Biomechanically derived crutch

A saddle for a crutch to assist a user in walking, the saddle comprising:

• a frame having a support membrane disposed thereon, the frame and the support membrane providing:
• an inner lobe configured to rest against a torso of the user during use,
• an outer lobe configured to rest against an arm of the user during use,
• a top portion connecting the inner lobe and the outer lobe and forming a U-shaped channel having an curved upper surface configured to fit within an armpit of the user, and
• a bottom portion wherein the U-shaped channel is open along at least a portion of a downward facing aspect of the bottom portion;
• a pivoting joint attached to the frame;
• and
• a spring mechanism having an upper portion attached to the pivoting joint such that the joint is configured to allow the spring mechanism to move with respect to the frame along an arced path.

A saddle for a crutch to assist a user in walking along a walking direction, the saddle comprising:

• a frame formed of a resilient material having a support membrane disposed thereon formed of a woven mesh of a resilient material such that the frame and the support membrane can expand toward an arm of the user and toward the torso of the user and contract vertically in response to a weight of the user, the frame and the support member providing:
• an inner lobe configured to rest against a torso of the user during use,
• an outer lobe configured to rest against an arm of the user during use,
• a top portion connecting the inner lobe and the outer lobe and forming a U-shaped channel having an curved upper surface configured to fit within an armpit of the user, and
• a bottom portion wherein the U-shaped channel is open along at least a portion of a downward facing aspect of the bottom portion;
• a pivoting joint attached to the frame;
• and
• a spring mechanism having an upper portion attached to the pivoting joint such that the joint is configured to allow the spring mechanism to move with respect to the frame along an arced path by pivoting relative to a direction generally parallel to the walking direction of the user, and wherein the spring mechanism is at least partially compressed regardless of a load on the saddle.