Crutch with Arm Rest Support for Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional crutches are uncomfortable and lead to user fatigue, as they primarily rely on underarm and hand support, causing stress on the hands and wrists, and are difficult to maneuver.
Innovation Solution
A crutch design featuring a main body with a vertical tubular member, an angled portion, an arm rest support, and a handle, with a leg that is telescopically received into the tubular member and a foot that is interchangeable, allowing for weight distribution through the elbows and upper arms, and incorporating shock-absorbing and adjustable features to reduce strain on the user's arms and hands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional crutches are configured to fit beneath the under arms, then the user can support body weight, but the user experiences discomfort and fatigue due to stress on hands and wrists
Solution Approach 1:
The crutch is divided into distinct functional segments: an underarm support portion for weight bearing, an arm rest support with cradle for forearm positioning, and a handle for hand placement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, distributing weight across multiple body points rather than concentrating stress on hands and wrists.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm rest support acts as an intermediary element between the underarm support and the handle, providing an additional contact point (the cradle) that supports the forearm. This intermediary structure transfers some of the load from the hands and wrists to the forearm and upper arm, reducing stress on the smaller structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional crutches rely on underarm and hand support, then the user can maintain stability, but the user quickly becomes fatigued
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support structure into underarm, arm rest, and handle components, the system distributes the mechanical load across three separate contact points. This allows the user's musculoskeletal system to share the workload, with larger muscle groups in the upper arms and shoulders contributing to weight support, thereby延长了 endurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm rest support with cradle introduces a dynamic element that adapts to the user's arm position and weight distribution needs. The cradle can accommodate variations in forearm placement, allowing the user to adjust their posture and weight bearing dynamically, which reduces fatigue by enabling more natural movement patterns.
3Device complexity
If traditional crutches are designed with fixed positioning, then the structure is simple, but the user has difficulty coordinating movement
Solution Approach 1:
The inclusion of the arm rest support with cradle adds a dynamic, adjustable element to the crutch design. This allows the user to adapt the crutch positioning to their body mechanics and movement needs, improving coordination without requiring complex mechanical systems. The cradle provides a stable yet adaptable contact point for the forearm.
4Reliability
If traditional crutches place stress on hands and wrists, then the weight support function is achieved, but further injury may be perpetuated
Solution Approach 1:
The arm rest support serves as a protective intermediary that intercepts and redirects some of the weight-bearing load away from the hands and wrists. By providing an additional support point for the forearm, it reduces the mechanical stress transmitted to the vulnerable hand and wrist structures, preventing further injury while maintaining weight support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the weight support function across multiple body regions (underarm, forearm via cradle, and hand via handle) reduces the concentration of stress on any single structure. This distributes the harmful mechanical loads to healthier, more robust areas of the upper body, protecting injured hands and wrists from further damage.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of crutches are disclosed. A crutch has a main body having a substantially vertical tubular member with a plurality of apertures formed therein; an angled portion extending upwardly from the substantially vertical tubular member; an arm rest support extending perpendicularly from the angled portion for receiving an arm rest; and a handle extending outwardly from the arm rest support. The crutch further includes a leg telescopically received into the substantially vertical tubular member, and a foot exchangably received by the leg.