WO2005053595A1

WO2005053595A1 - Walking stick or scrutch

Info

Publication number: WO2005053595A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/001876
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sven Olerud
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-04
Filing date: 2003-12-04
Publication date: 2005-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2006-06-04
Also published as: AU2003287122A1; DE10394340T5

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stick, preferably a crutch which is provided with a handle as well as a support device, which is arranged at that end of the stick or crutch, which faces the ground in an application position, to allow the stick to independently stand upright in a vertical application position. The control device (10) for the support device (9) is mounted on the handle of the stick or crutch to allow it to be easily controlled by means of the index finger or the little finger of the user, when the stick or crutch is handled.

Description

WALKING STICK OR SC UTCH

The present invention relates to a stick, preferably a crutch, which is provided with a handle as well as a support device, which is arranged at that end of the stick or crutch, which faces the ground in an application position, and is designed to allow the stick to stand upright in a vertical application position, the control device for the support device being arranged at the handle of the stick/crutch in order to enable the user to control the support device by means of his hand, when he seizes the stick/crutch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the above-mentioned technical field there are various types of devices, designed to provide support for a stick or crutch, when it is not used. These devices are often unwieldy and difficult to handle, particularly if the patient is weak and inactive due to injuries and a stay in a hospital.

A few examples of such known devices are shown in EP 1 136 054 Al and 1 106 161 A2, US-A-5 755 245, 5 533 536, 4 947 882, WO 98/38883 as well as DE 296 17 223 Ul and DE 80 24 836 Ul. These patent documents show and describe mechanical support devices, which sometimes are difficult and complicated to manufacture and which may be heavy and difficult to activate, when starting in a walking position (application position) as well as in a put aside-position (break position). The control devices for these support devices are often difficult to reach and in certain cases also large forces and/or bending movements are needed to be able to control them. This often involves large problems, when the user must put aside the stick or crutch, e.g. in shops or the like and otherwise, when it is necessary to be able to freely use one's hands for other purposes than stick or crutch control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE IDEA The main object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks with sticks and crutches and to develop a support device, which requires very small forces to be triggered, when the stick or crutch is to be put aside by the user, and which, by means of the user's own weight, can be easily returned to a raised position (walking position), when the stick or crutch is to be used anew.

According to the inventive idea the above-mentioned problems are solved by designing the control device as a lever, which at its one end is resiliently mounted on the handle and, during control of this end of the lever, by removing the other end of the lever from a locking position into a movable intermediate portion of the stick or the crutch, which regulates the support device in an active position or a not supporting position.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows in a lateral view and partly in cross-section the stick/crutch with its support device in a lowered position.

Fig. 2 shows the stick/crutch in Fig. 1 in cross-section, but now the support device is in a raised position.

Fig. 3 shows in a lateral view a portion of the stick/crutch in cross-section, in which a mechanism, designed to change the length of the crutch, is arranged. Fig. 4 shows in a lateral view and in cross-section a part of the upper portion of the stick/crutch having a fore arm support, which can be mounted on the handle of the stick/crutch.

A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figs. 1 and 2 show a walking stick, preferably a crutch, according to the invention. The stick/crutch is provided with a handle 1 as well as a support device with four lowered legs 9, which are arranged at that end of the stick or crutch , which is directed towards the ground, when the stick is used, in order to allow the stick to stand independently in a vertical position, when it is used. A control gear or mechanism 10 for support device 9 is mounted at handle 1 of the stick or crutch, designed to operate the stick/crutch by means of the little finger or the fore finger of the hand of the user, when the stick or crutch is seized during the initiation of the use of it. Control gear 10 comprises a lever, which at one of its ends 10a is resiliently mounted at handle 1. When the user presses said one end 10a of the lever against handle 1, the other end moves as a lock bolt 10b away from a locked position in a movable intermediate portion, designed as a tube 2, 2a in the stick or crutch, which portion regulates the position of support 9 in an active supporting position or a not supporting position.

Movable intermediate portion 2a is provided with two position holes 13, 14 the position of lock bolt 10b in hole 13 locking the support legs in the lowered position according to Fig. 1. The position of the lock bolt in hole 14 locks the support legs in a raised position according to Fig. 2. An inner portion 3 with a gear rack 3a is mounted in a central position in the stick/crutch in its lower portion. The upper part of gear rack 3 is fastened to the one end of handle 1, mainly at right angles to a locking device 15 a, fastened to handle 1.

At the lower part of intermediate portion 2 a housing 7 is mounted, having a number of apertures 7a, through which supporting legs 9 are positioned. These legs 9 are provided with cogs in the one end and cooperate with gear rack 3a, and at the other end each one of these legs 9 is supported by the ground. The lower part of intermediate portion 2 is provided with a shoe having an integrated displaceable spike, which constitutes an anti/skid protection element.

A spring 15 is supported by a step in intermediate portion 2a and at its upper end by locking device 15a.

Before pressing the crutch against the ground the support legs are in a lowered position. When a pressure is exerted against lever 10a, lock bolt 10b is released from hole 13. The load on the crutch triggers a movement between the lower portion of intermediate tube 2 and gear rack 3. Spring 15 between intermediate tube 2 and the gear rack is compressed. The movement of gear rack 3 allows support legs 9 to be raised against intermediate tube 2 of the stick. Lock bolt 10b is inserted into hole 14 by the release of the loaded spring at 10a, support legs 9 being locked in the raised position. More pressure on the lever at lQa releases the lock bolt from the handle at 14, legs 9 being lowered to their support position. A mechanism at the end of the handle can prevent a pressure on 10a from releasing the support legs and lowering them by mistake. Fig. 3 shows the mechanism on an extendable version of the stick/crutch. Intermediate portion 2 comprises in this case two tubes 16,17, one of them being inserted into the other. The connection between them is a locking ring 18, tlireaded to the larger tube 16. Against the smaller tube 17 within the connection a clamp ring 19 and a support ring 20 abut. The smaller tube 17 is provided with recesses 21, disposed at regular intervals. When tubes 16,17 are mutually displaced, a suitable recess is selected in order to obtain a crutch length, which is suitable for the individual patient. Against this recess clamp ring 19 is disposed, which ring, when this is done, still is placed loosely in its hole in locking ring 18. When this locking ring 18 is tightened, support ring 20 will be pressed against clamp ring 19, a locking being obtained tlirough the movement between the smaller tube 17 against the larger tube 16.

The gear rack, centrally disposed in the stick, also comprises an outer tube 22 and an inner tube 23, the inner tube being inserted into the outer tube. A treaded bar 25 is inserted tlirough lock device 15a for the inner tube in the handle and ends up at its lower end with a double ring of nuts 26 for an efficient final locking of threaded bar 25. Against this lock connection a cone 27 abuts, which cone is mounted on threaded bar 25. Against cone 27 a housing 29, with an inner threading and split towards its end, abuts, the other end of which being supported by the inner side of inner tube 23 of the gear rack. When tlireaded bar 25 is rotated, housing 29 is displaced towards the cone, the split housing end being expanded towards outer tube 22 of the gear rack, a locking between outer tuber 22 and im er tube 23 of the gear rack being obtained.

What takes place, when the stick/crutch is extended, is shown in Figs. 3a and b. The lever must be locked against upper recess 13 of the outer tube (see Fig. 2). An elongation or a shortening of the crutch firstly require , that lock ring 18 is released. Tlireaded bar 25 is then screwed to loosen it. Intermediate tube 17 is pulled out of or pushed into tube 16 . When this is done and the leg supports are pressed against the intermediate tube, a corresponding adjustment of gear rack 22 (3) and its inner tube 23 simultaneously takes place. A certain crutch length is selected . A recess on the intermediate portion is adjusted, which corresponds to the position of the clamp ring in the locking ring, and the latter is tightened against large upper part 16 of the intermediate portion. Support legs 9 are still kept in a vertical position against the side of the intermediate portion, and the threaded bar 25 is then tightened. The lock bolt is now disposed in lower recess 14. When a pressure is exerted against lever 10, the part of the lever is released from recess 14. Compressed spring 15 pushes the intermediate portion forwards, until tip 10a of the lever ends up in recess 13. The support legs have then been lowered and are locked in the lowered position. When lever 10 is pressed again, its tip 10a is released from its position in recess 13. The crutch is subjected to a load and the spring 28 is compressed. Tip 10a of the lever then falls into recess 14. The support legs will then be locked in their raised position. The crutch can then be used as an ordinary stick or crutch.

Fig. 4 shows the forearm support, which can be fastened to the handle of the stick/crutch and which gives the stick in a simple way an increased range of application due to its improved support. The arm support if adapted to a quick and simple attachment to the handle. The mounting of the support, which has a shape, which is similar to the shape of the upper part of the handle 1, is done by connecting pin 30 to recess 3 Ion the handle. At the same time recesses 32 are connected to budlike elevations 33 on the handle. A pin 34 on the support is inserted into a recess in the handle, the forearm support being fastened to the handle via a support 35. The release of the forearm support is done by pressing a button 36. At inner portion 3 a guide pin 12 is fastened, which runs tlirough holes/gaps, arranged in intermediate portion 2 as well as outer portion lb, designed to control the mutual positions of the various portions.

When the user wants to put the stick/crutch aside, he/she simply and easily presses with the index finger or the little finger of the hand the one end 10a of lever 10, lock bolt 11 at other end 10b of lever 10 being removed from holes 14 and compressed spring 15 expanding and in this way pressing inner portion 3 with gear rack 3 a upwards and support legs 9 being lowered, and this is done without requiring the use of any effort by the user, and the stick/crutch can again be placed freely by means of the support device.

The present invention can of course be modified in many different ways within the scope of protection of the inventive idea, defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. A stick, preferably a crutch, which is provided with a handle as well as a support device, which is mounted at the end of the stick or crutch, which faces the ground in an application position and is designed to allow the stick to independently stand in a mainly vertical application position, the control device (10) for the support device (9) being arranged at the handle of the stick or crutch to allow the control device to be controlled by means of the user's hand, when the stick or crutch is handled, characterized in that the control device (10) is designed as a lever, which at a first one of its ends is resiliently mounted on the handle, and the second end of which, when said first end of the lever (10) is controlled, is removed from a locking position in a movable inteπnediate portion (2) of the stick .or crutch, which regulates the position of the support device (9) in an active position or a not supporting position.

2. A stick or crutch according to claim 1, c aracterized in that the second end of the lever (10) has a lock bolt (11), which locks said intermediate portion (2) by being inserted into position holes in the movable intermediate portion (2).

3. A stick or crutch according to claim 2, characterized in that in a central position in the stick or crutch an inner portion (3) with a a gear rack (3a) is mounted, which is fastened at one end of the handle (1), mainly at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the handle.

4. A stick or crutch according to claim 3, characterized in that around the intermediate portion at the end of the stick or crutch, which faces the ground, a housing (7) is mounted having a number of apertures, tlirough which support legs (9), mounted on attachment means on the housing (7), cooperate with tlie gear rack (3 a) of the inner portion (3).

5. A stick or crutch according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at one end of the handle (1) an outer portion (lb) is attached mainly at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the handle (1), said outer portion (lb) partly surrounding the movable intermediate portion (2), which in its turn partly surrounds the inner portion (3).

6. A stick or crutch according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a guide pin (12) is fastened to the inner portion (3), which pin runs tlirough holes/apertures, arranged in the intermediate portion (2) as well as the outer portion (lb), and is designed to control the mutual positions of the various portions.

7. A stick or crutch according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the intermediate portion (2) is a tube, which is sealed at the end, which faces the ground, and in that inside the bottom of the intermediate portion (the tube) a spring device (15) is mounted, which is prestressed by the gear rack (3a) of the inner portion (3), when the intermediate portion (2) is released, because the lever (10) is removed from its locked position and the stick or crutch is pressed downwards towards the ground by the user's own weight at the first phase of the use of the stick and crutch, subsequent to the active support by the support device, the inner portion (3) with the gear rack (3a) being pushed downwards and the support legs (9) upwards and the inner portion (3) with the gear rack (3a) being fixed in a locked downwardly pressed position by means of the lock bolt (11), when it is inserted into a lower hole (14) in the movable intermediate portion (2).

8. A stick and crutch according to claims 1-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the intermediate portion (2) comprises two tubes (16,17), the one of which being inserted into the other, the connection between them being a locking ring (18), threaded onto the larger tube (16), in that a clamp ring (19) and a support ring (20) abut the smaller tube (17) within the coupling, the smaller tube being provided with suitable recesses (21) at regular intervals in order to obtain a crutch length suitable for the individual patient, and in that against this recess the clamp ring (19) is placed, which is mounted loosely in its hole in the lock ring (18), which is tightened, the support ring (20) being pressed against the clamp ring (19) and a locking being done by the mutual movement of the smaller tube (17) and the larger tube (16).

9. A stick or crutch according to claim 8, c a r a c t e r i z e d in that the gear rack, located in a central position in the stick, also comprises an outer tube (22) and an inner tube (23), the inner tube being inserted into the outer tube, in that tlirough locking device (15a) for the imier tube in the handle a tlireaded bar (25) r ms, which at its lower end is terminated with two nuts (26), designed for an efficient concluding locking on the tlireaded bar (25), in that against this lock coupling a cone (27) abuts, which surrounds the tlireaded bar (25), against which cone an internally threaded housing (29) abuts, which housing is split at its one end, the other end abutting the inner side of the internal tube (23) of the gear rack, and in that, when the tlireaded bar (25) is rotated, said housing (29) is displaced towards said cone, said split housing end expanding towards the outer tube (22) of the gear rack, a locking being obtained between the outer tube (22) and the inner tube (23) of the gear rack.