US 12,403,062 B2
Crutch assembly constructed using a pair of hiking poles
Daniel R Coleman, Yakima, WA (US)
Filed by Daniel R Coleman, Yakima, WA (US)
Filed on Aug. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/233,066.
Prior Publication US 2025/0050175 A1, Feb. 13, 2025
Int. Cl. A61H 3/02 (2006.01); A45B 3/00 (2006.01); A61F 5/058 (2006.01); A63C 11/00 (2006.01); A63C 11/22 (2006.01); A63H 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61H 3/02 (2013.01) [A45B 3/00 (2013.01); A61F 5/0585 (2013.01); A63C 11/002 (2013.01); A63C 11/22 (2013.01); A45B 2200/055 (2013.01); A61H 2003/025 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for utilizing a pair of hiking poles (10), comprising the steps of:
providing a pair of hiking poles (10), wherein each hiking pole (10) comprises a first end (11), an intermediate portion (12), and an oppositely disposed second end (13); wherein a wrist strap (15) is disposed at the first end (11); and a tip (16) is disposed at the second end (13);
arranging the pair of hiking poles (10) substantially parallel to each other in an inverted manner such that the tip (16) of each hiking pole (10) lies adjacent to the first end (11) of the remaining hiking pole (10);
passing each hiking pole (10) through the wrist strap (15) of the remaining hiking pole (10);
displacing at least one hiking pole (10) relative to the remaining hiking pole (10) in at least one direction away from the remaining hiking pole (10) such that the first end (11) of each hiking pole (10) substantially lies adjacent to the first end (11) of the remaining hiking pole (10); thereby enabling the formation of a knot (30) between the wrist straps (15) of the pair of hiking poles (10);
rotating at least one hiking pole (10) relative to the remaining hiking pole (10); thereby intertwining the knot (30) of the wrist straps (15) of the pair of hiking poles (10);
interconnecting the second end (13) of the pair of hiking poles (10) by using a fastener (40) for forming a two point of contact tip structure (17) formed by the tips (16) of the pair of hiking poles (10); and
connecting an attachment (50) between the intermediate portion (12) of the pair of hiking poles (10); thereby constructing a crutch assembly (100).
 
7. A crutch assembly (100) comprising:
a pair of hiking poles (10) arranged and interconnected in a substantially V-shaped formation, wherein each hiking pole (10) comprises a first end (11), an intermediate portion (12) and an oppositely disposed second end (13); wherein a wrist strap (15) is disposed at the first end (11); and a tip (16) is disposed at the second end (13);
an intertwined knot (30) configured to provide shoulder support to user, wherein the intertwined knot (30) is formed between the wrist straps (15) of the pair of hiking poles (10) by rotating a hiking pole (10) selected from the pair of hiking poles (10) relative to the remaining hiking pole (10) selected from the pair of hiking poles (10);
a fastener (40) interconnecting the second ends (13) of the pair of hiking poles (10);
a two point of contact tip structure (17) formed by the tips (16) of the pair of hiking poles (10); and
an attachment (50) connected between the intermediate portion (12) of the pair of hiking poles (10), wherein the attachment (50) is configured to provide a hand grip surface for hiker.