IMPROVED CRUTCH

• Main Author: DAVIS, RICHARD C
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 26.05.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSESOR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY; HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS; MASSAGE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING ORSTIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; UMBRELLAS; WALKING STICKS

An adjustable crutch (10) includes upper and lower assemblies (12, 14) which are slidably interconnected with one another and 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). A longitudinal groove, or tunnel (50) in a bore of a strut support (22) accommodates a spring-biased button (46) when a strut assembly (40) is slid through the strut support. A boot (53) of a radial crutch tip assembly (52) has fluid-evacuation drain passages (53a) therein.