Support device for crutch or cane

Abstract

A support device is provided for a crutch or cane which allows the crutch or cane to lean against a surface such as an edge of a table, banister, automobile panel or the like while minimizing the risk that the crutch or cane will fall over. In accordance with one embodiment, the support device is initially in the form of a pad which can be wrapped around a crutch strut or cane shaft. The pad is preferably made of rubber or a rubber like material and releasably secured by VELCRO® which holds the pad in a tubular configuration around the strut or shaft. In accordance with other embodiments, the support device is a sleeve or strip attached to the crutch strut or cane shaft by a manufacturer or by a crutch or cane user.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A support for a crutch having at least one longitudinally extending crutch strut with a bottom end for engaging a walking surface and a top end with at least one under arm support extending laterally from the crutch strut, or for a cane with a cane shaft having a bottom end for engaging a walking surface and a top end with a handle extending laterally from the can shaft, the support comprising: 
 a flexible pad having a first surface and a second surface in opposed relation to the first surface;    an adhesive area on at least one of the surfaces of the pad for adhering to the other surface of the pad upon engaging the other surface; the pad being adapted to form a tube when folded around the strut or shaft, the tube having an interior surface provided by the first surface for frictionally engaging the crutch strut or cane shaft to mount the tube thereon, the tube further having an outside surface for frictionally engaging an edge or curved surface to keep the crutch or cane supported at an angle to the vertical with the bottom end resting on a walking surface, the tube having a length substantially less than that of the crutch strut or cane shaft.    
     
     
         2 . The support of  claim 1  wherein the pad is made of rubber.  
     
     
         3 . The support of  claim 1  wherein the pad is deformable under the lateral component of the weight of the crutch or cane applied thereagainst by an edge or curved surface.  
     
     
         4 . The support of  claim 3  wherein the tube formed by the pad is slidable on the strut or shaft upon overcoming the friction between the interior surfaces of the tube, so that the longitudinal position of the support on the strut or shaft can be selected after the support is mounted on the strut or shaft.  
     
     
         5 . The support of  claim 4  wherein the adhesive area on one surface of the pad comprise VELCRO® hooks and on the other surface comprises VELCRO® loops.  
     
     
         6 . The support of  claim 5  wherein the adhesive areas are substantially covered by the first surface of the pad when the pad is rolled into a tube around the crutch strut or cane shaft.  
     
     
         7 . The support of  claim 4  wherein the adhesive area is initially only on one surface of the pad and adheres to the second surface after the pad is rolled into a tube around the strut or shaft.  
     
     
         8 . The support of  claim 7  wherein the adhesive area is covered by a removable patch having an outwardly facing non-adhesive surface, which patch is stripped from the adhesive area prior to adhering the frictional surfaces to one another.  
     
     
         9 . The support of  claim 8  wherein the adhesive area on the second surface of the pad is substantially covered by the first surface of the pad when the pad is rolled into a tube.  
     
     
         10 . The support of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive area on one surface of the pad comprise VELCRO® hooks and on the other surface comprises VELCRO® loops.  
     
     
         11 . The support of  claim 10  wherein the adhesive areas are substantially covered by the first surface of the pad when the pad is rolled into a tube around the crutch strut or cane shaft.  
     
     
         12 . The support of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive area is initially only on one surface of the pad and adheres to the second surface after the pad is rolled into a tube around the strut or shaft.  
     
     
         13 . The support of  claim 12  wherein the adhesive area is covered by a removable patch having an outwardly facing non-adhesive surface, which patch is stripped from the adhesive area prior to adhering the frictional surfaces to one another.  
     
     
         14 . The support of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive area on the pad is covered by the first surface of the pad when the pad is rolled into a tube.  
     
     
         15 . In combination with a crutch having at least one longitudinally extending crutch strut with a bottom end for engaging a walking surface and a top end with at least one under arm support extending laterally from the crutch strut or in combination with a cane with a cane shaft having a bottom end for engaging a walking surface and a top end with a handle extending laterally from the can shaft: 
 a flexible pad having a first surface and a second surface in opposed relation to the first frictional surface;    an adhesive area on at least the first surface of the pad for adhering to the second surface of the pad upon engaging the second frictional surface of the pad; the pad being adapted to form a tube when folded around the strut or shaft, the tube having an interior frictional surface formed by the first side for frictionally engaging the crutch strut or cane shaft to mount the tube thereon and an exterior surface for frictionally engaging an edge or curved surface to keep the crutch or cane supported with the bottom end resting on a walking surface, the tube having a length substantially less than that of the strut or shaft.    
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 15  where the crutch or cane has a center of gravity disposed at a point on the strut or shaft and wherein the tube is disposed between the center of gravity and the under arm support of the crutch or handle of the cane.  
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein the pad is made of rubber.  
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 17  wherein the pad is deformable under the lateral component of the weight of the crutch or cane applied thereagainst by an edge or curved surface.  
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein the tube formed by the pad is slidable on the strut or shaft upon overcoming the friction between the interior surfaces of the tube, so that the longitudinal position of the support on the strut or shaft can be selected after the support is mounted on the strut or shaft.  
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the adhesive area on one surface of the pad comprise VELCRO® hooks and on the other surface comprises VELCRO® loops.  
     
     
         21 . The support of  claim 15  wherein the adhesive area is initially only on one surface of the pad and adheres to the second surface after the pad is rolled into a tube around the strut or shaft.  
     
     
         22 . The support of  claim 15  wherein the adhesive area is covered by a removable patch having an outwardly facing non-adhesive surface, which patch is stripped from the adhesive area prior to adhering the frictional surfaces to one another.  
     
     
         23 . In combination with a crutch having at least one longitudinally extending crutch strut with a bottom end for engaging a walking surface and a top end with at least one under arm support extending laterally from the crutch strut, or in combination with a cane with a cane shaft having a bottom end for engaging a walking surface and a top end with a handle extending laterally from the can shaft: 
 an attachment on the crutch strut or cane shaft, the attachment having an exterior surface for frictionally engaging an edge or curved surface to keep the crutch or cane supported with the bottom end resting on a walking surface, the attachment having a length extending above the center of gravity of the strut or shaft when the strut or shaft is vertically oriented.    
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 23  wherein the attachment is a sleeve.  
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 23  wherein the attachment is at least one strip of material affixed to the crutch strut or cane shaft.