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  StiltsUSPTO Application #: 20080096732Title: Stilts Abstract: A nonflaccid brace for construction stilts is disclosed. In one embodiment, the brace is employed as a lower leg brace. In another embodiment, the brace is employed as an ankle brace. In another embodiment, the brace is employed with one or more nonflaccid closures. An ankle brace for construction stilts is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ankle brace is positioned across the foot pad from the upright carrying the leg brace. A quick connect coupling for stilts is disclosed. The coupling can be employed to close the leg brace, the ankle brace, and/or the foot straps of the stilts. (end of abstract) Agent: John R. Casperson - Pensacola, FL, US Inventors: Joe Lin, Fernando R. Masas USPTO Applicaton #: 20080096732 - Class: 482075000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Elevated Walking Device (e.g., Stilts, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080096732. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 11/396,896 filed Apr. 3, 2006, now Ser. No. ______, and claims the benefit thereof. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] In one aspect, this invention relates to improved lower leg braces for stilts, particularly stilts employed in the construction industry to facilitate overhead work, such as accessing and hanging suspended ceiling structures or overhead electrical or duct work. In another aspect, this invention relates to providing such stilts with an ankle brace. In a further aspect, this invention relates to improved foot retainers for such stilts. In an additional aspect, this invention relates to an improved fastener assembly for fastening such stilts to the user's body. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, is an example of one type of stilt employed by the construction industry. It utilizes a single upright post extending above the shoe platform and having a calf brace near the upper end to provide stability to the user. The calf brace attaches to the side of the post and is solely dependent on the retention of the fasteners for safety. [0004] The calf brace in described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515 is constructed of metal and is expensive to produce. A calf brace that could be produced inexpensively would be desirable. [0005] Also, metallic calf braces are subject to fatigue cracks over time, and are not easy to straighten if bent by accident or abuse. Constructing the braces out of a material that resists fatigue and damage would enhance their durability. [0006] Also, the calf brace in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515 presents an inherent safety hazard during falls because of its metallic construction. A brace construction less likely to result in a cut during a fall would be very desirable. [0007] Further, additional redundancy against failure of the stilt due to loss of the calf brace retaining bolts would be desirable. [0008] The stilt described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515 attaches to the user's calf and foot. A stilt that further contacts the user's ankle would permit the user to employ more muscle groups to move the stilt, and could be used with greater control and less fatigue. [0009] The increased control provided by an ankle fixture would also permit the user to wear the stilt without attaching the fasteners so tightly, to provide greater comfort. [0010] Providing an ankle fixture would also provide the user with greater ability to control the stilt in the event of failure of the calf or foot attachment, and thus greater safety. [0011] The calf brace in described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515 relies on straps for attachment to the user's leg. Employing a nonflaccid closure structure to embrace the user's leg would provide greater comfort for the user, and permit better control over the stilt without inflicting discomfort on the user. A quicker fastening system to attach the stilts to the user's body would also be desirable. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0012] An object of the invention is to provide improvements to stilts that overcome the above noted deficiencies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] One embodiment of the invention is provided in the form of a non-flaccid leg brace element for a stilt. The leg brace element comprises a nonflaccid body. The nonflaccid body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a stilt user's leg, and a passage spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt. [0014] In another aspect of the invention, the lower leg brace is provided in the form of a multipiece, hinged, nonflaccid cuff, which, when closed, substantially encircles the lower leg of the user. [0015] In one embodiment, the multipiece cuff comprises a first nonflaccid body and a second nonflaccid body connected by a hinge and a fastener assembly. The first nonflaccid body has a first lateral end and a second lateral end and defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a stilt user's leg and a passage spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt. The second nonflaccid body forms a nonflaccid arcuate closure having a first lateral end and a second lateral end. The hinge connects the first lateral end of the arcuate closure with the first lateral end of the first nonflaccid body. The fastener assembly connects the second lateral end of the arcuate closure with the second lateral end of the first nonflaccid body. [0016] In another embodiment, the multi-piece cuff comprises a first nonflaccid body, a second nonflaccid body, a third nonflaccid body, a first hinge, and a second hinge. The first nonflaccid body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a lateral area on a stilt user's lower leg, and a passage spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt. The second nonflaccid body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a posterior area on a stilt user's lower leg. The first hinge connects the first nonflaccid body and the second nonflaccid body. The third nonflaccid body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting an anterior area on a stilt user's lower leg. The second hinge connects the first nonflaccid body to the third nonflaccid body. [0017] These embodiments of the invention can be used to provide a releasable cuff on the stilt user's lower leg which is more secure and comfortable than is provided by straps. [0018] In another aspect of the invention, a stilt is further provided with an ankle brace, which can be situated on the same side of the stilt as the lower leg brace, or on the opposite side. [0019] In one embodiment of the ankle brace invention, a stilt is provided with both a lower leg brace and an ankle brace. The apparatus comprises a floor platform, a shoe platform, and a pair of substantially vertically mounted supports pivotally connecting the floor platform and the shoe platform in a parallel configuration. The vertical supports are spring-biased so as to urge the vertical supports and the platforms toward a rectangular configuration. A leg support is mounted to one of the vertically mounted supports and extends upwardly above the shoe platform. The leg support has an upper end section. The lower leg brace is positioned on the upper end section of the leg support in superposition with respect to the shoe platform. The ankle brace is positioned on the leg support between the lower leg brace and the shoe platform in superposition with respect to the shoe platform. Continue reading... Full patent description for Stilts Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Stilts patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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