Hip and thigh support for crutches

Abstract

The invention relates to a detachable hip or thigh support mounted on top of a conventional forearm or elbow crutch instead of the crutch handle, which is removed and used on a strut attached to the crutch tube. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses a bicycle saddle as support. The user sits on the saddle much in the same manner as he would sit on a bicyle. He may rest his foot on an additional foot rest at the tip of the crutch. The invention allows a fully non-weightbearing gait which requires far less strength, especially in the arms, than the three-point gait with conventional crutches. The user controls the crutch tube of the device with the handle and the foot rest. It is recommendable to use an additional conventional crutch on the unaffected side for better control of balance.

What I claim as my invention is:  
     
         1 . A walking aid with the following two essential features: 
 a cushioned support for the buttock or the sciatic tuberosity or the hamstring area (back side) of the thigh which is mounted on top of an upright member    at least one handle mounted laterally to said cushioned support in an appropriate position to allow control of motion of said upright member of the walking aid by the user.    
     
     
         2 . A walking aid as specified in  claim 1  where said cushioned support consists of a bicycle saddle.  
     
     
         3 . A walking aid as specified in  claim 1  where said upright member consists of the upright member of a conventional elbow or forearm crutch.  
     
     
         4 . A walking aid as specified in  claim 1  where a foot rest or an ankle support is attached to the lower portion of said upright member.  
     
     
         5 . A walking aid as specified in  claim 1  where said handle is mounted on a strut extending from below said cushioned support.  
     
     
         6 . A walking aid as specified in  claim 5  where said strut is fixed to the upper portion of said upright member.