Multi-mode hands-free crutch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9808392-B2
Application number	US-201514671328-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2015
Priority date	Mar 28, 2014
Publication date	Nov 7, 2017
Grant date	Nov 7, 2017

Abstract

A crutch includes a base, one or more leg support members coupled to the base, and an axillary support member coupled to the base. The leg support members are configurable to at least partially the weight of a person through the person's leg. The axillary support member is configurable to extend under one of the user's arms to at least partially bear weight of the person. The axillary support member may be adjustable to reversibly transform the crutch between axillary support of the person and leg support of the person. The crutch can be selectively configured for use in a hands-free walking mode, an axillary support mode, a sitting mode, or a compact mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A crutch, comprising:
a base;
one or more leg support members coupled to the base, wherein at least one of the leg support members is configurable to at least partially bear the weight of a person through the person's leg;
an upper leg coupling member, wherein the upper leg coupling member comprises a hand grip, herein the upper leg coupling member is foldable with respect to the base; and
an axillary support member coupled to the base, wherein the axillary support member is configurable to extend under one of the user's arms to at least partially bear weight of the person.

2. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein the axillary support member is adjustable to reversibly transform the crutch between axillary support of the person and leg support of the person.

3. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein the axillary support member is telescopically adjustable with respect to the base.

4. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the leg support members comprises a platform, wherein at least a portion of the platform is configurable to extend rearwardly from the base.

5. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the leg support members comprises a platform, wherein at least a portion of the platform is configurable to extend rearwardly from the base, and wherein a length of the platform is adjustable.

6. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the leg support members comprises a platform, wherein at least a portion of the platform is configurable to fold with respect to the base.

7. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the axillary support member is positionable in the upper leg coupling member such that the axillary support member extends, during use, from the upper leg coupling member.

8. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein the upper leg coupling member comprises one or more straps configured to couple with the upper leg of the person.

9. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein the one or more leg support members are configured to at least partially compact with respect to the base.

10. The crutch of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the leg support members comprises a platform, wherein at least two of the following are foldable with respect to the base: the axillary support member, the platform, and the upper leg coupling portion.

11. A crutch, comprising:
a base; and
one or more leg support members coupled to the base, wherein at least one of the leg support members is configurable to at least partially support a person via a leg of the person,
an axillary support member coupled to the base, wherein the axillary support member is configurable to extend under one of the user's arm to at least partially bear weight of the person, wherein at least one of the leg support members comprises an upper leg coupling member coupled to the base, and wherein at least a portion of the axillary support member is positionable in the upper leg coupling member such that the axillary support member extends, during use, from the upper leg coupling member;
wherein at least a portion of the one or more leg support members is configurable to fold with respect to the base.

12. The crutch of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the leg support members comprises a knee pad, wherein at least a portion of the knee pad is configurable to have a horizontal surface.

13. The crutch of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the leg support members is foldable with respect to the base.

Assignees

• Univ Texas
• Univ Texas

Inventors

• Haider Waseem
• Serrano Jr Mario Enrique

Classifications

• A61H2003/005

  with knee, leg or stump rests · CPC title

• A61H3/02 Primary

  Crutches · CPC title

• A61H2003/007

  secured to the patient, e.g. with belts · CPC title