COUPLER

摘要

The invention pertains to a coupler suitable for coupling movement aids together, more specifically for coupling walking aids together and in particular for coupling crutches together. The coupler consists of a unitary body having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first coupling element and the second end having a second coupling element, the first and second coupling elements being removably securable to at least one movement aid and an attachment means attached or attachable to the unitary body, such that, in use, the attachment means facilitates the attachment of ancillary items to the at least one movement aid and the coupler functions to couple at least two movement aids to each other. The coupling elements are in the form of resilient, opposed arcuate jaws the terminal ends of which are spaced apart from each other. Advancement of the shaft of the movement aid, the longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the terminal ends, pries the terminal ends away from each other to a point whereby the distance between the terminal ends is equal to the diameter of the movement aid shaft. At this point, further advancement of the movement aid shaft causes the terminal ends, through the resilience of the jaws, moving towards each other, the jaw body assuming a fitted association with the periphery of the movement aid shaft, thereby allowing for the removable securement of the coupler to the movement aids. It will readily be appreciated that a reversal of the described process of securing the coupler to the movement aid (and vice versa), allows for the removal of the coupler from the movement aid.