FR2778098A1 - Arm-engaging walking support-stick for the injured or the infirm - Google Patents

Abstract

The support stick comprises body (1) with hand-grip (4) secured by side stiffeners (5) with bolts (6) and arm support (8). The grip (4') may also be formed as part of the main body (1) and may be covered in a sleeve (7). A separate tip (11) may be fixed in the base of the stick body (1).

Description

-1- This invention relates to a rod with anti-spinal support commonly

  called English cane for walking aid for people who are physically impaired by mild discomfort

of a lower limb.

  Field of application: This rod is designed for temporary use or

  recovery during a short recovery period.

  It can be used during different events when a person has to move in need of temporary support such as fall, strain, sprain, cramp, dislocation, bandage, etc. The objective of the rod is to have a simplified manufacturing and a

  appreciable material cost for troubleshooting use.

  Does not replace the rods which exist in the trade.

  Materials: The invention does not relate to a single type of material or of composite structures commercially available. But they must behave with a rigidity that can withstand tests as a result. The invention relates to the following material:

  - Plywood (multi-ply) or solid wood panel.

  However, other fiber-based materials can be used:

  - Cardboard panel or tube rolled up with hardening glue.

  - Sandwich panel reinforced with honeycombs with glue

hardening filler.

  All fibrous materials are coated with water repellent.

  Other conventional materials can be used:

- Reinforced aluminum tube.

- Steel tube.

- Plastic tube.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

  Figure 1 (three views) illustrates the optional possibilities.

  Figure 2 shows the rod in one piece.

  Figure 5 shows the rod with a body in two parts.

  Figure 7 and 8 shows the attachment of the handle reported to

fixed station.

-2-

Description:

  This rod using the least possible mechanical part allows

  easy manufacturing since a simple cutting of the panel is sufficient.

  Said rod comprises: A) A support: The support body (1) whose extension going from the forearm

  to the ground is in one piece (fig. 2).

  B) A handle: The principle of a handle (4 ') integrated into the support body allows ease of manufacture. Likewise, the body / handle extension implies greater resistance to buckling during use.

  since there is no discontinuity of the material (fig. 2).

  The handle (4 ') has wavy shapes for better

grip of the hand.

  C) Stiffening plates: To increase this buckling resistance described above at the intersection of the body (1) and the handle (4 '). This

  is reinforced by a stiffening plate (5) on each side.

  The fixing is carried out by screwing, bolting or riveting (6).

  - The stiffening plates (5) can be plated or in

  inlay in the support body (fig. 2).

  D) Sleeve (Protection of the handle): The handle can be covered with a sleeve (7) glued in plastic or elastomer in order to have a comfort of use. This sleeve is

  cleans easily and does not contain any toxic compounds (fig. 1).

  E) Cuff: The body of the rod goes up to the cuff (8). The latter is attached to the upper body to rest the forearm whose opening can easily allow the introduction or

arm release.

  The cuff (8) of wood or another material is bent in half

  circle to adapt to walking and to have a better grip. This is positioned on a base by gluing and securely fixed by bolting (9). By riveting if the latter is kept at

fixed station.

  The height adjustment is made by changing the hole drilled at this -3 -

effect (fig. 2, 5 and 7).

  F) Lower part of the cane: With regard to solid materials, the lower end of the body has a blind hole (10) in its center and perforated up to a certain height (fig. 2, 5 and 7). G) Foot end cap: The end cap is a set of parts (11) (fig. 4) or (11 ') (fig. 3) comprising:

  - An end cap (12) made of elastomer.

  - A cylindrical knurled (13) or grooved (14) metal rod with a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the hole

blind (10).

  - A washer (15) which prevents bending and shearing of the part

internal tip (12).

  The base of the nozzle is rectangular or circular depending on the

body shape of the cane.

  Option of realization: However according to the mode of an economic manufacture, the realization can be carried out in several parts: - a) A support body (1) or (3) made in one piece

(fig. 2 and 7).

  - b) A support body (2) in two parts (fig. 5).

  - c) A separate and attached handle (4) (fig. 8).

  Two-part body version: In this version the support body is designed in two parts (2) to allow storage in a tight space or for transport.

  This possibility applies for adult canes.

  Junction assembly: The junction of the two parts is ensured by a stiffening tube (16)

  depending on the shape of the body (parallelepiped or tube).

  The two branches (2) are held on one side by a

  riveting (17) and on the other a blocking system (18) (fig. 6).

  The latter consists of a hexagon socket screw (19) passing through

  a cylindrical piece (20) and a nut (21).

  These two elements (20) and (21) have (or not) on the face

  internal pins to prevent loosening.

  -4- Similarly, the stiffening tube (16) has (or not) directed pins

  inward to hold the upper body securely (Fig. 6).

  All these parts have rounded shapes in order to avoid a

  any clothing attachment.

  The joint assembly must not have any play that is likely

  hinder loading and separation tests.

  Add-on handle version: The mounting of the handle (4) is first glued and securely fixed between two stiffening plates (5 ') with a configuration to

avoid any play (fig. 8).

  The handle is extended in its lower part to make a lever

  against buckling stress during use.

  The handle / plate fixing is maintained by screwing, bolting or

riveting (6).

  Dimension: - The section of the rod is rectangular or circular depending on the design and use of the material used (panel or tube). The circular shape is not shown in the accompanying illustrations but the basic principle does not change. On the other hand there is

  an adaptation of the mechanical parts to the cylindrical configuration.

  - The cane can have several sizes depending on the individual during

of manufacturing.

  Size and cutting mark: The user measures his size by means of the marks (23) located in the upper part, giving the cutting correlation at the level

  cutting marks (22) in the lower part of the rod (fig. 2, 5 and 7).

  The user can thus make the height by sawing the bottom

  support at the cutting marks (22).

  After the leveling by the manufacturer or by the user, insert the end cap fitted (11) or (11 ') into the housing (10) provided

by sinking and gluing.

-5 -

Claims (5)

  1) Cane forming the walking aid for physically handicapped people comprising a support body, a cuff (8) and a handle (4, 4 ') characterized in that it consists of wooden panel, plywood (multi -fold) or solid, for a simplified design. 2) Rod according to claim 1 characterized in that the support body is made in one piece (1) from the foot to the   cuff (8) comprising the handle (4 ').   3) Rod according to claim 1 characterized in that the support body consists of two parts (2), the junction being   provided by a tube (16) and blocked by a blocking system (18).   4) Rod according to claim 1 characterized in that the handle (4) is separate from the support body (3), and is fixed by collage.   ) Rod according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 4   characterized in that the body / handle intersection is reinforced and   has two stiffening plates (5) or (5 ').   6) Rod according to claim 1 characterized in that the cuff (8) is attached, has a semicircle shape, and is glued to a base, the fixing being effected by bolting or riveting (9).   7) Rod according to claim 2 or claim 3 characterized in that it comprises a foot end assembly (11,   11 ') fitting to the lower part of the rod.