Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. application having Ser. No. 10/928,901 filed on Aug. 27, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,262 and also claims priority to the PCT patent application No. PCT/US2006/004997 filed on Feb. 14, 2006. 

   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to padded cane or crutch coverings and cushions. More specifically, this invention relates to a padded cover or cushion for a forearm cane or crutch. A typical forearm cane or crutch consists of an adjustable length pole with a forearm cradle pivotally attached at or near the top of the pole. The cane or crutch is typically made of metal or some other sturdy material for support and durability. 
   During normal activities, the user can develop sores on the forearm due to pressure or pinching of the arm in the forearm cradle. In addition, the junction where the forearm cradle attaches to the crutch pole can often create discomfort and pain. For example, the user may pinch his arm between the forearm cradle and pole as the forearm cradle pivots at its hinge through a range of positions. The attachment junction can also pinch or catch on materials near it and cause damage to clothing, coats, upholstery or other materials it contacts. Further, the attachment junction can scratch or mar walls, doors, trim, furniture, vehicles or the like. 
   Holding a forearm crutch limits the availability of the user&#39;s hands for everyday tasks and creates safety issues for the user. For example, the user may let go of one crutch hand grip and transfer the crutch to the other hand in order to open a door. The user must open the door, hold it open and walk through the doorway while maintaining control over the free crutch. All of this activity is done while the user is balancing on the remaining crutch. If the user drops the free crutch, he must bend down and pick it up while balancing on the remaining crutch. Another similar problem occurs when pushing a shopping cart. While the user use the shopping cart to help balance while walking on one crutch, any movement away from the cart to remove anitem from the shelf requires balancing on one crutch and creates a safety concern for the user. 
   What is needed, therefore, is a forearm cane or crutch covering or cushioning that makes the crutch more comfortable for the user while at the same time it helps protect the user and his surroundings from injury or damage related to relative movement between the forearm cradle and the pole on which it is mounted or injury resulting from the need to let go of the hand grip and perform everyday tasks. 
   It is an object of this invention to make the forearm cradle of a forearm cane or crutch more comfortable and to minimize or eliminate pinching, scratching or other damage caused by the pivotable connection of the forearm cradle to the pole. 
   It is feature of this invention that the forearm cane or crutch cover will fit the forearm cane or crutch when it is adjusted to fit the height and arm length of a user. 
   It is another feature of the invention to make it more comfortable and to make it easier to control the operation of a cane or crutch. 
   It is another feature of the invention to make it safer to for user to let go of the crutch and use his hand, by preventing the crutch from slipping off the forearm when the user lets go of the handgrip. 
   It is yet another feature of the invention to make it possible to apply the teachings of the present invention to known canes or crutches to increase their comfort and to make them better able to be used. 
   Another feature of the invention is to make better use of commercially available canes and crutches. 
   Still other objects, advantages, distinctions and alternative constructions and/or combinations of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Similar components and assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similar alphanumeric reference characters. This description should not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the invention should be interpreted within the broad scope of the further appended claims. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a forearm cane cover or cushion or a forearm crutch cover or cushion that makes the forearm cradle more comfortable for the user and helps prevent injury or damage caused by contact with the sharp edges of the pivoting attachment junction and by the resultant gap created and closed between the forearm cradle and pole when the forearm cradle pivots around the pole of the cane or crutch. In addition, the forearm cane cover will prevent slippage or the forearm cane from the user&#39;s arm when the user lets go of the handgrip to use his hands. 
   The cover may include an at least partially padded covering for the forearm cradle with pieces that may extend from the forearm cradle and may cover at least some portion of the pivoting attachment junction that connects the forearm cradle to the pole. Preferably the cover may provide padding on the inside of the forearm cradle to make the forearm cradle more comfortable to the user. Then extensions from the forearm cradle area may cover the pivoting attachment junction that connects the forearm cradle to the pole. These extensions may essentially enclose the pivoting attachment junction and the gap between the forearm cradle and pole created and closed as the forearm cradle pivots from a backward position to a forward position. 
   An optional feature of the present device is the use of an expandable portion in the extensions or pieces that cover at least some portion of the pivoting attachment junction. Thus when the forearm cradle pivots through its range of positions, the expansion of the expandable portion may reduce gaping or bunching in the pieces that cover at least some portion of the pivoting attachment. In addition, the expandable portion may allow a forearm crutch cover to fit a forearm crutch when adjusted to various users&#39; heights and arm lengths. 
   A further significant advantage of the current invention is that the inclusion of a resilient portion that spans between the crutch cover and the crutch pole, particularly when oriented at the front of the crutch, when the cradle is bent rearwardly, as during usage, under pressure of the user, once that pressure is released, the cradle will be pulled back into alignment, and ready for use and application by the invalid, because of the resilience of the expandable portion. 
   A further advantage of the concept of this invention is the usage and application of the safety strap, that extends from the cradle cover, and which can span across the front opening of the cradle, in order to add to the safety of retention of the invalid&#39;s arm therein, during usage and application of the crutch. This provides greater safety during usage of this inventive device. 
   In addition, other hook and loop straps may extend downwardly from one edge of the cradle cover, extend underneath of the same, and be fastened to the other side of the cover, in order to assure that the cradle cover remains in place, during usage, and can not slip from the crutch during its application. 
   Another optional feature includes an opening on the front extension of the cover that encompasses the handgrip. This opening may help secure the cover&#39;s attachment to the cane or crutch. Alternatively, the crutch cover may include a portion that covers the handgrip of the cane or the crutch. This opening may help secure the cover&#39;s attachment to the cane or crutch as well as increase the comfort of the handgrip. It also resets the cradle after usage. 
   Another preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover includes a pleated covering for the hinge, and a height adjustment portion that attaches along the pole extension and attaches the cradle portion of the cover to the handgrip. In adition, this embodiment include a safety strap to help the forearm crutch dangle from the user&#39;s arm when the crutch is not in use. The forearm cradle portion may also be made of non-allergenic material and include a permanent or removable breathable pad to help eliminate sores and irritation on the user&#39;s arm. If removable, the breathable pad may be disposable or washable for reuse. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover as used on a forearm crutch, and a cut away perspective view of the pivoting connection junction that connects the forearm cradle to the pole of the forearm crutch; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  2 - 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover as seen from the front; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover as seen from the rear; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown on a forearm crutch with the forearm cradle rotated forward, or in a weight bearing position typically associated with walking; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown on a forearm crutch with the forearm cradle rotated backward, or in a hands free position typically associated with resting; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover as used on a forearm crutch; 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover of  FIG. 7  as seen from the front; 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover of  FIG. 7  as seen from the front with the optional removable handgrip attachment; 
       FIG. 10  is a plan view of the removable handgrip attachment for use with the forearm crutch cover of  FIG. 9 ; and 
       FIG. 11  is a rear elevated view of the preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover of  FIG. 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The apparatus described herein covers the top portion of a forearm cane or crutch to provide a padded forearm cradle and at least a partial enclosure for the pivoting connection junction that attaches the forearm cradle to the pole. 
     FIG. 1  depicts a preferred embodiment of a cover  10  for a forearm cane or forearm crutch as shown on a forearm crutch having a forearm cradle  14 , a pole  18  and a handgrip  20 . The pivoting attachment  16  of the forearm cradle  14  to the pole  18  is shown in the encircled portion of  FIG. 1  without the cover  10 . This pivoting connection  16 , shown as a yoke and bolt attachment in this embodiment, could be a collar and pin joint, a hinge, a swivel, a ball and socket assembly, or the like, depending upon the particular design and construction of the forearm cane or crutch. The pivoting connection  16  allows the forearm cradle  14  to rotate about an axis A through a range of positions. When utilized, the cover  10  may fit over the forearm cradle  14 , extend down the pole  18  and may cover at least a portion of the yoke and bolt attachment  16  that pivotally attaches the forearm cradle  14  to the pole  18 . The front  22  of the cover  10  may be situated inside the forearm cradle  14  and may extend down the pole  18  towards the sidewardly extending handgrip  20 . The back  24  of the cover  10  may be situated around the back or outside of the forearm cradle  14  and may extend down the pole  18  and may cover at least a portion of the yoke and bolt attachment  16  that attaches the forearm cradle  14  to the pole  18 . 
   The forearm cane or crutch cover  10  may be described in four portions—the inner or front forearm cradle portion  26 , the outer or back forearm cradle portion  28 , the front pole portion  30  and the back pole portion  36  as seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 .  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the cover  10  shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the line  2 - 2 . The front forearm cradle portion  26  and the back forearm cradle portion  28  are shown on either side of the forearm cradle  14 . 
   The front and back forearm cradle portions  26 ,  28  may form a flexible covering sized to fit over the U-shaped C-shaped forearm cradle  14 . The flexible covering may be constructed in a number of ways that include, but are not limited to, sewing, hook and loop closures, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or the like. The front and back pole portions  30 ,  36  may extend from the front and back forearm cradle portions  26 ,  28 . An alternate construction of the cover may include a cushioning material applied directly to the inner or front forearm cradle portion and one or more pole portions may extend from the inner or front forearm cradle portion. 
     FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the front  22  of the forearm crutch cover  10 . The inner or front cradle portion  26  is usually the portion in contact with the user&#39;s arm. The padding on the front cradle portion  26  may cushion the user&#39;s arm, and it may be made from natural materials or man-made materials, such as soft plastic or rubber, leather, fur or fur-like materials, or the like. The front pole portion  30  may extend from the front forearm cradle portion  26 , and it may cover at least some portion of the yoke and bolt attachment  16  that connects the forearm cradle  14  to the pole  18 . 
     FIG. 4  depicts the back  24  of the forearm crutch cover  10 . The back forearm cradle portion  28  may cover the back or the outside of the forearm cradle, as at  14 . The back cradle portion  28  may be made of natural materials or man-made materials. The back pole portion  36  may extend from the back forearm cradle portion  28 , and it may cover at least some portion of the yoke and bolt attachment  16  that connects the forearm cradle  14  to the pole  18 . In addition, the back pole portion  36  may have cooperatively engaging elements  32 ,  38  to help the forearm crutch cover  10  remain on the forearm crutch  12 . The cooperatively engaging elements  32 ,  38  may be, but are not limited to, hook and loop closure as shown in  FIG. 4 , or any number of methods, such as mechanical fasteners, buckles, slide fasteners, adhesives or the like. 
   The front pole portion  30  shown in  FIG. 3  may include an opening  34  sized to encircle the base of the handgrip  20  that may serve as an additional method to secure the forearm crutch cover  10  to the forearm crutch  12 . Alternatively the front pole portion  30  may include a portion that may encase at least some portion of the handgrip  20  that may serve as an additional method to secure the forearm crutch cover  10  to the forearm crutch  12 . This covering may provide a better grip for the user and it may be padded to increase the user&#39;s comfort. 
   The front and back pole portions  30 ,  36  may have an expandable portion  40 ,  42  at or near their connection to the front and rear cradle portions  26 ,  28  to provide for the increase in length that may be required in the front and back pole portions  30 ,  36  as the forearm cradle  14  is rotated about axis A through its range of positions.  FIGS. 5 and 6  show the increase in length that may be required of the expandable portions  40 ,  42  when the forearm cradle  14  is rotated from a forward position as shown in  FIG. 5 , around axis A, to a more backward position as shown in  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 5 , when the forearm cradle is in its generally forward or weight bearing position associated with using the forearm crutch to walk, the expandable portion  40  is shown to have length L, and the expandable portion  42  is shown to have length M. In  FIG. 6 , when the forearm cradle is in its generally backward or hands free position associated with using the forearm crutch at rest, the expandable portion  40  is shown to have length X+L, and the expandable portion  42  is shown to have length Y+M to accommodate the increased length that may be required in the front and back pole portions  30 ,  36 . In addition, because the typical forearm crutch is adjustable for users of various heights and arm lengths, the expandable portions  40 ,  42  may allow the same forearm crutch cover  10  to fit a forearm crutch at a variety of adjusted sizes. 
   The forearm crutch cover  10  may be made entirely of soft, flexible natural or man-made material. The use of an expandable portion  40 ,  42 , however, allows for more freedom in selecting the material that may be used for the cover  10 . With the exception of the padding for the front cradle portion  26 , the forearm crutch cover  10  may be made of a harder, more durable material such as plastic, vinyl, metal or the like, or a combination of hard and soft materials, provided an expandable portion is used at some location along the forearm crutch cover  10  to allow for movement of the forearm cradle  14 . 
   The advantage of having an expandable portion, as at  40 , along the front or inside part of the crutch, below its cradle, is that furnishing and expandable portion at this location allows for the cradle to be biased back into its aligned position, ready for usage, in the event that the cradle may have been tilted or pivoted rearwardly, during usage. Thus, the use of an expandable portion at this location helps maintain the forearm crutch in proper alignment, ready for usage, whenever it is applied. 
   Another alternative for this invention includes a forearm crutch or cane having a forearm cradle constructed with a padded material attached to the inside of the forearm cradle. The invention could further include one or more pole portions covering at least part of the pivoting attachment junction of the forearm cradle and the pole. 
   A second preferred embodiment of the forearm crutch cover is shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, cover  50  for a forearm cane or a forearm crutch as shown on a forearm crutch of in  FIG. 1  having forearm cradle  14 , pole  18  and handgrip  20 . Pivoting attachment  16  of forearm cradle  14  to pole  18  is shown in the encircled portion of  FIG. 1  without cover  50 . Again, pivoting connection  16 , shown as a yoke and bolt attachment in this embodiment, could be a collar and pin joint, a hinge, a swivel, a ball and socket assembly, or the like, depending upon the particular design and construction of the forearm cane or crutch. Pivoting connection  16  allows forearm cradle  14  to rotate about axis A through a range of positions. When utilized, cover  50  may fit over forearm cradle  14  and may cover at least a portion of yoke and bolt attachment  16  that pivotally attaches forearm cradle  14  to pole  18 . The front  52  of cover  50  may be situated inside forearm cradle  14  and may extend down pole  18  towards sidewardly extending handgrip  20 . The back  54  of cover  50  may be situated around the back or outside of forearm cradle  14  and may extend down pole  18  and may cover at least a portion of yoke and bolt attachment  16  that attaches forearm cradle  14  to pole  18 . In this embodiment, cover  50  is made from a flexible or nonflexible material that envelopes forearm cradle  14 . The back of  54  of cover  50  may include pleat  60 , which may be expandable to cover attachment  16  of forearm cradle  14  to pole  18 . This embodiment also includes optional safety strap  62  that covers the forearm when inside forearm cradle  14 . Safety strap  62  may be attached to the back  54  of cover  50  by hook and loop, or any suitable attachment method as described above. When the forearm crutch is used with cover  50 , the user positions safety strap  62  across the forearm, enclosing the U-shaped or C-shaped forearm cradle  14 . When the user releases handgrip  20 , safety strap  62  may allow the forearm crutch to hang or dangle from the user&#39;s arm and may prevent the forearm crutch from falling to the ground. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  show an embodiment for the front  52  of forearm crutch cover  50  including front cradle portion  56 , pole extension  70 , and handgrip loop portion  72 , Front cradle portion  56  of cover  50  is situated inside forearm cradle  14  and comes directly in contact with the user&#39;s arm. Front cradle portion  56  may be padded with a breathable padding and made of non-allergenic material for the comfort of the user. Front cradle portion  56  may include a breathable pad or be constructed from material that minimizes or helps eliminate perspiration. Suggested materials for the cover include, but are not limited to, 1000 denier nylon for the outside and COOLMAX® for the breathable pad. As an option, front cradle portion  56  may include a removable pad that can be removed and discarded or removed and washed for reuse. Pole extension  70  attaches to front cradle portion  56  and extends down pole  18  towards handgrip  20 . Handgrip portion  72  includes handgrip loop  74  that may be placed around handgrip  20  as shown in  FIG. 7  to help secure cover  50  to the forearm crutch. Handgrip loop portion  72  may include hook and loop attachment system, or some other suitable attachment system, to pole extension  70 . Pole extension  70  may be constructed of a stretchable or nonstretchable material such as elastic, or it may include a stretchable portion to accommodate the variation of lengths of poles  18  and to allow forearm cradle  14  to rotate through its range of positions as described hereinabove in a discussion of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Handgrip loop portion  72  may also adjust the length of pole extension  70 . As previously reviewed, the pole extension  70  may include a resilient portion, that continuously biases the cradle into proper alignment upon the forearm crutch, and to maintain it prepared for ready usage when applied. In other words, the user need not be continuously pivoting the cradle into a usable position, every time he/she wishes to make use of the same. Increasing and decreasing the amount of overlap between handgrip loop portion  72  and pole extension  70 , may allow cover  50  to be used with varying pole  18  lengths. 
     FIG. 10  depicts an option to the embodiment of cover  50  shown in  FIG. 7 . In this option handgrip loop portion  72  is basically eliminated and handgrip loop  84  is attached directly to pole extension  70 . Pole extension  70  attaches to front cradle portion  56  and extends down pole  18  and attaches to handgrip  20  using handgrip loop  84  that may be placed around handgrip  20 . Another option shown in  FIG. 10  includes the use of hook and loop straps  78  or any suitable attachment method as described above to secure front cradle portion  56  to forearm cradle  14 . 
   During normal operation, without forearm crutch cover  10 , forearm cradle  14  can pivot from its forward position desired during use by the user to a backwards position. When pivoted backwards, the user must first rotate forearm cradle  14  forward while balancing without the use of the crutch before placing an arm inside forearm cradle  14  for use. When forearm crutch cover  10  is attached to the forearm crutch with pole extension  70  engaging handgrip  20  by either option depicted in  FIGS. 8 to 10 , cover  10  may help maintain forearm cradle  14  in a relative forward position. Therefore pole extension  70  may act as a forearm cradle  14  reset by resisting the tendency of forearm cradle  14  to fall backward out of the desired position of the forearm crutch user. Thus the need to find a place to balance while readying the forearm crutch for use may be minimized or eliminated. 
     FIG. 11  depicts the back  54  of cover  50  shown in  FIG. 7 . Forearm cradle  14  fits inside  65  cover  50 , and hinged attachment  16  of forearm cradle  14  to pole  18  sits under or inside pleat  60 . Pleat  60  may be made of a durable material that generally holds its shape as described above. Pleat  60  may include a portion sized to enclosed is most or all of attachment  16 . 
   This description does not intend to limit the performance of these processes and functions to only the methods described herein. Many processes can be performed in a different, but equivalent manner or order than described herein without exceeding the scope of this invention. 
   Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art can, in light of this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. In addition, specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and description in this disclosure are proffered to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Technology Category: 1