US1757784A - Wheel-mounted adjustable frame crutch - Google Patents

Description

May 6, 1930; c. SMOOT 1,757,784

WHEEL- MOUNTED ADJUSTABLE FRAME CRU'I'CH Filed Sept. 24. 1928 INVENTOR 10,, C Jmoa/ Patented May 6, 1930 UNITED, STATES- LON C. SHOOT, .01 DALLAS, TEXAS WHEEL-MOUNTED ADJUSTABLE FRAME GRUTCH w Application filed September This invention ,appe'rtains to new and useful improvements in wheel mounted ad ustable frame crutches, especlally designed for growing children as well as adults of difi'er- 1 ent statures. i

' Theprimary object of the invention is to provide a wheel mounted adjustable frame crutch for-supporting and assisting invalids and deformed persons who lack power and confidence to walk after illness from disease or-injury.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel mounted frame crutch provided with apair of crutch membershaving rollers at their lower ends and held in adjustably spaced relation whereby the device may be adapted for use by persons of different sizes, each crutch member being furthermore longitudinally adjustable to accommodate 2 0 the device to persons of diflerent statures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device embodying all of the aforementioned features that will be of simple and durable structure and yet be of nominal cost with maximum results for the purposes intended.

A particular feature of the invention is the provision of a wheeled crutch having an overhead bar, by which the user may lift himself off of the bed and onto the crutch arm pieces without additional aid; there being a long handled hook provided near the bed withwhich the afilicted person may pull the crutch to the bed. The overhead bar is further inthe gymnasium bar, also during walking exercise, the user may hold himself up by the overhead bar when he tires of the arm pieces.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter; described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily under-- tended to be used for'exercising similar to 24, 1928. Serial No. 307,861.

" Figure dis a cross sectional view taken on I the line 33 of Figure l, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the adjustment means. v

Employing like characters of reference for corresponding parts throughout, the reference numeral 10 designates an upright supporting frame in its entirety, said frame is composed of .a plurality of upright bars 11 which telescope into hollow or pipe members 12. The lower ends of the bars 11 are suitably connected' to a U-shaped .frame member 7 13 having aplurality of suitable casters 14. However, it is to be understood that either roller, bearing or wheel may be used advan- 'tageously. Set screws or equivalents 15 are screwthrea'ded through the hollow members 12 into engagement with the bars 11, thus 7 providing vertical adjustment for difieren't height users.

The frame 10 is made preferably with a pair of bars 11 telescoping into a pair of hollow members 12 forming each side of said frame. At the upper end of the rear member 12 which is shorter than the forward mem- 7 ber, a piece of spring metal 16 supports the rear end of a suitable shoulder rest 17 whose forward end is attached to the member 12 by any suitable means such as bolts, rivets, screws, etc. Intermediate the shoulder rest and the end of the member 12 is suitably fastened a hand grip 18. It is obvious that both the shoulder rest and the hand grip maybe made of any suitable material.

The'upper portions of the forward members 12 are slightly flared outward, one of" which has a horizontal bar 19 telescoping into a hollow member. 20 of the other forward member 12 whichhas a set screw 21 in it, thus providing horizontal adjustment for differ ent width,shoulders. J I

The apparatus consists of a strong but very light frame, open at the rear to admit the. adult or child and is provided preferably with four rubber tired, ball bearing casters, one on each corner of the frame. These cast- .ers may be equipped with swivel locking at-- tachments so that ifdesired the front or rear caster swivels may be locked making them stationary. It is preferable, however, to

' keep all swivels loose to allow theapparatus to be turned in the smallest possible space as will be required in exercising in the average home, so the apparatus may e moved in any direction quickly and with the smallest possible efi'ort.

The apparatus is so constructed to allow the user to approach the dining table and having a chair placed for him, may sit down during the meal, the apparatusbeing pushed back slightly so as not to interfere with. the movement of the arms during the meal and when the meal is finished he again lifts himself by the overhead bar back onto the crutch arm pieces.

obtain books from the library shelf or table hospital. Under present practices two atpieces are adjustable for difierent heights and tendants are required to hold a patient up while he is learning to walk again.

For hospital use the apparatus is preferably nickel-plated for sanitary reasons; For the use of a patient in his home ordinary paint, preferably white, may be used thereby cutting down the cost of manufacture and also the cost to the patient.

Ordinary crutch hand grips are provided so that when the adult or child has gained sufficient power in his lower limbs he may lift the apparatus when desiring to turn quickly in small spaces.

The frame of the apparatus is so con structed as to have a base broader than any adult and under this construction the arm widths suitable .for difierent sizes of adults or children.

In the overhead bar means is provided, for

adjustment of the width of the arm pieces.

The overhead bar is also used in tying the two crutch members together giving rigidity to the whole construction. Obviously, this bar may be placed in front of the patient by ofisetting the uprights but it is preferable to place the bar overhead for reasons as above stated, leaving the front ofthe patient unobstructed.

A seat or swing1may be attached tothe ap e patient may'sit down to The construction allows him to" patients. Also this detachable covering for the resilient arm pieces may be used by individual owners of apparatus for sanitary reasons and to prevent discoloring of the clothes from perspiration in warm weather due to fading of the resilient substance of which the arms pieces are constructed.

Various cha ges in the size and shape of the different parts, as well as modifications :and alterations may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described this invention and explained the mode of its operation, what I claim for my invention is:

1. In a crutch of the character described, the combination of the frame member 13 mounted upon the casters 14, and to which member are connected the paired uprights 11, spaced apart centrally on the member 13; the paired hollow members 10 and 12 forming telescopic companion members for each crutch element, the hollow horizontal member 20 and the horizontal bar 19 telescopable therein and forming the overhead element; including'the set screws 15 and 21 for adjusting the parts vertically and horizontally, with the handgrips 18 and shoulder rests 17.

. 2. In a crutch combination of the character described and as claimed in claim 1 which has the hollow members 12 diverging outwardly and extending .upwardly from the shoulder rests 17 and whereinthe hollow horizontal member 20, horizontal bar 19 with the set screw 21 form an overhead means for en'- abling the occupant of the crutch to be seated on a support ofi the crutch and for regaining access to the crutch without other assist- N C. SMOOT.

rest if desired. There are various methods by which this may be done.

There are certain cases of paralysis'of the upper limbs that will .not permit of use. of

the arm pieces. In this case a wide belt is placed around the chest of the patient'and he is swung from the overhead'bar, or the up.-

rights. A combination saddle-swing and

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