WO1990008573A1

WO1990008573A1 - Adjustable stilt

Info

Publication number: WO1990008573A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/000649
Authority: WO
Inventors: James E. Sawyer
Original assignee: Sawyer Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 1989-02-06
Filing date: 1990-02-02
Publication date: 1990-08-09
Also published as: AU5109390A

Abstract

An adjustable stilt as disclosed consisting of first (3) and second (4) tubular elements, the second tubular element being slideably disposed with the first. The tubular elements have suitable holes (9, 10) formed therein through which a clevis pin or other suitable device (6) may be inserted to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the first and second tubular elements. A step (5) is provided near the lower portion of the first tubular element, having a mounting portion engageable with the first tubular member, a horizontal top portion (12) for supporting the user's foot, and a vertical foot brace portion (11) which engages the side of the user's foot to prevent the step from inadvertently rotating.

Description

ADJUS ABLE STILT

Background of the Invention

This invention relates generally to stilts and to an improvement in the construction and design of the historic stilt.

While there have been many designs and different construc¬ tions of stilts many claiming to be adjustable; none of the prior stilts have proved to be reliable and as easy to use as the present invention.

In designing the construction of the invention, various alternative construction designs were considered. The inven¬ tion as claimed herein was tested and determined to be a vast improvement over any known design or construction available for sporting and recreational purposes. In addition, the sub¬ ject invention is intended for use by both children and adults. Therefore, they are built to withstand the additional weight and stress of an adult. This results in a stronger and safer product for all. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While simple in design, the invention is considered up¬ scale in design and construction quality. The overall design and construction is with rounded corners and hidden or padded hardware and corners, with concealment of protrusions/sharp edges and snag points such that no sharp corners, edges or obstacles are exposed that might injure. The ability to adjust the height of the invention, quickly and easily without tools, increases the utility of the invention.

The design of the stilt step with an extended flat ver¬ tical surfact perpendicular to the pole on the pole side of the top of the step which fits against the user's foot pre¬ venting the stilt pole from rotating on its axis while the user is on the stilt. This element together with the width, and tread design of the step, provides a positive grip on the user's foot without having to rely on straps, lips, or any other gimmick on the step, which might entangle the user's foot, causing the user to fall and injure themselves.

The step is formed so as to wrap around the pole portion of the invention providing a griping action on the pole, thereby integrating the step and pole, reuslting in increased strength and safety of the invention. The wrap around design of the step allows the use of a clevis pin or detent pin instead of nut and bolt to fasten the step to the pole. To be able to use pins, instead of nuts and bolts, means that no tools are required to adjust the height of the stilt. Thus, the time required to adjust the stilt is reduced to a minimum. This greatly enhances the utility of the stilt to the user.

The adjusting mechanism of the invention step uses a cle¬ vis pin and ring, or a detention pin, which are both safe and quick to remove for adjusting the height. Height adjustment is accomplished by constructing the vertical pole portion of the invention of two round tubes, one of which is smaller in diameter and fits within the bottom of the upper or outside pole. The upper (outside) pole has a hole through it that is lined up with holes in the lower (inside) pole at the desired height. A clevis pin or detent is pushed through the gripping side of the step, through the upper pole hole, through two holes on the lower pole of the same elevation at the desired height, through the hole in the opposite side of the upper pole, and then through the horizontal receiving hole in the step.

This invention is designed with the intention that both children and adults would use them. They key elements con¬ sidered in the design of this invention are: (A) safety, (B) a height adjustment mechanism that is easy to operate, (C) durability, (D) strength, (E) light weight and (F) an up-scale look.

The following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, will make the advantages and object of the invention self evi¬ dent. BRIEF DESCRIPTIQN OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the stilt.

FIG. 2 is a front and side view of the stilt.

FIG. 3 is a exploded view showing all the parts of the stilt.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the step of the stilt.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the step of the stilt.

FIG. 6 is side elevational view of the step of the stilt. DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the drawings show only one stilt for illustration purposes. In use, two stilts are required by the user, with both stilts being identical.

FIG. 1 shows a stilt having a upper pole (3) and a lower pole (4). The lower pole (4) fits into the upper pole (3). A protective soft cap (2) is placed over the top end of the upper pole (3). A rubber foot (8) is placed on the bottom of the lower pole (4) to provide traction while walking on the stilts as well as protection from any sharp edges around the bottom of the lower pole (4).

A molded step (5), of light weight material, is shown attached to the upper pole (3) by a clevis pin (6) and held in place by a ring or cotter pin (alternatively the step (5) can be held in place by a detention pin which does not require a cotter pin). Step (5) is designed with a vertical foot brace (11) to prevent the upper pole (3) and lower pole (4) from rotating on their axis while being used, increasing the uti¬ lity and safety of the stilt. The top of the step (5) has a tread design to increase the traction for the user's foot. These features increase the safety of the stilt because they eliminate the necessity for the use of any type of straps, lips or other gimmicks which can entangle the user's foot, thereby increasing the safety of the stilt.

FIG. 2 shows a front and side view of the stilt.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the parts of the stilt.

1. the stilt in its entirety.

2. top cap. 3. upper pole.

4. lower pole.

5. step.

6. clevis pin.

7. ring or cotter pin.

8. foot pad.

9. adjustment holes for the lower pole.

10. adjustment holes for the upper pole.

11. step vertical foot brace.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate top, front, and side views, respec¬ tively, of the step 5 of the stilt.

The vertical foot brace (11) prevents the upper pole (3) and lower pole (4) from rotating on their axis while being used, increasing the utility and safety of the stilt. The top of the step has a tread design (12) to increase the traction for the user's foot. These features eliminate the necessity for the use of any type of straps, lips or other gimmicks which can entangle the user's foot thus increasing the safety of the stilt. The molded design (13) of the step around the upper pole (3) adds strength and stability to the step and allows the use of a quick connect pins instead of nuts and bolts. Although nuts and bolts could still be used.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. An adjustable stilt comprising: a first tubular element having an open layer end; a second tubular element slideably disposed within said first tubular element, wherein a portion of said second tubu¬ lar element extends from said open lower end of said first tubular element; adjustment means for selectively adjusting the length of said portion of said second tubular element extending from said first tubular element, said adjustment extending from said first tubular element, said adjustment means being further operative to releasably secure said first tubular ele¬ ment to said second tubular element thereby preventing rela¬ tive axial movement therebetween; and a step disposed near said open lower end of said first tubular element, said step including: a mounting portion engageable with said open lower end of said first tubular member; a horizontal top portion extending outwardly at substan¬ tially a right angle from said first tubular member, said top portion being operative to support a user's foot during normal use of said stilt; and a substantially flat vertical foot brace portion disposed adjacent said first tubular member and extending upwardly at a right angle from said horizontal top portion, said foot brace portion being operative to engage a side portion of said user's foot thereby preventing unintended rotation of said step with respect to said user's foot.

2. The adjustable stilt of Claim 1 wherein: said first and second tubular elements include one or more transverse holes therethrough, at least one of said holes in said second tubular element being alignable with at least one of saide holes in said first tubular element; and said adjustment means comprise a clevis pin removably insertable through aligned holes in said first and second tubular elements such that, when inserted, said clevis pin is operative to prevent relative axial movement between said first and second tubular elements.

3. The adjustable stilt of Claim 1 wherein: said first and second tubular elements include one or more transverse holes . therthrough, at least one of said holes in said second tubular element being alignable with at least one of said holes in said first tubular element; and said adjustment means comprise a detent pin removably inserted through aligned holes in said first and second tubu¬ lar elements such that, when inserted, said detent pin is operative to prevent relative axial movement between said first and second tubular elements.

4. The adjustable stilt of Claim 2 wherein: said clevis pin includes a retaining hole through a first end thereof, said clevis pin having a suitable length whereby said retaining hole is positioned outside said first and second tubular elements when said clevis pin is in its inserted position, and said adjustment means further comprise retaining means disposed through said retaining hole.

5. The adjustable stilt of Claim 4 wherein: said retaining means comprise a ring.

6. The adjustable stilt of Claim 4 where: said retaining means comprise a cotter key.

7. The adjustable stilt of Claim 1 wherein: said adjustment means is further operative to removably secure said step to said lower portion of said first tubular element.

8. A stilt comprising: at least one upright support member; a step secured to a portion of said at least one upright support member, said step including: a mounting portion engageable with said portion of said at least on upright support member; a horizontal top portion extending outwardly at substan¬ tially a right angle from said at least one upright support member, said top portion being operative to support a user's foot during normal use of said stilt; a substantially flat vertical foot brace portion disposed adjacent said at least one upright support member and extending upwardly from said horizontal top potion, said foot brace portion being operative to engage a side portion of said user's foot thereby preventing unintended rotation of said step with respect to said user's foot.

9. A pair of adjustable stilts, each individual stilt comprising: a height adjustment mechanism using a clevis and rin pin or a detention pin, which are both safe and quick to remove for adjusting the height. The height adjustment mechanism gives the ability to adjust the height of the invention quickly and easily without tools increasing the utility of the invention; a height adjustment mechanism constructed of a vertical pole portion of the invention of two round tubes, one of which is smaller in diameter and fits within the bottom of the upper or outside pole. The upper (outside) pole has a hole through it that is lined up with holes in the lower (inside) pole at the desired height; a height adjustment mechanism in which the step, upper and lower poles are held together with a clevis or detention pin pushed through the gripping (wrap around) side of the step, through the upper pole hole, through two holes on the lower pole of the same elevation at the desired height, through the hole in the opposite side of the upper pole, and then through the horizontal receiving hole in the step; a soft protective cap on the top of the upper pole; a rubber crutch style foot to provide traction and protec¬ tion is place on the bottom of the lower pole; and poles are made of lightweight heat tempered aluminum or similar metal or a high resin molded material.

10. A pair of stilt steps, each individual stilt step comprising: an extended flat vertical surface perpendicular to the pole on the the pole side of the top of the step which fits against the user's foot preventing the stilt pole from rotating on its axis while the user is on the stilt. This ele ent together with the width, and tread design of the step, provides a positive grip on the user's foot without having to rely on straps, lips or any other gimmick on the step which might entangle the user's foot causing the user to fall and injure themselves; a formed molded design and construction that wraps around the pole portion of the stilt providing a griping action on the pole thereby integrating the step and pole resulting in increased strength and safety of the stilt; a clevis or detention pin to fasten the step to the pole. A clevis or detention pin can be used because of the wrap around design of the step. To be able to use pins .instead of nuts and bolts means that no tools are required to adjust the height of the stilt and the time required to adjust the stilt is reduced to a minimum, greatly enhancing the utility of the stilt to the user; a tread on top of the step designed to grip the user's foot; and a formed molded design and construction made of a high resin molded material for ease of manufacture and strength.