Abstract:
A height adjustable stilt comprises a base and an extensible leg having a lower end secured to the base and an upper end. A foot support extends laterally from the extensible leg and is supported by the extensible leg. The foot support is height adjustable relative to the base as the extensible leg is extended or retracted. A height adjuster is configured to selectively extend the foot support relative to the base and configured to selectively fix the position of the foot support relative to the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates in general to height adjustable walking mechanisms, such as stilts, and in particular to height adjustable stilts having an improved ingress and egress height capability. 
         [0002]    Stilt mechanisms are used to provide a vertically elevated support platform for each foot of a user. The stilts allow ambulatory movement in a vertically elevated position. Some stilts, especially stilts used in the building trades, facilitate access to overhead objects, such as ceilings, gable peaks and the like. Some stilts provide height adjustment capabilities. 
         [0003]    It would be desirable to provide an improved stilt mechanism, especially for use in a construction environment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates to a height adjustable stilt that comprises a base and an extensible leg. The extensible leg has a lower end secured to the base and an upper end. A foot support extends laterally from the extensible leg and is supported by the leg. The foot support is height adjustable relative to the base as the leg is extended or retracted. A height adjuster is configured to selectively extend the foot support relative to the base and configured to selectively fix the position of the foot support relative to the base. 
         [0005]    This invention further relates to a height adjustable stilt that comprises an outer tube having an open telescoping end and a foot platform attached adjacent to the open telescoping end. An inner tube is telescopically received within the outer tube at the open telescoping end and a base plate connected to the inner tube. A gas spring, having a cylinder and a piston, is disposed inside the telescopically engaged inner and outer tubes. 
         [0006]    This invention further relates to a height adjustable stilt that comprises an inner tube that is telescopically received within an outer tube. A base plate is connected to one of the inner and the outer tube and a foot support connected to the other of the inner and the outer tube. A height adjuster is operatively connected to a release lever. The height adjuster selectively allows the foot support to extend relative to the base plate and to be compressed toward the base when the release lever is actuated. The height adjuster is further configured to fix the position of the foot support relative to the base plate when the release lever is released. 
         [0007]    Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a stilt mechanism in a collapsed position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the stilt mechanism of  FIG. 1  in an extended position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view, taken along line  3 - 3 , of the stilt mechanism of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is an enlarged view of a portion of another embodiment of a stilt mechanism. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a cross sectional view, taken along line  3 B- 3 B, of a portion of the stilt mechanism of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the stilt mechanism of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an opposite side elevational view of the stilt mechanism of  FIG. 4   
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a portion of another embodiment of a stilt mechanism. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view, taken along arrow  7 , of the stilt mechanism of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a stilt mechanism in a near-collapsed position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the stilt mechanism of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10A  is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the safety catch mechanism the stilt of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10B  is an enlarged view, in partial cross section, of the safety catch mechanism of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged view, in partial cross section, of a portion of a stilt mechanism having another embodiment of a safety catch mechanism. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view, in partial cross section, of a portion of a stilt mechanism having another embodiment of a pivotable footplate connection. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a stilt mechanism having another embodiment of a fixed footplate connection. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Height adjustable walking mechanisms, such as stilts, are used in the construction industry to vertically elevate a tradesman to be in close proximity to overhead objects. As a consequence, these stilts need to provide a hands-free, stable footing for a user, such as, for example a drywaller, an electrician, or a painter. The stilts need to allow the tradesman not only use of his hands while in the elevated position, but also an ambulatory freedom of movement. In construction stilts, typically, the foot platform of each stilt is positioned above and connected to at least one leg structure. The leg structure, or leg support, in turn, is positioned over and connected to a base. This configuration orients the leg support to be principally loaded in compression, similar to a load bearing column, with the compressive line of force acting through the support. The compressive load orientation allows the weight of the user to be transferred through the leg to the base without a substantial static bending moment. Such a static bending moment would cause the stilts to fall over absent a substantial corrective force from the user, thus reducing stability and usefulness. 
         [0025]    Some conventional stilts derive stability by orienting the foot platform in line with one or more leg supports and the base. The foot platform is positioned directly over the leg support and the base. When stilt components are arranged inline, the collapsed or minimum height of the foot platform relative to the base may be of sufficient distance to make ingress and egress more difficult. Furthermore, once the user is secured to the stilts, the minimum stilt height, established by the collapsed leg height, may hamper efforts to access objects on the ground (at or near the base). 
         [0026]    Other stilt structures may provide an offset orientation between the footrest and the point of contact of the stilt with the ground. In the stilt structures where the foot platform is offset from the leg support, the user may need to provide necessary reaction loads to counteract the bending moment about the base. Such a reaction may be effected by providing hand holds or by positioning an extending portion of the stilt against the user&#39;s leg. The resulting bending moment of the user&#39;s weight applied to the stilt is counteracted by the user&#39;s leg. This user-provided reaction load, however, may result in awkwardness, fatigue, pressure points and abrasions, or injuries in the event of a slip-and-fall situation. 
         [0027]    Stilts having an inline oriented foot support platform, vertically extending leg, and base typically have a significant minimum collapsed height. The minimum collapsed height often requires the user to transition from an initial standing or seated position to a substantially elevated standing position, after putting on the stilts. Many of these stilts also have height adjustment mechanisms that are awkward to alter once secured to the user. Such adjustment mechanisms may require unfastening extendable components, extending the stilts to the desired height, and refastening the attachment bolts. Thus, stilts having reduced collapsed footplate heights and improved height extension capabilities would be desirable. 
         [0028]    Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  a stilt, shown generally at  10 , that is one of a pair of stilts. The pair of stilts may include two identical stilts or two complementary, mirror image stilts for right and left sides. The stilt  10  includes a leg support, shown generally at  12 , a user mounting assembly, shown generally at  14 , and a base assembly, shown generally at  16 . The leg support  12  includes an upper end  12   a,  a lower end  12   b,  and an adjustable lift unit  18 . In one embodiment, the adjustable lift unit  18  includes a hollow, inner tube  20 , or alternatively a solid rod, telescopically engaged within an outer tube  22 . A plurality of intermediate tubes, such as intermediate tube  21  shown in  FIG. 3 , may be telescopically disposed between the inner tube  20  and the outer tube  22  to provide an extended height adjustment capability. The inner tube  20  engages a portion of the user mounting assembly  14 , and the outer tube  22  engages a portion of the base assembly  16 . Alternatively, the outer tube  22  may engage the user mounting assembly  14  and the inner tube  20  may engage the base assembly  16 . 
         [0029]    The leg support  12  further includes an upper mounting plate  24  that engages the inner tube  20  and a portion of the user mounting assembly  14 . Though shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as being mounted on the end of the inner tube  20 , the mounting plate  24  may be mounted on any suitable portion of the inner tube  20 . The mounting plate  24  engages a guide bar connector  26 . The guide bar connector  26  slides relative to a guide bar  28  that is attached the outer surface of the outer tube  22 . The guide bar  28  is shown in  FIG. 3  having a “T”-shape that engages a corresponding “T” shaped slot or track in the guide bar connector  26  for relative sliding movement therebetween. While shown as a “T”-shaped structure, the guide bar  28  and connector  26  can have any complimentary shape capable of relative sliding movement while preventing relative rotational movement. The shape of the guide bar  28  prevents the inner tube  20  and the user mounting assembly  14  from rotating or spinning relative to the outer tube  22  and the base assembly  16 . Alternatively, the inner tube  20  and the outer tube  22  may be shaped to provide sliding and non-rotating movement. For example,  FIG. 3  shows the inner tube  20  and the outer tube  22  having an oval cross section, however, other cross sections may be used such as square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, oval, “lemon” shaped, and the like. 
         [0030]    A leg support grip  30  is mounted on the upper end of the guide bar connector  26 . The leg support grip  30  may be an arcuately shaped panel, with or without padding, that rests against a portion of the user&#39;s leg (not shown), though such a panel structure is not required. The leg support grip  30  may include a strap, buckle, hook and loop fastener, laces, or other suitable means to attach the upper part of the user mounting assembly  14  to the user. The lower portion of the user mounting assembly  14  includes a foot support or platform  32  secured thereto. The foot platform  32  may be any structure that supports a user&#39;s foot and/or footwear. The foot platform  32  may include a securing strap  34  to retain the user&#39;s foot onto the platform  32 . The securing strap may be a flexible strap or a rigid hoop that allows insertion of the user&#39;s foot or footwear. Additionally, the foot platform  32  may also include a toe clip  36  and/or a heel stop  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in order to position the foot on the platform  32 , though such positioning structures are not required. 
         [0031]    In an alternative embodiment, the foot support  32  may be connected to the inner tube  20  which is telescopically received in the outer tube  22 . The outer tube  22  is connected to the base assembly  16  and further includes a slot or opening that allows the inner tube  20  to carry the foot support  32  in close proximity to the base assembly  16 . The outer tube  22  may be configured similarly to the guide bar  28  having an open side. The foot support  32  may be positioned on the outside of the outer tube and move within the slot. The inner tube may be telescopically supported within the outer tube by the height adjuster  56 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , and  5  the leg support  12  is connected to the base assembly  16 . The base assembly  16  includes a base plate  40  that is configured to support the stilt and the user&#39;s weight on a surface, such as the ground, floor, stairs, and the like. The base plate  40  may be any desired shape, such as, for example, square, rectangular, round, oval, foot-shaped, and the like. The base plate may be made from any material, such as, for example, steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, wood, and the like. In one embodiment, the base plate  40  includes an optional sole pad  42  disposed between the base plate  40  and the ground. The sole pad  42  may be a flexible polymer layer having a deflection characteristic similar to the skin and flesh of a human foot sole. The flexible nature of the sole pad  42  provides damping to minimize shock loading as the user walks with the stilts attached. Additionally, if the user steps on an object, such as an extension cord, nail, bolt, dowel pin, and the like, the sole pad  42  will deflect around the object to allow the remaining surface area to contact the firm area adjacent to the object. This ability of the sole pad  42  to deflect around the object provides a secure, supported footing to prevent slipping. 
         [0033]    The base assembly  16  further includes a main pivot  44  that facilitates a flexible movement of the base plate  40  relative to the outer tube  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The base assembly  16  may further include a heel pivot  46  and a toe pivot  48 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a rearward resilient member or spring  50  is disposed between the main pivot  44  and the heal pivot  46 . A forward resilient member or spring  52  is disposed between the main pivot  44  and the toe pivot  48 . The rearward and forward springs  50  and  52 , respectively, bias the base plate  46  in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the outer tube, though other biased orientations may be used if so desired. The rearward and forward springs  50  and  52 , respectively, are illustrated as coil springs, though other resilient structures such as, for example, hair pin springs, leaf springs, elastomeric springs, and the like may be used if so desired. When the user walks on the stilt  10 , the main pivot  44  allows deflection of the base plate  46  relative to the outer tube  22  in much the same manner as an ankle allows a foot to move relative to a leg. The heel and toe pivots  46  and  48 , respectively, allow the rearward and forward springs  50  and  52 , respectively, to compress without imparting a substantial buckling deflection component thereto. 
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the lift unit  18  of the stilt  10  is illustrated in the collapsed, or compressed, position and in the extended position in  FIG. 2 . When the stilt  10  is in the collapsed position, the distance between the foot platform  32  and the base plate  40  is less than the collapsed height of the lift unit  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lift unit  18  includes a release lever  54  that selectively engages or releases a height adjustment mechanism or height adjuster  56  allowing the inner tube  20  to be positioned relative to the outer tube  22 . In the pneumatically actuated embodiment of the stilt  10 , the height adjuster  56  is a gas spring and cylinder structure, either contained in a separate cylinder within the inner tube  20  or contained within a cavity in the inner tube  20 . The release lever  54 , when actuated, allows gas, contained within the inner tube  20 , to be moved within the gas spring  56  or exhausted from a portion of the gas spring  56  by the weight of the user. This allows the stilt  10  to be compressed to the collapsed position for reduced height facilitating user access to objects on the ground or easing putting on the stilts. The gas spring  56  is configured to adjust the elevation of the foot platform  32  relative to the base  16  while the stilts  10  are in use. The release lever  54  is positioned so that the user can release the selectively fixed position of the gas spring  56  to adjust the height of the stilts while in use. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an adjustable lift unit  218  may include a rack  220  and pinion  222  arrangement.  FIG. 3A  illustrates a different embodiment to that of  FIG. 3  but is a view taken from the vantage point indicated by line  3 A- 3 A in the previous embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . The rack  220  may be mounted to either an outer support  226  or an inner support  228 , if so desired. The rack  220  is shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  mounted to the outer support  226 . The pinion  222  is shown engaged to the inner support  228 . The rack  220  has a plurality of alternating projecting teeth  250  and recessed spaces  252  disposed along the length. Similarly, the pinion  222  has a plurality of alternating projecting teeth  254  and recessed spaces  256  disposed about the circumference. In operation, the teeth  254  of the pinion  222  engage the spaces  252  of the rack  220 . The pinion  222  rolls along the length of the rack  220  to accommodate various height adjustment positions. In one embodiment, the pinion  222  may be driven by an electric motor (not shown) to allow powered operation in raising and lowering the stilt  10 . In another embodiment, the pinion  222  may be a motorized driving element having the teeth  254  positioned along a rotatable armature and the center pinion shaft functioning as a stator element. Alternatively, the rack and pinion arrangement may function as an alternative guide bar connector  26  and guide bar  28 . The rack  220  and the pinion  222  may provide a relative locking condition therebetween to function as a safety catch assembly, if desired. A singular tooth (not shown) may be selectively disposed into the meshed rack and pinion teeth to prevent relative movement. 
         [0036]    In an alternative embodiment, a base plate  140  may be fixed relative to an inner tube  120  and an outer tube  122 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The base plate  140  may be directly connected to the inner tube  120  or may be mounted to a mounting pedestal  144  disposed therebetween. Additionally, a telescoping cover assembly  150  may be disposed about the inner and outer tubes  120  and  122 , respectively. The telescoping cover  150  includes a first telescoping section  152  engaging the outer tube  122 . A portion of the first telescoping section  152  slides inside a second or intermediate telescoping section  154 . There may be provided as many intermediate sections  154  as desired. The intermediate telescoping section  154  engages a final telescoping section  156 . The final telescoping section  156  engages a mounting base  158  that is engaged to the base plate  140  or the pedestal  144 , if so desired. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there is illustrated another embodiment of a stilt, shown generally at  300 . The stilt  300  includes an extensible leg support, shown generally at  312 . The leg support  312  includes a pair of cooperating, telescoping tubes, illustrated as an outer tube  314  and inner tube  316 . The leg support  312  may include other intermediate telescoping tubes, if desired. The outer tube  314  includes a footplate or foot platform  318  and a leg support grip  320 , similar to the foot platform  32  and the leg support grip  30  described above. The outer tube  314  is illustrated having a safety catch assembly  322  mounted near an open, telescoping end  324  of the outer tube  314 . The open, telescoping end  324  of the outer tube  314  is configured to receive a portion of the inner tube  316  for relative movement therewith. In one embodiment, the safety catch assembly  322  is a structure to prevent relative movement of the outer tube  314  relative to the inner tube  316 . The inner tube  316  includes a base assembly, shown generally at  326 . The base assembly  326 , shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , includes a base plate  328  and a fixed support bar  330 . The inner tube  316  further includes a plurality of safety catch apertures  332  formed therethrough. 
         [0038]    The leg support  312  further includes a gas spring assembly  334 , shown inside the engaged outer and inner tubes  314  and  316 . The gas spring assembly  334  includes a cylinder  336  and a piston  338 . The gas spring  334  is connected to the outer tube  314  at one end of the cylinder  336 , such as the closed end that includes a release valve  340 . The piston  338  is connected to one of the inner tube  314  or the base plate  328  at the opposite end of the gas spring  334 . The piston  338  may have a plunger end (not shown) that slides within the cylinder  336 , though such a configuration is not required. The gas spring assembly  334  is actuated by the release valve  340  to allow selective telescoping movement of the piston  338  relative to the cylinder  336 . The release valve  340  allows air, or any other gaseous or liquid fluid, to be admitted or exhausted from the cylinder  336  thus allowing movement of the piston  338  within the cylinder  336 . The gas spring  334  may exhaust fluid from an upper chamber of the cylinder  336  to a lower chamber of the cylinder. Alternatively, the gas spring  334  may exhaust and admit air externally from the cylinder  336  to effect movement of the piston  338 . The release valve  340  is opened by actuating a release lever  342 , similar to the release lever  54  described above. The release lever  342  also actuates the safety catch assembly  322 , which includes a latch  344  and a latch rod  346 . The release lever  342  is illustrated as a pivotable handle structure, though such is not required. The release lever  342  may be configured as any actuation device such as, for example, a button, a knob, a switch, and the like. In one embodiment, the gas spring  334  is the primary structure to prevent movement of the outer tube  314  relative to the inner tube  316  when locked in position by the release valve  340 . In such a case, the safety catch assembly  322  is then a secondary structure to prevent relative movement of the outer tube relative to the inner tube. The safety catch assembly  322  is configured to prevent relative movement of the foot plate  318  relative to the base plate  328  if the gas spring  334  or the release valve  340  cease to properly function or become inoperative. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the latch  344  is pivotally supported on the outer tube  314  by a pair of hinges  348 , though only one hinge  348  is shown. A portion of the latch  344  projects through a latching aperture  350 , formed through part of the outer tube  314 . A lever arm  352  connects one end of the latch rod  346  to the latch  344  and selectively pivots the latch  344  for engagement and disengagement with a desired one of the safety catch apertures  332 . The latch rod  346  is connected at the other end to the release lever  342 . When the release lever  342  is actuated to permit telescoping movement of the leg support  312 , the latch rod  346  moves in the direction of Arrow “A” and rotates the latch arm  352  about the hinge  348 . Rotation of the latch arm  352  causes the latch  344  to retract from the safety catch aperture  332 . The latch  344  may remain in the latching aperture  350  when the safety catch assembly  322  is released, as shown in phantom in  FIG. 10B , though such is not required. The latch  344  is biased into engagement with the safety catch aperture  332  by a resilient member, illustrated in  FIG. 10B  as a torsional coil spring  354 . The resilient member may alternatively be a linear spring (not shown) connected between the latch arm  352  and the outer tube  314 . 
         [0040]    When the user wishes to vary the height of the stilt  300  up or down, he actuates the release lever  342  to release the safety catch assembly  322 . Simultaneously or nearly so, the release lever  342  actuates the release valve  340  to unlock or otherwise release the gas spring  334  and permit relative movement of the outer and inner tubes  314  and  316 . The gas spring  334 , in one embodiment, is biased toward an extended position, similar to the extended position shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5  of the previous embodiment described above. When the gas spring  334  is biased toward the extended position, the user may raise the foot platform  318  by actuating the release lever and shifting his weight to the other stilt. The same process can be repeated for the other stilt, thus allowing the user to ratchet himself to a desired elevated height. The bias of the gas spring may be overcome by the user shifting his weight onto the foot platform  318  of the unlock or released stilt  300 . The user&#39;s weight will telescope the outer tube  314  over the inner tube  312  and thus reduce the distance between the foot platform and the base plate  328 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is illustrated a portion of a stilt  400  that includes an outer tube  402 , an inner tube  404 , and a gas spring assembly  406 . The gas spring assembly  406  includes a cylinder  408  and a piston  410 , similar to the embodiments described above. The stilt  400  includes another embodiment of a safety catch assembly, shown generally at  412 . The safety catch assembly  412  is contained within the stilt  400  and may be actuated by a cable  414 . A mounting collar  416  is shown connected to the cylinder  408 . The mounting collar  416  includes a cable retainer  418  that supports an outer jacket or sheath of one end of the cable  414  in a generally fixed position relative to the mounting collar  416 . The mounting collar  416  further includes a pivot leg  420  having a pivot aperture  422 . A locking collar  424  includes a locking aperture  426  that engages the perimeter of the piston  410 . The locking aperture  426  is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the piston  410  to allow relative movement therebetween. 
         [0042]    The locking collar  424  pivots relative to the cylinder  408  which permits the locking aperture  426  to cock or otherwise make binding contact with the piston  410 . A resilient member, such as a coil spring  428 , biases the locking collar  424  into an engaged position with the piston  410  .movement of the cable, in the direction of arrow “B” aligns the locking aperture to be generally concentric with the piston  410  to unbind or permit movement between the piston  410  and the cylinder  408 . This relative movement allows the outer and inner tubes  402  and  404  to telescope as described above. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , there are illustrated alternative embodiments of base plate to stilt leg support attachments. These alternative attachments may be used with any of the stilt embodiments described herein, if desired. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , a lower portion of a stilt is shown generally at  500 . The stilt  500  includes an outer tube (not shown), an inner tube  502 , and a gas spring assembly  504 . This particular embodiment of the gas spring assembly  504  includes a cylinder  506  and a piston  508  having a plunger end  510 . A resilient member, such as a coil spring  512 , is located between the plunger end and one end of the cylinder  506  near the bottom of the stilt, as shown. The gas spring  504  may be mounted in a reversed orientation to that shown in  FIG. 12 , where the spring  512  may be coaxially mounted around the piston and contained within the end of the cylinder  506 , if desired. The spring  512  biases the gas spring  504  into an extended position, such as is described above. A fluid chamber  514 , located on the opposite side of the plunger  510  fixes and releases relative movement of the piston  508  to permit telescopic movement of the stilt  500  as described above. 
         [0044]    The stilt  500  includes a pivoting connection, shown generally at  516 , between the inner tube  502  and a base plate  518 . The pivoting connection  516  includes a first member, such as a yoke  520 , connected to the end of the inner tube  502 . A second member, such as a pivot flange  522 , is connect to or formed integrally with the base plate  518 . The yoke  520  is rotatably connected to the pivot flange  522  by a resilient bushing  524 . The resilient bushing  524  biases the stilt  500  in a generally upright position, relative to a horizontal datum. The resilient bushing  524  allows the base plate  518  to flex or otherwise pivot in response to a user&#39;s gait. Alternatively, the resilient bushing  524  may be a pivot pin and may utilize the biasing springs  52  described above. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is illustrated yet another embodiment of a stilt, shown generally at  600 , having a fixed base plate. The stilt  600  includes similar components to the stilt embodiments described above. In particular, the stilt includes an inner tube  602  having a gas spring  604  disposed therein. The inner tube  602  is fixed to a base plate  606  by any suitable process or attachment device, such as welding, bolting, bonding, and the like. A first support leg  608  is shown oriented generally perpendicularly to a second support leg  610 , though any relative orientation may be used. The first leg  608  assists in counteracting any bending loads onto the base plate  606  imparted by the user&#39;s weight shifting side to side. The second support leg counteracts bending loads imparted by the user&#39;s gait onto the base plate  606 . 
         [0046]    Some of the various embodiments described herein provide a stilt mechanism having a reduced entry and exit height. Other embodiments allow the stilt mechanism to be easily adjustable by the user during use. Some of these embodiments, in combination, provide a stilt mechanism that may allow a user to more easily put on the stilts and assume an elevated standing position. Additionally, some of the embodiments described herein provide a stable stilt structure that is self-standing. A self-standing characteristic provides stability by arranging the components of a stilt to substantially counteract statically-applied bending loads of the stilt components or the applied weight of the user without substantially relying on user-generated reaction forces. 
         [0047]    The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.