# US 2013/0152986 A1 · Hands-Free Crutch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152986 A1 - Document ID: US20130152986A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/720,519 - Filed: 2012-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: iWALKFree, Inc. - Inventors: Bradly Hunter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152986A1 ## CPC - A61H 3/0288: {Ferrules or tips therefor} - A45B 3/00: Sticks combined with other objects - A61H 3/02: Crutches - A61H 2003/005: {with knee, leg or stump rests} - A61H 2003/007: {secured to the patient, e.g. with belts} - A61H 2201/169: Physical characteristics of the surface, e.g. material, relief, texture or indicia - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A45B: WALKING STICKS (walking aids, e.g. sticks, for blind persons A61H3/06); UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS (cane or umbrella stands or holders A47G25/12) ## Abstract A crutch for assisting a user to walk includes a leg platform configured to support a portion of a leg of the user, and a ground contact having a weight supporting medial contact region that is disposed higher than a weight supporting lateral contact region. An optional strap on the leg platform can be used to maintain the leg in a forward position. An optional thigh saddle can be used to help prevent lateral movement of the user's upper thigh with respect to the crutch. An optional front facing handle can assist new users in learning to use the crutch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A crutch for assisting a user to walk, comprising: a leg platform configured to support a portion of a leg of the user; a ground contact having a weight supporting medial contact region and a weight supporting lateral contact region, and configured such that when the crutch is being operated by the user on a horizontal surface, with weight through the crutch being transmitted vertically to the horizontal surface, with the medial contact region positioned higher by at least 2 mm than the lateral contact region; and there is an angle at least 2° off vertical such that when weight is being transmitted through the crutch at the angle, both the medial contact region and the lateral contact region are touching the surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, wherein the leg platform transitions from a more “U” shaped anterior portion to a more “V” shaped posterior portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, further comprising a first fastener positioned to draw the user's knee anteriorly and inferiorly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The crutch of claim 3, further comprising a fastener configured to fasten a mid portion of the user's lower leg to the leg platform. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, further comprising: a frame; an upper leg restraint coupled to the frame, and having a flexible restraining mechanism; and a laterally adjustable, at least semi-rigid, thigh member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, further comprising: an upper leg restraint, coupled to a thigh saddle having at least partially rigid first and second arms; and first and second mechanisms that adjusts angles from which the first and second arms, respectively, extend rearwardly towards the upper leg restraint. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, wherein the lateral contact region is disposed on a sagitally oriented lateral rocker. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The crutch of claim 7, wherein the lateral rocker has a user-replaceable tread. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, wherein the medial contact region is disposed on a sagitally oriented medial rocker. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The crutch of claim 9, wherein the medial rocker has a user-replaceable tread. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, further comprising a post configured to transfer weight from the user's leg to the ground contact. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The crutch of claim 11, wherein the ground contact comprises a foot rotatable with respect to the post. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The crutch of claim 11, wherein the ground contact comprises a foot rotatable with respect to the leg platform. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The crutch of claim 11, wherein the post is configured to transfer weight to a foot that includes both the medial contact region and the lateral contact region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The crutch of claim 14, wherein the foot has a curved lateral edge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, wherein during use, a median sagittal vertical plane between the medial and lateral contact regions is laterally positioned from a median sagittal vertical plane of the of the leg platform by an offset of at least 1 mm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The crutch of claim 16, wherein the offset is at least 2 mm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, wherein the medial contact region is positioned higher by at least 3 mm than the lateral contact region. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism configured to adjust a height difference between the medial contact region and the lateral contact region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The crutch of claim 19, wherein the mechanism comprises a shim. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, wherein the medial contact region and the lateral contact regions are separated by at least 2 cm. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, wherein the medial contact region and the lateral contact region are separated by at least 5 cm. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The crutch of claim 1, further comprising a frame from which posteriorly extends at least a portion of the leg platform, and a handle positioned anteriorly to the frame. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The crutch of claim 23, wherein the handle is positioned such that a medial sagittal plane of a crutch passes through at least a portion of the handle. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The crutch of claim 23, wherein a top of the handle is positioned within 5 cm of a top of the frame. ### Claim 26 A crutch for assisting a user to walk, comprising: an adjustable height frame; a leg platform coupled to the frame and configured to support a portion of a leg of the user; and a foot coupled to the frame, and having a medial pad and a lateral pad, wherein the medial pad is disposed higher than the lateral pad by at least 2 mm when the crutch is being operated by the user on a horizontal surface, with weight through the crutch being transmitted vertically to the horizontal surface. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The crutch of claim 26, wherein at least one of the medial and lateral pads has a rocker configuration. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The crutch of claim 26, further comprising a mechanism configured to adjust a relative height of the medial and lateral pads. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The crutch of claim 26, further comprising an anteriorly positioned handle. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The crutch of claim 26, further comprising a knee strap and an adjustable, at least semi-rigid thigh saddle, each of which is coupled to the frame. ### Claim 31 A crutch comprising: a frame; an upper leg restraint coupled to the frame, and having a flexible restraining mechanism; a laterally adjustable, at least semi-rigid, thigh member coupled to the frame, and configured to facilitate alignment of the crutch with respect to a user's leg; and a lower leg platform coupled to the frame. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The crutch of claim 31, wherein the thigh member comprises an at least partially rigid arm having a length of at least 4 cm. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The crutch of claim 32, further comprising a mechanism that adjustably restricts lateral movement of an end of the arm relative to the frame. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The crutch of claim 32, further comprising a mechanism that adjustably restricts rotational movement of an end of the arm relative to the frame. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The crutch of claim 31, wherein the thigh member is a functional part of a thigh saddle, having a first at least partially rigid arm having a length of at least 4 cm, and a second at least partially rigid arm having a length of at least 4 cm. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The crutch of claim 35, wherein the first and second arms are independently moveable. ### Claim 37 (depends on 31) The crutch of claim 31, further comprising at least one foot receiving downward force from the frame, and having a medial ground contact portion elevated at least 1 mm relative to lateral ground contact portion when weight is being transmitted vertically through the crutch to the ground. ### Claim 38 A crutch comprising: a frame; a lower leg platform, at least a portion of which is positioned posteriorly to the frame; and a handle coupled to the frame, and positioned such that a medial sagittal plane of the crutch passes through at least a portion of the handle. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The crutch of claim 38, wherein at least a portion of the handle positioned anteriorly to at least a portion of the lower leg platform. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The crutch of claim 38, wherein a top of the handle is positioned within 10 cm of a top of the frame. ### Claim 41 (depends on 38) The crutch of claim 38, wherein a top of the handle is positioned within 5 cm of a top of the frame. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The crutch of claim 38, further comprising at least one foot receiving downward force from the frame, and having a medial ground contact portion elevated at least 1 mm relative to lateral ground contact portion when weight is being transmitted vertically through the crutch to the ground.