GB2469885A

GB2469885A - Walking aid with wheels and braking means

Info

Publication number: GB2469885A
Application number: GB0909075A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Campbell M Kay Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-01
Filing date: 2009-05-26
Publication date: 2010-11-03
Also published as: GB0909075D0; GB0907554D0

Abstract

This invention comprises a wheel W, twin wheels, ball, soft ball, swiveling ball, swiveling soft ball, swiveling wheel or swiveling wheels sited on a stick S to help the visually handicapped avoid potholes, cracks or ridges with a converting braking device which engages when the stick assumes a near vertical position changing the device to a walking stick. The braking means may also be manually engaged, or a spring loaded pressure brake. A wheel with hard tyres provide better vibe impressions; a soft ball, better overall stability. The stick may also have warning light systems FL and optional sound emitters.

Description

Blind roller and lock aid

DESCRIPTION

Partial or complete loss of sight immediately places one at a disadvantage but the facility of visualisation quickly develops allowing the visually handicapped to respond to a sense of vibes emanating from ones surroundings; a blind roller aid increases the ability to accelerate this development providing information of the nature of the surrounding terrain such as cracks and pot holes or unevenness of surfaces but, in the simplest form a wheel or wheels on a stick can run away from the user if unsteadiness and loss of balance occurs.

A soft balloon ball gives slightly more stability whereas swivel wheel, wheels, ball or soft ball provide the user with the ability to sweep the area to be walked upon; although a soft ball provides some stability a single wheel with a hard * S S...

rubber lyre provides the best vibrations to provide a concept of the encountered terrain. * *. S* 0 * S

S S 55

However a brake which engages when the device is brought to a vertical position gives ideal stability, converting the roller to a fixed stick, when mounting a kerb or similar obstacles; a curved brake lined covering attached to the stick at a fixed angle on the stick engages the wheel in the near vertical position, remaining engaged when the stick is behind the user provides the facility of forward angle free wheel sensing immediately converting to a fixed stick when the device is straightened; thus when an object, such as a kerb, is approached and the stick is straightened the apparatus quickly converts to a fixed entity, reducing the danger of tripping. S... * * S S. * S... * . S... * *. * . . *** .

I S..

I * I. * I * *.. S. * * I * S *S

A dependent embodiment of the invention has a manually operated brake to convert the roller stick into a walking stick this may be a release brake so that the stick is normally in a fixed phase, requiring brake release to place the wheel, twin wheels, ball, soft ball, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels sited on a stick in free movement phase.

A further dependent embodiment is an additional dependent embodiment a spring loaded telescopic brake which engages when down thrust pressure is applied.

Another dependent embodiment, an alternative option, is a manual engaging brake so that the wheel, twin wheels, ball, soft ball, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels sited on a stick requires brake *:::: application to convert the roller to a fixed stick. * . * ** * * * *** * * * * S. * . S

S

SS

S

DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the simplest form of roller walking stick fitted with a hard tire wheel, twin wheels or swivelling wheels. To provide added safety a warning light, either steady or flashing, is fitted to the device enabling the visually handicapped to go walk about with far greater safety and help each to develop an understanding and familiarity with the surroundings. The single wheel can be replaced by a double wheel, swivel wheel or double swivel wheels.

W is a wheel, S, the stick, FL, either single or double flashing lights.

Figure 1A shows a swivelling ball or soft swivelling ball, SW, arrangement so that the device can sweep from side to side S..

giving a wider impression of the terrain underfoot. S... * J. * ., ** S S.. S

S * *4 S S j S. S * S S * .-

Figure 2 illustrates an angle engaging brake so that the wheel, twin wheels, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels sited on a stick brakes when it assumes a near vertical position. This has a curved braking device which is fixed to the stick allowing the wheel, twin wheels, ball, soft ball, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels to run free when the angle of the stick to the wheel is 60 degrees or less from the vertical but engages when the vertical is approached (V).

Position A shows the wheel, twin wheels, ball, soft ball, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels sited on a stick in the free run phase; position B shows the wheel, twin wheels, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels * * S ** S sited on a stick in the fixed phase. * ** * * S SS* * * *SS * * *S

* * 5 5 5*S* S. * * S S *5 Figure 3 is a picture of a pressure brake which allows the wheel, twin wheels, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels sited on a stick to run free; in one embodiment of the invention an inner, spring loaded tube (I) surrounded by an outer tube (0) is attached to brake (B); the spring (SPR) closes when pressure is exerted and the telescopic outer tube forces the brake on the wheel, wheels or swivelling ball inducing fixation; so when sudden pressure is applied the wheel or swivel ball immediately fixes so that if the user loses his/her balance and presses down on the stick, fixation occurs.

Figure 4 illustrates the inclusion of a brake, converting the wheel, twin wheels, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels sited on a stick to a S... * S*

I

fixed stick; R is the rod; BR represents one form of hub brake arrangement which is in the engaged phase * S* * . I I... * I

*. .: 6 preventing rotation; L the flashing or steady light; T the brake disengaging trigger to free rotation.

Alternatively the trigger arrangement can be constructed to operate on an engagement process, if preferred by the operator, so that the wheel, twin wheels, swivelling ball, swivelling soft ball, swivelling wheel or swivelling wheels sited on a stick runs free but fixes when the brake is engaged.

Figure 5 is a disengaging brake to change from fixed phase to roller phase with a spring and slide arrangement (SS) to operate the brake, SE, An optional sound emitter with an on and off switch. * S * ** * S... * S * *.. * S. * . S S.. S

S *.I

S : *. *SSS *S * S S * S 55

A separate walking stick in the free hand is another option or the use of two angled braking sticks gives the added facility of effectively four legs. All implements are fitted with warning light systems to inform other pedestrians or vehicle drivers of the visually handicapped person's disability, and an optional sound signal emitter with an on and off switch permits each to go walk about with far greater safety, visualise, be seen and heard so that these latter inclusions give others the opportunity to give consideration and assistance to the visually handicapped. Guide dogs are a great boon and the companionship of an animal is invaluable, but from a practical point of view the costs involved are considerable and the owner has the added difficulty of caring for the animal which sometimes raises difficulties; roller sticks, on the other hand, are easily * ** * . 0 serviced and looked after, costing very little. * 0* * 0 *S*. ** S * 00 * *

One major advantage, the roller stick develops a growing sense of self reliance on the part of the handicapped person instead of dependence on another creature. *... * * * * 4 b * S *.. S *4 S * ** * S S S. S

S S

S