Adjustable crutch with automated deployment

• US 9,364,384 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2014
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kinovita Co.
• Original Assignee: Kinovita Co.
• Inventors: Van Den Driesche, Hugues
• Primary Examiner(s): Hawk, Noah Chandler
• Application Number:
  US14/204,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20140251397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 135/69, 135/75
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/0272 on a single crutch allowing it to remain upright when not in use, e.g. retractable tripods
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1215 Rotary drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/149 rotation-linear or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5038 freely programmable by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/02 Crutches

Abstract

A variable-length crutch 1 has a main body 2, a foot 5 extensible and retractable with respect to the main body 2, and an actuator, which actuator involves a motor 6, a rotary output shaft 9, an irreversible worm transmission converting rotation of the motor shaft 9 into linear movement of the foot 5 with respect to the main body 2, a sensor 10 for extending the foot 5 with respect to the main body 2, and a programmable module 8 connected to the motor 6 to control extension and/or retraction of the crutch to a preprogrammed length and to stop the motor 6 when the length is reached.

Claims

1. A variable-length crutch (1) comprising

a) a main body (2),

b) a foot (5) extensible an retractable with respect to the main body (2), and

c) an actuator including

i) a motor (6) with a rotary output shaft (9) and

ii) a worm transmission for converting rotation of the motor shaft into linear movement of the foot with respect to the main body and comprising a threaded rod (12) coupled to the motor shaft (9) and a nut (14) engaged on the threaded rod (12), the nut (14) being coupled to the foot (5) through a first hollow tube (15) mounted telescopically with respect to a second tube (16) fixed to the main body (2), wherein the first tube (15) comprises a longitudinal groove engaged with a screw (17) fixed radially to the second tube (16), so as to form a linear guide preventing rotation of the nut (14), the first tube (15), and the foot (5) with respect to the main body (2) when the threaded rod (12) turn, and

d) an electric programmable control module (8) for controlling the motor (6), the module (8) being connected to the motor (6) in order to control the extension and/or retraction of the crutch (1) to one or more lengths preprogrammed into, and under the control of, the module and to stop the motor (6) when the length is reached and being operable for providing progressive acceleration of the speed of the motor (6) at the start of each movement in order to avoid starting shocks.

2. The crutch (1) of claim 1, wherein the module (7) comprises a touch user interface connected to the control module (8) to enable the user to control the extension and/or retraction of the crutch (1).

3. The crutch (1) of claim 1, wherein the motor (6) is electric and the actuator also comprises an electrical energy source.

4. The crutch (1) of claim 3, wherein the electrical energy source is formed by at least one rechargeable battery (7).

5. The crutch (1) of claim 4, wherein the electrical energy source also comprises a socket (25) for recharging the at least one battery (7).

6. The crutch (1) of claim 1, wherein the nut (14) is made from synthetic material.

7. The crutch (1) of claim 1, further comprising an interface for programming the control module (8).

8. The crutch (1) of claim 1, further comprising a support (23) that can be fixed to the main body (2) in order to keep the crutch (1) upright on the foot (5) in the folded position without requiring any other support.

9. The crutch (1) of claim 1, wherein the main body (2) comprises a handle (3) and a support (4) for the forearm or armpit.

10. The crutch (1) of claim 1, wherein the progressive acceleration of the speed of the motor is controlled by a pulse width modulation signal.

11. A method of using the crutch (1) of claim 1, comprising the steps of

activating the motor (6) by the control module for extending and/or retracting the crutch (1) to a preprogrammed length,

stopping the motor (6) by the control module when the length is reached, and

maintaining the length in the face of axial forces by the worm transmission.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a user bears on the folded crutch (1) in order to pass from a seated position to a standing position, and next proceeds, through the control module (8), to control the extension of the crutch (1) to the preprogrammed length so as to rest thereon in order to walk.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the control module (8) activates the motor (6) by transmitting thereto a number of pulses proportional to the distance between an initial length and the preprogrammed length.

14. The crutch of claim 1 wherein the motor is a brushless motor.

15. The crutch (1) of claim 1, wherein the module comprises a voice user interface connected to the control module (8) to enable the user to control the extension and/or retraction of the crutch (1).

16. The crutch (1) of claim 1, wherein the programmable control module (8) is operable for providing a progressive reduction of the speed of the motor (6) when approaching the end of each movement.