Abstract:
A carrying attachment is disclosed for holding letters, papers, books, and magazines. In some embodiments, the carrying attachment can be used for holding a flashlight, water bottle, etc. The carrying attachment can be attached to a crutch at any position and does not interfere with the adjustment of the leg or the use of the crutch handle. The carrying attachment may be constructed of a variety of materials such as, lightweight metal or plastic, among others.

Description:
CROSSREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/354,106 filed Jun. 11, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention pertains to crutches, and more particularly to attachments for providing convenient means to carry items while using a crutch. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Anyone who is deprived of the normal use of any of their bodily functions, even for a short period of time, knows that the performance of normal everyday activities, such as carrying a cup with a liquid, may be reduced or severely restricted during that time. One reason this may occur is that the individual is required to use their limbs to manipulate some type of artificial device to get around such as a wheelchair, cane, or crutches. The present invention is directed to an aid which is usable with such a device, in this case a crutch, which permits the user to manipulate the crutches and transport themselves while still performing the everyday simple activity of transporting a container having a liquid in it. 
         [0006]    Productive adults are often injured during their leisure activities, such as in skiing accidents. In many cases, they suffer injuries requiring the temporary use of crutches for mobility. Crutches most commonly used during rehabilitation of such injuries are of the “Y” design. Such a crutch frame has two members that converge near the bottom and attach to a central leg member. The two frame members are spread apart at the top to support an under-arm brace. Horizontally opposing sets of holes in the frame members permit a handgrip to be attached between the frame members by a bolt and wing nut. Handgrip position is adjustable vertically for arm length by selecting the appropriate set of bolt holes. The central leg is similarly adjustable vertically in order to adapt the crutch to the user&#39;s height. There are at least four different types of “Y” crutches on the market, distinguishable by different frame cross-sections and materials of construction. 
         [0007]    In order to continue performing their jobs, and even for everyday living, crutch users frequently have to carry a newspaper, documents, notepads, folders, mail, an address booklet, and similar articles found in both the home and business settings. Crutch users have considerable difficulty hand-carrying articles while simultaneously supporting themselves on a pair of crutches. Each crutch has a handgrip that the user grasps to both lean on and manipulate the crutch. While moving around on crutches, the user needs a method other than hand-carrying to transport even the smallest articles. A carrying device attached to one of the crutches can be of significant benefit to a productive adult, especially if it is capable of supporting articles found in the business setting, such as papers, folders, legal pads, and other predominantly thin, flat, and non-rigid articles. 
         [0008]    Increasingly common in the business setting are metal 12 oz. beverage cans for single-service cold beverages, available from vending machines. With the popularity of vending machines in office complexes and other work facilities, a carrying device attachable to a crutch that not only supports business items, but which also supports an open 12 oz. beverage can, is highly desirable. Also of benefit is a carrying device which can be conveniently attached without tools to a wide variety of commercial crutch frames, and which is not as bulky as to limit the user&#39;s access through doorways or to knock things over. 
         [0009]    Although carrying devices attachable to a crutch are known in the art, most are deficient in some respect. U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,541 to Herman, for example, shows a wire frame attachment that connects to handgrip adjusting holes below the handgrip, for carrying books, parcels, and other large objects. Although preferably made of resilient spring steel and coated with rubber, such a carrier has no way of clamping thin or small items because there is nothing to clamp against. The outermost end of the bent wire frame is centered between the two crutch frame members, requiring an article to be large and rigid so that both frame members resist the clamping force applied by the wire frame. A non-rigid article like a notepad would easily bend and avoid being clamped. Since the device is intended to be mounted in the handgrip holes below the handgrip, the lowermost position of the handgrip is unavailable. Mounting a carrying device above the handgrip is generally not feasible because articles then interfere with grasping the handgrip. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,148 to Cadman discloses a crutch carry-all attachment that has a hinged compartment for holding letters, papers, books, and the like. The compartment can be folded downward to carry a cup or beverage can. The attachment is bolted to the bottom leg of the crutch, which causes it to have limited usefulness when the leg is near its extreme extended or retracted position. In the leg extended position, the article being carried will be difficult to reach; in the leg retracted position, the attachment will interfere with the crutch handle. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,045 to Grant discloses a crutch carry-all attachment for holding small items such as papers, cigarettes, pens or pencils, and the like. The device is wedged between the side arms of the crutch and suffers from the same deficiencies as the Cadman patent. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,845 to Kravetz discloses a device that is attachable to the side of a crutch. The device interferes with the crutch handle to which the top portion is attached, and uses straps to attach the bottom portion to the sides of the crutch. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,327 to Nipper et al. discloses a cup holder that is attachable to the handle of a crutch. Like the Kravetz device, this appliance interferes with the crutch handle. 
         [0014]    Thus, a need exists for a carrying attachment for a crutch that combines the features of convenience and versatility while avoiding interference with the operation of the crutch. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a carrying attachment for a crutch that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. It is another object of the invention is to provide a carrying attachment that can be attached to a crutch for holding articles in a convenient position to the crutch user. A related object is to provide a carrying attachment for a crutch that is inexpensive and of simplified construction so as to be commercially feasible. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the above objects, a carrying attachment is disclosed having a front plate and a back plate detachably connected to each other. The front plate has a convex central portion and the back plate has a concave central portion. When the back plate and the front plate are connected, the convex central portion and the concave central portion form a channel that allows a crutch leg to move freely within the channel. In addition, the convex central portion of the front plate comprises a receptacle for an attachment piece. The front plate and the back plate each have a first end and a second end. The first end of the front plate and the first end of the back plate form a receptacle for a first side rail. The second end of the front plate and the second end of the back plate form a receptacle for a second side rail. Once connected, the receptacles formed by the first and second plates prevent the carrying attachment from sliding along the first side rail and the second side rail. 
         [0017]    The carrying attachment disclosed herein can be used for holding letters, papers, books, and magazines. In some embodiments, the carrying attachment can also be used for holding a flashlight or water bottle. The carrying attachment can be attached to a crutch at any position and does not interfere with the adjustment of the leg or the use of the crutch handle. The carrying attachment may be constructed of a variety of materials such as, lightweight metal or plastic, among others. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a front portion of a carrying attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a back portion of a carrying attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3   a  shows a side view and  FIG. 3   b  shows a plan view of an attachment piece according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4-9  show various devices that can be used with a carrying attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The invention summarized above may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the claims and accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a carrying attachment for a crutch, indicated generally as  10 . The carrying attachment  10  is adapted for use with a crutch  13  (partially shown) having a pair of side rails  15 ,  16  (also referred to as the first side rail  15  and the second side rail  16 ) and a handle (not shown) extending between and secured to the side rails  15 ,  16 . The side rails  15 ,  16  converge inwardly at  18 ,  19  to engage a leg  22 , which is secured therebetween. The crutch  13  is of conventional design and may vary in accordance with the needs of the user. Carrying attachment  10  comprises a front plate  25  and back plate  28 , made of strong, lightweight material, such as aluminum or plastic. The front plate  25  and the back plate  28  are detachably connected to each other by a plurality of fasteners. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, the dimension of the width of the carrying attachment  10  is sized and configured to fit between the side rails  15 ,  16 . Additionally, the front plate  25  and back plate  28  of carrying attachment  10  are shaped on their outer ends  30 ,  31  and  33 ,  34 , respectively, to conform to the shape of the side rails  15 ,  16 . For example, in some embodiments, the ends  30 ,  31  of front plate  25  and ends  33 ,  34  of back plate  28  may be round to conform to round side rails  15 ,  16 , while in other embodiments, the ends  30 ,  31  of front plate  25  and ends  33 ,  34  of back plate  28  may be rectangular to conform to square or rectangular side rails  15 ,  16 . The first end  30  of the front plate  25  and the first end  33  of the back plate  28  come together forming a receptacle for the first side rail  15  when the front plate  25  and the back plate  28  are detachably connected to each other. The receptacle formed squeezes the first side rail  15  of the crutch  13 . Similarly, the second end  31  of the front plate  25  and the second end  34  of the back plate  28  come together forming a receptacle for the second side rail  16  when the front plate  25  and the back plate  28  are detachably connected to each other. The receptacle formed squeezes the second side rail  16  of the crutch  13 . 
         [0026]    Typically, the front and back plates  25 ,  28  may be approximately 5½ inches wide and approximately 2 inches tall. Other sizes can be used, for example, in one further embodiment, the front and back plates  25 ,  28  may be up to 3 inches tall and 5½ inches wide. The front plate  25  has a convex central portion  38  that extends away from the crutch  13  and the back plate  28 . The back plate  28  has a concave central portion  39  that extends away from the crutch  13  and the front plate  25 . When the front plate  25  and the back plate  28  are detachably connected, the convex central portion  38  and the concave central portion  39  form a channel that provides sufficient clearance for the leg  22  to pass between the front and back plates  25 ,  28 . 
         [0027]    The carrying attachment  10  is mounted to the crutch  13  by a plurality of fasteners  36 , such as screws, bolts and wing nuts, bolts and nuts, or other appropriate device that allows the plates to be attached to one another. In one preferred embodiment, the plates  25 ,  28  are attached to one another by two fasteners  36 . In a further embodiment, the plates  25 ,  28  are attached to one another by four fasteners  36 . Preferably, the screws  36  extend from the back plate  28  into the front plate  25  enough to engage the plates  25 ,  28  and squeeze the ends  30 ,  31 ,  33 ,  34  against the side rails  15 ,  16 , and prevent the carrying attachment  10  from sliding along the side rails  15 ,  16 . 
         [0028]    The convex central portion  38  of front plate  25  includes a receptacle  40  for an attachment piece  44 . The receptacle  40  allows the attachment piece  44  to be connected to the carrying attachment  10 . The attachment piece has an attachment element  47  that connects the attachment piece  44  to the receptacle  40  on the carrying attachment  10 . In one preferred embodiment, the receptacle  40  includes an elongate slot  41  into which the attachment element  47  fits to secure the attachment piece  44  to the carrying attachment  10 .  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show an attachment piece  44  having one or more attachment elements  47 , such as buttons, nuts and bolts, wing nuts and bolts and other devices that allow attachment of the attachment element  47  to the front plate  25 . The buttons  47  are sized and configured to slidably engage in the elongate slot  41 . 
         [0029]    The attachment piece  44  provides the backing for a carrying element  50  that connects a variety of implements to the crutch, such as shown in  FIGS. 4-9 . For example,  FIG. 4  the carrying element  50  allows for attachment of a flashlight that may have a swivel connection to the elongate slot  41 . In  FIG. 5 , the carrying element  50  fits a water bottle with a closable top in a wire holder that can be connected by an attachment piece  44  to the elongate slot  41 .  FIG. 6  shows a carrying element  50  in the form of a mug holder that can be connected by an attachment piece  44  to the elongate slot  41 . For mugs and cups, it is preferred that the mug or cup has a spill proof top. In  FIG. 7  the carrying element  50  is a pair of hooks that can be hingedly mounted to an attachment piece  44  that can slidably engage the elongate slot  41 . For such hooks, it is preferred that the hooks can fold flush against the attachment piece  44  when not in use. In a preferred embodiment, such hooks can be held against the attachment piece by magnetic force.  FIG. 8  shows the attachment piece  44  comprising a protective laptop computer case. Preferably, such case comprises a plastic enclosure having a padded inner face. Additionally, for a computer case, one end of the enclosure should remain open to allow the computer to slide in.  FIG. 9  shows the attachment piece  44  comprising a bag or purse having a closable top. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the elongate slot  41  may include a detent  42  or releasable locking mechanism to hold the attachment piece when engaged in the elongate slot  41 . In other preferred embodiments, that attachment element  47  may be secured to the front plate  25  by a lock, which prevents the attachment element  47  from sliding out of the elongate slot  41 . 
         [0031]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.