JP2000093471A - Extensible and contractable cane - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cane which is formed as an extensible and contractable cane by housing an internal pipe into an external pipe and is easily and continuously adjustable in its length. SOLUTION: This cane is constituted by extending an arbor 5 fixed to exist at the central axis of the external pipe 1 into the internal pipe 2, inserting the arbor 5 into the central hole of a zigzag chain which is fixed at its one end to the end of the internal pipe and is formed with a free end at its other end, making an unlocking member 9 vertically movable by means of an unlocking knob 11 disposed on the internal pipe side and connecting the free end of the zigzag chain 3 to the unlocking member 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a retractable cane whose length can be freely changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A cane is an assistive device for pedestrians, and is used mainly by elderly people and physically handicapped people, and is often used by climbers to support their bodies and for safety when climbing a mountain. As described above, the cane is used according to its use. In general, the stick is a single rod, and a stick or a support may be provided at the upper end of the rod. It is immutable.

[0003] For example, a cane used by a person with a disabled leg has a support at the upper end, but a cane used to support the body in this way is limited to the height and the length of the arm of the person. It is convenient if the length can be adjusted accordingly, but if the length is not suitable, the fatigue is increased. That is, it is necessary to have a structure in which the length of the walking stick can be changed so that the body can be supported in an easy walking posture.

[0004] By providing the cane with such a length adjusting mechanism, it can be relatively easily realized by applying the prior art, but most of the users of the cane are elderly people. For this reason, it is required that the adjustment can be easily performed. For example, a structure in which a thin pipe can be fitted and slid in a thick pipe can be used, and both pipes can be fixed with pins or the like. However, in such a structure, the length adjustment is troublesome.

When you need to support your body with a cane,
Not only when walking, but also when getting up from a chair. In order to use the cane in such different postures, the length of the cane must be freely adjustable, but it is important that the cane can be adjusted immediately. As described above, the pinning mechanism cannot satisfy this requirement.

[0006]

As described above, the conventional cane has the above-mentioned problems. The problem to be solved by the present invention is this problem, and provides a cane whose length can be easily adjusted and steplessly adjusted.

[0007]

The length (height) of the cane of the present invention can be adjusted steplessly, so that a thick pipe (outer pipe) and a thin pipe fitted therein. (Inner pipe) is slidable in combination, a support is provided at the upper end of the outer pipe, and a core is fixed to the center axis of the outer pipe and extends downward, and this core fits into the inner pipe. A zigzag bent chain is attached to the upper end of the inner pipe, and a core extending downward from the outer pipe is inserted into a center hole formed by bending the chain in a zigzag manner. .

Here, the upper end of the zigzag chain is fixed to the inner pipe side, and the lower end is connected to an unlocking member that can slide in the inner pipe. The chain is, for example, a roller chain of a bicycle.A plurality of links are configured to be flexibly connected via pins.If the links are bent in a zigzag shape, the pins are arranged in parallel at a certain interval. The core metal fits in between. Then, when trying to move the zigzag chain upward along this mandrel, the pins are in contact with the mandrel and the chain is stretched,
Then, the pins arranged in parallel cannot bite into the core bar to move the chain. That is, it is locked.

When the wand is used, the force of pressing the grip acts as a reaction force on the lower inner pipe as an upward force, and the upper side of the zigzag chain attached to the upper end of the inner pipe. Although a force to slide the fixed end upward is exerted, the inner pipe is prevented from sliding and reducing its length by being locked to the core bar. Conversely, when the inner pipe is extended, the upper fixed end of the zigzag chain moves downward. Since this is a direction in which the zigzag degree of the chain is further increased, the chain does not lock with the core metal, and as a result, the inner pipe can be freely stretched.

Therefore, when contracting the inner pipe once extended, the unlocking member is pushed up so that the zigzag chain is not extended. That is, the lower end (free end) of the zigzag chain is connected to the unlocking member, and the zigzag degree can be expanded by pushing up the unlocking member. In this state, the chain can be freely moved with respect to the cored bar. Thus, the inner pipe can freely expand and contract.

In the wand of the present invention, the outer pipe is arranged downward and the inner pipe is arranged upward, and a grip can be attached to the upper end of the inner pipe. Further, the two zigzag chains are attached to the inner pipe in pairs, and the core holes are also inserted into the center holes of both zigzag chains so that they cannot be expanded or contracted. That is, unless the unlock end moves the free end of the zigzag chain, the zigzag chain is locked. Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a telescopic wand according to the present invention, wherein 1 is an outer pipe, 2 is an inner pipe, 3 is a zigzag chain, and 4 is a grip. Reference numeral 5 denotes a metal core. The metal core 5 is fixed to the upper end of the outer pipe 1 and extends downward, and the grip (support portion) 4 is attached to the upper end of the outer pipe 1. The outer pipe 1 has a larger outer diameter, and the inner pipe 2 having a smaller outer diameter fits inside the outer pipe so that it can expand and contract. A guide cap 6 is provided at the lower end of the outer pipe 1 so that the inner pipe 2 does not rattle. The inner pipe 2 is attached to restrain the outer surface of the inner pipe 2, and a chain attachment 7 of the zigzag chain 3 is provided at the upper end of one of the inner pipes. It is a guide part on the inner surface. The upper end of the metal core 5 is bent into an L shape, and is fixed to the upper end of the outer pipe via a metal core holder 8.

The upper end of one zigzag chain 3 is fixed to a chain attachment 7 attached to the inner pipe 2, and the lower end of the zigzag chain 3 is connected to an unlocking member 9 which can slide in the inner pipe. ing. Therefore, the upper end of the zigzag chain 3 is fixed but the lower end is in a free state, and the zigzag degree of the chain can be expanded by pushing up the unlocking member 9 at the lower end.

A thin unlocking pipe 10 is connected to the unlocking member 9, and the unlocking pipe 10 extends downward and is connected to an unlocking knob 11 attached to the lower end of the inner pipe 2. Therefore, if the unlock knob 11 is pushed up, the unlock member 9
Is pushed up, and the zigzag degree of the zigzag chain 3 can be increased.

A metal core 5 fixed to the upper end of the outer pipe and extending downward penetrates the center hole of the zigzag chain 3. FIG. 2 illustrates the relationship between the zigzag chain 3 and the cored bar 5. The zigzag chain 3 is configured by connecting a plurality of links 12, 12,... With pins 13, 13,. It's like a bicycle chain. In the bicycle chain, a bush and a roller are fitted to the pin to smoothly mesh with the sprocket. However, the chain used in the present invention may be one in which the link is connected only by the pin without using the bush or the roller. Rather, the configuration without using bushes or rollers results in a more compact chain.

If such a chain is bent to form a zigzag shape, the pins 13, 13,... Are arranged in two rows in parallel, and a central hole penetrating between them is formed. For this reason, the metal core 5 penetrates the center hole, and the pins 13, 13... Are in contact with the metal core 5. Therefore, when the fixed end 14 of the zigzag chain 3 is to be moved upward with respect to the metal core 5, the pins 13, 13... Bite into the metal core 5 in an attempt to reduce the zigzag degree of the chain. Therefore, the fixed end 14 cannot be moved upward.

The fixed end 14 is provided on the chain attachment 7 shown in FIG. 1, and the inner pipe 2 cannot be contracted. That is, even if a force is applied to the grip 4, the length of the stick does not decrease, and the stick can function as a stick. FIG. 3 shows the cane with the inner pipe 2 stretched. And at the tip (lower end) of the inner pipe, there is a rubber non-slip 15
Also, the anti-slip 15 has a footrest portion 16 having a large outer diameter.
Is formed.

Since the zigzag chain 3 does not lock in the direction in which the inner pipe 2 is stretched,
If the grip 4 is lifted by placing the toe on the inner pipe 2, the inner pipe 2 slides in the outer pipe 1 and the cane becomes longer. Of course, as described above, the grip 4 may be depressed while the unlocking knob 11 is being moved upward when contracting. Then, when the unlock knob 11 is released at the appropriate height, it is locked.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the cane according to the present invention, in which the vertical direction of the cane of the above embodiment is reversed.
That is, the outer pipe 1 is arranged downward and the inner pipe 2 is arranged upward to form a cane, and a grip 4 is attached to the upper end of the inner pipe,
A leg 22 is provided at the lower end of the outer pipe. Therefore, when the grip 4 is lifted by putting a foot on the leg 22, the cane is extended, and when the grip 4 is shortened, the unlock knob 11 attached to the lower side of the grip 4 is pushed down to hold the grip 4. Can be done by pressing down. A spring force can be applied to prevent the unlock knob 11 from being lowered carelessly, which is more preferable.

The urging of the spring force is the same in the case of the unlocking knob of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the fixed end 14 of the zigzag chain 3 is located below and the free end is located above, so that the zigzag degree is always increased, and the core metal cannot be locked. Therefore, it is necessary to connect the free end of the zigzag chain 3 to the unlocking member 9 and to apply a spring force for constantly lifting the unlocking member 9. Of course,
Unlock knob 11 connected to unlock member 9
May be biased. On the other hand, zigzag chain 3
A spring force may be applied in a direction in which the wire itself extends, and a wire may be wound around each pin in a zigzag manner, and the spring force of the wire may be used.

The cane shown in the above embodiment has a grip 4
Can withstand the pressing force from above, that is, it cannot contract, but does not have a restraining force in the stretching direction. Therefore, if the user swings with the grip 4, the inner pipe 2 will extend. Of course,
The one that is free in the stretching direction is the footrest 1
Although it is convenient because it can be stretched by putting a foot on 6, it is also possible to configure so that the inner pipe 2 does not extend freely.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment showing the wand when both the stretching direction and the shrinking direction are locked. Basically, the locking mechanism in the contracting direction is adopted as a pair. The zigzag chain 3a is a chain for locking the inner pipe 2 so as not to contract, and the other zigzag chain 3a is used.
b is a chain for preventing the inner pipe 2 from extending.
One end of each of the zigzag chains 3a and 3b is fixed to the chain attachment 17, but the zigzag chain 3a has a fixed end 14a at the upper side, and the zigzag chain 3b has a fixed end 14b at the lower side.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, coil springs 19a and 19b are connected to the arm 21 of the unlocking member at the free ends 18a and 18b, which are the other ends of the zigzag chains 3a and 3b. The coil springs 19a, 19b act on the zigzag chains 3a, 3b by a spring force so that the zigzag chains 3a, 3b can be stretched.
Are always in contact with the cored bar 5. Therefore, when the inner pipe 2 is expanded and contracted, the unlock knob 11 is moved up and down. Also in this case, zigzag chain 3
Is not limited to the coil spring 19 as a means for extending
A spring wire can be wound around each pin in a zigzag fashion.

When the inner pipe 2 is extended, the unlocking knob 11 is pulled down, and the unlocking member 20 is lowered via the unlocking pipe 10. As a result, the arm 21 compresses the zigzag chain 3b by pressing the free end 18b of the zigzag chain 3b (enlarges the zigzag degree).
Are separated from the metal core 5, and the inner pipe 2 can extend. Conversely, when compressing the inner pipe 2, the unlocking knob 11 is pushed up, and the arm 21 of the unlocking member 20 pushes up the free end 18 a of the zigzag chain 3 a. Therefore, the zigzag degree of the zigzag chain 3a is enlarged, the pins 13, 13,... Are separated from the metal core 5, and the inner pipe 2 can slide upward.

As described above, the cane of the present invention is constituted by the outer pipe and the inner pipe so that the length thereof can freely expand and contract, and the core extending from the outer pipe is attached to the inner pipe. Locked with a zigzag chain, the following effects can be obtained.

[0026]

Since the length (height) of the cane of the present invention can be freely changed, it can be used according to the length of the user's own extension and arm, and the length cannot be adjusted. It is easier to use than a cane, and less fatigue after a long use. This length adjustment is the most suitable length with no floor, and the length adjustment is very simple, and the once set length is securely locked without breaking.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a telescopic wand of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a specific example showing a telescopic structure of a cane.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which a cane is extended.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the telescopic wand of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the extendable wand of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a case where a coil spring is connected to a free end of a zigzag chain to apply tension.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer pipe 2 Inner pipe 3 Zigzag chain 4 Grip 5 Core 6 Guide cap 7 Chain attachment 8 Core holder 9 Unlock member 10 Unlock pipe 11 Unlock knob 12 Link 13 Pin 14 Fixed end 15 Non-slip 16 Footrest Part 17 Chain attachment 18 Free end 19 Coil spring 20 Unlock member 21 Arm 22 Leg

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cane which is housed in an outer pipe and accommodates an inner pipe and which can be extended and contracted, wherein a metal core fixed so as to be positioned on the center axis of the outer pipe is extended to the inner pipe, and one end is fixed to an end of the inner pipe. At the same time, the metal core is inserted into the center space of the zigzag chain having the other end as a free end, and the unlocking member provided on the inner pipe side allows the unlocking member to move up and down, thereby unlocking the free end of the zigzag chain. An extendable wand connected to a lock member. 2. The telescopic device according to claim 1, wherein the outer pipe is located upward, the inner pipe is located downward, a grip is attached to an upper end of the outer pipe, and a slip stopper and a footrest are provided at a lower end of the inner pipe. Possible cane. 3. The wand according to claim 1, wherein the outer pipe is positioned downward and the inner pipe is positioned upward, a grip is attached to an upper end of the inner pipe, and a leg is provided at a lower end of the outer pipe. . 4. A wand which accommodates an inner pipe in an outer pipe and can be extended and contracted, wherein a metal core fixed so as to be located at a center axis of the outer pipe is extended to the inner pipe, and an end of the inner pipe is Two zigzag chains having one end fixed and the other end free are provided in pairs, and the free end is connected via an arm and a spring of an unlocking member located between the two zigzag chains, and the spring is connected. Force is applied to the arm side, and the core is inserted into the center space of the zigzag chain, and the unlocking member provided on the inner pipe side allows the unlocking member to move up and down. An extendable wand connected to an unlocking member.