Crutch coupling system

• US 6,561,206 B1
• Filed: 08/03/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher M. Wilkinson
• Original Assignee: Christopher M. Wilkinson
• Inventors: Wilkinson, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/922,291
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.5, 248/316.7, 248/683, 248/67.7, 248/68.1, 211/62, 335/285, 135/65, 135/67, 135/68
• US Class Current: 135/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/025 with devices for securing a pair of crutches together
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/0266 with magnetic fixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/0244 Arrangements for storing or keeping upright when not in use

Abstract

A crutch coupling system for holding two crutches in a static relationship with respect to each other. The crutch coupling system includes a first coupling assembly, which is connected to a first walking aid and provides a magnetic force for facilitating the coupling of a pair of walking aids; and a second coupling assembly, which is similarly connected to a second walking aid and is magnetically attracted to the first coupling assembly such that the second coupling assembly is selectively couplable to the first coupling assembly when the first and second coupling assemblies are in close physical proximity.

Claims

1. A crutch coupling system for use with conventional walking aids comprising:

a first coupling assembly connected to a first walking aid, said first coupling assembly providing a magnetic force for facilitating the coupling of a pair of walking aids;

a second coupling assembly connected to a second walking aid, said second coupling assembly being magnetically attracted to said first coupling assembly such that said second coupling assembly is selectively couplable to said first coupling assembly when said first and second coupling assemblies are in close physical proximity.

2. The crutch coupling system of claim 1 wherein said first coupling assembly further comprises:

a coupling portion adapted for coupling said first coupling assembly to a first one of the walking aids;

a mating portion for selectively coupling said first coupling assembly to said second coupling assembly by magnetic attraction.

3. The crutch coupling system of claim 2, wherein said coupling portion comprises a clamp member adapted for encircling a diameter of the first walking aid.

4. The crutch coupling system of claim 2, wherein said coupling portion further comprises:

a coupling member having a substantially cylindrical perimeter wall, said coupling member being substantially elongate, said coupling member having threads applied on an exterior of said perimeter wall, said coupling member being insertable through a bore in the first waling aid;

a securing member having a bore extending therethrough, said securing member having threads applied on a surface of said bore, said securing member being threadedly engageable to said coupling member such that when said coupling member is positioned through the bore of the first walking aid said securing member prevents removal of said coupling member.

5. The crutch coupling system of claim 2, wherein said mating portion comprises a permanent magnet, said permanent magnet providing a magnetic force for facilitating coupling of said first and second coupling assemblies.

6. The crutch coupling system of claim 1 wherein said second coupling assembly further comprises:

a coupling portion adapted for coupling said second coupling assembly to a second one of the walking aids;

a mating portion for selectively coupling said first coupling assembly to said second coupling assembly by magnetic attraction.

7. The crutch coupling system of claim 6, wherein said coupling portion comprises a clamp member adapted for encircling a diameter of the second walking aid.

8. The crutch coupling system of claim 6, wherein said coupling portion further comprises:

a coupling member having a substantially cylindrical perimeter wall, said coupling member being substantially elongate, said coupling member having threads applied on an exterior of said perimeter wall, said coupling member being insertable through a bore in the second waling aid;

a securing member having a bore extending therethrough, said securing member having threads applied on a surface of said bore, said securing member being threadedly engageable to said coupling member such that when said coupling member is positioned through the bore of the second walking aid said securing member prevents removal of said coupling member.

9. The crutch coupling system of claim 6, wherein said mating portion comprises a ferrous member, said ferrous member being attracted to a magnetic force for facilitating coupling of said first and second coupling assemblies.

10. A crutch coupling system for use with conventional walking aids comprising:

a first coupling assembly connected to a first walking aid, said first coupling assembly providing a magnetic force for facilitating the coupling of a pair of walking aids;

a second coupling assembly connected to a second walking aid, said second coupling assembly being magnetically attracted to said first coupling assembly such that said second coupling assembly is selectively couplable to said first coupling assembly when said first and second coupling assemblies are in close physical proximity;

said first coupling assembly further comprises;

a coupling portion adapted for coupling said first coupling assembly to a first one of the walking aids;

a mating portion for selectively coupling said first coupling assemble to said second coupling assembly by magnetic attraction;

said mating portion comprises a permanent magnet, said permanent magnet providing a magnetic force for facilitating coupling of said first and second coupling assemblies;

said second coupling assembly further comprises;

a coupling portion adapted for coupling said second coupling assembly to a second one of the walking aids;

a mating portion for selectively coupling said first coupling assembly to said second coupling assembly by magnetic attraction;

said mating portion of said second coupling assembly comprises a ferrous member, said ferrous member being attracted to a magnetic force for facilitating coupling of said first and second coupling assemblies.

11. The crutch coupling system of claim 10, wherein said coupling portion of said first-coupling assembly comprises a clamp member adapted for encircling a diameter of the first walking aid.

12. The crutch coupling system of claim 10, wherein said coupling portion of said first coupling assembly further comprises:

a coupling member having a substantially cylindrical perimeter wall, said coupling member being substantially elongate, said coupling member having threads applied on an exterior of said perimeter wall, said coupling member being insertable through a bore in the first waling aid;

a securing member having a bore extending therethrough, said securing member having threads applied on a surface of said bore, said securing member being threadedly engageable to said coupling member such that when said coupling member is positioned through the bore of the first walking aid said securing member prevents removal of said coupling member.

13. The crutch coupling system of claim 10, wherein said coupling portion of said second coupling assembly comprises a clamp member adapted for encircling a diameter of the second walking aid.

14. The crutch coupling system of claim 10, wherein said coupling portion of said second coupling assembly further comprises:

a coupling member having a substantially cylindrical perimeter wall, said coupling member being substantially elongate, said coupling member having threads applied on an exterior of said perimeter wall, said coupling member being insertable through a bore in the second walking aid;

a securing member having a bore extending therethrough, said securing member having threads applied on a surface of said bore, said securing member being threadedly engageable to said coupling member such that when said coupling member is positioned through the bore of the second walking aid said securing member prevents removal of said coupling member.

15. A crutch coupling system for use with a single conventional walking aid comprising:

a first coupling assembly connected to a walking aid, said first coupling assembly providing a magnetic force for facilitating the coupling the walking aid to a stationary object;

a second coupling assembly connected to the stationary object, said second coupling assembly being magnetically attracted to said first coupling assembly such that said-second coupling assembly is selectively couplable to said first coupling assembly when said first and second coupling assemblies are in close physical proximity.

16. The crutch coupling system of claim 15 wherein said first coupling assembly further comprises:

a coupling portion adapted for coupling said first coupling assembly to a first one of the walking aids;

a mating portion for selectively coupling said first coupling assembly to said second coupling assembly by magnetic attraction.

17. The crutch coupling system of claim 16, wherein said coupling portion comprises a clamp member adapted for encircling a diameter of the first walking aid.

18. The crutch coupling system of claim 16, wherein said coupling portion further comprises:

a coupling member having a substantially cylindrical perimeter wall, said coupling member being substantially elongate, said coupling member having threads applied on an exterior of said perimeter wall, said coupling member being insertable through a bore in the first waling aid;

a securing member having a bore extending therethrough, said securing member having threads applied on a surface of said bore, said securing member being threadedly engageable to said coupling member such that when said coupling member is positioned through the bore of the first walking aid said securing member prevents removal of said coupling member.

19. The crutch coupling system of claim 16, wherein said mating portion comprises a permanent magnet, said permanent magnet providing a magnetic force for facilitating coupling of said first and second coupling assemblies.