US2785731A - Safety foot walker - Google Patents

Description

s. F. WELSH 2,785,731

SAFETY FOOT WALKER Filed May 18, 1954 March 19, 1957 I N VEN TOR.

ATTE! RN EYS United States Patent SAFETY FOOT WALKER Sharp F. Welsh, Okmulgee, Okla.

Application May 1s, 1954, serial No. 430,594

1 Claim. (Cl. 155-22) This invention relates to a support, and more particularly to a support for helping or aiding a hum-an being tto waik.

The object of the invention is to provide a support member especially for use by persons who have been injured or crippled whereby the support member of the present invention will facilitate or permit such persons to move about more easily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support member that can be made of lightweight material and wherein in one form of the invention the elevation or height of the support member can be adjusted to adapt the device to persons of various height or size, the support member including a four point lower end whereby a sturdy support is provided.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support member that is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course ofthe following description.

in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a perspective view of the support member, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure Z is a side elevational view of the support member.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the support member.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the support member.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating certain constructional details of `the device.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified support member.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates one of the support members which can be made of any suitable material such as lightweight metal tubing. The support member 10 includes a pair of posts 11 that are arranged angularly with respect to each other, and there is further provided a standard 12 for coaction with each ot' the posts 11. Each of fthe standards 12 is provided with an enlarged hollow socket 14 on its lower end which slidably engages the upper end of the post 11. A means is provided for maintaining the standards 12 immobile in their adjusted positions on the posts 11, and this means comprises a plurality of apertures or openings 15 which are arranged in the socket 14. The apertures 15 are mounted for movement into and out of registry with a pair of diametrically opposed apertures or openings 16 iu the upper end of each post 11. A suitable securing element 17 which may be a bolt extends through the registering apertures 15 and 16, and the bolt 17 includes a finger engaging portion 18 and la shank 19 that is threaded for engagement with the threaded apertures 15 or 16.

There is further provided a handle vor handgrip 20 which extends between the upper ends of the standards 12, and the handle 20 is provided on its undersurface 2,785,731 Patented Mar. 19, 1957 with a plurality of apertured ears 21 which are arranged in pairs. Pins such as those indicated by the numeral 22 in Figure 3, extend through the ears 21 and through the upper ends of the standards 12 for connecting the handle 20 -to the standards.

Extending between che pair of posts 11 and secured thereto in lany suitable manner is a horizontally disposed brace 23. There is further provided a pair of similar legs 24, and each of the legs 24 includes a lower straight portion 25 and an upper curved portion 26, the upper curved portions 26 being secured to the posts 11 in any suitable manner, as for example by welding. A resilient cup 27 is mounted on the lower end of each of ythe legs 24 and on the end of each of the posts 11, and the resilient cups 27 provide a cushion for the support member as well as adding stability since they prevent the device from slipping around accidentally.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings there is shown a modified support member which is indicated generally 'by the numeral 28, and :the support member 2S is not adjustable. The support member 28 includes a pair of posts 29 which are arranged angularly with respect to each other, and a handgrip or handle 30 is mounted on the upper ends of the posts 29. A brace 31 extends between the posts 29 and is secured thereto, and there is further provided a pair of legs 32. Each ofthe legs 32 includes a lower straight portion 33 and an upper curved portion 34 which is secured yto the post 29. A horizontally disposed brace 35 extends between the straight portions 33 vof the legs 32.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided a support member which is especially suitable or useful for persons who require an aid to walk about or move about. Thus, many persons are aiilioted with crippling injuries or diseases such as polio, whereby the loss of one or both limbs results and with the support member of the present invention a person can grip Ithe handle 2@ or the handle 30 so as to be provided with a rm support. The standards 12 can be adjusted on the posts 11 whereby the support member 10 can be used comfortably and eficiently, and the pair of legs 24 cooperate with the lower ends of the posts 11 to provide a sturdy support. Also, the device is light in weight so that is can be readily moved about as the person moves along whereby the device of the present invention will function in a manner similar to a crutch or cane.

The support member 28 shown in Figure 6 can be used in the same manner as the previously described support member 1i), except that the support member 28 is not adjustable as to height.

The device of the present invention will enable a person such as a person who has been injured or crippled, to walk safely. Thus, in :the event a person suffers a stroke which leaves yhim or her Without the use of his or her legs, the support member of the present invention will permit the person to take benecial exercises since these support members will permit the person to walk safely. The rubber cups or caps 27 provide a cushioning effect and also increase the safety with which the device can be used. The support members 10 or 28 can be used 'm pairs and the four point support provides a stable and safe support for persons with leg, hip or back infirmities in their walking exercises, and the devices can be used singly or in pairs.

What is claimed is:

In a support member, a pair of posts arranged in angular relationship with respect Ito each other whereby the upper ends of said posts are closer ltogether than the lower ends thereof, said pair of posts being of the same size, a standard having an enlarged socket at its lower end for telescopically receiving the upper end of said post, there being a plurality of spaced apart registering apertures in ice said socket and post, a securing element extending through said registering vapertures and including an enlarged finger engaging portion on an end thereof, a horizontally disposedhandle extending between the upper ends of said standards and secured thereto, a plurality of apertured ears depending'from said handle and arranged Vin pairs,

' securing elements connecting the upper ends of said standards to said ears, a pair of legs each having lower straight portions arranged in spaced apart relation with respect to said posts7 said pair of legs being of the same size, ythe upper portions of said legs being curved and being secured to said posts, and a horizontally disposed brace extending between said posts and secured thereto, said brace being positioned below said sockets, said brace lying in the same plane as the tops of said legs, said 'brace being longer than said handle, the lower ends of said legs lying in the same plane as the bottoni of said post, and resilient cups mounted on the lower end of said legs and posts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 2,518,763 DuBois Aug. 15, 195o 2,626,652 steigler Y Jan. 27, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 432,432 Italy Mar. 2o, 1948

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