Combined adjustable crutch and cane
OwnerJames V. Kellyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to a convertible adjustable crutch/cane which is initially used as a crutch and subsequently used as a cane after the need for a crutch no longer exists. The crutch/cane includes a novel connector hand/grip support that is made of lightweight, high strength molded plastic. The connector hand/grip eliminates the need for complicated metal working steps previously required in known prior art devices. Additionally, there is disclosed a novel underarm support which is economical to produce requiring a minimum amount of material and is useful in a single support crutch.
Claims13
A combined adjustable crutch and cane comprising:
- an upper, middle and lower tubular member arranged in telescopic relation;
- each of said upper, middle and lower tubular members having an upper and lower terminal end;
- a unitary one-piece connector and hand grip support means including an integral collar fixedly secured thereto said integral collar having an upper and lower end, said lower end of said collar receiving said upper terminal end of said middle tubular member said upper end of said collar receiving said lower terminal end of said upper tubular member;
- under arm support means operably connected to said upper terminal end of said upper tubular member;
- adjustment means allowing vertical height adjustments of said upper tubular member relative to said middle tubular member and said lower tubular member relative to said middle tubular member;
- said under arm support means and said unitary one-piece connector and hand grip support means each including anti-rotation means on inner surfaces thereof for preventing relative rotation between the respective tubular members the upper tubular member being removable from said unitary one-piece connector and hand grip support means such that insertion of a plug therein said upper end of said integral collar converts said adjustable crutch to a cane.
An adjustable cane comprising a first and second tubular member arranged in telescopic relation;
- each of said first and second tubular members having an upper and lower terminal end;
- a unitary one-piece connector and hand grip securely attached to said upper terminal end of said first tubular member;
- said unitary one-piece connector and hand grip including a first cylindrical portion which receives said upper terminal end of said first tubular member and an integral collar portion including a shoulder portion providing a vertical abutment with said first tubular member;
- anti-rotation means comprising at least one lug and cooperating slot for preventing relative rotation between said connector and grip and said first tubular member;
- said unitary one-piece connector and hand grip means further including a hand grip support portion which comprises a horizontally extending portion which extends from said first cylindrical portion whereby said telescopic members can be adjusted vertically to provide a comfortable cane for the user.
A unitary one-piece connector and hand grip support for use in a convertible walking aid comprising:
- an elongated cylindrical connector portion having an inner diameter and an outer diameter spaced about a longitudinal axis for receiving a plurality of telescopic members disposed along said longitudinal axis;
- an integral hand grip portion extending from said outer diameter perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said elongated cylindrical portion;
- anti-rotation means comprising at least one lug on an uppermost end of said inner diameter and extending inward therefrom and a cooperating slot in a walking aid component for receiving said at least one lug to prevent relative rotation between said elongated cylindrical connector portion and a walking aid component;
- an integral collar located at said uppermost end of said elongated cylindrical portion for receiving a component of said walking aid, said integral collar including a shoulder portion providing a vertical abutment for said walking aid component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.