US2899968A - reichenbach - Google Patents

Description

Aug- 18, 1959. L. l.. REICHENBACH 2,899,968

EASY WALKER PPLIANCE '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 15, 1957 L. L. REICHENBACH EASY WALKER APPLIANCE Aug. 1s, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed on. 15, 1957 United States Patent() EASY WALKER APPLIANCE Laurence Leo Reichenbach, Astoria, N.Y.

Application October 15, 1957, Serial No. 690,343

1 Claim. (Cl. 13S-45) This invention relates to walking devices and, more particularly, to an attachment for carnes, crutches, and the like.

It has been found that the substantially rigid conventional types of canes and crutches transmit a substantial amount of impact shocks to the user which is suffering from some particular ailment requiring the use of such appliance. In many cases, such shocks are extremely painful to arthritics, persons having fractured bones, sprained backs, hips, and the like. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an attachment for various types of walking appliances that is extremely simple in construction, eicient in operation, and which will absorb many of the shocks ordinarily transmitted to the user so as to reduce the pains and suffering of such handicapped individuals.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachment for Walking appliances which may be selectively supported upon the appliance in a particular manner to alleviate different types of pains.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for walking appliances that adds to the comfort and rehabilitation of the patient and which can be manufactured in large quantities at relatively low cost so as to be readily available to all afflicted individuals when required.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a cane embodying au attachment made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded front elevational view of the device shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts broken away, showing the details of construction of the apparatus shown in Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the parts in an adjusted position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing one of the elements forming a part of the present invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, with parts broken away, showing the device in operative use with a substantial amount of pressure exerted thereon;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of construction for use with a crutch; and

Figure l0 is a side elevational view of a crutch embodying the appliance attachment shown in Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 8 thereof, acompressible shank 17 for walking appliances is shown in operative association as an integral part of a cane 12 having ahandle 14 and a ground engagingresilient pad 15. Thisshank 17 comprises atubular shaft 19 having afixed sleeve 20 at one end secured thereto by means of a transversely extendingpin 22. Aslidable sleeve 24 is slidably carried'by the opposite end of theshaft 19 and is secured thereto by means of a transversely extendingpin 25 which is fixed to diametrically opposite sides of thesleeve 24 and is slidably received Within longitudinally extendingslots 27 at diametrically opposite 'sides of theshaft 19. 'Ihe outer end of theslidable sleeve 24 lis provided with a transversely extendingwall 29 for forming a seat for one end of acompression spring 32 that is seated at its opposite end upon the transversely extendingpin 25. It will thus be recognized that inward movement of thesleeve 24 is resiliently resisted by thecompression spring 32. A rigidifyingpin 30 extends through the outer end of thesleeve 24.

The groundengaging member 15 has alongitudinal bore 40 for receiving one of theaforementioned sleeves 20, 24. Thehandle 14 includes a reducedshank portion 34 for engaging with the other one of theaforementioned sleeve 20, 24. This reducedshank portion 34 is provided with alongitudinal recess 38 within which aclip plate 35 is secured that has a laterally outwardly extendingtongue 36 for frictionally securing thehandle 14 in place within the associated sleeve.

In actual use, thecompressible shank 17 may be used in the position shown in Figure l when it is desired to reduce the jar and shock to the back, shoulders, and hips, as well as the arms, to make walking more comfortable for those individuals that are ailioted in those parts of the bodies. However, theshank 17 may be inverted to the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawing for individuals who are amicted with rheumatism, arthritis, sprains and broken bones in certain parts of the back and hips.

With references now to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawing, acompressible shank unit 45 is shown that is particularly suited for use with crutches and the like. This unit includes a tubular shaft 47 having asleeve 49 fixed to one end by means of apin 50 and asliding sleeve 52 adjustably carried by the opposite end. A transversely extending pin 54 extends through and is secured to the end of the tubular shaft 47 received by thesliding sleeve 52. This pi-n also is slidably received within longitudinally extendingslots 55 at diametrically opposite sides of thesliding sleeve 52 to provide for limited reciprocating longitudinal movement. Acompression spring 56, seated at one end against the transversely extending pin 54, is seated at the opposite end within the groundengaging tip 58 so as to provide the cushioning action. Acrutch 61 provided with apeg 60 of reduced diameter is frictionally secured to the outer end of the xed sleeve 49-so as to maintain the parts in proper assembled relationship. It will thus be recognized that the crutch is also cushioned in a manner similar to that described in connection with the cane of Figures l to 8, so that afflicted persons are afforded the maximum amount of comfort.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claim appended hereto.

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

A compressible shank for walking appliances comprising, in combination, a tubular shaft, a fixed sleeve secured to one end of said shaft, a longitudinally slidable sleeve carried by the opposite end of said shaft, means for cushioning the inward movement of said longitudinally slidable sleeve, means'for securing a ground engaging member to one sleeve, and means for securing a body engaging member to the other sleeve, said opposite end of said shaft comprising a of longitudinally extend- ,ing` slots at diametricallyi opposite sides thereof spaced inwardly vfrom the outer extremity Ofsaid opposite en d vof said shaft, a pin extending diametrically through the inner 4end of said slidable sleeve slidably received said slots for reciprocating longitudinal movement, a transverse Wall Within the outerend of said ,slidab'le sleeve, and said'cushioning means comprising a relatively short stii compression spring acting between said transverse wall and said pin, wherein said body Vengaging member comprises a handlel having a substantially straight shank of reduced diameter, saidAshank V'having 15 f f, 2,899,968 y A A a longitudinally extending recess,'a clip plate secured to said handle shank Within said recess, and a tongue integral with said clip plate extending outwardly therefrom for releasable frictional engagement Within said 5 slidable sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES-PATENTS

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