Abstract:
A crutch includes an upper portion and a lower portion pivotally secured together with a shaft, at suitable angular position, and foldable to compact folding structure that is excellent for storing and transportation purposes. The lower and the upper portions of the crutch each may include a number of teeth engageable with each other, and a fastener to force the teeth toward and to engage with each other, and thus to adjustably secure the upper and the lower portions of the crutch together. The upper portion of the crutch includes a hand grip adjustably secured between two posts.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a crutch, and more particularly to a crutch having a rotatable and/or an adjustable structure.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Various kinds of typical crutches have been developed and comprise an upper portion for engaging into armpit of user, and for supporting upper portions of users, and a lower portion adjustable up and down relative to the upper portion thereof, to adjust the crutch to different heights, according to the users need.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,608 to Wilkinson discloses one of the typical poles having an adjustable structure for allowing the poles to be adjusted to different heights. However, none of the typical crutches suggested to provide a crutch having a rotatable and foldable structure for allowing the crutch to be folded to a compact folding configuration.  
           [0006]    The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional crutches.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a crutch having a rotatable and/or an adjustable structure for allowing the crutch to be folded to a compact folding configuration.  
           [0008]    The other objective of the present invention is to provide a crutch having an easily adjustable hand grip for allowing the crutch to be adjusted to fit various users of various heights.  
           [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a crutch comprising an upper portion including a cushion provided on top thereof, and a lower portion pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the crutch with a shaft, and selectively secured to the upper portion the crutch at suitable or selected angular position. The lower portion and the upper portion of the crutch may also be folded to a compact folding or storing configuration that is excellent for storing and transportation purposes.  
           [0010]    The lower portion and the upper portion of the crutch each includes a number of teeth facing toward each other and engageable with each other, and a fastener engaged through the upper portion and the lower portion of the crutch to force the teeth of the lower portion and the upper portion of the crutch toward each other and to engage with each other, to secure the upper portion and the lower portion of the crutch together.  
           [0011]    The lower portion of the crutch includes at least one orifice formed therein, the upper portion of the crutch includes at least one screw hole formed therein, and the shaft includes a threaded extension engaged through the orifice of the lower portion of the crutch and threaded with the screw hole of the upper portion of the crutch, to force the teeth of the lower portion and the upper portion of the crutch toward each other when the threaded extension of the shaft is rotated relative to the upper portion and the lower portion of the crutch.  
           [0012]    The upper portion of the crutch includes a pair of posts, and a hand grip disposed and adjustably secured between the posts. For example, two plates are secured to the posts respectively, and a fastener may adjustably secure the hand grip between the plates.  
           [0013]    The plates each includes a groove formed therein, the hand grip includes a bore formed therein, the fastener is engaged through the grooves of the plate and the bore of the hand grip, and a lock nut is threaded with the fastener to secure the hand grip to the plates.  
           [0014]    The hand grip includes two ends each having a channel formed therein, to slidably receive the plates respectively, and to guide the hand grip to move relative to the plates and the posts. Two blocks may further be provided and threaded with the fastener which may force the blocks to engage with the plates respectively.  
           [0015]    The plates each includes a number of teeth provided thereon, the blocks each includes a number of teeth provided thereon and engaged with the teeth of the plates, to secure the blocks to the plates respectively. The posts each includes a notch formed therein, to receive the blocks therein respectively.  
           [0016]    The lower portion of the crutch includes a tube, a leg adjustably secured to the tube, a duct secured between the tube and the leg. The duct includes a portion secured to the tube, and an inner thread formed therein, the leg includes an outer thread to thread with the inner thread of the duct. The duct includes a quick release clamp to releasably secure the leg to the duct.  
           [0017]    Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crutch in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the crutch;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a further partial exploded view of the crutch;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a partial plan schematic view of the crutch;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a partial plan schematic view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the operation or rotatable adjustment of the crutch;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a still further partial exploded view of the crutch;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is another partial plan schematic view of the crutch;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a partial plan schematic view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating adjustment of the a handgrip;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a still further partial exploded view of the crutch;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a further partial plan schematic view of the crutch;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a partial plan schematic view similar to FIG. 10, illustrating adjustment of a foot pole; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 is a still further partial plan schematic view illustrating the folding operation of the crutch. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]    Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS.  1 - 5 , a crutch in accordance with the present invention comprises an upper portion  1  and a lower portion  2  to be rotatably or adjustably secured together with a shaft  18 , for allowing the upper portion  1  and the lower portion  2  to be rotated to an open or working position as shown in FIG. 1, and a folded position as shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0031]    The upper portion  1  of the crutch includes two posts  10 , a pad or cushion  11  disposed on top of the posts  10 , to engage into an armpit of a user, and for supporting the upper portion of the user. The posts  10  each includes a bar  12  having an upper stud  13  engaged or secured into the bottom of the respective post  10  with such as force-fitted engagements, fasteners, or by welding processes. The bars  12  each includes a screw hole  15  formed therein, and a number of teeth  14  formed or provided around the screw hole  15  thereof.  
         [0032]    The lower portion  2  of the crutch includes a tube  20 , two cranks or arms  21  secured on top of the tube  20  with fasteners  22  (FIGS. 1, 3), force-fitted engagements, and/or by welding processes. The arms  21  each includes a rod  23  having a lower stud  24  engaged or secured into the upper portion of the respective arms  21  with such as force-fitted engagements, fasteners, or by welding processes. The rods  23  each includes an orifice  26  formed therein, and a number of teeth  25  formed or provided around the orifice  26  thereof.  
         [0033]    The shaft  18  includes two threaded extensions  19  extended from two ends thereof and engaged through the orifices  26  of the rods  23  respectively, and threaded with the screw holes  15  of the bars  12  respectively, for rotatably securing the upper portion  1  and the lower portion  2  of the crutch together. The teeth  25  of the rods  23  of the lower portion  2  are engageable with the teeth  14  of the bars  12  of the upper portion  1  of the crutch (FIGS. 4, 5), for allowing the upper portion  1  and the lower portion  2  of the crutch to be secured to each other at any suitable or selected angular position.  
         [0034]    In operation, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, when the threaded extensions  19  of the shaft  18  are rotated relative to the rods  23  or bars  12 , the threaded engagement between the threaded extensions  19  of the shaft  18  and the screw holes  15  of the bars  12  may force the teeth  25  of the rods  23  of the lower portion  2  to be moved toward and to engage with the teeth  14  of the bars  12  of the upper portion  1  of the crutch (FIG. 4), or to be moved away from each and to be disengaged from the teeth  14  of the bars  12  of the upper portion  1  of the crutch (FIG. 5), for allowing the upper portion  1  of the crutch to be rotated relative to the lower portion  2  of the crutch when the teeth  25  of the rods  23  and the teeth  14  of the bars  12  are disengaged from each other, and thus for allowing the upper portion  1  and the lower portion  2  of the crutch to be adjustably secured to each other at any suitable angular position.  
         [0035]    As shown in FIGS.  6 - 8 , and again to FIG. 1, the posts  10  each includes a notch  17  formed therein, such as formed in the inner portion thereof. Two plates  30  are secured to the posts  10 , with such as fasteners  31 , to partially block the respective notches  17  of the posts  10 , and each includes a number of teeth  32  formed thereon and facing toward the posts  10 , or received in the notches  17  of the posts  10 , and each includes a groove  33  formed therein.  
         [0036]    A hand grip  40  includes two ends each having a channel  41  formed therein for slidably receiving the respective plates  30 , and for guiding the hand grip  40  to move up and down relative to the posts  10  and the plates  30 . The hand grip  40  includes a bore  42  formed therethrough, for receiving a fastener  43  therein. The fastener  43  has two ends slidably received in the grooves  33  of the plates  30  respectively, for allowing the fastener  43  and the hand grip  40  to move or to adjust up and down relative to the plates  30  and thus the posts  10 .  
         [0037]    A block  44  is received in the notch  17  of one of the posts  10 , and includes a bore  45  formed therein for slidably receiving one end of the fastener  43 , and includes one or more teeth  46  formed or provided on one side thereof for engaging with the teeth  32  of one of the plates  30 , and thus for selectively or adjustably securing the block  44  and the hand grip  40  to the plate  30  and the post  10 .  
         [0038]    Another block  47  is received in the notch  17  of the other post  10 , and includes a bore  48  formed therein for slidably receiving the fastener  43 , and also includes one or more teeth  49  formed or provided on one side thereof for engaging with the teeth  32  of the other plate  30 , and thus for selectively or adjustably securing the block  47  and the hand grip  40  to the other plate  30  and the post  10 .  
         [0039]    A lock nut  34  is threaded with one end of the fastener  43 , to force the blocks  44 ,  47  toward or to engage with the plates  30 , and to force the teeth  46 ,  49  of the blocks  44 ,  47  to engage with the teeth  32  of the plates  30 , before the blocks  44 ,  47  and the hand grip  40  have been moved or adjusted relative to the plates  30  and the posts  10  to the required position, and thus for allowing the hand grip  40  to be adjusted up and down along or relative to the posts  10 .  
         [0040]    In operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the teeth  46 ,  49  of the blocks  44 ,  47  may be disengaged from the teeth  32  of the plates  30 , by unthreading the lock nut  34  relative to the fastener  43 , for allowing the blocks  44 ,  47  to be moved or adjusted relative to the plates  30  and the posts  10  to the required position, and thus for allowing the hand grip  40  to be adjusted up and down relative to the posts  10 . The lock nut  34  may be reached and rotated via the respective notches  17  of the posts  10 .  
         [0041]    As shown in FIG. 7, when the lock nut  34  is threaded relative to the fastener  43  to force the blocks  44 ,  47  toward or to engage with the plates  30 , and thus to force the teeth  46 ,  49  of the blocks  44 ,  47  to engage with the teeth  32  of the plates  30 , the blocks  44 ,  47  and the hand grip  40  may then be secured to the plates  30  and the posts  10  at the required or selected position, without disengaging the hand grip  40  from the posts  10 .  
         [0042]    As shown in FIGS.  9 - 11 , the tube  20  includes one or more apertures  27  formed in the lower portion thereof. A duct  50  has an upper portion engaged and secured in the bottom portion of the tube  20 , and includes a peripheral stop  51  extended laterally or radially out from the middle portion thereof for engaging with the tube  20 , and for positioning or securing the duct  50  to the tube  20 . The duct  50  includes an inner thread  52  formed therein.  
         [0043]    A leg  70  includes an outer thread  71  for threading with the inner thread  52  of the duct  50 , and thus for adjusting the leg  70  relative to the duct  50  and the tube  20 . The leg  70  includes a marked area or portion or element  73  provided on top thereof, and to be seen through either of the apertures  27  of the tube  20 , for allowing the user to see and to check and to know the relative position between the tube  20  and the leg  70 .  
         [0044]    The duct  50  includes a lower portion  53  having a slot  54  formed therein to form or define a pair of opposite flanges  55  each of which includes an ear  56  extended therefrom. A quick release clamp  57  is engaged with the ears  56  of the duct  54 , for forcing the flanges  55  of the duct  50  toward each other (FIG. 11), in order to enclose the slot  54  of the duct  50 , and so as to clamp and to position or to lock the duct  50  and the leg  70  together.  
         [0045]    In operation, as shown in FIG. 10, when the quick release clamp  57  is released to disengage the ears  56  of the duct  54  from each other, the leg  70  may be rotated and threaded with the inner thread  52  of the duct  50 , in order to adjust the leg  70  relative to the tube  20  and the duct  50 . When it is required to lock the leg  70  to the duct  50  and the tube  20 , it is only required to rotate or to operate the quick release clamp  57  to force the flanges  55  of the duct  50  toward each other and to clamp the leg  70  in the duct  50 .  
         [0046]    The adjustment of the leg  70  relative to the tube  20  allows the crutch to fit various users of different heights. In addition, the hand grip  40  may also be easily adjusted relative to the posts  10  without disengaging or removing the hand grip  40  from the posts  10 . Furthermore, the upper portion  1  of the crutch may be rotated and adjusted relative to the lower portion  2  thereof, to any suitable or selected angular position, for allowing the users to use the crutch at any suitable conditions.  
         [0047]    Accordingly, the crutch in accordance with the present invention includes a rotatable and/or adjustable structure for allowing the crutch to be folded to a compact folding configuration, and includes an easily adjustable hand grip for allowing the crutch to be adjusted to fit various users of various heights.  
         [0048]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.