US 4,071,243 AGranted

Stilt structure

OwnerLee Finkinventor

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Abstract

A pair of stilts in which each stilt includes a horizontally positionable elongate handle that has first and second ends from which first and second elongate members extend downwardly and upwardly. Each first elongate member terminates on the lower end in a projecting step that has a centered third member projecting downwardly therefrom. A pair of stilts of the above structure permits a user to elect either of two positions to be supported in an elevation thereon, the second members in a first position being disposed rearwardly of his shoulders, and the second members in a second position being situtated forwardly of his shoulders. The handles are of sufficient length as to so off set the first members and steps relative to the second members that a user occupies an upright position on the pair of stilts irrespective of whether the stilts are in the first or second position. The pair of stilts have bottom recessed resilient pads mounted on the lower ends thereof to minimize slippage. Pebbles and small stones when contacted by the pads tend to enter the recesses temporarily where they will not cause slippage of the stilts on the supporting surface. Due to the weight of the user being equally distributed on the centered third members, there is a minimum tendency of the pair of stilts to pivot transversely relative to the direction of travel when a user is supported in an elevated position on the pair of stilts.

A pair of stilts that permit the user thereof to walk over a ground surface on said stilts, with said stilts being in either a first or a second position, with each of said stilts including:

a. an elongate handle that has a horizontally positionable upper edge and first and second portions;
b. a first elongate member having a second end secured to said handle, said member being vertically disposed when said upper edge is horizontally positioned, with said first elongate member having a longitudinally extending side and a first end;
c. a second elongate member that extends outwardly from said second end portion and is upwardly disposed when said upper edge is horizontally positioned;
d. A step secured to said first end of said first member, said step defining an elongate edge surface on which a foot of a user may rest, said edge surface being disposed perpendicular relative to said longitudinal side of said first member and to said handle;
and
e. a third elongate member that extends outwardly from said step and is substantially centered relative to said edge surface, with said third member being downwardly positioned when said upper edge of said handle is horizontally positioned and said second member is vertically positioned, with said pair of stilts being capable of supporting said user when said pair of stilts are in either the first or second positions, with said pair of stilts being in a first position when they are laterally spaced to have said steps project towards one another and said second members extend upwardly to the rear of the shoulders of said user, and which stilts occupy said second position when the positions of said stilts are reversed from that position which they are occupied in said first position when each stilt is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees, with said steps in said second position projecting towards one another and said second members are disposed forwardly of the shoulders of said user.

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Abstract

Claims8