Ambulatory aid

Abstract

An ambulatory aid, such as a crutch, including a pair of support members connected by a load bearing handle member, and terminating at a first end with a top axilla-conforming member, and a second end with a foot piece. The crutch is used as a straight arm crutch, in which a user's weight is distributed in the hand to keep the arm straight, while preventing any load on the shoulder girdles. The crutches are configured to fit close to the body, to centralize the base of support, and keep the center of gravity lower, thereby keeping the body aligned as designed, and keeping the pectoral and pelvic girdles aligned. Proper body alignment during use results in greater stability and equilibrium of the user compared to traditional “tri-pod” creating crutches.

Claims

1. An ambulatory aid comprising: a pair of elongate support members, each support member having an arcuate shape; a non-load bearing top member extending over a top portion of each support member and extending between the support members to couple the support members, the top member consisting of a non-load bearing flexible material configured to conform to a user's axilla while preventing any load on the user's shoulder girdles, wherein the flexible material includes a central portion flanked on each side by a peripheral portion, wherein the central portion is arcuate and extends between the support members, the central portion having a variable width along its length, and wherein each peripheral portion extends beyond the support members; a load bearing handle having a first end coupled to an anterior positioned support member of the support members, and a second end coupled to a posterior positioned support member of the support members, the handle extending between the support members, wherein a top surface of the handle maintains a continuous curve upward toward the anterior positioned support member of the support members; and a foot piece operably coupled to a bottom portion of the support members, wherein the ambulatory aid is configured so that a user's weight is concentrated in the arms and hands during locomotion.

2. The ambulatory aid of claim 1, wherein the pair of elongate support members are separated at a first distance at the top portion, and a second distance at the bottom portion, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

3. The ambulatory aid of claim 1, wherein the foot piece is operably coupled to the bottom portion of the support members via a third elongate member coupled to and sandwiched between the bottom portion of the support members.

4. The ambulatory aid of claim 1, wherein the foot piece comprises a non-planar surface contacting portion configured to roll over a surface.

5. The ambulatory aid of claim 4, wherein a transverse cross-section of the foot piece is semi-circular or semi-elliptical in shape.

6. The ambulatory aid of claim 4, wherein the foot piece comprises a grip covering having one or more ridges defined on the surface contacting portion and extending transverse to a length of the foot piece.

7. The ambulatory aid of claim 1, wherein the foot piece has a non-continuous height along a length of the foot piece.

8. The ambulatory aid of claim 1, wherein the top member is formed of a flexible mesh material.

9. The ambulatory aid of claim 1, wherein the handle member is positioned with respect to the support members such that a user's arm is kept substantially straight in use, and the user's weight is distributed to a hand of the user gripping the handle member.

10. The ambulatory aid of claim 9, wherein a cross-section of each support member is non-tubular such that the support member is configured to fit close to a body of the user, thereby promoting an alignment of a user's pectoral and pelvic girdles.

11. An ambulatory aid comprising: a pair of elongate support members, each support member having an arcuate shape; a non-load bearing top member extending over a top portion of each support member and extending between the support members to couple the support members, the top member consisting of a non-load bearing flexible material configured to conform to a user's axilla while preventing any load on the user's shoulder girdles, wherein the flexible material includes a central portion flanked on each side by a peripheral portion, wherein the central portion is arcuate and extends between the support members, the central portion having a variable width along its length, and wherein each peripheral portion extends beyond the support members; a load bearing handle having a first end coupled to an anterior positioned support member of the support members, and a second end coupled to a posterior positioned support member of the support members, the handle extending between the support members; and an elongate foot piece operably coupled to a bottom portion of the support members, wherein an anterior portion of the foot piece extends beyond the bottom portion at a length greater than a posterior portion of the foot portion, wherein the ambulatory aid is configured so that a user's weight is concentrated in the arms and hands during locomotion.

12. The ambulatory aid of claim 11, wherein the pair of elongate support members are separated at a first distance at the top portion, and a second distance at the bottom portion, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

13. The ambulatory aid of claim 11, wherein the foot piece is operably coupled to the bottom portion of the support members via a third elongate member coupled to and sandwiched between the bottom portion of the support members.

14. The ambulatory aid of claim 11, wherein the foot piece comprises a non-planar surface contacting portion configured to roll over a surface.

15. The ambulatory aid of claim 14, wherein a transverse cross-section of the foot piece is semi-circular or semi-elliptical in shape.

16. The ambulatory aid of claim 14, wherein the foot piece comprises a grip covering having one or more ridges defined on the surface contacting portion and extending transverse to a length of the foot piece.

17. The ambulatory aid of claim 11, wherein the foot piece has a non-continuous height along a length of the foot piece.

18. The ambulatory aid of claim 11, wherein the non-load bearing top member is formed of a flexible mesh material.

19. The ambulatory aid of claim 11, wherein the handle member is positioned with respect to the support members such that a user's arm is kept substantially straight in use, and the user's weight is distributed to a hand of the user gripping the handle member.

20. The ambulatory aid of claim 11, wherein a cross-section of each support member is non-tubular such that the support member is configured to fit close to a body of the user, thereby promoting an alignment of a user's pectoral and pelvic girdles.

21. The ambulatory aid of claim 20, wherein the cross-section is rectangular.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a crutch according to an embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a crutch according to an embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a top member of the crutch of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is front view of the top member of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the top member of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a foot piece of a crutch according to an embodiment; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the foot piece of FIG. 6.

(9) While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment, an ambulatory aid 100, such as a crutch, generally comprises a pair of tubular or non-tubular, curved and elongated support members 102, a top member 104 positioned over top ends 102a of support members 102, and a foot piece 106 coupled to a bottom portion 102b via a adjustable elongate member 108 sandwiched between bottom portion 102b of members 102. Support members 102 are spaced at a first lateral distance D1 at a top end 102a of members 102, and then curve toward one another at a bottom portion 102b of members 102 such that they are spaced at a second lateral distance D2 less then the first lateral distance Dl. Support members 102 can be tubular, such that a cross-section of support members 102 is substantially circular, or can be non-tubular, such that the cross-section is non-circular, e.g., oval-shaped or rectangular. Support members 102 can be formed of metal, carbon fiber, plastic, composite materials, or any combination thereof.

(11) In embodiments, support members 102 are adjustable at least at a bottom portion 102b thereof to accommodate the arm and leg height of a user. This can be accomplished, for example, by providing adjustable elongate member 108 extending parallel to and between bottom portion 102b of support members 102. Elongate member 108 includes structures defining a plurality of apertures 110 along its length. A fastening member (not shown), such as a bolt, wing nut, or screw, can extend through and between an aperture 114 formed in each support member 102 and one of the plurality of apertures 110 of elongate member 108. Adjusting the height simply requires adjusting or sliding elongate member 108 with respect to support members 102, and fastening the fastening member (not shown) in an aperture 110 of the plurality of apertures 110.

(12) Referring to FIGS. 3-5, top member 104 connects and covers top ends 102a of support members 102, and laterally extends and connects support members 102. Top member 104 is formed of a flexible rubber or similar mesh material that is coupled to and covers top ends 102a. Top member 104 is designed to be configured to fit under a user's arm. Top member 104 is arcuate in shape and is defined by a central portion 104a flanked by two peripheral portions 104b, central portion 104a having a width that is smaller than a width of each peripheral portion 104b. In embodiments, central portion 104a has a width of from about 0.3 to about 1.0 inches, and more particularly from about 0.5 to about 0.75 inches. A width of each peripheral portion 104b is from about 1 to about 2 inches, and more particularly, does not exceed 1.75 inches. Flexible, arcuate top member 104 is configured to conform to the shape and contours of the axilla and underarms of a user to keep the shoulder girdles aligned.

(13) In embodiments, central portion 104a of top member 104 extends downward to below where the elbows of a user would be positioned, and can include one or more openings (not shown). The openings are shaped to accommodate a thin gel ice/heat pack, a thin memory foam insert, or both. Additionally or alternatively, the opening can include an internal pocket or pockets into which the user may place personal items such as a wallet or phone.

(14) Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, a handle member 116 extends laterally between and connects support members 102 at a position spaced below top member 104. In embodiments, handle member 116 is formed of a thick flexible rubber or similar material to cushion and protect the twenty-nine bones and joints which make up the hand. The material should have a sufficient balance of flexibility or cushioning to provide comfort to the user, and resilience to provide opposing or counterforce to the downward force applied by the user. In embodiments, handle member 116 is curved slightly upward toward the ventral or anterior side of the body to keep a user's arms aligned under and with the shoulder girdle and scapula.

(15) In embodiments, each support member 102 includes a plurality of corresponding apertures 118 formed on inner and outer sides below top member 104. Handle member 116 also includes an aperture on each end or a single bore hole extending the length of handle member 116. One or more fastening members 112 extend through a pair of corresponding apertures 118 of each member 102, and into the aperture(s) of handle member 116 to fasten handle member 116 to each support member 102. Handle member 116 can be adjusted along the support member 102 by fastening handle member 116 to any pair of the plurality of apertures 118 to accommodate the arm length of a user.

(16) In embodiments, foot piece 106 of crutch 100 is elongated and extends anterior and posterior to elongate member 108 to which it is coupled. In a particular embodiment, an anterior portion 106b of foot piece 106 is longer than a posterior portion 106a. A total length of foot piece can be from about 3 inches to about 8 inches, and more particularly about 5-6 inches, and more particularly about 5.5 inches. In a particular embodiment, anterior portion 106b of foot piece 106 is longer, than posterior portion 106a of foot piece 106 when measured from a center point of shaft 102, thereby mimicking the heel and anterior portion of the foot relative to the tibia of the leg. Anterior portion 106b can be from about 1.25 to about 3.5 times longer than posterior portion 106a. In one particular embodiment, anterior portion 106b is 1.75 times longer than posterior portion 106a, and can be, for example, about 3.5 inches whereas posterior portion 106a can be about 2 inches, when measured from a center point of shaft 102.

(17) A bottom surface 106c of foot piece 106 can be tubular or arcuate in shape. In other words, a surface contacting portion 106c of foot piece 106 is non-planar, and is curved or arcuate (circular or elliptical), allowing foot piece to roll onto and over a surface during the gait cycle, thereby mimicking the heel to toe motion of the normal gait cycle. In embodiments, a circumference or perimeter (non-circular) varies along the length of foot piece 106, such as from about 4 inches to about 7 inches, and optionally can be wider in areas proximate shaft 102, and then tapering in both the anterior and posterior directions. In other embodiments, a circumference or perimeter of foot piece 106 is substantially constant along anterior portion 106b, posterior portion 106a, or both. A height of foot piece 106 can be larger on an end of anterior portion 106b than an end of posterior portion 106a, and can range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.

(18) In one embodiment, foot piece 106 is formed of an interior material, such as an open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, plastic, or rubber material, and a tubular rubber or silicon exterior cover, optionally with one or more ridges formed thereon, to provide friction and additional stability.

(19) Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, foot piece 206 according to another embodiment includes a first portion 206a having a slightly varying diameter along its length, the largest diameter occurring at a central location, and which extends both anterior to and posterior to elongate member 108, and a second portion 206b, which has a substantially constant diameter along its length, and extends anterior to first portion 206a. A radius of curvature of second portion 206b is significantly larger than an average radius of curvature of first portion 206a, such that second portion 206b appears “flatter” than first portion 206a. A ratio of the radius of curvature of second portion 206b to first portion 206a can be in a range from about 1.25:1 to about 5:1. First portion 206a can be separated from second portion 206b by one or more ridges 208, and/or can terminate in a ridge 208. Additional ridges can be formed along first portion 206a and/or second portion 206b, either transversely and/or longitudinally as desired.

(20) As discussed above, crutches according to embodiments are designed to maintain the user's vertical orientation and postural stability without extending the arms or using the underarms and shoulder joins to maintain the weigh and vertical stability of the body during locomotion. The axilla (upper part of the arms and sides of the chest) forms an important passage for nerves, blood, and lymph vessels. The shoulder joints and the axilla are not anatomically designed to bear the weight of the body during locomotion, which traditional crutches cause them to do. The design of the crutches of embodiments of the present disclosure allows the user's underarms to align and conform to the natural curves of the body and puts more of the user's weight in the arms and hands. This is done to help maintain the alignment of the skeletal muscles that position and align the shoulder joints and the shoulder girdle.

(21) Stability of a person or object is directly proportional to the alignment of the COG over the area of the BOS on which a body rests. During the swing phase of the gait cycle, traditional crutch shafts become more horizontal than vertical and the small anterior edge of the crutch's feet as well as the user's underarms and shoulder joints are forced to maintain the body's balance, weight, and vertical orientation. The larger size, shape, and surface area of the crutch's feet, as well as its orientation in relation to the crutch shaft and positioning of the user's underarms next to the body keeps the crutch shafts more vertically aligned during locomotion. the front portion of the crutch's foot piece, and not just the front edge, maintains contact with the ground during the swing phase of the gait cycle, helping the user to maintain more of their weight on the crutch fee and a smaller more normal step and stride than with traditional crutches. The positioning of the arms close to and under the shoulder girdle during locomotion gives the user a mechanical advantage and maintains a shorter distance between the hip joint's line of axis when standing and during locomotion. The positioning and size of the crutch foot piece keeps the wrists, arms, and shoulder joints from hyperextending forward outside of the body's BOS, and towards the direction of locomotion. When using the crutches according to embodiments, the orientation of the underarms close to the body helps to maintain the body's vertical orientation, the alignment of the spine, and the bottom of the scapula with the shoulder girdle. The user's head and neck maintain postural alignment over the body. The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar curves of the spine maintain their alignment over each other and with the pelvic and pectoral girdles during the gait cycle.

(22) The head needs to maintain vertical orientation during locomotion to maintain postural alignment and stability with the rest of the body. The relationship between the size and orientation of the crutch feet, support shafts, and top of the crutches, i.e. top member, gives the user more physical and postural stability. The COG, LOG, and the COP are more centralized over the body's BOS during locomotion then with traditional crutches. The crutch design according to embodiments allows the user to keep their head in postural alignment with the rest of their body, and their line of sight, toes, and heels moving in the direction that they're moving. When the line of sight is in the direction the person is moving in and not down at the ground during locomotion, the body has more sensory and proprioceptor input, balance, and physical stability. The crutches according to embodiments meet a previously unmet need by giving the user a mechanical advantage without reducing the postural alignment and equilibrium of the body during locomotion.

(23) Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

(24) Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

(25) Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

(26) Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

(27) For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.