US2861582A - Safety crutch head - Google Patents

Description

N H. w. MILLER 2,861,582

SAFETY CRUTCH HEAD Filed Ma y s, 1957 0 LElg- 2.

J B J I5 I E i 5%; INVENTOR.

HENRY W- MILLE R \4 ATTORNE United States Patent Ofifice 2,861,582 Patented Nov. 25, 1958 SAFETY CRUTCH HEAD Henry W. Miller, Winter Haven, Fla. Application May 3, 1957, Serial No. 656,886

2 Claims. (Cl. 135-49) This invention relates to crutches, and more particularly to a crutch having a foldable top portion.

A main object of the invention is to provide an improved crutch which is simple in construction, which provides protection for the users arm, and which is comfortable to hold.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved crutch which is relatively inexpensive to fabricate, is durable in construction, and which is provided with a protective ring element at its top portion which is foldable so that the crutch may be readily leaned against a wall when not in use and will not roll when thus disposed.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an improved crutch constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the upper portion of the crutch of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawing, the improved crutch is designated generally at 11 and comprises a pair of downwardly convergent side bars 12, 12 which are regidly connected at their lower end to a stem portion 13 terminating in a rubber tip 14. The side bars 12, 12 are provided at their intermediate portions with opposing registering, vertically spaced apertures 15, and secured in a selected pair of opposing apertures 15, 15 is a transversely extending handle member 16. The handle 16 may be selectively fastened between the side bars 12, 12 in a position most comfortable for the person using the crutch.

Designated at 17 is a generally U-shaped ring segment which is rigidly secured at its ends to the top end portions of the side bars 12, 12 and which extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said side bars. Designated at 18 is a second, generally U-shaped ring segment which is hingedly connected to the top ends of the side bars 12, 12 and to the end portions of the first ring segment 17, as by a pair of hinges 19, 19, said hinges being arranged to allow the ring segment 18 to be folded upwardly, for example, to the dotted view position thereof shown in Figure 3, the ring segment 18 normally being supported in a horizontal position with its ends abutting against the top end portions of the side bars 12, 12 as shown in Figure 3. The segments 17 and 18 thus define a ring at the top of the crutch through which the user inserts his forearm to grasp the handle member 16, as illustrated in dotted view in Figures 1 and 2.

The ring segments 17 and 18, being made of rigid material, provide a protective means surrounding the users forearm, so that the users forearm is held in position with respect to the crutch in the event that the user momentarily loses his grip on the handle member 16 or is pushed against a wall or other obstacle while using the crutch.

Since the crutch is not intended to be engaged under the users armpit, as in the case of conventional crutches, there is no abrasion or rubbing of the users skin nor discoloration or damage to the users clothing when using the crutch of the present invention.

When it is desired to lean the crutch against a wall or other support, the hinged ring element 18 is elevated to an upright position, for example, as shown in dotted view in Figure 3, whereby a fiat surface is presented for leaning the crutch against the wall or other'support, thus allowing the crutch to be supported without rolling.

While a specific embodiment of an improved safety crutch has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A crutch comprising a pair of downwardly convergent side bars, a stem portion rigidly connected to the lower ends of said side bars, a handle member connected transversely between the intermediate portions of said side bars, and a ring member secured at substantially diametrically opposite portions thereof to the top ends of said side bars, said ring member comprising a first segment rigidly secured to said top ends and a second segment hinged to said first segment and being rotatable upwardly relative thereto, whereby said segment may be folded upwardly at times so that the crutch may be leaned against a wall and will not roll when thus disposed.

2. A crutch comprising a pair of downwardly convergent side bars, a stem portion rigidly connected to the lower ends of said side bars, a handle member connected transversely between the intermediate portions of said side bars, a first generally U-shaped member rigidly secured at its ends to the top ends of said side bars and extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said side bars, a second generally U-shaped member, and means hingedly connecting the ends of said second U-shaped member to the top ends of said side bars on a transverse hinge axis in opposing relation to said first U-shaped member to normally define a ring-like member therewith, said second U-shaped member being at times rotatable upwardly around said transverse hinge axis, whereby said second U-shaped member may be folded upwardly at times so that the crutch may be leaned against the wall and will not roll when thus disposed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,197,279 Thorssen Apr. 16, 1940

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