EP3785688A1 - Stock zum führen eines sehbehinderten benutzers - Google Patents

Stock zum führen eines sehbehinderten benutzers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3785688A1
EP3785688A1 EP19194603.7A EP19194603A EP3785688A1 EP 3785688 A1 EP3785688 A1 EP 3785688A1 EP 19194603 A EP19194603 A EP 19194603A EP 3785688 A1 EP3785688 A1 EP 3785688A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheel
cane
tubular body
elongated tubular
central axis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19194603.7A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Joseph De Roij Van Zuijdewijn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP19194603.7A priority Critical patent/EP3785688A1/de
Publication of EP3785688A1 publication Critical patent/EP3785688A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
    • A61H3/06—Walking aids for blind persons
    • A61H3/068—Sticks for blind persons

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cane configured to assist a visually impaired user when traveling on foot.
  • a cane or white stick is a commonly known aid used by visually impaired persons for determining the walkability of a walkway and finding their way when traveling on foot.
  • the cane typically comprises an elongated tubular body having two opposing ends parts.
  • a visually impaired user holds one of these end parts in at least one of his hands while the opposing, free end part is used as a contacting tool.
  • the visually impaired user can detect obstacles, such as street furniture, pits or holes in the surface of the walkway, walls or trees in or along the walkway, which preferably are to be avoided.
  • the typical tapping sound of the free end part of the cane can also alert persons in the vicinity of the visually impaired user.
  • a visually impaired user When walking, a visually impaired user will point the free end part of the cane towards the surface of the walkway and will scan the surface of the walkway typically by swinging the cane from side to side to detect possible obstacles. Swinging of the cane involves at least one of twisting and moving at least one of the user's wrist, hand, arm and shoulder. Therefore, prolonged swinging of the cane is stressful and tiring. Moreover, it can cause injuries at least to the user's wrist and/or muscles of the user's hand and/or arm.
  • a cane configured to assist a visually impaired user when traveling on foot, the cane comprising:
  • a cane that does not require twisting of at least one of the user's wrist, hand and arm for swinging the cane.
  • the biasing arrangement allows the wheel to change from the first, neutral position to the second, slanted or skewed position. In this way, the cane can be swung sideways.
  • the biasing arrangement When a first force is applied to the grip area in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body that is smaller than the predefined threshold or in the event that no force is applied to the grip area in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body, the biasing arrangement will force the wheel back to its first, neutral position. In this way, the cane will stop moving sideways.
  • the biasing arrangement allows the wheel to change from the first, neutral position to the second, slanted or skewed position. In this way, the cane can be swung sideways in a direction opposite to the direction in response to the application of the second force.
  • the use of the cane according to the invention is less stressful and tiring for the user than the use of known canes. Therefore, the cane according to the invention reduces at least the risk of injuries to at least one of the user's wrist and the muscles of at least one of the user's hand, arm and shoulder. In addition, it has been found that over-development of the muscles of at least one of the user's hand and arm can be prevented by using the cane according to the present invention.
  • the wheel of the cane according to the invention may comprise a material that is selected from a group of materials including plastics, composite materials, ceramics or metals.
  • the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the tread of the wheel of the cane according to the invention must have a rounded shape like that of a wheel of a motor bike.
  • the tactile unit may include a driving shaft that connects the biasing mechanism with the wheel.
  • the driving shaft may include a suspension unit that is connected with the wheel and configured to improve suspension of the wheel.
  • the grip area and the first end part of the elongated tubular body are connected with respect to each other such that they are rotatable with respect to each other around the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body.
  • the elongated tubular body can be rotated with respect to the grip area when the second force that is applied by the user to the grip area in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body is at or above the predefined threshold.
  • the biasing arrangement allows the wheel to change from the first, neutral position to the second, slanted or skewed position without requiring twisting of at least one of the user's wrist, hand, arm and shoulder.
  • the grip area comprises a first unit of the biasing arrangement and the first end part of the elongated tubular body comprises a second unit of the biasing arrangement, the first unit of the biasing arrangement comprising a first magnet and the second unit of the biasing arrangement comprising a second magnet, wherein when the wheel is in the first position the respective opposing poles of the first magnet and the second magnet face each other.
  • a second force is applied by the user to the grip area in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body, wherein the second force is at or above the predefined threshold, the opposing poles, i.e.
  • the first magnet and the second magnet want to restore the situation in which their opposing poles are aligned.
  • the wheel is in the first, neutral position.
  • the opposing poles of the first and second magnets are misaligned, the wheel is in the second, slanted or skewed position.
  • any suitable kind of magnets can be used, including for example ring magnets or bar magnets.
  • any suitable combination of suitable kinds of magnets can be used, for example a combination of at least one ring magnet and at least one bar magnet.
  • the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged to be movable with respect to each other.
  • an air gap between the first and the second magnets can be changed, i.e. increased or decreased, in order to adjust the magnetic force that determines the predefined threshold that must be overcome by the second force that is applied by the user to the grip area in the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body in order to change the position of the wheel from the first, neutral position to the second, skewed or slanted position.
  • the biasing arrangement comprises a spring mechanism that is configured to allow the wheel to be movable from the first position to the second position in response to the second force and to be movable from the second position to the first position in response to application of the first force.
  • a spring mechanism can be used instead of magnets to implement the biasing arrangement of the cane according to the invention.
  • the spring mechanism may include a linear bearing that is adapted to convert a rotational movement of the elongated tubular body into a linear movement of the spring mechanism. When the wheel is in the first position, the spring mechanism may be released.
  • the spring mechanism may be compressed when the user applies a second force that is at or above the predefined threshold to the grip area in the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body in order to change the position of the wheel from the first, neutral position to the second, skewed or slanted position.
  • a first force that is smaller than the predefined threshold is applied to the grip area in the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body, the spring mechanism allows the wheel to return to the first, neutral position.
  • the spring mechanism comprises a spring that is in a compressed state when the wheel is in the second position.
  • the spring can be any suitable type of spring, for example a torsion spring.
  • the spring is in a released state when the wheel is in the first position.
  • the spring mechanism is associated with the first magnet and the second magnet. In this way, a hybrid biasing mechanism may be obtained that has improved tuning possibilities for adjusting the abovementioned threshold to the individual requirements of the user.
  • the grip area is provided with a slot that is arranged to cooperate with the first end part of the elongated tubular body.
  • the biasing arrangement enables rotation of the elongated tubular body when the user applies the second force that is at or above the threshold to the grip area in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body.
  • the wheel is allowed to change from the first, neutral position to the second, slanted or skewed position.
  • the spring mechanism further comprises an axel that is adapted to move in the slot in response to the application of the first force or application of the second force.
  • the elongated tubular body is configured to move the wheel from the first position to the second position in a same direction as the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body in which the second force is applied.
  • the wheel can be slanted or skewed to the left when the user applies the second force to the left.
  • the wheel can be slanted or skewed to the right when the user applies the second force to the right.
  • the elongated tubular body is configured to move the wheel from the first position to the second position in a direction that is opposite to the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body in which the second force is applied.
  • the wheel can be slanted or skewed to the left when the user applies the second force to the right.
  • the wheel can be slanted or skewed to the right when the user applies the second force to the left.
  • the grip area further comprises a handle that is associated with the elongated tubular body via a fixation mechanism.
  • the handle can be oriented in any desirable way with respect to the elongated tubular body.
  • the fixation mechanism can be any suitable releasable mechanism including any one of cooperating bolts, nuts, axles or levers.
  • the fixation mechanism is adapted to allow a releasable fixation of the handle at least when the handle is in an operational position with respect to the elongated tubular body, the handle being in the operational position when a first angle is present between a longitudinal central axis of the handle and the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body, the first angle being in a first range between 30° and 60°, preferably being equal to 45°, and a second angle is present between the longitudinal central axis of the handle and a central plane of the wheel as seen along the longitudinal central axis, the central plane of the wheel being oriented parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body and perpendicular to an axial central axis of the wheel, the second angle being in a second range between 10° and 45°, preferably being equal to 30°.
  • the operational position of the handle enables the user when using the cane to hold the handle in his or her hand while being allowed to keep that hand in its neutral or so-called Neanderthal position.
  • the neutral or Neanderthal position of a hand is favorable as in this position of the hand stressing of the wrist and the muscles of at least one of the hand, arm and shoulder can be reduced further. In this way, at least the risk of injuries to at least one of the wrist and the muscles of at least one of the hand, arm and shoulder can be reduced further. In addition, it has been found that over-development of the muscles of at least one of the user's hand and arm can be reduced further.
  • fixation mechanism can also establish a releasable fixation of the handle when at least one of the first angle and the second angle are not within at least one of the first range and the second range.
  • fixation mechanism can also establish a releasable fixation of the handle when at least one of the first angle and the second angle are not within at least one of the first range and the second range.
  • the operational position of the handle can be set for left-handed users and for right-handed users in a similar way.
  • the biasing arrangement further comprises, at least one bearing element that is configured to convert the second force that is applied by said user to the grip area in the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body into a rotational force that enables the wheel to be rotatable around the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body to assume the second position.
  • the tactile unit may further comprise a position setting arrangement that is configured to set an orientation of the wheel with respect to the elongated tubular body when the wheel is in the first position.
  • the first, neutral position of the wheel can be set in accordance with the user's personal preference.
  • the user can set the wheel to be in a skewed position with respect to the elongated tubular body when being in the first, neutral position.
  • the user can also choose to align the wheel with the elongated tubular body when being in the first, neutral position.
  • the position setting arrangement may comprise a bearing element that is associated with the wheel and is configured to enable the wheel to be rotatable around the longitudinal central axis of the elongated tubular body.
  • Figure 1A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a cane 100 according to the invention comprising an elongated tubular body 120 having a first end part 121, a second end part 122 and a longitudinal central axis C.
  • the first end part 121 is provided with a grip area 110.
  • the grip area 110 includes a handle 111 that can be held by a user within at least one of his hands when using the cane 100.
  • the second end part 122 is provided with a tactile unit 140 that comprises a wheel 141.
  • the wheel 141 is positioned on a surface 160 of a walkway and is configured to provide the user with information that is indicative for a walkability of the walkway.
  • the cane 100 further comprises a biasing arrangement 130 that is configured to enable the wheel 141 to assume a first, neutral position as is shown in figure 1A . It is clear that in the first, neutral position, the wheel 141 is aligned with the elongated tubular body 120, i.e. a radial central axis of the wheel 141 is arranged in a same plane as the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120. The wheel 141 is in the first, neutral position when a first force, which is applied by the user to the grip area 110 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120, is smaller than a predefined threshold.
  • the biasing arrangement 130 is configured to enable the wheel 141 to assume a second, slanted or skewed position, which is different from the first position, when a second force that is applied by the user to the grip area 110 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120 is at or above the predefined threshold.
  • the second, slanted or skewed position of the wheel 141 is shown in figure 1B .
  • the grip area 110 and the first end part 121 of the elongated tubular body 120 of the cane 100 shown in figure 1A are rotatable with respect to each other around the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120.
  • the cane 100 as shown in figure 1A does not require twisting of at least one of the user's wrist, hand and arm for swinging the cane 100.
  • the biasing arrangement 130 allows the wheel 141 to change from the first, neutral position as shown in figure 1A to the second, slanted or skewed position as shown in figure 1B . In this way, the cane 100 can be swung sideways.
  • the biasing arrangement 130 When a first force is applied to the grip area 110 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120, wherein the first force is smaller than the predefined threshold or in the event that no force in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120 is applied to the grip area 110, the biasing arrangement 130 will force the wheel 141 back to its first, neutral position. In this way, the cane 100 will stop moving sideways.
  • the biasing arrangement 130 allows the wheel 141 to change from the first, neutral position to the second, slanted or skewed position, when said another force is at or above the predefined threshold. In this way, the cane 100 can be swung sideways in a direction opposite to the direction in response to the application of the second force.
  • the elongated tubular body 120 is configured to move the wheel 141 from the first, neutral position to the second, slanted or skewed position in a same direction as the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120 in which the second force is applied.
  • the wheel 141 can be slanted or skewed to the left when the user applies the second force to the left.
  • the wheel 141 can be slanted or skewed to the right when the user applies the second force to the right.
  • the elongated tubular body 120 is configured to move the wheel 141 from the first position to the second position in a direction that is opposite to the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120 in which the second force is applied.
  • the wheel 141 can be slanted or skewed to the left when the user applies the second force to the right.
  • the wheel 141 can be slanted or skewed to the right when the user applies the second force to the left.
  • the use of the cane 100 according to the invention is less stressful and tiring for the user than the use of known canes. Therefore, the cane 100 according to the invention reduces at least the risk of injuries to at least one of the user's wrist and the muscles of at least one of the user's hand, arm and shoulder. In addition, it has been found that over-development of the muscles of at least one of the user's hand, arm and shoulder can be prevented by using the cane according to the present invention.
  • the wheel 141 of the cane 100 according to the invention may comprise a material that is selected from a group of materials including plastics, composite materials, ceramics or metals.
  • the tread of the wheel 141 of the cane 100 must have a rounded shape like that of a wheel of a motor bike.
  • Figure 1B shows that when the wheel 141 is in the first, neutral position, a first distance d1 between a first point 150 on a tread of the wheel 141 with which the wheel 141 is in contact with the surface 160 of the walkway and a shaft through the center 143 of the wheel 141 is largest.
  • the tactile unit 140 includes a support structure 142 that is provided with a shaft that is arranged to pass through the center 143 of the wheel 141 to support the wheel 141.
  • the tactile unit 140 furthermore comprises a position setting arrangement 144 that is configured to set an orientation of the wheel 141 with respect to the elongated tubular body 120 when the wheel 141 is in the first, neutral position.
  • the first, neutral position of the wheel 141 can be set in accordance with the user's personal preference.
  • the user can set the wheel 141 to be in a skewed position with respect to the elongated tubular body 120 when being in the first, neutral position.
  • the user can also choose to align the wheel 141 with the elongated tubular body 120 when being in the first, neutral position. The latter situation is shown in figure 1A .
  • the biasing arrangement 130 includes a first unit 135 that is provided with a first magnet 131 and a second unit 136 that is provided with a second magnet 132.
  • the first unit 135 and the first magnet 131 are arranged in the grip area 110, whereas the second unit 136 and the second magnet 132 are arranged in the first end part 121 of the elongated tubular body 120 of the cane 100.
  • the person skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable number of magnets can be applied.
  • the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 try to restore or maintain the arrangement in which their respective opposing poles, i.e. the north pole of the first magnet 131 or the north pole of the second magnet 132 and the south pole of the first magnet 131 or the south pole of the second magnet 132, face each other, i.e. are aligned with respect to each other.
  • the cane 100 can be moved in a forward direction only.
  • the respective opposing poles of the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 i.e. the north pole of the first magnet 131 or the north pole of the second magnet 132 and the south pole of the first magnet 131 or the south pole of the second magnet 132 are brought into misalignment with respect to each other as a result of the fact that they are moved away from each other.
  • the respective opposing poles of the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 stay misaligned with respect to each other.
  • the cane 100 can be swung, i.e. moved sideways either when standing still or when walking because the wheel 141 is slanted or skewed as is shown at the right hand side of figure 1B .
  • the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 are ring magnets.
  • the person skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable kind of magnets and any suitable combination of suitable kinds of magnets can be used, for example a combination of at least one ring magnet and at least one bar magnet as will be discussed in relation to figure 2 .
  • the respective axial center lines of the first magnet 131 and of the second magnet 132 shown in figures 1A and 1C are parallel to the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120.
  • the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 have a flat circular shape wherein the thickness of the magnets as seen along the longitudinal y-axis shown in figure 1A does not exceed the diameter of the magnets as seen along the lateral x-as shown in figure 1A .
  • the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 may be provided with a hole that is arranged in their respective centers.
  • the hole of the first magnet 131 and of the second magnet 132 may be adapted to receive a rotating shaft.
  • the rotating shaft enables rotational movement of the grip area 110 and the elongated tubular body 120 with respect to each other.
  • the grip area 110 and the first end part 121 are connected to each other with bearing elements 133, 134 that are arranged in the second unit 136 of the biasing arrangement 130.
  • the bearing elements 133, 134 may be selected from a group that includes ball bearings, hydrostatic bearings, ring bearings, linear bearings, or rolling element bearings.
  • the bearing elements 133, 134 can be configured and arranged to carry the force that is applied by the user by placing rolling elements such as balls or rollers between two bearing rings called races. The relative motion of the races may cause the rolling elements of the bearing elements 133, 134 to roll with very little rolling resistance and with little sliding.
  • first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 are separated by a first air gap 170.
  • the first unit 135 and the second unit 136 of the biasing arrangement 130 are separated by a second air gap 171 to allow the first unit 135 and the second unit 136 to freely rotate with respect to each other.
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the biasing arrangement 130 of a cane 100 according to the invention.
  • the first magnet 131 is a bar magnet and the second magnet 132 is a ring magnet.
  • the first magnet 131 is threaded to allow the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 to be movable with respect to each other. In this way, the first air gap 170 between the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 can be changed, i.e.
  • FIG. 3A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the biasing arrangement 130 of a cane 100 according to the invention.
  • the biasing arrangement 130 includes a spring mechanism 138 that comprises a spring 138a and an axel 133a that moves in a slot 139 that is provided in the first end part 121 of the elongated tubular body 120.
  • the spring 138a has a first end that is associated with the axel 133a and a second end that is attached to the first end part 121 of the elongated tubular body 120. In this way, the spring mechanism 138 can be used instead of using magnets to implement the biasing arrangement 130 of the cane 100 according to the invention.
  • the biasing arrangement 130 shown in figure 3A comprises a guiding axle 137 that is surrounded by the spring 138a.
  • the guiding axle 137 passes through the axel 133a via a guideway provided therein.
  • the grip area 110 and the first end part 121 of the elongated tubular body 120 can be rotatably connected with respect to each other around the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120.
  • the rotational connection between the grip area 110 and the elongated tubular body 120 may be ensured with the rotating shaft 180 that passes through the spring 138a.
  • the second force that is to be applied to the grip area 110 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis C of the elongated tubular body 120 is at or above the predefined threshold.
  • the axel 133a slides in the slot 139 and thereby compresses the spring 138a.
  • the spring 138a is loaded with energy upon changing the position of the wheel 141 from the first, neutral position to the second, slanted or skewed position.
  • the spring 138a slides back through the slot 139 thereby releasing the energy loaded in the spring 138a.
  • the biasing arrangement 130 allows moving the wheel back from the second, slanted or skewed position to the first, neutral position.
  • the slot 139 may have any suitable shape that allows the axel 133a to move in response to the force that is applied to the grip area 110 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular body.
  • the shape of the slot 139 is not limited to the shape shown in figures 3A and 3B .
  • the slot 139 may for example have a triangular shape, a bow shape, a concave shape, a convex shape, a falcate shape, a semicircular shape, or a curved shape.
  • the axel 133a may slide in one of the half parts of the slot 139 on either side of the longitudinal central axis C.
  • the spring mechanism may be coupled to magnets, for example the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 as shown in figures 1A-1C , which are arranged with respect to each other such that their respective opposing poles face each other, i.e. are aligned with respect to each other.
  • magnets for example the first magnet 131 and the second magnet 132 as shown in figures 1A-1C , which are arranged with respect to each other such that their respective opposing poles face each other, i.e. are aligned with respect to each other.
  • Figure 3B shows a schematic detailed view of a fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the biasing arrangement 130 of a cane 100 according to the invention.
  • the part of the cane that is shown in figure 3B comprises the grip area that includes the fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the biasing arrangement 130 and the guiding axle 137 that is associated with the handle 111 that is only partly shown in figure 4 .
  • a threaded portion 190 is provided that is arranged to be associated with the handle 111.
  • the threaded portion 190 can be displaced in any desired way to allow adjusting the degree to which the spring 138a is biased. Consequently, it is possible to adjust the spring force that determines the predefined threshold that must be overcome by the second force that is applied by the user to the grip area 110 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120 in order to change the position of the wheel 141 from the first, neutral position to the second, skewed or slanted position.
  • the spring force cannot be adjusted by manipulating the handle 111.
  • the spring mechanism may be coupled to magnets that are arranged with respect to each other such that their respective opposing poles face each other, i.e. are aligned with respect to each other.
  • any suitable number of magnets can be applied. In this way, a hybrid biasing mechanism may be obtained that has improved tuning possibilities for adjusting the abovementioned threshold to the individual requirements of the user.
  • Figure 4A shows a schematic view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a cane 100 according to the invention comprising an elongated tubular body 120 having a first end part 121, a second end part 122 and a longitudinal central axis C.
  • the first end part 121 is provided with a grip area 110 that includes a handle 111 that is rotatably associated with the first end part 121 of the elongated tubular body 120 via a fixation mechanism 112.
  • the fixation mechanism 112 can be any suitable element that enables releasably fixing the handle 111 in any desired position with respect to the elongated tubular body 120.
  • the fixation element 112 can for example comprise a threaded portion, a bolt, a nut, a washer, a screw, a rod, a lever, an insert, a ball joint, an axle or any suitable combination of the aforementioned exemplary components.
  • the fixation mechanism 112 comprises an axle 112a that is adapted to allow rotation of the handle 111 around the axle 112a to arrange the handle 111 in an operational position that allows the user to hold the handle 111 in his or her hand while being allowed to keep that hand in its neutral or so-called Neanderthal position when using the cane according to the invention.
  • the neutral or Neanderthal position of the hand is favorable as in this position of the hand stressing of the wrist and the muscles of at least one of the hand, arm and shoulder can be reduced further. In this way, at least the risk of injuries to at least one of the wrist and the muscles of at least one of the hand, arm and shoulder can be reduced further. In addition, it has been found that over-development of the muscles of at least one of the user's hand and arm can be reduced further.
  • the first angle ⁇ between the longitudinal central axis 201 of the handle 111 and the longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body 120 is equal to 30°.
  • any suitable value in the first range between 30° and 60° can be chosen.
  • Figure 4B shows a schematic top view of the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the cane 100 shown in figure 4A .
  • a central plane 200 of the wheel 141 is oriented parallel to the longitudinal central axis C and perpendicular to an axial central axis 202 of the wheel 141.
  • a second angle ⁇ is present between the longitudinal central axis 201 of the handle 111 and the aforementioned central plane 200 of the wheel 141.
  • the second angle ⁇ in figure 4B is equal to 45°.
  • any suitable value in the second range between 10° and 45° can be chosen.
  • fixation mechanism 112 can also establish a releasable fixation of the handle 111 when at least one of the first angle ⁇ and the second angle ⁇ are not within at least one of the first range and the second range. However, in such event the abovementioned advantages related to the operational position of the handle are less.
  • the operational position of the handle can be set for left-handed users and for right-handed users in a similar way.
  • the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the cane 100 comprises a tactile unit 140 that is associated with the second end part 122 of the tubular body 120.
  • the tactile unit 140 comprises a wheel 141.
  • the wheel 141 is positioned on a surface 160 of a walkway and is configured to provide the user with information that is indicative for a walkability of the walkway.
  • the cane 100 also comprises a biasing arrangement like the cane 100 shown for example in figure 1A .
  • the wheel 141 of the cane 100 shown in figure 4A can be positioned in the first, neutral position and in the second, slanted or skewed position in a same way as described above.
  • the present invention can be summarized as relating to a cane 100 configured to assist a visually impaired user when traveling on foot, the cane comprising an elongated tubular body 120 having a first end part 121 and a second end part 122, a grip area 110 associated with the first end part and a tactile unit 140 associated with the second end part.
  • the tactile unit comprises a wheel 141 and a biasing arrangement 130 configured to enable the wheel to stay in a first position, when a first force applied by the user to the grip area in a direction transverse to a longitudinal central axis C of the elongated tubular body is smaller than a predefined threshold, and to enable the wheel to assume a second position that is different from the first position when a second force that is applied to the grip area in the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis is at or above the predefined threshold.
EP19194603.7A 2019-08-30 2019-08-30 Stock zum führen eines sehbehinderten benutzers Withdrawn EP3785688A1 (de)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19194603.7A EP3785688A1 (de) 2019-08-30 2019-08-30 Stock zum führen eines sehbehinderten benutzers

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EP3785688A1 true EP3785688A1 (de) 2021-03-03

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3106760U (ja) * 2004-07-23 2005-01-20 昭文 加藤 視覚障害者用杖
DE102004004061A1 (de) * 2004-01-27 2005-08-18 Heiland, Christoph, Dipl.-Ing. Stock zur Benutzung bei mit Hilfe von Stöcken betriebenen Sportarten
DE102006024340A1 (de) * 2006-05-24 2007-11-29 Sebastian Ritzler Vorrichtung zum Führen von Blinden
CA2625938A1 (en) * 2008-03-17 2009-09-17 Giuseppe Pede Walking aid for a visually disabled person

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004004061A1 (de) * 2004-01-27 2005-08-18 Heiland, Christoph, Dipl.-Ing. Stock zur Benutzung bei mit Hilfe von Stöcken betriebenen Sportarten
JP3106760U (ja) * 2004-07-23 2005-01-20 昭文 加藤 視覚障害者用杖
DE102006024340A1 (de) * 2006-05-24 2007-11-29 Sebastian Ritzler Vorrichtung zum Führen von Blinden
CA2625938A1 (en) * 2008-03-17 2009-09-17 Giuseppe Pede Walking aid for a visually disabled person

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