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.jpgThese 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=Q8FIjlLKThsHe was featured in an advert a while ago [mitxela, Apr 23 2011] [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 random, halfbakery