US1311664A - Eugene feabl - Google Patents

Description

E. PEARL.

CRUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 7. 19IB.

Patented July '29, 1919.

[no-valor EUGENE PEARL, or new you, n. Y.

GRUTCH.

Application flied October 7, 1918. Serial No. 257,085.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE PEARL, a citizen of the United States, residin at New York city, in the county of New ork and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Crutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in implements for supporting the lame and assistin their locomotion, nown generally as crutc es.

The principal object of the invention is to produce a crutch in which the head or arm rest is engaged with the stafi' in such a manner as to be limitedly longitudinally movable relative thereto, cushioning elements being interposed in the joints therebetween to soften the effect of the constantly alternating pressure and relaxation of'the parts when walking.

A further object is to produce a structure which can be shortened at any time, in an easy and convenient manner and without detrimentally efiecting its operation or appearance.

These and other like objects are attained by the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure, and inWhich- Figure 1 is a side view of the upper part of a crutch made in accordance with the invention, parts being broken away to show the construction. r

Fig. 2 is a top Fi 3 is a side elevational crutc head.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through thecenter of the crutch head, the same showing the parts at the be ginning of a forward step.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view showing the parts as positioned at the termination of a step.

plan view of the same.

view of the Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the connectin element used to unite the head and staff e ements, and

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a complete crutch drawn to a reduced scale.

The head or arm rest of a crutch is most im ortant, if of proper form, length, width and curvature, and highly polished with varnish or coated with celluloid, nearl all friction against the clothing is avoi edpreventing wear of the same and the annoyance caused by under garments adjacent to Specification 01. Letters Patent.

t e body,

Patented July 29, 1919.

the arm pit heating and chafing, thereby eliminating much discomfort.

The arm piece, being entirely independent of the crutch upri hts or staffs, adjusts itself to a considerable legree to the various positions of the crutch necessary in sustaining the body when walking, when the crutch is placed forward, the front sprin receiving the principal weight, yields as t e body is carried forward, the Wei ht being transferred to the rear sprin w ich is then compressed. A cushion c act is the result,- without causing the curved surface of the arm piece to change its form when supporting the body, which would be the result if the arm piece were padded or upholstered, a condition that has been found most im practical on account of its constant change of surface when in use and under pressure, causing clothin wear, friction, heating and chafing of the ody.

A crutch to be'comfortable, should not be too rigid, but so constructed that it will 5 ring or yield to the various positions of made necessary when. walking. This improved construction permits the crutch parts to adapt themselves fully to the swaying of the body.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a pair of stafl's or side members 10, having curved converging lower elements 11, connectedby a band 12, extend down to a ferrule 14, connecting a resilient terminal or foot 15, preferably of rubber and ada ted to make contact with the surface over w ich the user is passing in such manner as to partiall cushion the step and to avoid slip mg.

T ese staffs are firmly united by a and iece 17, at a point-midway in their length, itsexact location relative to the point of support being determined by the length of the arm of the user by means hereinafter described.

The main portions 10 and 11 of the staif may be oval, round, or of any preferred cross section, but the upper portions 18 are preferably cylindrical, like dowels, for several inches, as are also the combined bottoms adjacent to the ferrule 14, thus allowin the ends to be reduced in length so as to bring the hand 'ps 17 into proper position, enabling standard lengths of crutches to be carried in stock and adjusted when sold to meet requirements, by merely cuttin the upper elements so as to bring the ban e at a convenient distance from the head and reducing the remaining excessive length by shortenm the cylindrical part adjacent to the ferrufie.

The head 20, is formed with a con are upper surface, reduced in width at the si cs 21 an rerided with ba e est nsidns 22 and 2%, respectively at the front and rear,

so as to conform to the 042m it; this head is highly finished and prefera ly coated With celluloid as best adapted to resist perspiration and moisture, amrl'to provide a smooth surfiaee to contact with the garments.

The lower surface 24 is arpuately recessed between a, pair of bosses or extensions 25, each ooutaining pa-radlel ieyilindrically bored openings -26 suited to Iclosely hut slidahly receiwe the upper ends 18 of the staflr's, which are coated when entered, with a solid lubricant, as taj low.

spirally 'wonnd eompression springs 28, suited to the Weight of the user, are interposed betaiveen the bottoms of the openings 26, and the squarely cu-t ends of the stalls, as shorvn in F s'. 1 and 4, these springs providing a. desira ile cushioning efii'eqt and also rmmtting a swaying effect, as can be seen 8; comparing Figs. it and 5, the stafl's being limiiedly msiiient in a lateral dlnectzion.

Secnlrhd to the lower concave surface 24 of the head is a metal strap 30, held firmly in position by screws 31, their exten ends 32 containing slots :88, th-ro whic pass other schews 84, engaging in V e inner sides ogE time stafls, thus permitting a rocking movement to take place without reiaxatioh or loosening of die parts, or the strap ends may be of thin resilient material always under tensiilm against sthifs when piessune is app ied can \Yariions moyements of the head. l

From the foregoing it will be seen that a neat appeal" and easily operating crutch has been .dise 0e11, th is can he .used with entire and sa shy, and due to the absence of loose parts, no squashing, rattle, or other occurs when iiseql.

an s! t ea: re st new be ma m d qr fir; ma cam, by ma man: m

set said stafl's,

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A crutch comprised of a pair of support staffs spaced in their upper ends, a head recessed to slidab-ly receive the ends of said sta s, compression springs in said recesses afiainst which the upper ends of said staffs a ut, an arcuately bent strap fixedly secured to the lower side of said head at its center, and insane for securin thedownwardl extending ends of sai strap to the inner sides of said staffs, said securing means permittina limited longitudinal movement of sai stafi's and maintaining said springs normally in all initially compressed condi- 2. A crutch comprised of a pair of support stafls spaced at their oyhndrical upper ends, a head bored to slidably receive the ends of saidstaiff, eompqession springs in said bored openings against which the upper ends of said stafi's abut, a metallic strap suited to the bottom of said head, means for fastening said strap to said head, ends formed with said strap extending downward closely adjacent to said staifl, slots in said ends, and screws passing through said slots into said straps holding said springs in compression and permitting a limited independent movement of said head relative to each of said staffs.

A crutch comprised of a pair of stafis, a head receptive of the tops of said staffs, compression erlements in said head against which said tops hear, a U shaped metal strap with said head, and securing means passin through slots formed in said strep where y a rocking motion of said head on said stazfls is permitted and also a limited relaitine movement therebetween. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. i

EUGENE PEARL.

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