Abstract:
A knee support attachable to a medical crutch for supporting an injured or amputated knee of a user of the medical crutch is provided. The knee support is held in a first extended position when in use and a second folded position when not in use. The knee support includes a base plate affixed to the medical crutch for supporting a knee placed thereon, and a soft padding covering the base plate for providing a cushioned support to the knee placed thereon. The knee support provides hands-free feature for the user. The position of the base plate is adjustable along the holes or the length of the medical crutch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/173,168 filed on Apr. 27, 2009, in the United States Patent &amp; Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed towards medical devices. More particularly, the present invention provides an enhanced crutch walker which is designed to ease discomfort and reduce strain when walking with crutches. This invention provides a kit or add-on to a conventional crutch or axillary crutch wherein a detachable knee support which can be attached to a conventional forearm, elbow, or axillary crutch of single-tube design. When the knee of the user is placed onto a padded support area, the whole lower leg can be protected from weight bearing without having to put weight onto the armpits and hand grips instead. This is advantageous for users suffering from impaired arm function and it allows a relaxed posture on both legs while standing. In addition, the invention allows the use of a contoured knee pad and it provides a means to use the contoured knee pad freely when assuming a stationary standing posture and flip away or flip up the platform when not needed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    After an injury, many individuals are forced to use crutches to help them walk. In addition to the injured leg, using crutches can cause additional soreness and discomfort. Extreme pressure is placed on the hands when they grip the handles, which can make it difficult to remain in a standing position. The functioning leg is responsible for the residual weight of the body and this can become extremely tiring. The armpit area can become chafed and irritated, which can often be more uncomfortable than the actual injury. A crutch designed in a manner that distributes the weight more evenly would help to alleviate some of the pain. 
         [0004]    Leg injuries are not a new issue for humans, and ancient artwork suggests that crutches may have provided a solution even as early as 5000 years ago. Since then, crutches have progressed from primitive structures such as T-shaped sticks to sophisticated lightweight ergonomic tools. 
         [0005]    Several major classes of crutches exist today, which include, underarm, forearm, platform, and knee support crutches. Underarm or axillaries crutches are most common in the United States and are typically used by persons having a temporary disability or injury. These crutches have a pad that rests in the armpits and against the rib cage, and a grip along the length of the crutch that allows a user to grasp the crutch for stabilization. Underarm crutches are used temporarily because they tend to be uncomfortable and cumbersome for users. 
         [0006]    The discomfort caused by the pad under a user&#39;s arm, the strength required to hold the handles, and lack of hands-free operation makes this type of crutch less than ideal. 
         [0007]    United States (US) Patent Application no. 20090229643 discloses a leg supporting crutch system and method. The crutch system comprises a supporting member and a stabilizing member. 
         [0008]    US Patent Application no. 20030098051 discloses a detachable knee or lower leg support system for crutches. 
         [0009]    US Patent Application no. 20090235966 discloses an ergonomic design for crutches. The application discloses a knee rest assembly pivotally mounted to tubular member at a predetermined desired distance from the either end of a crutch. The assembly provides sufficient resting area for a user to lean against with his knee. 
         [0010]    US Patent Application no. 20070012345 discloses a lower limb-support ambulatory device. The Application describes a lower limb, e.g. bent knee, supporting device which includes a lower limb supporting brace including at an upper extreme thereof and aligned with a long axis thereof a cushioned limb support member; an elongate angled stabilizing handle or member for stabilizing the brace, the handle extending upwardly and outwardly from the brace at an angle thereto, the handle being securely grippable by a user without use of the armpit; the device including below the stabilizing member and brace at a lower extreme thereof a tip configured to frictionally engage an ambulatory surface. 
         [0011]    US Patent Application no. 20070251560 describes an orthopedic knee crutch wherein a distance between the feet and knee contact point is adjustable to accommodate users of various heights. 
         [0012]    US Patent Application no. 20100051075 discloses a convertible mechanism that folds out from the crutch to become a chair. Thus, the present invention provides for a need in the art for a simple and universal technique to provide a way for persons using crutches to rest. The technique uses a design that is unobtrusive, lightweight, opens and closes quickly with minimum force, fits the size demographic, and provides a chair, any time, any place. 
         [0013]    Further, US Patent Application no. 20090151761 discloses a calf, ankle, foot, or leg rest device (hereinafter, Resting Device) and a cane modified by having the Resting Device movably mounted thereon. 
         [0014]    Most of the devices available for providing support to an injured leg require purchasing specialized equipment which in some cases may not be economical. Accordingly, there is a need for a simple and easy to use medical device designed to ease discomfort and reduce strain when walking with crutches. There is need for a crutch walker which allows individuals to walk more comfortably, taking pressure off of their armpits and standing leg. And also permits users to stand without balancing with their hands. The present invention satisfies these needs, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in the background art. 
         [0015]    Crutches have taken many forms over the years, and all have been designed to permit a user to ambulate while protecting a leg, that is to be able to ambulate without the need to place all or part of the user&#39;s body weight on the user&#39;s leg(s). Even so, known crutches have not addressed the needs of many users to be able to rest the affected leg by supporting it while standing for long periods of time. 
         [0016]    This invention addresses this long felt and unmet need by providing a leg support that can be readily attached to a conventional crutch, and which provides a support whereon the user can rest the affected leg. And the leg support can be retracted to an upright position to stow the knee platform as needed. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention is directed towards medical devices and provides an enhanced crutch walker which is designed to ease discomfort and reduce strain when walking with crutches. The crutch walker device is a modification to existing crutches that enables users to rest their injured leg on a knee support. The knee support is provided coupled to a crutch and can be folded when not in use. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a knee support attachable to a medical crutch for supporting a knee of a user of the medical crutch is provided. The knee support is held in a first extended position when in use and a second folded position when not in use. The knee support comprises a base plate affixed to the medical crutch for supporting a knee placed thereon, and a soft padding covering the base plate for providing a cushioned support to the knee placed thereon. The position of the base plate is adjustable along the length of the medical crutch. The base plate is composed of a metal or a plastic material. Further, the knee support is attached to the medical crutch by using one or more clamps or screws. The position of the base plate along the length of the medical crutch is adjustable based on the user&#39;s height for placing the user&#39;s knee on the base plate. Also, the knee support supports the user&#39;s knee and corresponding leg without requiring the user&#39;s hands to hold the medical crutch. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, a medical crutch comprising a knee support affixed thereto, for supporting a knee of a user of the medical crutch, the knee support being held in a first extended position when in use and a second folded position when not in use. The knee support comprises a base plate affixed to the medical crutch for supporting a knee placed thereon, and a soft padding covering the base plate for providing a cushioned support to the knee placed thereon. The base plate is composed of a metal or a plastic material. Further, the knee support is attached to the medical crutch by using one or more clamps or screws. The position of the base plate along the length of the medical crutch is adjustable based on the user&#39;s height for placing the user&#39;s knee on the base plate. 
         [0020]    This invention provides a kit or add-on to a conventional crutch which is retractable. The invention allows the use of a contoured knee pad and it provides means to use the contoured knee pad freely when assuming a stationary standing posture and flip away or flip up and stow the platform when not needed preferably by a friction means. The present invention relates to a retractable knee platform for use with a crutch for supporting the leg of a user, and having a memory foam cushioned upper surface. The retractable knee platform is preferably adjustable to varying heights on the crutch. This invention provides a kit or add-on to a conventional crutch or a medical crutch wherein a detachable knee support which can be attached to a conventional forearm, elbow, or a medical crutch of single-tube design. When the knee of the user is placed onto a padded support area, the whole lower leg can be protected from weight bearing without having to put weight onto the armpits and hand only instead. This is advantageous for users suffering from impaired arm function and it allows a relaxed posture on both legs while standing. In addition, the invention allows the use of a contoured knee pad (with a memory foam cushioned upper surface) and it provides means to use the contoured knee pad freely when assuming a stationary standing posture and flip away or flip up the platform when not needed as when ambulating. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The present invention is described by way of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1A  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker in an extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker in a folded position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker being used by a user in a standing position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker being used with the knee support folded up, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker being used to support a knee of an injured leg, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  illustrates an injured knee being supported by the knee support of the enhanced crutch walker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  illustrates a detailed view of the knee support. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The present invention provides an enhanced crutch walker which is designed to ease discomfort and reduce strain when walking with crutches. The crutch walker device is a modification to existing crutches that enables users to rest their injured leg on a knee support. The knee support is provided coupled to a crutch and can be folded when not in use. 
         [0030]    The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
         [0031]    The present invention would now be discussed in context of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1A  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker in an extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The enhanced crutch walker  102  provides a space to rest an injured leg when using crutches. The crutch walker  102  is designed by affixing a foldable knee support or base plate  104  to a side of a standard medical crutch. The foldable knee support or base plate  104  is attached to two extended bars  107  via a shaft  105 . The two extended bars  107  are affixed to both end clamp members  105 C. The foldable knee support or base plate  104  can be folded via the shaft  105  in two positions: horizontal position (unfolded position  105 B as in  FIG. 6 ) and vertical position (folded position  105 A as in  FIG. 6 ). The two extended bars  107  have an array of holes  108  to match with existing holes of the crutch  102 . The two extended bars  107  are tied or clamped to the crutch  102  by wing-nuts  109  via the holes  108 . The holes  108  are aligned and selected to adjust the height of the knee support or base plate  104  comparing to the ground. 
         [0033]    A user may use the knee support  104  to rest the knee of an injured leg while walking or while standing, thereby easing pressure off the other uninjured leg as well as the user&#39;s armpits which support the crutch. In an embodiment of the present invention, the knee support or base plate  104  is mounted on a standard medical crutch by using clamps and screws at approximately knee level. In various embodiments, the knee support or base plate  104  is mounted in a manner that allows for height adjustments, so that the position of the knee support or base plate  104  on the crutch walker  102  may be adjusted to accommodate a user&#39;s height enabling the knee support or base plate  104  to be placed at the user&#39;s knee level. 
         [0034]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the knee support or base plate  104  is designed using any durable material such as metals or plastics commonly known in the art for manufacturing standard medical crutches. The metal knee support  104  is covered with a soft foam padding  106  (with memory foam cushioned upper surface) to provide comfort for the user&#39;s knee. In an embodiment, the knee support or base plate  104  resembles a tray made of a firm durable material such as metal or plastic covered with a soft padding material  106  to provide support. The size of the knee support  104  is 4×5 inches, 4×6 inches, 4×8 inches, 5×6 inches, and 5×8 inches. In various embodiments the knee support or base plate  104  is foldable and may be folded when not in use (in vertical position as in  FIG. 1B ). In an embodiment, the knee support or base plate  104  is clamped to the side of a standard medical crutch by wing-nuts  109 . The knee support or base plate  104  facilitates folding in an upright direction or vertical position when not in use. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker in a folded position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in the  FIG. 1B , when folded the knee support  104  is substantially parallel to the crutch walker  102 . In various embodiments, the knee support  104  may be designed to be easily foldable or flippable in any manner which facilitates a user to use the crutch walker  102  unhindered by the knee support  104 . The foldable design of the knee support  104  enables a user to extend the same for use and then fold it away when not in use. In an embodiment, folding mechanism may be used to fold the knee support  104  as in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker being used by a user in a standing position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The user  202  is using the knee support  204  to stand in an upright position without supporting the crutch walker  206  with his hands  208  (hands-free feature). As illustrated in  FIG. 2  the user  202  has placed a knee  210  of his injured leg  212  on the knee support  204  in order to stand at one place. Also, as illustrated the knee support  204  has enabled the user  202  to keep his hands  208  free. Hence, the knee support  204  has eliminated the need of using hands or armpits to support the crutch  206  while standing, thus providing relief to the hands and/or armpits. Also, the use of the knee support  204  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  eases the pressure off the user&#39;s  202  uninjured leg  214 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker being used with the knee support folded up, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The knee support  204  provided with the enhanced crutch walker of the present invention may be folded up when not in use so as to not interfere with the normal functioning of the crutch walker similar to that of a standard medical crutch. As illustrated in  FIG. 3  a user  302  is using the enhanced crutch walker  304  in a manner similar to a standard medical crutch with the knee support  306  folded out of the way via a shaft  105 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates the enhanced crutch walker being used to support a knee of an injured leg, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The knee support provided with the crutch walker enables a user to free his hands while in a standing position. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a user  402  has rested the knee  404  of his injured leg  406  on a knee support  408  of the crutch walker  410 , thereby freeing his hands  412  for performing other activities such as unlocking a door. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates an injured knee being supported by the knee support of the enhanced crutch walker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in the figure an injured knee  502  can be comfortably supported on a knee support  504  of an enhanced crutch walker  506 . The placement of the knee  502  on the knee support  504  reduces the pressure that is applied on an uninjured leg  508 . Also the use of the knee support provides rest to the injured knee/leg  502  and frees the user&#39;s hands for performing tasks other than holding onto a crutch. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  illustrates a detailed view of the knee support attached to an enhanced crutch walker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The enhanced crutch walker  102  provides a space to rest an injured leg when using crutches. The crutch walker  102  is designed by affixing two extended bars  107  of a foldable knee support  104  to both tubes or rails of a standard medical crutch  102 . The foldable knee support  104  is attached to two extended bars  107  via a shaft  105 . The foldable knee support  104  can be folded or pivoting via the shaft  105  in two positions: horizontal position (unfolded position) and vertical position (folded position) or 90° degree rotation between horizontal position  105 B and vertical position  105 A. The two extended bars  107  have holes  108  to match with existing holes of the crutch  102 . The two extended bars  107  are tied to the crutch  102  by wing-nuts  109 . The two extended bars  107  are affixed to both end clamp members  105 C. 
         [0041]    Therefore the present invention provides an enhanced crutch walker for providing people with leg injuries a measure of convenience and comfort. The enhanced crutch walker of the present invention allows individuals having an injured/disabled leg to walk more comfortably, taking pressure off from the armpits and the uninjured leg. The knee support provided with the enhanced crutch walker permits users to stand without balancing with their hands, thereby freeing their hands for performing other tasks. Hence, the enhanced crutch walker provided herein is ideal for those walking with crutches and dealing with the strain of the process. The crutch walker helps to support the functioning leg, while providing a safe space for the injured limb. 
         [0042]    While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.