GB2261166A

GB2261166A - Light-emitting walking stick

Info

Publication number: GB2261166A
Application number: GB9123546A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Peter Ogilvie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-06
Filing date: 1991-11-06
Publication date: 1993-05-12
Also published as: GB9123546D0

Abstract

A walking stick which can be illuminated to allow the user to be more readily seen by road traffic in darkness or conditions of poor visibility has a stem (102) made of aluminium extrusion accommodating two plastic "U" pieces into which twelve diodes (116) fit on both sides. The handle (104) is moulded from a hard plastic and accommodates the battery pulse unit and toggle switch (22). When switched on in one position, the diodes on the stem flash every two seconds and when switched on in the reverse manner a buzzer sounds intermittently in addition to the diodes flashing every two seconds. <IMAGE>

Description

Walkinq Stick This invention relates to a walking stick.

A large number of people require the aid of a walking stick for additional support, and on a firm, dry surface the traditional form of stick is adequate for the purpose, being of strong, lightweight construction and generally having a rubber tip for frictional engagement with the ground.

However, when the ground is icy or covered with snow the stick is liable to slip, with potentially dangerous results which can also adversely affect the confidence of the user.

Further, users of walking sticks are often less mobile than the average person so that, for example, they take longer to move from one place to another. This means that they cannot cross roads rapidly, and are therefore vulnerable to motor vehicles, especially at night or in poor visibility.

According to the present invention there is provided a walking stick having a grip-enhancing member mounted movably on the stick between a first position in which it extends beyond the lower end of the stick and a second position in which it is retracted from said first position.

The grip-enhancing member-preferably should be of sufficiently robust construction as not to impair the stick's ability to support the weight of the user when said member is in its first position.

The grip-enhancing member may have a tapering end for engagement with the ground in its first position, thereby to be able to penetrate a surface of snow or ice to reduce the likelihood of the stick slipping on such a surface.

The grip-enhancing member is preferably telescopically mounted on the stick, for example by being slidably mounted within a bore formed in at least the lower end portion of the stick. Actuating means for moving the grip-engaging member between its first and second positions are preferably provided to be actable by the user at the upper end portion of the stick; the actuating means may include a stop member for locking the grip-enhancing member in its first and/or second position.

Further according to the invention there is provided a walking stick with audible and/or visual warning means for attracting attention and selectively actuable by the user.

Such warning means are preferably actuable at the upper end portion of the stick.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a walking stick of this invention; Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the walking stick of Fig. 1; Figs. 3a and 3b are front and side views respectively of a second embodiment of a walking stick of the present invention; Fig. 3c is a cross-section of the shaft of the second embodiment on line A-A of Fig. 3a; and Figs. 4a and 4b are side and front views respectively of the handle of the walking stick of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows the walking stick of a first embodiment of the invention, which has a hollow rigid shaft 2 connected to a handle 4 at its upper end and a rubber foot 6 at its lower end. The handle 4 and foot 6 each have a through bore aligned with a central through bore of the shaft 2, and a metal rod 8 extends within these aligned bores. The rod 8 is slidable axially of the shaft 2 and is formed into a sharpened spike 9 at its lower end.

Its upper end extends beyond the handle 4 to provide an actuating knob 10.

A compression spring 12 acts between an abutment on the shaft 2 and a shoulder on the rod 8 to bias the rod 8 upwardly relative to the shaft, and a stop member 14 provides positive location for the rod in its downwardlyextended position (Fig. 2), the stop member 14 being releasable from the exterior of the shaft 2.

A series of light-emitting diodes 16 (Fig. 1) are provided in the shaft 2 for easy visibility in darkness, these being powered by a battery 18 held on a bracket 20 on the shaft 2.

The bracket also secures a relay 22 and a warning buzzer 24 for actuation by a switch 26 should the user require to attract attention.

In normal use the rod 8 is biassed upwardly within the shaft 2 by virtue of the spring 12, and the spike 10 is retracted within the shaft 2. The walking stick therefore engages the ground in normal fashion through the rubber foot 6, giving frictional resistance in dry conditions. If the ground is treacherous, for example covered with snow or-ice, the knob 10 is depressed, pushing the rod 8 downwardly against the action of the spring 12 until the stop member 14 engages to lock the rod 8; the spike 10 then extends downwardly beyond the foot 6 to give enhanced grip by penetration of the snow or ice.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Corresponding parts in these Figures are numbered as the reference number of the first embodiment plus 100, i.e. 1 becomes 101. The walking stick 1 has been modified to exclude the rod 8 and its spike 9, and a rubber foot 106 is provided as in conventional sticks. The handle 104 is shaped so as to be gripped through a space 28 in its body 30. The shaft 102 has a series of light emitting diodes 116 which are powered by a battery enclosed with the body 30 of the handle 104. The diodes 116 are activated by a switch 32 which may be operated without removing one's hand from the handle 104.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A walking stick having twelve diodes at both sides of the stem which can be switched on to flash every two seconds with or without an intermittent buzzer by means of a battery operated pulse unit and switch housed within the moulded plastic handle specifically designed to accommodate these components.

2. A walking stick as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a double pole switch is positioned on the handle to be located between the forefinger and middle finger of the user.

3. A walking stick as claimed in Claim 1 and 2 wherein the switch when switched to the forward position enables the diodes on the sides of the stem to flash every two seconds.

4. A walking stick as claimed in Claim 1, 2 and 3 wherein the switch when switched to the reverse position enables the buzzer to sound intermittently at the same time as the diodes on the sides of the stem flash every two seconds.

5. A walking stick as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3 and 4 wherein the electronic components including the switch to operate the diodes and the buzzer are housed within the handle, together with the battery.

6. A walking stick as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wherein the handle made of ABS plastic is moulded in two halves and fitted together with male and female plugs with a removable door on one side for replacing the battery.

7. A walking stick substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 3-4 of the accompanying drawings.