AU2021104595A4

AU2021104595A4 - An Attachment Device for a Walking Aid

Info

Publication number: AU2021104595A4
Application number: AU2021104595A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Alexander Kofi Gordon Roberts
Original assignee: Roberts Alexander Kofi Gordon Mr
Current assignee: Roberts Alexander Kofi Gordon Mr
Priority date: 2020-12-29
Filing date: 2021-07-27
Publication date: 2021-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-27

Abstract

The present invention is a magnetic attachment device for a walking aid. The attachment comprises a body, a fastener for attaching the body to the walking aid, a magnet capable of attracting the walking aid to metal and a ledge adapted connect the body to a surface in order to retain the walking aid on that surface. The attachment device is characterised in that the ledge has a rubber stopper to grip the surface. 1/5 12 10 24F 22 20ZI Figure 1

Description

1/5

12

10

24F

22

20ZI

Figure 1

AN ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR A WALKING AID TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the mobility aids industry and, more particularly to an attachment device for a walking aid so that the walking aid can be easily connected to objects and thereby stay in an upright position which is readily accessible.

BACKGROUND

[0002] People with disabilities use walking aids, such as walking sticks and crutches to help them ambulate. These people can often find it difficult to retrieve their walking aids when they get out of bed.

[0003] The walking aids can drop down on the floor and therefore they are not easy to reach. If the walking aids are leant against a wall, then they can easily slide down the wall and onto the floor. If the walking aid is not easily within reach of the person, then the person is at risk of falling over.

[0004] When disabled people are ambulating on public transport, they can find it difficult to rest their walking aids in a secure position so that they can have both hands free. If they rest their walking aid in their lap, then the walking aid can protrude into the passageway of the public transport vehicle and thereby present a tripping hazard to other passengers and themselves. When disabled people are in the bathroom, it can be difficult for them to put their walking aid in a conveniently accessible and hygienic position.

[0005] Walking aids are prescribed to people with mobility issues in hospitals. When people are in hospital, walking aids often are rested on the floor. However, the hospital floor is unhygienic, so that any germs on the floor surface will contaminate the handles of the walking aid (which presents a risk of spreading disease). The hospital floor and walls can also be slippery surfaces, which causes the walking aids to fall onto the floor frequently. It is important that the walking aids are easy to access for the patient in a hospital setting.

[0006] There are walking stick holders currently available on the market, such as the FrogTM cane holder sold by Carequip Pty Ltd and the AlphaTM cane holder sold by Max Mobility LLC. The FrogTMcane holder is shaped like a frog and has a clip with a spring that can shut around the stem of the walking stick. The body of the frog clip balances on a level surface, such as a tabletop. The AlphaTM cane holder has a clip portion for attaching to the stem of the walking stick and a ledge which can extend out from a position parallel to the stem of the walking stick to a position perpendicular to a flat surface, such as a tabletop. The ledge balances the walking stick in an upright position on the table.

[0007] A problem with both the FrogTM and AlphaTM cane holders is that a horizontal stable surface may not always be available to the disabled person, for example, such as when on public transport or in hospital. Another problem with these holders is that they only hold the walking stick onto a surface by balance and they can be easily knocked off.

[0008] A means of securely holding a walking aid in an upright position on wall or any other surface is required. The object of the present invention is to overcome or at least substantially ameliorate the aforementioned problems with walking aids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided an attachment device for a walking aid, the attachment comprising:

(a) a body; (b) a fastener for attaching the body to the walking aid; (c) a magnet capable of attracting the walking aid to metal; and (d) a ledge adapted connect the body to a surface in order to retain the walking aid on that surface.

[0010] Preferably the ledge has a rubber stopper to grip the surface. The rubber stopper may be corrugated.

[0011] The ledge may extend from a position parallel with the body to a position perpendicular to the body and aligned with the surface. The attachment preferably includes a spring loaded latch to allow the ledge to move to a position perpendicular to the surface.

[0012] The fastener may include a sticking surface to stop the attachment from dropping from the walking aid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the attachment device of the present invention on a walking stick wherein the attachment device is attached to a table top.

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front of the attachment device of figure 1 in an open position.

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the front of the attachment device of figure 1 in a closed position.

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the attachment device offigure 1.

[0018] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the attachment device offigure 1.

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the attachment device on crutch wherein the attachment device is attached to a table top.

[0020] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the attachment device offigure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of an attachment device 10 according to the present invention for a walking stick 12. The attachment device 10 has a body 14 which is connected using a fastener 16 to the walking stick 12. The fastener 16 is a strap made of Velcro T M, but it could be a strap with a quick-release buckle, zip-tie or any other form of fastener. The body has a ledge 18 with a latch 20 and a catch 22.

[0022] When the catch 22 is pressed it releases the ledge 18 so that it can extend from a parallel position to a perpendicular position relative to a table top 24. The ledge 18 is connected to the body 14 using a spring 36 which pivots around an axle 38 in the top of the body 14. The spring 36 pushes the ledge 18 upward when it is released from the catch 22.

[0023] The attachment device 10 has a magnet 26 within it, which allows the device 10 to be connected to any ferromagnetic metal surface. Such surfaces may be available on public transport, or on the metal guard rails of hospital beds, shopping trolleys, balcony railings, or on the side of a car.

[0024] The underside of the ledge 18 has a corrugated rubber stopper 28 to assist in gripping a surface. The top side of the ledge 18 also has a rubber grip section 30, which adds a frictional force for when the attachment 10 is connected to a ferromagnetic surface. The backside of the ledge attachment device 10 also has a sticking surface 32. The internal rubber section 32 is connected to a back plate 34 which encloses the magnet 26 within the body 14.

[0025] A second embodiment of the invention is shown as attachment 40 in figures 6 and 7. The attachment 40 has a body 42 which comprises a carriage 44 and a cover 46 which is made of corrugated rubber. The carriage 44 holds magnets 48. The carriage 42 has a sticking surface 50 to affix it to a handle 52 of a crutch 54. The cover 46 also has a rubber stopper 56 to assist in keeping the attachment 40 on a surface 58.

[0026] The rubber stopper 56 is angled so that the Canadian style crutch 54 can hang off the surface 58 and the base of the Canadian style crutch 54 does not touch the ground. This design of angled rubber stopper 56 stops the handle 52 of the crutch 54 from coming into contact with the surface of the table 58, thereby minimising the risk of germs being carried from the surface of the table 58 to the handle 52.

[0027] The present invention holds the walking aid in an upright position on wall or other surface more securely than prior art walking aids or walking aid attachments because of the presence of the rubber section. The present invention also has the useful magnetic feature so that the walking aid can be easily attached to ferromagnetic metal surfaces. An advantageous aspect of the present invention is that it can be easily retrofitted to pre-existing walking aids and does not require a user to buy an entirely new walking aid.

Concluding Remarks

[0028] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0029] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0030] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that theinventionisnotlimitedto specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An attachment device for a walking aid, the attachment comprising:

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the ledge has a stopper to grip the surface.

3. The attachment of claim 2, wherein stopper is made of rubber.

4. The attachment of claim 2, wherein the stopper is corrugated.

5. The attachment of claim 2, wherein the stopper has angled edge to hang the attachment device on the surface.

6. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the ledge is activated by releasing a spring-loaded catch so that the ledge moves from a position parallel to the body to a position perpendicular to the body.

7. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the fastener includes a sticking surface to attach the fastener to the walking aid.