초록 ▼

The present invention provides an adjustable support that may be telescopically extendable, coarsely and finely adjustable, and providing a mechanical advantage while being readily transportable. The adjustable support may have two to three telescoping members that nest inside one another when not i

The present invention provides an adjustable support that may be telescopically extendable, coarsely and finely adjustable, and providing a mechanical advantage while being readily transportable. The adjustable support may have two to three telescoping members that nest inside one another when not is use, and may be triangular, rectangular, or circular in cross section. The adjustable support may be used as a traction splint, a walking stick, ski pole, or a crutch.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; a middle member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said middle member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said midd

1. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; a middle member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said middle member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said middle member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; a coarse adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said middle member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of course increments; and a fine adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said middle member by a plurality of fine increments. 2. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein:said coarse adjustment means is comprised of a plurality of openings in said outer member and a spring loaded plunger mounted on said middle member for releasably and selectively engaging one of said openings in said outer member. 3. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein said coarse adjustment means comprises:at least two paired opposed and aligned first openings in a first member selected from the group consisting of said outer member and said middle member; a plurality of paired opposed and aligned second openings in a second member from the group consisting of said outer member and said middle member, wherein said first member and said second member are not the same; and a post for engaging and extending through two of said paired first openings in said first member, and through two of said plurality of paired second openings in said second member for preventing longitudinal movement of said middle member relative to said outer member when said post extends through said paired first openings and said paired second openings. 4. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein said fine adjustment means comprises:a plurality of ratchet slots on at least one side of said inner member; a ratchet for moving said inner member relative to said middle member by selectively engaging one of said ratchet slots on one side of said inner member through an opening in said middle member; and a brake for preventing motion of said distal end of said inner member toward said proximal end of said middle member when said ratchet is engaged with one of said ratchet slots on said inner member. 5. The adjustable support of claim 4, wherein said adjustable support further comprises a plurality of brake slots on at least one side of said inner member; and wherein said brake comprises:a lever pivotably attached to said middle member, said lever including: an engaging end adapted for selectively engaging one of said plurality of brake slots; a middle portion containing a pivotal attachment for pivotably securing said brake to said middle member; and a resistance end attached to said middle member by a resistance means for providing resistance against compression of said lever towards said middle member. 6. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein said fine adjustment means comprises a pulley system including:a distal pulley post mounted inside said inner member; a proximal pulley post mounted inside said middle member; cord means, said cord means being looped at least once around said distal pulley post, being looped at least once around said proximal pulley post, having an attached end attached to said middle member and a free end extending from said adjustable support, so that when said free end is pulled, said distal pulley post and said proximal pulley post move towards each other and said distal end of said inner member and said proximal end of said middle member move away from each other. 7. The adjustable support of claim 6, wherein said free end of said cord means extends from said adjustable support through an opening in said inner member.8. The adjustable support of claim 6, wherein said proximal pulley post and said distal pulley post are mounted at an offset angle with respect to each other.9. The adjustable support of claim 6, wherein said proximal pulley post comprises a multi-prong pulley post.10. The adjustable support of claim 6, wherein said distal pulley post comprises a multi-prong pulley post.11. The adjustable support of claim 6, wherein both said proximal pulley post and said distal pulley post each comprise a multi-prong pulley post.12. The adjustable support of claim 1, further comprising:a distal securing means attached to said distal end of said inner member for securing said inner member to an individual's limb; and a proximal securing means attached to said proximal end of said outer member for securing said outer member to an individual's limb. 13. The adjustable support of claim 12, wherein said distal securing means comprises a ring and said proximal securing means comprises a ring.14. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein said outer member, said middle member, and said inner member are each triangular in cross-section.15. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein said outer member, said middle member, and said inner member are each rectangular in cross-section.16. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein said outer member, said middle member, and said inner member are each circular in cross-section.17. The adjustable support of claim 1, further comprising a handle mounted at a distal end or a proximal end of said adjustable support.18. The adjustable support of claim 17, wherein said handle is mounted on said distal end of said inner member.19. The adjustable support of claim 17, wherein said handle is mounted on said proximal end of said outer member.20. The adjustable support of claim 17, wherein said handle comprises an armpit rest.21. The adjustable support of claim 17, wherein said handle comprises a hand grip.22. The adjustable support of claim 17, further comprising a resilient base mounted at said distal end or at said proximal end of said adjustable support.23. The adjustable support of claim 22, wherein said resilient base is mounted on said proximal end of said outer member.24. The adjustable support of claim 22, wherein said resilient base is mounted on said distal end of said inner member.25. The adjustable support of claim 17, further comprising a foot rest mounted at said distal end or at said proximal end of said adjustable support.26. The adjustable support of claim 25, wherein said foot rest is mounted on said proximal end of said outer member.27. The adjustable support of claim 26, further comprising a stopper mounted on said proximal end of said outer member and mounted proximally of said footrest.28. The adjustable support of claim 25, wherein said foot rest is mounted on said distal end of said inner member.29. The adjustable support of claim 28, further comprising a stopper mounted on said distal end of said inner member and mounted distally of said footrest.30. The adjustable support of claim 17, further comprising a hook mounted on said proximal or said distal end of said adjustable support for allowing a strap to be secured to said hook.31. The adjustable support of claim 30, wherein said hook comprises a retractable hook.32. The adjustable support of claim 17, further comprising a strap extending from said adjustable support for extending under the sole of a user's foot and for providing an even point of traction to a user's leg when a user s leg is secured to said adjustable support.33. The adjustable support of claim 17, further comprising an external, friction brake mounted on said middle member for compressing said middle member against said inner member to prevent said inner member and said middle member from moving longitudinally with respect to each other.34. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; and an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments, wherein said adjustment means comprises: a plurality of ratchet slots on at least one side of said inner member; a ratchet for moving said inner member relative to said outer member by selectively engaging one of said ratchet slots on one side of said inner member through an opening in said outer member; and a brake for preventing motion of said distal end of said inner member toward said proximal end of said outer member when said ratchet is engaged with one of said ratchet slots on said inner member. 35. The adjustable support of claim 34, wherein said adjustable support further comprises a plurality of brake slots on at least one side of said inner member, and wherein said brake comprises:a lever pivotably attached to said outer member, said lever including: a engaging end adapted for selectively engaging one of said plurality of brake slots; a middle portion containing a pivotal attachment for pivotably securing said brake to said outer member; and a resistance end attached to said outer member by a resistance means for providing resistance against compression of said lever towards said outer member. 36. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; and an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments, wherein said adjustment means comprises a pulley system including: a distal pulley post mounted inside said inner member; a proximal pulley post mounted inside said outer member; and cord means, said cord means being looped at least once around said distal pulley post, being looped at least once around said proximal pulley post, having a attached end fixed to said inner member and a free end extending from said adjustable support, so that when said free end is pulled, said distal pulley post and said proximal pulley post move towards each other and said distal end of said inner member and said proximal end of said outer member move away from each other. 37. The adjustable support of claim 36, wherein said free end of said cord means extends from said adjustable support through an opening in said inner member.38. The adjustable support of claim 36, wherein said proximal pulley post and said distal pulley post are mounted at an offset angle with respect to each other.39. The adjustable support of claim 36, wherein said proximal pulley post comprises a multi-prong pulley post.40. The adjustable support of claim 36, wherein said distal pulley post comprises a multi-prong pulley post.41. The adjustable support of claim 36, wherein both said proximal pulley post and said distal pulley post each comprise a multi-prong pulley post.42. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; a distal securing means attached to said distal end of said inner member for securing said inner member to an individual's limb; and a proximal securing means attached to said proximal end of said outer member for securing said outer member to an individual's limb. 43. The adjustable support of claim 42, wherein said distal securing means comprises a ring and said proximal securing means comprises a ring.44. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; and an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; wherein said outer member and said inner member are each triangular in cross-section. 45. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; and an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; wherein said outer member and said inner member are each rectangular in cross-section. 46. The adjustable support of claim 42, wherein said outer member and said inner member are each circular in cross-section.47. The adjustable support of claim 42, further comprising a handle mounted at a distal end or a proximal end of said adjustable support.48. The adjustable support of claim 47, wherein said handle is mounted on said distal end of said inner member.49. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; and a handle mounted at a distal end or a proximal end of said adjustable support; wherein said handle is mounted on said proximal end of said outer member. 50. The adjustable support of claim 47, wherein said handle comprises an armpit rest.51. The adjustable support of claim 47, wherein said handle comprises a hand grip.52. The adjustable support of claim 47, further comprising a resilient base mounted at said distal end or at said proximal end of said adjustable support.53. The adjustable support of claim 52, wherein said resilient base is mounted on said proximal end of said outer member.54. An adjustable support, comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; a handle mounted at a distal end or a proximal end of said adjustable support; and a resilient base mounted on said proximal end of said outer member; wherein said resilient base is mounted on said distal end of said inner member. 55. An adjustable support comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; a handle-mounted at a distal end or a proximal end of said adjustable support; and a foot rest mounted at said distal end or at said proximal end of said adjustable support. 56. The adjustable support of claim 55, wherein said foot rest is mounted on said proximal end of said outer member.57. The adjustable support of claim 56, further comprising a stopper mounted on said proximal end of said outer member and mounted proximally of said footrest.58. The adjustable support of claim 55, wherein said foot rest is mounted on said distal end of said inner member.59. The adjustable support of claim 58, further comprising a stopper mounted on said distal end of said inner member and mounted distally of said footrest.60. An adjustable support comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; a handle mounted at a distal end or a proximal end of said adjustable support; and a hook mounted on said proximal or said distal end of said adjustable support for allowing a strap to be secured to said hook. 61. The adjustable support of claim 60, wherein said hook comprises a retractable hook.62. An adjustable support comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; a handle mounted at a distal end or a proximal end of said adjustable support; and a strap extending from said adjustable support for extending under the sole of a user's foot and for providing an even point of traction to a user's leg when a user's leg is secured to said adjustable support. 63. An adjustable support comprising:an outer member having a distal end and a proximal end; a middle member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said outer member, said middle member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inner member slidable in a longitudinal direction within said middle member, said inner member having a distal end and a proximal end; an adjustment means for adjusting a distance between said distal end of said inner member and a proximal end of said outer member by a plurality of fine increments; a handle mounted at a distal end or a proximal end of said adjustable support; and an external friction brake mounted on said middle member for compressing said middle member against said inner member to prevent said inner member and said middle member from moving longitudinally with respect to each other. 64. An adjustable support comprising:an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end; a cord means extending through a hollow portion of said elongated member, said cord means including; a distal securing means for securing said elongated member to a limb of an individual, said distal securing means being mounted at said distal end of said elongated member and including a loop portion extending form said distal end of said elongated member; a free end for grasping by a user and for allowing a user to pull on said cord means to cause said loop portion of said distal securing means to pull the limb of the individual towards said elongated member; a connecting portion connecting said loop portion of said distal securing means to said free end; and proximal securing means for securing said elongated member to the limb of the individual, said proximal securing means being mounted on said elongated member at a position proximal to said distal end of said elongated member. 65. The adjustable support of claim 64, wherein said elongated member comprises a hollow tube.66. The adjustable support of claim 64, wherein said loop portion of said distal securing means includes a constriction loop for securing to the limb of the individual and a ring means for allowing sliding of said cord means for connecting said cord and said constriction loop.