Abstract:
An elongated walking assistance device includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and an adjustable system which couples the upper and lower portions. The lower portion includes a shock absorbing system attached to a surface contact heel. The adjustable system includes a threaded rod which extends from the upper portion along a longitudinal axis, a pushbutton assembly surrounding the threaded rod, and a tubular shaft capturing the pushbutton assembly. For fine adjustments, the user may rotate the threaded rod with respect to the tubular shaft to adjust the overall length of the device. For coarse adjustments, the user may disengage the pushbutton and slide the tubular shaft along the longitudinal axis.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This non-provisional patent application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/965,097 filed Aug. 12, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/681,689 filed Aug. 10, 2012, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to medical devices, and more particularly to medical crutches. Medical crutches are used in the medical field, often through the orthopedics department of a treatment facility. Medical crutches are often sold in the category of durable medical equipment (DME). Medical crutches can be used to support all or part of a patient&#39;s body weight. Medical crutches can be made of wood, metal, or other structural material. Medical crutches are typically configured to reach from a patient&#39;s underarm to a walking surface. Other configurations extend from the forearm, wrist area, hand, and the like. 
         [0003]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , crutches  400  are usually configured to have a fixed-length frame  402  having an arm support  404  for placement under the arm, a handle  406  that extends horizontally between two support legs  408   a ,  408   b  to support the weight of a patient, and a surface contact heel  410  configured to contact the ground. The legs  408   a ,  408   b  have a plurality of holes  412  for adjusting the position of the handle  406 , which is secured by wing nuts  414 . 
         [0004]    Shock absorbing devices, including springs, have been used with crutches  400  to lessen the impact to a patient as the body weight is transferred to the walking surface. Traditionally, these devices have been located in the upper portion of the crutches. Further, various adjustment mechanisms have been used to modify the length of medical crutches. These adjustment mechanisms are typically difficult to operate or do not provide the ability to fine tune overall crutch length to a specific desired length. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    While various configurations have been attempted, there remains a need for an adjustable medical crutch having a shock absorbing device located on the lower portion of the crutch. There is also a need for a medical crutch that allows a user to easily adjust the overall length of the crutch to a specific desired length. The subject technology is equally applicable to other devices such as canes, walkers, forearm crutches, and walking sticks. The present disclosure preserves the advantages of existing medical crutches while providing new advantages not found in currently available medical crutches and overcoming many disadvantages of currently available medical crutches. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the subject technology is directed to an elongated medical crutch. The crutch includes an upper portion with an arm support coupled to a handle, a lower portion with a shock absorbing system coupled to a surface contact heel, and an adjustable system. The adjustable system couples the upper portion and lower portion. The adjustable system includes a threaded rod extending from the upper portion along a longitudinal axis, a pushbutton assembly surrounding the threaded rod, and a tubular shaft capturing the pushbutton assembly and connecting the threaded rod and the lower portion. For fine adjustment of the overall length of the crutch, the threaded rod can be rotated with respect to the tubular shaft. For coarse adjustment of the overall length of the crutch, the pushbutton assembly can be actuated to disengage the pushbutton assembly from the threaded rod for sliding the tubular shaft linearly along the threaded rod. In one embodiment, the tubular shaft can define a tunnel along the longitudinal axis. Further, in one embodiment, the pushbutton assembly can include a main body having an axial bore and a transverse bore, a pushbutton extending through the transverse bore, and a spring, oriented between the pushbutton and main body to apply a force along the transverse axis. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the subject disclosure is directed to an elongated walking assistance device. The device includes an upper portion with a handle, a lower portion including with a shock absorbing system coupled to a surface contact heel, and an adjustable system. The adjustable system couples the upper portion and lower portion. The adjustable system includes a threaded rod extending from the upper portion along a longitudinal axis, a pushbutton assembly surrounding the threaded rod, and a tubular shaft capturing the pushbutton assembly. For fine adjustment of the overall length of the device, the threaded rod can be rotated with respect to the tubular shaft. For coarse adjustment of the overall length of the device, the pushbutton assembly can be actuated to disengage the pushbutton assembly from the threaded rod for sliding the tubular shaft linearly along the threaded rod. The elongated walking assistance device can be a cane, a walker, a forearm crutch, a walking stick, or any other walking assistance device. The pushbutton assembly can include a threaded push button. The tubular shaft of the device may define a tunnel along the longitudinal axis. The pushbutton assembly can also include a main body having an axial bore and a transverse bore, a pushbutton extending through the transverse bore, and a spring, oriented between the pushbutton and main body to apply a force along the transverse axis. The pushbutton can also have an axial bore with inner threads. 
         [0008]    It should be appreciated that the subject technology can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The novel features which are characteristic of the crutches are set forth in the appended claims. However, the crutch, together with further embodiments and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing Figures. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a prior art medical crutch. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a medical crutch in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of another embodiment of a medical crutch in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a shock absorbing system in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a shock shaft, as in the shock absorbing system of  FIG. 3  in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of a connector, as in the shock absorbing system of  FIG. 3  in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a shock absorbing system in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an adjustable system in accordance with the subject technology, shown disassembled for illustrative purposes. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an adjustable system in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  is a side view of a medical crutch with a pushbutton assembly in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8B  is an enlarged view of a portion of the adjustable system of  FIG. 8A  coupled to a threaded rod in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pushbutton assembly of in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a pushbutton assembly in accordance with the subject technology 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a tubular shaft and a pushbutton assembly in accordance with the subject technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The subject technology overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with crutch shock absorber systems while providing the user with the ability to effectively adjust the length of the crutch. The advantages, and other features of the system disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements. It is understood that references to the figures such as up, down, upward, downward, left, and right are with respect to the figures and not meant in a limiting sense. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side view of a medical crutch in accordance with the subject technology is shown generally by reference numeral  100 . The crutch  100  includes an upper portion  102  having an arm support  104  for placement under the shoulder of a user or patient. A handle  106  extends horizontally between two support legs  108 A,  108 B for the patient to hold onto. The legs  108 A,  108 B have a plurality of holes  110  which allow the handle  106  to be secured to the legs  108 A,  108 B via wing nuts  112  at various locations. The upper portion  102  is coupled to an adjustable system  114  which allows the user to adjust the crutch length along the longitudinal axis “a” to achieve their desired length. The adjustable system  114  includes an adjustable shaft  116  which runs along the axis “a” and connects to a lower portion  101  inside an absorber coupler  120 . 
         [0026]    The lower portion  101  includes a shock absorbing system  118  which provides cushioning as a user shifts their weight onto the crutch  100 , as well as a surface contact heel  128  which provides friction between the lower portion  101  and a ground surface. The shock absorbing system  118  includes a shock  122 , housed within the absorber coupler  120 . The resistance of the shock  122  can be adjusted by turning the shock adjuster  124 . A shock shaft  126  extends from the lower end of the absorber coupler  122 . The surface contact heel  128  is secured to the lower end of the shock shaft  126 . In one embodiment, the arm support  104  and handle  106  are made of a soft material, such as rubber or a foam rubber coated material, while the other pieces are made of structural material such as anodized aluminum. One skilled in the art would recognize that alternatively, other materials which provide sufficient structural strength may be used. The medical crutch may also have additional components or features that are known in the prior art or a used with standard crutches. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of another embodiment of a medical crutch in accordance with the subject technology is shown generally by reference numeral  200 . The primary difference between the crutch shown in  FIG. 2  and the crutch shown in  FIG. 3  is the type of adjustable system shown. In  FIG. 3 , the crutch has an adjustable system of the type shown in  FIG. 6 , coupled to a shock absorbing system of the type shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0028]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the crutch  200  has support legs  208 A,  208 B which are affixed, at their lower end, to a frame coupler  230 . The crutch has an adjustable system  214  which includes a top plate  232  that reaches between the support legs  208 A,  208 B. A threaded rod  234  is affixed, at its top end, to the top plate  232  by a nut  236 . In other embodiments, the threaded rod  234  could be affixed to the top plate  232  by a set screw, spring pin, or the like. The threaded rod  234  extends along the longitudinal axis “a”, passing through the top plate  232  and a lower plate  238 . The frame coupler  230  and lower plate  238  include a coupler tunnel  240  and lower plate tunnel  242 , respectively, as depicted more clearly in  FIG. 6 , which allow the adjustable shaft  216  to move along the longitudinal axis “a”. The adjustable shaft  216  includes a threaded top end  246  which can engage the threaded rod  234 . Thus, counter-clockwise rotation of the adjustable shaft  216  about the axis “a” forces the adjustable shaft  216  to move upward along the axis “a” with respect to the threaded rod  234 . In this way, rotation of the adjustable shaft  216  around the longitudinal axis “a” results in an adjustment in the total length of the crutch  200 . The user may adjust the length of the crutch  200  in this way to achieve a desired length based on their height and personal preferences. When the user has adjusted the crutch  200  length to reach a minimum length, the top  245  of the adjustable shaft  216  will come in contact with the bottom  247  of the top plate  232 . Clockwise rotation of the shaft  216  moves the shaft  216  downward along the axis “a.” For stability, at a maximum overall length, the top  245  is still within the lower plate  238 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 4A-4C , a shock absorbing system is shown generally at  218 . The shock absorbing system  218  is configured for removable attachment to the adjustable shaft  216  via a connector  250 . The connector  250  is configured for insertion into the absorber coupler  220 , where it connects with a shock  222  housed within. The connector  250  includes an axial bore  252  for receiving the adjustable shaft  216 . The connector  250  also includes an upper transverse bore  254  and a lower transverse bore  256 . When the adjustable shaft  216  is inserted into the axial bore  252 , a pin, threaded bolt, or the like may be inserted through the upper transverse bore  254  to affix the adjustable shaft  216  to the connector  250 . The connector  250  also defines a lower gap  258 . The lower gap  258  allows the connector  250  to slide over the top of a shock  222  such that a pin, threaded bolt, or the like may be inserted through the lower transverse bore  256  to affix the shock  222  to the connector  250 . The shock shaft  226  includes a hook  260  to allow for fixation to the shock  222  within the absorber coupler  220 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of a shock absorbing system  218  is shown. A shock  222  is shown extending from the absorber coupler  220 . The shock  222  is affixed to the connector  250  by a lower pin  258 , which runs through the lower transverse bore  256 . The connector  250  is affixed to the adjustable shaft  216  by an upper pin  260  which runs through the upper transverse bore  254 . Within the absorber coupler  220 , the shock shaft  226  is affixed to the shock  222  via the hook  260 , shown in  FIG. 4B . 
         [0031]    The shock  222  provides a dampening means when the crutch is used. The shock  222  may be any of a variety of typical shock absorbers, such as a pneumatic shock absorber, an air over oil shock absorber, or the like. In one embodiment, a pneumatic shock is used which has an adjustable rebound control to modify the time it takes a plunger to return to the starting position. This adjustment may be made using the adjustment knob  224 . In this way, the rebound control can be adjusted depending on the user&#39;s step speed. In one embodiment, the shock  222  also has an adjustable compression force, which is a dampening force based on the air pressure delivered into the shock  222  as a result of the user&#39;s weight. This adjustment can be accomplished by the adjustment knob  224 , or any other similar adjustment mechanism. Thus, the user can easily adjust the compression distance and stiffness of the shock  222  depending on their step speed, body weight, and preferences. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the shock absorbing system  218  may include an air over oil shock which may operate at specific air pressure and includes an oil orifice inside that helps to maintain smooth movement of a piston inside of the shock. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a side view of the adjustable system  214  is shown disassembled for illustrative purposes. The threaded rod  234  is affixed, at its top end  235 , to the top plate  232  by a nut  236 . In other embodiments, the threaded rod  234  could be affixed to the top plate  232  by a set screw, spring pin, or the like. In the embodiment shown, the threaded rod  234  extends along longitudinal axis “a”, through the lower plate  238  and the frame coupler  230 . The threaded rod  234  need not extend all the way through the frame coupler  230 , and in other embodiments the threaded rod  234  extends to a location between the bottom of the lower plate  238  and frame coupler  230 , for example. For illustrative purposes, the adjustable shaft  216  is shown separated from the threaded rod  234 . The frame coupler  230  and the lower plate  238  include a coupler tunnel  240  and a lower plate tunnel  242 , respectively, which allow the adjustable shaft  216  to move along the axis “a”. The adjustable shaft  216  includes a threaded top end  246  which can engage the threaded rod  234 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a side view of the adjustable system  214  is shown, adjusted to a position which would place the medical crutch very near a maximal overall length. The threaded top end  246  of the adjustable shaft  216  is shown engaging with the threaded rod  234 . The adjustable shaft  216  has been rotated in the clockwise direction around the longitudinal axis “a”, causing the adjustable shaft  216  to move downward along the axis “a”. As the adjustable shaft  216  moves further downward along the axis “a”, the total length of the crutch is increased. In the position shown, the adjustable shaft  216  is shown barely penetrating the lower plate tunnel  242 . Increasing the crutch length further, such that the adjustable shaft  216  no longer extends through the lower plate tunnel  242  runs the risk of potential instability. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 8A , a side view of a medical crutch with an adjustable system in accordance with the subject technology is shown generally by numeral  300 . Similar elements to those described in connection with the above-described embodiments are indicated with like reference numbers. Many elements are essentially the same as those of the foregoing embodiments and, thus, are not further described herein. The primary difference is that in this embodiment the adjustable system  314  includes a pushbutton assembly  327  that allows for quick and easy large adjustments as well as fine adjustments. The adjustable system  314  also includes a tubular shaft  335  which defines an axial tunnel  337  and retains the pushbutton assembly  327 . The threaded rod  334  is affixed to the upper portion  302  of the crutch  300  by a support plate  321  which extends between the legs  308 A,  308 B. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 8B , an enlarged view of a portion of the adjustable system of  FIG. 8A  is shown. The pushbutton assembly  327  has a main body  329  which includes an axial bore  343  for receiving the threaded rod  334 . The main body  329  has an upper surface  339  flush with the top end  341  of the tubular shaft  335 . The pushbutton assembly  327  also includes a pushbutton  333  which can be depressed to disengage the threaded rod  334 , as depicted in  FIGS. 9-10 , allowing for large adjustments in the length of the crutch  300 . The pushbutton assembly  327  is secured to the tubular shaft  335  with the pushbutton  333  locked into a transverse bore  359  in the tubular shaft  335 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9-10 , the pushbutton assembly  327  is shown. The pushbutton assembly  327  includes a main body  329  which has an axial bore  343  for receiving the threaded rod  334  and a transverse bore  345  for receiving the pushbutton  333 . The transverse bore  345  couples to the outer surface  360  of the pushbutton  333 . The pushbutton  333  is biased such that the proximal end  362  of the pushbutton  333  protrudes from the transverse bore  345  of the main body  329 . A spring  349  is located between the distal end  351  of the pushbutton  333  and the main body  329 . The spring  349  applies force along the transverse axis “b”, resisting actuation of the pushbutton  333 . The pushbutton  333  has an axial bore  353  of an inner diameter large enough to receive the threaded rod  334 . The axial bore  353  may be formed by drilling an oval bore, two overlapping bores, or one bore of a larger diameter than the threaded rod  334 . When assembled, the axial bore  353  of the pushbutton  333  generally aligns with the axial bore  343  of the main body  329 , and the threaded rod  334  extends through both axial bores  343 ,  353  along the longitudinal axis “a.” The axial bore  353  of the pushbutton  333  has inner threads  347  on the side nearest the distal end  351  which, when assembly, mesh with the threaded rod  334  to resist movement along the longitudinal axis “a.” Additionally, a set screw  355  passes through the main body  329  on the side opposite the transverse bore  345 . When the set screw  355  is tightened, it applies force to the distal end  351  of the pushbutton  333 . Thus, when a threaded rod  334  is inserted through the axial bores  343 ,  353 , tightening the set screw  355  causes the inner threads  347  of the pushbutton  333  to mesh tightly with the threaded rod  334 . In this way, when the set screw  355  is tight, the inner threads  347  will prevent the threaded rod  334  from moving, with respect to the pushbutton assembly  327 , along the longitudinal axis “a.” On the other hand, when the set screw  355  is loose, the proximal end  362  of the pushbutton  333  may be pressed in along the transverse axis “b” to allow the threaded rod  334  to slide freely along the longitudinal axis “a.” 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an exploded view of the tubular shaft  335  and the pushbutton assembly  327  in accordance with the subject technology are shown. The tubular shaft  335  defines an axial tunnel  337  which runs along the longitudinal axis “a.” The pushbutton assembly  327  has a main body  329  with an outer surface  366 . The outer surface  366  has a diameter which allows the main body  329  to slide into the axial tunnel  337 . When assembled, the main body  329  is housed within the axial tunnel  327  and the pushbutton  333  protrudes from the transverse bore  359 , as depicted in  FIG. 8B . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8B , the pushbutton assembly  327  allows the user to make both fine and coarse adjustments. The pushbutton assembly  327  is retained within the axial tunnel  337  of the tubular shaft  335 . The user may depress the proximal end  362  of the pushbutton  333  to disengage the threaded rod  334 , allowing the tubular shaft  335  and pushbutton assembly  327  to slide along the longitudinal axis “a.” In this way, the user may depress the pushbutton  333  to carry out large adjustments in the overall length of the crutch  300 . When the user has reached their desired position, the user can release the pushbutton  333  and the inner threads  347  of the pushbutton  333  will then engage with the threads of the threaded rod  334 . After large adjustments are made in this fashion, the user may twist the tubular shaft  335  around the threaded rod  334 , with respect to the longitudinal axis “a”, to make fine adjustments in the overall length of the crutch  300 . When a desired length is obtained, the set screw  355  is then tightened on the opposite side of the pushbutton  333 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , to apply pressure on the pushbutton  333  and maintain a tight locking fit of the pushbutton assembly  327  to the threaded rod  334 . The user can then operate the crutch  300 . 
         [0039]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. All such modifications and changes are covered by the appended claims.