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Arm stilts

Army.
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(+5, -3)
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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.

MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 19 2011

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]

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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...
neutrinos_shadow, Apr 19 2011
  

       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.
tatterdemalion, Apr 19 2011
  

       ... oh my.... somebody tell me Rule 34 applies to that link.   

       wait did I say that out loud ?
FlyingToaster, Apr 20 2011
  

       Yes, I did find arm-stilts, but they are exclusively associated with leg-stilts, affording a quadruped gait.   

       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.   

       [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.
MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 20 2011
  

       //I want arm-only stilts//
Ah. In that case, ignore me - I'll be over there in the corner -->
neutrinos_shadow, Apr 20 2011
  

       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.
bungston, Apr 20 2011
  

       ([NotationToby] - that's not a corner, it's a nedge.)
MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 20 2011
  

       //However, these devices would support your body a couple of feet off the ground.//   

       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.   

       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.
Boomershine, Apr 22 2011
  

       // I'm having trouble seeing the purpose or fun in these things.//   

       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.   

       [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).
MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 22 2011
  

       [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.   

       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.)   

       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?   

       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?
Boomershine, Apr 23 2011
  

       The somersault at the end clearly shows that man does not need to use crutches.
mitxela, Apr 23 2011
  

       I think you'd "launch" yourself by pole-vaulting yourself upright, but then taking a "step" forward to bring them under you.   

       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.
MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 23 2011
  

       Those links are down right strange. So is this idea. +
blissmiss, Apr 23 2011
  

       //...elbows, knees and a skull to absorb most of the impact.//   

       Do these impacts have anything at all to do with your recent interest in crutches?
Boomershine, Apr 23 2011
  

       [Boomer] nah, but may explain my dud knee.   

       [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.   

       [autoboner],[autoboner's brother], [autoboner's sister] I should point out that these arm-stilts would not be made compulsory.
MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 24 2011
  

       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.   

       Not really closely related to your idea since they weren't designed to take your full body weight.
caspian, Apr 29 2011
  

       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...
MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 29 2011
  

       Just remebering my [+]
pashute, Jun 26 2022
  


 

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