GB2589176A

GB2589176A - Ferrule for a walking aid having a suction attachment mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2589176A
Application number: GB2011508.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stella Moreen Herring Rennie Tamara
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-07-25
Filing date: 2020-07-24
Publication date: 2021-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-24
Also published as: GB202011508D0; GB2585934A; GB2589176B; GB201910642D0

Abstract

A modified ferrule 99, suitable for use with a walking aid, comprises a body 62 with a first end 61 arranged to receive a walking aid and a second end 63 arranged for deploying a suction cup 3 for contacting the ground; the suction cup has an aperture 4 that is closable by a plug (10, Fig 3). The body houses a mechanism (e.g. a sprung mechanism) that moves the suction cup between a first configuration in which the aperture in the suction cup is open, and a second configuration in which the suction cup is configured to engage with the ground by inserting the plug to close the aperture and thereby form a vacuum; activated by pressing the second end of the body against the ground in combination with a user applying downward pressure to the walking aid.

Description

A MODIFIFD FFRRIll F

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a modified ferrule for a walking aid, in particular a modified ferrule for replacement of a standard end or ferrule of a walking aid. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a replacement crutch tip.

Rackgrntind Increasing numbers of people across many societies are in need of walking aids, such as crutches or walking sticks.

It can be problematic to store such walking aids when they are not required for walking or whilst a user is stationary. For example when the user has finished with the walking aid or wishes to temporarily set it to one side so they can use their hands, the walking aid needs to be held in place or supported to prevent it falling to the ground where it will be difficult to pick up. Usually a user may look for a suitable location against which to rest the walking aid, or ask someone for assistance. However these options may not always be available, and this may incapacitate the user until further options or help becomes available.

Prior _Ad GB 782 714 (HIGGINBOTHAM) discloses a ground gripping ferrule for use on walking sticks and crutches.

US 2 910 995 (CANDIDO) discloses a crutch tip comprising a crutch socket component, a suction pad component having a suction recess bounded by a ground engaging rim to create a suction therein.

US 1 429 428 (HIPWOOD) discloses a tip element for a crutch comprising a body portion of hard rubber having a shape to fit over the end of a crutch body.

W02008094103 (BJORKBOM) discloses a cane tip with extendable studs.

W003/005852 (LINDGREN) discloses a bottom protection means for a wandering stick.

EP3018369 (WOO) discloses a vacuum absorber.

JP2008295769 (MAKOTO) discloses a ferrule fixing implement and ferrule article using the ferrule fixing implement.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a modified ferrule for a walking aid comprising: a body defining a first end and a second end, the first end is arranged to receive a walking aid and the second end houses a suction cup for contacting the ground; the suction cup has an aperture that is closable by a plug so that when the aperture is open, air is able to pass through the suction cup, and when the aperture is closed and the suction cup is in contact with a ground surface, a vacuum is created to hold the suction cup against the ground surface; the body houses a mechanism that configures the suction cup between a first configuration in which the aperture in the suction cup is open, and a second configuration in which the suction cup is configured to engage with the ground by inserting the plug to close the aperture and thereby form a vacuum; wherein the mechanism is activated by pressing the second end of the body against the ground in combination with a user applying downward pressure to the walking aid.

In this way a user is able to store their walking aid in an upright position when not in use so that it is easy to pick up the walking aid when it is used again, and so that it does not fall to the ground when unattended or if the walking aid is pushed over or knocked the walking aid will still remain upright.

The modified ferrule also makes it easier to store the walking aid or walking aids in situations where there is nothing against which to rest the walking aid. Furthermore, as the modified ferrule is part of the walking aid no additional parts are required.

By applying downward pressure to the walking aid the mechanism is activated to either close the aperture in the suction cup with the plug to create a vacuum, or to remove the plug from the aperture and to return the suction cup to within the body.

In a preferred embodiment the mechanism is configured to also move the suction cup between a first position in which the suction cup is stowed within the body and the aperture in the suction cup is open, to a second deployed position in which the suction cup engages with the ground and the plug is inserted to close the aperture and thereby form a vacuum. The mechanism is also activated by pressing the second end of the body against the ground in combination with applying downward pressure to the walking aid.

In this way the suction cup is stowed away from the ground when not in use so that the suction cup is spaced apart from material such as mud or water that may soil components of the mechanism within the body and may damage the suction cup, or clog the aperture.

It is appreciated that the suction cup does not need to project significantly from the body, just a sufficient amount so that the suction cup engages with, and forms a seal with, the ground. Therefore, the suction cup may be substantially flush with the second end of the body so that it easily engages with the ground.

In this way in embodiments of the ferrule in which the suction cup is not moveable, the insertion of the plug to the aperture will create a seal so that the walking aid is held to the ground.

In embodiments in which the suction cup is moveable, up and down, within the body, the suction cup is deployed towards the ground so that the suction cup engages with and forms a seal with the ground.

By not having the suction cup projecting significantly from the body, the seal that is formed is more secure and the suction cup cannot be easily dislodged if the walking aid is accidently knocked or pushed.

In a preferred embodiment, by applying downward pressure to the walking aid, the mechanism is activated to deploy the suction cup and close the aperture in the suction cup with the cup to create a vacuum. The mechanism also enables removal of the plug from the aperture and retraction of the suction cup to within the body.

It is appreciated that in some embodiments, a first mechanism may be provided for moving the plug and a second mechanism may be provided for moving the suction cup. In preferred embodiments a single mechanism is used to move both the plug and suction cup simultaneously or in sequence, for example so that the suction cup is in position before insertion of the plug.

Removing the plug from the aperture makes it easier for the suction cup to be removed from a surface as there is no vacuum between the suction cup and the ground surface. Therefore a user can more easily remove the suction cup from the ground surface when it is no longer required to be held to the ground.

Advantageously when the aperture is open the suction cup is more freely able to move within the body as air can pass through the suction cup as it travels up and down (relative to the ground) within the body.

The suction cup and the plug are preferably formed from a resiliently deformable material that is suitable for repeated deformation, such as a silicone. This cup is thereby best adapted to deform and grip the ground when subjected to a vacuum.

In preferred embodiments the mechanism is activated to move the suction cup from the first position to the second position, by a user pressing the second end against the ground and applying a downward pressure and twisting the walking aid and thereby twist parts of the modified ferrule. The action of pressing down and twisting the walking aid deploys the suction cup and the plug to the in use position.

Typically the same action, in reverse is used to remove the plug and thereby release the suction cup. For embodiments in which the suction cup moves between a first stowed orientation and a second deployed orientation the reverse action may also allow the suction cup and the plug to return to within the housing.

Preferably the twisting action moves the mechanism within the body and parts of the body, so that a locking means is lock and unlocked. For example, when unlocked the plug is moveable downwards to engage with and close the aperture in the suction cup. When the locking means is locked the plug is unable to move towards the aperture.

It is appreciated that in some embodiments a locking means may be provided that does not require a twist action and may include another form of locking means such as a press button or lever, for example a foot activated lever that releases movement of the mechanism.

In an embodiment in which the mechanism moves the plug and the suction cup, when unlocked the suction cup is moveable downwards and the plug is also moveable downwards to engage with and close the aperture in the suction cup. When the locking means is locked the plug is unable to move towards the aperture and the suction cup is locked in a retracted orientation within the body in order to be stowed within the body being spaced apart from the ground.

The locking means activated by downward pressure and twisting may be a notch and recess/channel that engage to prevent movement, or may be a catch which holds the suction cap and plug in a fixed orientation when engaged and releases the suction cup and plug when disengaged.

In some embodiments the mechanism within the body is sprung so that pressing down, or pressing down and twisting the walking aid, either releases a spring to insert the plug to the aperture (first embodiment), or to deploy the suction cup and insert the plug (second embodiment), and/or the mechanism compresses a spring to remove the plug (first embodiment) or to stow the suction cup and remove the plug (second embodiment).

In some embodiments the first end of the body has a neck with an inner sleeve which tapers inwards and defines an opening for receiving a distal end of a walking aid such as a crotch or walking stick.

In some embodiments the first end has a socket for the walking aid, which socket enables the walking aid to be inserted and simply secured in place. For example the socket may comprise a securement means, which securement means may comprise a tolerance fit, screw fit, friction or interference fit.

In some embodiments the securement means may include resiliently deformable material to assist with gripping the walking aid. In other embodiments the securement means may include a spring lock, clip, grub screw. In yet further embodiments two or more securement means may be provided to further enhance the connection for example a resiliently deformable material and a grub screw, which screw is inserted into the side of the socket so as to secure the friction fit.

In some embodiments the suction cup has a first upper layer which is of an annular relatively robust surface, and a second lower layer which contacts the ground in use. This provides a more robust suction cup.

In preferred embodiments downward pressure is applied to the centre of the upper outer surface of the suction cup so that it is pressed down so as to create a seal with the ground. The aperture is closed by the plug so that a vacuum is formed within a cavity defined by the suction cup and the ground.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in a second position; Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in a first position; Figure 7 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in a second position; and Figures 8A and 8B show a second embodiment of the modified ferrule.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 7 there is shown a first embodiment of the modified ferrule 99 comprising a body 1 defining a body region 62. The body 1 has a first end 61 and a second end 63, the first end 61 arranged for receipt of a walking aid (not shown) and the second end 63 arranged with a suction cup 3 which together define a surface contact 64 for contacting the ground.

The body 1 houses a mechanism arranged to transmit downward pressure and a twisting action generated by a user applying these forces to the walking aid. The application of the downward pressure and twisting activates the mechanism into linear motion by deploying the suction cup 3 to contact the ground and enabling the plug to close the aperture in the suction cup 3 once the suction cup is in contact with the ground.

With particular reference to the pictured embodiments in Figures 1 to 7 the embodiment comprises a largely cylindrical body 1, extending between a tapered neck 6 at the first end 61 and a substantially flat circular second end 63.

The device provides an improved crutch ferrule which has suction technology that when activated will allow the crutch to be free-standing, alleviating the problem of balancing the crutch or walking aid against walls etc. Preferably the modified ferrule 99 is adapted to fit onto standard crutch poles (25mm 0).

A suction cup 3 covers almost all of the opening of the second end 63 of the body 62 to provide a surface contact area 64.

A twisting motion activates the suction cup 3 on the device whereby it may be envisaged that the user simply twists the walking aid around 60° whilst pushing the downwards on the walking aid. The downward pressure and twisting action will cause notches inside the neck to bump over and slide along tracks on the interior of the body 1.

When the notch reaches the end of its path it bumps over and engages and will subsequently keep the suction pad pressed down, thereby creating a vacuum with the ground surface.

The suction cup 3 comprises an aperture 4 for enabling air to enter or leave the cup. This aperture enables internal pressure to be equalised with an outside pressure.

A resiliently deformable plug 10 (preferably formed from silicone) is also pressed into the suction cup aperture, sealing it, to create a vacuum within the cavity defined by the suction cup and the ground surface.

When activated by the user applying force to the walking aid the mechanism moves the internal plug 10 so that it pushes into the aperture 4 which is located at the centre of the suction cup 3 to create the suction. At least part of the body twists up and down with reference to the walking aid and the neck, allowing the plug to press into the suction cup hole.

The neck 6 comprises an inner sleeve 8 which tapers inwards and contains space for the crutch pole to slide into. This has internal resilient rings 18.

The resiliently deformable suction cup 3 will deform and thereby clamp the device to the ground surface when the hole 4 is plugged and a vacuum is created.

A plastic disc 11 holds the silicone cup in place, and an annular hard plastic or metal or alloy ring 2 provides an outer ground contacting surface in use.

The body 1 is connected to the top neck 6 via screws It has three studs 13 on the outside which slide along the tracks on the inner face of the body 1 when the modified ferrule is twisted.

The neck has a lower face 19 that matches the profile of the plug 10 so that it can slot over it and be held in place by a capping 12.

Figures 8A and 8B show simplified view of a second embodiment of the invention 200 intended to show the suction cup in first and second orientations. Some elements of the mechanism are not shown in Figures 8A and 8B. The suction cup 3 is moveable from a first stowed orientation shown in Figure 8B to a second deployed orientation shown in Figure 8A.

The suction cup is mounted on a shaft 30 that can move up and down within the body 1.

When the suction cup 3 is stowed as shown in Figure 8B the neck 6 and body 1 are spaced apart, but still connected, creating a gap 40 which defines the range of movement of the suction cup 3 within the body.

As a twisting downward pressure is applied to the walking aid 200 the neck 6 is pushed downwards and engages with the body 1, thus closing the gap 40.

The shaft 30 is connected to a column 35 that houses the suction cup 3, the plug and associated mechanism for the plug (not shown).

An internal notch 51 is arranged within a channel 52 and a recess 53 on the shaft 30. The channel 53 leads to and is in connection with an orthogonal recess 53 which serves as a catch to hold the shaft 30 and thereby the suction cup 3 in a fixed position away from the ground.

As the walking aid 200 and thereby the modified ferrule 99 is twisted the notch 51 travels across the recess 53 and is released from the recess 53 at the point it reaches the channel 52. Once engaged with the channel 52 the notch 51 can travel downwards, thereby moving the shaft 30, the suction cup 3 and the plug (not shown) downward to the ground. As the suction cup 3 engages with the ground and the plug is inserted into the aperture of the suction cup, the walking aid and modified ferrule become fixed to the ground by the suction cup.

The mechanism to move the plug to and from the suction cup is not shown in Figures 8A and 8B, however it is appreciated that the mechanism is housed within the column 35.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1 A modified ferrule for a walking aid comprising: a body defining a first end and a second end, the first end is arranged to receive a walking aid and the second end houses a suction cup for contacting the ground; the suction cup has an aperture that is closable by a plug so that when the aperture is open, air is able to pass through the suction cup, and when the aperture is closed and the suction cup is in contact with a ground surface, a vacuum is created to hold the suction cup against the ground surface; the body houses a mechanism that configures the suction cup between a first configuration in which the aperture in the suction cup is open, and a second configuration in which the suction cup is configured to engage with the ground by inserting the plug to close the aperture and thereby form a vacuum; wherein the mechanism is activated by pressing the second end of the body against the ground in combination with a user applying downward pressure to the walking aid.

2. A modified ferrule according to claim 1 wherein the mechanism moves the suction cup from a first stowed position within the body to a second deployed position in which the suction cup engages with the ground.

3. A modified ferrule according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mechanism is activated to reconfigure the suction cup between the first position to the second position by a user applying a downward pressure and twisting the walking aid.

4. A modified ferrule according to any preceding claim wherein the mechanism is sprung.

5. A modified ferrule according to any preceding claim including a locking means to retain the suction cup in the first and/or second positions.

6. A modified ferrule according to any preceding claim wherein the first end of the body has a neck with an inner sleeve which tapers inwards and contains an opening for receiving a distal end of a walking aid.

7. A walking aid including the modified ferrule described in any of claims 1 to 6.