Abstract:
In one embodiment of the invention, extension brackets are attachable to existing crutch support members in order to outwardly extend the handle location of the crutch a given distance from the vertical plane of the support members of the crutch. An extended handle is attachable between the extension brackets by way of conventional fasteners such as wing nuts and bolts. The design and implementation of the ergonomic crutch handle kit of the present invention are significantly less complicated than designs which are known to exist in the prior art.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/629,413, filed Nov. 18, 2011. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to crutches and more particularly to an ergonomic handle for a crutch. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Some crutch designs exist in which the handle member extends into a different vertical plane than the crutch support members. These designs are, however, fairly complicated to manufacture and do not lend themselves to being easily attachable to modern day adjustable crutches. These modern day adjustable crutches typically include two outward support members that are coupled together via a shoulder support and a center support member. The center support member typically includes a plurality of apertures that extend through the center member. The center member is then attachable to the outward supports by way of one or more wing nuts and bolts, whereas the plurality of apertures in the center support enables the height of the crutch to be adjustable. 
         [0004]    The upper portion of the outward support members include a number of apertures penetrating therethrough so as to enable a handle to be attached in a number of different locations in between the outward support members. None of the prior art handle members that could potentially be considered ergonomic would be easily adaptable to present day designs of adjustable crutches. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for new ergonomic handle design that would operate more easily with current day crutch designs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An advance is made over the prior art in accordance with the principles of the present invention that is directed to a new approach for crutch handle. In one embodiment of the invention, extension brackets are attachable to existing crutch support members in order to outwardly extend the handle location of the crutch a given distance from the vertical plane of the support members of the crutch. An extended handle is attachable between the extension brackets by way of conventional fasteners such as wing nuts and bolts. The design and implementation of the ergonomic crutch handle kit of the present invention are significantly less complicated than designs which are known to exist in the prior art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]    The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show one exemplary embodiment of a present day adjustable crutch; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show one embodiment of an adjustable crutch including an ergonomic handle in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of an ergonomic handle kit for an adjustable crutch in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a detailed illustration of a handle bracket utilized in connection with the ergonomic handle kit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described while referring to the figures, several of which may be simultaneously referred to during the course of the following description. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in combination, there is shown one exemplary embodiment of a present day adjustable crutch  100 . The adjustable crutch includes two outward support members  102 ,  104  that are coupled together via a shoulder support  106  and a center support member  108 . The center support member typically includes a plurality of apertures that extend through the center member. The center member  108  is then attachable to the outward supports  102 ,  104  by way of one or more wing nuts and bolts, whereas the plurality of apertures in the center support enable the height of the crutch to be adjustable. 
         [0014]    The upper portion  110  of the outward support members  102 ,  104  include a number of apertures  112  penetrating therethrough so as to enable a handle  114  to be attached in a number of different locations in between the outward support members. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown one exemplary embodiment of an ergonomic handle retrofit kit  300  for a current day crutch as was described in  FIG. 1 . The basic elements of the kit include a first and second side plate bracket  302 , a spacer tube  304  and a spacer attachment nut and bolt (or screw) described but not shown. As described, the spacer attachment bolt is a 4 inch by 3/16 inch that fits through a hollow portion of the spacer tube  304  and appropriate apertures  308  of the side plate brackets  302  when the handle retrofit kit is attached between the outward support members  102 ,  104 . The spacer tube and hardware provide additional structural support and rigidity to the assembled crutch in place of the handle element that is moved horizontally outward, as will be explained. As shown in  FIG. 3 , one example of a side plate bracket is illustrated as a generally triangular metal plate having three holes placed at specific locations thereof. A first hole  306  and second hole  308  occur in a vertical plane of the side plate and are adapted so as to coincide with aperture locations of the upper portion  110  of the outward support members  102 ,  104  of the adjustable crutch. The support brackets are attachable to the support members at selected aperture locations  306 , for example, using a nut and bolt (or screw) combination, for example, a 1 inch by 3/16 inch and wing nut. When attached to the support members, the portions of the side plate brackets  302  containing a third hole  310  face in the same direction on one side of the support members. An existing handle element  314  from the original crutch (or a new handle element if desired) may be re-attached in between the third holes  310  of the side plate brackets  302  using, for example, a  4  inch nut and bolt combination or existing hardware from the original crutch. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown one embodiment of a side plate bracket  402  having exemplary dimensions and hole locations that may applicable for a standard size adjustable crutch. For example, as shown a vertical dimension V of the bracket  402  is 2 and ⅞ inches and a horizontal dimension H is 2 and ½ inches. Exemplary vertical spacing V′ between the holes  306 ,  308  is 1 and ½ inches and horizontal spacing H′ between holes  306 ,  310  is 1 an 7/16 inches. It would be understood by a person skilled in the art that other dimensions and hole locations may be utilized in order to facilitate connection to other sized crutch supports having different aperture locations in the upper portions thereof. In addition, the bracket may be made larger or smaller (or the hole locations made in differing locations) so as to alter the horizontal distance that the handle element of the ergonomic crutch kit extends from the vertical plane of the crutch. As shown, the bracket  402  may be made from  18  gauge galvanized steel. Other suitable materials may also be utilized in order to fabricate the bracket as would be understood by those skilled in the art, including wood, plastics or combinations of suitable materials. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , there is shown one exemplary embodiment of an adjustable crutch  200  with the ergonomic handle kit  202  of the present invention attached. As can be seen form  FIG. 2A , attachment of the side plate bracket enables the handle element of the crutch to be extended horizontally outward to a given distance D. In one exemplary embodiment, this distance can be a one and one half inch outward horizontal extension from the vertical plane of the outward support members and the center support member. Other extension distances may be achieved by altering the dimensions and hole locations of the brackets  302 , as would be understood. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1B and 2B  in combination, one can see the advantages of the ergonomic retrofit handle kit when compared to the handle of an existing crutch. As shown in  FIG. 1B , in order for a user to grasp the handle of the existing crutch design, the user&#39;s wrist  120  must be bent inward. This bending of the wrist while at the same time supporting the weight of the user while at wrest and in motion can cause fatigue and stress on the wrist and hand and other surrounding joints. In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 2B , a user of the ergonomic crutch handle of the present invention may keep his or her wrist  220  straight while utilizing the improved crutch design of the present invention. This relieves significant pressure on the wrist and greatly reduces the onset of fatigue that is associated with prolonged usage of crutches. A significant advantage of the present invention design is that all parts from an existing crutch prior to retrofit may be re-used, e.g., the handle and its associated hardware. Implementation of the invention may be carried out simply using the retrofit extension brackets, support tube and associated hardware. 
         [0019]    The foregoing description merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements, which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention, and are included within its spirit and scope. For example, although the extension brackets are shown as being mechanically fastened to the crutch support members, it would be understood that the crutch support members and extension brackets could be made as a unitary assembly or that the extension brackets could be welded or otherwise alternatively fastened, e.g., adhesively fastened, to the support members of the crutch. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited are principally intended expressly to be only for instructive purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. Many other modifications and applications of the principles of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are contemplated by the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims.