Walking Stilts with Separate Heel and Toe Sections

Abstract

A walking stilt includes a shoe platform and a floor platform connected by a support. The floor platform includes a heel section pivotally attached to the support and a separate and independently pivotable toe section pivotally attached to the support. The construction mimics an ankle joint and toe joints to provide a smooth rolling action while walking.

1 . A walking stilt comprising:
 a shoe platform;   a support attached at one end to the shoe platform; and   a floor platform connected to an opposite end of the support, wherein the floor platform includes a heel section pivotally attached to the support and a toe section pivotally attached the support, wherein the toe section is separate from the heel section, and wherein the heel section and the toe section are independently pivotable.   
   
   
       2 . A walking stilt according to  claim 1 , comprising a pair of supports attached at the one end to the shoe platform wherein the heel section is pivotally attached to one of the pair of supports, and wherein the toe section is pivotally attached to the other of the pair of supports. 
   
   
       3 . A walking stilt according to  claim 2 , wherein the pair of supports are pivotally attached to the shoe platform. 
   
   
       4 . A walking stilt according to  claim 2 , further comprising a support bracket secured between the pair of supports. 
   
   
       5 . A walking stilt according to  claim 4 , wherein the support bracket is pivotable relative to the pair of supports. 
   
   
       6 . A walking stilt according to  claim 4 , wherein the support bracket comprises a first plate member secured to the one of the pair of the supports, a second plate member secured to the other of the pair of the supports, and a pivot member pivotally connected between the first and second plate members. 
   
   
       7 . A walking stilt according to  claim 2 , further comprising a leg support bracket assembly mounted to one of the pair of supports for securing a leg support to the walking stilt, the leg support bracket assembly including:
 a leg support bracket attached to the one of the pair of supports,   a first bolt extendable through the leg support bracket, and   a failsafe member cooperable with the leg support bracket and the leg support, the failsafe member securing the leg support upon failure of the bolt.   
   
   
       8 . A walking stilt according to  claim 7 , wherein the failsafe member comprises a second bolt extendable through an opening in the leg support bracket, the opening being oversized relative to the second bolt. 
   
   
       9 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A walking stilt according to  claim 2 , wherein the heel section is pivotally attached to the one of the pair of supports at an interim position of the heel section between ends thereof, and wherein the toe section is pivotally attached to the other of the pair of supports at an interim position of the toe section between ends thereof. 
   
   
       12 . A walking stilt according to  claim 1 , wherein the floor platform is constructed and assembled such that with the walking stilt pitched toward the heel section, the entire heel section maintains ground contact, and with the walking stilt pitched toward the toe section, the entire toe section maintains ground contact. 
   
   
       13 . A walking stilt according to  claim 1 , wherein the floor platform is constructed and assembled such that with the walking stilt pitched toward the heel section, substantially none of the walking stilt load is supported by the toe section, and with the walking stilt pitched toward the toe section, substantially none of the walking stilt load is supported by the heel section. 
   
   
       14 . A walking stilt comprising:
 a shoe platform;   a support attached at one end to the shoe platform;   a floor platform connected to an opposite end of the support, wherein the floor platform includes a heel section pivotally attached to the support and a toe section pivotally attached to the support, wherein the toe section is separate from the heel section, and wherein the heel section and the toe section are independently pivotable; and   a support bracket secured between the pair of supports, the support bracket being pivotable relative to the pair of supports.   
   
   
       15 . A walking stilt according to  claim 14 , comprising a pair of supports attached at the one end to the shoe platform, wherein the heel section is pivotally attached to one of the pair of supports, and wherein the toe section is pivotally attached to the other of the pair of supports. 
   
   
       16 . A walking stilt according to  claim 15 , wherein the support bracket comprises a first plate member secured to the one of the pair of the supports, a second plate member secured to the other of the pair of the supports, and a pivot member pivotally connected between the first and second plate members.