GB2541437A

GB2541437A - Device for an ambulatory pole

Info

Publication number: GB2541437A
Application number: GB1514792.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wilson Tug
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-20
Filing date: 2015-08-20
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Also published as: GB201514792D0

Abstract

A device 200 for an ambulatory pole 300 that comprises: a visible alert 10, 20, 30 means, an activation means that interacts with the ground and a power source to power the alert and activation means, the device being attached to the bottom end of the pole 300. The alert means can include a plurality of coloured light emitting diodes. The activation means may include an accelerometer, an impact sensor, a proximity sensor or an ambient light sensor. The device 200 may comprise a water resistant body in the form of a wall around a socket for receiving the tip of a walking stick, or in the form of a ski pole basket. A radio frequency device may allow detection and signalling between different alert devices. The power source may include a dynamo excited by impact of the device with the ground.

Description

Device for an Ambulatory Pole

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for an ambulatory pole to provide an alert to a user and to others. More specifically the invention relates to a boot for a hiking pole or a basket for a ski pole for providing visibility to skiers and hikers.

Background

Skiers, hikers, and people using a walking cane sometimes use their ski pole, hiking pole or cane in the nighttime. The present invention helps them to be noticed. Their personal security is enhanced by being noticed. Their safety is enhanced as other people can avoid them. The device encourages hikers and skiers to exercise at nighttime. It helps the user of the pole or cane to detect the ground for to assist them place the tip of the pole or cane firmly on the ground so that they can push off the ground with the pole to propel their motion.

Prior Art

There have been attempts make skiers, hikers, and walking cane users more visible at night time.

Clothing with reflective material helps to makes a person more visible; however reflective material only enhances visibility when light is shone on it from an external source.

Electric light torches that are handheld are visible, but it is difficult to hold a torch and hold a ski pole, a hiking pole, or a walking cane at the same time. A light attached to a hiker or skier such as a helmet light does not show the full width of space that a hiker or skier occupies as they swing the poles that they are holding.

In light of the foregoing prior art, there is a need for a better means to enhance the personal security and safety of a skier, hiker, or walking cane user moving in the dark

There are also walking poles for blind persons comprising devices arranged to alert the blind person when the distal tip of the pole is close to an obstruction in their path. However these devices do not help the blind person help them to plant the tip of the pole so as to move themselves forward. Nor do they alert another person to notice the blind person.

Hence a device is needed to aid users so that in the evening they can use their ski poles, walking poles, and walking canes to help them plant the distal tip of the pole or cane so that they can propel themselves forward. A device is also needed to help the user of the pole or cane to be noticed in the darkness of the evening and improve their safety.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is a device for an ambulatory pole comprising: an attachment means for attaching the device to the pole, a sole for pushing off an ambulatory surface, a visible alert means, a power source, and an activation means to activate the alert means with power from the source upon the distal end reaching a preselected distance from the ambulatory surface.

Examples of an ambulatory surface are a walking path, or a sidewalk, or a snow covered ski trail or any other surface a user ambulates across while using an ambulatory pole.

In use the alert means is activated by a user swinging the pole so as to bring the distal end within reach of the preselected distance. Advantageously as the user swings the pole the alert means is visible and/or electronically track-able to the user and or others.

Advantageously the alert means is only activated by use of the pole or cane as the user repeated swings the distal end of the pole within reach of the preselected distance of the ambulatory surface. Thus there is no need for the user to remember to switch the device off after use to prevent the power source, such as for example a battery, from being drained.

Preferably the alert device is arranged for attachment to the tip of a walking stick or ski pole at the distal end from the hand grip of the stick or pole.

Preferably the alert means is arranged for attachment to the distal end of a ski pole at the distal end from the hand grip of the ski pole.

An embodiment of the device for an ambulatory pole has the form of a boot for a walking pole or cane or a ski pole comprising: an attachment means for attaching the boot to a contact tip of the pole, a contact surface or sole which a user of the pole places into contact with the ambulatory surface when the boot is attached to the pole, a battery which provides an energy supply to the alert means and the activation means is arranged to activate the alert means upon the contact surface contacting the ground.

The contact tip of the pole is located at the distal end from a handgrip held by the user of the pole. The contact tip is arranged to be planted on the ground, however with the boot on the contact tip the boot may contact the ground instead or with the contact tip.

Advantageously the device for an ambulatory pole in the form of a boot is easily put on and taken off the contact tip of the pole.

Advantageously the contact surface is rough and durable. It preserves the contact tip by preventing the tip from being worn down by repeated scraping on the surface. The contact surface preferably comprises a durable material which resists abrasion and scrapes from repeated contact with the ground. The contact surface preferably comprises tread or ridges to prevent the contact surface from slipping on the ambulatory surface.

Preferably the activation means includes an accelerometer. As the user plants the pole comprising the device on the ambulatory surface there is a sudden acceleration which the accelerometer is arranged to detect so as to activate the alert means. Advantageously an accelerometer does not have to actually contact the ambulatory surface itself; rather the accelerometer may be housed in the boot and thereby protected from water puddles, mud, and snow.

Preferably the accelerometer is oriented in the device so as to be most sensitive to acceleration, which in use, is aligned with the axis of the pole. Advantageously as user plants the device on the ground there is a sudden acceleration along the axis of the pole which the accelerometer detects and uses to activate the activation means.

Preferably the device comprises a socket or a ring to receive the pole and preferably the accelerometer is oriented to be most sensitive to acceleration along the axis or the ring or the socket. Advantageously this orientation of the accelerometer with respect to the axis of the ring or the socket also orients the accelerometer so that it is aligned to be most sensitive to acceleration along the axis of the pole in use.

Preferably the activation means includes an impact sensor which activates the alert means each time the contact surface contacts the ground. The impact sensor may be a simple contact sensor detecting contact with the ambulatory surface. Advantageously the impact sensor may comprise a switch which is switched on by contact of the contact surface with the ambulatory surface and otherwise switches off. The alert means will flash on momentarily and then turn off as the impact sensor switches on and then switch off. Advantageously the flash of the alert means help the user to be noticed.

Preferably the device for an ambulatory pole comprises a delay means such as a timer arranged to operate in conjunction with the activation means so as to continue to supply an electrical current to the alert means for a preselected time after the contact surface has been removed from the ground. Advantageously the alert means may be arranged to stay on while the user is planting the boot on the ground so as to aid the user to plant the pole.

Preferably the activation means comprises a proximity sensor to activate the alert means when the contact surface is within a preselected distance of the ground. The proximity sensor may be the impact sensor or contact sensor or accelerometer as mentioned above. Thus the proximity sensor may require the device for the ambulatory pole, the pole itself, to actually contact the ambulatory surface to activate the alert. Advantageously the proximity sensor may comprise an optical sensor or acoustic sensor or capacitive sensor which detects that the proximity sensor has reached a preselected distance from the ambulatory sensor.

Preferably the alert means is a light. Advantageously the user of the device for the ambulatory pole is easily noticed by the light. Advantageously a user naturally swings the pole as they are walking or skiing so that the light is seen to move in the dark and the user is easily noticed.

Preferably the device for an ambulatory pole comprises an ambient light sensor to operate in conjunction with the activation means. Preferably the activation of the alert means only occurs when an ambient light level drops below a preselected threshold. Preferably the light is only activated when the ambient light level corresponds to darkness or evening. Advantageously the power source is only used by the light when it is dark enough for the light to be seen.

Preferably the light is a light emitting diode (LED). Advantageously an LED is easily operated by a battery and is bright for easily being seen in the dark. Advantageously an LED is easily enclosed or embedded or encapsulated within a transparent portion of device so that the light is protected from the external environment which may be wet, muddy, or snowy.

Preferably the device or an ambulatory pole comprises a plurality of lights arranged for activation by the activation means. Preferably the lights are provided around a periphery of the attachment means. Preferably the attachment means comprises a socket or a ring which surrounds the pole. Advantageously the lights are provided around the pole and are thereby easily noticed. Preferably the lights are arranged to flash in series so as to be more easily noticed.

Preferably the plurality of lights are arranged to emit two or more different colours. Preferably the device has a colour selector for selecting a particular colour of light emitted. Advantageously different users may select different colours so that they may distinguish and identify each other in the dark. Advantageously a user may select one colour for the device attached to their right pole and another colour to the device attached to their left pole. Informed people who know which colour is used for the right and left pole can determine whether the user of the poles is walking toward or away from them.

Preferably the device for an ambulatory pole includes a range detector for detecting the presence of another object, such as another ambulatory pole, within a predefined range.

Preferably the range detector includes a radio frequency device arranged to transmit a response signal upon receipt of an interrogate signal from another object.

Preferably the device for an ambulatory pole includes a means for coordinating activation of the alert means in a group of two or more devices in order to activate alert means in the group in a predefined pattern.

Advantageously a user may be warned when other users in the group each having their own device in the go out of the predefined range so as to help prevent all the users from getting lost from one another in the dark.

Preferably the device for an ambulatory pole comprises a means to provide power to the activation means.

Preferably the means to provide power includes a dynamo. Preferably the means comprises a photovoltaic cell. Preferably the means comprises a battery. Preferably the dynamo or photovoltaic cell or battery is arranged to provide the power for lights and sensors including the impact sensor, contact sensor, and/or ambient light sensor. Preferably the dynamo or photovoltaic cell is arranged to recharge the battery.

Preferably the attachment means is in the form of a socket with a wall to retain the tip of the ambulatory pole. Preferably the device covers the tip of pole as the tip is enclosed in the socket. Advantageously tip of the pole is protected from wear and scrapes. Preferably the device comprises a contact surface which in use covers the tip of the pole. Advantageously the contact surface has non-slip surface so as to help the user plant the pole on ambulatory surface and push away to aid their walking or skiing motion.

Preferably the wall of the socket has a diameter or width just less than width or diameter of the tip of the pole. Advantageously the device is easily put on and taken off the tip. Preferably the socket has threads to engage with matching threads on the tip of the walking stick.

Preferably the attachment means is in form of a band or a wall around a hole, such as a cylindrical wall around a hole through a basket of a ski pole. Preferably the width or diameter of the ring is just less than the width or diameter of the pole so that the basket may be easily put in place or removed from the pole.

Preferably the activation means is sealed inside the device. Preferably the battery, dynamo, photovoltaic cell, ambient light sensor, impact sensor, and contact sensor are also sealed inside the device. Advantageously the device is resistant to damage by impact, water, mud, and snow.

Preferably the device for an ambulatory pole comprises a bulbous body. Preferably the bulbous body is substantially spherical, or preferably the body is substantially egg shaped. Preferably the body comprises a socket attachment means. Advantageously the body may be planted on the ambulatory surface in front of the user as the user swings the pole in front of him. As the user walks forward the spherical body rotates on ground. Advantageously the substantially spherical shape of the body provides a sure grip on the ambulatory surface throughout the whole step of the user as they are walking.

Preferably the device for an ambulatory pole comprises a substantially basket shaped body. Preferably the body comprises a ring around a central hole. Advantageously the basket shaped body may be easily put on and taken off a ski pole. The basket provides a contact surface for the user to push against the ambulatory surface and help propel their motion. The contact surface is also useful for a contact sensor, impact sensor, or accelerometer to determine the device has made contact with the ambulatory surface and activate the activation means.

Preferably the device for an ambulatory pole comprises a manual power switch to enable a user to manually turn the alert means on or off. Advantageously by turning the power switch off, the activation means does not turn on the alert means even if the device is transported inside a dark container such as boot of car over a bumpy road. This is particularly advantageous where activation means is an accelerometer arranged to activate the alert device when the acceleration exceeds a preselected level.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a user holding walking sticks to which devices for an ambulatory pole in the form of boots are fixed at the walking stick distal tips;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the boot;

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the boot;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a circuit which is a part of the boot; and Figure 5 shows a view of a ring portion of the boot, comprising the circuit.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to the Figures, there is shown in Figure 1 there is shown a person walking and holding an ambulatory pole 300 in their right hand and another ambulatory pole in their left hand. The person holds a handle at the proximate end of the pole. At the distal end of the pole there is a device for the ambulatory pole in the form of a boot 200 fitted to the tip of the pole.

The boot comprises lights which are visible when they are turned on. The lights are arranged to be visible to a user using a boot fixed to the distal tip of a walking stick or ski pole. The lights are also visible to other people who can observe the boots in motion in the dark. As the user walks or skis with poles having boots fitted to the tip, the other people can track the path of the user by watching lights in the boots move. When a person uses the boot described herein they will be safe since they will be seen.

The boot 200 has a bulbous shape which blunts the distal tip of the ambulatory pole. The boot has the form that is substantially a sphere or egg. A portion 220 of the sphere or egg is flattened and formed with a central depression to receive the distal tip of the pole. When the distal tip of the pole is inserted into the central depression, the wall of the central depression grips the distal tip of the pole. The central depression is a socket which in use holds the distal tip of the pole 300. The distal tip of the pole 300 is fixed in the depression and the pole 300 and boot 200 are joined together for using walking or skiing.

User just presses the boot 200 onto a pole tip. There is no need to align or adjust the boot. The boot fits on Nordic walking poles, cross country ski poles, and walking canes. This helps keep the user’s hands clean as there is no need to twist the boot on or twist the boot off the tip of the pole.

On the bulbous portion of the pole there are bumps to aid the grip of the terrain as it is the bulbous portion which comes into contact with the terrain in use.

The bulbous shape of the boot prevents the tip of the pole from getting stuck in drain grids. The boot assist walking and skiing with a pole since the bulbous shape provides the pole tip with a more positive of terrain. The boot provides stable platform when walking and pushing the pole ensuring the use has total confidence in all terrain.

The bulbous shape of boot is environmentally friendly since it prevents the tip of the pole from poking unsightly pock marks in the ground. Ground erosion is reduced as the bulbous makes minimal disturbance to the ground and plants at the side of walking paths.

The portion of the sphere that is flattened faces towards the pole 200 when, as shown in Figure 1, the pole is inserted into the central depression.

In one embodiment of the boot, the wall 250 of the central depression may be threaded to engage with matching threads on the distal of the pole. In another embodiment the wall 250 of the central depression is smooth. The diameter or the width of the central depression is just less than the diameter of width of the distal tip of the pole. The distal tip of the pole is press fit into the central depression so as to connect the boot 200 and the pole 300 together.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the boot 200. Figure 3 shows and isometric view of the boot.

In one embodiment, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 both show, the boot 200 comprises a bulbous portion 210 and a ring portion 220. At least one side of the ring portion is flat.

The flat ring portion 220 is a wafer thin doughnut. The sphere or egg shape of the bulbous portion 210 is flattened and formed with a central depression to receive the distal tip of the pole. Where the bulbous portion 210 is flattened, the bulbous portion has a flat ring shaped surface.

In one embodiment the boot does not comprises the ring portion 220, but boot does comprise the bulbous portion 210. The embodiment is not shown in the Figures. In this embodiment the distal tip of the pole is inserted into the central depression. The flat shaped ring surface surrounds the distal tip of the pole. The flat ring shaped surface faces the inserted pole.

In one embodiment, the flat ring portion 220 is attached to the flat ring shaped surface of the bulbous portion so that the hole through the ring portion 220 is concentric with the central depression in the bulbous portion.

The hole thru the ring portion 220 has a diameter or width which is greater than or equal to the diameter or width of the depression in the bulbous portion 210. To connect the distal tip of the pole 300 to the boot 200, the distal tip is inserted through the hole in the ring portion 220 and on into the depression of the bulbous portion 210. The ring portion 210 surrounds the distal tip of the pole.

In one embodiment the lights are comprised within the ring portion 220. In another embodiment the lights are comprised in the bulbous portion 210.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a first LED light 10 and a second LED light 20 are comprised within the ring portion 220. The ring portion 220 comprises a matrix of polymer material which encapsulates the lights. The polymer material is transparent or translucent so that when the LED lights are turned on they are visible. The polymer material is also water proof so that the lights are protected from rain, mud, snow, slush, and puddles as the user walks or skis.

In one embodiment the ring portion 220 comprises a circuit which includes the lights. Figure 3 shows components of the circuit comprised in the ring portion. Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the circuit within the ring portion.

In another embodiment the bulbous portion 210 comprises the circuit which includes the lights.

The circuit comprises a battery 80 to provide power for the circuit. In one embodiment the battery is a three volt battery. The battery provides power for the lights. The battery provides also power for a microprocessor 70, vibration sensor 60, and light intensity sensor 50 which are also comprised in the circuit.

In an embodiment which is not shown in the Figures, the circuit comprises a photovoltaic cell to convert energy from light to electricity. The photovoltaic cell is connected to the battery so that during daylight when the lights do not operate, the photovoltaic cell recharges the battery. During the night, the battery provides power to operate the lights.

The circuit comprises four lights including a first light 10, a second light 20, a third light 30, and a fourth light 40. Each light is an LED.

The boot comprises an automatic light sensor 60 which detects reduced light of evening dusk and night time darkness. There is no need to switch the boot on. It turns itself on when the ambient light is less than a preselected level.

Figure shows 4 the microprocessor 70 is connected to the lights 10, 20, 30, 40, vibration sensor 60, light sensor 50, and battery 80. The first LED has a positive electrode connected to first a first electrode of the microprocessor 70, and the second LED has a positive electrode connected to a second electrode of the microprocessor 70, and the third and fourth LEDs each have a positive electrode connected to a third and a fourth electrode of the microprocessor respectively. The vibration sensor 60 has a positive electrode connected to a fifth electrode of the microprocessor. The light sensor 50 has a positive electrode connected to sixth electrode of the microprocessor. The battery 80 has a positive electrode connected to a seventh electrode of the microprocessor. The lights, vibration sensor, light sensor, and battery each have a negative electrode connected to an eighth electrode of the microprocessor.

For the lights to be turned on the microprocessor 70 requires two conditions to be true. One condition is that it receives a signal from the light sensor 50 that the ambient light level is below a preselected light level. The other condition is that it receives a signal from the vibration sensor 60 that the boot has been subjected to at least a preselected level of vibration. The boot is vibrated when it is struck as it hits the ground and the vibration sensor in the boot detects the vibration. When the microprocessor detects both of these conditions simultaneously, then the microprocessor supplies voltage to the positive electrodes of lights to turn the lights on.

The microprocessor comprises a timer. In an embodiment the microprocessor is pre-arranged or pre-programmed to turn all the lights on at once for a preselected time when the two conditions are met. If the two conditions are not still met at the end of the preselected time, the microprocessor turns the lights off by lowering the voltage at the positive electrodes. In an embodiment the invention, the microprocessor turns the first light 10, second light 20, third light 30, and fourth light 40 on in sequence. Each light is turned on a preselected time after the previous light is turned on. The previous light is turned off before the next light is turned on.

Light emitting diodes flash every time a pole with a boot on the tip is planted. A person using the boot will be noticed by the flashing diodes.

As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 5 the lights are evenly spaced around the ring portion 220. In use the distal tip of the pole 300 is inserted though the hole in the ring portion 220. The microprocessor turns the first light 10 on then off, and the second light 20 on then off, and the next light on then off and so on in sequence so that the lights appear to travel around the pole tip when seen from the view of the user who holds the pole. This sequential flashing of lights around the pole helps other people to see the lights as otherwise the pole could obscure at least one of the lights from other people.

In an embodiment the circuit is integrated into a circuit board. In another embodiment the circuit is encapsulated in the ring portion 220 as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 5. The circuit board comprising the circuit is embedded in polymer matrix of the ring portion.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 and in Figure 5, the battery 80 is embedded in the polymer matrix of the ring portion 220.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the battery is contained in the bulbous portion 210. The ring portion 220 closes over a cavern in the bulbous portion where the battery is stored. The ring portion 220 is detachable from the bulbous portion 210. The battery is replaceable by detaching the ring portion 220, replacing the battery, and re-attaching the ring portion to the bulbous portion 210.

When environment is dark, the resistance value of light sensor changes 50. When the resistance value reaches a preselected value, the microprocessor will receive this signal and begin to inspecting the signal of vibration sensor 60.

When the vibration intensity reaches the closing value of vibration sensor 60, then the vibration sensor will supply a drive signal to microprocessor. Then the microprocessor will output high voltage electricity to make the LED flash.

The invention has been described by way of examples only. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A device for an ambulatory pole comprising: an attachment means for attaching the device to the pole, a sole for contacting an ambulatory surface, a visible alert means, an activation means which interacts with the ambulatory surface to activate the alert means, and a power source for the alert and activation means.

2. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 1 wherein the activation means includes an accelerometer arranged to activate the alert means above a predetermined level of acceleration.

3. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 2 wherein the activation means is arranged as an impact sensor which activates the alert means each time the sole contacts the ambulatory surface.

4. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 3 wherein a delay means continues to activate the alert means after the sole has contacted the ambulatory surface.

5. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 1 in which the activation means comprises a proximity sensor to activate the alert means when the sole is within a preselected distance of the ground.

6. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 5 wherein the proximity sensor comprises an optical sensor and/or an acoustic sensor.

7. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim wherein the activation means comprises an ambient light sensor to allow activation of the alert means only when an ambient light level is below a preselected threshold.

8. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim wherein the alert means includes a light.

9. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 8 wherein the light includes a light emitting diode (LED).

10. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 8 or 9 wherein a plurality of lights are provided around a periphery of the attachment means.

11. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of lights are arranged to emit two or more different colours.

12. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 11 has a colour selector for selecting a particular colour of light emitted.

13. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim includes a detection means for detecting the presence of another object, such as another device for an ambulatory pole, within a predefined range.

14. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 13 wherein the detection means includes a radio frequency device arranged to transmit a response signal upon receipt of an interrogate signal from another object.

15. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 13 or 14 includes a means for coordinating activation of alert means in a group of two or more devices for an ambulatory pole in order to activate alert means in the group in a predefined pattern.

16. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim comprises a means to provide power to the activation means.

17. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claims 16 wherein the means to provide power includes a dynamo excited by impact of the device with the ambulatory surface.

18. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim comprising a body comprising the sole.

19. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 18 wherein the body has a bulbous form comprising a wall around a socket to retain the tip of the ambulatory pole which in use is most proximate to the ambulatory surface.

20. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 18 wherein the body has a basket form comprising a wall around a hole through the basket to receive the tip of the ambulatory pole which in use is most proximate to the ambulatory surface.

21. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the wall has threads to engage with matching threads on the tip of the pole.

22. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 18, 19, 20, or 21 in which the activation means is sealed inside the body so as to be resistant to impact and water.

23. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 19 or 20 comprising a translucent ring portion defining a hole to receive the tip which is concentric with the wall in the body, the ring portion encapsulating a circuit comprising the alert means comprising a light, and the activation means comprising an ambient light sensor.

24. A device for an ambulatory pole substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

24. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 23 comprising the power source.

25. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claims 23 or 24 wherein the alert means comprises a plurality of LED lights arranged around the hole in the ring portion.

25. An ambulatory pole comprising a device for an ambulatory pole defined according to any preceding claim wherein the device is attached to the tip of the ambulatory pole which in use is most proximate to the ambulatory surface.

26. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim comprises a remote switch means to enable a user to activate one or more devices.

27. A device for an ambulatory pole substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: Claims:

1. A device for an ambulatory pole comprising: a bulbous spherical or egg shaped body having a sole for contacting an ambulatory surface, a portion of the body is formed into a flattened translucent ring portion with a central depression for attaching the body to a tip of the pole, a visible alert means in the translucent ring portion, an activation means which interacts with the ambulatory surface to activate the alert means, and a power source for the alert and activation means.

17. A device for an ambulatory pole according to claim 16 wherein the means to provide power includes a dynamo excited by impact of the device with the ambulatory surface.

18. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim wherein the central depression has wall which has threads to engage with matching threads on the tip of the pole.

19. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim in which the activation means is sealed inside the body so as to be resistant to impact and water.

20. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim in which the ring portion encapsulates a circuit comprising the alert means comprising a light, and the activation means comprising an ambient light sensor.

21. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim wherein the alert means comprises a plurality of LED lights arranged around the hole in the ring portion.

22. A device for an ambulatory pole according to any preceding claim comprises a remote switch means to enable a user to activate one or more devices.

23. An ambulatory pole comprising a device for an ambulatory pole defined according to any preceding claim wherein the device is attached to the tip of the ambulatory pole which in use is most proximate to the ambulatory surface.