SHOCK ABSORBING AMBULATORY ASSIST DEVICE

摘要

A shock absorbing unit that can be used with existing crutch designs includes an assembly for adjusting the shock absorption of the unit to enable the unit to be used comfortably with a wide range of patients. The adjustable shock absorbing crutch has an upper frame with an arm engaging portion and an extension tube. The crutch also includes a tip member with a lower extension tube engaged with the upper frame extension tube. A shock absorber (50) is positioned intermediate of the upper frame and the tip member. The shock absorber comprises a first bearing plate (78) including a first bearing surface and a second bearing plate (84) having a second bearing surface. The shock absorber also includes a resilient member (82a) positioned between and resting against the first and second bearing plates. The first and second bearing plates are spaced apart such that the resilient member is compressed. The shock absorber also includes compression adjustment unit (68, 69) for adjusting the space between the first and second bearing surfaces, thereby adjusting the compression of the resilient member.