GB2479911A

GB2479911A - Repair system for a foldable walking aid

Info

Publication number: GB2479911A
Application number: GB1007127A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Megan Louise Holroyd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-29
Filing date: 2010-04-29
Publication date: 2011-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-29
Also published as: GB2479911B; GB201007127D0

Abstract

A walking aid is disclosed having tubular sections 701, 703 that are releasably connectable and that are held together by a foldable material when released. The folding material is susceptible to breakage through use of the walking aid. A repair device (404) is also provided to temporarily repair the walking aid after breakage of the foldable material. A securing mechanism secures the repair device on or in close proximity to said tubular sections 701, 703. The repair mechanism 404 may comprise an upper fixing mechanism 501 with a bayonet for engagement into a slot 702 on an upper tubular section 701. The repair device 404 may further comprise a rigid inner core and a flexible outer core. Upon installation of the repair device 404 into the tubular sections 701, 703, the outer core compresses and expands, pressing against the sides of the lower tubular section 703.

Description

I

Repair System for a Foldable Walking Aid

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application represents the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a walking aid comprising a repair device and a securing mechanism for securing the repair device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Walking aids in the form of foldable crutches or walking sticks are known and popular with users as their foldability increases flexibility in use, transport and storage. Such walking aids are commonly held together by foldable and often elasticated materials such as a cord. A problem that arises with such cords being used to maintain the rigid structure of the walking aid in use is that these cords are susceptible to breakage and will fail. This presents a particular problem if users are reliant on such walking aids for mobility and if they have no one around to assist them.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a walking aid having tubular sections that are releasably connectable and are held together by a foldable material when released that is susceptible to breakage through use, comprising: a repair device for effecting a temporary repair after breakage of said foldable material; and a securing mechanism for securing said repair device on or in close proximity to said tubular sections.

There is further provided a method of effecting a temporary repair to a walking aid having tubular sections that are releasably connectable comprising the steps of: receiving a repair device; placing said repair device between two separate tubular sections of said walking aid; and compressing said repair device and said tubular sections together to enable further use of said walking aid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a user with a walking aid; Figure 2 shows a walking aid assembled into a usable configuration; Figure 3 shows a walking aid having suffered a failure by breakage of a cord; Figure 4 shows the upper section of a walking aid in further detail; Figure 5 shows a repair device for a walking aid; Figure 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the repair device of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows the repair device of Figure 6 while in use; Figure 8 shows a repair device in an uncompressed configuration; Figure 9 shows a repair device in a compressed configuration; Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the repair device of Figure 5; Figure 11 shows the repair device of Figure 10 in use; and Figure 12 shows a walking aid repaired by use of a repair device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a user with a walking aid 101 which has been maintained in storage, such as bag 102, while not in use. The walking aid 101 comprises a series of tubular sections that are releasably connectable and are held together by a foldable material such as a cord and as such can be folded for storage in bag 102 when not required for use. This may be a temporary option or as a more permanent solution if a user wishes to carry the walking aid around for longer periods.

FIgure 2 Walking aid 101 is shown in Figure 2 having been removed from bag 102 and unfolded and assembled into a usable configuration. In a preferred embodiment, bag 102 is configured to be carried by a user on their back as shown. Foldable walking aid 101 comprises upper section 201 and lower section 202. Upper section 201 further comprises a handle portion 203, the features of which are discussed in further detail in Figure 4. Lower section 202 comprises a plurality of tubular sections held together with the cord (as shown in Figure 3) which allows these tubular sections to be releasably connected as and when required.

Figure 3 Walking aid 101 is shown further in Figure 3 having suffered a failure by breakage of cord 301. Tubular section 302 is now detached from the overall structure of walking aid 101 and as such, walking aid 101 is no longer a viable aid to mobility. It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a repair device for effecting a temporary repair after breakage of cord 301. The repair device is shown in further detail in Figure 4 and subsequent Figures 5 to 11.

Figure 4 The upper section 201 of walking aid 101 is shown in further detail in Figure 4. Handle portion 203 further comprises a moulded cavity for supporting padding such as padding 401, looped wrist strap 402 and securing mechanism 403 for securing a repair device 404. Repair device 404 is configured to be retained within handle portion 203 by use of securing mechanism 403 when not required for use. In an alternative embodiment, repair device 404 may be stored via an alternative securing mechanism, for example a pocket, in bag 102. Repair device 404 is further configured such that it may be redeployed for use in the event of a further breakage after cord 301 has been repaired or replaced. Thus, securing mechanism 403 allows repair device 404 to be removed and replaced from the inside of handle portion 203 as required.

Padding 401 is designed to provide additional support to user and can be manufactured from gel foam or memory foam or a similar material such that it is pressure relieving on a user's palm and fingers when gripping, easing tension though the wrists. Padding 401 is configured to be removable to allow the padding to be replaced as desired. To facilitate this, the comfort padding has adhesive backing to fix it on to the handle portion. In an alternative embodiment, the padding could be made from various different materials, for example, a sheepskin wool-based material.

In a preferred embodiment, looped wrist strap 402 is configured to be retracted for storage within part of the handle portion. To prevent this strap from being lost within the handle portion, bobble 405 is attached to easily allow retrieval of strap 402 when desired for use.

Figure 5 Repair device 404 is shown in further detail in Figure 5. According to this preferred embodiment, the repair device comprises upper fixing mechanism 501 which can be releasably attached to a tubular section of walking aid 101. In this preferred embodiment, upper fixing mechanism 501 is in the form of a bayonet fitting, shown in further detail in Figures 6 and 7.

Repair device 404 further features a central section 502 and a lower core section 503.

Figure 6 Figure 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the repair device 404 of Figure 5 in exploded view. In this embodiment, upper fixing mechanism 501 is in the form of a bayonet fitting. Repair device 404 further comprises a central section 502, which features a grippable outer surface to enable a firm hold.

The lower core section 503 comprises an inner core 601 and an outer core 602. Inner core 601 is substantially rigid and, in a preferred embodiment, is manufactured from hard moulded plastic. Outer core 602, in contrast, is flexible and is configured to expand under a force from the rigid inner core 601.

In a preferred embodiment outer core 602 is manufactured from rubber. Outer core 602 features a hole 603 through which a tubular section 604 of inner core 601 can fit such that tubular section 604 is attached to upper fixing mechanism 501 by means of a fastening, such as a pin, through hole 605.

Figure 7 Repair device 404 in accordance with the embodiment of Figure 6 is shown further in Figure 7 while in use. Upper tubular section 701 of walking aid 101 incorporates a slot 702 to allow the bayonet fitting of upper fixing mechanism 501 to be held in position. Grippabte central section 502 protrudes from the tubular sections of walking stick 101 to allow grip when repair device requires removal from lower tubular section 703.

Both upper tubular section 701 and lower tubular section 703 may be coated with extra grip paint to improve connectability with repair device 404.

Figure 8 Figure 8 shows repair device 404 in an uncompressed configuration while not in use. Outer core 602 is shown at full height over inner core 601. As the lower core section 503 is placed in the lower tubular section 703 of walking aid 101, upper fixing mechanism 501 is pushed into the upper tubular section 701 of walking aid 101 and secured. This results in the compression of outer core 602 in the direction of arrow 801 as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9 Following compression in the direction of arrow 801, Figure 9 shows repair device 404 in a compressed configuration while being used to hold the tubular sections of walking aid 101 together. Outer core 602 is now reduced in height and has expanded in a substantially perpendicular fashion by which the sides of outer core 602 contact with the inside of lower tubular section 703 of walking aid 101. This allows a firm grip with the lower tubular section of walking aid 101 thus maintaining a substantially rigid structure of walking aid 101.

Figure 10 Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of repair device 404 in exploded view. In this alternative embodiment, upper fixing mechanism 501 incorporates a push button mechanism. Similarly, central section 502 has a grippable surface to enable a firm hold. Repair device 404 again comprises a lower core section 503 further comprising inner core 1001 and an outer core 1002. In a preferred embodiment, outer core 1002 features a hole 1003 through which a tubular section 1004 of inner core 1001 can fit such that tubular section 1004 is attached to upper fixing mechanism 501 by means of a fastening, such as a pin, through hole 1005.

Figure 11 Figure 11 further shows the embodiment of Figure 10 in use and now attached to walking aid 101 comprising two tubular sections such as upper tubular section 1101 and lower tubular section 1102. Repair device 404 now features the upper fixing mechanism 501 incorporating push buttons which are substantially similar to the types of push buttons used on current walking aids to adjust the overall height of such walking aids. Upper tubular section 1101 further features a plurality of holes 1103 and 1104 which allow the push buttons 1105 and 1106 of upper fixing mechanism 501 to slot into holes 1104 and 1103 respectively. Both upper tubular section 1101 and lower tubular section 1102 may be coated with extra grip paint to improve connectability with repair device 404.

Figure 12 Figure 12 shows walking aid 101 which has now been successfully repaired with repair device 404 following the breakage shown in Figure 3.

Walking aid 101 is now substantially rigid, and strong enough for a user to safely walk with without further breakage occurring. This will allow user to get home safely to enable repairs of cord 301 following removal of repair device 404. Repair device 404 may then be stored in either handle section 203 or bag 102 until further use is required.

Claims

Claims 1. A walking aid having tubular sections that are releasably connectable and are held together by a foldable material when released that is susceptible to breakage through use, comprising: a repair device for effecting a temporary repair after breakage of said foldable material; and a securing mechanism for securing said repair device on or in close proximity to said tubular sections.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said repair device can be redeployed for use in the event of a further breakage after said foldable material has been repaired or replaced.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism is configured to retain said repair device in a bag.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism is configured to retain said repair device in part of a handle portion of said walking aid.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said handle portion comprises a moulded cavity for supporting padding.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said padding is manufactured from gel foam.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said padding is manufactured from memory foam.
8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said handle portion features a looped wrist strap.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said strap can be retracted for storage within part of said handle portion.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said strap features a bobble.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said repair device comprises an upper fixing mechanism which is releasably attached to one of said tubular sections of said walking aid.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said upper fixing mechanism is in the form of a bayonet fitting.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said upper fixing mechanism incorporates a push button mechanism.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said repair device further comprises a substantially rigid inner core and a flexible outer core wherein said flexible outer core is configured to expand under a force from said rigid inner core.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said flexible outer core of said repair device moves from a first uncompressed configuration to a second compressed configuration.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said inner core is manufactured from a hard moulded plastic.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said outer core is manufactured from rubber.
18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said repair device further comprises a central element with a grippable surface to enable a firm hold.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tubular sections are coated with extra grip paint to improve connectability with said repair device.
20. A method of effecting a temporary repair to a walking aid having tubular sections that are releasably connectable comprising the steps of: receiving a repair device; placing said repair device between two separate tubular sections of said walking aid; and compressing said repair device and said tubular sections together to enable further use of said walking aid.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.Claims 1. A walking aid having tubular sections that are releasably connectable and are held together by a foldable material when said tubular sections are released, whereby said foldable material is susceptible to breakage through use, comprising: a repair device that effects a temporary repair of the walking aid after breakage of said foldable material; and a securing mechanism for securing said repair device on or in close proximity to said tubular sections.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said repair device can be redeployed for use in the event of a further breakage after said foldable material has been repaired or replaced.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism is configured to retain said repair device in a bag.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism is configured to retain said repair device in part of a handle portion of said walking aid.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said handle portion comprises a moulded cavity for supporting padding.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said padding is manufactured from gel foam.7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said padding is manufactured from memory foam.8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said handle portion features a looped wrist strap.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said strap can be retracted for storage within part of said handle portion.10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said strap features a bobble.11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said repair device comprises an upper fixing mechanism which is releasably attached to one of said tubular sections of said walking aid.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said upper fixing mechanism is in the form of a bayonet fitting.13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said upper fixing mechanism incorporates a push button mechanism.14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said repair device further comprises a substantially rigid inner core and a flexible outer core wherein said flexible outer core is configured to expand under a force from said rigid inner core.15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said flexible outer core of said repair device moves from a first uncompressed configuration to a second compressed configuration.16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said inner core is manufactured from a hard moulded plastic.17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said outer core is manufactured from rubber. 4 1318. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said repair device further comprises a central element with a grippable surface.19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tubular sections are coated with extra grip paint.20. A method of effecting a temporary repair to a walking aid having tubular sections that are releasably connectable comprising the steps of: receiving a repair device; placing said repair device between two separate tubular sections of said walking aid; and compressing said repair device and said tubular sections together to enable further use of said walking aid.