Jeff Weber, an industrial designer, broke one of his heels in 2005. He found the crutches that he used while recuperating inadequate, so designed new ones:
His new crutch would employ an articulated mesh saddle that remained parallel to the armpit even as the angle of the column changed with the gait of the user. The column itself would curve away from the hip, so walkers could avoid angling the crutches outward into a chest-pincering pyramid. The grips would be shaped individually for each hand. (“For some reason we have ‘handed’ shoes, but not crutches,” Weber notes.) The feet would be rounded, so they could roll forward with each step. And the entire structure would use only 58 percent as much aluminum as regular crutches, making them far lighter.
http://www.popsci.com/bown/2010/innovator/leg | Photo: Popular Science
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I've used crutches before, and did not have a problem with them. But it was about time someone decided to make a new design, as others I have talked to did have trouble using crutches. Surprised it took so long!
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