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I have a pair of Bocks, which are basically strap-on stilts with a
fibreglass spring so you can pretend to be a fat kangaroo.
But how about arm-stilts? Basically, elongated crutches (sprung or
sprungless), probably with additional straps to secure them to your
arms.
As with old-style crutches,
most of the weight would be borne by the
armpits and wrist. However, these devices would support your body a
couple of feet off the ground.
Like this?
http://bp2.blogger....600-h/stilts300.jpg These are pretty fancy... [neutrinos_shadow, Apr 19 2011]
No, a bit like this, only much more so.
http://www.youtube....watch?v=cET-z0KX5rQ [MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 22 2011]
Crutch break dancing
http://www.youtube....watch?v=Q8FIjlLKThs He was featured in an advert a while ago [mitxela, Apr 23 2011]
[link]
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[MaxwellBuchanan], I thought your Google-fu was better than that. Four stilts are well baked, particularly for movies and circuses.
Or do you mean ONLY using arm stilts? I may be very confused... |
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I'm reading it as meaning arm stilts only. The concept is there but the design might be changed for use without the leg counterparts. |
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... oh my.... somebody tell me Rule 34 applies to that link. |
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wait did I say that out loud ? |
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Yes, I did find arm-stilts, but they are exclusively
associated with leg-stilts, affording a quadruped gait. |
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I want arm-only stilts, designed to take your full weight
(like crutches, which was kind of a clue) rather than just
helping you look like a decapitated giraffe. |
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[NotationToby] Definitely recommended. However, do
not live in hope (as I did) of bounding effortlessly across
windswept plains at the speed of a... fast thing with long
legs. Effortlessness they have not. |
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//I want arm-only stilts//
Ah. In that case, ignore me - I'll be over there in the corner --> |
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To make this a really novel concept, you need more stilts, affixed anywhere that will take a strap, sprung, sprungless, sprungmore, semisprung, castorwheeled and bangstick tipped. Then you and likewise stiltified competitors will perform a 100 meter dash to the tune of blaring klaxons and clowns with alphorns. You will be distinguished from each other by the colors of your stilts. |
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([NotationToby] - that's not a corner, it's a nedge.) |
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//However, these devices would support your body
a couple of feet off the ground.// |
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I dunno, Max. My body is already supported a
couple of feet off the ground. A couple of legs off
the ground, in fact. I'm having trouble seeing the
purpose or fun in these things. |
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What about a helmet with a pogo stick on top? One
could then assume a simple headstand position on
the stick,
freeing up all four limbs for other tasks, and
bounce off across the windswept plains. |
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// I'm having trouble seeing the purpose or fun in these
things.// |
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Well, experience will answer that one. I've never needed
crutches, but have had a go on some once. It was quite
fun to be able to sort of pivot and swing on one at a time,
but longer would have been better. Linked video gets
part-way there, but not very. Imagine the crutches long
enough to hold you well clear of the ground. |
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[NotationToby] R2D2 is sort of what I had in mind,
although she's not noted for her acrobatic exploits. Oh,
and if you do get bocks, try also to get the improved knee-
bars (no metal in front of or behind your knee; just two
braces either side with a padded Velcro band holding your
knee in place - much comfier and more adjustable). |
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[MB] I didn't really expect a serious reply from you
about the fun of crutch-like things. But after
watching that video, think I see your point. |
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I couldn't see how having the stilts raise you off the
ground could work, until seeing the video and
realizing that just because they *could* raise you
off the floor, you wouldn't have to try to stay
suspended there all the time. Maybe you see how
that could be done, but I don't. Still, just being
able to sort of pole-vault yourself with a double set
of these might be fun. (I thought inline roller
skates would be horrible until I tried some and
loved them.) |
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I'm not so sure about the 'couple of feet', though.
How about stilts with adjustable length, allowing
one to develop strength and skill gradually? |
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I am impressed that you really own bocks, and
enjoyed your description of using them. The
videos I have seen make them look like fun, but
somewhat dangerous. You wear any protective gear
with them? Best on pavement, grass...or what? |
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The somersault at the end clearly shows that man does not need to use crutches. |
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I think you'd "launch" yourself by pole-vaulting yourself
upright, but then taking a "step" forward to bring them under
you. |
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For the bocks - well, I don't go in for all that somersaulting
stuff (read: I cannot do it). Running is painful when you do a
gravity-assisted stop, but fortunately the human body is
equipped with elbows, knees and a skull to absorb most of
the impact. |
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Those links are down right strange. So is this idea. + |
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//...elbows, knees and a skull to absorb most of the
impact.// |
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Do these impacts have anything at all to do with your
recent interest in crutches? |
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[Boomer] nah, but may explain my dud knee. |
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[mixtela] yes, a bit more like that, but longer and, probably,
with a more secure arm-strapping-in thing. You'd lose some
of the flexibility by having them strapped on, but you'd gain
other advantages. |
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[autoboner],[autoboner's brother], [autoboner's sister] I
should point out that these arm-stilts would not be made
compulsory. |
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When I saw the extended arms that are part of the
skeletonics exoskeleton I saw on YouTube, I thought they
would make a good addition to jumping stilts. So you could
reach the ground without falling over, at least as easily as
I can when I'm not wearing jumping stilts. |
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Not really closely related to your idea since they weren't
designed to take your full body weight. |
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I have failed dismally in the jumping department, and I fear
that a kitewing would act as a stabiliser in much the same
way that, say, a cocker spaniel can act as a route to peace
and tranquility. Running is about my limit... |
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