri L. Kluttz
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Patent number: 5765583Abstract: A self-adjusting crutch having a floating and moveable central leg. A prepositionable height fastener cooperates with a coupling collar, both of which are disposed on the central leg to predetermine the amount of extension. A fastener and coupler cooperate, for the leg to be extended and retracted repeatedly the exact same distance. The floating moveable leg can be releasably retained within the arm piece.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Inventor: William B. Gamper
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Patent number: 5755644Abstract: An exercise device including an upper segment secured via an articulating joint to the upper body or arm and a lower segment which is slidably connected to the upper segment. The lower segment includes a hand support or hand grip. The attachment of the upper segment to the body is done via an articulating joint so that the upper segment may be freely moved in an arc of approximately sixty degrees, front to back. The joint provides a selectable amount of friction, thereby enhancing the intensity of the exercise. The upper segment is slidably and rotatably connected to the lower segment allowing the lower segment to be twisted and moved rectilinearly relative to the upper segment. The lower segment is terminated at the bottom in an elastomeric pole tip for absorbing shock. The lower segment pole tip may also incorporate a spring.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Inventor: Martinus Van Breems
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Patent number: 5752535Abstract: A crutch is disclosed for providing assistance to individuals who have been injured or are physically challenged. The crutch includes two members capable of telescoping adjustment to accommodate the height of a user. A special shoulder support is used to provide comfortable support to the underarm of the user. The crutch also includes a rectangular foot, which is used to provide a more secure contact with the ground. The foot is specially designed so that is may flex in a manner similar to that of a human foot. The crutch is also capable of supporting multiple accessory items such as a beverage container and a briefcase.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Inventor: Ward L. Sanders
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Patent number: 5735303Abstract: A crutch and leg supporting apparatus 10 is provided. The apparatus 10 includes a crutch 12 and a leg assembly 60, coupled to the crutch which allows the crutch to be supported in a horizontal position. The leg assembly is provided with a pair of legs 62 which are pivotably mounted to the crutch 12 by a support member 74. The support member 74 allows legs 62 to be pivoted to a closed position to extend to a position parallel to the crutch when the crutch is used in an upright position and allows the legs to be pivoted in an open position to extend to a position diagonally outwardly from the crutch so that the crutch can be supported in a horizontal position to support a leg of a user.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1997Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Inventor: Joe C. Cole
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Patent number: 5725005Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a walking assistance crutch which is comfortable to use, and which can keep a user from falling on his face by its existence even if he falls down by accident.Features in structure of the crutch according to the invention are as follows. More specifically, the crutch comprises a crutch main body including an armpit rest at its upper end, a foot portion at its lower end, and a handle grip at its intermediate portion. A vertical length or width W of the armpit rest is increased, and a portion of the armpit rest to be held beneath a shoulder of a user is formed to have a substantially triangular cross section so that it has curved surfaces which conform with contours of an inner side of an upper arm and a breast side wall of the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Ohta Inc. (Ohta Kabushiki Kaisha)Inventors: Takuya Yamasaki, Keizo Ohta
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Patent number: 5711334Abstract: An ambulatory aid for use by handicapped or disabled persons. The aid has a middle section (1) including an upper section-receiving and hand grip-supporting region (12). A hand grip (5) extends from the region, the hand grip (5) defining a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the longitudinal axis and the region defining therebetween an angle less than 90.degree.. An upper section (2) is slidingly receivable within the upper section-receiving and hand grip-supporting region (12) of the middle section (1). A forearm-engaging ring member (4) is supported for rotation from the upper section (2). The ring member, the upper section (12), the handle (5), and the middle section (1) form a disengageable, multi-functional assembly which serves either as a crutch in its assembled form, or as a cane in its disassembled form.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Inventor: Christian Roux
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Patent number: 5673719Abstract: A crutch assembly having right and left leg members and a horizontal cross-body member. The right and left legs can swivel both forward and backward and from side to side. Swivel joints contained within the aluminum tubing provide for the movement of the legs.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1995Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Inventor: Martin K. Shofner
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Patent number: 5671765Abstract: A walking aid or crutch which includes a vertical support member which preferably incorporates a shock-absorbing means therein, and a forearm support, angularly mounted on the vertical support member over an angular range of about 25 to 89 degrees from the vertical to optimize weight distribution and user comfort. The forearm support comprises a linearly disposed forearm cradle and a handle, to further optimize weight distribution, stability and user comfort. The handle may be angled inward toward the center line of the body so that the user's forearm is pronated about five degrees, with weight distributed along the ulnar edge of the forearm adjacent to the elbow joint, and the ulnar border of the hand (fifth metacarpal) is also pronated about five degrees as the fingers engage the support arm handle. The handle may also have a downward angle (in the direction of motion) to create an ulnar deviation of about fifteen degrees beginning at the wrist joint as the hand engages the handle.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1996Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Inventor: Nils G. Hagberg, Jr.
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Patent number: 5647519Abstract: A holder for a beverage container for use with a crutch having a pair of bowed sides connected by a bearing portion at their upper ends, a leg portion at their lower ends, a hand grip connected between the sides and a pair of aligned apertures therethrough on an axis generally parallel to the axis of the hand grip. The beverage holder, in combination with the beverage container, includes an abutting attachment member spanning the bowed sides parallel to the pair of aligned apertures and wrapping around and resiliently engaging the pair of apertures from opposing sides of the crutch. The beverage holder further includes a hoop extending from the attachment member in a horizontal plane defining a circular receptacle for the beverage container and a downwardly depending beverage container stop extending below the hoop for providing a positive stop for the supported beverage container within the hoop.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1996Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Inventor: Dennis Brennan
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Patent number: 5645095Abstract: A waterproof, stain proof and nonporous crutch pad cover formed out of a material having a low coefficient of friction. The crutch pad cover includes an elongate slotted body member having first and second sides which are adapted to partially encircle the periphery of a crutch pad along a portion of its length, a first end portion having an inwardly directed flanged end section which is adapted to enclose a first end of the crutch pad and a second end portion which is adapted to cover a second, opposite end of the crutch pad. A flap securing system is utilized to secure the first and second sides of the body member about the crutch pad proximate the second end thereof. A plurality of outwardly projecting stop members positioned proximate the first and second end portions of the body member are provided to prevent the under arm area of a crutch user from slipping off the low friction crutch pad cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1996Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Inventor: Roland Ramonowski
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Patent number: 5640986Abstract: A mobility assisting device which includes a vertical support structure pivotally coupled to a substantially planar base structure. The base remains parallel to the ground as the base moves relative to the ground. The underarm support is mounted to the vertical support structure so as to be pivotal relative thereto to avoid the translation of pressure points under the patient's arms and rubbing between the upper end of the support and the underarm. The underarm support is angled relative to the plane of the device increase the comfort to the user. The base is biased perpendicular to the support structure by a resilient shock dampening pad between the support structure and the base.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1994Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Inventor: Harry H. Herman
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Patent number: 5633286Abstract: Novel composites are formed from a low rigidity oriented and non-oriented gelatinous elastomer composition of poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) or poly(styrene-ethylene-proplene-styrene) triblock copolymer and high levels of a plasticizing oil. The gelatinous elastomer composition is physically interlocked with an open cell sponge thereby displacing the air space within the sponge and the gel rigidity is found to be greater than about the sum of the combined rigidity of the gelatinous elastomer composition and sponge alone. The gelatinous elastomer composite exhibits a novel combination of properties including unexpectedly high elongation and tensile strength and excellent shape retention after extreme deformation under high-velocity impact and stress conditions. The gelatinous elastomer composites can be made firm or soft and flexible.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1994Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: Applied Elastomerics, Inc.Inventor: John Y. Chen
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Patent number: 5628335Abstract: A shock absorbing crutch includes two support shafts having an upper end, a lower end, and a plurality of apertures, an arm rest including two bores positioned on the upper ends of each support rod, two screws being positioned through the bores to secure the arm rest in place, a hand grip being positioned between the support shafts and including an axial aperture extending therethrough, a bolt being positioned through the apertures in the support bars and hand grip; two stabilizing shafts each having a lower end and an upper end being positioned within the lower end of the support shaft, an extension tab being affixed to the upper end of the stabilizing shaft and positioned within an aperture of the support shaft; a shock absorber with an upper section including a spring and a lower section, the lower section being positioned within the upper section, a mounting plate coupling the shock absorber to the stabilizing shafts; and a lower shaft being positioned within the upper shaft and secured in place by the exType: GrantFiled: August 8, 1996Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Inventor: Michael A. Free
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Patent number: 5605170Abstract: A crutch comprises a pad enclosing an arm piece, two bow rods connecting the hollow arm piece longitudinally, a handpiece connecting two bow rods transversely, a pipe clamped by the lower portions of two bow rods, an extensible rod inserted beneath the pipe, a tip cushion covering the lower end of the extensible rod, and a mount confining the lower ends of the pipe and two bow rods. A plug is disposed on the upper end of the pipe. The pipe has a plurality of adjusting holes.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1996Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Inventor: Kuan-Jen Weng
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Patent number: 5575299Abstract: A walking device which will approximate the natural walking style of a person while providing support and balance. The device is designed to be easily modified to accommodate individual different heights and body weights. The walking device has a foot member, a support member, and a body member attached to the support member opposite the foot member. The body member has means for attaching the device to the lower portion of the human leg.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1995Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Inventor: H. Carlton Bieri
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Patent number: 5564451Abstract: A walking aid or crutch which comprises a vertical support member which preferrably incorporates a shock-absorbing means therein, and a forearm support, angularly mounted on the vertical support member over an angular range of about 25 to 89 degrees from the vertical to optimize weight distribution and user comfort. The forearm support comprises a linearly adjustable forearm cradle and a handle, to further optimize weight distribution, stability and user comfort. The handle may be angled inward toward the center line of the body so that the user's forearm is pronated about five degrees, with weight distributed along the ulnar edge of the forearm adjacent to the elbow joint, and the ulnar border of the hand (fifth metacarpal) is also pronated about five degrees as the fingers engage the support arm handle. The handle may also have a downward angle (in the direction of motion) to create an ulnar deviation of about fifteen degrees beginning at the wrist joint as the hand engages the handle.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Inventor: Nils G. Hagberg
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Patent number: 5555904Abstract: A set of crutches, having tubular aluminum construction with a Y-type lower support means, which extend upward to elbow height, being adjustable in height, and having an extended horizontal top surface, of sufficient length to accommodate the distance between the largest portion of the forearm and hand of the user, having at its rear an energy absorbing pad to communicate with the user's forearm, being incorporated into an adjustable collar for the forearm, a padded horizontal arm rest extending forward from the adjustable collar, and having a padded vertical hand-hold to function as a hand-rest, to enable the weight of the user to be supported by the forearms and not the hands so that the crutches are usable by an individual who has lost hand strength due to arthritis or other degenerative process, and being equipped with a storage pouch suspended from within the frame of the crutches by Velcro means.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Inventor: Walter E. Stockwell
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Patent number: 5526836Abstract: A crutch carrying bag including a bag member including a user securable flap; and a strap assembly including two elongated strap members. Each strap member has a snap latch fastener secured to one end thereof and an O-ring connector securing a second end thereof to the bag member. The two snap latch/O-ring pairs are engageable to form a pair of closed loops that are connected about the hand grip of a crutch to secure the bag member to the crutch during use. The exterior of the securable flap preferably includes a beeper clip slot sized to receive therein the clip of a beeper.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1995Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Inventor: Joanne D. Sigsworth
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Patent number: 5511710Abstract: Reflective fabrics are used extensively throughout strong, expandable, selectively and resiliently restrained, fabric accessories for removable securement to crutches and walkers, to provide expandable carrying volumes for personal use items and shopping items, while at the same time presenting the reflective fabric portions to be readily observed, especially by operators of vehicles. In this Divisional Application, the claims are directed to providing a pocket accessory for crutches.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1994Date of Patent: April 30, 1996Inventors: Robert D. Woods, Sandra E. Radcliffe
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Patent number: 5508334Abstract: Novel gelatinous compositions and articles are fromed from an intimate melt blend admixture of poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer and high levels of a plasticizing oil.The gelatinous composition is transparent and have a novel combination of properties including unexpectedly high elongation and tensile strength and excellent shape retention after extreme deformation under high-velocity impact and stress conditions. The gelatinous products of this invention are soft, flexible, and have elastic memory, characterized by a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram to about 700 gram Bloom. These and other properties are particularly essential for the gelatinous composition to have utility as toys, therapeutic hand exercising grips, shock absorbers, acoustical isolators, components for cushions, and other uses.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1993Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Applied Elastomerics, Inc.Inventor: John Y. Chen
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Patent number: 5482070Abstract: The disclosure relates to a convertible adjustable crutch/cane which is initially used as a crutch and subsequently used as a cane after the need for a crutch no longer exists. The crutch/cane includes a novel connector hand/grip support that is made of lightweight, high strength molded plastic. The connector hand/grip eliminates the need for complicated metal working steps previously required in known prior art devices. Additionally, there is disclosed a novel underarm support which is economical to produce requiring a minimum amount of material and is useful in a single support crutch.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Inventor: James V. Kelly
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Patent number: 5458145Abstract: An adjustable crutch (10) includes upper and lower assemblies (12, 14) which are slidably interconnected with one another is constructed of hollow aluminum pipes, or tubing, (16, 18, 42, 44) interconnected by glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members (20, 22, 54). Walls of the hollow aluminum tubing extend into annular cavities (26) formed in the glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members, with molded-in bosses, or plugs, (28) of glass or fiber-reinforced nylon material extending into bores of the aluminum tubing. A hand grip support (54) has shear pins (64) for selectively engaging holes (66) in upper shafts (16, 18). A hand grip (68) on the hand grip support is laterally offset and the upper shafts are separated by at least 5 inches. The hand grip defines a holding notch (78) for interconnecting two crutches so that they can be easily held by one hand while only one of the crutches is used. A foam arm cushion (32) has a convex top edge (34) and concave side surfaces (36a, 36b ).Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1994Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: Trek Medical CorporationInventor: Richard C. Davis
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Patent number: 5458143Abstract: A crutch system comprising an elbow spring and a shank spring stores and releases energy during crutch locomotion. The elbow spring compresses during elbow flexion and then expands, extending the elbow and lifting the body upwards during uphill crutch locomotion. The shank spring compresses during impact of the crutch bottom with the ground and then expands, thrusting the user upwards and forwards.The crutch of this invention maximizes stability, cushioning, and efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1994Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Inventor: Hugh M. Herr
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Patent number: 5445175Abstract: A medical crutch includes a hollow bottom leg member and a pair of hollow side rail members running parallel at a predetermined distance apart, and merged by inflections which are in turn engaged to the bottom leg member at its opposite sides, each of the bottom leg and side members having a cross section of a round-cornered rectangle or an ellipsoid with a flat engagement surface with respect to the adjacent members increasing the resistance to the lateral working loads of the crutch in use and facilitating the assembly of the members as well as the precise punching operations for forming screw holes through which a plurality of screw bolts and nuts fasten the members together; each of the bottom leg and side rail members having a reinforcing means extending inside thereof in a direction vertical to the load-acting lateral direction to prevent a crushing of the member in the punching and a bending operation to form said inflections; and a grip means including concave and convex surfaces formed integral to eaType: GrantFiled: June 6, 1994Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Inventor: Kyungil Cho
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Patent number: 5427131Abstract: Crutches with shiftable cradles including a lower rod positioned in a vertical orientation with an upper end and a lower end and a pair of radial apertures extending through the lower rod adjacent to its upper end; a pair of upper rods each with the rods being parallel with respect to each other from their upper ends to an area adjacent their lower ends with axial apertures therethrough with bolts and associated nuts extending through the apertures for the coupling thereof; a lower cradle formed with an upper surface and a lower surface and in a curved configuration the lower cradle having a lower surface coupled with respect to the upper ends of the upper bars and having an upper surface with a recess extending upwardly therefrom; an upper cradle having an upper surface and a lower surface in a curved configuration essentially concentric with the lower cradle, the central extent of the lower cradle coupled to the upper edge of the connector; and coupling components interconnecting the upper and lower cradlesType: GrantFiled: October 26, 1994Date of Patent: June 27, 1995Inventor: Jack L. Eggers, Jr.
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Patent number: 5417234Abstract: An adjustable crutch (10) includes upper and lower assemblies (12, 14) which are slidably interconnected with one another is constructed of hollow aluminum pipes, or tubing, (16, 18, 42, 44) interconnected by glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members (20, 22, 54). Walls of the hollow aluminum tubing extend into annular cavities (26) formed in the glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members, with molded-in bosses, or plugs, (28) of glass or fiber-reinforced nylon material extending into bores of the aluminum tubing. A hand grip support (54) has shear pins (64) for selectively engaging holes (66) in upper shafts (16, 18). A hand grip (68) on the hand grip support is laterally offset and the upper shafts are separated by at least 5 inches. The hand grip defines a holding notch (78) for interconnecting two crutches so that they can be easily held by one hand while only one of the crutches is used. A foam arm cushion (32) has a convex top edge (34) and concave side surfaces (36a, 36b ).Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1994Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: Trek Medical CorporationInventor: Richard D. Davis
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Patent number: 5409029Abstract: A crutch tip assembly (12) includes a crutch tip base (14) with a laterally protruding lip (28) adjacent a base bottom surface (26) and a resilient boot (16) having the shape of a rocker. The boot defines a mounting cavity (36) for snugly receiving the base bottom surface and the lip for holding the boot on the base. The boot has a sole with a bottom surface (39) for contacting the ground and a top surface (46) in the cavity directed towards the base bottom surface. Protruding portions are positioned between the base bottom surface and the sole top surface for providing resilient cushioning between the sole top surface and the base bottom surface. Sidewall cavities (84) are located around the perimeter of the boot allowing for lateral compression and reexpansion.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1994Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: Trek Medical CorporationInventor: Richard C. Davis
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Patent number: 5402811Abstract: A telescopic and foldable crutch structure includes an armpit seat, two telescopic inner tubes each having a top end on which the armpit seat is disposed, two telescopic outer tubes telescopically receiving the inner tubes, a handle adjustably coupling the telescopic inner and outer tubes with each other, a locking cam having a locking pin, two coupling blocks, two outer coupling tubes, an adjusting outer tube, an adjusting inner tube, a cap member fitted on bottom ends of the outer coupling tubes and the adjusting outer tube and a pad member fitted on a bottom end of the adjusting inner. The adjusting outer tube is tightened by the locking cam, The adjusting outer tube, is pivotally connected with the telescopic outer tubes by the locking pin and tightened between the telescopic outer tubes by the locking cam. The locking cam is adapted to be pulled upward, permitting the adjusting outer tube and the outer coupling tubes to be folded upward.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1994Date of Patent: April 4, 1995Assignee: Keep-Young Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kuan-jen Weng
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Patent number: 5353825Abstract: A crutch tip assembly (12) comprises a crutch tip base (14) with a laterally protruding lip (28) adjacent a base bottom surface (26) and a resilient boot (16) having the shape of a rocker. The boot defines a mounting cavity (36) for snugly receiving the base bottom surface and the lip for holding the boot on the base. The boot has a sole with a bottom surface (39) for contacting the ground and a top surface (46) in the cavity directed towards the base bottom surface. Protruding portions are positioned between the base bottom surface and the sole top surface for providing resilient cushioning between the sole top surface and the base bottom surface. Sidewall cavities (84) are located around the perimeter of the boot allowing for lateral compression and reexpansion.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1993Date of Patent: October 11, 1994Assignee: TREK Medical CorporationInventor: Richard C. Davis
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Patent number: 5351701Abstract: A crutch structure including an armpit seat, a lateral tube assembly having two lateral tubes, a handle assembly, a middle supporting tube, a bottom cap and a telescopic tube. The lateral tubes are symmetrically arranged, each including an outer semi-circular tube section and an inner rectangular beam section. Multiple aligned pairs of transverse through holes are formed on predetermined portions of the lateral tubes. Lower portions of the lateral tubes first extending downward and toward each other and then extending straight downward in parallel with each other. The handle assembly is adjustably locked on the lateral tubes. The middle supporting tube includes a central circular tube section having multiple aligned pairs of circular through holes formed on front and back sides of the circular tube section, and two lateral substantially C-shaped outward open rib sections corresponding to the rectangular beam sections of the lateral tubes.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1994Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Inventor: Fang-jung Hsiao
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Patent number: 5348035Abstract: A crutch harness assembly including a belt element adapted to be secured around a waist of the user, two loop-like strap elements connected to the belt element and each adapted to surround and engage a respective upper leg portion, and a strap means connected to each of the loop-like strap elements and adapted for engaging a corresponding crutch adjacent the upper end of said crutch.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1993Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: John S. FisherInventor: Jerry Porter
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Patent number: 5341829Abstract: An adjustable forearm crutch, wherein the fork support is formed with a central reinforcing rib for increasing the bending-resistant strength of the fork support, the reinforcing rib and the adjacent wall of the fork support defining a recess. After the fork support is molded, the recess can serve as a standard face for the processing procedure so that when punching holes on the fork support, no deflection will take place. The fork support and fixing tube being inserted in through holes of a sleeve member so that the waste chips and water produced when processing the fork support can be easily removed. The through hole of the sleeve member for receiving the fixing tube is formed with an annular groove which provides a resilient clamping effect, the end of which is cut into several equal sections for providing resilient clamping effect, so that the adjusting tube is firmly supported at two points without loosening or swinging.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Inventors: Fang-Jung Hsiao, Ming-Lung Hsieh
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Patent number: 5339849Abstract: The handles of a pair of crutches have male and female coupling elements which enable them to be removably and totally fixed to one another. Crutches fixed in this manner can then be placed in a stable manner against any support at an elevation above their center of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1993Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Inventor: Joseph Stutz
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Patent number: 5340005Abstract: Reflective fabrics are used extensively throughout strong, expandable, selectively and resiliently restrained, fabric accessories for removable securement to crutches and walkers, to provide expandable carrying volumes for personal use items and shopping items, while at the same time presenting the reflective fabric portions to be readily observed, especially by operators of vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1992Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Inventors: Robert D. Woods, Sandra E. Radcliffe
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Patent number: 5336708Abstract: Novel composites are formed from a low rigidity gelatinous elastomer composition of poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer and high levels of a plasticizing oil. The gelatinous elastomer composition is physically interlocked with an open cell sponge thereby displacing the air space within the sponge and the gel rigidity is found to be greater than about the sum of the combined rigidity of the gelatinous elastomer composition and sponge alone. The gelatinous elastomer composite exhibits a novel combination of properties including unexpectedly high elongation and tensile strength and excellent shape retention after extreme deformation under high-velocity impact and stress conditions. The gelatinous elastomer composites can be made firm or soft and flexible.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1992Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Applied Elastomerics, Inc.Inventor: John Y. Chen
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Patent number: 5334646Abstract: Novel gelatinous compositions and articles are formed from an intimate melt blend admixture of poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer and high levels of a plasticizing oil.The gelatinous composition is transparent and have a novel combination of properties including unexpectedly high elongation and tensile strength and excellent shape retention after extreme deformation under high-velocity impact and stress conditions. The gelatinous products of this invention are soft, flexible, and have elastic memory, characterized by a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram to about 700 gram Bloom. These and other properties are particularly essential for the gelatinous composition to have utility as toys, therapeutic hand exercising grips, shock absorbers, acoustical isolators, components for cushions, and other uses.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1992Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Applied Elastomerics, Inc.Inventor: John Y. Chen
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Patent number: 5329954Abstract: A stick-like apparatus for a physically handicapped person including a grip handle and a forearm supporting rod which rotates together with respect to a main rod so that the user can sit in an easy posture and can easily impose force on the stick-like apparatus when he stands up from a chair or when he goes upstairs.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Assignee: Ohta Inc.Inventor: Toshiaki Miyoshi
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Patent number: 5318068Abstract: A device for supporting the leg cast includes a cast engaging member which engages and supports the leg cast of person. In one embodiment, the device is attached to a crutch and is shiftable between collapsed and erect positions. In another embodiment, the device is attached to the cast itself and is shiftable between collapsed and erect positions. When the device is in the erect position, the cast of a user will be supported thereon when the user is in a sitting position. When the device is in the collapsed position, it is suspended vertically in an out-of-way position from the cast or crutch of the user.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1993Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Inventor: Larry D. Haugen
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Patent number: 5318058Abstract: A novel improvement in a crutch device allowing for the rotational movement of the arms and elbows of the user while supporting his/her weight on a pair of these crutches, by displacing the vertical support means, between the under-arm rest and the hand rest, rearward a sufficient distance. This improvement, combined with an all terrain crutch pad and easy adjustable crutch length allows an individual with severe restriction in mobility from the waist down to play active sports, such as golf, and engage in employment requiring the free movement of hands and arms while maintaining mobility of the total person.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1993Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Inventor: Dennis V. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 5313971Abstract: Orthopedic sling support for a leg (or foot) is provided that utilizes a pair of conventional crutches and an adjustable crutch sling assembly. The leg support is preferably comprised of a top cover to which a leg sling is attached by flexible straps, all of which is preferably constructed of light-weight, durable, and washable fabric. The top cover is intended to fit snugly over the shoulder rests of the pair of crutches, and is shaped in such a way as to allow creation of an A-frame structure from which the sling is suspended by connecting straps. The connecting straps are preferably adjustable to allow positioning the leg sling at a desired height for supporting the user's leg.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1992Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Inventor: Jim L. Upshaw
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Patent number: 5299589Abstract: Described is an orthopedic crutch with an adjustable hand grip that can slide along the vertical supports and be fixed to the supports at different vertical elevations to accommodate the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1992Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Assignee: Guardian Products, Inc.Inventor: Leo Zatulovsky
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Patent number: 5295499Abstract: The handles of a pair of crutches have male and female coupling elements which enable them to be removably and rotatably fixed to one another. Crutches fixed in this manner can then be placed in a stable manner against any support at an elevation above their center of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1992Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Inventor: Joseph Stutz
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Patent number: 5291910Abstract: An adjustable hand grip that can slide along the vertical supports of an orthopedic crutch is provided. The hand grip can be easily fixed to the supports at different vertical elevations to accommodate the user by providing a sleeve that surrounds and slides over each vertical support. Each sleeve has an aperture that can be aligned with the apertures in the vertical support. A bracket that extends between the vertical supports rigidly connects the sleeves. A locking member for locking the sleeve to a vertical support is provided and comprises a generally U-shaped clamp that surrounds a portion of the sleeve and a pin that can be inserted through aligned apertures in the sleeve and vertical support so that the hand grip is firmly fixed to the vertical support.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1993Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Assignee: Guardian Products, Inc.Inventors: Cuong Bui, Jim R. Schultz
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Patent number: 5217033Abstract: A mobility assisting device which includes a vertical support structure and a substantially planar base structure mounted to the vertical support structure so as to be articulatable relative thereto. Thus, the base remains parallel to the ground as the user rests upon the device and moves relative to the ground. Such a structure maximizes the stability of the device and minimizes the likelihood of slippage due to uneven, moist, icy or otherwise torturous terrain. The patient supporting structure is mounted to the vertical support structure so as to be pivotal relative thereto so as to avoid the translation of pressure points under the patient's arms and rubbing between the upper end of the crutch and the underarm. Further, the vertical support structure and the base structure are preferably spring mounted to one another so as to be urged into perpendicular relation.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1992Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Inventor: Harry H. Herman, Jr.
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Patent number: 5201334Abstract: A crutch including a tubular body, an arm support formed in an upper portion of the tubular body, and a hand grip fixed to a middle portion of the tubular body by a sleeve member which is mounted on the middle portion of the crutch and has a pair of flanges superposed with each other whereby each flange has a screw hole formed therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1992Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Inventor: Jui F. Tseng
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Patent number: 5197502Abstract: A walking stick is aimed to resolve conventional problems provided with durable structure, which generally has a circular cross-sectional pipe frame formed of two semi-circular pipe members connected with ribs in between. The pipe frame is cut to separate to a suitable position, such that cut portion of pipe frame may be extended outwardly to form U-shaped bifurcated pipe, and secured with supporting cushions on the top to partially support body weight of the user. The other end of pipe frame is connected with a hollow shaft, so made that it is adjustable by means of resilient clamping means.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1991Date of Patent: March 30, 1993Inventor: Lee M. Wang